Does the level of inferior mesenteric artery ligation affect short-term and long-term outcomes of patients with sigmoid colon cancer or rectal cancer? A single-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: For sigmoid colon or rectal cancer, a definite consensus regarding the optimal level ligating the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) has not been reached. We performed this study to determine whether the ligation level significantly affected short-term and long-term outcomes of patients with sigmoid colon or rectal cancer after curative laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: Medical records of patients with sigmoid colon or rectal cancer who had undergone curative laparoscopic surgery between January 2008 and December 2014 at the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were reviewed. Then, the high tie group (HTG) was compared with the low tie group (LTG) in terms of short-term and long-term outcomes. RESULTS: Five-hundred ninety patients were included. No significant differences between two groups regarding baseline characteristics existed. HTG had a significantly higher risk of anastomotic fistula than LTG (21/283 vs 11/307, P = 0.040). Additionally, high ligation was proven by multivariate logistic regression analysis to be an independent factor for anastomotic fistula (P = 0.038, OR = 2.232, 95% CI: 1.047-4.758). Furthermore, LT resulted in better preserved urinary function. However, LTG was not significantly different from HTG regarding operative time (P = 0.075), blood transfusion (P = 1.000), estimated blood loss (P = 0.239), 30-day mortality (P = 1.000), ICU stay (P = 0.674), postoperative hospital stay (days) (P = 0.636), bowel obstruction (P = 0.659), ileus (P = 0.637), surgical site infection (SSI) (P = 0.121), number of retrieved lymph nodes (P = 0.501), and number of metastatic lymph nodes (P = 0.131). Subsequently, it was revealed that level of IMA ligation did not significantly influence overall survival (OS) (P = 0.474) and relapse-free survival (RFS) (P = 0.722). Additionally, it was revealed that ligation level did not significantly affect OS (P = 0.460) and RFS (P = 0.979) of patients with stage 1 cancer, which was also observed among patients with stage 2 or stage 3 cancer. Ultimately, ligation level was not an independent predictive factor for either OS or RFS. CONCLUSIONS: HT resulted in a significantly higher incidence of anastomotic fistula and worse preservation of urinary function. Level of IMA ligation did not significantly affect long-term outcomes of patients with sigmoid colon or rectal cancer after curative laparoscopic surgery.

[A Case of UFT/LV-Induced Acute Liver Failure after Surgery for Sigmoid Colon Cancer].

Oral uracil and tegafur plus Leucovorin(UFT/LV)therapy is one of the standard adjuvant chemotherapies for colorectal cancer, and is widely used without any serious adverse events. Herein, we describe a case of UFT/LV-induced acute liver failure in a 75-year-old woman who underwent laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for sigmoid colon cancer. She was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer and lymph node metastasis by postoperative histopathological analysis, and adjuvant chemotherapy was initiated. After 30 days of commencing the therapy, the patient visited our hospital with complaints of severe diarrhea and difficulty in food intake. The apparent cause of these symptoms was unclear on computed tomography(CT), and mild liver damage was revealed in blood test results. The hepatic disorder gradually progressed after the hospitalization, and the condition was diagnosed as acute hepatic insufficiency. Additionally, obvious atrophy of the liver parenchyma and significant ascites were confirmed on CT. Two months later, the platelet count decreased markedly, but fortunately, no bleeding occurred. There has been no recurrence since 2 years after the surgery without any additional adjuvant therapy.

Complete Pathologic Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy and Oxaliplatin-Induced Fever Associated With IL-6 Release in a Patient With Locally Advanced Colon Cancer

Neoadjuvant systemic therapy is a preferred treatment approach for a number of tumor types due to many potential advantages over upfront surgery, including tumor downstaging, early treatment of micrometastatic disease, and providing an in vivo test of tumor biology. For colon cancer, current standard of care is upfront surgery followed by adjuvant systemic therapy in high-risk patients. Concerns about inaccurate radiological staging and tumor progression during preoperative treatment, as well the lack of randomized data demonstrating benefit, are among the reasons for the limited use of neoadjuvant therapy in this disease. Locally advanced colon cancer, defined as primary colon cancer with direct invasion into the adjacent structures or extensive regional lymph node involvement, is not always amenable to pathological complete resection, and when attempted it comes with high incidence of postoperative morbidity and mortality because of the required multivisceral resection. Clinical trials of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer to date have been promising with downstaging of disease and higher rates of R0 resection. Here, we report a case of a patient with locally advanced, unresectable, mismatch repair deficient sigmoid colon cancer who was treated with neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy followed by surgical resection leading to a complete pathologic response after preoperative systemic chemoimmunotherapy.

[A Case Describing Treatment with FOLFIRI plus Bevacizumab after a Self-Expandable Metallic Stent Placement for Local Recurrence].

A 50-year old male patient chose to have elective surgery for obstructive rectal cancer. Before undergoing surgery, he had a self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placed to relieve a colonic obstruction. He was discharged from our hospital after the elective surgery without surgical complications. In our outpatient clinic, he was prescribed UFT/LV for adjuvant chemotherapy. Eight months after surgery, he came back to the hospital complaining of abdominal distension, abdominal pain and constipation. A diagnosis of local recurrence of rectal cancer, peritoneal metastasis and metastatic liver cancer was confirmed. He was admitted to have the bowel obstruction relieved by having a SEMS placed. The procedure was successful in relieving the bowel obstruction and the patient began FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab as chemotherapy. Through this case, we were able to see that SEMS placement can circumvent emergency surgery and prevent the formation of a stoma by relieving a colonic obstruction. A SEMS placement can also lead to positive benefits such as faster treatment and therapy for palliative cases.

[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.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma with unusual 18F-FDG hypermetabolism arising at the colorectal anastomosis.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma usually originates from the stomach and presents with low 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) avidity with average maximum standard uptake value of 3.6. Colorectal MALT lymphoma is a rare entity that contributes to 1.6% of all MALT lymphomas and < 0.2% of large intestinal malignancies. The case reported herein firstly revealed stage IIE MALT lymphoma with unexpected higher 18F-FDG avidity of 18.9 arising at the colorectal anastomosis in a patient with a surgical history for sigmoid adenocarcinoma, which was strongly suspected as local recurrence before histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations. After accurate diagnosis, the patient received four cycles of standard R-CVP regimen (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone), combined target therapy and chemotherapy, instead of radiotherapy recommended by National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. He tolerated the treatment well and reached complete remission.

A Case of Plasmablastic Lymphoma Achieving Complete Response and Durable Remission after Lenalidomide-Based Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an uncommon variant of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma that is characterized by its plasmacytoid features, aggressive tendencies, and frequent association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or other immunocompromised states. Multi-agent, intensive chemotherapy regimens are recommended as first-line treatment by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. However, the toxicity of these regimens is high and prognosis remains poor. CASE REPORT: We report a patient with HIV-negative PBL who achieved complete response and durable remission using a lenalidomide-based chemotherapy regimen as first-line therapy. CONCLUSION: Cyclophosphamide, lenalidomide, dexamethasone (CRD) may provide an alternative initial therapeutic option for patients with PBL who cannot tolerate the intensive chemotherapy regimens currently recommended.

[An Elderly Patient with Multiple Lung Metastases after Colectomy Successfully Treated with a Combination Oral UFT/LV Chemotherapy Regimen].

We report an 84-year-old woman with multiple lung metastases from sigmoid colon cancer successfully treated with an oral combination chemotherapeutic agent regimen(UFT/LV).The patient had undergone colectomy for sigmoid colon cancer. Histological examination confirmed a pT4a, pN3, pM1a(LYM), pStage IV tumor.The patient refused adjuvant chemotherapy. However, approximately 9 months postoperatively, she developed a severe cough.Chest radiography and computed tomography(CT)revealed multiple progressive lung metastases.Thereafter, considering her advanced age and general condition, an oral UFT/LV regimen(UFT 300mg/LV 75mg for 7 days every 14 days)was initiated.Two and a half months after initiating chemotherapy, symptom amelioration was observed.Chest radiography and CT showed disappearance of several of the lung metastases, indicating a Partial Response(PR).For the nearly one year to date since diagnosis, she has remained free of cough and the PR has been maintained without chemotherapy-associated adverse events.She is currently being managed on an outpatient basis.The oral UFT/LV regimen is considered to be among the potentially effective and safe treatments for elderly patients with postoperative metastases from colon cancer.

[Para-Aortic Lymphadenectomy and Subsequent Chemotherapy after Resection of the Primary Lesion for Poorly Differentiated Adenocarcinoma of the Sigmoid Colon - A Case Report].

The patient was a 68-year-old male who had bloody stools. A colonoscopy revealed a sigmoid colon stricture, and a histological examination confirmed the presence of a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma.Computed tomography revealed the involvement of a para-aortic lymph nodes, without other metastatic lesions. The patient underwent a sigmoidectomy (with regional lymph node dissection) and a para-aortic lymph node biopsy to prove the histological conformation. Subsequently, he was provided with 6 courses of modified FOLFOX6(mFOLFOX6) chemotherapy, resulting in a marked decrease in para-aortic lymph node involvement. He subsequently underwent a para-aortic lymphadenectomy. The resected specimen was mostly composed of fibrous degenerative tissue; viable cancer cells were observed only in a 2-mm² area. The patient was provided with 6 more courses of mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy, and has since been free of recurrence (for 6 years and 1 month after the second surgery).

[A Case of Para-Aortic Lymph Node Metastases of Sigmoid Colon Cancer Treated with Complete Resection].

We present a case of sigmoid colon cancer with isolated para-aortic lymph node metastasis in a 67-year-old male patient. We treated this patient using simultaneous curative lymph node dissection with primary tumor resection. After inserting a transanal tube and decompressing the proximal colon for obstructive colitis, we performed high anterior resection with paraaortic lymph node dissection without neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The pathology results were as follows: tub2, SE, N3, H0, P0, M1(No. 216, 280), stage Ⅳ, curability B. Adjuvant chemotherapy with the XELOX regimen was administered, and the patient remains alive with no signs of recurrence 24 months after surgery. Although simultaneous dissection of para-aortic lymph node metastasis is controversial, curative dissection is advisable for localized cases.

[A Case of Sigmoid Colon Cancer with Metastasis to the Uterus].

A 65-year-old woman complaining of fetor ex vagina was diagnosed with endometrial adenocarcinoma of the uterus based on the pathological findings of an endometrial biopsy. Sigmoid colon cancer was found on a pre-operative CT scan. Diagnosis of double cancer was made and we performed sigmoidectomy and panhysterectomy with associated resection of both adnexa. Histopathological examination found that the tumor accounted for almost all of the uterine mucosa and over half of the muscular layer. Immunostaining showed CK7 (-), CK20 (+), CDX2 (+), ER (-), and PgR (-), and we diagnosed it as a metastasis to the uterus of the sigmoid colon cancer. The pathological diagnosis was a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, pT4b (SI: urinary bladder), pN0 (0/12), H0, P1,M1a (uterus), pStage Ⅳ. As adjuvant chemotherapy, she was administered XELOX for 6 months. Although colorectal cancer rarely metastasizes to the uterus, due to the increase in the prevalence of colorectal cancer, it may be also increase. To choose the best treatment course, it is necessary to diagnose whether it is a primary uterine cancer or a metastatic uterine cancer.

[A Case of Long-Term Survival of a Patient with Liver Metastasis of Colon Cancer and Suspected Inferior Vena Cava Invasion].

A 58-year-old woman was diagnosed with a sigmoid colon cancer and synchronous liver metastasis. Because an obstruction of the sigmoid colon was identified, the patient underwent sigmoidectomy. Computed tomography(CT)findings suggested possible vena cava and hepatic vein invasion. Therefore, the decision was made to offer systemic chemotherapy. The patient underwent 6 courses of chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, Leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6). After 4 courses of chemotherapy, CT scans showed a significant reduction of the liver metastasis (reduction rate of 5 0%; a partial response) and demonstrated improved exclusion of the inferior vena cava and hepatic vein. After 6 courses of chemotherapy, we performed right trisegmentectomy of the liver and resection of the inferior vena cava and diaphragm. Postoperative pathological findings revealed negative margins, and no invasion of the inferior vena cava. The pathological response grade of the tumor after chemotherapy was determined to be Grade 2. Adjuvant chemotherapy was not performed because of the patient 's poor performance status. The patient was alive with no recurrence 8 years after resection of the liver metastasis.

Sigmoid colon cancer arising in a diverticulum of the colon with involvement of the urinary bladder: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Colon cancer can arise from the mucosa in a colonic diverticulum. Although colon diverticulum is a common disease, few cases have been previously reported on colon cancer associated with a diverticulum. We report a rare case of sigmoid colon cancer arising in a diverticulum with involvement of the urinary bladder, which presented characteristic radiographic images. CASE PRESENTATION: A 73-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for macroscopic hematuria. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a sigmoid colon tumor that protruded into the urinary bladder lumen. The radiographs showed a tumor with a characteristic dumbbell-shaped appearance. Colonoscopy showed a type 1 cancer and multiple diverticula in the sigmoid colon. A diagnosis of sigmoid colon cancer with involvement of the urinary bladder was made based on the pathological findings of the biopsied specimens. We performed sigmoidectomy and total resection of the urinary bladder with colostomy and urinary tract diversion. Histopathological findings showed the presence of a colovesical fistula due to extramurally growing colon cancer. Around the colon cancer, the normal colon mucosa was depressed sharply with lack of the muscular layer, suggesting that the colon cancer was arising from a colon diverticulum. CONCLUSION: The present case is the first report of sigmoid colon cancer arising in a diverticulum with involvement of the urinary bladder. Due to an accurate preoperative radiological diagnosis, we were able to successfully perform a curative resection for sigmoid colon cancer arising in a diverticulum with involvement of the urinary bladder.

[A case of sigmoid colon cancer with a sigmoidovesical fistula treated with preoperative XELOX+bevacizumab therapy and urinary bladder-conserving surgery].

A 64-year-old man presented with abdominal pain, diarrhea, urinary pain, and frequent urination.He was diagnosed with locally advanced sigmoid colon cancer accompanied by a sigmoidovesical fistula, which was determined to require total cystectomy for curative resection.Expecting tumor shrinkage and conservation of the urinary bladder, we performed loop ileostomy followed by preoperative mFOLFOX6+bevacizumab therapy.After 1 course of administration, the implanted port became infected.Therefore, the regimen was changed to 4 courses of XELOX+bevacizumab therapy.After the treatment, there was no longer any evidence of sigmoidovesical fistula.We performed a urinary bladder-conserving sigmoidectomy and finally achieved pathological curative resection.After adjuvant chemotherapy, no findings suggestive of recurrence were noted during 10 postoperative months.Preoperative XELOX+bevacizumab therapy may be worth considering as a therapeutic option for conserving the urinary bladder in cases of locally advanced colon cancer.

[A case of curatively resected sigmoid colon cancer after mFOLFOX6 plus panitumumab neoadjuvant chemotherapy].

A 54-year-old man with residual urine, abdominal pain, and a high fever was diagnosed with KRAS wild-type sigmoid colon cancer with urinary bladder invasion. Considering the difficulty of curative resection, we first performed an ileostomy. Remarkable tumor regression was indicated by computed tomography(CT)and colonoscopy after 3 courses of mFOLFOX6 plus panitumumab. A sigmoidectomy and partial cystectomy were performed with a curative intent. Six courses of XELOX adjuvant chemotherapy were administered, and no recurrence has been observed for 9 months. mFOLFOX6 plus panitumumab might be an effective preoperative chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced KRAS wild-type colon cancer.

[A case of severe enteritis induced by adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer].

A 77-year-old man underwent surgery for sigmoid colon cancer. He was diagnosed with Stage IIIa colon cancer; there- fore, we initiated oral administration of adjuvant chemotherapy comprising uracil/tegafur(UFT)plus Leucovorin(LV). However, chemotherapy was stopped after 21 days because of fatigue and diarrhea. He recovered after 3 weeks, and we administered the same regimen with a dose reduction. However, he again experienced fatigue and diarrhea after 20 days; therefore, chemotherapy was discontinued. Subsequently, he was hospitalized 8 times for conditions such as diarrhea, hypoalbuminemia, and fever. Computed tomography revealed thickening of the transverse colonic wall and colonoscopy revealed colitis, which we believe was induced by UFT plus LV. Twelve months after the last chemotherapy session, he was diagnosed with Clostridium difficile colitis. Therefore, we initiated the oral administration of vancomycin, which resulted in rapid recovery from colitis. However, he developed liver metastasis and died 29 months after the initiation of chemotherapy. We believe that this severe case of intractable colitis was caused by UFT plus LV. Therefore, we report this case with a review of the literature on enteritis induced by fluorouracil-based anticancer agents in Japan.

[A case report of the use of laparoscopic surgery to remove an adrenal tumor following resection of sigmoid colon cancer].

A 58-year-old woman underwent sigmoidectomy and partial cystectomy for sigmoid colon cancer following colostomy. The final staging of the tumor was T3, N1, tub2, M0, fStage IIIa. She received 6 courses of CapeOX (oxaliplatin 130mg/m², capecitabine 200mg/m²) as adjuvant chemotherapy, which was discontinued because of severe general fatigue. At the same time, an increase in the levels of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was detected and abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed an expanded adrenal mass. Since whole-body ¹8F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) showed no evidence of multiple organ metastases except for the right adrenal tumor, a solitary adrenal metastasis from sigmoid colon cancer was strongly suspected. Hence, colostomy closure and laparoscopic adrenalectomy were concurrently performed. Histological examination revealed non-functional adrenal adenoma. Therefore, laparoscopic surgery was a reasonable choice even in this complex case.

[A case of liver metastasis from sigmoid colon cancer treated effectively by second-line chemotherapy].

A case of successful chemotherapy for a metachronous liver metastasis following resection for sigmoid colon cancer is presented. A 51-year-old man underwent sigmoidectomy, ileocecal resection, and descending colon colostomy for sigmoid colon cancer with ileum invasion. Six courses of FOLFOX4 were performed as adjuvant chemotherapy. One year after sigmoidectomy, a liver metastasis was detected on computed tomography (CT) examination. Chemotherapy with FOLFOX+bevacizumab was restarted. Three courses were administered, but hepatic dysfunction occurred after the second and third courses, and FOLFOX was discontinued. Subsequent chemotherapy was reinitiated with FOLFIRI+bevacizumab. After 9 courses, the carcinoembryonic antigen level was normalized and appeared to be decreased by imaging studies. Upon the patient's request, only oral S-1 was administered. After 2 courses, CT revealed that the diameter of the tumor had increased by 2 cm. Therefore, right lobectomy of the liver, colostomy closure, and anastomosis were performed. During these procedures, a nodule was found in the omentum and was removed. Rapid intra-operative diagnosis revealed peritoneal dissemination. The pathological diagnosis was liver metastasis of sigmoid colon cancer, with necrosis and fibrosis seen in approximately one-half of specimens. The surgical margins were negative. Neither metastatic cancer nor dissemination were found in the resected greater omentum.

[Five-year-survival in a case of large synchronous liver metastases from colon cancer treated with local (operation, HAI, RFA, and TAE) and systemic combined therapy].

A 58-year-old woman was suffering from abdominal pain due to large liver metastases(LM)and lung metastasis from sigmoid colon cancer. After laparoscopic sigmoidectomy, three 6 g/wk high dose hepatic arterial infusions(HDHAI)of5 - fluorouracil (5-FU) were administered and the tumor decreased in size. Unfortunately, the patient had an infectious pseudoaneurysm at the site of puncture. She was given a drainage and femoro-femoral(F-F)bypass. At last, a hepatectomy, radiofrequency ablation(RFA), and catheter insertion from gastroepiploic artery, were performed successfully. Subsequently, she received a half HDHAI and several systemic chemotherapy drugs. However, residual liver metastases developed thrice and we operated on all of them. Finally, when the hepatic arterial infusion(HAI)catheter became unavailable, we only continued the systemic therapy (Erbitux+FOLFIRI). However, inoperable residual liver metastases(maximum 13 cm in size)occurred. We chose to administer hepatic transarterial embolization(TAE)therapy 3 times. From the second time, we performed TAE from the right subphrenic artery and in the third time, we added 1-day HAI therapy. Finally, the tumor size decreased(maximum 9 cm). The patient is still an outpatient 5 years after the first HDHAI.