Safety and feasibility of thoracoscopic esophagectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for esophageal cancer.

PURPOSE: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) with cisplatin and fluorouracil is the recommended standard treatment for resectable locally advanced esophageal cancer (EC) in Japan. We investigated the effects of NAC on the safety and feasibility of thoracoscopic esophagectomy with total mediastinal lymphadenectomy for EC. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed data from 225 consecutive patients who underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy with lymph node dissection between April 2007 and December 2015. Patients with clinical stage IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA, or IIIB EC, and no active concomitant malignancy were included. We compared intraoperative outcomes, and postoperative morbidity and mortality between patients who received NAC (n = 139; NAC group) and patients who did not (n = 86; non-NAC group). RESULTS: Preoperative laboratory data revealed that anemia, thrombopenia, and renal dysfunction were more common in the NAC group than in the non-NAC group. There were no differences between the groups in operating times, blood loss, number of dissected lymph nodes, overall complication rates, or length of postoperative hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, thoracoscopic esophagectomy is safe and effective for locally advanced EC, even after NAC.

Enteral Diet Enriched with ω-3 Fatty Acid Improves Oxygenation After Thoracic Esophagectomy for Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Although the anti-inflammatory effects of immunomodulating diets (IMDs) have recently attracted attention, the efficacy of enteral feeding of such diets after radical surgery remains controversial. Thus, we conducted a new prospective, randomized controlled study to elucidate any beneficial effect of an IMD containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and γ-linolenic acid (GLA) in patients undergoing radical esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer. METHODS: From November 2009 to July 2011, 87 consecutive patients were randomized to receive either an IMD enriched with EPA, GLA, and antioxidants (n = 42) or a standard isocaloric, isonitrogenous diet (control group, n = 45) after esophagectomy with radical lymphadenectomy. The primary outcome measure was changes in the oxygenation status (PaO2/FIO2 ratio), and the secondary outcome measures were body composition, inflammation-related factors, coagulation markers, cholesterol concentrations, and major clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Oxygenation was significantly better on postoperative days (PODs) 4, 6, and 8 in the IMD than control group (366.5 ± 63.3 vs. 317.3 ± 58.8, P = 0.001; 361.5 ± 52.6 vs. 314.0 ± 53.2, P < 0.001; 365.4 ± 71.2 vs. 315.2 ± 56.9, P = 0.001, respectively). Changes in the ratio of body weight on PODs 14 and 21 and lean body weight on POD 21 were significantly greater in the IMD than control group. No significant differences were observed in other measures. CONCLUSIONS: An enteral IMD enriched with EPA and GLA improved oxygenation and maintained the body composition of patients undergoing radical esophagectomy, indicating the potential efficacy of such a diet after esophagectomy.

[A case of SIADH developed during neoadjuvant chemotherapy using nedaplatin and 5-fluorouracil in a patient with esophageal cancer].

A 77-year-old male with thoracic esophageal cancer (cT3N3M0, Stage III) received nedaplatin at 80mg/m2 for 1 day and 5-fluorouracil at 800mg/m2 for 5 days as neoadjuvant treatment. On the fifth day of treatment, he lapsed into a coma (Japan Coma Scale 30), and his serum sodium concentration was found to be decreased to 116mEq/L. We concluded hyponatremia due to SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone) induced by chemotherapy based on the fact that the patient had no finding of dehydration, particular history of related disorders, serum hypoosmolality accompanied by urine hyperosmolality and persistent urinary sodium excretion. We treated him with fluid restriction, sodium supplement and administration of loop diuretic. Then he regained consciousness and appropriate serum sodium level. Thereafter, hyponatremia was corrected without recurrence, and the patient underwent radical esophagectomy safely. He has been in good condition without recurrence of esophageal cancer after surgery.

[A case of severe electrolytic disorder after adjuvant chemotherapy for esophageal cancer].

A 69-year-old female who had undergone esophagectomy for esophageal cancer was given adjuvant chemotherapy (5-FU 750 mg/body x 5 day, cisplatinum (CDDP) 100 mg/body x 1 day). An electrolytic disorder was found on day 2, and her consciousness became unclear on 5 day (respective Na, K and Cl values of 113, 2.2 and 67 mEq/L in blood). It took 59 days for infusion therapy to control electrolyte for loss in urine. As the b2-microglobulin level was high in urine and the ADH level in blood was normal, cisplatinum nephrotoxicity was thought to make this accident. Electrolytes should be checked carefully for disorder during chemotherapy.

Effect of substituting allogenic blood transfusion with autologous blood transfusion on outcomes after radical oesophagectomy for cancer.

BACKGROUND: The oncologic benefit of avoiding allogenic blood transfusion in oesophageal cancer resection has not been studied. METHODS: The medical records of 68 patients (Auto group) who underwent a potentially curative oesophageal cancer resection without allogenic blood transfusion from 1996 to 1999 receiving 800 g of autologous blood donated preoperatively, and 97 patients (Allo group) who underwent the same operation with allogenic blood transfusion from 1990 to 1995 were compared. RESULTS: There were no differences in age, gender, stage of disease, number of retrieved nodes, or perioperative hemoglobin concentration between the two groups. The survival of the 45 patients with nodal involvement in the Auto group was better than that of the 59 patients in the Allo group (p=0.0435), and the survival of the 35 patients with T3 or T4 lesions in the Auto group was better than that of the 61 patients in the Allo group (p=0.0408). According to logistic regression analysis, allogenic blood transfusion correlated with tumour recurrence in patients with either nodal involvement or a T3-4 lesion. The natural killer cell activity remained higher in the Auto group than in the Allo group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Avoidance of allogenic blood transfusion favorably effected the survival of patients with oesophageal cancer at risk for recurrence.

[A case of cecal cancer with multiple liver metastases responding to irinotecan (CPT-11)/cisplatin (CDDP) combination therapy for elevation of CA19-9 after complete response (CR) by l-leucovorin(LV)/5-fluorouracil(5-FU) therapy].

A 62-year-old woman complained of abdominal pain and diarrhea from February 2, 2002. She was diagnosed with advanced cecal cancer with simultaneous multiple liver metastases. The serum level of CA 19-9 was 420 U/ ml. Ileoceal resection with D3 lymphnode dissection. The replacement of reservoir for hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) was performed on February 2, 2002. As the dissemination was seen near the mesocolon at laparotomy, we could resect all together. Pathological examination demonstrated II, 5.0 x 2.5 cm, mod, se, INFgamma, ly(1), v(1), n(2), stage IV. Systemic l-leucovorin/5-fluorouracil (l-LV/5-FU) + HAI of weekly high-dose 5-FU combination therapy was initiated at postoperative 14 days. The serum CA 19-9 level decreased immediately but was not within the normal range. On abdominal computed tomography (CT), liver metastatic lesions decreased 9 9% on May 27, 2002 and disappeared on August 26, 2002. Though there were no signs of recurrence, the serum CA 19-9 level elevated as of October, 2002. Since the hepatic artery was occluded, HAI was discontinued on November 28, 2002. The serum CA 19-9 level elevated inspite of the continuation of the l-LV/5-FU therapy which we increased an amount of 5- FU. Thus, we changed low-dose irinotecan (CPT-11)/cisplatin (CDDP) therapy. The serum level of CA 19-9 decreased gradually and got with in normal range on March, 2004. It did not elevate since then. Low-dose CPT-11/CDDP therapy may be useful for patients with advanced colon cancer thought to be resistant to 5-FU as second-line chemotherapy.

[A case of advanced descending colon cancer with peritoneal dissemination responding to weekly high-dose l-leucovorin/5-fluorouracil combination therapy].

We report a case in which l-leucovorin/5-fluorouracil (l-LV/5-FU) combination therapy was remarkably effective for non-resectable advanced descending colon cancer with carcinomatous peritonitis. A 65-year-old man complained of severe abdominal distension, abdominal pain and pulmonary failure, and was diagnosed as having ileus due to descending colon cancer. The patient underwent urgent open laparotomy to release the ileus condition on March 5, 2002. During the laparotomy, we established a diagnosis of nonresectable descending colon cancer accompanied by severe peritoneal dissemination and therefore performed only double-barreled transverse colostomy. The postoperative course was very good. Pathological examination of omental dissemination demonstrated moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma and cytology of ascites was class II. The levels of serum CEA and CA19-9 were within the normal ranges. l-LV/5-FU therapy was initiated postoperatively. Seven cycles of this chemotherapy regimen was performed with no apparent side effect during the treatment. There was no postoperative accumulation of carcinomatous ascites. The patient gained 15 kg compared with body weight admission. On abdominal computed tomography (CT), the primary lesion of the colon decreased 98% and there was no ascites found. To date, there has not been any sign of recurrence during the 19 months of follow-up after this therapy, and we are currently discussing closure of the transverse colostomy. This therapy may be useful for patients with advanced colon cancer accompanied by peritoneal dissemination.