Zinc supplementation for dysgeusia in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (PC) often experience dysgeusia with zinc deficiency during chemotherapy, data on zinc supplementation for dysgeusia and its effects on nutritional status are scarce. We aimed to examine the efficacy of zinc supplementation in patients with advanced PC. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with unresectable PC who presented with dysgeusia and zinc deficiency during chemotherapy and received zinc acetate hydrate between January 2018 and December 2022 were included. We evaluated the changes in serum zinc levels and the improvement in dysgeusia. Among the 26 patients who received zinc supplementation for 12 weeks, we also compared patient characteristics and changes in serum zinc and albumin levels between patients who showed improvement in dysgeusia (effective group) and those who did not (non-effective group). RESULTS: The serum zinc level increased significantly after zinc supplementation (median: 60 µg/dL at baseline, 99.5 µg/dL at 4 weeks, 101 µg/dL at 8 weeks and 101 µg/dL at 12 weeks). The rate of improvement in dysgeusia increased over time (18.2% at 4 weeks, 33.3% at 8 weeks, and 42.4% at 12 weeks). Comparing the effective group and non-effective group revealed that while the median serum albumin level of the effective group did not change, the non-effective group showed a significant decrease from baseline to 12 weeks (3.2 g/dL to 3.0 g/dL, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Zinc supplementation significantly increased serum zinc levels, improving dysgeusia. Zinc supplementation might also contribute to maintaining nutritional status in patients with unresectable PC.

Parallel administration of nanoliposomal irinotecan and levo-leucovorin for pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Nanoliposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI) plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/levo-leucovorin (Levo-LV) was approved for unresectable pancreatic cancer (UR-PC) in March 2020 in Japan. Levo-LV is administered by intravenous infusion over 120 min following 90 min intravenous infusion of nal-IRI (conventional method), causing a significant burden on both patients and the outpatient chemotherapy room owing to the prolonged administration time. Thus, from July 2021, we introduced the simultaneous intravenous administration of nal-IRI and Levo-LV (parallel method) with the approval of the institutional regimen committee. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 69 patients with UR-PC who received nal-IRI plus 5-FU/Levo-LV at our hospital between June 2020 and October 2021. We examined the safety of the parallel method and compared the treatment outcomes and administration times between the two methods. RESULTS: The median age was 66 years (54%, male). Disease statuses were locally advanced, metastatic, and postoperative recurrence after pancreatectomy in 7, 50, and 12 patients, respectively. Nal-IRI plus 5-FU/Levo-LV treatment was second and third-line or later in 35 and 34 patients, respectively. No intravenous line problems were observed during the parallel administration of nal-IRI and Levo-LV. Although there were no significant differences in response rates and adverse events between the two methods, the administration time was significantly shorter in the parallel method than in the conventional method. CONCLUSION: The parallel administration of nal-IRI and Levo-LV is clinically safe and not inferior in efficacy. Moreover, parallel administration may offer convenience to patients and healthcare workers by reducing administration time.

An age-group analysis on the efficacy of chemotherapy in older adult patients with metastatic biliary tract cancer: a Japanese cancer registry cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of chemotherapy in older adult patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC) remains to be established, despite the fact that the majority of patients diagnosed with BTC tend to be aged ≥ 70 years. In this study, we used three databases to examine the effectiveness of chemotherapy in a large patient population aged ≥ 70 years with metastatic BTC. METHODS: Using a large Japanese database that combined three data sources (Osaka Cancer Registry, Japan's Diagnosis Procedure Combination, the hospital-based cancer registry database), we extracted the data from patients pathologically diagnosed with metastatic BTC, between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2015, in 30 designated cancer care hospitals (DCCHs). A cohort of patients with comparable backgrounds was identified using propensity score matching. The log-rank test was used to examine how chemotherapy affected overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Among 2,622 registered patients with BTC in 30 DCCHs, 207 older adult patients aged > 70 years with metastatic BTC were selected. Chemotherapy significantly improved the prognosis of older adult patients, according to propensity score matching (chemotherapy, 6.4 months vs. best supportive care, 1.8 months, P value < 0.001). The number of patients receiving chemotherapy tends to decrease with age. Gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) and gemcitabine plus S-1 (oral fluoropyrimidine) (GS) combination therapy were frequently performed in the chemotherapy group for patients under 80 years of age (70-74 years, 61.7%; 75-79 years, 62.8%). In contrast, monotherapy including GEM and S-1 was more frequently performed in age groups over 80 years (80-84 years, 56.2%; 85-89 years, 77.7%; ≥90 years, 100%). In the chemotherapy group among older adult patients aged < 85 years, the median OS was significantly longer according to age-group analysis of the 5-year age range following propensity score matching. CONCLUSIONS: In older adult patients with metastatic BTC who received chemotherapy, prolonged survival was observed. Chemotherapy may be a viable option for patients with metastatic BTC who are aged < 85 years.

Predictors of malignancy in main duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The International Consensus Guidelines updated in 2017 recommended surgery to all main duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (MD-IPMNs) with the main pancreatic duct (MPD) of 10 mm or more and those with mural nodules regardless of size. The aim of the present study was to identify predictors of malignancy in MD-IPMN among preoperative factors including MPD and mural nodule size. METHODS: Twenty-six benign MD-IPMNs (7 resected and 19 nonresected) and 32 malignant MD-IPMNs (31 resected and 1 nonresected) were included in the study. MRCP, CT, EUS, and cytology were performed using pancreatic juice collected by endoscopic retrograde pancrestography (ERP). Resected IPMNs were classified as benign or malignant by histologic examination and nonresected MD-IPMNs by imaging, cytology, and observation. Cutoff values of candidate parameters were determined by receiver operating characteristic curves. Univariate and multivariate analyses by regression model were performed. RESULTS: MPD and mural nodule size and cytology results differed significantly between benign and malignant groups. Cutoff values of MPD and mural nodule sizes were 15 mm and 10 mm with areas under the curve of .66 and .86, respectively. Mural nodules of 10 mm or more (odds ratio, 8.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-61.2; P = .038) and positive cytology (odds ratio, 42.5; 95% confidence interval, 4.10-439; P = .002) were shown to be independent predictors of malignancy by multivariate analysis. When MD-IPMNs with either predictor were diagnosed to be malignant, sensitivities, specificities, and overall accuracy for malignancy were 94%, 85%, and 90%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Mural nodules of 10 mm or more and positive cytology were independent predictors of malignancy in MD-IPMN.

Pancreatic juice cytology as sensitive test for detecting pancreatic malignancy in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas without mural nodule.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies reported that mural nodule (MN) was the most associated with malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). However, IPMNs without MN cannot be diagnosed as malignant if only MN is determined to be indicator of malignancy. This study aimed to investigate role of pancreatic juice cytology for IPMNs without MN. METHODS: Medical records of 50 patients with histologically proven malignant IPMNs were reviewed. Exclusively for non-invasive cancer, extent of high-grade dysplasia along the main pancreatic duct (MPD) was determined microscopically. RESULTS: Thirty-six percent IPMNs had no MN. Cyst and main MPD diameter were significantly smaller in IPMN without MN compared to those in IPMN with MN (23 ± 14.1 vs 35 ± 13.2 mm, p = 0.010; 6.6 ± 4.3 vs 10.9 ± 6.1 mm, p = 0.006). Sensitivity of pancreatic juice cytology was higher in IPMN without MN compared to that in IPMN with MN (94% vs 53%, p = 0.004) although it could be affected by selection bias of study patients. Absence of MN was determined to be an independent factor associated with true positive cytology (OR = 24.3, p = 0.005). Extent of high-grade dysplasia was significantly longer in IPMN with true positive cytology compared to that in IPMN with false negative cytology (46.8 ± 20.5 vs 26.4 ± 11.0 mm, p = 0.005), and tended to be longer in IPMN without MN compared to that in IPMN with MN (47.0 ± 19.0 vs 36.0 ± 20.1 mm, p = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: Sensitivity of pancreatic juice cytology was excellent in IPMN without MN. Pancreatic juice cytology may be a sensitive test for detection of pancreatic malignancy in IPMN without MN compared to high-risk imaging features.

Mural nodule of 10 mm or larger as predictor of malignancy for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas: Pathological and radiological evaluations.

BACKGROUND: We had previously reported that mural nodule (MN) ≥10 mm was optimal predictor of malignancy for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). However, little is known about its microscopic findings and imaging detectability. METHODS: Medical records and resected specimens of consecutive patients with IPMNs harboring MN ≥ 10 mm were reviewed. Imaging detectability was determined on reports basis. Malignant IPMNs (noninvasive + invasive carcinomas) were microscopically classified according to localization of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) within MN. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were included. Imaging detectability of MN ≥ 10 mm in CT, MRI, US and EUS were 64%, 68%, 89%, and 97%, respectively. Thirty-three (92%) IPMNs were histologically diagnosed as malignant. Thirty percent of malignant IPMNs were classified into "diffuse HGD within MN", 40% into "focal HGD within MN", and 30% into "HGD outside MN", in which HGD was not located within MN but in low papillary epithelia around MN. Overall sensitivity of pancreatic juice cytology was calculated as 58%, and for "diffuse HGD within MN", "focal HGD within MN", and "HGD outside MN" as 80%, 62%, and 30%, respectively (p = 0.0237). Univariate-analysis showed localization of HGD within MN was associated with true positive cytology (OR = 5.33, p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Detectability of MN ≥ 10 mm is excellent in US and EUS. Although HGD is observed within MN in 70% of malignant IPMNs, HGD is located only in low papillary epithelia around MN in the remaining 30%, in which sensitivity of pancreatic juice cytology is shown to be inadequate.

Imaging morphological changes of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas was associated with its malignant transformation but not with development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: A considerable number of branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (BD-IPMN) developed not infrequently pancreatic malignancy, either as part of IPMN (malignant IPMN) or as concomitant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). To date, imaging morphological changes predicting occurrence of malignancy in BD-IPMN are not well-investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between occurrence of malignancy in BD-IPMN and imaging morphological changes of the tumors observed during follow-up. METHODS: 515 BD-IPMN patients with mural nodule <10 mm and negative cytology were included. 19 patients developed malignant IPMN and 8 patients developed concomitant PDAC during mean follow-up of 4.7 years. The following imaging morphological features were assessed: cyst/main pancreatic duct (MPD) diameter, occurrence of additional cyst/mural nodule. RESULTS: Growth rate of cyst/MPD diameter were significantly larger in patients who developed malignant IPMN compared to those in patients whose IPMN remained benign (p = 0.013, p = 0.01). Occurrence of additional cyst/mural nodule were more frequently observed in patients who developed malignant IPMN (p = 0.009, p = 0.04). In contrast, none of the factors associated with imaging morphological changes of IPMN were shown to be significantly different between patients who developed concomitant PDAC and patients whose IPMN remained benign. Growth rate of MPD diameter and occurrence of additional cyst were independent factors associated with development of malignant IPMN (odds ratio 21.5, and 5.62, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Imaging morphological changes of IPMN, such as growth rate of MPD diameter and occurrence of additional cyst, could be indicators for development of malignant IPMN, but not for development of concomitant PDAC.

Optimal number of needle passes in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration for pancreatic lesions.

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is accurate in cytological diagnosis of pancreatic lesions. Our aim was to determine optimal number of needle passes in EUS-FNA for pancreatic lesions without onsite cytopathologist, who is not routinely available to participate in the procedure. METHODS: Results of all needle passes in EUS-FNAs for 117 pancreatic neoplasms in 115 patients were reviewed retrospectively. Factors that required 2 or more needle passes for correct diagnosis were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis. In each lesion group defined by the factors that required 2 or more passes and were known at the time of EUS-FNA, number of needle passes was regarded as optimal when an increase in diagnostic sensitivity by an additional needle pass did not reach 10%. RESULTS: Size of 15 mm or less (OR 4.58, 95% CI 1.70-12.3, P < 0.01), location of head (OR 5.02, 95% CI 1.82-13.9, P < 0.01), and neuroendocrine tumor (NET) (OR 5.04, 95% CI 1.38-18.4, P = 0.01) independently required 2 or more needle passes. Optimal numbers of needle passes for lesions of 15 mm or less in the head, those of more than 15 mm in the head, those of 15 mm or less in the body or tail, and those of more than 15 mm in the body or tail were 3, 2, 2, and 1, respectively. When these numbers of needle passes were performed, 93% of pancreatic lesions were correctly diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: Optimal numbers of needle passes in EUS-FNA for pancreatic lesions without onsite cytopathologist were between 1 and 3.

Predictors of malignancy in branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas.

OBJECTIVE: Indication of surgery for branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (BD-IPMN) proposed by the consensus guidelines revised in 2012 was too complex to refer to in clinical practice. This study aimed to identify simple predictors of malignancy in BD-IPMN. METHODS: Consecutive 202 patients with BD-IPMNs were enrolled. They comprised 35 patients that underwent surgery and 167 that were followed up without surgery by being regarded as benign neoplasms. Cutoff values of cyst size, main pancreatic duct (MPD) diameter, and mural nodule size were determined by receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve. Factors that may discriminate benign from malignant BD-IPMNs were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: Cutoff values of cyst size, MPD diameter, and mural nodule size were determined to be 30 mm, 6 mm, and 10 mm, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that mural nodule ≥10 mm (OR 198, 95% CI 23.1-1690, P<0.0001) and positive cytology (OR 634, 95% CI 49.1-8,190, P<0.0001) were predictors of malignancy in BD-IPMN. When BD-IPMNs with mural nodules ≥10 mm or positive cytology were diagnosed as malignant, sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy were 88%, 98%, and 97%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Mural nodule ≥10 mm and positive cytology were demonstrated to be simple predictors of malignancy in BD-IPMN.

Alteration of strain ratio evaluated by transabdominal ultrasound elastography may predict the efficacy of preoperative chemoradiation performed for pancreatic ductal carcinoma: preliminary results.

BACKGROUND/AIM: We evaluated the usefulness of ultrasound-elastography (US-elastography) for prediction of therapy effect by measuring strain ratio (SR). METHODOLOGY: Consecutive patients with resectable pancreatic ductal carcinoma who underwent US-elastography before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiation were included. Patients were classified into either response group or non-response group according to the histological evaluation of resected specimens. Serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), SR, and maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) obtained from 18F-fuluoro-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography and computerized tomography were measured before and after chemoradiation. Alteration rate of each parameter was compared between response group and non-response group. RESULTS: Seven patients met the inclusion criteria. One patient was excluded from pancreatectomy because liver metastasis was found by laparotomy. Serum CA19-9 was not elevated for 2 patients throughout the chemoradiation. Three patients were classified into response group and the remaining three into non-response group. Alteration rate of CA19-9 and SR was shown to be grater in response group (26.83 +/- 19.69 vs. 4.87 +/- 4.25, and 3.61 +/- 2.40 vs. 1.39 +/- 0.20, respectively), whereas that of SUVmax was not (1.56 +/- 0.43 vs. 2.11 +/- 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Increase rate of SR may predict the therapy effect of neoadjuvant chemoradiation for patients with pancreatic ductal carcinoma, especially for patients without elevation of tumor markers.

Factors related to shift from hepatic borderline lesion to overt HCC diagnosed by CT.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Factors contributing to the shift from the hepatic borderline lesion to overt hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were investigated. METHODOLOGY: Ninety-five borderline nodules from 69 patients were followed-up for 6-55 (median 24) months. The borderline lesion was diagnosed when the CT image demonstrated low density in the portal phase and lacked enhancement in the arterial phase. RESULTS: The shift to overt HCC was seen in 32 nodules from 27 patients. Using multivariate analysis, only size was a significant factor contributing to the shift to overt HCC (p = 0.009). The cumulative incidence of the shift to overt HCC was higher in nodules of ≥13 mm in size than in those of < 13 mm (p = 0.034). Among nodules of ≥13 mm, nodules showing iso density in the arterial phase and low density in the portal phase had a higher cumulative incidence of the shift to overt HCC than those showing low density in the arterial and portal phases on CT (p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: In hepatic borderline nodules diagnosed by CT, greater size, and iso density in the arterial phase and low density in the portal phase may be risk factors associated with the shift to overt HCC.

Long-term survival after systemic chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, and maintenance therapy for an older adult patient with recurrent pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma.

Pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma (PACC) is a rare cancer with no specific treatment. The treatment and chemotherapy for PACC are selected according to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Herein, we describe a recurrent PACC case of an older adult patient. The patient was treated with systemic chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, and maintenance therapy based on the pathologic germline BRCA2 variant, resulting in long-term survival. The pathogenic BRCA variant is detected more frequently in patients with PACC than in those with PDAC. The BRCA variant significantly impacts treatment selection and prognosis; therefore, early genomic analysis is recommended when treating PACC.

Portal Vein Aneurysm in a Patient with Cirrhosis Type C Controlled by Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment.

Introduction: Portal vein aneurysm (PVA) is a rare saccular or fusiform portal vein dilatation. The management and optimal treatment of PVA remain unknown. Case Presentation: A 53-year-old man with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was diagnosed with PVA measuring 28 mm in diameter. Under observation, his liver fibrosis progressed, and the PVA diameter gradually increased to 52 mm. The patient was treated with elbasvir-grazoprevir for 12 weeks, and HCV disappeared. After achieving sustained virological response, liver fibrosis improved and the PVA progression ceased. Conclusion: HCV clearance by direct-acting antiviral treatment not only regressed liver fibrosis but may have also restrained the progression of PVA in a patient with cirrhosis type C and PVA.

Oil blotting paper for formalin fixation increases endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition-collected sample volumes on glass slides.

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) is used for pathological diagnosis and obtaining samples for molecular testing, facilitating the initiation of targeted therapies in patients with pancreatic cancer. However, samples obtained via EUS-TA are often insufficient, requiring more efforts to improve sampling adequacy for molecular testing. Therefore, this study investigated the use of oil blotting paper for formalin fixation of samples obtained via EUS-TA. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 42 patients who underwent EUS-TA for pancreatic cancer between September 2020 and February 2022 at the Osaka International Cancer Institute. After a portion of each sample obtained via EUS-TA was separated for routine histological evaluation, the residual samples were divided into filter paper and oil blotting paper groups for analysis. Accordingly, filter paper and oil blotting paper were used for the formalin fixation process. The total tissue, nuclear, and cytoplasm areas of each sample were quantitatively evaluated using virtual slides, and the specimen volume and histological diagnosis of each sample were evaluated by an expert pathologist. RESULTS: All cases were cytologically diagnosed as adenocarcinoma. The area ratios of the total tissue, nuclear, and cytoplasmic portions were significantly larger in the oil blotting paper group than in the filter paper group. The frequency of cases with large amount of tumor cells was significantly higher in the oil blotting paper group (33.3%) than in the filter paper group (11.9%) (p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Oil blotting paper can increase the sample volume obtained via EUS-TA on glass slides and improve sampling adequacy for molecular testing.

Preoperative gemcitabine-based chemoradiation therapy for resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of preoperative gemcitabine-based chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (PC), with a focus on the differences in surgical outcomes and patterns of recurrence between these 2 categories. BACKGROUND: Various multimodal treatment strategies have been proposed to improve the surgical outcomes of PC. Preoperative CRT and subsequent surgery is one of the promising strategies for resectable (PC-R) and borderline resectable (PC-BR) PC. METHODS: A total of 268 patients with PC-R and PC-BR received preoperative gemcitabine-based CRT. The numbers of PC-R and PC-BR cases were 188 and 80, respectively. We evaluated the following comparisons between patients with PC-R and those with PC-BR: (1) resection rate, (2) rate of margin-negative resection, (3) survival, and (4) pattern of the treatment failure, including local recurrence, peritoneal dissemination, and distant metastasis. RESULTS: The resection rate of patients with PC-R (87%) was higher than that of patients with PC-BR (54%) (P < 0.001). Pathological margin-negative resection was achieved in 99% and 98% of the patients with PC-R and PC-BR, respectively. The 5-year survival rates of the PC-R and PC-BR cases were 57% and 34%, respectively (P = 0.029). Although the 5-year cumulative incidence of local recurrence was comparable in both groups (15% and 13%, respectively; P = 0.508), the 5-year cumulative incidence of peritoneal and distant recurrence was significantly higher in the patients with PC-BR (43 and 76%) than in the patients with PC-R (17% and 43%). CONCLUSIONS: In the resected cases, the locoregional control was comparable between patients with PC-R and PC-BR after preoperative CRT. The survival rate for the patients with PC-BR was lower than the rate for those with PC-R due to a higher incidence of peritoneal and distant recurrence in the patients with PC-BR. (UMIN000001804).

Covered self-expandable metal stents with an anti-migration system improve patency duration without increased complications compared with uncovered stents for distal biliary obstruction caused by pancreatic carcinoma: a randomized multicenter trial.

OBJECTIVES: The requirements of biliary stents used in the palliation of malignant biliary obstruction are a long duration of patency and minimal adverse effects. Covered self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) have been shown to prevent tumor ingrowth, which is the most frequent complication of uncovered SEMSs. However, because they are prone to migration, the superiority of covered SEMS has yet to be convincingly demonstrated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the superiority of covered over uncovered SEMSs in the palliation of distal biliary obstruction due to unresectable pancreatic carcinoma, using both stent types with relatively low axial force and uncovered flared ends to prevent their migration. METHODS: From April 2009 to December 2010, 120 patients who were admitted to 22 tertiary-care centers because of distal biliary obstruction from unresectable pancreatic carcinomas were enrolled in this prospective randomized multicenter study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive a covered or uncovered SEMS deployed at the site of the biliary stricture during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Stent patency time, patient survival time, patient survival time without stent dysfunction (time to stent dysfunction or patient death), cause of stent dysfunction (ingrowth, overgrowth, migration, or sludge formation), and serious adverse events were compared between covered and uncovered SEMS groups. RESULTS: Patient survival time in the two groups did not significantly differ (median: 285 and 223 days, respectively; P=0.68). Patient survival time without stent dysfunction was significantly longer in the covered than in the uncovered SEMS group (median: 187 vs. 132 days; P=0.043). Stent patency was also significantly longer in the covered than in the uncovered SEMS group (mean±s.d.: 219.3±159.1 vs. 166.9±124.9 days; P=0.047). Reintervention for stent dysfunction was performed in 14 of 60 patients with covered SEMSs (23%) and in 22 of 60 patients with uncovered SEMSs (37%; P=0.08). Stent dysfunction was caused by tumor ingrowth, tumor overgrowth, and sludge formation in 0 (0%), 3 (5%), and 11 (18%) patients in the covered SEMSs group, and in 15 (25%), 2 (3%), and 6 (10%) patients in the uncovered SEMSs group, respectively. Stent migration was not observed in either group. Rates of tumor overgrowth and sludge formation did not significantly differ between the two groups, whereas the rate of tumor ingrowth was significantly lower in the covered than in the uncovered SEMS group (P<0.01). Acute pancreatitis occurred in only one patient in the covered SEMS group. Acute cholecystitis occurred in one patient in the covered SEMS group and in two patients in the uncovered SEMS group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: By preventing tumor ingrowth and migration, covered SEMSs with an anti-migration system had a longer duration of patency than uncovered SEMSs, which recommends their use in the palliative treatment of patients with biliary obstruction due to pancreatic carcinomas.

Hospital volume and prognosis of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer: A study using the Osaka Cancer Registry.

PURPOSE: Pancreatic cancer (PC) has one of the worst prognoses among all solid cancers. Hospital volume has been shown to be significantly associated with outcomes in patients with PC undergoing surgery. Nonetheless, the association between hospital volume and prognosis in patients with metastatic PC remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the association between hospital volume and prognosis in patients with metastatic PC using large-scale population-based cancer registry data. METHODS: This retrospective observational study was conducted using data from the Osaka Cancer Registry database. Data of patients with metastatic PC over 10 years (2009-2018) were obtained. Hospitals were categorized into high-volume hospitals (HVHs; ≥ 240 patients diagnosed with PC for 10 years), middle-volume hospitals (MVHs; 120-239 patients diagnosed with PC for 10 years), and low-volume hospitals (LVHs; < 120 patients diagnosed with PC for 10 years). Multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors associated with overall survival (OS). RESULTS: The analysis included 8,929 patients with metastatic PC. Median OS was significantly more favorable in HVHs than in MVHs and LVHs. Multivariate analysis adjusted for hospital volume, age, primary tumor site, year of diagnosis, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy revealed that hospital volume was an independent factor associated with OS (HVHs vs. MVHs: hazard ratio [HR], 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.16; P = 0.003, HVHs vs. LVHs: HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.13-1.27; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Hospital volume is an independent prognostic factor in patients with metastatic PC, suggesting an association between hospital volume and treatment outcomes.

A case of multiple myeloma with pancreatic involvement diagnosed via endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration.

This report highlights the importance of considering multiple myeloma in the differential diagnosis of a pancreatic tumor with bone lesions. sampling not only from the pancreatic lesion but also from bone lesions may reach an accurate diagnosis.

Utility of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Tests for Patients with Incurable Pancreatic Cancer in Clinical Practice.

Although comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) tests have been covered under the Japanese national health insurance program since 2018, the utility and issues of CGP tests have not been clarified. We retrospectively reviewed 115 patients with incurable pancreatic cancer (IPC) who underwent CGP tests in a Japanese cancer referral center from November 2019 to August 2021. We evaluated the results of CGP tests, treatments based on CGP tests, and survival time. Eight cases (6.9%) were diagnosed as tumor mutation burden-high (TMB-H) and/or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H). The gene mutation rates of KRAS/TP53/CDKN2A/SMAD4 were 93.0/83.0/53.0/25.2%, respectively. Twenty-five patients (21.7%) had homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-related genetic mutations. Four patients (3.5%) having TMB-H and/or MSI-H were treated with pembrolizumab, and only two patients (1.7%) participated in the clinical trials. Patient characteristics were not significantly different between patients with and without HRD-related gene mutations. The median OS was significantly longer in the HRD (+) group than in the HRD (-) group (749 days vs. 519 days, p = 0.047). In multivariate analysis, HRD-related gene mutation was an independent prognostic factor associated with favorable OS. CGP tests for patients with IPC have the potential utility of detecting HRD-related gene mutations as prognostic factors as well as a therapeutic search.

Intraductal polypoid growth variant of pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma metastasizing to the intrahepatic bile duct 6 years after surgery: a case report and literature review.

We present the first reported case of intraductal polypoid growth (IPG) variant of pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) metastasizing to the intrahepatic bile duct. A 58-year-old Japanese woman had previously presented with obstructive jaundice and a 7.0 cm mass in the pancreatic head. She underwent biliary drainage for 2 months followed by pancreatectomy. Histological examination revealed a carcinoma with acinar pattern, immunohistochemically positive for trypsin, and acinar cell carcinoma was diagnosed. IPGs were prominent in the main pancreatic duct and its tributaries, extending into the intrapancreatic bile duct with tumor casts in the lumen. Imaging examinations 6 years later revealed a growing lesion within the intrahepatic bile duct. Needle biopsy examination suggested metastasis of ACC, and she underwent chemoradiation therapy and partial hepatectomy. Histological examination demonstrated ACC confined to the intrahepatic bile duct. The localization of metastasis and slow growth may indicate indolent biologic behavior of the IPG variant.