[A Case of Complete Response to Lower Rectal Cancer after Preoperative Chemotherapy with CapeOX Therapy].

A 70 -year-old male patient was referred to our hospital with the chief complaint of hemafecia. Colonoscopy was performed and revealed bulky rectal cancer at 10 cm from the anal verge. After 4 courses of capecitabine plus oxaliplatin(Ca peOX)therapy as preoperative chemotherapy, colonoscopy and computed tomography(CT)revealed significant reduction of the tumor. We performed laparoscopic lower anterior resection and ileostomy. Histopathological examination revealed no residual tumor cells, and a diagnosis of pathological complete response was made. The patient has been disease-free for 1 year postoperatively.

[Eight Cases of Esophagus and Tracheobronchial Stenting for Advanced Esophageal Cancer].

Malignant stricture and fistula of the esophagus and tracheobronchus adversely affect the quality of life(QOL)in patients with advanced esophageal cancer. Stenting is one ofthe therapies available for these patients. We investigated the outcomes ofesophagus and tracheobronchial stenting in our institution. Eight patients with advanced esophageal cancer underwent double stenting from 2010 to 2016. Among them, 4 patients underwent double stenting as planned. One patient underwent an emergency tracheal stenting because ofstenosis ofthe trachea caused by esophageal stenting. Three patients underwent tracheobronchial stenting later on because ofan increase in the tumor size after esophageal stenting. Dysphagia score was improved in 5(67.5%)out ofthe 8 patients. Respiratory symptoms were improved in all patients, and 4 patients(50.0%) were discharged. The median survival time after esophageal stenting was 70.5 days. Esophagus and tracheobronchial stenting for advanced esophageal cancer was useful for the improvement of the QOL.

[A Case of Recurrent Gastric Cancer with Recurrent Celiac Lymph Node Metastasis Successfully Treated with Chemoradiotherapy and CPT-11 plus CDDP Therapy].

Chemotherapy is performed for the recurrence of gastric cancer in many cases. We report a case of recurrent lymph node metastasis successfully treated with chemoradiotherapy and chemotherapy. A man in his 60s underwent total gastrectomy and D2 dissection in 2009. The pathological diagnosis was poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, T4a, int, INF b, ly2, v2, LN#2: 2/3, #3: 1/4, #7, 8, and 9: 3/4, stage III B. Although we administered S-1/UFT as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, a strong rash appeared and the patient ceased chemotherapy. Eight months later, the rash had disappeared. We started chemotherapy with paclitaxel(PAC). CT performed 1 year postoperatively showed celiac lymph node(#9)metastasis. Chemoradiotherapy( RT+PAC)and additional CPT-11(98mg)and CDDP(49mg)treatment were administered. The lymph node (#9)was cicatrized after 8 cycles. Forty-two months after the end of treatment, the patient has had no recurrence. It is thought that chemoradiotherapy is an effective cure for local recurrence of gastric cancer.

[A Case of Small Intestinal Cancer Repeating an Ileus Symptom Complicated with Refractory Arrhythmia].

A 56-year-old man had been treated for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy since childhood. He had been treated for refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT) with interventricular septum cauterization, catheter ablation, and implantation of a defibrillator. He had been treated at home for several years. The ileus that developed in July 2014 was relieved by conservative medical treatment once, but it recurred after oral intake of food a short time later. The obstruction was due to a small intestine cancer that was diagnosed by enteroscopy. After considering the risks of surgery due to the cardiac problem and the quality of life due to ileus caused by the mass, we resected it. This surgery was not a radical resection because of peritoneal dissemination. He started oral food intake postoperatively, and returned to home care. Three months after surgery, oral chemotherapy was administered after considering his stable cardiac function in addition to his coherent mental status. An adverse event of severe watery diarrhea developed, and VT caused by dehydration occurred. After the chemotherapy was discontinued, he recovered in intensive care. He returned to home care at his prior status for 9 months postoperatively.

[A Case of Carcinosarcoma of the Esophagus Treated with Chemoradiotherapy].

Carcinosarcoma of the esophagus is a rare malignant neoplasm. We report a case of an 87-year-old man treated with chemoradiotherapy. The main presenting complaint was hiccups. Histological analysis of a biopsy from the tumor demonstrated a carcinosarcoma. The clinical diagnosis was T2N0M0, cStageⅡ. In consideration of his advanced age, a past history of cerebral infarction, high blood pressure, aortic valve sclerosis, and chronic renal failure (Cr 1.5-1.8 mg/dL), chemoradiotherapy consisting of TS-1 40 mg/day with radiotherapy of 66 Gy was administered to the patient. The carcinosarcoma decreased in size on endoscopic examination in response to the chemoradiotherapy. Surgery with extended lymphadenectomy for esophageal carcinosarcoma is the standard treatment, but chemotherapy may be a good choice for local control for patients who cannot undergo surgical resection.

[A case of resection of pancreatic head lymph node metastasis of rectal carcinoid].

An 80-year-old woman was treated with low anterior resection and D3 lymph node dissection for rectal carcinoid in August 2007. Pathological diagnosis was a tumor 23 × 22 mm in size with muscularis propria invasion, ly1, v0, n1 (No. 251[1/12]). Partial hepatectomy was performed for liver metastasis in March 2010 and September 2011. In June 2013, an isolated tumor of 17 mm in diameter was detected between the inferior vena cava and the stomach using abdominal ultrasonography. The tumor was diagnosed as pancreatic head lymph node metastasis using abdominal enhanced computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and positron emission tomography (PET); fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake was noted at the site of the tumor, but not at other parts of the body. Curative resection was the chosen treatment option. Open surgery was performed in September 2013, and a tumor 30 mm in diameter located at the ventral side of the inferior vena cava, lateral side of the portal vein, and cranial side of duodenum was resected. No surrounding tissue infiltration was found. Pathological analysis of the resected specimen indicated lymph node metastasis of the rectal carcinoid. The patient has been disease free for 9 months after surgery.

[A case of gastric cancer with multiple liver metastases that was successfully treated by chemotherapy].

A man in his 60s received SP (S-1+CDDP) therapy for gastric cancer with multiple liver metastases. After completion of 3 courses, liver metastases had reduced significantly, and the paraaortic lymph nodes, which had swelled previously, had reduced in size. Furthermore, the serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level had also improved to the standard value from 814.3 ng/mL. The patient was able to discontinue the opioid he had needed for pain control. The chemotherapy was continued for 18 courses, with the dose reduced at the time of the adverse events along the way. By completion of the 18 courses, we recognized regrowth of the primary lesion and a rise in the serum CEA over the standard value. There was no sign of the regrowth of liver metastases and distant lymph nodes according to examinations for enhanced computed tomography (CT) and ¹8F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET) CT.The patient received distal gastrectomy. The CEA level decreased in standard value or less after surgery and we believed the cancer was limited to the primary stomach lesion.

[Long-term survival of a patient with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer treated with gemcitabine after chemoradiation therapy].

We report a case of long-term survival of a patient with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer treated with gemcitabine after chemoradiation therapy( CRTx). A 61-year-old woman was diagnosed as having locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer, 3.0 cm in diameter, which had invaded the superior mesenteric artery by computed tomography (CT). She was treated with CRTx( gemcitabine[ GEM] at 250 mg/m2/week for 6 weeks+liniac irradiation of 50.2 Gy) followed by systemic chemotherapy (gemcitabine (GEM) at 1,000 mg/m2). Reassessment after CRTx yielded a diagnosis of stable disease (according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors [RECIST] 1.1). To date, the patient has undergone 57 courses of chemotherapy in the outpatient clinic; however, she did require biliary stent placement because of occlusive jaundice.

[A case of SPT therapy( S-1+CDDP+trastuzumab) was successful for HER2-positive gastric cancer accompanied by distant lymph node metastasis].

A 63-year-old man visited our clinic with a chief complaint of a left axillary mass, and after a series of examinations, gastric cancer was diagnosed. Histopathological examination revealed a human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-2- positive( immunohistochemistry[ IHC], 2+; fluorescence in situ hybridization[ FISH], positive) poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, and SPT therapy( S-1 at 120 mg/m2/day+cisplatin[ CDDP] at 60 mg/m2+trastuzumab at 8 mg/kg) was initiated. The primary lesion and swollen lymph nodes initially decreased markedly in size; however, the lymph node swelling worsened at 186 days( 6.2 months) after the initiation of treatment. Progressive disease( PD) was diagnosed, and SPT therapy was terminated. One cycle of S-1+docetaxel was administered as second-line therapy, but the regimen was changed to docetaxel monotherapy due to adverse effects. After 5 cycles of this treatment, the primary lesion had decreased in size and the lymphadenopathy disappeared. Positron emission tomography( PET)-computed tomography (CT) revealed fluorodeoxyglucose( F18)( FDG) accumulation only in the primary lesion, and therefore, with the patient's informed consent distal gastrectomy was performed approximately 14 months after the first treatment. The postoperative diagnosis was gastric cancer fStage IA (T1a, N0, and M0). Here, we discuss a case of HER2-positive gastric cancer with references. Among the advanced recurrent gastric cancers tested between April 2011 and February 2013, 16.4% (11/67) were HER2-positive.

[Long-term survival after surgical resection of a cancer of unknown primary site-a case report].

We report a case of long-term survival after combination chemotherapy and surgical resection of a cancer of unknown primary site[ CUPs]. A septuagenarian female was identified as having high blood levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) during follow-up monitoring of asthma. Endoscopy and imaging studies including computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET)-CT revealed a malignant lymph node adjacent to the abdominal aorta; however, no other lesion was detected. Therefore, we performed CT-guided biopsy and diagnosed the lesion to be a lymph node metastasis of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. As we considered this as a systemic disease, the patient received 2 courses of combination chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil( 5-FU)/cisplatin( CDDP) and achieved a partial response (PR). Later, the patient received S-1 therapy as second-line chemotherapy and S-1/irinotecan( CPT-11) as third-line chemotherapy in an outpatient clinic. However, the tumor continued to grow, and therefore, we decided to perform surgical resection. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen yielded a diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lymph node. The patient has been well without any signs of recurrence for more than 9 years since surgery. As CUPs is generally associated with poor prognosis, this case raises the possibility that combination therapy might improve convalescence.

[Abdominal lymph node metastases detected five years after surgery for the lung cancer; report of a case].

A 73-year-old woman who had underwent right lower lobectomy for adenocarcinoma of the lung( S10,pT1aN0M0, stage I A) 5 years before, visited our hospital with back pain. Whole body computed tomography (CT) revealed the enlargement of the abodominal lymph nodes surrounding the celiac artery,which was positive for fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography( FDG-PET). Open biopsy of the lymph node was performed and histopathological diagnosis was metastases of adenocarcinoma.Additional immunohistological examination showed positive findings for cytokeratin( CK) 7 and thyroid transcription factor( TTF)-1, but negative for CK20, suggesting the lesion to be metastases of lung cancer. Abdominal lymph node should be kept in mind in patients with lower lobe lung cancer.

[Utility of the WallFlexTM duodenal stent for unresectable advanced gastric cancer related to gastric outlet obstruction].

Duodenal stenting for malignant disease related to gastric outlet obstruction(GOO) has been covered by health insurance in Japan since April 2010. We inserted WallFlexTM duodenal stents(WDS) in 4 patients with GOO caused by unresectable gastric cancer. WDS insertion was successful in all 4 cases. Duodenal perforation occurred in 1 case. One case each of stent obstruction and stent migration occurred. All patients could eat a soft-food diet for 3-6 months (median, 5.3 months). Survival time ranged between 5 and 14 months (median, 6 months). Three patients underwent S-1 combination chemotherapy. Duodenal stenting is expected to be effective for advanced gastric cancer related to GOO.

[Two case reports of neuroendocrine cell carcinoma of the stomach].

We encountered 2 cases of endocrine cell carcinoma of the stomach. One patient had a type 3 tumor in the cardia, and the other patient had a submucosal tumor in the posterior wall of the gastric angle, both of which were detected by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The first patient underwent total gastrectomy(D1+No.7, 19) with cholecystectomy. Microscopic histological examination fortuitously revealed a tumor thrombus in the vessel of the gallbladder. Eight months after the operation, a paraaortic lymph node recurrence was detected, and the patient died 28 months after the operation. The second patient underwent distal gastrectomy, cholecystectomy, S5 subsegmental hepatectomy, and S8 radiofrequency ablation(RFA). Despite undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy[irinotecan(CPT-11)/cisplatin(CDDP)], multiple liver recurrences were detected 6 months after the operation. Consequently, systemic chemotherapy (S-1/CDDP) was performed.

[A case report of long-term survival of endocrine cell carcinoma of the esophagus with chemo-radiation therapy].

The patient was an 84-year-old man, who was diagnosed with cT3N2 (101L, 109L) M0, stage III esophageal cancer. The tumor, immunohistochemically, was stained positive for CD56 and NSE yielding a definitive diagnosis of endocrine cell carcinoma of the esophagus. We selected chemo-radiation therapy (5-FU/CDDP and 2 Gy/day total 60 Gy) for this patient. As adjuvant chemotherapy, 7 courses of chemotherapy with 5-FU/CDDP, was performed. At 8 months from the chemo-radiation therapy, the disease was diagnosed as cCR. But two years later, lung metastasis appeared, so we started chemotherapy with docetaxel/CDDP/5-FU. After 2 courses, lung metastasis was almost disappeared. He has been survived for four years and five months after chemo-radiation. This case suggests that chemo( FP) -radiation therapy and adjuvant chemotherapy could be an effective treatment for endocrine cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

[A case of S-1/CDDP chemotherapy for inoperable advanced gastric cancer which led to gastrectomy with histological complete response].

As the treatment for inoperable advanced gastric cancer, S-1/CDDP combination therapy (SP chemotherapy) has become a standard treatment. In our hospital, a second course of chemotherapy was performed on an outpatient basis in order to improve a traditional QOL. In this case, it showed remarkable effects in 15 months after starting chemotherapy. Then gastrectomy was performed. Histological findings of the resected specimens confirmed pCR in all tumors. We report on progress of this case and explain about the ingenuity of SP chemotherapy.

Efficacy of pleural coverage with polyglycolic acid sheet after bullectomy for postoperative recurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax in young patients: a multi-institutional cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Various surgical procedures have been performed to decrease the recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax after video-assisted thoracic surgery. This study aimed to examine the efficiency of pleural coverage for the prevention of postoperative recurrence in relatively young patients. METHODS: Between January 2008 and December 2012, a total of 357 cases of 345 patients (age 15-29 years) with primary spontaneous pneumothorax who underwent bullectomy at 13 institutions were enrolled in this multi-institutional retrospective cohort study. A concurrent bilateral operation was counted as two cases. Polyglycolic acid sheets were used in 238 cases, and oxidized regenerated cellulose sheets were used in 37 cases to cover the visceral pleura, with no pleural coverage in 82 cases. The average observation period was 4.2 ± 2.0 years. RESULTS: Postoperative recurrence was observed in 50 cases (14.0%) after video-assisted thoracic surgery. Twenty-six cases (10.9%) in the polyglycolic acid group, eight (21.6%) in the oxidized regenerated cellulose group, and sixteen (19.5%) in the non-coverage group experienced postoperative recurrence. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the rate of freedom from postoperative recurrence in the polyglycolic acid group was significantly higher than that in the non-coverage group. Multivariate analysis showed that age ≥ 20 years and coverage with polyglycolic acid sheets were associated with reduced risk factors for postoperative recurrence. CONCLUSION: Pleural coverage with a polyglycolic acid sheet is suggested to be effective in preventing postoperative recurrence of pneumothorax compared with non-coverage in relatively young patients.

[Schwannoma in the brachial plexus resected by thoracoscopic approach].

A 50-year-old male was detected an abnormal shadow in the right apical region by chest X-ray examination. Computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings suggested the mass to be a neurogenic tumor. The tumor was originated from lower brachial plexus and enuclated by thoracoscopic approach with no major nerve damage. The pathological finding was benign schwannoma.

[A case of bilateral pulmonary metastasis from gastric cancer performed radical thoracoscopic lobectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy].

A 40s male was performed proximal gastrectomy with D1+alpha dissection and interposition reconstruction for type 1 esophago-gastric junctional cancer in January 2002. Pathological findings were as follows: pap, se, ly0, v0, n1 (#3, 1/9) stage IIIA, curability B. Adjuvant chemotherapy by 5'-DFUR (800 mg/day) was done for 1 year. Bilateral pulmonary metastasis was detected in left S6 (3.8 cm) and right S10 (3 cm) in February 2006. After S-1 (120 mg/day) was administered for 4 courses, right pulmonary metastasis had become scar, and the other was remained and growing. S-1 (100 mg/ day 1-21)+CPT-11 (120 mg div day 1, 15) was done for 6 courses. However, the tumor was growing. As no other lesions but left pulmonary metastasis in S10, radical thoracoscopic left lower lobectomy with ND1 lymph node dissection was performed. Pathological finding was pulmonary metastasis from gastric cancer with no lymph node metastasis. There were no recurrences observed in May 2009 since gastrectomy was done 7 years ago, and 3 years since pulmonary metastasis was detected.

[A long-term survival case of liver metastasis of gastric cancer under interdisciplinary therapy].

We report herein a long-term survival case of liver metastasis after distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. A 72-year-old woman, whom we performed distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection for type 2 gastric cancer at age 66, was diagnosed as pT2N1M0, stage II. No adjuvant therapy was performed. Liver metastasis was found 1 year and 7 months after surgery. PTX plus CPT-11 was performed. Six courses of therapy were done, and found cCR in the liver metastasis. A total of 23 courses of therapy were done. A recurrence of liver metastasis was found, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), radiofrequency ablation( RFA)and operation were performed. She received S-1 plus CDDP, and cCR has been maintained for 6 years and 11 months after gastrectomy (5 years and 4 months after liver metastasis) suggesting that the interdisciplinary therapy was effective.

[A case of super advanced gastric cancer responding to S-1+CDDP and S-1 single regimen which led to a clinical complete response].

A patient is a 62-year-old man who was presented by epigastralgia. He was pointed out super advanced gastric cancer with paraaortic lymph node metastasis and pancreatic invasion by gastrointestinal endoscopy (GIS) and computed tomography (CT). We diagnosed as cT4N3M0, and started with chemotherapy as follows. S-1 (120 mg/day) was orally administered for 3 weeks followed by 2-week rest as one course, and CDDP (90 mg/body)was administered by intravenous drip on day 8. Partial response was indicated after 6 courses of this procedure. We changed the procedure to S-1 single treatment for 2 weeks followed by 2-week rest. After 12-course of this procedure, he was attacked by brain infarction, the procedure was interrupted for about 8 months. After rehabilitation, an S-1 single treatment was restarted. The main tumor and metastatic lymph node appeared no change before the interruption of S-1 single treatment. So, we considered that complete response was continued. S-1+CDDP and S-1 single regimen appears to be effective for super advanced gastric cancer.