Preoperative leukocytosis and the resection severity index are independent risk factors for survival in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: The incidence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is increasing worldwide. Despite advances in surgical and non-surgical treatment, reported outcomes are still poor and surgical resection remains to be the only chance for long-term survival of affected patients. The identification and validation of prognostic factors and scores, such as the recently introduced resection severity index, for postoperative morbidity and mortality are essential to facilitate optimal therapeutic regimens. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 269 patients undergoing resection of histologically confirmed intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma between February 1996 and September 2018 at a tertiary referral center for hepatobiliary surgery. Regression analyses were performed to evaluate potential prognostic factors, including the resection severity index. RESULTS: Median postoperative follow-up time was 22.93 (0.10-234.39) months. Severe postoperative complications (≥ Clavien-Dindo grade III) were observed in 94 (34.9%) patients. The body mass index (p = 0.035), the resection severity index (ASAT in U/l divided by Quick in % multiplied by the extent of liver resection graded in points; p = 0.006), additional hilar bile duct resection (p = 0.005), and number of packed red blood cells transfused during operation (p = 0.036) were independent risk factors for the onset of severe postoperative complications. Median Kaplan-Meier survival after resection was 27.63 months. Preoperative leukocytosis (p = 0.003), the resection severity index (p = 0.005), multivisceral resection (p = 0.001), and T stage ≥ 3 (p = 0.013) were identified as independent risk factors for survival. CONCLUSION: Preoperative leukocytosis and the resection severity index are useful variables for preoperative risk stratification since they were identified as significant predictors for postoperative morbidity and mortality, respectively.

Extended hepatic metastasectomy for renal cell carcinoma-new aspects in times of targeted therapy: a single-center experience over three decades.

PURPOSE: Despite the introduction of novel targeted therapies on patients with renal cell carcinoma, syn- and metachronous metastases (including hepatic lesions) are observed frequently and significantly influence patient survival. With introduction of targeted therapies as an effective alternative to surgery, therapeutical strategies in stage IV disease must be reevaluated. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 40 patients undergoing hepatic resection of histologically confirmed RCC metastases at our institution between April 1993 and April 2017. RESULTS: The interval between nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma and hepatic metastasectomy was 44.0 months (3.3-278.5). Liver resections of different extents were performed, including multivisceral resections. The median follow-up was 37.8 months (0.5-286.5). Tumor recurrence after resection of hepatic metastases occurred in 19 patients resulting in a median disease-free survival of 16.2 months (0.7-265.1) and a median overall survival of 37.8 months (0.5-286.5). Multivariable analysis identified multivisceral resection as an independent risk factor for disease-free and overall survival (p = 0.043 and p = 0.001, respectively). A longer interval between nephrectomy and hepatic metastasectomy was identified as an independent significant protective factor for overall survival (p < 0.001). Patients undergoing metastasectomy after introduction of sunitinib in Europe in 2006 (n = 15) showed a significantly longer overall survival (45.2 (9.1-111.0) versus 27.5 (0.5-286.52) months in the preceding era; p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Hepatic metastasectomy, including major and extended resections, on patients with metastasized renal cell carcinoma can be performed safely and may facilitate long-term survival. Due to significant morbidity and increased mortality, multivisceral resections must be weighed against other options, such as targeted therapy.

Multivisceral resection for adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic body and tail-a retrospective single-center analysis.

BACKGROUND: Adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic body and tail is associated with a dismal prognosis. As patients frequently present themselves with locally advanced tumors, extended surgery including multivisceral resection is often necessary in order to achieve tumor-free resection margins. The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors for postoperative morbidity and mortality and to evaluate the influence of multivisceral resections on patient outcome. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 94 patients undergoing resection of adenocarcinoma located in the pancreatic body and/or tail between April 1995 and December 2016 at our institution. Uni- and multivariable Cox regression analysis was conducted to identify independent prognostic factors for postoperative survival. RESULTS: Multivisceral resections, including partial resections of the liver, the large and small intestines, the stomach, the left kidney and adrenal gland, and major vessels, were carried out in 47 patients (50.0%). The median postoperative follow-up time was 12.90 (0.16-220.92) months. Median Kaplan-Meier survival after resection was 12.78 months with 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of 53.2%, 15.8%, and 9.0%. Multivariable Cox regression identified coeliac trunk resection (p = 0.027), portal vein resection (p = 0.010), intraoperative blood transfusions (p = 0.005), and lymph node ratio in percentage (p = 0.001) as independent risk factors for survival. Although postoperative complications requiring surgical revision were observed more frequently after multivisceral resections (14.9 versus 2.1%; p = 0.029), postoperative survival was not significantly inferior when compared to patients undergoing standard distal or subtotal pancreatectomy (12.35 versus 13.87 months; p = 0.377). CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicates that multivisceral resection in cases of locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma of the body and/or tail is justified, as it is not associated with increased mortality and can even facilitate long-term survival, albeit with an increase in postoperative morbidity. Simultaneous resections of major vessels, however, should be considered carefully, as they are associated with inferior survival.

[The value of extended surgery for pancreatic cancer in the context of neoadjuvant therapy].

Pancreatic cancer has a high degree of malignancy and a poor prognosis, and the treatment effect is still not ideal. For patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, extended surgery for pancreatic cancer alone cannot benefit the patients. However, with the development of neoadjuvant therapy in the field of pancreatic cancer, some cases have obtained radical operation. Studies have shown that neoadjuvant therapy, combined with extended surgery for pancreatic cancer, can improve the overall prognosis of patients, indicating that surgical techniques themselves are still useful. In this article, combined with the relevant guidelines and clinical research progress of pancreatic cancer, the controversy and progress of the extended surgery for pancreatic cancer in the context of neoadjuvant therapy is summarized, and the resectability and prognosis evaluation index after neoadjuvant therapy is discussed, in order to standardize the treatment of pancreatic cancer, enhance the understanding of extended surgery for pancreatic cancer, and further improve the prognosis of pancreatic cancer.

Relevant prognostic factors influencing outcome of patients after surgical resection of distal cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC) is a rare but over the last decade increasing malignancy and is associated with poor prognosis. According to the present knowledge curative surgery is the only chance for long term survival. This study was performed to evaluate prognostic factors for the outcome of patients undergoing curative surgery for distal cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: 75 patients who underwent surgery between January 2000 and December 2014 for DCC in curative intention were analysed retrospectively. Potential prognostic factors for survival were investigated including the extent of surgery using purposeful selection of covariates in multivariable Cox regression modeling. RESULTS: Preoperative biliary stenting (Hazard ratio (HR): 2.530; 95%-CI: 1.146-6.464, p = 0.020), the extent of surgery in case of positive histological venous invasion (HR: 1.209; 95%-CI: 1.017-1.410, p = 0.032), lymph node staging (HR: 2.183; 95%-CI: 1.250-3.841, p = 0.006), perineural invasion (HR: 2.118; 95%-CI: 1.147-4.054, p = 0.016) and postoperative complications graded in points according to Clavien-Dindo (HR: 1.395; 95%-CI: 1.148-1.699, p = 0.001) were indentified as independent significant risk factors for survival. Patients receiving preoperative biliary stenting showed prolonged duration between onset of symptoms and date of operation (p = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative biliary stenting reduces survival possibly due to delayed surgery. The extent of surgery is not an independent risk factor for survival except for patients with concomitant histological venous invasion. Oncological factors and postoperative surgical complications are independent prognostic factors for survival.

Investigating the predictive factors of thoracic aortic invasion and surgical outcomes in patients with primary lung cancer: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate predictors of thoracic aortic invasion in lung cancer patients using preoperative clinical and imaging characteristics and elucidate surgical outcomes in cases of aortic invasion. METHODS: Of the 4751 lung cancer patients who underwent surgery at our hospital, we included 126 (6.8%) who underwent left-sided surgery and in whom tumor appeared to be in contact with the thoracic aorta on preoperative imaging. The patients were divided into two groups: group A, 23 patients (18%) who underwent combined aortic resection (+); group B, 103 patients (82%) who did not undergo combined aortic resection (-). RESULTS: The percentage of aortic invasion for tumor diameter <3 cm, 3-4 cm, 4-5 cm, 5-7 cm, and >7 cm was 0%, 13%, 23%, 16%, and 35%, respectively. The percentages of aortic invasion were 27%, 16%, and 0% for tumor localization in the upper division, S6, and S10, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that aortic depression due to tumor or loss of fatty tissue between tumor and mediastinum in the chest CT significantly predicted aortic invasion (odds ratio = 23.83, 16.66). Group A demonstrated significantly more blood loss, longer operative time, prolonged hospital stay, and increased percentage of recurrent nerve palsy (13%) compared to group B. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates for patients in group A were 53.4%, 24.3%, and 24.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: If the chest CT of a patient demonstrates aortic depression due to tumor or loss of fatty tissue between tumor and mediastinum, aortic complications should be considered when planning surgery.

Intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy and extended surgical resection for gynecological pelvic recurrent malignancies with and without external beam radiation therapy: long-term outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze prognostic factors in patients treated with intraoperative electrons containing resective surgical rescue of locally recurrent gynecological cancer (LRGC). METHODS: From January 1995 to December 2012, 35 patients with LRGC [uterine cervix (57%), endometrial (20%), ovarian (17%), vagina (6%)] underwent extended [multiorgan (54%), bone (9%), soft tissue (54%), vascular (14%)] surgery and intraoperative electron-beam radiation therapy [IOERT (10-15 Gy)] to the pelvic recurrence tumor bed. Sixteen (46%) patients also received external beam radiation therapy [EBRT (30.6-50.4 Gy)]. Survival outcomes were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and risk factors were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Median follow-up time for the entire cohort of patients was 46 months (range, 3-169). Ten-year rates for locoregional control (LRC) and overall survival (OS) were 58 and 16%, respectively. On multivariate analysis non-EBRT at the time of pelvic re-recurrence [HR 4.15; p = 0.02], no tumor fragmentation [HR 0.13; p=0.05] and time interval from primary tumor to LRR < 24 months [HR 5.16; p=0.01], retained significance with regard to LRR. Non-EBRT at the time of pelvic re-recurrence [HR 4.18; p=0.02] and time interval from primary tumor to LRR < 24 months [HR 6.67; p=0.02] showed a significant association with OS after adjustment for other covariates. CONCLUSIONS: EBRT treatment integrated for rescue, time interval for relapse ≥ 24 months, and not multi-involved fragmented resection specimens are associated with improved LRC in patients with LRGC in the pelvis. Present results suggest that a significant group of patients may benefit from EBRT treatment integrated with extended surgery and IOERT.

A long-term survivor of advanced retroperitoneal dedifferentiated liposarcoma: a successful multimodal approach with extended resection and chemotherapy.

Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment for retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RPLS). Herein, we describe a case of dedifferentiated RPLS successfully treated with an extended surgical approach with adjuvant chemotherapy. A 61-year-old male was referred to our hospital with a chief complaint of chest tightness. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a large retroperitoneal tumor, 11 cm in diameter, extensively invading the surrounding organs: the celiac axis, the splenic artery, the pancreatic body and tail, the lesser curvature of the stomach and the left adrenal gland. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy confirmed dedifferentiated liposarcoma, suggesting aggressive tumor biology. We performed total gastrectomy combined with distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis and left adrenal gland resection with a curative intent. The postoperative course was almost uneventful. As the pathological findings indicated a positive margin with a well-differentiated liposarcoma component, we added adjuvant chemotherapy with four cycles of doxorubicin and ifosfamide (AI). Five years after primary surgery, regular follow-up CT demonstrated a pulmonary hilar lymph node enlargement and a tumor at paraesophageal locations. After downsizing chemotherapy with eribulin followed by pazopanib, he underwent partial esophagectomy with dissection of the paraesophageal tumor. The pathological findings indicated recurrence of dedifferentiated liposarcoma with a tumor-free surgical margin. He is currently alive without any evidence of recurrence almost 7 years after the first surgery and 15 months after the second surgery. The long-term survival gained in this patient indicates that extended resections and adjuvant chemotherapy could prolong survival in patients even with RPLS with dedifferentiated tumor histology.

Pulmonary artery reconstruction for non-small cell lung cancer: Surgical management and long-term outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary artery (PA) reconstruction is performed to avoid pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Our objective was to assess the safety and efficacy of performing PA reconstruction without systemic heparinization during resections of NSCLC. METHODS: Among 3537 patients with resected NSCLC between 2008 and 2019, 130 (3.7%) patients underwent PA reconstruction to avoid pneumonectomy without intraoperative systemic heparinization. We investigated surgical outcome. The median follow-up time was 37 months. RESULTS: As to PA reconstruction, tangential suture, patch closure (autologous pericardium), end-to-end anastomosis, and conduit were performed in 56, 26, 32, and 16 patients (autologous pericardium, 13; resected pulmonary vein, 3), respectively. Combined bronchial sleeve resection was performed in 68 (52%) patients. The mean operative time was 261 minutes. The procedure-related complications were 2 PA thromboses with pericardial conduit requiring completion pneumonectomy and 2 massive hemoptysis of a bronchopulmonary fistula leading to death (operative mortality, 1.5%). PA bending and mechanical stenosis were due to the lengthening by the conduit. Seventy-five patients had other complications, the most frequent being arrhythmia. One patient was at stage 0 after induction chemoradiotherapy; 26, stage I (9 IA and 17 IB); 43, stage II (19 IA and 24 IB), 55 stage III (49 IIIA and 6 IIIB); and 5, stage IV. Five-year overall survival, cancer-specific survival, and recurrence-free survival rates were 49.2%, 61.8%, and 37.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PA reconstruction without intraoperative systemic heparinization during resections of NSCLC was performed with a very low risk of thrombosis as well as perioperative bleeding.

The 140 years' journey of gastric cancer surgery: From the two hands of Billroth to the multiple hands of the robot.

After the initial achievement by Billroth in 1881, surgery for gastric cancer has become increasingly extended. However, it turned out to be limited in Western countries after the publication that denied the role of extended surgery in the 1960s. While surgeons in Japan were still enthusiastic about extended surgery, the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) conducted clinical trials to validate the role of extended surgery. Contrary to expectations, the efficacy of extended surgery was not demonstrated. In gastric cancer surgery, postoperative complications were reported to be associated with poor survival. A survival benefit could not be obtained by extended surgery, with high morbidity. Therefore, the paradigm had been changed from extended surgery to minimally invasive surgery (MIS). As an MIS for gastric cancer, laparoscopic surgery has been considered a practical method. Initial laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) was first performed by Kitano in 1991. Thereafter, LG became increasingly common. Several clinical trials demonstrated the noninferiority of LG to open gastrectomy. LG is now regarded as the standard for cStage I gastric cancer, and the indication is expanding to advanced cancer. However, LG has some drawbacks owing to the restriction of movement caused by straight-shaped forceps. Robotic gastrectomy (RG) is considered a major breakthrough to circumvent the drawbacks in LG using articulated devices. However, the solid evidence demonstrating the advantage of RG has not been proved yet. The JCOG is now conducting a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the superiority of RG to LG in terms of reducing morbidity.

Extended liver surgery for gallbladder cancer revisited: Is there a role for hepatopancreatoduodenectomy?

Gallbladder cancer (GBCA) is a rare and fatal disease and the majority of patients presents with advanced stage. Surgical resection associated with lymphadenectomy is the only chance for cure. For patients in stages III and IV, extended resection is the only treatment to achieve R0 margins. For GBCA invading the hepatoduodenal ligament and pancreatoduodenal region, the resection of extrahepatic bile duct and pancreas is necessary. Hepatopancreatoduodenectomy (HPD) represents the most complex and challenging procedure in the hepatopancreatobiliary region. Kuno at the Cancer Institute Hospital Tokyo performed the first HPD in Japan in 1974 and in 1980 Takasaki presented five cases and the 30-day mortality was 60%. After that, other countries started to perform the procedure including United States and Brazil. The main complications are liver failure and pancreatic fistula. Advancements in perioperative care, surgical technique, medical instruments and postoperative at intensive care unit have resulted in reduction in morbidity and mortality. The use of portal vein embolization is indicated to increase the liver volume in patients with insufficient remnant. Preoperative biliary drainage can prevent cholangitis and improve hepatic function. This procedure should be recommended before extended HPD in jaundiced patients. Operative results with mortality rates below 5% at high volume centers suggest that HPD should be performed at centers with expertise in hepatopancreatobiliary surgery.

Extended resections and other special cases in lung cancer surgery: Real-world population-based outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer invading outside a lobe centrally or peripherally, or presenting with synchronous or metachronous tumors, requires a special approach. Here, we aimed to evaluate the rate and outcomes of surgery of these patients in a medium-volume practice using real-world, population-based data. METHODS: All patients (n = 269) on whom lung cancer surgery was performed in Central Finland and Ostrobothnia between January 2013 and December 2019 were included. A total of 40 patients with sleeve (n = 18) or other extended resections (n = 9), multifocal diseases (n = 14), and other operated synchronous cancers (n = 3) required an extended or otherwise special surgical approach (extended group). Short- and long-term outcomes were compared to high-risk (n = 72) and normal patient groups (n = 157). RESULTS: The rate of extended resection was 14.9%. The rates of PET-CT (95%), invasive staging (35%), and brain imaging (42.5%) were highest in extended group compared to other groups. Extended group had larger and higher rate of stage III tumors than high-risk and normal groups. All extended group patients underwent anatomic lung resection with better lymph node yield than the other two groups, with a neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant treatment rate of 70.0%. Major complications occurred in 7.5% in the extended group, 19.4% in the high-risk group, and 6.4% in the normal group; at one year, alive and living at home rates were 88.2%, 83.3%, and 97.8%, and overall five-year survival rates 75.6%, 62.4%, and 63.9% (P = 0.287), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: After guideline-based evaluation, a significant rate of these special cases can be resected with a low complication rate and good long-term survival in real-world practice. KEY POINTS: SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS OF THE STUDY: Extended resections for lung cancer include tumors spreading outside the lung The rate of extended resection was 14.9% in a population-based setting Major complications occurred in 7.5% and five-year survival was 75.6% What this study adds Complication rate and long-term outcome were similar compared to normal patients Guideline-based evaluation results with excellent outcome in real-world practice.

Surgery to avoid fatal complications and secure radicality after definitive chemoradiotherapy for clinical T4N2M0 stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard treatment for c-stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, patients who respond to CRT are at risk of developing fatal complications such as massive hemoptysis or infection. In such cases, surgery is an alternative option. Currently, there are limited reports on surgery for complications arising during definitive CRT for locally advanced NSCLC. We report a case of hemoptysis after definitive CRT for c-T4N2M0 stage IIIB NSCLC that was successfully treated with lower bilobectomy combined with left atrial resection. CASE PRESENTATION: A 72-year-old man with c-T4N2M0 stage IIIB NSCLC with left atrial invasion developed hemoptysis during CRT, which was discontinued to control hemoptysis. Chest computed tomography revealed a regressed and cavitated tumor. Three weeks after discontinuation of CRT, surgery was performed to avoid fatal complications and secure radicality. We performed lower bilobectomy combined with partial left atrial resection, which was performed using an automatic tri-stapler. The bronchial stump was covered with an omental flap. The resected specimen pathologically showed complete response with fistula between the intermediate bronchus and necrotic cavity in the tumor. His postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was disease free at 10 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We successfully performed surgery after definitive CRT in a patient with c-T4N2M0 stage IIIB NSCLC. Partial left atrial resection was safely performed with an automatic tri-stapler. A complete pathological response to CRT was achieved. In a case with a chance of complete (R0) resection, when the risk of developing fatal complications might outweigh the risk of post-CRT surgery perioperative complications, surgery should be considered as a treatment option.

Update on the Treatment of Gastric Cancer.

Gastric cancer remains a major health concern worldwide, particularly in Asia. Surgery is the only curative treatment, and D2 gastrectomy is the standard therapy for resectable cases. Several clinical trials have been conducted in Japan to achieve higher cure rates via extended surgery; however, despite higher morbidity, none demonstrated prolonged survival. Against this background, minimally invasive surgical approaches that preserve gastric function and improve postoperative quality of life have been developed in recent years. For early gastric cancer, endoscopic resection and laparoscopic gastrectomy have achieved remarkable success even for later-stage cases. Long-term outcomes have been investigated in large-scale, randomized controlled trials. In addition, robot-assisted gastrectomy is now more common in clinical practice. S-1, an anti-tumor drug, is a key agent for treating gastric cancer and has resulted in dramatic improvements in survival. For locally advanced gastric cancer, patients are usually treated with surgery and adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and the efficacies of various regimens have been examined in many clinical trials. For unresectable or recurrent gastric cancer, new agents such as molecular-targeted agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors have emerged as notable treatments and are now being tested in numerous clinical trials. This review provides an update on gastric cancer treatment, highlighting current individualized strategies and future perspectives.

Extraordinary disease-free survival in a rare malignant extrarenal rhabdoid tumor: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Malignant extrarenal rhabdoid tumor of the gastrointestinal tract is rarely reported in the literature. It is characterized by poor prognosis and aggressive metastatic features. A literature review evidenced only 19 cases, with poor outcome. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a colonic "pure" malignant extrarenal rhabdoid tumor with metastatic nodes in a 65-year-old Caucasian man. He was treated surgically with no recurrence, no adjuvant chemotherapy, and with 4-year survival without disease at the time of the submission of this article. CONCLUSIONS: We present an extraordinary case of long-term survival due to the extended surgical treatment. We believe that the absence of organ metastasis at presentation is a positive prognostic factor, although pathology confirmed node involvement (13/38 positive) on microscopy.

Extended surgery for T4 lung cancer: a 30 years' experience.

T4 non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) were deemed unresectable. Advances in surgery have challenged this dogma. We describe technical aspects and result on superior vena cava (SVC), carinal, thoracic inlet tumor surgeries, and resection under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). SVC reconstruction requires hemodynamic control to reverse SVC clamping cerebral effects and excellent cephalic venous bed patency. Among 50 SVC resections, including 25 carinal pneumonectomies, post-operative mortality rate was 8%. In the N0-N1 group, 5- and 10-year survival rates were 46.6 and 37.7%, respectively. Right carinal pneumonectomy was performed through right thoracotomy. Sternotomy was favored for left carinal pneumonectomy or carinal resection alone. Among 138 carinal resections, including eight right upper lobectomies, 123 right pneumonectomies, four left pneumonectomies, and three isolated carinal resections, the post-operative mortality rate was 9.4%. In the N0-N1 patients, 5-year survival rate was 47%. 191 patients underwent resections of thoracic inlet tumors through a transclavicular cervicothoracic anterior approach combined in 63 patients with a posterior midline incision for limited spine invasion. In N0-N1 group, 5- and 10-year survival rates were 41.5 and 29.7%, respectively. CPB allowed resection of tumors invading the heart or great vessels in 13 patients. R0 resection and post-operative mortality rate were 94.4 and 5.5%, respectively. In this series of 388 T4 NSCLC, the post-operative mortality rate was 4%. In the R0 and N0-N1 groups, the 5-year survival rates were 44 and 41%, respectively. Surgical resection of T4 locally advanced NSCLC is worth being performed in selected N0-N1 patients, provided that a radical resection is expected.

Salvage surgery in patients with recurrent or residual squamous cell carcinoma of the anus.

INTRODUCTION: Anal squamous cell cancers are uncommon, and primary treatment is radical chemoradiotherapy. The role of radical surgery is in salvage of patients with residual and recurrent disease. The primary aim of the study is to determine how often such salvage surgery is required, while the secondary aim is to determine which features indicate salvage surgery may be required and to determine the outcome of salvage surgery. METHODS: A prospective database was analysed of all patients with anal cancer over an 18 year period (Dec 1996-Jan 2015). The records of patients requiring salvage surgery were reviewed. RESULTS: 203 Patients were identified with anal cancers, of which 180 had squamous cell anal carcinoma. 112 Female (median age 59.4, range 33-92) 68 male (median age 63.8 range 36-87). Of these 27 patients (15%) required salvage surgery. 23 Patients had a R0 resection. 18 Patients had an extended resection (16 R0) while 9 had a routine APR (7 R0). The 30-day post-operative mortality rate was 0%. The overall 5 year survival was 78%, not significantly different from those not requiring salvage surgery (p = 0.23). Age, gender, AJCC stage, T stage, radiation therapy alone, were not predicators of the need for salvage surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Salvage surgery is uncommonly required. Extended surgery beyond routine APR is often required to obtain an R0 resection. Excellent patient survival can be achieved in highly selected cases. There were no identifiable clinical predictors of those needing salvage surgery, and consideration should be given to explore molecular and genetic factors.

Technical feasibility of laparoscopic extended surgery beyond total mesorectal excision for primary or recurrent rectal cancer.

Relatively little is known about the oncologic safety of laparoscopic surgery for advanced rectal cancer. Recently, large randomized clinical trials showed that laparoscopic surgery was not inferior to open surgery, as evidenced by survival and local control rates. However, patients with T4 tumors were excluded from these trials. Technological advances in the instrumentation and techniques used by laparoscopic surgery have increased the use of laparoscopic surgery for advanced rectal cancer. High-definition, illuminated, and magnified images obtained by laparoscopy may enable more precise laparoscopic surgery than open techniques, even during extended surgery for T4 or locally recurrent rectal cancer. To date, the quality of evidence regarding the usefulness of laparoscopy for extended surgery beyond total mesorectal excision has been low because most studies have been uncontrolled series, with small sample sizes, and long-term data are lacking. Nevertheless, laparoscopic extended surgery for rectal cancer, when performed by specialized laparoscopic colorectal surgeons, has been reported safe in selected patients, with significant advantages, including a clear visual field and less blood loss. This review summarizes current knowledge on laparoscopic extended surgery beyond total mesorectal excision for primary or locally recurrent rectal cancer.

Role of extended surgery for pancreatic cancer: critical review of the four major RCTs comparing standard and extended surgery.

Pancreatic ductal carcinoma is one of the most dismal malignancies in the gastrointestinal system. Despite the development of several adjuvant therapeutic options, surgical treatment is still the only procedure that can completely cure this disease. Since pancreatic cancer easily extends to the adjacent tissues or develops distant metastasis, there has been argument as to whether we should perform extended surgery in order to widely eradicate peripancreatic tissue. After the report from Japanese surgeons that showed a survival benefit of the extended surgery for the invasive ductal carcinoma of the pancreas in the late 1980s, many Japanese surgeons applied the extended surgery for pancreatic cancer. However, the major problems of these studies were the retrospective and non-randomized nature of the study design. Thereafter, randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing a standard and extended resection for the pancreatic cancer have been conducted first in Europe, second and third in the USA, and, subsequently, fourth in Japan. Unexpectedly, the survival benefit of the aggressive surgery has been refuted in all of the four major RCTs. This fact implied to us that surgery alone is not enough and that another adjuvant therapeutic option is necessary in order to improve the patients' survival of pancreatic cancer.