Impact of the availability of active cytotoxic agents on the survival of patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Several cytotoxic agents, including fluoropyrimidines, platinums, taxanes and irinotecan, are effective in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer (AGC). However, the effect of the availability of cytotoxic agents on survival has not yet been evaluated. Therefore, the present study assessed the impact of the availability of active cytotoxic agents on the survival of patients with AGC. The records of 216 patients with newly diagnosed AGC that were treated with palliative chemotherapy between March 2002 and November 2012 at Chungbuk National University Hospital were reviewed. For the present study, the patients were divided according to the availability of active cytotoxic agents over the course of treatment: Group 1 received fluoropyrimidine and platinum; group 2 received fluoropyrimidine, platinum and taxane or irinotecan; and group 3 received fluoropyrimidine, platinum, taxane and irinotecan. The median overall survival times for groups 1, 2 and 3 were 6.3, 9.9 and 14.3 months, respectively (P<0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status and the availability of active cytotoxic agents were independent prognostic factors, as the hazard ratios for mortality were 3.25 for patients with an ECOG performance status of 2-3 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.99-5.30; P<0.0001], 0.58 for patients in group 2 (95% CI, 0.42-0.80; P=0.0009), and 0.40 for patients in group 3 (95% CI, 0.28-0.58; P<0.0001). The present study reveals that the availability of active cytotoxic agents is associated with an improved survival time in patients with AGC.

Pyogenic pancreatic abscess mimicking pancreatic neoplasm: a four-case series.

A pyogenic pancreatic abscess mimicking pancreatic neoplasm in the absence of acute pancreatitis is rare. We report four patients who each presented with a pancreatic mass at the pancreas head or body without acute pancreatitis. The presenting symptoms were abdominal pain, fever, or weight loss. Abdominal CT scans showed low-density round masses at the pancreas head or body with/without lymphadenopathy. In each case, a PET-CT scan showed a mass with a high SUV, indicating possible malignancy. Comorbid diseases were identified in all patients: chronic pancreatitis and thrombus at the portal vein, penetrating duodenal ulcer, distal common bile duct stenosis, and diabetes mellitus. Diagnoses were performed by laparoscopic biopsy in two patients and via EUS fine needle aspiration in one patient. One patient revealed a multifocal microabscess at the pancreatic head caused by a deep-penetrating duodenal ulcer. He was treated with antibiotics and a proton-pump inhibitor. The clinical symptoms and pancreatic images of all the patients were improved using conservative management. Infective causes should be considered for a pancreatic mass mimicking malignancy.

Aspergillus tracheobronchitis in a mild immunocompromised host.

Aspergillus tracheobronchitis is a form of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in which the Aspergillus infection is limited predominantly to the tracheobronchial tree. It occurs primarily in severely immunocompromised patients such as lung transplant recipients. Here, we report a case of Aspergillus tracheobronchitis in a 42-year-old man with diabetes mellitus, who presented with intractable cough, lack of expectoration of sputum, and chest discomfort. The patient did not respond to conventional treatment with antibiotics and antitussive agents, and he underwent bronchoscopy that showed multiple, discrete, gelatinous whitish plaques mainly involving the trachea and the left bronchus. On the basis of the bronchoscopic and microbiologic findings, we made the diagnosis of Aspergillus tracheobronchitis and initiated antifungal therapy. He showed gradual improvement in his symptoms and continued taking oral itraconazole for 6 months. Physicians should consider Aspergillus tracheobronchitis as a probable diagnosis in immunocompromised patients presenting with atypical respiratory symptoms and should try to establish a prompt diagnosis.