Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii in granulomatous mastitis: Analysis of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens by immunostaining using low-specificity bacterial antisera and real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Granulomatous mastitis (GM) is a rare inflammatory disease of the post-lactation breast, clinically mimicking breast cancer. GM is microscopically characterized by formation of epithelioid granulomas and abscess (suppurative granulomas) with lipid droplet-centered inflammation. Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii (Ck) is known as a causative bacterium of GM, and identification of Ck infection within the lesion should thus be essential for confirming the diagnosis. In the present study, we analyzed formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) biopsy specimens of a total of 18 GM lesions with immunostaining and real-time PCR for Ck genome. Widely cross-reactive rabbit antisera against Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), Bacillus cereus, Treponema pallidum and Escherichia coli were chosen. With real-time PCR, Ck genome was demonstrated in 7 of 18 GM lesions. Immunohistochemically, the low-specificity antisera reacted with the cytoplasm of phagocytes and/or granuloma-engulfed lipid droplets in 12 of 18 GM lesions. Antigenic positivity was observed in the following order: BCG > B. cereus > T. pallidum > E. coli. Real-time PCR using DNA extracted from FFPE sections was useful but not consistent for identifying the Ck genome in GM, while immunostaining using cross-reactive antisera against four kinds of bacteria was not Ck-specific but was applicable to visualizing bacterial infection within the GM lesions.

[A case of advanced gastric cancer with tumor embolus in portal vein successfully treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy, operation and chemoradiotherapy].

A 66-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of advanced gastric cancer, with a tumor embolus in the portal vein and lymph node metastases. Since curative surgery was deemed impossible, we started neoadjuvant chemotherapy using S-1 plus CDDP. After 1 course of chemotherapy, the embolus in the portal vein disappeared. After additional chemotherapy, the primary tumor and lymph nodes were reduced in size, and a total gastrectomy with splenectomy and lymph node dissection was performed. Although he received S-1 medication as adjuvant chemotherapy, a tumor embolus in the portal vein appeared 8 months after the operation. Chemoradiotherapy(S-1+total of 50.4 Gy)was performed and the tumor embolus disappeared.

[A long survival case of unresectable pancreatic cancer by chemoradiotherapy with gemcitabine as key drug].

A 64-year-old man complaining of left hypochondriac pain visited our hospital. He was diagnosed as locally advanced unresectable cancer of the pancreatic body over 4 cm in size, because the pancreatic cancer involved the main artery and portal vein. Although chemotherapy of gemcitabine(GEM)(1.2 g/body/week)was started, he developed meningeal carcinomatosis after 2 courses of GEM. The size of the primary lesion decreased at this period, and total brain irradiation was selected to treat the meningeal carcinomatosis. He sequentially received GEM alone afterward until radiotherapy was performed for the progression of the primary lesion 24 months after the diagnosis. Although GEM alone was continued thereafter, vertebral metastases were detected 30 months following the diagnosis. He was treated with combined chemotherapy of GEM and S-1 that was effective. Finally, he died of peritoneal dissemination 42 months after diagnosis. The dose of GEM was reduced during the radiotherapy, and the total dose was 113.2 g.

Completely laparoscopic extraperigastric lymph node dissection for gastric malignancies located in the middle or lower third of the stomach.

Dissection of the extraperigastric lymph nodes is necessary in most submucosal gastric cancers. Laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy with extraperigastric lymph node dissection via minilaparotomy has been performed, but, to our knowledge, completely laparoscopic extraperigastric lymph node dissection has never been reported. We successfully performed completely laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with extraperigastric lymph node dissection in 12 patients, of whom 11 had early gastric cancer and 1 had malignant lymphoma. This surgery is technically feasible, has an acceptable complication rate, and a curability similar to that with open surgery.