The Use of Oral Herbal Medicine (Hange-Shashin-To) in Patients with Pouchitis: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: Hange-Shashin-To (HST), which is a combination of seven herbs, has previously been used in the treatment of inflammatory or ulcerative gut disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HST for the treatment of chronic pouchitis. METHODS: Nineteen patients with chronic pouchitis, defined as either frequent episodes (≥ three episodes per six months) of pouchitis or persistent symptoms that required continuous antibiotic therapies, were selected and treated with ciprofloxacin (CPFX) 600 mg/day for 2 weeks (week 0~2) and HST 3,750 mg/day for 32 weeks (week 0~32). The Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI) score was measured at week 0 and 6 for short-term evaluation. For long-term evaluation, total CPFX dose in the 26-week period prior to study entry (from 30 weeks before study entry to 5 weeks before study entry) was compared with the total CPFX dose during the 26-week study period (week 7~32). Although no concomitant administration of CPFX was permitted from week 2-6, patients whose condition deteriorated were prescribed CPFX from week 7 to week 32. RESULTS: Fourteen patients completed this 32-week study. The PDAI scores of eight patients decreased below seven. The mean total PDAI scores decreased significantly from 11 ± 2.5 to 6.5 ± 2.5 (P < 0.001). The mean value of total CPFX dose decreased significantly from 491.6 ± 182.4 mg/kg to 392.5 ± 184.0 mg/kg (P < 0.05). No severe adverse events were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that HST has a positive effect on chronic pouchitis with no adverse effects.

[A Case of Locally Advanced Sigmoid Colon Cancer Occupying the Pelvis with Successful Total Posterior Pelvic Exenteration after Triplet Chemotherapy].

We report a case of locally advanced colon cancer that directly invaded the rectum wall and uterus resulting in huge mass in the whole pelvis that we could successfully made complete radical resection of the whole tumor without exposing the tumor to the surgical margin after the triplet chemotherapy. The patient was a 57-year-old woman complaining of anus pain, melena, fever, and weight loss. Although swelling of the regional lymph node was observed, no distant metastasis was found resulting in clinical diagnosis of Stage Ⅲb. However, oncologically safe complete resection seemed difficult; thus, chemotherapy( 3 courses of FOLFOX followed by 3 courses of FOLFOXIRI plus bevacizumab)was administered. As a result, significant tumor reduction was observed; therefore, the tumor was completely resected with posterior pelvic exenteration. Final staging was ypT4bypN0M0(ypStage Ⅱ). Eight courses of CapeOX was administered as adjuvant chemotherapy.

[A case of mediastinal lymph node gastric cancer recurrence during S-1 adjuvant therapy successfully treated with cisplatin + capecitabine as second-line chemotherapy].

S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy following radical surgery has been the standard therapy for the pStage II/III gastric cancer in Japan. However, there are few reports regarding treatment for gastric cancer recurrence during S-1 therapy. Here, we present a case of recurrent gastric cancer during S-1 adjuvant therapy that showed partial response to CDDP + capecitabine therapy. A 72-year-old man was diagnosed as having gastric cancer. We performed a distal gastrectomy+D2 dissection, with Roux-en Y reconstruction. The patient was treated with S-1 for adjuvant chemotherapy. Six months after operation, multiple mediastinal lymph node recurrence developed. CDDP + CPT-11 was applied for two courses as first-line treatment for the recurrence. However, the disease progressed with worsening mediastinal lymph node metastases (progressive disease). After two courses of CDDP + capecitabine as second-line chemotherapy, the recurrence site became smaller. After five courses, partial response (PR) had been achieved. Two years and five months after gastrectomy, capecitabine monotherapy was applied as third-line chemotherapy.

[A resected case of squamous cell carcinoma of the breast successfully treated by FU plus cisplatin (CDDP) adjuvant therapy against recurrent metastases].

A resected case of squamous cell carcinoma associated with ductal carcinoma in the hemilateral breast successfully treated by FU plus cisplatin (CDDP) adjuvant therapy against recurrent metastases is reported with some discussion. A 42-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of right breast tumor. By physical examination, mammography, ultrasound examination and aspirated cytology, we diagnosed squamous cell carcinoma of the right breast. Before operation SCC antigen was elevated. Standard mastectomy was performed, and SCC antigen was decreased within normal range. Then, a standard regimen of chemotherapy using docetaxel with anti-hormonal therapy by LH-RH analog and tamoxifen was done as first-line adjuvant therapy. Four months after operation the SCC antigen level was elevated again, and recurrence of cancer (skin and liver metastases) was recognized. Next, we tried 5-FU/UFT plus CDDP for squamous cell carcinoma of other organs such as the esophagus. These anti-tumor drugs proved effective, and no metastasis of the skin was detected thereafter, and liver metastatic lesion was decreased in ten months. The SCC antigen level was within the normal range again. Additionally, when metastases redeveloped, TS-1 plus CDDP controlled growth of tumors in seven months. Based on the present findings,we recommend adjuvant chemotherapy by FU plus CDDP for squamous cell carcinoma of the breast.