Albumin-Lymphocyte-Globulin-C-Reactive Protein Index as a Novel Prognostic Biomarker for Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Hepatectomy.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the performance of the albumin-lymphocyte-globulin-C-reactive protein (CRP) (ALGC) index as a novel prognostic biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy. METHODS: Patients (n = 178) who underwent hepatectomy for HCC (July 2010-December 2021) were analyzed. The ALGC index was calculated as ([albumin × lymphocyte]/[CRP × globulin × 104]). Patients were divided into a low ALGC group (<1.82; n = 81) and a high ALGC group (≥1.82; n = 97). The association of the ALGC index with survival was assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The median overall survival (OS) was 100 (range: 1-149) months with 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates of 91.6%, 81.2%, and 64.2%, respectively. In univariate analysis, ALGC index (<1.82), alpha-fetoprotein (≥25 ng/mL), tumor size (≥3.5 cm), microvascular invasion, and multiple tumors were associated with shorter OS. ALGC index (<1.82) (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]) (2.48 [1.407-4.513]; p = 0.001) and multiple tumors (1.92 [1.070-3.356]; p = 0.029) were independent predictors of OS in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: ALGC index is a novel prognostic biomarker for HCC after hepatectomy. It may assist in treatment stratification and better management of patients with HCC.

A combined prediction model for biliary tract cancer using the prognostic nutritional index and pathological findings: a single-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic nutritional index, a marker of nutritional status and systemic inflammation, is a known biomarker for various cancers. However, few studies have evaluated the predictive value of the prognostic nutritional index in patients with biliary tract cancer. Therefore, we investigated the prognostic significance of the prognostic nutritional index, and developed a risk-stratification system to identify prognostic factors in patients with biliary tract cancer. METHODS: Between July 2010 and March 2021, 117 patients with biliary tract cancer were recruited to this single-center, retrospective study. The relationship between clinicopathological variables, including the prognostic nutritional index, and overall survival was analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The median age was 75 (range 38-92) years. Thirty patients had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma; 29, gallbladder carcinoma; 27, distal cholangiocarcinoma; 17, ampullary carcinoma; and 13, perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. Curative (R0) resection was achieved in 99 patients. In univariate analysis, the prognostic nutritional index (< 42), lymph node metastasis, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level (> 20 U/mL), preoperative cholangitis, tumor differentiation, operation time (≥ 360 min), and R1-2 resection were significant risk factors for overall survival. The prognostic nutritional index (P = 0.027), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.040), and tumor differentiation (P = 0.006) were independent prognostic factors in multivariate analysis. A combined score of the prognostic nutritional index and pathological findings outperformed each marker alone, in terms of discriminatory power. CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic nutritional index, lymph node metastasis, and tumor differentiation were independent prognostic factors after surgical resection in patients with biliary tract cancer. A combined prediction model using the prognostic nutritional index and pathological findings accurately predicted prognosis, and can be used as a novel prognostic factor in patients with biliary tract cancer.

Preoperative Albumin-to-Globulin Ratio Predicts Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Cohort Study Including Non-Hepatitis Virus-Infected Patients.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the prognostic significance of the preoperative albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with various liver etiologies. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 157 patients with HCC between July 2010 and February 2021. The relationship between clinicopathological variables was investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean overall survival (OS) was 24.5 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 90.4%, 81.2%, and 68.7%, respectively. Patients were classified into 2 groups: AGR <1.16 (low-AGR group; n = 43) and AGR ≥1.16 (high-AGR group; n = 114). In univariate analysis, OS was significantly reduced in patients with a low AGR (AGR <1.16), an alpha-fetoprotein level ≥25 ng/mL, a tumor size ≥3.5 cm, microvascular invasion, and poor tumor differentiation. In multivariate analysis, a low AGR (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]) (2.394 [1.092-5.213]; p = 0.030) and microvascular invasion (2.268 [1.019-5.169]; p = 0.045) were independent predictors of OS. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: A low AGR was significantly associated with poor OS in patients with HCC, regardless of liver etiology. This may assist in treatment stratification and better management of patients with HCC.

Nutritional assessment and surgical outcomes in very elderly patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the nutritional factors and clinical outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy between elderly and non-elderly patients. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated 122 consecutive patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy from April 2008 to April 2020. Preoperative and postoperative nutritional factors (prognostic nutritional index), complication rates, and survival rates were compared between the elderly (≥ 80 years) and non-elderly (< 80 years) patient groups. Changes in nutrition markers were evaluated before surgery to 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 20 elderly patients (16.4%) and 102 non-elderly patients (83.6%) underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. Elderly patients had a significantly lower preoperative prognostic nutritional index than did non-elderly patients. At 3 months postoperatively, elderly patients had a lower albumin level and prognostic nutritional index. The median length of hospital stay was significantly longer (39.9 vs. 27 days, P = 0.004), the rate of death due to other diseases was higher, and the overall survival rate was significantly lower (1-/3-/5 year overall survival rates: 78.1%/26.7%/13.3% vs. 87.1%/54.4%/46.7%; log-rank test, P = 0.003) in the elderly group than in the non-elderly group. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that careful patient selection and optimal perioperative care are necessary to determine whether pancreaticoduodenectomy is indicated for elderly patients.

Adequacy evaluation of the annual colonoscopic surveillance and individual difference of disease phenotypes in Lynch syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Regular endoscopic surveillance for Lynch syndrome is reported to reduce colorectal cancer (CRC)-related mortality. However, the appropriate surveillance intervals are still unclear. We evaluated the adequacy of annual colonoscopy and investigated the differences in tumor occurrence rates between individual patients. METHODS: In total, 25 patients with Lynch syndrome who underwent colonoscopic surveillance between 2007 and 2016 at the Iwakuni Clinical Center were included. We retrospectively investigated the surveillance frequency and the clinical features associated with tumor development. RESULTS: Colonoscopic surveillance was performed every 397 days on average. A total of 101 tumors, including 8 intramucosal carcinomas and 15 carcinomas, were observed within the study period. Annual colonoscopy detected six malignancies, including a carcinoma requiring surgery. Tumor incidence was associated with tumor existence in the initial colonoscopies (P = 0.018). Patients with a tumor occurrence rate of 0.4 tumors per year during our observation period were significantly more likely to have malignancies detected during regular surveillance than patients who had a lower occurrence rate (P < 0.001). Malignancy occurrence rate was strongly associated with tumor occurrence rate (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.44). CONCLUSIONS: Annual colonoscopic surveillance for Lynch syndrome patients was effective in reducing the risk of CRC progression, but was insufficient to completely avoid surgery. Because the tumor occurrence rate differed substantially between individuals, more intensive surveillance was required for high-risk patients.

Solitary Cardiac Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Cardiac metastasis originating from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare condition with a poor prognosis. No therapeutic standards for cardiac metastasis originating from HCC have been established. At 19 months after a curative hepatectomy, a 64-year-old Japanese hepatitis B virus-positive male patient experienced solitary cardiac metastasis originating from HCC. The cardiac tumor was discovered in the right ventricle. The patient received three courses of radiotherapy and chemotherapy and survived > 3 years after the initial diagnosis of cardiac metastasis. His case demonstrates that radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy can be an effective treatment for cardiac metastasis.

The Late Phase/Early Phase Ratio of Pancreatic CT Values as a Novel Predictor of Pancreatic Fistula after Distal Pancreatectomy.

Post-operative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains the most common complication after distal pancreatectomy (DP). In this retrospective study, we reviewed the data from patients who underwent DP between 2008 and 2019 in our institute to determine whether the late phase/early phase ratio (L/E ratio) by preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan in the pancreas could predict POPF occurrence after DP. We examined the relationship between preoperative or intraoperative factors and the occurrence of POPF after DP using statistical methods in 23 males and 21 females with a mean age of 73. The mean L/E ratio was significantly lower in the POPF group than the non-POPF group (p=0.035). The L/E ratio had moderate diagnostic accuracy, with a calculated optimal cutoff value of 0.77. In univariate analysis, a significant association was noted between POPF and stump thickness ≥ 16.9, body mass index ≥ 27.5, and L/E ratio ≤ 0.77. In the multivariate analysis, the L/E ratio (odds ratio, 5.96; p=0.036) was an independent risk factor for POPF. Our findings suggest that the pancreatic L/E ratio may predict the occurrence of POPF after DP. This measure may be useful in preoperative risk stratification, patient counseling, and perioperative patient management, improving clinical outcomes after DP.

[A Case of Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer with Common Hepatic Artery Anomaly].

A 67-year-old woman with upper abdominal pain was referred to our hospital. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a type 3 gastric cancer at the greater curvature of the angular notch. Abdominal CT helped detect the primary tumor. Multi-detector-row computed tomography(MDCT)and 3D-CT angiography revealed a vascular anomaly in which the left gastric and splenic arteries formed the common trunk. The common hepatic and superior mesenteric arteries formed the common trunk. We performed a laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection. During suprapancreatic lymph node dissection, the surface of the portal vein was difficult to expose toward the left side because the portal vein joined the splenic and superior mesenteric veins on the caudal side. Therefore, the No. 8a lymph nodes were dissected along the anterior hepatic plexus. In cases of common hepatic artery anomaly, identifying the anterior hepatic plexus is useful for the dissection of the suprapancreatic lymph nodes.

[A Case of Surgery for Transversal Colon Cancer with Intestinal Malrotation -Visualizing Method of Blood Flow in the Fluorescence Navigation Period].

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic blood flow evaluation using the fluorescence method with indocyanine green(ICG)is expected to decrease the risk of anastomotic leakage in colorectal cancer surgery. The fluorescence method is considered to be also useful for assessing arterial divergence patterns in patients with special anatomical features. We report a case of transverse colon cancer with intestinal malrotation treated with laparoscopic surgery using the ICG fluorescence method. CASE: A 62- year-old woman who was diagnosed as having transverse colon cancer with intestinal malrotation underwent a laparoscopic transverse colon resection with D3 lymph node dissection. We identified the ileocolic artery and middle colic artery (MCA)after the ICG injection and the severed MCA during lymphadenectomy. We made a final diagnosis of pT2N0M0, pStage Ⅰ. CONCLUSION: The fluorescence method was useful for assessing the arterial divergence pattern in a patient with a special anatomical feature. However, the ICG fluorescence method had some problems, including visualizing blood flow for only a short time and poorly transmitting the dye through thick fat.

Risk Analysis for Invasive Fungal Infection after Living Donor Liver Transplantation: Which Patient Needs Potent Prophylaxis?

BACKGROUND: Invasive fungal infection (IFI) is associated with high mortality after living donor liver transplant (LDLT). The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for post-LDLT IFI for early diagnosis and improvement of antifungal treatment outcome. METHODS: Risk analysis data were available for all 153 patients who underwent LDLT between January 2005 and April 2012. RESULTS: During the follow-up period (1,553 ± 73 days, range 20-2,946 days), 15 patients (9.8%) developed IFI classified as "proven" (n = 8) and "probable" (n = 7) with fungal pathogens including Candida spp. (n = 10), Aspergillus spp. (n = 4), and Trichosporon (n = 2). Of these patients, 7 patients with IFI died despite treatment. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were lower in patients with IFI than those without IFI (66.7/59.3/44.4 vs. 90.4/85.7/81.8%, respectively; p = 0.0026). Multivariate analysis identified model for end-stage liver disease score of ≥26 (OR 16.0, p = 0.0012) and post-transplant acute kidney injury (RIFLE criteria I- or F-class; OR 4.87, p = 0.047) as independent risk factors for IFI. CONCLUSION: Preoperative recipients' status and postoperative kidney dysfunction can affect an occurrence of post-transplant IFI. These risk factors would be taken into consideration for designation of proper antifungal therapy.

Safety of Surgical Treatment for Elderly Patients with Gallbladder Carcinoma.

Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is a common malignancy with a poor prognosis. With the average life expectancy increasing globally, the incidence of GBC is predicted to increase as well. We investigated the safety and feasibility of surgical treatment for elderly patients with GBC. We retrospectively compared clinical pathological data and treatment outcomes in 45 consecutive GBC patients (23 patients ≥ 75 years [elderly group] and 22 patients < 75 years [younger group]) who underwent curative resection at the Iwakuni Center from January 2008 to December 2017. The proportion of preoperative comorbidities and anticoagulant use was significantly higher in the elderly group. The American Society of Anesthesiologists score was higher in the elderly versus the younger group, and the elderly group had significantly shorter operation times. Reduced activities of daily living was more common in the elderly versus younger group. The percentage of radical resection and overall 3-year survival (66.6% younger vs. 64.4% elderly) were similar between the groups. Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score ≥ 3 and R0 resection were identified as prognostic factors for overall survival rate among all patients. After careful patient selection.

Metachronous colorectal carcinoma with massive submucosal invasion detected by annual surveillance in a Lynch syndrome patient: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Lynch syndrome is the most common form of hereditary colorectal carcinoma. It is characterized by the presence of germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes. Mutation carriers have a lifetime risk of developing colorectal carcinoma of approximately 80%. Current treatment guidelines recommend periodic surveillance for colorectal carcinoma in patients with Lynch syndrome. However, the optimal interval between colonoscopies has not yet been determined. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a 54-year-old man with Lynch syndrome who was undergoing annual colonoscopy surveillance for the development of colorectal carcinoma. At 54, 57, 59, and 60 years old, a colonoscopy showed high-grade dysplasia and adenoma. Therefore, endoscopic mucosal resection was performed. At 61 years old, a colonoscopy showed metachronous colorectal carcinoma with massive submucosal invasion. He subsequently underwent laparotomy for colorectal carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Annual surveillance using colonoscopy can detect colorectal carcinoma at an early stage, leading to reduced mortality. However, some patients might require a laparotomy, as was the case here. More frequent colonoscopic surveillance might be necessary to avoid surgery for colorectal carcinoma in Lynch syndrome patients with multiple risk factors for interval cancer.

Preoperative Risk Factors for Conversion of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy to Open Cholecystectomy and the Usefulness of the 2013 Tokyo Guidelines.

To identify predictive factors for conversion from laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) to open cholecystectomy performed for mixed indications as an acute or elective procedure. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 236 consecutive cases of LC performed in our department between January 2012 and January 2015, and evaluated preoperative risk factors for conversion and the usefulness of the 2013 Tokyo guidelines (TG2013) for diagnosing acute cholecystitis. The conversion rate in our series was 8% (19/236 cases). The following independent predictive factors of conversion were identified (p≤0.04): previous upper abdominal surgery (odds ratio (OR), 14.6), pericholecystic fluid (OR, 10.04), acute cholecystitis (OR, 7.81), and emergent LC (OR, 15.8). Specifically for patients with acute cholecystitis defined using the 2013 Tokyo guidelines, use of an antiplatelet or anticoagulant drug for cardiovascular disease (p=0.043), previous upper abdominal surgery (p<0.031) and a resident as operator (p=0.041) were predictive factors. The risk factors for conversion identified herein could help to predict the difficulty of the procedure and could be used by surgeons to better inform patients regarding the risks for conversion. The TG2013 can be an effective tool for diagnosing acute cholecystitis to make informed clinical decisions regarding the optimal procedure for a patient.

Correlation of computed tomography imaging features and pathological features of 41 patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET) are relatively rare. Here, we present clinical and pathological characteristics of PNETs to show a relationship between computed tomography (CT) imaging and the 2010 World Health Organization (WHO) classification. METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 41 PNET patients who were treated between 2002 and 2012. All tumors were classified as neuroendocrine tumor (NET) grade 1 (G1), NET grade 2 (G2), or neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) grade 3 (G3) on the basis of the 2010 WHO classification system. RESULTS: Twenty-five tumors were classified as G1, 11 as G2, and five as G3. Mean sizes of the G1, G2 and G3 tumors were 1.84 ± 0.54, 4.90 ± 0.84, and 5.62 ± 1.18 cm, respectively, (P < 0.01). A PNET is typically hypervascular and exhibits contrast enhancement on enhanced CT. Higher percentage of G1 tumors demonstrated typical imaging and showed a significantly greater distinct mass compared with G2 and G3 tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Although PNET has many imaging features that appear on CT, G2 and G3 tumors often show atypical imaging features, particularly with large sizes and/or ill-defined features, when compared with G1 tumors. If a PNET has atypical imaging features, possibility of malignancy should be considered.

First successful case of simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation for patients with chronic liver and renal failure in Japan.

Establishment of a preferential liver allocation rule for simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation (SLK) and revisions of laws regarding organ transplants from deceased donors have paved the way for SLK in Japan. Very few cases of SLK have been attempted in Japan, and no such recipients have survived for longer than 40 days. The present report describes a case of a 50-year-old woman who had undergone living donor liver transplantation at the age of 38 years for management of post-partum liver failure. After the first transplant surgery, she developed hepatic vein stenosis and severe hypersplenism requiring splenectomy. She was then initiated on hemodialysis (HD) due to the deterioration of renal function after insertion of a hepatic vein stent. She was listed as a candidate for SLK in 2011 because she required frequent plasma exchange for hepatic coma. When her Model for End-stage Liver Disease score reached 46, the new liver was donated 46 days after registration. The reduced trisegment liver and the kidney grafts were simultaneously transplanted under veno-venous bypass and intraoperative HD. The hepatic artery was reconstructed prior to portal reconstruction in order to shorten anhepatic time. Although she developed subcapsular bleeding caused by hepatic contusion on the next day, subsequent hemostasis was obtained by transcatheter embolization. Thereafter, her recovery was uneventful, except for mild rejection and renal tubular acidosis of the kidney graft. This case highlights the need to establish Japanese criteria for SLK.

Risk factors of morbidity and predictors of long-term survival after hepatopancreatoduodenectomy for biliary cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatopancreatoduodenectomy (HPD) is performed to achieve radical resection of malignant biliary tumors. We reviewed clinical outcomes to evaluate the utility of HPD in terms of morbidity and mortality. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 17 patients underwent HPD between August 1991 and May 2013; 9 bile duct cancer, 5 advanced gallbladder and 3 pancreatic tumor with liver metastasis. RESULTS: The morbidity and mortality rates were 88.3% and 0%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that a body mass index of ≥22 and preoperative total bilirubin level ≥0.8 mg/dl were significantly associated with severe complications. One-, 3- and 5-year survival rate were 73.3%, 60.0% and 30.0%. In 14 patients with biliary carcinoma, univariate analysis showed that a histological grade of G1 was significantly associated with survival. Patients without pancreatic invasion or portal vein invasion tended to survive longer than patients with these types of invasion, although the difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: HPD can be performed with no mortality and provides a survival benefit for some patients with biliary carcinoma undergoing curative resection. In patients with grade G1 biliary carcinoma without pancreatic or portal vein invasion in particular, this aggressive surgery might offer a chance of long-term survival.

Hepatitis C virus-specific T-cell response correlates with hepatitis activity and donor IL28B genotype early after liver transplantation.

It is not known how the immune system targets hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected HLA-mismatched hepatocytes under immune-suppressed conditions after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). In addition, the relationship between the HCV-specific immune response and IL28B variants as predictors of HCV clearance has not been well-characterized. We determined the IL28B polymorphisms for 57 post-OLT HCV carriers, and we assessed the HCV-specific immune responses by measuring the peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived HCV-specific interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) response using an enzyme-linked immunospot assay. At 1-3 years after OLT, patients with no active hepatitis showed higher total spots on the immunospot assay. At＞3 years after OLT, patients with resolved HCV showed higher levels of core, NS3, NS5A, and total spots compared to the chronic hepatitis patients. The IL28B major genotype in the donors correlated with higher spot counts for NS5A and NS5B proteins at 1-3 years after OLT. In the post-OLT setting, the HCV-specific immune response could be strongly induced in patients with no active hepatitis with an IL28B major donor or sustained virological response. Strong immune responses in the patients with no active hepatitis could only be maintained for 3 years and diminished later. It may be beneficial to administer IFN treatment starting 3 years after OLT, to induce the maximum immunological effect.

Preoperative Myosteatosis and Prognostic Nutritional Index Predict Survival in Older Patients With Resected Biliary Tract Cancer.

Background/Aim: Sarcopenia accompanied by systemic inflammation is associated with poor prognosis in patients with cancer. This study evaluated the prognostic significance of sarcopenia (myopenia and myosteatosis) and systemic inflammatory markers in older patients (aged ≥80 years) with resected biliary tract cancer. Patients and Methods: Patients who underwent resection for biliary tract cancer between July 2010 and January 2023 at the NHO Fukuyama Medical Center were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative computed tomography measured myopenia and myosteatosis, using the psoas muscle index and modified intramuscular adipose tissue content. Associations between clinicopathological characteristics, inflammation-based prognostic scores, and overall survival were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Univariate analysis revealed low C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (<0.125), low prognostic nutritional index (<42), low modified intramuscular adipose tissue content, higher T-stage (T3-4), lymph node metastasis, and postoperative complications associated with worse overall survival in older patients (aged ≥ 80 years) with resected biliary tract cancer (n=48). Multivariate analysis identified low prognostic nutritional index (<42) (p=0.007), low modified intramuscular adipose tissue content (p=0.015), higher T-stage (T3-4) (p<0.001), lymph node metastasis (p=0.001), and postoperative complications (p=0.017) as independent predictors of overall survival. Conclusion: Preoperative myosteatosis and low prognostic nutritional index are independent prognostic factors for overall survival in older patients (aged ≥80 years) with resected biliary tract cancer. These factors may be useful for risk stratification and clinical decision-making. Early interventions, such as nutritional support and physical exercise, may improve outcomes after resection of biliary tract cancer.

Combination of sarcopenia and systemic inflammation-based markers for predicting the prognosis of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sarcopenia and inflammation on the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer after pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: Eighty patients who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer between July 2010 and December 2023 were included in this study. The psoas muscle index was used to assess sarcopenia. The C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio, prognostic nutritional index, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio were used to calculate the preoperative inflammatory marker levels. The prognostic factors for overall survival were determined using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia showed a significant association with advanced tumor stage. Univariate analysis revealed a significant reduction in overall survival in patients with a prognostic nutritional index of <45, C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio of ≥0.047, cancer antigen 19-9 levels of ≥130 U/mL, sarcopenia, lymph node metastasis, and vascular invasion. Multivariate analysis revealed that a C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio of ≥0.047 (hazards ratio, 3.383; 95% confidence interval: 1.384-8.689; p< 0.001), cancer antigen 19-9 levels of ≥130 U/mL (hazards ratio, 2.720; 95% confidence interval: 1.291-6.060; p = 0.008), sarcopenia (hazards ratio, 3.256; 95% confidence interval: 1.535-7.072; p = 0.002) and vascular invasion (hazards ratio, 2.092; 95% confidence interval: 1.057-4.170; p = 0.034) were independent predictors of overall survival. Overall survival in the sarcopenia and high C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio groups was significantly poorer than that in the non-sarcopenia and low C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio and sarcopenia or high C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio groups. CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia and a high C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio are independent prognostic factors in patients with pancreatic cancer after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Thus, sarcopenia may have a better prognostic value when combined with the C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio.

Prognostic Significance of Sarcopenia and Systemic Inflammatory Markers in Biliary Tract Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognostic significance of sarcopenia and systemic inflammatory markers in patients with surgically resected biliary tract cancer (BTC). METHODS: Between July 2010 and December 2022, 146 patients were recruited. Sarcopenia was assessed using the psoas muscle index. Preoperative inflammatory markers were used to calculate the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio. Cox regression analysis was performed to determine prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients had sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was associated with body mass index (< 22 kg/m2), lymph node metastasis, and low PNI (< 42). R1/R2 resection (P = 0.02), sarcopenia (P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.007), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (P < 0.001), and low PNI (P = 0.01) were independent predictors of OS, while male sex (P = 0.04), R1/R2 resection (P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.005), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (P < 0.001), tumor differentiation (other than well; P = 0.003), and low PNI (P = 0.03) were independent predictors of RFS. Patients were stratified into no sarcopenia and high PNI (≥ 42; A), sarcopenia or low PNI (B), and sarcopenia and low PNI (C) groups. Group C had worse OS than the other two groups (P < 0.001 and P = 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia is associated with the PNI. Sarcopenia and the PNI are independent prognostic factors among patients with resected BTC. Sarcopenia may have better prognostic value when combined with the PNI.