[Two Cases of Stage â £ Occult Breast Cancer].

The first case is a 62-year-old female who complained of painful left axillary lymph node swelling. Six months later, a CT scan revealed multiple lung nodules. Biopsies of the axillary lymph node and lung showed metastatic carcinoma from breast cancer. However, no breast tumor was found. She was diagnosed with occult breast cancer with metastasis to the axillary lymph node and lung. ER(+), PgR(±), HER2(1+). Letrozole was administered, and effective control was achieved for 20 months. The second case is a 62-year-old female who presented with back pain. A CT scan revealed left axillary lymph node swelling and multiple osteolytic changes in the thoracolumbar spine and rib. Biopsies of the axillary lymph node and thoracic spine showed metastatic carcinoma from breast cancer. However, no breast tumor was found. She was diagnosed with occult breast cancer with metastasis to the axillary lymph nodule and bone. ER(+), PgR(+), HER2(1+). Fulvestrant and denosumab were administered. However, after 6 months, she discontinued the treatment. Our results suggested that effective control could be achieved through systemic therapy and local therapy was not necessary for Stage Ⅳ occult breast cancer.

[A Case of Long-Term Survival after Para-Aortic Lymph Node Recurrence Following the Curative Resection of Gastric Cancer Treated Using Multimodality Therapy Including Salvage Surgery].

This case was observed in a man in his 70s. Although symptomatic treatment was performed for epigastralgia, endoscopic examination revealed a type 3 tumor on the fornix of the stomach to the lesser curvature of the body just above the esophagogastric junction, and the patient was diagnosed with moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma(cT4bN3aM0, cStage ⅣA). As esophageal and diaphragmatic invasion was suspected based on CT findings, S-1 plus CDDP was started as preoperative chemotherapy. Although the primary lesion and lymph node metastasis decreased in size, chemotherapy was discontinued after one course due to stenosis symptoms, and total gastrectomy and D2 dissection were performed. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 was started. However, 6 months after starting the treatment, para-aortic lymph node recurrence was observed, and the treatment strategy was changed to weekly PTX. After 5 courses of weekly PTX, the lymph nodes continued to increase in size, and chemotherapy was discontinued per the patient's request. The patient was followed up with CT and PET-CT; however, no new recurrent lesions were found in other sites for approximately 1 year. Therefore, para-aortic lymph node dissection was performed as the salvage surgery. Pathological findings showed that gastric cancer metastasis was present in 1 swollen lymph node only, as confirmed by PET. At present, 6 years have passed since the first operation, and there has been no recurrence. In general, para-aortic lymph node metastasis is considered to result in poor prognosis in gastric cancer. However, in the absence of other noncurative factors, a good prognosis may be obtained with combined therapeutic modalities.

[A Case of Breast Metastasis of Gastric Cancer after an Eight Year Latency Period].

A 66-year-old woman underwent distal gastrectomy because of gastric cancer(stage ⅠB)and received no adjuvant chemotherapy. Eight years after the operation, computed tomography showed a small nodule in the right breast. Mammography did not reveal any abnormalities. Ultrasound sonography showed a diffuse and gradual non-mass-like low echoic lesion. Core needle biopsy indicated a malignancy. Partial resection of the right breast was performed to obtain a diagnosis. On postoperative histopathological examination, signet-ring cells were found in the tumor, and immunohistochemical analysis showed that both the breast tumor and the gastric carcinoma were MUC5AC-positive and MUC1-negative. We diagnosed this breast tumor as metastasis from gastric cancer. The patient has received chemotherapy with no subsequent metastatic tumors, and good control has been achieved for 21 months after the detection of the breast metastasis.

[A Case of Primary Spinddle Cell Carcinoma of the Breast].

A 76-year-old female underwent breast-conserving surgery of the right breast and sentinel lymph node biopsy for primary breast cancer. Three years later, mammography and ultrasonography showed a small nodule in the right breast. There was nothing abnormal in the left breast. Three months later, she complained of a huge and rapid growing mass in the left breast. Malignant cells were obtained on fine needle aspiration biopsy in the right breast tumor. But it was not possible to diagnose whether the left breast tumor was benign or malignant on fine needle aspiration biopsy and needle biopsy. Bilateral mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy of the right side were performed. Pathological diagnosis were squamous cell carcinoma of the right breast and spindle cell carcinoma of the left breast. Although the patient was treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, she had an early relapse with pleural, lung and bone metastases. The patient died approximately 8 months after operation. Spindle cell carcinoma presents many problems about therapy and prognosis. Further accumulation analysis is necessary.

Decreased Positive Fecal Occult Blood Tests and Delayed Medical Presentation for Colorectal Cancer during the Initial COVID-19 Pandemic Period: A Single-center Experience.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the examination and treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) and on the behaviors of patients and practitioners. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of the CRC patients who presented to our department between April 2019 and March 2021 and underwent surgery. Clinical presentation of CRC and time from symptom onset to medical presentation were compared between the control (April 2019 to March 2020, n=124) and COVID-19 pandemic periods (April 2020 to March 2021, n=111). Results: Two hundred and thirty-five patients were reviewed. The rate of positive fecal occult blood tests was significantly lower during the COVID-19 pandemic period (13.5 vs. 25.0%, P = 0.027). Among the symptomatic patients who had melena and abdominal symptoms, the time from symptom onset to medical presentation was significantly longer during the COVID-19 period (115 vs. 31 days, P < 0.001). In addition, the interval between presenting to a practitioner and being referred to our department was similar between the two periods (19 vs. 13 days, P = 0.092). There were no significant differences in the stage of cancer between the two periods. The rate of preoperative sub-obstruction was significantly higher during the COVID-19 period (41.4 vs 23.4%, P = 0.003). There was no significant difference in overall survival and recurrence-free survival between two periods. Conclusions: Hesitation to seek examination and treatment for CRC was observed in patients but not in practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The prognosis did not change.

Acute peritonitis caused by the acute pancreatitis of an ectopic pancreas in a jejunal duplication, in an adult with intestinal malrotation: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal duplication and ectopic pancreas are two rare independent congenital anomalies. Few reports describe cases of patients with ectopic pancreas in an intestinal duplication causing acute peritonitis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 31-year-old man was admitted to the hospital for epigastric pain. The patient was diagnosed with acute peritonitis caused by the acute pancreatitis of an ectopic pancreas in a jejunal duplication, with intestinal malrotation. The patient underwent the partial resection of the jejunum and Ladd's procedure. The histopathological findings indicated ectopic pancreatitis in the jejunal duplication. CONCLUSIONS: We presented the case of acute peritonitis caused by the acute pancreatitis of an ectopic pancreas in a jejunal duplication in an adult with intestinal malrotation. Surgery is the primary treatment and is necessary for a definitive diagnosis.

Serrated polyposis syndrome with multiple inverted lesions in the colon: Case report and elucidation of morphogenetic mechanism.

A 70-year-old man underwent surveillance colonoscopy following surgery for occlusive sigmoid colon cancer. The procedure revealed nine sessile serrated lesions (SSLs), including three inverted lesions. Endoscopic and surgical resections were performed. All nine lesions were confirmed pathologically as SSL, and the patient was diagnosed with serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS). Three inverted SSLs (iSSLs) showed endophytic growth without epithelial misplacement. Crypt analysis revealed that iSSL crypts were wider at the bottom than the opening, roughly resembling a frustoconical shape. Our results suggest that a horizontal arrangement of frustoconical crypts leads to hemispherical deformation of the muscularis mucosa, forming an inverted shape. This is the first report to reveal the morphogenesis of iSSLs from the shape of the crypt.

Giant splenic artery aneurysm rupture into the stomach that was successfully managed with emergency distal pancreatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Splenic artery aneurysms usually rupture into the free peritoneal space and rarely into the gastrointestinal tract. We report the case of a patient with a giant splenic artery aneurysm that ruptured in to the stomach with hemorrhagic shock and was successfully treated with emergency surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: A 59-year-old man presented to the emergency department with chest pain and syncope. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed splenic artery aneurysm with active contrast extravasation. He developed upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding and hypovolemic shock. We diagnosed a splenic artery aneurysm ruptured in to the stomach, performed emergency distal splenopancreatectomy including the aneurysm and partial gastric resection, and could prevent patient death. CONCLUSIONS: This report shows that splenic artery aneurysm can cause UGI bleeding. Thus, clinicians should be alert about this condition when managing patients with UGI bleeding and/or splenic artery aneurysm.

Comparison of Post-Operative Muscular Strength Between Gamma Nailing and Hemiarthroplasty System in Femoral Intertrochanteric Fractures.

BACKGROUND: The current study focuses on the comparison of postoperative muscular strength around the hip joint of patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures treated either by cephalo-medullary (CM) nailing or a new bipolar hip prosthesis (BHP), an especially attached device to secure displaced greater trochanteric fragment. METHODS: Twenty patients treated with CM nailing were age- and sex- matched with a control group of 20 patients treated with BHP. Maximum isometric forces at the bilateral hip joint were measured during the follow up period. Means of 3 measurements were represented. RESULTS: The mean and standard deviation values (kg) of muscle strength at the non-operative/ operative side in the CM nailing group were as follows: flexion strength 9.5±4.7/8.5±4.9 (P=0.06), extension strength 6.2±3.5/5.5±3.7 (P=0.08), abduction strength at 0 degrees 7.7±3.5/6.2±2.8 (p=0.002), abduction strength at 10 degrees 5.5±2.0/4.2±2.0 (p=0.001). In the BHP group, mean and standard deviation values of muscle strength at the non-operative/ operative side were as follows: flexion strength 6.5±2.8/6.0±3.4 (P=0.08), extension strength 4.4±0.9/4.4±0.6 (P=0.83), abduction strength at 0 degrees 5.1±1.9/5.0±1.6 (p=0.12), and that at 10 degrees 4.7±1.4/4.6±1.3 (p=0.10). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that CM nailing may cause a 25-30% decrease in postoperative muscle strength around the hip joint, particularly during hip abduction. With the new BHP, greater trochanter reduction is achieved allowing early weight bearing and maintaining strength in abduction. Surgeons should consider postoperative muscular strength as one of the necessary factors for selection of the appropriate surgical procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III.

Diminished abductor muscular strength in patients with valgus-impacted femoral neck fractures treated by internal fixation: Clinical study and biomechanical considerations.

BACKGROUND: Valgus-impacted femoral neck fractures treated with internal fixation occasionally result in unsatisfactory postoperative locomotive function, partially due to muscle shortening and a decrease in the moment arm. This study quantifies the degree of diminished abduction strength both clinically and biomechanically. METHODS: Fifteen patients were enrolled in this study. Twelve patients with fracture healed in valgus-impacted position were further evaluated. Muscular strength around hip was examined, and values between the nonoperated and operated side were compared and analyzed. For the biomechanical study, two three-dimensional models were prepared: model I (control model without displacement) and model II (simulated malunion of a 15° valgus-impacted fracture). Two sets of hip flexion angles in each of the models were simulated with flexion angles of 0° and 23°. RESULTS: Mean and standard deviation values for muscle strength from the nonoperative/operative side among the valgus group are as follows: flexion strength was 9.2 ± 4.0/9.2 ± 3.2, extension strength was 5.8 ± 2.8/6.1 ± 3.2, abduction strength at 0° was 9.1 ± 3.7/7.4 ± 3.6, abduction strength at 10° was 6.7 ± 3.0/5.5 ± 2.2, and knee extension strength was 15.3 ± 6.2/15.1 ± 6.0 (kgf). When comparing values between the nonoperative and operative sides, statistical significance was only observed in abduction strength ( p < 0.01). The biomechanical models prove that valgus impaction decreases the moment arm by approximately 10% at both flexion angle. CONCLUSIONS: A significant decrease in abductor strength at 0° and 10° was observed in the valgus-healed group. This may be related to a decrease in the moment arm. Further research should be done to define the acceptable limit of deformity for the satisfactory postoperative functioning.

Subtilisin-like proprotein convertase PACE4 is required for skeletal muscle differentiation.

Most growth factors stimulate myoblast proliferation and prevent differentiation, whereas insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) promote myoblast differentiation through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. Subtilisin-like proprotein convertases (SPCs) are involved in cell growth and differentiation via activation of pro-growth factors. However, the role of SPCs in myogenesis remains poorly understood. Here we show that PACE4, a member of the SPC family, plays a critical role in myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells. PACE4 mRNA levels increased markedly during myogenesis, whereas the expression of other member of SPC family, furin and PC6, remained unchanged. The expression pattern of pro-IGF-II, which is processed extracellularly by SPCs, was similar to that of PACE4. The expression of shRNA targeting PACE4, but not furin, suppressed the expression of the muscle-specific myosin light chain (MLC). Interestingly, reduced expression of MLC was restored following treatment with recombinant mature IGF-II. Finally, we demonstrated that the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 blocked the induction of PACE4 mRNA, a result not observed when another myogenic differentiation inhibitor, SB203580 (p38 MAP kinase inhibitor), was employed, indicating the presence of a positive feedback loop regulating PACE4 expression. These results suggest that PACE4 plays an important role in myogenic differentiation through its association with the IGF-II pathway.