Which is a real valuable screening tool for lung cancer and measure thoracic diseases, chest radiography or low-dose computed tomography?: A review on the current status of Japan and other countries.

Chest radiography (CR) has been used as a screening tool for lung cancer and the use of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is not recommended in Japan. We need to reconsider whether CR really contributes to the early detection of lung cancer. In addition, we have not well discussed about other major thoracic disease detection by CR and LDCT compared with lung cancer despite of its high frequency. We review the usefulness of CR and LDCT as veridical screening tools for lung cancer and other thoracic diseases. In the case of lung cancer, many studies showed that LDCT has capability of early detection and improving outcomes compared with CR. Recent large randomized trial also supports former results. In the case of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), LDCT contributes to early detection and leads to the implementation of smoking cessation treatments. In the case of pulmonary infections, LDCT can reveal tiny inflammatory changes that are not observed on CR, though many of these cases improve spontaneously. Therefore, LDCT screening for pulmonary infections may be less useful. CR screening is more suitable for the detection of pulmonary infections. In the case of cardiovascular disease (CVD), CR may be a better screening tool for detecting cardiomegaly, whereas LDCT may be a more useful tool for detecting vascular changes. Therefore, the current status of thoracic disease screening is that LDCT may be a better screening tool for detecting lung cancer, COPD, and vascular changes. CR may be a suitable screening tool for pulmonary infections and cardiomegaly.

Evaluation of chest radiography and low-dose computed tomography as valuable screening tools for thoracic diseases.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is effective for the early detection of lung cancer. However, the utility of chest radiography (CR) and LDCT for other thoracic diseases has not been as well investigated as it has been for lung cancer. This study aimed to clarify the usefulness of the veridical method in the screening of various thoracic diseases. METHODS: Among individuals who had received general health checkups over a 10-year period, those who had undergone both CR and LDCT were selected for analysis. The present study included 4317 individuals (3146 men and 1171 women). We investigated cases in which abnormal opacity was detected on CR and/or LDCT. RESULTS: A total of 47 and 124 cases had abnormal opacity on CR and LDCT, respectively. Among these, 41 cases in which the abnormal opacity was identified by both methods contained 20 treated cases. Six cases had abnormalities only on CR, and none of the cases required further treatment. Eighty-three cases were identified using LDCT alone. Of these, many cases, especially those over the age of 50 years, were diagnosed with thoracic tumors and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which required early treatment. In contrast, many cases of pulmonary infections have improved spontaneously, without any treatment. CONCLUSION: These results revealed that LDCT allowed early detection of thoracic tumors and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, especially in individuals over the age of 50 years. CR is still a useful imaging modality for other thoracic diseases, especially in individuals under the age of 49 years.

Expression of ATF6 as a marker of pre-cancerous atypical change in ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer: a potential role in the management of dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of low-grade dysplasia (LGD) is important in the management of ulcerative colitis (UC), but it is often difficult to distinguish LGD from inflammatory regenerative epithelium. The unfolded protein response (UPR) is activated in inflammatory bowel disease and malignancies. We aimed to identify a UPR-related gene that is involved in the development of non-UC and UC-associated colorectal cancer (CRC), and to investigate whether the target gene is useful for the diagnosis of LGD. METHODS: Using our microarray gene expression database of 152 CRCs, we identified activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) as a target gene. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of ATF6 were analyzed in 137 surgically resected CRCs, 95 endoscopically resected adenomas and pTis cancers, and 136 samples from 51 UC patients (93 colitis without neoplasia, 31 dysplasia, and 12 UC-associated CRC). The diagnostic accuracy of ATF6 and p53 as markers of LGD was assessed. RESULTS: ATF6 expression was detectable in all CRCs but not in normal colonic mucosa, was elevated with increase in cellular atypia (adenoma with moderate atypia < severe atypia < pTis CRC, p < 0.001), and higher in dysplasia and CRC than in non-neoplastic colitis (p < 0.001). Notably, the difference between colitis and LGD was significant. Compared to p53-IHC, ATF6-IHC had better diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing LGD from background inflammatory mucosa (sensitivity 70.8 vs. 16.7%, specificity 78.5 vs.71.0%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: ATF6 was expressed in lesions undergoing pre-cancerous atypical change in both non-UC and UC-associated CRC and may be used to distinguish LGD from inflammatory regenerative epithelium in UC patients.

Morphologic change of the psoas muscle as a surrogate marker of sarcopenia and predictor of complications after colorectal cancer surgery.

PURPOSE: Sarcopenia is reported to be associated with complications after surgery. However, there is no established optimal parameter to determine sarcopenia affecting surgical outcome. This study investigated whether morphologic change of the psoas muscle (MPM) reflects sarcopenia and could be a predictor of complications after colorectal cancer surgery. METHODS: Colorectal cancer patients who underwent primary tumor resection with anastomosis between 2015 and 2016 were analyzed. MPM score was evaluated as the ratio of the short-to-long axis of the psoas muscle in CT images at the L3 vertebrae and classified into five MPM grades. Then, the impact of MPM grade on development of postoperative complications was investigated. RESULTS: A total of 133 patients were studied. MPM score was significantly correlated to the sectional areas of the psoas muscle at the L3 vertebrae which was evaluated by manual tracing. 21.1% of the subjects were classified into severe MPM (defined as MPM grade 3-4). Overall and infectious complications were noted in 37 (27.8%) and 16 (12.0%) patients. Severe MPM (odds ratio [OR] 2.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-6.73), longer operative time (OR 1.01, 95%CI 1.001-1.01), and open surgery (OR 2.73, 95%CI 1.17-6.35) were identified as independent risk factors of overall complications. Severe MPM (OR 4.26,95%CI 1.38-13.10) and open surgery (OR 3.42, 95%CI 1.11-10.48) were identified as independent factors associated with infectious complications. CONCLUSIONS: MPM grade may be used as a simple and convenient marker of sarcopenia and to identify patients at increased risk of complications after colorectal cancer surgery.

[Long-Term Survival of a Case with Brain and Lung Metastases from Resected Rectal Cancer by Gamma Knife Radiosurgery].

A 69-year-oldfemale hadund ergone low anterior resection for rectal cancer(Rb). Histological examination showedwell differentiated adenocarcinoma with lymph node metastasis. Adjuvant chemotherapy with UFT was performed postoperatively. Nineteen months later, abdominoperineal resection was performedfor anastomotic recurrence andS -1 chemotherapy was made. As 2 left lung metastases appearedat the 44 months after first surgery, capecitabine was performedfor 4 years. At the 101 months after first surgery, sensory difficulty of right lower limb appearedandMRI revealedbrain tumor(single, 18mm) in the left parietal lobe. We performedgamma knife radiosurgery for the brain metastasis andmultiagent chemotherapy for lung metastases. Although the brain metastases have relapsedtwice, gamma knife providedgoodlocal control. She is surviving without symptom of brain metastases 37 months after the detection.

[Two Cases of Colon Cancer with Severe Liver Dysfunction Due to Multiple Liver Metastases Effectively Treated with Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy plus CetuximabFollowed by Systemic Chemotherapy].

Case 1: An 80-year-old man was diagnosed with cecal cancer plus multiple liver metastases and peritoneal disseminations. He underwent surgical resection of the primary tumor to prevent bowel obstruction. Initially, hepatic arterial infusion(HAI) plus cetuximab(Cmab)was administered to reduce the size of the metastatic tumors and prevent liver failure. A partial response(PR)was observed in the liver metastases after 12 courses of treatment and S-1 plus oxaliplatin(SOX)plus bevacizumab was started. Case 2: A 44-year-old man was diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer with multiple liver, lung and bone metastases, and with obstructive jaundice and cholangitis due to severe liver hilum lymph node metastases. His performance status(PS)score was 3 because of severe liver damage. Initially, he underwent endoscopic nasobiliary drainage for obstructive jaundice, and HAI plus Cmab was started to prevent liver dysfunction and to control all metastases. A PR in the metastatic liver tumors was observed after 18 courses. His PS increased to 1 and he was treated with mFOLFOX6 plus Cmab. HAI plus Cmab might be a treatment option for patients who have RAS-wild type tumors with severe liver dysfunction due to multiple liver metastases; HAI is intended to have few side effects and has a high local control rate.

[A Case of Metastasis to the Base of the Skull after Rectal Cancer Operation with Symptom Management via Radiotherapy].

In 2009, A 67-year-old woman underwent high anterior resection for rectal cancer(RS, type 2, pT3, pN1, cM0, pStage III a). U FT/LV was administered for 6 months as adjuvant chemotherapy after the operation. Because peritoneum dissemination and pelvic lymph node metastasis developed 9 months after the operation, CapeOX plus Bmab therapy was started, and we monitored the cancer partial response for the next 6 years. Six years and 9 months after the operation, we detected metastasis to the sacrum; thus, radiotherapy was started. Seven years after the first operation, we detected pulmonary, liver, distant lymph node, and subcutaneous metastasis. Additionally, in the next month, she complained of double vision and dysarthria, and metastasis to the base of the skull was diagnosed via head MRI scanning. We started radiotherapy, and the symptoms gradually improved. Although we started IRIS plus Bmab therapy for pulmonary, liver, distant lymph node, and subcutaneous metastasis, it became a progressive disease(PD). She passed away 7 years and 6 months after the first operation. In this case, radiotherapy was useful for symptom management of metastasis to the base of the skull after surgery for rectal cancer, which is an extremely rare occurrence.

[A Rare Case of Retroperitoneal Metastasis from Ascending Colon Cancer That Required Multimodal Treatment].

A patient in his 70's underwent a right hemi-colectomy due to an ascending colon cancer in a previous hospital. The tumor had widely infiltrated the retroperitoneal space(pT3, pN0[0/12], pPM0, pDM0, pRM1, Stage II ). He was referred to our institute 1 month after primary surgery to receive chemotherapy for his residual tumor. Abdominal computed tomography (CT)showed a 24mm tumor in his retroperitoneal space before chemotherapy. After 4 cycles of mFOLFOX6 and panitumumab, the tumor partially responded, and after 7 cycles, he achieved a complete response(CR). After an additional 10 cycles, he had maintained the CR, and chemotherapy was discontinued. Two years and 11 months after discontinuation of chemotherapy, an abdominal CT revealed a tumor that gradually grew behind the right kidney. The tumor was resected, and pathological findings showed it was recurrence of the past colon cancer. Seven months after resection of recurrent tumor, CT revealed 2 newly recurrent tumors that gradually grew in the retroperitoneal space again. Therefore, we performed resection of newly recurrent tumors along with the right kidney, Gerota's fascia, diaphragm, and lumbar quadrate muscle for R0 resection. Pathological findings revealed recurrence of the past colon cancer with extensive lymphatic invasion. The recurrent tumor had grown in a retroperitoneal space that was not covered in the primary surgical procedure. Therefore, this is considered a rare case of retroperitoneal metastasis.

[A Case of Surgical Resection of Isolated Pulmonary Metastasis from Gastric Cancer].

We report a rare case of surgical resection for pulmonary metastasis from gastric cancer. A 71-year-old man underwent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer in October 2012. After the operation, he received S-1 chemotherapy for 1 year. In January 2014, computed tomography of the chest showed a nodule shadow with a cavity at S3 in the right lung. Because it showed a tendency to gradually enlarge, we performed an operation in September 2014. The nodule was diagnosed as metastatic adenocarcinoma from gastric cancer on pathology. The patient is being treated with S-1 chemotherapy during follow-up. The pulmonary metastases of gastric cancer often develop along with carcinomatous lymphangiosis or carcinomatous pleurisy, and isolated pulmonary metastasis is rare. A consensus has not been reached about the usefulness of surgical resection, and the accumulation of further cases is required.

[A Case of Long-Term Survival of Advanced Esophageal Basaloid Squamous Carcinoma Invading the Trachea].

A woman in her 50s complained of dysphagia and was diagnosed with locally advanced esophageal cancer in the middle and upper thoracic esophagus, invading the tracheal bronchus. The biopsy indicated esophageal basaloid squamous carcinoma. The pretreatment diagnosis was cT4N2M0, cStage Ⅳa. She was treated with systemic chemotherapy consisting of FAP (5-fluorouracil [5-FU], doxorubicin [DXR] and cisplatin[CDDP]), which resulted in significant tumor shrinkage. One year later, the tumor regrew, and nedaplatin (CDGP) plus docetaxel (DOC) was administered as second-line chemotherapy. The patient complained of dysphagia during the course of chemotherapy, and received radiation therapy for the residual tumor, which again significantly shrunk. Four years after the first round of chemotherapy, the patient can take oral nutrition, and is continuing to undergo chemotherapy. This is a case of long-term survival of locally advanced esophageal cancer of basaloid squamous carcinoma. Effective chemotherapy and radiation can improve the treatment outcome.

[A case of resectable lung metastasis one year six months after surgery for pancreatic cancer].

The patient was a 68-year-old man who underwent pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy for cancer of the pancreatic head in March 2012. Pre-operative chest computed tomography (CT) revealed a scar-like shade approximately 1.5 cm in length in the right middle lobe of the lung, but an active metastasis was not suspected. Adjuvant S-1 was initiated in June the same year at 100 mg/day and reduced to 50 mg/day in October because of neutropenia. The internal structure of the right middle lobe was observed to be uneven on a CT scan obtained in July 2013, and the shading increased to approximately 3 cm in length along with spicula. Brushing and transbronchial lung biopsy(TBLB)were performed. No other distant organ metastases were detected on a whole body search. Diagnosis was between a solitary lung metastasis of pancreatic cancer or cT2N0M0, StageIB primary lung cancer. The right middle lobe of the lung was resected via thoracoscopy along with lymph node dissection in September 2013. Histological examination revealed that the lesion was a well differentiated adenocarcinoma, with negative immunostaining for thyroid transcription factor-1(TTF-1) and Napsin A, and positive staining for cytokeratin (CK)7 and CK20, consistent with a solitary lung metastasis of pancreatic cancer. This report documents a rare case of pancreatic cancer with a solitary, resectable lung metastasis without involvement of other organs.

Pancreatobiliary disorders associated with pancreaticobiliary maljunction.

AIM: To clarify the features of biliary carcinomas and pancreatic disorders associated with pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM). METHOD: A total of 107 PBM patients with biliary dilatation were reviewed (52 with and 55 without PBM). Clinicopathological findings of biliary carcinomas, and acute or chronic pancreatitis were examined in association with PBM. We also investigated pancreatographic findings in PBM patients and the relationship to their clinical findings in view of pancreatic juice flow. RESULTS: Gallbladder and bile duct carcinomas were seen in 11 (21%) and 8 (15%) of the 52 patients with PBM and biliary dilatation, respectively. In patients with PBM without biliary dilatation (n = 55), only gallbladder carcinoma was detected in 36 (65%) patients. At diagnosis, patients with gallbladder or bile duct carcinoma associated with PBM were younger than those without PBM (p < 0.01). Gallstones were detected only in 6% of the patients with PBM-associated gallbladder carcinoma. Multiple biliary carcinomas were detected in 3 patients (38%) with PBM-associated bile duct carcinoma. While 48 patients (60%) with biliary carcinoma and PBM had a normal pancreatic duct system, only 2 gallbladder carcinomas occurred in 11 dorsal pancreatic duct (DPD)-dominant patients (p < 0.05). Amylase concentration in the bile of DPD-dominant patients was significantly lower than that of patients with a normal pancreatic duct system (p < 0.05). Ten PBM patients had pancreatic disorders: acute pancreatitis (n = 3), chronic pancreatitis (n = 5), and pancreatic carcinoma (n = 2). CONCLUSIONS: In PBM patients, pancreatobiliary reflux frequently leads to biliary cancer, and biliopancreatic reflux often leads to acute or chronic pancreatitis. The biliary tract of PBM patients can be considered premalignant.