[A Case of HER2 Positive Unresectable Gastric Cancer Leading to Conversion Therapy with Chemotherapy].

A 72‒year‒old man visited our hospital with a chief complaint of epigastralgia. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed type 3 advanced gastric cancer at the body of the stomach. Following an investigation, he was diagnosed with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2‒positive gastric cancer with invasion to the pancreas as well as the paraaortic lymph node, and multiple liver metastases were also observed. The cancer was judged to be cT4a, N2M1(H1 LYM: No. 16), cStage Ⅳ and thus was considered suitable for chemotherapy. We performed capecitabine plus cisplatin plus trastuzumab therapy. After 3 courses, the primary lesion and swollen lymph nodes decreased in size. After 20 chemotherapy courses, the primary lesion relapsed, so conversion surgery was performed. The patient underwent total gastrectomy, distal pancreatectomy, and partial resection of the liver. We planned to perform adjuvant chemotherapy, but the patient declined it because of anorexia. At 18 months after the operation, recurrence of the tumor was detected at the celiac artery. Chemotherapy was performed as follows: capecitabine plus trastuzumab 10 courses, ramucirumab plus paclitaxel, irinotecan, and nivolumab. However, the patient eventually died 71 months after the first visit.

[Two Cases of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Treated with TAS-102 plus Bevacizumab].

Trifluridine/tipiracil (TAS-102) is an important chemotherapeutic agent recommended by the Japanese guidelines as third- or fourth-line treatment for colorectal cancer. Some studies have reported that administration of TAS-102 concomitant with bevacizumab prolongs progression-free and overall survival in colorectal cancer. We describe 2 patients treated with a chemotherapeutic regimen comprising TAS-102 concomitant with bevacizumab for recurrent colorectal cancer. No adverse events ≥Grade 3(except for hematotoxicity)were observed in these patients. The patient received several courses of chemotherapy with adjustments of the dose and dosing intervals to prevent neutropenia. Combination therapy using TAS-102 and bevacizumab is a feasible Late-line chemotherapeutic regimen for colorectal cancer.

[Case of Peritoneal Dissemination from Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor of Jejunum Treated with Repeated Non-Curative Surgery].

A 71-year-old male presented with abdominal distension and fever to our hospital. Abdominal CT revealed a huge tumor in abdomen, and non-curative surgery was performed. Peritoneal dissemination was widespread and the tumor invaded the bladder and sigmoid-colon mesenterium. Two months after the initial surgery, CT showed liver metastasis, and oral administration of imatinib mesylate was started. The peritoneal dissemination and liver metastasis showed a decrease, and this was well controlled for 45 months without severe side effects. Abdominal CT revealed peritoneal dissemination in the ileocecum after 43 months since the administration of imatinib. Therefore, sunitinib treatment was initiated. After 3 months of sunitinib administration, the tumor perforated. Emergency operation was performed to resect the ileocecum, and sunitinib was continued for 1 year. In GIST with liver metastasis and peritoneal dissemination, repeated surgical resection combined with chemotherapy is important to improve the patient's survival.

[A Case Report of Sigmoid Colon Cancer with Para-Aortic Lymph Node Metastases and Multiple Liver Metastases Resected after FOLFOX Therapy].

The patient, a male in his 70s, visited our hospital with a chief complaint of general fatigue and weight loss. Upon a detailed examination, he was diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer, para-aortic lymph node metastases, and multiple liver metastases, for which he was hospitalized due to a poor performance status(PS). FOLFOX therapy was administered as the symptoms caused by the primary lesion were not recognized and his general condition was considered to be poor and thus he was deemed to be inoperable. After completing 2 courses of the chemotherapy, although his PS improved, laparoscopic sigmoidectomy was carried out with colonic stent placement due to the occurrence of an intestinal obstruction as a result of an enlargement of the primary lesion. Following surgery, 2 courses of FOLFOX therapy and 4 courses of FOLFOX plus bevacizumab therapy were administered and he is alive at 5 months after the operation without progression.

[Two Cases of Advanced Gastric Cancer Diagnosed as Pathological Complete Response after Preoperative Chemotherapy with S-1 and Oxaliplatin].

We herein report 2 cases of gastric cancer treated by S-1 and oxaliplatin combination therapy before later undergoing gastrectomy. The pathological results of both cases demonstrated complete response. Case 1 had a giant tumor which was suspected to have invaded the pancreas. Case 2 was associated with extensive lymph node metastasis. Based on the findings of these 2 cases, preoperative chemotherapy with S-1 and oxaliplatin for advanced gastric cancer shows sufficient efficacy.

[Long-Term Survival of Gastric Cancer with Multiple Liver and Lymph Node Metastases-A Case Report].

Currently, chemotherapy against unresectable advanced gastric cancer is progressing with the development new drugs and due to results of several clinical trials. Here, we reported a case of long-term survival of gastric cancer with multiple liver and lymph node metastases. A 68-year-old man was diagnosed with gastric cancer and Virchow lymph node, para-aortic lymph node, and multiple liver metastases at another hospital. He was referred to our hospital from Yamashita Naika Syokakika. We administrated 4 courses of S-1 plus CDDP. The main tumor and all metastatic lesions were significantly reduced. Subsequently, total gastrectomy, partial liver resection, and left neck and para-aortic lymph node resection(conversion surgery)were performed. The cancer cell was remnant at the main tumor and para-gastric lymph node. No cancer cells were detected in another lesion(R0 resection). Postoperatively, only S-1 was administered. However, 28 months after undergoing gastrectomy, liver metastasis occurred. Therefore, S-1 plus oxaliplatin, paclitaxel plus ramucirumab, and CPT-11 plus CDDP were administered. Liver metastases again increased and decreased, respectively. However, 46 months after gastrectomy, liver metastasis recurred and nivolumab was administered. Subsequently, liver metastases disappeared. At 55 months after gastrectomy, rectal resection was performed against rectal cancer and partial liver resection against liver metastases. Cancer cells were not detected in the resected specimens.

[A Super-Elderly Patient with Recurrent Colon Cancer with Metastasis Effectively Treated with Capecitabine plus Bevacizumab Chemotherapy-A Case Report].

The safety and feasibility of chemotherapy for elderly patients is unclear. We report a super-elderly patient with liver metastases from colorectal cancer successfully treated with capecitabine plus bevacizumab chemotherapy. An 87-year-old woman underwent a colectomy for transverse colon. At 4 months postoperatively, she underwent hepatectomy for liver metastases. At 9 months after the first surgery, a new liver metastases(S4)was found. At this time, she rejected another hepatectomy. Therefore, we selected capecitabine plus bevacizumab chemotherapy, considering her age. After 18 courses of administration, the liver metastasis did not progress, and no new metastatic lesions were found on CT examination. Although as adverse events Grade 2 hand-foot syndrome developed, no other adverse event occurred. The patient's PS score was maintained at 0. We suggest capecitabine plus bevacizumab chemotherapy is an effective regimen for super-elderly patients with colorectal cancer.

[A Case of Unresectable Pancreas Cancer with 32 Months Survival after Chemotherapy].

We report a case of unresectable pancreas cancer. A 70-year-old woman presented with worsening diabetes and serum CA19-9 elevation. A tumor with portal vein and supra-mesenteric vein invasion was observed by computed tomography. She was diagnosed with unresectable pancreas head cancer that was locally advanced. Chemotherapy was administered with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel for 19 courses, followed by gemcitabine alone for 4 courses. After the addition of 6 courses of chemotherapy, a 60%dose of chemotherapy was administered for 13 courses due to severe neutropenia. The patient died 32 months after the first visit. The 60% dose of gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel also inhibited tumor growth. These findings suggest the effective and safe long-term use of gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel.

[Resection of Paraaortic Lymph Node Recurrence Wherein Complete Response to Bevacizumab Was Observed after Surgery for Sigmoid Colon Cancer].

We report a case of resection of a paraaortic lymph node recurrence, wherein complete response to bevacizumab was observed. Our patient was a 50-year-old woman who had a paraaortic lymph node recurrence during adjuvant chemotherapy with FOLFOX 6 months after surgery for sigmoid colon cancer. She was treated with chemotherapy consisting of FOLFOX plus bevacizumab/FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab, which suppressed progression of the periaortic lymph node recurrence. She underwent surgery for the paraaortic lymph node recurrence, and the pathologic result was complete response. We report that bevacizumab was effective for her paraaortic lymph node recurrence.

[A case of liver metastasis from sigmoid colon cancer treated effectively by second-line chemotherapy].

A case of successful chemotherapy for a metachronous liver metastasis following resection for sigmoid colon cancer is presented. A 51-year-old man underwent sigmoidectomy, ileocecal resection, and descending colon colostomy for sigmoid colon cancer with ileum invasion. Six courses of FOLFOX4 were performed as adjuvant chemotherapy. One year after sigmoidectomy, a liver metastasis was detected on computed tomography (CT) examination. Chemotherapy with FOLFOX+bevacizumab was restarted. Three courses were administered, but hepatic dysfunction occurred after the second and third courses, and FOLFOX was discontinued. Subsequent chemotherapy was reinitiated with FOLFIRI+bevacizumab. After 9 courses, the carcinoembryonic antigen level was normalized and appeared to be decreased by imaging studies. Upon the patient's request, only oral S-1 was administered. After 2 courses, CT revealed that the diameter of the tumor had increased by 2 cm. Therefore, right lobectomy of the liver, colostomy closure, and anastomosis were performed. During these procedures, a nodule was found in the omentum and was removed. Rapid intra-operative diagnosis revealed peritoneal dissemination. The pathological diagnosis was liver metastasis of sigmoid colon cancer, with necrosis and fibrosis seen in approximately one-half of specimens. The surgical margins were negative. Neither metastatic cancer nor dissemination were found in the resected greater omentum.

[A case of rectal cancer with multiple liver metastases successfully treated by repeated hepatectomy].

A 61-year-old man was diagnosed with rectal cancer with multiple liver metastases in December 2009, and low anterior resection of the rectum was performed. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with 6 courses of oxaliplatin, Leucovorin, and 5-FU (FOLFOX4) and bevacizumab was initiated, followed by 5 courses of fluorouracil, Leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) and bevacizumab. Right posterior segment (S6, S7) hepatectomy with enucleation of S2, S3 and S5 was performed, and chemotherapy with FOLFOX4 (11 courses) was administered. New metastases in the S5 segment were observed in August 2011 and right hepatic lobectomy was performed. The patient then underwent 8 courses of adjuvant chemotherapy with FOLFOX4. However, left hepatic lobe lateral segment and caudate lobe metastases then appeared. Subsequent repeated chemotherapy with FOLFIRI plus cetuximab (3 courses) and irinotecan plus cetuximab was interrupted in August 2013 owing to adverse events resulting in rapid growth of hepatic metastases. The patient underwent hepatic left lateral segmentectomy and left caudate lobectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient has currently survived 4 years and 7 months after the initial surgery.

[Self-expanding antireflux stents for malignant esophageal stenosis - a report of three cases].

Use of a standard open stent or self-expanding metal stent for patients with malignant dysphagia is associated with a risk of gastroesophageal reflux especially when placed across the esophagogastric junction. We report 3 cases of malignant esophageal stenosis treated with a long cover-type Niti-STM stent with an antireflux mechanism. Case 1: A 87-year-old man presented with dysphagia due to esophageal cancer at the middle thoracic esophagus. Two months after surgery using a standard open stent, the dysphagia relapsed because of tissue overgrowth. Case 2: A 73-year-old woman presented with lung cancer and severe dysphagia due to enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. Case 3: A 66-year-old man presented with dysphagia due to esophageal cancer at the lower thoracic esophagus. All 3 patients received an antireflux stent across the esophagogastric junction. In cases 1 and 2, dysphagia was relieved immediately without complications. In case 3, the patient experienced severe reflux and chest pain associated with stent placement and could not ingest any solid food. We conclude that the antireflux stent may be useful for palliation in patients with severe malignant esophageal obstruction; however, patients should be informed about the risk of failure to prevent reflux.

[A case of Stage IV gastric cancer was successfully treated with multi combination chemotherapy with S-1].

Stage IV gastric cancer has poor prognosis, and median survival time (MST) is reported to range from 6 to 13 months. We report a case of long-term survival in a Stage IV gastric cancer patient who was successfully treated with multi combination chemotherapy with S-1. A 73-year-old woman presenting with gastric cancer with pyloric stenosis and peritoneal dissemination at the sigmoid colon underwent distal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy and sigmoidectomy. She received adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 and CDDP after surgery. During the twelfth administration of S-1 and CDDP, she developed an anaphylactic reaction against CDDP; therefore, only S-1 was administered for the next 6 courses. Thirty one months postgastrectomy, a left ovarian metastasis (about 4 cm) was detected by computed tomography. Two courses of S-1 and CPT-11 were administered; however, the ovarian metastasis grew to twice its initial size. She underwent hysterectomy and bilateral ovariectomy. The pathological diagnosis was metastatic tumors in the uterus and ovary(Krukenberg tumor). After the second surgery, S-1 and docetaxel therapy was initiated. A metastasis (S2, 5mm diameter) appeared in the right lung around 65 months after the gastrectomy. The patient received a total of 28 courses, up until 69 months post-gastrectomy. At present, she hopes to finish the chemotherapy and is consulting a palliative care facility. At 80 months post-gastrectomy, she has no symptoms because the lung metastasis exhibits slow growth (15 mm diameter), and is maintaining her quality of life (QOL).

[Insertion of percutaneous transhepatic biliary endoprosthesis for unresectable lower cholangiocellular carcinoma following cholangitis due to endoscopic biliary plastic stent obstruction].

The patient was an 87-year-old woman who was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, which was treated with an anticoagulant, and with chronic kidney disease. The patient was diagnosed as having liver dysfunction and lower cholangiocellular carcinoma (cStage I) on ultrasonography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. Since it was impossible to perform curative resection owing to the patient's decreased cardiac and renal function, we performed palliative endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD) with a plastic stent (PS), and the patient was discharged 11 days later. However, the patient was readmitted because of fever (>38.0°C) and vomiting 124 days after ERBD. We assumed that the patient had developed cholangitis due to PS obstruction. Moreover, her blood culture was positive for Klebsiella pneumoniae. We were unable to replace the PS as the tumor had increased in size and hemorrhage from the papilla of Vater continued after the stent had been removed. The signs of inflammation improved after treatment of sepsis with antibiotics and immunoglobulins, and we performed percutaneous transhepatic cholangio drainage( PTCD) and eventually inserted a percutaneous transhepatic biliary endoprosthesis (PTBE) with an expandable metallic stent (EMS). The patient died 2 months later; no stent occlusion was observed. Our experience suggests that endoscopic biliary stents should be selected bearing in mind the patency of the stent and the prognosis.

[A case of successful radical resection of rectal cancer with neo-adjuvant chemoradiotherapy].

In cases of advanced rectal cancer, preoperative chemoradiotherapy( CRT) serves to improve the local control rate, survival rate, radical resection rate, and/or probability of sphincter muscle preservation. According to the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum (JSCCR) guidelines 2010 for the treatment of colorectal cancer, preoperative CRT is the standard treatment for rectal cancer in Europe and the United States. However, there is insufficient evidence in support of its efficacy and safety in Japan, and therefore, CRT needs to be evaluated in properly designed clinical trials. Recently, several studies have reported on the efficacy of preoperative CRT in Japan. Herein, we report a case of rectal cancer in which radical resection was successfully performed with neo-adjuvant CRT.

[Long-term survival of a case with advanced sigmoid colon cancer and Virchow's lymph node metastasis].

A 63-year-old man presented with a tumor in his left supraclavicular fossa. Aspiration biopsy of the tumor revealed metastasis of an adenocarcinoma. Further examination indicated the presence of advanced sigmoid colon cancer with metastases to Virchow's lymph nodes and the para-aortic lymph nodes. Sigmoidectomy with D3 lymph node dissection was performed. Histological examination revealed moderately and well differentiated adenocarcinomas( double cancers) that had invaded the subserosa as well as metastases of the para-aortic lymph nodes. Twelve days after the operation, systemic chemotherapy with FOLFOX4 (8 courses), followed by FOLFIRI (8 courses) was administered. Six months later, CT examination determined that the metastases of Virchow's lymph nodes and the para-aortic lymph nodes had completely disappeared. Capecitabine was administered for approximately 1 year, and complete response was achieved. However, a pancreatic tumor measuring 2×3 cm was detected 44 months after the operation. Distal pancreatectomy was performed and pathological examination that included immunohistochemical staining (CK7 and CK20) of the tumor indicated the primary pancreatic cancer. The patient was treated with chemoradiotherapy after the operation and survived for 5 years and 9 months after the initial operation.

[Preoperative chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer].

In the present study, we evaluated the outcome of preoperative treatment with S-1 and CDDP for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. Fifty-five cases of advanced gastric cancer received pre-operative treatment with S-1 and CDDP. The tumor control rate( PR and CR according to RECIST criteria) was 55%. The clinical response and histological response to the treatment and curative resection were closely related to favorable postoperative survival. We noted that patients who demonstrated CR or PR received S-1 as postoperative treatment, whereas those with SD or PD were more likely to receive paclitaxel as postoperative treatment. Preoperative treatment with S-1 and CDDP was not only an effective initial treatment, but also demonstrated favorable results in a S-1 in vivo sensitivity test.

[A case of gastric cancer accompanied by disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow successfully controlled by S-1 and cisplatin combination therapy].

We report a case of gastric cancer accompanied by disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow treated with S-1 and cisplatin( CDDP) combination chemotherapy. The patient was a 68-year-old woman who was detected as having disseminated intravascular coagulation( DIC) during an examination for gastric cancer and she was diagnosed as having disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow by lumbar puncture. She was immediately treated with S-1 and CDDP combination chemotherapy( S-1, 80 mg/body orally administered[ po] on days 1-21 and CDDP, 60 mg/body intravenously [iv] administered on day 8) and her DIC improved on the fourth day. Subsequently, the patient was treated with 3 courses of combination chemotherapy and she survived for 184 days from the initiation of the treatment. Although disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow is associated with a poor prognosis, we believe that the duration of survival of our patient was extended due to initiation of chemotherapy at an early stage.

[Examination of the effect of anesthesia on radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma-a patient survey on anesthesia for radiofrequency ablation].

PURPOSE: Radiofrequency ablation(RFA) is minimally invasive and is easy to perform. In the RFA procedure, puncture and passing of the electrical current are painful. Therefore, some facilities use general anesthesia for RFA. In order to evaluate the use of general anesthesia for RFA of hepatocellular carcinoma, a questionnaire survey was conducted. METHODS: With the cooperation of Tokyo liver-tomo-no-kai(Tokyo Liver Association), a questionnaire survey was conducted for patients who underwent RFA. In the survey, data on the following were obtained "type of anesthesia used", "number of RFA treatment points", "duration of treatment", "length of impact of pain", and "if you need to receive RFA treatment again, how would you feel about this." RESULTS: The ratio of local anesthesia (LA) to general anesthesia (GA) was 113:24. The ratios of the numbers of patients who felt pain to those who felt no pain were 64:49 (LA) and 0:24 (GA). The ratios of the patients who wished to not receive RFA again to the patients who were comfortable with receiving RFA were 65:45 (LA) and 4:20 (GA). CONCLUSION: GA achieves better pain control compared to LA, and the patients who receive GA have greater tolerance of RFA.

[Four cases of airway obstruction successfully treated by airway stenting].

We report 4 cases of malignant airway obstruction treated by airway stenting. Three cases were caused by esophageal cancer and the fourth case by malignant lymphoma. Two patients with esophageal cancer received chemoradiotherapy after airway stenting and survived for 24 months and 54 months, respectively (without cancer recurrence). One patient with esophageal cancer died of airway bleeding 2 months after stent placement. The malignant lymphoma patient was treated by cyclophosphamide+doxorubicin+vincristine+prednisolone(CHOP) with rituximab. Airway obstruction due to malignancy is an urgent oncological situation that should be treated immediately. Airway stenting shows a marked and immediate improvement in dyspnea. Consequently, the induction of chemoradiotherapy or chemotherapy is possible. Two patients were successfully treated by chemoradiotherapy, of which 1 survived for more than 4 years without any evidence of cancer recurrence. Additional chemoradiotherapy for patients who receive esophageal stenting is controversial because of the high frequency of adverse events. However, chemoradiotherapy after airway stenting may demonstrate acceptable anti-cancer effects with fewer adverse events. Airway stenting was an effective treatment for airway obstruction, and additional treatment is essential for longer survival.