A case of squamous cell carcinoma of the breast achieved a pathological complete response after dose-dense AC + dose-dense PTX.

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the breast is a rare form of breast cancer, accounting for approximately 0.1% of all breast cancers. It is known for its rapid tumor growth and poor prognosis with no established treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: A 56-year-old woman was diagnosed with breast SCC with axillary, supraclavicular and internal thoracic lymph node metastases. She received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) with dose-dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) followed by dose-dense paclitaxel (PTX). This treatment resulted in a pathological complete response (pCR) after breast-conserving surgery. The patient was then treated with radiotherapy. She remained free of recurrence for three years postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: We report a rare case of breast SCC treated with preoperative dose-dense chemotherapy, resulting in pCR and allowing breast-conserving surgery.

The use of an artificial intelligence algorithm for circulating tumor cell detection in patients with esophageal cancer.

Despite recent advances in multidisciplinary treatments of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), patients frequently suffer from distant metastasis after surgery. For numerous types of cancer, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are considered predictors of distant metastasis, therapeutic response and prognosis. However, as more markers of cytopathological heterogeneity are discovered, the overall detection process for the expression of these markers in CTCs becomes increasingly complex and time consuming. In the present study, the use of a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based artificial intelligence (AI) for CTC detection was assessed using KYSE ESCC cell lines and blood samples from patients with ESCC. The AI algorithm distinguished KYSE cells from peripheral blood-derived mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy volunteers, accompanied with epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and nuclear DAPI staining, with an accuracy of >99.8% when the AI was trained on the same KYSE cell line. In addition, AI trained on KYSE520 distinguished KYSE30 from PBMCs with an accuracy of 99.8%, despite the marked differences in EpCAM expression between the two KYSE cell lines. The average accuracy of distinguishing KYSE cells from PBMCs for the AI and four researchers was 100 and 91.8%, respectively (P=0.011). The average time to complete cell classification for 100 images by the AI and researchers was 0.74 and 630.4 sec, respectively (P=0.012). The average number of EpCAM-positive/DAPI-positive cells detected in blood samples by the AI was 44.5 over 10 patients with ESCC and 2.4 over 5 healthy volunteers (P=0.019). These results indicated that the CNN-based image processing algorithm for CTC detection provides a higher accuracy and shorter analysis time compared to humans, suggesting its applicability for clinical use in patients with ESCC. Moreover, the finding that AI accurately identified even EpCAM-negative KYSEs suggested that the AI algorithm may distinguish CTCs based on as yet unknown features, independent of known marker expression.

Real-world effect of bevacizumab and eribulin on metastatic breast cancer using a propensity score matching analysis.

Bevacizumab and eribulin are novel agents for the treatment of HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC); however, the choice between bevacizumab and eribulin for MBC can be difficult. The present study aimed to compare two treatment strategies, eribulin followed by bevacizumab and paclitaxel (BEV + PTX) versus BEV + PTX followed by eribulin, to determine whether the order of administration affects the outcome of MBC in the real world. A total of 180 patients who started BEV + PTX and eribulin treatment for HER2-negative MBC from August 2011 to June 2018 were selected. Of these, 84 patients were treated with both BEV + PTX and eribulin sequentially. To evaluate the influence of the sequential order, the efficacy of BEV + PTX followed by eribulin (B-E arm) was compared to treatment with the reverse sequence (E-B arm). The propensity score matching method (PSMA) was used to improve the robustness of the findings from the present study. A total of 60 cases analyzed received BEV + PTX or eribulin as either first- or second-line treatment. In the entire cohort, the median time to failure of strategy (TFS) was 16.8 and 9.9 months in the B-E and E-B arms, respectively [hazard ratio (HR)=0.515, 95% CI 0.298-0.889, P=0.017). A similar HR was derived from PSMA for TFS. Using PSMA, TFS was 16.9 and 9.9 months in the B-E and E-B arms, respectively (HR=0.491, 95% CI 0.253-0.952, P=0.031). These results suggested that when both bevacizumab and eribulin are administered, bevacizumab should be administered first and eribulin should be administered later to ensure the most effective use of each drug.

miR-877-3p as a Potential Tumour Suppressor of Oesophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are abnormally expressed and involved in the pathogenesis of various carcinomas. The present study aimed to identify novel miRNA genes associated with the pathogenesis and prognosis of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The miRNA profiling of 873 genes was performed using surgically resected oesophageal tissues from 35 patients with ESCC to identify candidate miRNAs. To examine the biological activities of candidate miRNAs, their proliferative, invasive, and migratory abilities were evaluated in ESCC cells subjected to miRNA mimic-mediated over-expression. The miRNA expression levels of the selected candidate miRNAs were analysed in the resected oesophageal tissues of 76 patients with ESCC from the two cohorts and correlated with the clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS: Among the four candidate miRNAs identified by miRNA profiling, miR-877-3p was selected for subsequent analyses. In vitro analyses showed that the over-expression of miR-877-3p significantly suppressed the proliferation, invasion, and migration of ESCC cell lines compared with those of control cells. In the analyses of clinical specimens, the expression of miR-877-3p was down-regulated in ESCC tissues compared with that in adjacent normal oesophageal tissues. The down-regulation of miR-877-3p expression in ESCC tissues was significantly associated with advanced local progression and lymphatic involvement. The miR-877-3p down-regulation was also significantly associated with poor disease-free and disease-specific survival. CONCLUSION: miR-877-3p acts as a tumour suppressor gene in ESCC cells, and its down-regulation in ESCC tissues is associated with a poor prognosis. Thus, miR-877-3p may serve as a novel prognostic marker and promising therapeutic target.

Double-pedicle unaffected split-breast flap for unilateral breast reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: In some breast cancer patients with a contralateral unaffected hypertrophic and ptotic breast, autologous small-breast reconstruction with contralateral breast reduction is a good option. The current study is aimed to assess the efficacy of the double-pedicle unaffected split-breast (USB) flap harvested from the central half of the unaffected breast for unilateral breast reconstruction with contralateral transverse scar reduction mammoplasty. METHODS: Between February 2003 and May 2020, 14 patients underwent breast reconstruction using the USB flap. The mean patient age was 59.1 (range: 48-76) years, and the mean body mass index was 24.2 (range: 19.5-33.3) kg/m2 . This flap comprised half of the contralateral breast tissues with the 3rd or 4th internal mammary perforator (IMAP) and the lateral thoracic vessel (LTA/V). After USB flap elevation and LTA/V resection, flap perfusion from the IMAP was evaluated on indocyanine green (ICG) angiography. The medial pedicle USB flap was rotated 180° and was transferred to the affected site via the midline. The LTA/V was anastomosed to the recipient vessel to supercharge the distal part of the USB flap, which was then used for breast reconstruction. Then, the remaining contralateral upper and lower breast poles were used for transverse scar reduction mammoplasty. RESULTS: The mean flap size was 13.3 × 26.9 (range: 9.5 × 22 to 16 × 29) cm. All flaps and reduced breasts survived without serious complications such as flap necrosis, although there was one patient with hematoma and one patient with hypertrophic scar. ICG revealed poor perfusion in the distal, lateral part of the flap, ranging from 22.0% to 48.5% of the overall flap area. Final aesthetic evaluation was high, with 11 cases (78.6%) being "good" or "excellent" and 3 cases (21.4%) that were either poor or fair. The mean follow-up period for the patients was 53.8 (range: 15-84) months, with none of the patients presenting second primary breast cancer or recurrence in both breasts. CONCLUSION: USB flap breast reconstruction with contralateral reduction mammoplasty is a valuable option in breast cancer patients with a hypertrophic and ptotic breast.

Paratracheal air cyst and bronchogenic cyst in patients with esophageal cancer who received thoracoscopic esophagectomy: A case series of three patients.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Mediastinal cystic lesions, such as paratracheal air cyst (PTAC) and bronchogenic cyst (BC), are rare anomaly usually found incidentally in thoracic imaging. Special attention is needed in the case of thoracic surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: All three patients were male, 71, 73, and 76 years old. Preoperative CT showed each had a lobular cystic lesion at the right posterolateral side of trachea in the thoracic outlet 11, 14, and 19 mm in size, respectively, with air density and tracheal communication, leading to a diagnosis of PTACs. An oval cystic lesion, 7 mm in size, was found in one patient at the right lateral side of the upper esophagus with low density and without tracheal communication, leading to a diagnosis of paraesophageal BC. Intraoperative findings of the three PTACs demonstrated a soft bulge from the membranous portion of trachea that was left intact. The BC had an oval elastic structure, mimicking a metastatic lymph node, and was removed with the mediastinal lymph nodes. Histological examination showed ciliated columnar epithelium, confirming a diagnosis of BC. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: PTACs are associated with increased intraluminal pressure due to chronic lung disease. BCs are congenital anomalies that originate from abnormal budding of the embryonic foregut. CONCLUSION: PTACs and BCs need to be considered in preoperative image diagnosis in patients with esophageal cancer. PTACs should be left intact to avoid tracheal injury, while removal of isolated BCs is recommended as a diagnostic and therapeutic measure.

Immediate one-stage breast reconstruction for an 85-year-old breast cancer patient using deep inferior epigastric perforator flap surgery.

The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is widely recognized as safe for use as a first-choice option in autologous tissue breast reconstruction; however, DIEP is often not performed for breast reconstruction in the elderly. We report a case of an 85-year-old woman who underwent DIEP flap reconstruction. Immediate reconstruction was performed after mastectomy. The patient successfully underwent DIEP flap reconstruction with no complications. Other options for reconstruction include a latissimus dorsi flap, a transverse rectus abdominis flap and implant-based reconstruction. DIEP flap reconstruction was performed, which does not cause muscle damage and provides sufficient volume. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report DIEP breast reconstruction in a patient over 85 years of age. This case demonstrates the usefulness of DIEP flap reconstruction for elderly patients.

Distal partial gastrectomy for gastric tube cancer with intraoperative blood flow evaluation using indocyanine green fluorescence.

With recent advances in the treatment of esophageal cancer and long-term survival after esophagectomy, the number of gastric tube cancer (GTC) has been increasing. Total gastric tube resection with lymph node dissection is considered to be a radical treatment, but it causes high post-operative morbidity and mortality. We report an elderly patient with co-morbidities who developed pyloric obstruction due to GTC after esophagectomy with retrosternal reconstruction. The patient was treated using distal partial gastric tube resection (PGTR) and Roux-en-Y reconstruction with preservation of the right gastroepiploic artery and right gastric artery. Intraoperative blood flow visualization using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence demonstrated an irregular demarcation line at the distal side of the preserved gastric tube, indicating a safe surgical margin to completely remove the ischemic area. PGTR with intraoperative ICG evaluation of blood supply in the preserved gastric tube is a safe and less-invasive surgical option in patients with poor physiological condition.

Optimal Preoperative Multidisciplinary Treatment in Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the optimal neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer invading the portal vein (BR-PV) or abutting major arteries (BR-A). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 88 patients with BR-PV and 111 patients with BR-A. Results: In BR-PV patients who underwent upfront surgery (n = 46)/NAT (n = 42), survival was significantly better in the NAT group (3-year overall survival (OS): 5.8%/35.5%, p = 0.004). In BR-A patients who underwent upfront surgery (n = 48)/NAT (n = 63), survival was also significantly better in the NAT group (3-year OS:15.5%/41.7%, p < 0.001). The prognosis tended to be better in patients who received newer chemotherapeutic regimens, such as FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine with nab-paclitaxel. In 36 BR-PV patients who underwent surgery after NAT, univariate analysis revealed that normalization of tumor marker (TM) levels (p = 0.028) and preoperative high prognostic nutritional index (PNI) (p = 0.022) were significantly associated with a favorable prognosis. In 39 BR-A patients who underwent surgery after NAT, multivariate analysis revealed that preoperative PNI > 42.5 was an independent prognostic factor (HR: 0.15, p = 0.014). Conclusions: NAT using newer chemotherapy is essential for improving the prognosis of BR pancreatic cancer. These findings suggest that prognosis may be prolonged by maintaining good nutritional status during preoperative treatment.

Early ambulation after general and digestive surgery: a retrospective single-center study.

PURPOSE: Postoperative early ambulation contributes to the improvement of postoperative outcomes; however, the definition of "early" ambulation is unclear. In this study, we aimed to define desirable "early" ambulation after digestive surgery in terms of short-term outcomes and to identify the risk factors for delayed ambulation. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 718 patients who underwent major digestive surgery between January 2016 and May 2019 in our hospital. The timing of first ambulation after surgery was reviewed and correlated with short-term postoperative outcomes and perioperative patient characteristics. RESULTS: Of 718 patients, 55% underwent first ambulation at postoperative day (POD) 1, 31% at POD 2, and the remaining patients at POD 3 or later. Whereas short-term outcomes were equivalent among patients with first ambulation at POD 1 and those at POD 2, patients who delayed ambulation until POD 3 or after had an increased incidence of infectious complications (P = 0.004), longer hospitalization (P < 0.001), and a decreased home discharge rate (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that significant predictors of delayed ambulation (POD ≥ 3) were poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS), low controlling nutritional status (CONUT), nonlaparoscopic surgery, and transvenous opioid use. Of these factors, the combination of ECOG-PS, CONUT, and nonlaparoscopic surgery clearly stratified patients into four-grade risk groups regarding delayed ambulation (P for trend < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that first ambulation before POD 2 could be desirable for better short-term outcomes. Active preoperative intervention, such as nutritional care and prehabilitation, in patients with multiple risk factors for delayed ambulation could improve the postoperative course.

Metachronous rupture of a residual pancreaticoduodenal aneurysm after release of the median arcuate ligament: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Multiple pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms in association with median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) are relatively rare. A treatment option, such as a median arcuate ligament (MAL) release or embolization of the aneurysms, should be considered in such cases, but the treatment criteria remain unclear. CASE REPORT: A 75-year-old man was transferred to our hospital because of a ruptured pancreaticoduodenal aneurysm. Emergency angiography showed stenosis of the root of the celiac axis (CA), a ruptured aneurysm of the posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery (PIPDA), and an unruptured aneurysm of the anterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery (AIPDA). Coil embolization of the PIPDA was performed. Five days after embolization, the gallbladder became necrotic due to decreased blood flow in the CA region, and an emergency operation was performed. We performed a cholecystectomy and released the MAL to normalize the blood flow of the CA region. However, the patient died on postoperative day 8 because of rupture of the untreated aneurysm of the AIPDA. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of metachronous ruptures of multiple pancreaticoduodenal aneurysms due to MALS, even after a MAL release. Although rare, a residual aneurysm in the pancreatic head region may need to be embolized quickly.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of common pathogens isolated from postoperative intra-abdominal infections in Japan.

The principle of empirical therapy for patients with intra-abdominal infections (IAI) should include antibiotics with activity against Enterobacteriaceae and Bacteroides fragilis group species. Coverage of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, and Enterococcus faecalis is also recommended for hospital-associated IAI. A nationwide survey was conducted to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogens isolated from postoperative IAI. All 504 isolates were collected at 26 institutions and referred to a central laboratory for susceptibility testing. Lower susceptibility rates to ciprofloxacin and cefepime were demonstrated in Escherichia coli. Among E. coli, 24.1% of strains produced extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL). Carbapenems, piperacillin/tazobactam, cephamycins/oxacephem, aminoglycosides, and tigecycline had high activity against E. coli, including ESBL-producing isolates. Among E. cloacae, low susceptibility rates to ceftazidime were demonstrated, whereas cefepime retained its activity. P. aeruginosa revealed high susceptibility rates to all antimicrobials tested except for imipenem. Among B. fragilis group species, low levels of susceptibility were observed for cefoxitin, moxifloxacin, and clindamycin, and high susceptibility rates were observed for piperacillin/tazobactam, meropenem, and metronidazole. Ampicillin, piperacillin, and glycopeptides had good activity against E. faecalis. Imipenem had the highest activity against E. faecalis among carbapenems. In conclusion, we suggested the empirical use of antimicrobials with the specific intent of covering the main organisms isolated from postoperative IAI. Piperacillin/tazobactam, meropenem, or doripenem, are appropriate in critically ill patients. Combination therapy of cefepime (aztreonam in patients with ß-lactam allergy) plus metronidazole plus glycopeptides, imipenem/cilastatin or cephamycins/oxacephem plus ciprofloxacin plus metronidazole are potential therapeutic options.

Sclerosing mesenteritis mimicking metachronous peritoneal metastases from descending colon adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Sclerosing mesenteritis is a non-neoplastic inflammatory disease that occurs in the bowel mesentery. Distinguishing sclerosing mesenteritis from neoplasms may be difficult because of the clinical and radiographic similarities between the two disease entities. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of sclerosing mesenteritis mimicking peritoneal metastases of colorectal carcinoma. A 73-year-old man with stage II descending colon adenocarcinoma with poor prognostic features was found to have developed left lower abdominal quadrant masses on computed tomography (CT) 9 months after undergoing radical surgery. These masses were diagnosed as peritoneal metastases because they grew in size and displayed fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake 3 months later; thus, a laparotomy was performed. The masses, which were localized in the jejunal mesentery, were excised completely via segmental jejunal resection. Histopathological analysis confirmed that the masses were sclerosing mesenteritis. The patient showed no signs of sclerosing mesenteritis or colorectal carcinoma recurrence during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In patients suspected of having localized peritoneal metastasis from malignancies, any masses must be sampled by surgical excisional biopsy and subsequently examined to rule out alternative diagnoses, such as sclerosing mesenteritis.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogens isolated from surgical site infections in Japan: Comparison of data from nationwide surveillance studies conducted in 2010 and 2014-2015.

A nationwide survey was conducted in Japan from 2014 to 2015 to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogens isolated from surgical site infections (SSI). The resulting data were compared with that obtained in an earlier survey, conducted in 2010. Seven main organisms were collected, and 883 isolates were studied. A significant reduction in methicillin resistance was observed among Staphylococcus aureus isolates, dropping from 72.5% in 2010 to 53.8% in 2014-2015 (p < 0.001). MRSA isolates with a vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2 µg/mL accounted for 1.2% of all MRSA isolates, which was significantly lower than in 2010 (9.7%, p = 0.029). Of the Escherichia coli isolates, 23.0% produced an extended spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) in the 2014-2015 survey, which was a significant increase from 9.5% in 2010 (p = 0.011). The geometric mean MICs for ESBL-producing isolates were 0.07 µg/mL for meropenem, 9.51 µg/mL for tazobactam/piperacillin, 0.15 µg/mL for flomoxef, and 1.56 µg/mL for gentamycin. There was a significant increase in the isolation rate of non-fragilis Bacteroides among Bacteroides fragilis group species between the two study periods (35.2% vs. 53.1%, p = 0.007). More than 90% of isolates belonging to the B. fragilis group remained susceptible to tazobactam/piperacillin, meropenem, and metronidazole. In contrast, lower levels of susceptibility were observed for cefmetazole (49.6%), moxifloxacin (61.9%), and clindamycin (46.9%). Non-fragilis Bacteroides isolates had lower rates of antibiotic susceptibility compared with B. fragilis. Overall, the surveillance data clarified trends in antimicrobial susceptibility for organisms commonly associated with SSI.

Prognostic significance of KLF4 expression in gastric cancer.

To understand the roles of pluripotent stem cell-inducing genes in gastric cancer, the expression of Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), Nanog, octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4), avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (c-Myc) and sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) was examined using the newly developed gastric carcinoma tissue microarray. The associations between the immunohistochemical expression levels of the pluripotency-inducing factors and the clinicopathological data of 108 patients with gastric cancer were analyzed. No associations were identified between the expression levels of the five pluripotency-inducing factors and the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification or clinicopathological characteristics of the patients. In addition, multivariate analysis revealed no association of Nanog, Oct4, SOX2 or c-Myc with the prognosis of the gastric cancer patients; however, low expression of KLF4 was determined to be an independent negative prognostic factor (P=0.0331), particularly in patients who underwent R0 resection (TNM stages 2 and 3; P=0.0048). In summary, low KLF4 expression was found to be negatively associated with overall survival, and may therefore be a useful prognostic marker in gastric cancer patients.

Rectal Neuroendocrine Tumor G1 with a Solitary Hepatic Metastatic Lesion.

Rectal neuroendocrine tumor (NET) is a relatively rare tumor. NET is classified as G1, G2, or G3 according to the degree of mitosis or Ki-67 proliferation index, which reflect the malignant potential of the tumor, such as metastasis. Advanced cases with metastasis are indicated for chemotherapy treatment. However, the efficacy of chemotherapy is limited. Therefore, resection is considered, even in metastatic cases, if complete resection is possible. We herein report a case of small rectal NET discovered with hepatic metastasis classified as G1. The patient showed good progress with no recurrence after undergoing hepatectomy and endoscopic resection of rectal NET.

KLF4 and NANOG are prognostic biomarkers for triple-negative breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Prognosis of breast cancer patients has been reported to depend on the expression of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-inducing factors: KLF4 and NANOG. However, the relationship between KLF4 or NANOG expression in each breast cancer subtype and the life prognosis has not been elucidated. METHOD: KLF4 and NANOG expression levels were evaluated in 208 patients using a newly developed tissue microarray (TMA). In vitro, siRNA against klf4 (siKLF4) was transfected in TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231, and the expression of KLF4 was inhibited. RESULTS: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients in KLF4 high-expression (upper) group had more favorable overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates than KLF4 lower group (p = 0.0453 and p = 0.0427). In contrast, patients in the NANOG upper group had significantly poorer prognosis than lower group in TNBC breast cancer subtypes (p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that KLF4 (p = 0.0313), NANOG (p = 0.0002), and TNM stage (p = 0.0001) are mutually independent prognostic factors. It was also shown that the proliferation and invasion ability of siKLF4-induced TNBC cells were up-regulated significantly. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that KLF4 and NANOG expression levels were favorable prognostic factors for TNBC patients. KLF4 also had an ability to inhibit the proliferation and invasion of TNBC.

[Laparoscopic Surgery for an Intussusception Caused by Rectosigmoid Colon Cancer after Pre-Operative Reduction by Transanal Insertion of a Circular Sizer - A Case Report].

An octogenarian man complaining of bloody stool was referred to our hospital. A digital examination, abdominal enhanced CT and endoscopy led to a diagnosis of intussusception due to rectosigmoid colon cancer, but he was not suffering from bowel obstruction. An elective laparoscopic Hartmann's operation was performed after reduction by transanal insertion of a circular sizer. It may be difficult to reduce an intussusception induced by rectal cancer. We report this case with a review of the relevant literature.