Detection of sentinel lymph node with a novel near-infrared fluorescence spectrum system and indocyanine green fluorescence in patients with early breast cancer: First clinical experience.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for early breast cancer is common, and many studies have reported its usefulness with indocyanine green (ICG). However, in the case of sentinel lymph node (SNs) identification using ICG, it is difficult to accurately identify the fluorescence signal of SNs through the skin because of the weakening of the signal due to the intervening tissue thickness. In this study, we examined whether fluorescence spectroscopy can detect weaker fluorescence signals and accurately identify SNs that have accumulated ICG. METHODS: Six women with early breast cancer and clinically confirmed negative axillae were recruited. The periareolar region was subcutaneously injected with ICG (1 ml, 5 mg/mL). The identification rate of SNs in the skin was studied using the novel fluorescence spectroscopy (Lumifinder™, ADVANTEST, Tokyo, Japan). RESULTS: Lumifinder™ was able to identify 100% of SNs in the skin (6/6 patients). In addition, for SNs identification in deeper axillary areas, pressing the probe tip against the body surface allows clearer fluorescence observation. CONCLUSION: Novel fluorescence spectroscopy (Lumifinder™) may overcome the problem of SLNB using ICG for breast cancer.

Comprehensive molecular profiling of pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma.

Information regarding the molecular features of pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma (PPC) is insufficient. Here, we performed next-generation sequencing to determine the genomic and transcriptomic profiles of PPC. We sequenced the DNAs and RNAs of 78 specimens from 52 patients with PPC. We analyzed 15 PPC cases to identify intratumoral differences in gene alterations, tumor mutation burden (TMB), RNA expression, and PD-L1 expression between epithelial and sarcomatoid components. The genomic alterations of six cases of primary tumors and corresponding metastatic tumors were analyzed. KRAS mutations (27%) were the most common driver mutations, followed by EGFR (8%), and MET (8%) mutations. Epithelial and sarcomatoid components shared activating driver mutations, and there were no significant differences in CD274 expression or TMB between the two components. However, PD-L1 was highly expressed in the sarcomatoid component of several cases compared with the epithelial component. Primary and metastatic tumors shared oncogenic mutations among genes such as KRAS and TP53, and additional alterations including NOTCH4 mutations were specifically identified in the metastatic regions. Our data suggest that therapies targeting activating driver mutations may be effective for patients with PPC and that immune checkpoint inhibitors of PPC may be recommended after careful assessment of PD-L1 expression in each epithelial and sarcomatoid component.

[A Case of Hormone Receptor‒Positive HER2‒Negative Advanced/Recurrent Breast Cancer with 1.5 Years Withdrawal Period of Palbociclib Showed a Good Response Treated by Abemaciclib and Fulvestrant].

A 58‒year‒post‒menoposal woman was presented with left chest pain and shortness of breath because her breast cancer metastasized to the skin, lung, and pleural dissemination. In late‒line treatment for hormone receptor‒positive HER2‒negative advanced/recurrent breast cancer, we experienced a patient with tumor shrinkage leading to pain relief who was treated with a second combination of a CDK4/6 inhibitor and fulvestrant. Due to her poor performance status, she was treated with combined therapy to avoid severe adverse events. The CDK4/6 inhibitor was reintroduced after 1.5 years withdrawal period of endocrine therapy during anticancer drugs and radiation treatment. It has also been reported that withdrawal of CDK4/6 inhibitors might restore susceptibility related to the inhibitory signal. Rather than sequentially administering combined endocrine therapy with a CDK4/6 inhibitor, the withdrawal strategy of endocrine therapy continuing to administer anticancer drugs should be considered in case of reintroduction of CDK4/6 inhibitor.

The first case of COVID-19 occurring as community-acquired pneumonia in Hokkaido, Japan and our preventive measures against nosocomial infection.

We report a case of a 59-year-old man with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). He had visited a hospital for fever and cough and been treated with antibiotics for pneumonia in the right upper lobe. However, he gradually progressed to dyspnea and consulted our hospital. His chest radiographs showed bilateral pneumonia shadows and his CT showed ground glass opacities and consolidation. Although we treated him with broad-spectrum antibiotics, the pneumonia shadow rapidly progressed and mechanical ventilation was administered. We collected sputum from the bronchus using bronchoscopy to detect microorganisms, and RT-PCR tests confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia. He was transferred to a designated hospital. In order to prevent the occurrence of nosocomial infections, close contacts within the hospital and medical staff were suspended from their work for two weeks. No secondary infection with COVID-19 appeared. This was the first case of COVID-19 occurring as community-acquired pneumonia in Hokkaido, Japan.

Alternative Treatment for Residual Aortobronchial Fistula After Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair.

A patient with an aortobronchial fistula secondary to a thoracic endovascular aortic repair was successfully treated with a re-thoracic endovascular aortic repair with debranching technique. Five months postoperatively, the aneurysm had shrunk; however, computed tomography revealed air in the thrombo-excluded aortic aneurysmal sac without signs of infection. Because of worsening air finding at the eighth month, we performed a resection of the residual fistula and wrapped the stent graft in a pedicled muscle flap.

Early removal of drains and the incidence of seroma after breast surgery.

BACKGROUND: Women undergoing surgery for primary breast cancer routinely have suction drains inserted deep to the wounds. A lack of data exists in relating how long suction drains should stay in situ after major breast surgery. PURPOSE: This study evaluates the appropriate timing of drain removal by comparing the 5-day-long postoperative drainage or drain removal when less than 50 mL/24 h to conventional drain removal. METHODS: This controlled clinical trial was undertaken between February 1997 and May 2012 with a total of 214 consecutive patients who underwent elective total or partial mastectomy with level II axillary lymph node dissection. The main outcome measures included the length of hospital stay, and surgical morbidity, especially seroma formation. RESULTS: In the study group, the age and operation time were significantly increased compared to the conventional group whereas the median hospital stay was significantly shorter in the study group than the control group (7 days vs. 9 days; p < 0.05). The incidence of seroma was 42.8 % in the study group and 31.6 % in the control group (p = 0.14). The mean number of outpatient visits for seroma was 3.6 in the study group and 1.5 in the control group (p < 0.05). Drainage volume of more than 150 mL/24 h all resulted in seroma formation. CONCLUSIONS: The new criteria for early drain removal are safe and acceptable despite the slightly increased chance of seroma formation.

Streptococcus pulmonary empyema after varicella infection in a serologically immunocompetent boy.

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is the etiologic agent of varicella, and it remains common among children in Japan due to low vaccination rates. It can cause a variety of serious and life-threatening complications. Generally, the most frequent complication of varicella in healthy children is bacterial superinfection, but empyema after VZV infection is a rare condition. This case report describes a previously healthy 21-month-old boy who attended nursery school with a recent varicella and group A ß-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) pharyngitis outbreak and who presented with a 7 day history of vesicular rash along with progressive fever. Due to continued mild cough and prolonged fever, however, chest radiography was done, which showed a right pleural effusion. Further computed tomography showed a right pulmonary empyema, and purulent material was drained and eventually grew GABHS. This report hereby describes the development of pleural empyema caused by GABHS after VZV infection in a serologically immunocompetent patient.

[Long-term survival of a patient with giant liver metastatic breast cancer treated with trastuzumab].

We report the long-term survival of a patient with metastatic breast cancer treated with trastuzumab and chemoendocrine therapy. The patient was a 60-year-old female. She underwent right mastectomy with axillary lymphadenectomy I c for advanced right breast cancer in 1999. In 2007, she consulted our hospital for treatment of recurrent giant liver metastasis. A giant liver metastasis up to 15 cm in diameter was detected by CT upon arrival. After 4 years of trastuzumab and chemoendocrine therapy, she was diagnosed as in progressive remission with good quality of life. Breast cancer with liver metastasis often can be life-threatening. Therefore, an optimal chemotherapy should be applied as soon as possible. Trastuzumab and chemoendocrine therapy showed efficacy for the treatment of a HER2-positive breast cancer with recurrent giant liver metastasis.