[A Case of Low-Grade Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm with Extra-Appendiceal Mucin Extrusion Successfully Treated with Laparoscopic Surgery].

A 49-year-old male patient, who presented with abdominal pain, was suspected of having acute appendicitis. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a swollen appendix, accompanied by a 40 mm low-density mass located behind the appendix. He was diagnosed with an appendiceal mucinous neoplasm, and laparoscopic ileocecal resection was performed. A soft tumor was found proximal to the swollen appendix and was adhered tightly to the iliopsoas muscle. The tumor cells were exfoliated carefully, and the tumor was excised en bloc without any injury. Histopathological examination revealed a low- grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm(LAMN)accompanied by extra-appendiceal mucin extrusion due to the lack of epithelial lining. Because LAMN is potentially malignant, surgical excision was performed as first-line therapy. In the surgical management of LAMN, preventing intraoperative rupture is essential to avoid pseudomyxoma peritonei. To achieve this, a magnified laparoscopic surgery may be useful. Although no definitive guidelines describing the indications of lymph node dissection or the appropriate extent of resection exist, laparoscopic ileocecal resection may be used to manage cases of LAMN.

[A Case of Surgical Resection for Ascending Colon Cancer with Protein-Losing Gastroenteropathy].

An 84-year-old man visited our department for further examination of anemia and elevation of tumor marker levels. Colonoscopy revealed a huge circumferential type 3 tumor in the ascending colon. Significant hypoalbuminemia was observed at 1.1 g/dL, and prolonged hypoalbuminemia was considered to be caused by protein-losing gastroenteropathy due to the large tumor. In this case, we performed right hemicolectomy, and performed single-stage anastomosis. The resected specimen showed a huge type 3 lesion with a diameter of 140×120 mm in the ascending colon, which directory invaded to the cecum and ileum. After the operation, there were no particular complications, and albumin levels gradually improved. Although hypoalbuminemia is one of the risks of anastomotic leakage, there are many reports with one-stage anastomosis and with a good course, including our case. Therefore, it was considered necessary to examine each case regarding the surgical procedure.

[A Case of Local Recurrence of Transverse Colon Cancer Radically Resected by Extended Surgery].

A 71-year-old male with a past history of Stage Ⅱb transverse colon cancer was pointed out a mass lesion penetrating into the stomach on abdominal computed tomography 1 year after surgery. The mass lesion was pathologically diagnosed as local recurrence of the previous colon cancer by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. As he presented progressive anemia due to persistent tumor bleeding and no other recurrent lesion was recognized, surgical treatment was performed. Since intraoperative inspection suspected direct invasion to the pancreas, the patient underwent tumor resection in combination with distal pancreatectomy and partial resection of the stomach. Histopathological examination revealed negative surgical margins, resulting in R0 resection. Loco-regional therapies such as surgery and radiotherapy are considered appropriate for the treatment of local recurrence since pathogenesis of local recurrence is different from that of distant metastasis. As local recurrence may show various symptoms, we should aggressively consider surgical resection. Especially, complete resection of recurrent lesion is the only therapeutic strategy which can achieve radical cure. Although worsening of QOL might be a matter of concern depending on the site of recurrence, extended surgery with secure surgical margins is encouraged in cases of solitary recurrence.

[A Case of Initially Unresectable Advanced Gastric Cancer Radically Resected by Conversion Surgery after Nivolumab Immunotherapy].

A 77-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with symptoms of epigastralgia and vomiting. Detailed investigation revealed unresectable advanced gastric cancer accompanied by multiple lymph node metastases and invasion of the pancreas(UM, type 3, cT4b, N3, M0, Stage ⅢC). The patient received nivolumab immunotherapy after first-line S-1 plus oxaliplatin(SOX)chemotherapy and second-line nab-paclitaxel(PTX)plus ramucirumab(RAM)chemotherapy. Remarkable tumor reduction was observed after 3 courses of nivolumab immunotherapy, and the patient subsequently underwent radical total gastrectomy with splenectomy and D2 lymphadenectomy. Histopathological examination of the resected stomach showed a near complete response, and only small metastatic foci remained in No. 2 lymph nodes, resulting in R0 resection. The patient was followed up without adjuvant therapy, and he is alive 6 months after the treatment without any symptoms of recurrence. The mechanism of action of immune checkpoint inhibitors is fundamentally different from that of conventional cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents. Recently, several reports have described good responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors in cases where conventional chemotherapy has been unsuccessful. When predictive biomarkers of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors are identified, a combination therapy of preceding immunotherapy and subsequent surgery might provide an efficient radical therapeutic effect even in cases of unresectable advanced gastric cancer.

[A Case of Esophageal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Resected by Mediastinoscope-Assisted Transhiatal Esophagectomy].

A 58-year-old man was followed up for esophageal submucosal tumor at our hospital. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed the tumor was located on the left side of the thoracic esophagus and had gradually increased in size. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed an 18×11.5mm hypoechoic tumor connected to the fourth layer of the esophagus and fine needle biopsy revealed c-kit(+), desmin(-)and a-SMA(-). Double-contrast barium study detected a tumor of diameter 20 mm in the middle-lower thoracic esophagus. We diagnosed an esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST)and performed mediastinoscope-assisted transhiatal esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction. The maximum tumor diameter was 25mm and pathological evaluation showed c-kit(+), Ki-67 index of less than 5%, and low-risk GIST by the Fletcher classification. Mediastinoscope-assisted transhiatal esophagectomy might be a useful approach for esophageal GIST, because dissection along the esophagus can be performed without thoracotomy.

Impact of Combination Criteria of Nodal Counts and Sizes on Preoperative MDCT in Advanced Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to establish a new diagnostic criteria of preoperative nodal status with high specificity on multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) to extract advanced gastric cancer (GC) patients with an unfavorable prognosis. METHOD: From total of 480 GC patients who underwent surgical resection, 58 consecutive patients with a preoperative diagnosis of nodal metastasis on MDCT were included in this retrospective study. Nodal status on MDCT was reassessed and a prognostic analysis was performed in the present study. RESULTS: Among several clinical nodal diagnostic criteria on MDCT, a cut-off value of the short-axis diameter measuring ≥15 mm showed the highest specificity (100%). The prognostic analysis revealed that patients with nodal counts on MDCT of ≥3 (p = 0.035) as well as those with a nodal diameter ≥15 mm (p < 0.001) had a significantly poor prognosis. When patients with nodal counts ≥3 and at least one node that was ≥15 mm in diameter on MDCT were defined as having extensive lymph node metastasis (ELM) that had a significantly poor prognosis (5-year survival rates of 20%, p < 0.001), and ELM was also an independent poor prognostic factor in advanced GC (p = 0.033, hazard ratio 4.038). CONCLUSION: GC patients with nodal counts ≥3 and at least one node that was ≥15 mm in diameter on MDCT have extremely worse prognose with high diagnostic specificity. This novel surrogate indicator for preoperative imaging diagnosis may help personalized therapeutic strategies for GC patients with ELM.

Poor prognostic subgroup in T3N0 stage IIA gastric cancer, suggesting an indication for adjuvant chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant chemotherapy following curative gastrectomy is recommended for patients with pStage II or III, except pT3 (ss), N0 gastric cancer in Japan. This study aimed to detect the poor prognostic subgroup of T3N0 gastric cancer, suggesting an indication for adjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: Between 1999 and 2011, 116 patients with pStage IIA gastric cancer underwent curative gastrectomy. We reviewed their hospital records retrospectively. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of patients with T1N2+T2N1 and T3N0 gastric cancer were 79% and 77%, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed lymphatic invasion (LY+) to be an independent poor prognostic factor in T3N0 gastric cancer [P=0.004, HR 12.3 (95% CI: 2.07-112)]. The prognosis of patients with T3N0LY+ gastric cancer was significantly poorer than those with other pStage IIA gastric cancer (5-year OS; T3N0LY+ vs. other Stage IIA: 68% vs. 83%, P=0.043). The incidence of peritoneal recurrence was higher in patients with T3N0LY+ gastric cancer than in those with other Stage IIA gastric cancer (T3N0LY+ vs. other stage IIA: 9.0% vs. 2.8%, P=0.134). CONCLUSIONS: Lymphatic invasion was an independent poor prognostic factor in T3N0 gastric cancer. Adjuvant chemotherapy should be recommended to patients with T3N0LY+ gastric cancer.

Peritoneal colon cancer metastasis to bilateral inguinal hernia repair sites: report of a case.

We report a rare case of peritoneal metastasis from colon cancer being found in the bilateral sites of inguinal hernia repair. The patient was an 85-year-old man who underwent colonoscopy for a positive fecal occult blood test, with a subsequent diagnosis of ascending colon cancer. He had undergone mesh plug repair for bilateral inguinal hernias at another hospital 6 years previously. We performed laparoscopy-assisted right hemi-colectomy and found nodes in the bilateral scars from the inguinal hernioplasty. Biopsy confirmed that both of the nodes were peritoneal metastasis, leading to the assumption that cancer cells disseminated within the abdominal cavity had been implanted at the repair sites, although the mechanism for this was unclear. A relationship between inflammation and peritoneal metastasis has been reported; thus, we speculated that local inflammation resulting from chronic stimulus of mesh plugs and peritoneal trauma caused peritoneal metastasis at the repair sites.

Optimal duration of the early and late recurrence of pancreatic cancer after pancreatectomy based on the difference in the prognosis.

BACKGROUND: The term "early recurrence" of pancreatic cancer has not been well-defined in most previous studies. METHODS: The clinical records of 86 patients who underwent macroscopic curative pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer between 2000 and 2009 were retrospectively examined. We divided 55 patients who experienced disease recurrence into two groups, the early and late recurrence groups, using the minimum p value approach. The relationships between the interval prior to recurrence and clinical outcomes were investigated. RESULTS: The cumulative 5-year overall survival rates for all 86 patients were 30.2%. For 55 patients who experienced disease recurrence, the optimal cut-off value for differentiating early (n = 37) and late (n = 18) recurrence based on the overall survival was 12 months (p = 0.0000045). The Cox proportional hazard analysis identified carbohydrate antigen 19-9 > 100 U/ml (p = 0.017) and surgical margin (p = 0.007) as the independent prognostic factors associated with overall survival. Positive surgical margin (p = 0.037) and severe venous invasion (p = 0.005) were identified as independent factors associated with early recurrence. CONCLUSION: Twelve months after pancreatectomy is the optimal cut-off value for defining early versus late recurrence based on the overall survival. Early recurrence was related to the status of the surgical margin and venous invasion.

Clinical analysis of anatomical resection for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma based on the stratification of liver function.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to clarify the efficacy of anatomical resection (AR) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared with that of nonanatomical resection (NAR) based on the stratification of liver function (LF). METHODS: The clinical records of 174 patients with a single HCC, 2-5 cm in diameter and without macroscopic vascular invasion, were analyzed. AR was performed in 132 patients and NAR was performed in 42 patients. The indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min (ICGR15) of the 78 patients classified as the good-LF group was 10-20 % and the ICGR15 of the 54 patients classified as the poor-LF group was 20-40 %. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival rates of the 174 patients were 67.6 and 33.4 %, respectively. Cox proportional hazard analysis identified ICGR15 ≥ 20 %, liver cirrhosis, α-fetoprotein ≥ 100 mg/dL, and infiltrating growth as independent prognostic factors. Liver cirrhosis was significantly less frequent in patients who underwent AR than in patients who underwent NAR (52 vs. 79 %, p = 0.002). In the subgroup analysis of the good-LF group, there were no significant differences in 5-year OS after AR and NAR (73.3 vs. 65.2 %, p = 0.857). By contrast, in the subgroup analysis of the poor-LF group, the 5-year OS after AR was significantly worse than after NAR (45.3 vs. 77.4 %, p = 0.044). CONCLUSION: In patients with an ICGR15 ≥ 20 %, we recommend NAR rather than AR for the treatment of a solitary 2-5-cm-diameter HCC and without macroscopic vascular invasion.

[Radiosensitizing effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA ) in Colon cancer].

5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is widely used in clinical practice because it shows tumor-selective accumulation of protoporphyrin IX, a fluorescent substance and a metabolite of 5-ALA. In addition, some studies have reported that 5-ALA increases the radiation sensitivity of glioma and melanoma. In this study, we investigated the radiosensitization effect of 5-ALA on colon cancer. Mice implanted with the human colon cancer cell line HT29 were administered 5-ALA and subsequently X-ray irradiated. These mice were compared with those not administered 5-ALA. Following multiple irradiations, the tumor volume of the 5-ALA group was significantly lower than that of the non-5-ALA group (day 5: p value=0.0489, day 8: p value= 0.0318, day 12: p value=0.0394). Tumor growth was inhibited by multiple irradiations in the 5-ALA group compared with the non-5-ALA group. These results suggest that 5-ALA also exhibits a radiosensitization effect on colon cancer.

[Total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy with free jejunal transfer for a patient who previously underwent distal esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction via a posterior mediastinal route].

The patient in this case study was a 71-year-old male who underwent distal esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction via a posterior mediastinal route for esophageal cancer 12 years previously. An endoscopy revealed a hypopharyngeal tumor in the right piriform fossa, and the histopathological diagnosis, based on a biopsy sample, was squamous cell carcinoma. Preoperative angiography of the right gastroepiploic artery revealed poor blood flow in the remnant esophagus. First, the adhesion of the gastric tube to the surrounding tissue was dissected via a right thoracotomy. Then, the gastric tube was raised using a cervical approach, and total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy with free jejunal transfer was performed. The patient was discharged 28 days after the operation without complications. We report a patient with hypopharyngeal cancer who had previously undergone distal esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction via a posterior mediastinal route upon whom we successfully performed a total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy with free jejunal transfer. In such a case, it is important to carefully decide the surgical approach in order to prevent anastomotic leakage.

[High BMI does not influence short- and long-term outcomes of patients with esophageal cancer treated with esophagectomy].

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to clarify the influence of a high body mass index (BMI) on short- and long-term outcomes of patients after esophagectomy for cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 164 patients with a BM ≥ 18.5 who underwent esophagectomy for cancer from July 2008 through March 2013 were enrolled. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to BMI: BMI<5 (normal BMI group) and BM ≥ 25 (high BMI group). Further, the short- and long-term outcomes after esophagectomy were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The median BMI was 21.6. The high BMI group (n=26) had significantly more histological adenocarcinomas than the normal BMI group (p=0.003). Other clinicopathological factors such as the type of surgery performed, R0 resections, and perioperative complications, were not influenced by the BMI. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in the 3-year disease-free rates and 3-year overall survival rates. CONCLUSIONS: Esophagectomy for patients with a high BMI is acceptable based on the similar short- and long-term outcomes when compared with normal BMI patients.

[Continuous dissection of the posterior mediastinal and abdominal lymph nodes using a laparoscopic transhiatal approach for esophageal cancer].

We began performing laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomies in patients with esophageal cancer in 2009. By June 2014, 172 patients had undergone this procedure. The main advantage of this method was that the dissection of the posterior mediastinal and abdominal lymph nodes(LNs)could be performed continuously under a magnified videoscopic view. An abdominal wall sealing device was placed in the upper abdomen, and 4 ports were inserted. The esophageal hiatus was opened, and carbon dioxide was introduced into the mediastinum. The posterior plane of the pericardium was separated and extended, and the anterior side of each posterior mediastinal LN was separated. The thoracic aorta's adventitia was exposed, and the posterior sides of the LNs were then separated. While lifting the LNs like a membrane, they were resected along the border of the left mediastinal pleura. Subsequently, dissection of the posterior mediastinal LNs was extended towards the caudal side from the crural diaphragm to the celiac artery. Thus, the LNs along the celiac and left gastric artery were dissected en bloc from the left side. Our surgical procedure allowed good views during surgery, and the continuous dissection of the posterior mediastinal and abdominal LNs was performed safely.

[Analysis of thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with single lymph node metastasis].

BACKGROUND: We studied cases with single lymph node metastasis from thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: We reviewed the site of nodal metastasis in 73 cases with a single metastatic site. RESULTS: The lymph node metastases of the upper thoracic cases were located in the cervical, superior mediastinal, middle mediastinal, lower mediastinal, and abdominal lymph nodes in 5, 10, 3, 0, and 0 cases, respectively. The lymph node metastases of the middle thoracic cases were located in the cervical, superior mediastinal, middle mediastinal, lower mediastinal, and abdominal lymph nodes in 1, 18, 6, 0, and 11 cases, respectively. The depth of tumor in the middle thoracic case that had metastasis in a cervical lymph node was T1b, and the location of the metastatic lymph node was number 104 L. The lymph node metastases of the lower thoracic cases were located in the cervical, superior mediastinal, middle mediastinal, lower mediastinal, and abdominal lymph nodes in 0, 2, 2, 4, and 11 cases, respectively. The depth of tumor in the lower thoracic cases with metastasis in a superior mediastinal lymph node was T1b and T4. CONCLUSION: Even in superficial thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cases, distant metastasis was observed at an early stage. Therefore, the range of lymph node dissection should be decided carefully in these cases.

[Esophagectomy after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)].

Herein, we report 9 patients who underwent esophagectomy after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) between April 2003 and December 2013. All patients were men, with a mean age of 65 years. En bloc ESD was performed, and no complications arose in any patient. The mean surgical time of esophagectomy was 323 minutes, and mean blood loss was 295 mL. Postoperative complications were present in 5 patients(anastomotic leakage in 3, pulmonary complications in 2, and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in 1). In a patient diagnosed with pT1b-SM1 disease after ESD, a residual tumor(pT1a-MM, N0) was detected after esophagectomy. In another patient diagnosed with pT1b-SM2 disease, lymph node metastasis was detected after esophagectomy. In all patients, curative resection was performed, and no recurrences have been observed to date. This highlights the importance of additional esophagectomy after ESD for patients with pT1b disease. Esophagectomy after ESD can be considered a valid treatment because it provides high curative rates with acceptable safety.

[A long-term survivor of cT4 esophageal carcinoma treated via a multimodal approach - a case report].

The patient was a 53-year-old man whose chief complaint was dysphagia. Pretreatment examination revealed 2 types of locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma at the middle to lower thoracic esophagus. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed a bulky primary tumor suspicious of aortic invasion and cardiac lymph node metastasis. The pretreatment diagnosis was cT4N2M0, cStageIVa. After induction chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin (CDDP) (the FP regimen) according to the JCOG9907 regimen, subtotal esophagectomy and 2-field lymphadenectomy with retrosternal stomach roll reconstruction were performed. Intraoperatively, the primary tumor showed extensive and firm adhesion to the aortic wall. The postoperative diagnosis was pT4N0M0, pStageIII, RM1. Postoperative chemoradiotherapy (65 Gy+FP) was performed for the residual tumor at the aortic wall. The patient is alive without recurrences 4 years and 6 months after the esophagectomy. Downstaging of the tumor with induction chemotherapy and effective local control with surgery and postoperative chemoradiotherapy may have contributed to the patient's long-term survival. For multimodal treatment of cT4 esophageal cancer, an effective combination of chemotherapy, surgery, and chemoradiotherapy is essential to improve the treatment outcome.

Clinical analysis of esophageal cancer patients with a history of metachronous primary cancer.

Esophageal cancer (EC) is often associated with multiple primary cancers, and the frequency of EC in patients with a history of metachronous primary cancers (HMPC) was reported as 7.8%. The clinical characteristics of these cases have not yet been elucidated in detail. Therefore, we analyzed 36 EC patients with HMPC among 370 cases that underwent curative resection in our hospital between 1996 and 2013. The most frequent HMPC was gastric cancer (36.1%). The group with HMPC was significantly older than the group without HMPC, whereas no significant differences were observed in other background factors. The stomach was used for reconstruction more frequently reconstructed in the group without HMPC (p<.05). No significant differences were observed in surgical complications between the 2 groups (p=0.283). The 5-year overall survival rates were similar between the groups. The safety of surgery for and prognosis of EC patients with HMPC were similar to those of EC patients without HMPC; therefore, curative surgery should be considered for EC patients with HMPC.

[A case of combined hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma with right-sided ligamentum teres hepatis treated via extended left hepatic lobetectomy].

A 78-year-old man presented with fever and jaundice. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a hepatocellular carcinoma in the hepatic left lobe as well as right-sided ligamentum teres (RSLT). Extended left hepatic lobetectomy was performed without division at the left Glissonian root in order to preserve the Glissonian branch at segment 8. No complications occurred during the post-operative course of 13 days. Pathologically, the tumor was diagnosed as a combined hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma. Additional congenital variations can exist in RSLT frequently; therefore, we must take care when performing hepatobiliary surgeries. Recently, advanced imaging modalities, such as multi-detector rowcomputed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), help us obtain virtual images of vascular architecture and to plan the operative procedure.

[Clinical significance of ascites on preoperative MDCT in patients with advanced gastric cancer].

In advanced gastric cancer patients, preoperative multi detector row computed tomography (MDCT) often reveals abnormal ascites, which can indicate the possibility of peritoneal metastasis. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical significance of preoperative ascites revealed by MDCT in gastric cancer patients. The study included a total of 183 advanced gastric cancer patients who underwent consecutive surgical procedures from February 2008 to November 2011. The results indicate that the presence of ascites on MDCT is significantly correlated with peritoneal metastasis (p<.005), pathological T4 (p< 0.005), R1-R2 (p<.01), and a positive diagnosis of peritoneal washing cytology(p<.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that the presence of ascites on MDCT was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio[HR]2.6). In conclusion, the presence of ascites on preoperative MDCT is strongly associated with peritoneal metastasis, and might indicate the need for diagnostic laparoscopy to evaluate Stage IV factors and select the best treatment strategy.