Feasibility of Neoadjuvant FOLFOX Therapy Without Radiotherapy for Baseline Resectable Rectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The combination of oxaliplatin, leucovorin and fluorouracil (FOLFOX) has been established as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer. However, the safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant FOLFOX in patients with rectal cancer are still controversial. This prospective pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of neoadjuvant FOLFOX therapy without radiation for baseline resectable rectal cancer (RC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 30 patients with clinical stage II/III RC between February 2012 and December 2015. The patients were treated with six cycles of FOLFOX followed by elective surgery. The primary endpoint was the R0 resection rate. The secondary endpoints were the scheduled treatment completion rate, adverse events, pathological response and the disease-free survival (DFS) rate. RESULTS: All the patients underwent elective R0 resection after neoadjuvant FOLFOX therapy. The completion rate of the 6-cycle regimen was 93.3% (28/30 patients). Grade 3-4 adverse events occurred in seven patients (23.3%). Pathological complete response was noted in two patients (6.7%). The 3-year DFS rate was 77.5% (95% confidence interval, 61.4%-93.7%). CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant FOLFOX therapy without radiation is a feasible therapeutic strategy for baseline resectable RC.

Primary small intestinal volvulus after laparoscopic rectopexy for rectal prolapse.

Primary small intestinal volvulus is defined as torsion in the absence of congenital malrotation, band, or postoperative adhesions. Its occurrence as an early postoperative complication is rare. A 40-year-old woman presented with rectal prolapse, and laparoscopic rectopexy was uneventfully performed. She could not have food on the day after surgery. She started oral intake on postoperative day 3 but developed abdominal pain after the meal. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed torsion of the small intestinal mesentery. An emergent laparotomy showed small intestinal volvulus, without congenital malformation or intestinal adhesions. We diagnosed it as primary small intestinal volvulus. The strangulated intestine was resected, and reconstruction was performed. The patient recovered uneventfully after the second surgery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of primary small intestinal volvulus occurring after rectopexy for rectal prolapse. Primary small intestinal volvulus could be a postoperative complication after laparoscopy.

Oxaliplatin-induced increase in splenic volume; irreversible change after adjuvant FOLFOX.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Oxaliplatin can cause hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS). SOS can cause chemotherapy-related adverse effects or morbidity after liver resection. Conventionally, SOS is diagnosed using liver biopsy. Recently, it was reported that increased splenic volume (SV) can be used to detect SOS. In this study, we evaluated the changes in SV during adjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: We enrolled 103 consecutive patients with stage III and high-risk stage II colorectal cancer treated with mFOLFOX6 (n = 37) or oral fluorouracil and leucovorin (n = 66) after curative surgery. SV was measured three times; pre-operatively, after chemotherapy, and 1 year after chemotherapy. RESULTS: SV was higher after mFOLFOX6 (median 135.89 mL) than pre-operatively (105.75 mL) (P < 0.001); SV at 1-year after finishing mFOLFOX6 (114.16 mL) returned to the same level as before surgery (P = 0.0015). SV increased in 28 patients (75.7%) treated with mFOLFOX6 (95%CI, 61.8-89.5), but had not recovered in 12 of these cases (42.9%) 1 year after finishing treatment (95%CI, 17.3-47.5). In contrast, oral fluorouracil and leucovorin did not change SV. CONCLUSIONS: SV increased after adjuvant mFOLFOX6, and had not recovered in almost half of cases 1-year after finishing chemotherapy. This increase may indicate continuous SOS, which can adversely affect treatment after recurrence.

Modified Marionette Technique for Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Single-port laparoscopic surgery has some technical limitations with respect to control of the forceps inserted through the single-access site, which results in increased internal collisions due to coaxial alignment of the instruments, as well as and decreased range of motion and visualization. To overcome these limitations, we employ a "modified marionette technique" as a way to carry out laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Materials and Surgical Technique: The procedures for the modified marionette technique are performed as follows: An Internal Organ Retractor (IOR)™ and an atraumatic clip designed to firmly grasp tissue, with 1-0 nylon thread, are inserted through a 12-mm trocar and secured in place where adequate visualization and traction for cutting with a radio knife is required. A looped 1-0 nylon thread put through an 18-gauge injection needle is pierced through the abdominal wall, the looped nylon extruded, and the nylon attached to the IOR is pulled out by threading the looped nylon thread. This allows for adequate traction from outside the body through the abdominal wall and appropriate placing adjustments. CONCLUSION: The "modified marionette technique" using IOR introduced here is an easy, economical, effective and safe traction technique for colorectal surgeries. This technique will be a useful tool for performing both reduced port and multiport laparoscopic colorectal surgeries.

The effect of Daikenchuto on postoperative intestinal motility in patients with right-side colon cancer.

PURPOSE: Daikenchuto (DKT) has a stimulant effect on intestinal motility and reportedly has a positive effect on postoperative intestinal motility in patients with sigmoid colon cancer. In this study, we investigated the effects of DKT in patients with right-side colon cancer. METHODS: This retrospective study included 88 patients with right-side colon cancer. We orally administered 7.5 g of DKT in the DKT group and did not administer any DKT to patients in the no-DKT group. All patients ingested radiopaque markers 2 h before surgery, which were used to assess intestinal motility. The postoperative intestinal motility was radiologically assessed by counting the numbers of residual markers in the large and small intestines. RESULTS: The DKT and no-DKT groups showed no marked differences in the total number of residual markers or number of residual markers in the small intestine. However, in the elderly subgroup, the total number of residual markers in the DKT group was significantly less than in the no-DKT group. CONCLUSION: Although DKT had some small effect on the postoperative intestinal motility for most patients, it may have positive effects in elderly patients.

Intestinal hemorrhage caused by Meckel's diverticulum with ectopic gastric mucosa on polypoid lesion: a case report.

Meckel's diverticulum may sometimes present as an intraluminal polypoid mass causing small bowel obstruction; however, gastrointestinal bleeding due to Meckel's diverticulum with a polypoid lesion is rare. A 14-year-old girl presented with tarry stool and syncope in our hospital. Laboratory examination showed iron-deficiency anemia with a low hemoglobin level of 5.8 g/dl. The bleeding site was detected by neither upper gastrointestinal endoscopy nor colonoscopy. Transanal double-balloon enteroscopy showed a diverticulum with an ulceration at a site approximately 50 cm from the ileocecal valve and a polypoid lesion inside of the diverticulum. Histopathological examination of a polypoid lesion revealed an ectopic gastric mucosa of the fundic type. Furthermore, technetium-99m pertechnetate scintigraphy showed a hot spot in her lower right abdomen. On the basis of these findings, she was diagnosed as having hemorrhagic Meckel's diverticulum. Single-incision laparoscopy-assisted segmental bowel resection of the ileum was performed. The patient recovered well, and she was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 7. She was doing well 6 months later without evidence of reoccurrence. In this report, we describe a case of Meckel's diverticulum with a polypoid lesion; hemorrhage may have occurred owing to the ulceration of the ileal mucosa with which the polypoid lesion directly came in contact. We consider this case to be of interest to gain insight into the site and mechanism of ulceration associated with Meckel's diverticulum.

Guidelines for parenteral fluid management for terminal cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Japan's first guidelines for parenteral fluid management for terminal cancer patients were issued in 2006. These guidelines focused on the fluid levels to administer to patients with a remaining life expectancy of 1-2 months. However, recent refinement of the concept of cachexia is prompting caregivers worldwide to rethink parenteral fluid management for terminal cancer patients. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to develop guidelines for parenteral fluid management for terminal cancer patients with a remaining life expectancy of 1 month, a point when cachexia generally begins to severely adversely affect the body. METHODS: The Japanese Society for Palliative Medicine appointed a Guidelines Working Practitioner Group consisting of a multidisciplinary team of specialists. In response to 26 clinical questions on parenteral fluid management for terminal cancer patients, the Working Group used the Delphi method to reach consensus on the recommendability and evidence level of 89 relevant manuscripts identified through a systematic literature review. The Working Group then had an outside committee reviews the draft guidelines validity before authoring the final version. RESULTS: The resulting clinically aligned guidelines contain specific recommendations (25 recommendations on physical suffering/remaining life expectancy, 10 nursing-related recommendations and 4 ethical recommendations) assessed using the Delphi method and by an outside committee. CONCLUSIONS: Japanese Society for Palliative Medicine released a revised edition of the Guidelines for Parenteral Fluid Management for Terminal Cancer Patients, which are based on medical evidence and consider the pathologic features of cachexia. We recommend that caregivers carefully evaluate the clinical usefulness of the guidelines.

Comparison of Postoperative Pain Following Laparoscopic Versus Open Gastrostomy/Jejunostomy in Patients with Complete Obstruction Caused by Advanced Esophageal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: When percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is not feasible, a gastrostomy tube may be inserted for enteral access by a laparoscopic or open technique. The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative pain of laparoscopic versus open gastrostomy in patients with complete obstruction caused by advanced esophageal cancer. METHODS: Fifteen patients who had undergone either a reduced port access laparoscopic gastrostomy/jejunostomy (LGJ, n=7) or open gastrostomy/jejunostomy (OGJ, n=8) between July 2011 and December 2015 were retrospectively studied. Variables examined comprised age, sex, body mass index (BMI), operative time, blood loss volume, and American Society of Anesthesiologist physical status (ASA-PS) scores. The degree of postoperative pain was also assessed in both groups during the first seven postoperative days. RESULTS: The patients in the two groups were comparable in age, sex, BMI, ASA-PS scores, intraoperative blood loss or postoperative complication rates. Operative time was shorter in the LGJ group than the OGJ group. No patients in the LGJ group required conversion to open laparotomy. Tube feedings were started on postoperative Day 1 in both groups; there were no postoperative complications. The duration of rescue nonopioid analgesic use was significantly shorter in the LGJ than the OGJ group (1.3 versus 3.5 days; P=0.0005). There was a significant difference in frequency of postoperative nonopioid analgesic use: 7.9 times in the LGJ group versus 17.9 times in the OGJ group (P=0.0219). CONCLUSIONS: LGJ is associated with less postoperative pain than OGJ in patients with complete obstruction caused by advanced esophageal cancer.

A case of successful resection after FOLFIRINOX in a patient with borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC), one of the most aggressive human neoplasms, continues to have an exceedingly poor prognosis. With the advance of diagnostic techniques, a distinct subset of pancreatic cancer labeled "borderline resectable pancreatic cancer" has emerged. Optimal treatment of this disease with a multidisciplinary approach including neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy remains controversial. We describe a case of borderline resectable PAC treated with FOLFIRINOX (5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and leucovorin) followed by successful pancreaticoduodenectomy. CT scan demonstrated a pancreatic head tumor attached to the superior mesenteric artery, subsequent to which the patient received FOLFIRINOX. Follow-up images showed no lymph node involvement or metastatic disease, suggesting that radical surgery would be curative. The patient underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with negative margins and was subsequently diagnosed as Stage III (T3N0M0). Though requiring precise case selection and toxicity management, recent literature suggests that FOLFIRINOX is an effective neoadjuvant regimen in the setting of borderline resectable PAC.

Perforation of the neovagina in a male-to-female transsexual: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: There are several techniques for creation of a neovagina in male-to-female reassignment surgery. Although vaginoplasty with the sigmoid colon is not a common procedure, it is becoming more common. Perforation of the recto-sigmoid neovagina after sex reassignment surgery is very rare. We hereby report a case of perforation of the neovagina that presented as acute peritonitis, with a massive abscess in the intra-abdominal cavity. CASE PRESENTATION: This case report describes a 33-year-old Asian woman presenting with mild persistent abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting who had undergone male-to-female sex reassignment surgery four years prior. Physical examination revealed mild abdominal pain without rebound tenderness. An abdominal computed tomography scan showed a massive abscess that occupied a significant portion of the intra-abdominal cavity. Perforation of the neovagina was confirmed by exploratory laparotomy and surgical drainage with primary closure was performed without any complications. CONCLUSION: This is a rare case involving perforation of the neovagina that was successfully treated with surgical intervention. This case emphasizes the importance of taking a detailed medical history and to make physicians and patients aware that bowel vaginoplasty can result in a weak vagina.

Surgical therapy and chemoradiotherapy for postoperative recurrent esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A retrospective analysis of therapeutic modalities used in postoperative recurrent esophageal cancer. METHODOLOGY: Among 43 esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy between 2003 and 2010, recurrence was found in 15. Best supportive care was given to two patients and another patient was referred to another hospital. The remaining 12 patients were treated by the following modalities: Surgical resection: 2 cases; chemoradiotherapy: 7 cases; chemotherapy: 2 cases; and radiotherapy: 1 case. The median survival time, 1-year survival rates, and response rates were examined. Data from 13 esophageal cancer patients who underwent chemoradiotheray as an initial therapy in the same period were collected and compared with recurrent cases treated with chemoradiotherapy. RESULTS: For all 12 patients, the median overall survival time was 19.5 months, and the 1-year survival rate was 83%. Among 7 chemoradiotherapy patients, the response rate was 57%. The median survival time was 23 months, and the 1-year survival rate was 86%. The response rate of 13 patients receiving chemoradiotherapy as an initial therapy was 69%. The median overall survival time was 12 months and the 1-year survival rate was 54%. CONCLUSIONS: Re-operation and chemoradiotherapy for recurrent esophageal cancer might be as effective as the same treatment used initially.

Application of the HyperEye Medical System for esophageal cancer surgery: a preliminary report.

The HyperEye Medical System is a newly developed device that allows for the visualization of the fluorescent image of indocyanine green enhanced by near-infrared light among the surrounding vivid color images. We recently applied this system to confirm the blood flow of an esophageal substitute, and for sentinel node navigation during esophagectomy. Five consecutive patients with thoracic esophageal cancer who underwent a subtotal esophagectomy between June 2010 and May 2011 were enrolled in the study. The esophageal substitute used for reconstruction was the stomach and ileocecum in four and one cases, respectively. In all cases with a reconstructive stomach, fine arterial blood flow and venous perfusion were observed. The blood flow of the reconstructive colon was poor before microvascular anastomosis, however, it dramatically increased after anastomosis. Concerning the sentinel node navigation, the fluorescence of lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, and the tumor site were detected. The postoperative courses of all cases were uneventful, with no mortalities or anastomotic leakage occurring.

Indocyanine green injection for detecting sentinel nodes using color fluorescence camera in the laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: We seek for the accurate and simple method for detecting sentinel nodes of gastric cancer which can be popularized in community hospitals. The indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence-guided method is reported to be sensitive. However, the ordinal fluorescence cameras have gray scale imaging and require a dark room. We have developed a new device, Hyper Eye Medical System (HEMS) which can simultaneously detect color and near-infrared rays and can be used under room light. This study was planned to examine whether submucosal injection of 0.5 mL × 4 of 50 µg/mL ICG on the day before operation is the adequate administration for detecting sentinel nodes using HEMS in the gastric cancer surgery. METHODS: The patients underwent gastrectomy for clinical T1a (mucosa)-T2 (muscularis propria) and clinical N0 were enrolled in the present study. As a preliminary trial, one case each of the ICG 25 and 100 µg/mL, injected on the day before operation and intraoperative injection, was examined. Then, 10 cases injected 50 µg/mL ICG on the day before operation were examined. RESULTS: The ICG fluorescence of the patient injected 100 µg/mL was too intense and that of the patient injected 25 µg/mL was too faint. Sentinel lymph nodes were detected in all of 10 cases injected 50 µg/mL, the day before operation and number of sentinel lymph nodes per patient was 3.6 ± 2.1. Metastasis was observed in one case. All of ICG fluorescence-positive sentinel nodes were positive for the metastasis. In the patient who underwent intraoperative injection, sentinel lymphatic basins could be identified. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that HEMS-guided abdominal surgery is feasible under room light. Submucosal injection of 0.5 mL × 4 of 50 µg/mL ICG on the day before operation is the adequate administration for detecting sentinel nodes using HEMS in the gastric cancer surgery.

Medical image analysis: computer-aided diagnosis of gastric cancer invasion on endoscopic images.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of diagnosing depth of wall invasion of gastric cancer on endoscopic images using computer-aided pattern recognition. METHODS: The back propagation algorithm was used for computer training. Data of 344 patients who underwent gastrectomy or endoscopic tumor resection between 2001 and 2010 and their 902 endoscopic images were collected. The images were divided into ten groups among which the number of patients and images were almost equally distributed according to T staging. The computer learning was performed using about 800 images from all but one group, and the accuracy rate of diagnosing the depth of wall invasion of gastric cancer was calculated using the remaining group of about 90 images. The various numbers of input layers, hidden layers, and learning counts were updated, and the ideal setting was decided. Similar learning and diagnostic procedures were repeated ten times using every group and all 902 images were tested. The accuracy rate was calculated based on the ideal setting. RESULTS: The most appropriate setting was a resolution of 16 × 16, a hidden layer of 240, and a learning count of 50. In the next step, using all the images on the ideal setting, the overall accuracy rate was 64.7%. The diagnostic accuracy was 77.2, 49.1, 51.0, and 55.3% in the T1, T2, T3, and T4 stagings, respectively. The accuracy was 68.9% in T1a(M) staging and 63.6% in T1b(SM) staging. The positive predictive values were 80.1, 41.6, 51.4, and 55.8% in the T1, T2, T3, and T4 staging, respectively. It was 69.2% in T1a(M) staging and 68.3% in T1b(SM) staging. CONCLUSION: Computer-aided diagnosis is useful for diagnosing depth of wall invasion of gastric cancer on endoscopic images.

Postoperative long-term evaluation of interposition reconstruction compared with Roux-en-Y after total gastrectomy in gastric cancer: prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The postoperative clinical superiority of the interposition of jejunum reconstruction (INT) to Roux-en-Y reconstruction (RY) after total gastrectomy has not been clarified. Postoperative quality of life (QOL) was evaluated between the 2 methods by a multi-institutional prospective randomized trial. METHODS: A total of 103 patients with gastric cancer were prospectively randomly divided into groups for RY (n = 51) or INT reconstruction (n = 52) after total gastrectomy. They were stratified by sex, age, institute, histology, and degree of lymph node dissection. Postoperatively, body mass index (BMI) and nutritional conditions were measured serially, and QOL and postoperative squalor scores were evaluated at 3, 12, and 60 months and compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: After removing patients who did not complete the follow-up survey or censured cases, 24 patients in the RY group and 18 patients in the INT group were clinically available and their postoperative status was assessed. QOL scores were increased and complication scores were improved in the postoperative periods (P < .01). Postoperative BMI significantly deteriorated compared with preoperative BMI in each group. The postoperative QOL and complication scores at 60 months after surgery were significantly better than those at 3 months after surgery in each group (P < .01). However, there was no significant difference of QOL scores and postoperative complication scores between the 2 reconstruction groups. The nutritional condition in the INT group was nearly the same as that in the RY group. CONCLUSIONS: Although our patient sample was small and patients who did not complete the follow-up survey were present, we could not identify any clinical difference between INT and RY after total gastrectomy 60 months after surgery. The safer and simpler RY method may be a more suitable reconstruction method than INT after total gastrectomy.

Physiological evaluation of residual stomach motility after local resection in conscious dogs.

PURPOSE: To investigate the phenomenon of remnant gastric motility and emptying after local resection. METHODS: Fifteen dogs were divided into three groups: a control (CONT) group, a group that underwent local resection of the greater (GREAT) curvature, and a group that underwent resection of the lesser (LESS) curvature. We conducted a strain gauge force transducer study, a [(13)C]octanoic acid breath test ((13)C-OBT), and a mosapride citrate effect test. Based on these results, we worked out the receptive relaxation (RR), motility index (MI), and postprandial period (PP) in the postprandial state, and the frequency, duration, and MI of phase III in the fasted state. The half emptying time (T (1/2)) of (13)C-OBT was also calculated. The MI was compared according to the mosapride effect test results. RESULTS: Postprandial RR, antro-pyloro-duodenal coordination, and fasting contractions were maintained in all three groups. Receptive relaxation was significantly shorter in the LESS group than in the other groups. Motility index was significantly lower in both treatment groups than in the CONT group. The PP was significantly longer in the GREAT group than in the other two groups. The (13)CO(2) excretion curves did not differ significantly among the groups. The duration of phase III was remarkably less in the treatment groups than in the CONT group, and MI was significantly lower in the LESS group than in the other groups in the fasted state. The MI increased remarkably after mosapride administration in the CONT group, showing no differences in other objective groups. CONCLUSION: Gastric function was maintained after gastric local resection, although its motility decreased.

Novel cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (KM-CART) for refractory ascites associated with cancerous peritonitis: its effect and future perspectives.

BACKGROUND: We have actively carried out cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) for refractory ascites. However, with conventional CART, the membrane becomes clogged after processing about 2 L of cancerous ascites fluid due to the fact that it is rich in cellular and mucous components; it is therefore difficult to process the entire volume of collected ascites. METHODS: We developed KM-CART which includes a membrane cleaning function, and applied it in 73 cases of cancerous ascites, after its basic functions had been evaluated in 11 cases of refractory cancerous ascites. RESULTS: On average, using KM-CART, 6.4 L (range 1.7-14.9 L) of ascites were filtrated and concentrated to 0.8 L (0.2-2.0 L) in 57 min (5-129 min); the membrane was cleaned an average of three times (range 0-10 times) and this enabled the processing of more ascites in a shorter period. In addition, the circuit and the handling were both markedly simple, and fever, which has been the most notable adverse effect with the conventional system, was not an issue. CONCLUSION: Since KM-CART was safe and is expected to improve the subjective symptoms and general condition of the patient, it is proposed that this novel system should actively be used not only for palliation but also as supplementary treatment for cancerous peritonitis.

A case of esophageal cancer with mesojejunal lymph node metastasis after total gastrectomy.

A 56-year-old man was diagnosed with esophageal cancer by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for examination of dysphagia. The patient had undergone total gastrectomy and jejunal interposition 4 years previously for a gastric cancer at the pT1N0M0 stage according to the UICC-TNM classification. Enhanced CT findings revealed a 3-cm-diameter mass located near the superior mesenteric artery. We conducted subtotal esophagectomy associated with partial jejunectomy including mesojejunectomy. The mass was histologically diagnosed to be mesojejunal lymph node metastasis from esophageal cancer. Mesojejunal lymph node metastasis from esophageal cancer developing after total gastrectomy has been reported in only three cases including ours. The present lymph node metastases may have occurred via the newly developed lymphatic drainage route through the esophagojejunostomy, and this metastatic lymph node can be considered the regional lymph node. Therefore, resection of the interposed jejunal limb with mesojejunectomy may be rational in surgery on esophageal cancer developing after total gastrectomy.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the stomach: a case study.

Gastric neuroendocrine carcinomas are rare and have a poor prognosis, and the diagnostic criteria for this disease have recently changed. We herein report a case of sporadic gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma. A 75-year-old man was referred to our hospital with epigastric pain. Endoscopic examination revealed a localized ulcerative lesion (diameter, 4 cm) at the upper stomach. The diagnosis on biopsy was neuroendocrine carcinoma. Total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy, splenectomy, and cholecystectomy was performed. Pathologically, the tumor infiltrated the subserosal layer, and 6/49 lymph nodes were involved. The tumor was uniform in shape and arranged in a rosette-like structure to form solid nests, with medium-sized, round-to-cuboid-shaped tumor cells and intense mitosis 46/10 HPF. It was positive for synaptophysin and chromogranin A, and the Ki-67 labeling index was 70-80%. The diagnosis of neuroendocrine carcinoma was made according to the WHO 2010 criteria. The patient was followed up for three years without recurrence.

[Intestinal microbiota and Kampo medicine].

More than 70% of clinicians presently use Kampo medicine. However, pharmacological studies on Kampo medicine, the characteristics of herbs, and their relations with intestinal microbiota in particular are insufficiently understood. Many of the main active ingredients of Kampo medicine are glycosides, a molecular group accounting for more than 10% of all Kampo medicine. Orally administered glycosides reach the lower digestive tract without being absorbed, and are then hydrolyzed by enteric bacteria, which utilize them as a food source. The aglycon they produce is absorbed into the body and becomes activated. The activation mechanism is altered by changes in the intestinal microbiota, and may also cause changes in this microbiota. For Kampo medicine, combined use with probiotics is expected, and Kampo medicine may act as a prebiotic itself. The concepts of "Sho" or "Kampo diagnosis" should also be considered based on differences in the intestinal microbiota.