Intra-abdominal Desmoid-Type Fibromatosis Mimicking Diverticulitis With Abscess: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Intra-abdominal desmoid-type fibromatosis (DF) rarely necessitates emergency surgery. However, the condition is difficult to diagnose preoperatively and can become life-threatening if left untreated. CASE REPORT: A 46-year-old man complained of fever and right lower quadrant pain. In computed tomography, the mesenteric side of the ascending colon demonstrated air and fluid collections, suggesting diverticulitis with abscess. After 2 weeks of conservative treatment with fasting, the patient started to consume food; nonetheless, fever returned. Colonoscopy and contrast enema detected a fistula extending from the ascending colon to the abscess, with no surrounding lesions. Surgery was then performed because the abscess was refractory. During laparotomy, the scar tissue of the abscess was found to be attached to the lateral wall of the ascending colon. Hence, right colectomy combined with abscess resection was performed. Histopathological findings revealed DF in the mesentery. CONCLUSION: Although rare, DF should be included in the preoperative differential diagnosis of intra-abdominal abscesses.

Spindle cell carcinoma of the breast - A case report.

Spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC) of the breast is quite a rare modality classified to the metaplastic carcinoma of the breast. Regarding its biological behavior and the prognosis of the patients with this rare tumor, it has been remaining controversial. We herein report an 88 year-old woman who had a huge bleeding tumor on the right breast. She was a high-aged woman with low activities of daily life, even with some suspicion of distant organ metastasis. While the tumor proved to drastically bleed due to the tumor disintegration, a right simple mastectomy was performed. According to the histopathologic examinations, sarcomatoid spindle cells with severe atypia were observed. By an immunohistochemical examination, the tumor had proved to express neither estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor nor HER2 receptor. Moreover an immunohistochemical expression of AE1/3 and CAM5.2, defining an epithelial neoplasm were observed in addition to an expression of vimentin. From these findings, this bleeding tumor was diagnosed as spindle cell carcinoma of the breast. J. Med. Invest. 67 : 365-367, August, 2020.

New scoring system to create a prognostic criteria in colorectal carcinoma based on serum elevation of C-reactive protein and decrease in lymphocyte in peripheral blood.

BACKGROUND: Both serum elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) and reduction of lymphocyte in the peripheral blood has been known as indicator for malignant potential of human tumors. METHODS: Whether newly devised CLS (CRP/Lymphocyte Score), based on combined data of serum elevation of CRP and of lymphocyte percentage in the peripheral blood can be an indicator for progressive potential in colorectal carcinoma was examined in 280 cases who had been surgically treated. RESULTS: Significant difference in survival was observed both between CLS 0 and 1 and between CLS 1 and 2, in both cases when analyzed among whole patients and patient who had been treated with curative resection. Multivariate analysis among patients who had been treated with curative resection demonstrated that CLS (P < 0.0001), histologic type (P = 0.0003), and tumor stage (P = 0.039) were factors independently associated with worse prognosis of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Newly devised criteria CLS could be an independent prognostic indicator in colorectal carcinoma and would be utilized as a helpful information. J. Med. Invest. 66 : 264-268, August, 2019.

Pancreatic cancer arising from the remnant pancreas after pancreatectomy: a multicenter retrospective study by the Kyushu Study Group of Clinical Cancer.

BACKGROUND: After initial pancreatic resection, local recurrence of pancreatic cancer (PC) or new primary PC can develop in the remnant. There are limited data available regarding this so-called remnant PC. The aim of this retrospective study was to clarify the clinical features and establish a treatment strategy for remnant PC. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study with the Kyushu Study Group of Clinical Cancer was carried out. Clinical data from 50 patients who developed remnant PC were analyzed. RAS mutation analysis of the initial tumor and of remnant PC was performed in 17 cases. RESULTS: The initial pancreatic resections were performed for 37 invasive ductal carcinomas, and for 13 other tumors. Thirty-seven patients underwent a second pancreatectomy for remnant PC (resected group), while thirteen patients were not operated (unresected group). The median overall survival times were 42.2 months in the resected group and 12.3 months in the unresected group (HR 0.374; 95% CI 0.17-0.83). In RAS mutation analysis, 14 cases had at least 1 missense variant of KRAS, HRAS, or NRAS in the initial pancreatic tumor and/or remnant PC. The same missense variants between the initial tumor and remnant PC were discovered only in KRAS of one patient, and in HRAS of one patient. No case had completely consistent missense variants between the initial tumor and remnant PC. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that repeated pancreatectomy for remnant PC can prolong patient survival, and RAS mutation analysis indicated that many remnant PCs are developed from metachronous multifocal origins.

A case of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast.

An 85-year old woman who had a large tumor in the left breast came to our out-patient clinic. Computed tomography showed multiple lung tumors in addition to a huge tumor in the left breast. A needle biopsy brought about a histological diagnosis of ductal carcinoma. A simple mastectomy was performed and a histological examination using the resected specimen demonstrated a coexistence of an adenoid structure and a false ductal structure according the histologic characteristics of adenoid cystic carcinoma, which is quite rare among breast tumors. J. Med. Invest. 65:289-291, August, 2018.

Definition of Prognosis Based on Lymph Node Metastasis and Elevation of Serum C-Reactive Protein for Patients with Gastric Carcinoma Treated with Curative Resection.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to develop prognostic criteria based on the combination of nodal metastasis and preoperative elevation of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) for patients with gastric carcinoma that have been treated with curative resection. METHODS: Three hundred and twenty patients with gastric carcinoma who had been treated with curative resection were enrolled. One point was provided for each incidence of nodal metastasis and preoperative elevation of serum CRP and we examined whether this cumulative score system could provide a strict stratification of survival. RESULTS: Significant differences regarding survival were observed both between patients with scores of 0 and 1 (P < 0.0001) and between patients with scores of 1 and 2 (P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that the cumulative score (P = 0.0003) and the depth of the tumor (P = 0.016) were independent prognostic indicators. CONCLUSIONS: Criteria for the prediction of prognosis in gastric carcinoma treated with curative resection based on tumor-related and host-related factors could provide a strict stratification. J. Med. Invest. 65:191-194, August, 2018.

Acute limb ischemia of the lower extremity associated with left upper lobe surgery for primary lung cancer.

Thrombosis formation in the pulmonary vein stump after pulmonary lobectomy has recently been reported to be an extremely rare cause of arterial embolism. We herein report the first case series of acute limb ischemia encountered after video-assisted thoracoscopic left upper lobectomy or left upper division segmentectomy for primary lung cancer. The patients underwent embolectomy, and their perioperative courses were uneventful. It should be recognized that the pulmonary vein stump can cause acute limb ischemia after pulmonary lobectomy.

Further evidence to demonstrate the significance of serum appearance of anti-p53 antibody as a marker for progressive potential in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast.

BACKGROUND: Serum appearance of anti-p53 antibody (p53Ab) has been reported as an indicator for progressive potential of human tumor tumors including breast cancer. But its significance in breast cancer has not been discussed fully. METHODS: Relationship between serum appearance of p53Abs and representative data accounting for progressive potential in breast cancer, nuclear grade (NG), triple negative cancer, and the cumulative score based on these two data (TGS) was investigated among 129 women with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast, who had been treated with surgical resection. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between appearance of p53Abs and recurrence of the tumors (P = 0.035). Significant correlation of serum appearance of p53Abs with negative expression of ER (P = 0.011), the proportion of TNBC (P = 0.013), NG (P = 0.017), and TGS (P = 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative serum appearance of p53Abs can be correlated with pathological nuclear grade, incidence of triple negative breast cancer, and TGS. These results might demonstrate more powerful significance of serum appearance of p53Abs as an indicator of progressive potential in IDC of the breast. J. Med. Invest. 64: 241-244, August, 2017.

Superficial temporal artery aneurysm associated with immunoglobulin G4-related disease.

A 68-year-old man was admitted because of a pulsatile mass and pain in the left temporal region, and computed tomography demonstrated the superficial temporal artery aneurysm. He underwent aneurysmectomy, and pathologic investigation revealed marked thickness of the adventitia with substantial plasmacyte infiltration. On immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) immunohistochemistry, IgG4-positive lymphocytes were scattered in the adventitia, and biochemical tests revealed elevation of IgG4 (200 mg/dL). The case satisfied the criteria for both giant cell arteritis and IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). This case report suggested that IgG4-RD can occur in the superficial temporal artery and that IgG4-RD may partially overlap with a subtype of giant cell arteritis.

Rerupture of nonparasitic liver cyst treated with cyst fenestration: a case report.

We herein describe a case involving spontaneous rerupture of a nonparasitic liver cyst successfully treated with cyst fenestration and an omental flap. A 59-year-old Japanese woman was transferred to our hospital for evaluation of acute abdominal pain. She had a history of conservative treatment with antibiotics for spontaneous rupture of a liver cyst 1 month previously. On arrival, she exhibited abdominal tenderness and muscular defense. Enhanced computed tomography showed ascites and a large ruptured hepatic cyst (diameter of 10 cm). We diagnosed rerupture of a liver cyst and performed laparotomy for cyst fenestration and intraperitoneal drainage. During the operation, we found the perforation site on the ventral side of the cyst and brown, muddled ascitic fluid. Cholangiography showed no bile leakage on the inner wall. Pathological investigation revealed no evidence of malignancy. The patient recovered without any adverse events and was discharged on postoperative day 8. No recurrences or complications occurred for 2 years.

Esophagectomy-related thoracic duct injury detected by lymphoscintigraphy with 99mTc-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-human serum albumin: report of a case.

Chylothorax is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening complication of esophagectomy. A 72-year-old man underwent thoracoscopy-assisted subtotal esophagectomy and reconstruction with a gastric tube, through a retrosternal route, after preoperative chemoradiotherapy. Chylothorax was detected after starting enteral feeding on postoperative day (POD) 7. Despite conservative therapy such as fasting, total parenteral nutrition, and octreotide administration, massive fluid drainage continued. On POD 19, lymphoscintigraphy with (99m)Tc-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-human serum albumin (HSA-D) was performed and the site of leakage was detected at the level of the fourth thoracic vertebra. On POD 23, the thoracic duct was ligated, following which the volume of chylothorax decreased. Lymphoscintigraphy 12 days after the reoperation showed no leakage from the thoracic duct. We recommend lymphoscintigraphy with (99m)Tc-HSA-D for locating the chyle leakage site and helping decide about the operative indication.

Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) can be a useful indicator to determine prognosis of patients with colorectal carcinoma.

The Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), an inflammation-based score, has been used to predict the biologic behavior of malignant tumors. The aim of the current study was to elucidate a further significance of GPS in colorectal carcinoma. Correlation of GPS and modified GPS (mGPS), which are composed of combined score provided for serum elevation of C-reactive protein and hypoalbuminemia examined before surgical treatment, with clinicopathologic features was investigated in 272 patients with colorectal carcinoma. Survival of GPS 1 patients was significantly worse than that of GPS 0 patients (P= 0.009), and survival of GPS 2 patients was significantly worse than that of GPS 1 patients (P < 0.0001). Similarly, survival of mGPS 1 patients was significantly worse than that of mGPS 0 patients (P = 0.009), and survival of mGPS 2 patients was significantly worse than that of mGPS 1 patients (P = 0.0006). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that GPS (P < 0.0001) as well as tumor stage (P= 0.004) and venous invasion (P = 0.011) were factors independently associated with worse prognosis. Both GPS and mGPS could classify outcome of patients with a clear stratification, and could be applied as prognostic indicators in colorectal carcinoma.

Definitive chemoradiotherapy and salvage esophagectomy for esophageal cancer associated with multiple lung metastases: a case report.

The prognosis of esophageal cancer with distant metastasis is dismal. We report a 70-year-old man with esophageal cancer and multiple lung and lymph node metastases. Complete response was achieved following definitive chemoradiotherapy. Twenty-four months after the initial chemoradiotherapy, local recurrence was detected but there was no evidence of distant metastasis. Therefore, the patient underwent salvage esophagectomy. The surgery was well tolerated without any postoperative complications. The patient is still alive 48 months after the salvage surgery. Our experience suggests that salvage esophagectomy is an important component of multimodal therapy for the recurrence of esophageal cancer.

Prognostic criteria in colorectal carcinoma constructed by the combination of tumor-related and host-related factors.

BACKGROUND: The significance of prognostic criteria based on a combination of tumor-related and host-related factors for patients with colorectal carcinoma has not been appreciated fully. METHODS: Correlation of tumor-related and host-related score (TRHRS), which are constructed by the combination of serum elevation of C-reactive protein and pathologic lymph node metastasis (scores ranging 0 to 2), with clinicopathologic features including prognosis was studied in 271 patients with colorectal carcinoma who had been treated with curative resection. RESULTS: Significant difference regarding survival was observed both between TRHRS 0 and 1 (P = .028) and between TRHRS 1 and 2 (P < .0001). Multivariate analysis showed that histologic types (P = .040) and TRHRS (P < .0001) were independent prognostic indicators. CONCLUSION: Criteria for the prediction of prognosis in colorectal carcinoma treated with curative resection based on both tumor-related and host-related factors could provide a strict stratification.

Rad51 expression is a useful predictive factor for the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is beneficial in the setting of a complete pathological response. Rad51 expression affects both chemo- and radiosensitivity in many cancers; however, its role in ESCC is unclear. METHODS: Rad51 expression was investigated by immunohistochemical staining with resected specimens in 89 ESCC patients who underwent surgery without preoperative therapy. The association with Rad51 and clinicopathological factors was assessed. The expression of Rad51 was also investigated in pretreatment biopsy specimens in 39 ESCC patients who underwent surgery after NACRT and compared with the pathological response to NACRT. RESULTS: Lymph node metastasis was more frequently observed in Rad51-positive cases than negative cases (58.5 vs. 30.6%, P = 0.0168) in patients treated with surgery alone. Disease-specific survival was decreased in Rad51-positive cases compared to Rad51-negative cases (5 year survival: 79.6 vs. 59.3%, P = 0.0324). In NACRT patients, completed pathological responses were more frequently observed in Rad51-negative cases than in Rad51-positive cases (68.8 vs. 46.5%, P = 0.0171). CONCLUSIONS: Rad51 expression in ESCC was associated with lymph node metastasis and poor survival. Additionally, Rad51 expression in pretreatment biopsy specimens was a predictive factor for the response to NACRT.

Non-cirrhotic portal-systemic encephalopathy caused by enlargement of a splenorenal shunt after pancreaticoduodenectomy for locally advanced duodenal cancer: report of a case.

We report a case of portal-systemic encephalopathy occurring secondary to a splenorenal shunt, 2 years after a pancreaticoduodenectomy for locally advanced duodenal carcinoma. A 55-year-old woman was brought to our hospital with a decreased level of consciousness. Laboratory testing revealed an elevated serum ammonia level (221 µg/dl) and normal liver function. Retrospective review of a series of contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans of the abdomen identified a splenorenal shunt, which had gradually enlarged over the past 2 years (Fig. 1). The decreased level of consciousness was thought to be due to portal-systemic encephalopathy secondary to the splenorenal shunt. We performed balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration to occlude the splenorenal shunt, following which her serum ammonia level returned to normal (28 µg/dl) and an alert level of consciousness was maintained.

[Combined therapy of lapatinib and capecitabine effective against local recurrence of breast cancer].

A 67-year-old woman after mastectomy was afflicted with local recurrence of left breast cancer during adjuvant trastuzumab therapy. Oral administration of lapatinib and capecitabine served to distinguish the recurrent tumor and also reduce the patient's distressing symptoms. This combined anti-cancer therapy may be available for patients with breast cancer for whom trastuzumab therapy was not adequately effective.

Progression from laparoscopic-assisted to totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy: comparison of circular stapler (i-DST) and linear stapler (BBT) for intracorporeal anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Billroth I (B-I) gastroduodenostomy is an anastomotic procedure that is widely performed after gastric resection for distal gastric cancer. A circular stapler often is used for B-I gastroduodenostomy in open and laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy. Recently, totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG) has been considered less invasive than laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy, and many institutions performing laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy are trying to progress to TLDG without markedly changing the anastomosis method. The purpose of this report is to introduce the technical details of new methods of intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy using either a circular or linear stapler and to evaluate their technical feasibility and safety. METHODS: Seventeen patients who underwent TLDG with the intracorporeal double-stapling technique using a circular stapler (n = 7) or the book-binding technique (BBT) using a linear stapler (n = 10) between February 2010 and April 2011 were enrolled in the study. Clinicopathological data, surgical data, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative complications or conversions to open surgery in any of the 17 patients. The usual postoperative complications following gastroduodenostomy, such as anastomotic leakage and stenosis, were not observed. Anastomosis took significantly longer to complete with DST (64 ± 24 min) than with BBT (34 ± 7 min), but more stapler cartridges were needed with BBT than with DST. CONCLUSIONS: TLDG using a circular or linear stapler is feasible and safe to perform. DST will enable institutions performing laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy with circular staplers to progress to TLDG without problems, and this progression may be more economical because fewer stapler cartridges are used during surgery. However, if an institution has already been performing δ anastomosis in TLDG but has been experiencing certain issues with δ anastomosis, converting from δ anastomosis to BBT should be beneficial.

Prognostic relevance of KRAS and BRAF mutations in Japanese patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Mutations of the KRAS or BRAF genes are now recognized as prognostic markers for colorectal cancer (CRC). They are also important predictive markers for resistance to the monoclonal antibodies that target the epidermal growth factor receptor. METHODS: In this retrospective study, KRAS and BRAF mutations were analyzed using a direct sequence method in 254 Japanese CRC patients, and the associations between KRAS or BRAF mutations and clinicopathological characteristics or outcome were evaluated. RESULTS: KRAS and BRAF mutations were detected in 33.5 and 6.7 % of all patients, respectively. Consistent with previous reports, BRAF mutations were significantly correlated with the anatomical site of the tumor (P < 0.001), tumor grade (P = 0.001) and high frequency of microsatellite instability (P < 0.001). BRAF mutations were correlated with poor overall survival in the full patient cohort (P = 0.009). KRAS mutations were significantly correlated with poor recurrence-free survival (P = 0.03), particularly in patients with stage II CRC (P = 0.007). Cox regression analysis showed that KRAS mutations were a negative predictor of recurrence-free survival in patients with stage II CRC. CONCLUSION: KRAS mutation status could be a novel biomarker for predicting disease recurrence in Japanese patients with stage II CRC.

Impact of high preoperative steroid doses on postoperative complications among patients on prolonged preoperative steroid therapy.

Corticosteroids are essential to maintain the organic homeostasis. Steroid, glucocorticoid or its synthetic analog is widely used for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Prolonged steroid therapy is reported to cause the susceptibility to infection, impaired wound healing and psychoneurosis, however whether the quantity of taking the preoperative steroid is associated the postoperative complication is still unknown. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether the steroid dose in patients on prolonged preoperative steroid therapy is associated postoperative morbidity and mortality. Twenty-five patients taking steroid for various illnesses and underwent the surgery under general anesthesia were selected in this study. The mean +/- standard deviation and the median of the steroid dose converted into hydrocortisone (mg/day) were 39.2 +/- 31.0 and 20, respectively. Of 25 cases, postoperative complications were seen in 10 cases. The postoperative complication was severe based on the grade of Clavien and Dindo by ANOVA as the doses of taking steroid increased (p = 0.0171). The grave postoperative complication classified as Clavien and Dindo grade III occurred with 100% sensitivity and 87% specificity for the steroid dose converted into hydrocortisone > 80 mg/day. Preoperative taking the large amount of steroid (> 80 mg/day) could cause a grave complication. More careful selection of the operative procedure might improve the mobidity rate.