[A Case of Undifferentiated Intestinal Carcinoma].

Undifferentiated cancer of the small intestine has a poor prognosis and has rarely been reported.We report a case of undifferentiated intestinal carcinoma.A 55-year-old man presented with epigastralgia in December 2018. Blood test results showed a high degree of anemia.Contrast -enhanced abdominal CT showed a small intestinal tumor with a diffuse thickened wall along with multiple liver metastases.Capsule endoscopy revealed a bleeding tumor.It was diagnosed as carcinoma by transhepatic-ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy.Given the preoperative diagnosis of intestinal carcinoma, we resected the tumor along with a part of the small intestine and the enlarged lymph nodes.The pathological diagnosis was undifferentiated intestinal carcinoma.The patient was discharged on the 6th postoperative day after surgery.He was scheduled to receive postoperative chemotherapy.There was no evidence of undifferentiated intestinal carcinoma.Herein, we review case reports from the literature.

[Four Cases of Locally Advanced Colorectal Cancer Resected after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with mFOLFOX6 plus Bevacizumab].

We describe 4 cases of locally advanced colorectal cancer resected successfully after neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC) conducted between April 2015 and August 2016. The NAC with mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab was performed after ileostomy for prevention of obstruction, because of tumor invasion into other organs. After chemotherapy, we could perform resection and avoid invasive surgery in either cases.

[Evaluation of Complications after Gastrectomy with Clavien-Dindo Classification in Patients Aged Over 85 Years].

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate complications of gastrectomy for gastric cancer in patients aged over 85 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients received curative gastrectomy between April 2007 and March 2008. The surgical complications were evaluated using the Clavien-Dindo classification. RESULTS: There were 11 patients aged 85-89 years and 2 who were over 90 years old. The median body mass index was 18. Nine patients underwent distal gastrectomy and 4 underwent total gastrectomy. The median operation time was 142 minutes and the median blood loss was 148 mL. Complications greater than Grade 2 were observed in 5 patients(38.5%). All complications were Grade 2. No surgical mortality was observed. DISCUSSION: The morbidity rate in elderly patients over 85 years of age may be higher than in patients aged 75 and lower. Our results suggest that gastrectomy for patients aged over 85 years is acceptable.

[A Case of Rectal Cancer with Unresectable Liver Metastasis Responding to Rechallenge with FOLFIRI].

A 63-year-old man underwent low anterior resection for rectal cancer.A synchronous liver metastasis located in segment 8 was 12 cm in diameter and unresectable due to its proximity to the inferior vena cava(IVC).The postoperative pathological findings revealed a T3(SS), N0, M1(liver)Stage IV tumor, and wild type K-RAS was expressed.We chose FOLFIRI plus cetuximab(Cmab)for first-line chemotherapy.After 6 courses, we changed the molecular target drug from Cmab to bevacizumab( Bmab)because the liver metastasis remained unresectable.The patient had long-term stable disease(SD)for approximately 30 months with the FOLFIRI-based regimen.We then changed the regimen to mFOLFOX6 plus Bmab for second-line, Cmab for third-line, and trifluridine/tipiracil hydrochloride for fourth-line chemotherapy to treat progressive disease(PD).After treatment with these chemotherapies, the patient wished to continue treatment.We restarted FOLFIRI plus Bmab for fifth-line chemotherapy as his general condition was still good.Consequently, his tumor markers levels decreased with stabilization of the disease on CT scans, and he continued therapy for 6 months while maintaining a good quality of life.This case suggested that rechallenge with anti-cancer agents could be effective and improve the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients after using all key drugs.

[A case of intractable fistula after low anterior resection repaired by transsacral direct suture].

We report a case of an intractable fistula repaired by transsacral direct suture. A 65-year-old man underwent low anterior resection for rectal cancer. He subsequently underwent ileostomy due to anastomosis leakage. The fistula of the anastomosis persisted 3 months after surgery. He underwent surgery to repair the fistula using a transsacral approach. After removing the coccyx, the fistula in the postrectal space was exposed directly. The presence of the fistula was confirmed by an air leak test and was closed by direct suture. After 33 days, the patient underwent ileostomy closure.

Gallbladder herniation into the lesser sac through the foramen of Winslow: report of a case.

We report a case of gallbladder hernia into the lesser sac through the foramen of Winslow. The patient was a 90-year-old woman, admitted to hospital with obstructive jaundice. Computed tomography (CT) showed a left-deviated and remarkably enlarged gallbladder dragging the liver, and a dilated intrahepatic bile duct. The deviated gallbladder was thought to compress the common bile duct, causing the obstruction. Laparoscopic examination revealed gallbladder herniation into the lesser sac without a floating gallbladder; thus, we performed laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Herniation of the gallbladder is the rarest of all internal hernias and most reported cases have involved a floating gallbladder. The case we report here is therefore considered especially unusual.

[A case of gastric cancer with intensive peritoneal dissemination treated with long-term chemotherapy and surgery].

A 45-year-old man was transferred to our hospital because of advanced gastric cancer and peritoneal dissemination. After he received an S-1 plus cisplatin( CDDP) regimen for 6 courses, the primary lesion and ascites had disappeared. However, the primary lesion recurred, and he underwent treatment with 16 courses of an S-1 plus docetaxel regimen. He subsequently developed peripheral neuropathy, and was switched to the irinotecan (CPT-11) regimen. As he experienced appetite loss, it was impossible to continue the chemotherapy. Therefore, he underwent a salvage surgery and an R0 resection was performed. However, 9 months after the surgery, he experienced paraaortic lymph node recurrence and peritoneal dissemination. The patient died 13 months after the surgery.

[A case of rectal stenosis due to peritoneal dissemination from gastric cancer that was treated with chemoradiation therapy].

An 82-year-old man underwent total gastrectomy(D2 lymph node dissection)in August 2006. The pathological findings indicated T4a, N3, M0, Stage IIIC gastric cancer, but adjuvant chemotherapy was not initiated. In October 2009, he presented to the hospital with dyschezia. During colonoscopy, the scope could not pass through the colon, thus indicating rectal stenosis. The biopsy findings indicated the presence of signet ring cell carcinoma, which was determined to be due to the peritoneal dissemination from the gastric cancer. To avoid the need for creating a stoma, radiation therapy(2 Gy×20; total dose, 40 Gy)and chemotherapy(weekly paclitaxel and S-1)were initiated. Rectal stenosis was improved and complete remission was maintained until May 2013.

[Feasibility of bevacizumab for elderly patients with metastatic colorectal cancer].

The feasibility of treatment containing bevacizumab (BV) for elderly patients is not well established. We investigated the safety of treatment containing BV for advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer in elderly patients. From June 2008 to December 2010, 22 patients were treated with BV in our hospital. We classified them into three groups: less than 65 years (group A: 8 patients), 66-75 years (group B: 9 patients), and more than 76 years (group C: 5 patients). Then, we compared the adverse events involving BV. The patient median age was 71. 5 (range 45-84)years old; 10 patients were treated in first-line therapy and 12 patients in second-line therapy or beyond. The number of patients with hypertension was one (12. 5%) in group A, 3 (33. 3%)in group B, and 3 (60%) in group C. Treatment was continued in 4 patients, and discontinued in 18. The reasons for discontinuing BV treatment were tumor progression in 14 patients, toxicities in 3 patients, and degradation of performance state in one patient. BV-associated adverse events had a tendency to become severe with aging, and patients for whom BV treatment was discontinued because of toxicities were all in group C. Severe adverse events of rectal bleeding, cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral infarction were observed in three patients. These patients had risk factors for BV-associated adverse events such as hypertension or a history of radiation therapy, besides the risk factor of age. It is suggested that BV-associated adverse events are highly frequent and severe in elderly patients. Especially in patients over 76 years old, risk factors such as hypertension and severe adverse events were observed. The administration of BV for elderly patients should be considered very carefully.

[A case of rectal hemorrhage during chemotherapy with bevacizumab for local recurrence of rectal cancer].

Chemotherapy with bevacizumab(BV)has been one of the standard treatments for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. However, emergent treatments are sometimes required because of severe adverse events associated with it. We experienced a case of massive rectal hemorrhage during BV treatment, and interventional radiology(IVR)successfully controlled it. An 81-year-old male visited our hospital, suffering from local recurrence of rectal cancer. He underwent colostomy for fecal diversion, and chemoradiation therapy was performed. Systemic chemotherapy with XELOX+BV was performed for the residual tumor. On the 27th day after the first administration of BV, the patient was hospitalized because of anal bleeding and a state of shock. The colonoscopic examination showed a dimple caused by tumor shrinkage, which was closed by clipping. However, a state of shock was caused by intermittent hemorrhages again afterwards. The hemorrhagic point was identified as the oral side of the dimple by angiography, and coil embolization led to immediate hemostasis. The colonoscopic examination revealed nothing abnormal besides the dimple. It is therefore suspected that the cause of rectal hemorrhage might be induced by BV. During combination chemotherapy with BV, bleeding is one of the severe adverse events requiring an emergent treatment regardless of BV dose. IVR may be an effective treatment when bleeding can not be controlled by endoscopic hemostasis. Therefore, we should construct a system for emergency hemostasis including IVR.

Telomerase activity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and lesions unstained with Lugol's solution.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme that protects erosion of telomeres at the ends of chromosomes and its activity has been detected in immortalized cells and most human cancers. METHODOLOGY: We analyzed telomerase activity in primary esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) without any preoperative treatment and lesions unstained with Lugol's solution, using a telomeric repeat amplification protocol (a TRAP) assay. RESULTS: Strong telomerase activities were detected in all resected specimens of esophageal SCCs, and in 33 of 40 endoscopic biopsy specimens of lesions unstained with Lugol's solution. Among lesions unstained with Lugol's solution, 19 of 19 esophageal SCCs, and 13 of 13 dysplasias, which are considered as clinically precancerous lesions had strong telomerase activities. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that reactivation of telomerase may occur at an early stage in the carcinogenesis of esophageal SCCs, and telomerase activity may be a practically useful molecular biological marker for supporting the diagnosis of early esophageal SCCs.

Easy method for fixation of the anvil using a one-handed sliding-knot technique after laparoscopic total gastrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: When esophagojejunostomy is performed using a circular stapler after laparoscopic total gastrectomy, fixing the anvil to the end of the esophagus is challenging. We describe an easy method for fixation of the anvil using a one-handed sliding-knot technique after the anvil has been inserted into the esophagus. MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: After removing the stomach, the main operator makes a whip stitch at the end of the esophagus using a long piece of monofilament string. Both ends of the string are pulled out from the port. A knot is then made and brought close the esophagus twice (sliding granny knots). After inserting the anvil into the esophagus, the main operator pulls the main standing string with one hand, applying vibration only. This causes the knots to tighten the anvil. Then, one or two knots are added to make sure that the anvil is firmly fixed in place. In addition, we routinely add one more ligation with a ready-made ligating loop. DISCUSSION: This method is easy and reliable, and does not require special devices or skills when performing reconstruction after laparoscopic total gastrectomy. Because of these factors, it has the potential to be widely used to perform esophagojejunostomy.

How to eradicate Helicobacter pylori using amoxicillin and omeprazole in the remnant stomach.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We previously investigated the effects of amoxicillin/omeprazole combined therapy on patients who were Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) positive after gastrectomy for the treatment of gastric cancer, and we determined the difference in amoxicillin dosage between the therapeutic successes and failures. In the present study, assuming that amoxicillin dosage should be determined on the basis of body weight of each patient, we examined whether the eradication of H. pylori would be improved by using this novel dose-selection method. METHODOLOGY: We have previously reported about eradication of H. pylori of remnant stomach as follows. Patients who underwent gastrectomy for the treatment of gastric cancer were enrolled if H. pylori was detected in their remnant stomach after the operation. Of these patients, 22 were treated with amoxicillin at 750 mg/day for 2 weeks and omeprazole at 20 mg/day for 8 weeks. For the evaluation of H. pylori eradication, endoscopic examination and 13C-urea breath test were performed 12 weeks after the initiation of the treatment. The amoxicillin dosage in the therapeutic successes was compared with that in the therapeutic failures, and we found that the dosage was 14.1 +/- 1.5 and 12.5 +/- 1.5 mg/kg/day in the successes and the failures, respectively. Following these results, another 10 H. pylori-positive patients were treated with amoxicillin greater than 16 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks and omeprazole at 20 mg/day for 8 weeks, and H. pylori eradication was evaluated as mentioned above. The efficacy of the drug therapy on H. pylori infection was compared between the two groups that one group (Group A) is treated with amoxicillin 750 mg/day for 2 weeks and omeprazole at 20 mg/day for 8 weeks and the other group (Group B) is treated with 1250 mg/day for 2 weeks and omeprazole at 20 mg/day for 8 weeks. RESULTS: The eradication rate of H. pylori in Group B (84.6%) was higher than that in Group A (42.1%). There was significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: We assumed that the optimal dosage of amoxicillin was over 15.6 mg/kg/day for omeprazole-amoxicillin combined therapy for gastrectomized patients who were H. pylori positive, and the favorable therapeutic effects could be obtained by applying this amoxicillin dosage to the eradication of H. pylori.

[Is sentinel lymph node navigation useful for laparoscopic gastrectomy].

The aim of this paper is to assess the usefulness of sentinel lymph node navigation for laparoscopic gastrectomy. The standard lymph node dissection for gastric cancer is a D2 dissection. D2 dissection and sentinel lymph node biopsy can be performed with laparoscopic gastrectomy as well as with open surgery. Sentinel lymph node navigation surgery for gastric cancer has not yet been established, but once a strong consensus is reached we will be able to perform the laparoscopic gastrectomy safely.

Significance of volume-reduction surgery for far-advanced gastric cancer during treatment with novel anticancer agents.

BACKGROUND: We retrospectively assessed the survival benefit of novel anticancer agents (NACA) after volume-reduction surgery for far-advanced gastric cancer (FAGC). METHODS: From 1995 to 2005, 41 patients with FAGC underwent chemotherapy after volume-reduction surgery. Those treated since 2000 who received NACA were referred to as group A, and those treated before 2000, who received anticancer agents other than NACA, were referred to as group B. In addition, 21 patients with unresectable gastric cancer treated since 2000 who received NACA were referred to as group C. We investigated the significance of volume-reduction surgery during treatment with NACA. RESULTS: The median survival time (MST) was significantly prolonged in group A (626 days) compared to group B (364 days; P = 0.0156). Multivariate analysis showed that having one noncurative factor (NCF), and the use of NACA, were factors that contributed to survival time. Comparison between the subgroup of group A that had one NCF and the subgroup that had two or more NCFs revealed MSTs of 700 days and 180 days, respectively, with a significantly longer MST among the patients with one NCF (P = 0.0021). In addition, no difference from the MST of 333 days in group C was seen among the group A patients with two or more NCFs. CONCLUSION: The postoperative survival time of patients with one NCF was prolonged by the advent of NACA, but no significant prolongation was observed in the patients with two or more NCFs.