Effect of pathological high-risk features on cancer-specific mortality in non-metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma: a tool for optimizing patient selection for adjuvant therapy

Purpose

Adjuvant therapies for non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma (nmRCC) are being tested to improve outcomes in patients with high-risk (hR) nmRCC. The objective of the current study is to test the ability of three hR features to identify patients who are at the highest risk of cancer-specific mortality (CSM) after partial or radical nephrectomy.

Methods

Within the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database (1988–2013), we identified 23,632 nm “clear cell” RCC partial or radical nephrectomy patients with hR features: Fuhrman grade (FG) 3 or 4 or pathological classifications T3a or T3b or lymph node invasion (LNI), or combination of these. Kaplan–Meier analyses (KM) and multivariable Cox’s regression models (CRM) evaluated the effect of hR features on CSM.

Results

Overall 11,568 (48.9%) patients harbored FG3-4, 5575 (23.6%) pT3a/b, 140 (0.6%) LNI, 5366 (22.7%) FG3-4 and pT3a/b, 183 (0.8%) LNI and pT3a/b, 203 (0.9%) LNI and FG3-4 and 597 (2.5%) LNI, FG3-4 and pT3a/b. Median CSM-free survival was 51, 58 and 22 months for LNI and pT3a/b, for LNI and FG3-4 and for LNI, FG3-4 and pT3a/b and was not reached for the other groups. These results remained unchanged in multivariable CRMs, where all hR features represented independent predictors.

Conclusions

Individuals with combination of LNI with FG3-4 or pT3a/b and patients with all three hR features are at highest risk of CSM. In consequence, these patients may represent ideal candidates for adjuvant therapy either in clinical practice or future prospective trials.

     

Is there still a role for computed tomography and bone scintigraphy in prostate cancer staging? An analysis from the EUREKA-1 database

Purpose

According to the current guidelines, computed tomography (CT) and bone scintigraphy (BS) are optional in intermediate-risk and recommended in high-risk prostate cancer (PCa). We wonder whether it is time for these examinations to be dismissed, evaluating their staging accuracy in a large cohort of radical prostatectomy (RP) patients.

Methods

To evaluate the ability of CT to predict lymph node involvement (LNI), we included 1091 patients treated with RP and pelvic lymph node dissection, previously staged with abdomino-pelvic CT. As for bone metastases, we included 1145 PCa patients deemed fit for surgery, previously staged with Tc-99m methylene diphosphonate planar BS.

Results

CT scan showed a sensitivity and specificity in predicting LNI of 8.8 and 98 %; subgroup analysis disclosed a significant association only for the high-risk subgroup of 334 patients (P 0.009) with a sensitivity of 11.8 % and positive predictive value (PPV) of 44.4 %. However, logistic multivariate regression analysis including preoperative risk factors excluded any additional predictive ability of CT even in the high-risk group (P 0.40). These data are confirmed by ROC curve analysis, showing a low AUC of 54 % for CT, compared with 69 % for Partin tables and 80 % for Briganti nomogram. BS showed some positivity in 74 cases, only four of whom progressed, while 49 patients with negative BS progressed during their follow-up, six of them immediately after surgery.

Conclusions

According to our opinion, the role of CT and BS should be restricted to selected high-risk patients, while clinical predictive nomograms should be adopted for the surgical planning.

     

Impact of inappropriate lymphadenectomy on lung metastasectomy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Purpose

To evaluate the characteristics of lymph node assessment in the Spanish Colorectal Metastasectomy Registry (GECMP-CCR) and to analyze and compare the survival of patients with pathological absence or presence of lymph node metastases (LNM) with the survival of those with uncertain lymph node status (uLNs).

Methods

A total of 522 patients with lung metastases from colorectal carcinoma were prospectively registered from 2008 to 2010. To confirm the pathologic absence of LNM, systematic nodal dissection or systematic sampling was required, or the lymph node status was coded as uncertain. Disease-specific survival and disease-free survival were calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method with the log-rank test for comparisons.

Results

Lymphadenectomy was performed in 250 (48 %) patients. LNM was found in 25 (10 %) of the patients who had lymph node assessment done. The 3- and 5-year disease-specific survival rates according to lymph node status were 73.5 and 58.3 % in the absence of LNM, 50.5 and 24.8 % when LNM was confirmed, and 69 and 44 % for those with uLNs, respectively (p = 0.006).

Conclusions

The presence of LNM and uLNs is associated with an increased risk of death. The association of nodal assessment at the time of metastasectomy to identify LNM helps us to refine the postoperative prognosis; therefore, its impact should be properly studied in a prospective clinical trial.

     

Additional surgery for non-curative resection after endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric cancer: a retrospective analysis of 200 cases

Purpose

Endoscopic submucosal dissection is recommended for early gastric cancer with a low risk of lymph node metastasis. When the pathological findings do not meet the curative criteria; then, an additional gastrectomy with lymph node dissection is recommended. However, most cases have neither lymph node metastasis nor a local residual tumor during an additional surgery.

Methods

This was a single-institutional retrospective cohort study, analyzing 200 patients who underwent an additional gastrectomy after non-curative endoscopic submucosal dissection from January 2005 to October 2015. We reviewed the patients’ clinicopathological data and evaluated the predictors for the presence of a residual tumor.

Results

Histopathology revealed lymph node metastasis in 15 patients (7.5 %) and a local residual tumor in 23 (11.5 %). A multivariable analysis revealed macroscopic findings (flat/elevated type) (p = 0.011, odds ratio = 4.63), lymphatic invasion (p < 0.0001, odds ratio = 14.2), and vascular invasion (p = 0.04, odds ratio = 4.00) to be predictors for lymph node metastasis. A positive vertical margin (p = 0.0027, odds ratio = 3.26) and horizontal margin (p = 0.0008, odds ratio = 5.74) were predictors for a local residual tumor. All cases with lymph node metastasis had lymphovascular invasion with at least one other non-curative factor.

Conclusions

The risk of a residual tumor can, therefore, be estimated based on the histopathology of endoscopic submucosal dissection samples. Lymphovascular invasion appears to be a pivotal predictor of lymph node metastasis.

     

Robotic-assisted lateral lymph node dissection for lower rectal cancer: short-term outcomes in 50 consecutive patients

Background

The goal of this study was to evaluate the short-term outcomes of robotic-assisted lateral lymph node dissection for patients with advanced lower rectal cancer.

Methods

Between 2012 and 2013, 50 consecutive patients underwent robotic-assisted lateral lymph node dissection for rectal cancer in Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital. Perioperative outcomes including operative time, operative blood loss, length of stay, postoperative complications, and histopathological data were collected prospectively.

Results

Median patient age was 62 years (range 36–74 years). Operative procedures included low anterior resections (n = 27), intersphincteric resections (n = 16), and abdominoperineal resections (n = 7). Bilateral lymph node dissection was performed in 44 patients. The median operative time was 476 min (range 320–683 min), and the median time required for lateral lymph node dissection was 165 min (range 85–257 min). The median blood loss was 27 mL (range 5–690 mL). There were no cases of open surgery or laparoscopic conversion. The median duration of postoperative hospital stay was 8 days (range 6–13 days). Clavien–Dindo classification Grade III–IV complications occurred in only one patient (2.0 %). There were no cases of anastomotic leak. There was no perioperative mortality. The median number of harvested lateral lymph nodes was 19 (range 5–47).

Conclusions

Robotic-assisted lateral lymph node dissection is a safe, feasible, and useful approach for patients with advanced lower rectal cancer.

     

Risk Factor for Axillary Lymph Node Metastases in Microinvasive Breast Cancer

Background

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) was controversial. Usually we did not do a SLN biopsy when we performed conserving operations with small-sized DCIS. However, sometimes we find DCIS with microinvasive breast cancer (MIC) after the operation. Must reoperations be performed in all patients? The incidence of axillary metastases in microinvasive breast cancer (MIC) has not been extensively studied. We determined the incidence of positive axillary lymph node (ALN) in patients with MIC and the predictive factors of ALN metastases in these patients.

Methods

Between July 1989 and December 2008, 9635 patients had operation on invasive breast cancer in Asan Medical Center. Among these patients, 319 patients had MIC. The research conducted on the 293 patients (excluded were 26 who did not receive axillary lymph node dissection or SLN biopsy). We retrospectively checked clinical and pathologic variables.

Results

There were 22 cases of ALN metastases identified in this group of patients (7.5%). Lymphatic invasion (P < .001) and positive estrogen receptor status (P = 03) were independent significant predictors of axillary metastases.

Conclusions

Microinvasive breast cancer is associated with a low rate of lymph node metastases. Some breast cancer patients with MIC at low likelihood of lymph node metastases may be spared lymph node evaluation.

     

High Expression of Angiopoietin-1 is Associated with Lymph Node Metastasis and Invasiveness of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Background

We investigated the expression of angiopoietins in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and the role of angiopoietins as biomarkers predicting the aggressiveness of PTC.

Methods

Expression of angiopoietins was evaluated by immunohistochemistry of tumor specimens from patients with PTC. We demonstrated potential correlations between expression of angiopoietins and clinicopathologic features.

Results

High expression of Ang-1 was positively correlated with a tumor size >1 cm, capsular invasion, extrathyroid extension, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, and recurrence (P < 0.05). Moreover, multivariate analysis revealed that high expression of Ang-1 was an independent risk factor for lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001, odds ratio [OR] = 62.113) and lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.027, OR 4.405). However, there was no significant correlation between Ang-2 and clinicopathologic features.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that Ang-1 can serve as a valuable prognostic biomarker for lymph node metastasis and invasiveness in patients with PTC.

     

Clinicopathological Characteristics and Prognostic Factors of Patients with Siewert Type II Esophagogastric Junction Carcinoma: A Retrospective Multicenter Study

Background

The incidence of esophagogastric junction (EGJ) carcinoma is increasing, but its optimal surgical management remains controversial.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the database of 400 patients with Siewert type II EGJ carcinoma who were treated surgically at 7 institutions between March 1986 and October 2010. We examined the clinicopathological characteristics, prognostic factors, and risk factors associated with each recurrence pattern.

Results

The 5-year overall survival rate of all patients with Siewert type II EGJ carcinoma was 58.4 %. Multivariate analysis showed that T and N stages were independent prognostic factors. We also found that the incidence of lower mediastinal lymph node metastasis (17.7 %) and para-aortic lymph node metastasis (16.1 %) was relatively high. In addition, the para-aortic lymph nodes (N = 39, 9.8 %) were the most frequent node recurrence site, followed by the mediastinal lymph nodes (N = 23, 5.8 %). Lung recurrence was more common than was peritoneal recurrence. Considering each type of recurrence, multivariate analysis showed that the differentiated type was associated with a higher risk of lung recurrence than was the undifferentiated type, and N stage (pN2–3) and positive venous invasion were independent risk factors for liver recurrence.

Conclusions

This study is one of the largest retrospective studies to evaluate patients with Siewert type II EGJ carcinoma. Para-aortic and mediastinal lymph node metastasis and recurrence rates were relatively high. During the postoperative follow-up of patients with differentiated Siewert type II EGJ carcinoma, patients should be monitored for lung recurrence more closely than that for peritoneal recurrence.

     

Adjuvant gemcitabine monotherapy for resectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma with lymph node involvement: a propensity score matching analysis

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant gemcitabine monotherapy following resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma with lymph node involvement.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 180 patients undergoing resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma with lymph node involvement between 2001 and 2012. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence (n = 67) or absence (n = 113) of adjuvant gemcitabine monotherapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed followed by a propensity score matching analysis to adjust for the differences in the baseline characteristics of the groups.

Results

The overall survival rates after surgery and the median survival times in patients who were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy were significantly longer than those who were treated without adjuvant chemotherapy (32.9 vs. 15.0 % at 5 years, 37 vs. 20 months, P = 0.001). A multivariate analysis indicated that adjuvant chemotherapy, a residual microscopic tumor, and pathological T stage were independent prognostic factors for survival. After two new cohorts of 32 patients were generated following 1:1 propensity score matching, the overall survival rate in the adjuvant chemotherapy group was found to be significantly longer than that in the surgery alone group (43.2 vs. 15.6 % at 5 years, P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Adjuvant gemcitabine monotherapy may improve survival in node-positive perihilar cholangiocarcinoma patients.

     

Preoperative Plasma Fibrinogen is Associated with Lymph Node Metastasis and Predicts Prognosis in Resectable Esophageal Cancer

Background

Although it is well known that patients with malignant tumors have abnormal blood coagulation, its clinical significance has not been studied. We investigated the clinicopathological and prognostic impact of plasma fibrinogen, which is the major factor of the coagulation system, in patients with esophageal cancer.

Methods

From February 1995 to December 2006, 100 patients with esophageal cancer who had their plasma fibrinogen measured were enrolled. The associations between plasma fibrinogen, clinicopathological factors, and prognosis were analyzed. A concentration of 2.0–4.0 g/L was defined as normofibrinogenemia, and a concentration higher than 4.0 g/L was described as hyperfibrinogenemia.

Results

Patients with large, advanced tumors, and lymph node metastasis had significantly higher plasma fibrinogen than those with small, early tumors, and no lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, and p = 0.03, respectively). Plasma fibrinogen was associated with not only the existence of lymph node metastasis but also the extension of lymph node metastasis and lymphatic recurrence. Patients with hyperfibrinogenemia had a significantly poor prognosis as compared to those with normofibrinogenemia, regardless of pathological staging. Plasma fibrinogen was an independent risk factor for overall survival and relapse-free survival as well as tumor depth and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.004 and p = 0.031, respectively).

Conclusion

Preoperative plasma fibrinogen is a possible biomarker for the prediction of tumor progression, recurrence pattern, and prognosis for esophageal cancer. Preoperative plasma fibrinogen is also associated with lymph node metastasis and may be helpful in adjusting neo-adjuvant therapy.

     

Promising role of preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy

Objective

Several retrospective studies with small cohorts reported neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a prognostic marker in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) following radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). We aimed at validating the predictive and prognostic role of NLR in a large multi-institutional cohort.

Methods

Preoperative NLR was assessed in a multi-institutional cohort of 2477 patients with UTUC treated with RNU. Altered NLR was defined by a ratio >2.7. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between NLR and lymph node metastasis, muscle-invasive and non-organ-confined disease. The association of altered NLR with recurrence-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Results

Altered NLR was observed in 1428 (62.8 %) patients and associated with more advanced pathological tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion, tumor necrosis and sessile tumor architecture. In a preoperative model that included age, gender, tumor location and architecture, NLR was an independent predictive factor for the presence of lymph node metastasis, muscle-invasive and non-organ-confined disease (p < 0.001). Within a median follow-up of 40 months (IQR 20–76 months), 548 (24.1 %) patients experienced disease recurrence and 453 patients (19.9 %) died from their cancer. Compared to patients with normal NLR, those with altered NLR had worse RFS (0.003) and CSS (p = 0.002). In multivariable analyses that adjusted for the effects of standard clinicopathologic features, altered NLR did not retain an independent value. In the subgroup of patients treated with lymphadenectomy in addition to RNU, NLR was independently associated with CSS (p = 0.03).

Conclusion

In UTUC, preoperative NLR is associated with adverse clinicopathologic features and independently predicts features of biologically and clinically aggressive UTUC such as lymph node metastasis, muscle-invasive or non-organ-confined status. NLR may help better risk stratify patients with regard to lymphadenectomy and conservative therapy.

     

Late Recurrence After Radical Resection of Esophageal Cancer

Background

Approximately 10–20 % of esophageal cancer patients in whom recurrence is diagnosed experience late recurrence beyond 2 years after esophagectomy. However, the risk of late recurrence is still unclear. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors of late recurrence for appropriate postoperative surveillance.

Methods

A total of 447 patients underwent radical esophagectomy and reconstruction for esophageal cancer from 2005 to 2014. Patients who had recurrence beyond 2 years after esophagectomy were defined as the late recurrence group and the remaining patients with recurrence as the early recurrence group. A comparison of the clinicopathological factors and prognosis was performed between patients with early recurrence, late recurrence, and no recurrence.

Results

Recurrences were recognized in 117(26.2 %) of the 447 patients. Recurrence was diagnosed within 2 years after surgery in 103 patients (88.0 %) and after 2 years in 14 patients (12.0 %). Patients with late recurrence showed a favorable prognosis compared with those with early recurrence (P = 0.0131), and late recurrence was an independent factor associated with a favorable prognosis after recurrence (HR 0.199, P = 0.025). In the comparison between patients with late recurrence and those with no recurrence who had a minimal recurrence-free survival of 2 years, pathological lymph node metastasis at esophagectomy was found to be an independent predictor of late recurrence (HR 7.296, P = 0.043).

Conclusions

Pathological lymph node metastasis at esophagectomy is a risk factor of late recurrence for esophageal cancer, and a close, lifelong follow-up is recommended for such patients.

     

Clinical Analysis of Familial Nonmedullary Thyroid Carcinoma

Objective

To analyze the clinical characteristics of familial nonmedullary thyroid carcinoma (FNMTC), in order to provide evidence for early diagnosis and treatment.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated the inpatients between September 2006 and September 2013 in the First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, in which 78 patients with FNMTC from 31 families were analyzed by a comparison with 3445 control cases from the patients with sporadic nonmedullary thyroid carcinoma (SNMTC).

Results

There was no significant difference in gender, age, and tumor size between FNMTC and SNMTC patients. However, the characteristics of disease in multifoci, neck lymph node metastasis, invasion to the surrounding tissues, and coexistence with Hashimoto disease in two types of cancer patients show significant difference. They are: multifoci: 71.8 % (56/78) in FNMTC versus 46.3 % (1595/3445) in SNMTC; neck lymph node metastasis: 52.6 % (41/78) in FNMTC versus 33.3 % (1148/3445) in SNMTC; surrounding tissue invasion: 64.1 % (50/78) in FNMTC versus 48.5 % (1670/3445) in SNMTC; coexistence with Hashimoto disease: 30.8 % (24/78) in FNMTC versus 20.0 % (689/3445) in SNMTC.

Conclusion

Lymph node metastasis, multifoci, invasion to the surrounding tissues, and combination with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis are the main features of FNMTC, which suggests the extent of the operation for FNMTC patients should be amplified properly.

     

Atrial fibrillation after lung cancer surgery: incidence,severity, and risk factors

Purpose

Atrial fibrillation (Af) is a common post-operative cardiac complication after lung cancer surgery; however, the type of lung cancer surgery being performed has evolved, remarkably, into minimally invasive surgical procedures. The purpose of this study was to quantify the incidence and severity of post-operative Af and to identify the risk factors for Af, using a recent cohort of lung cancer surgery patients.

Methods

We reviewed, retrospectively, the medical records of 593 patients, who underwent lung cancer surgery between 2011 and 2013, for the development of post-operative Af.

Results

The overall incidence of post-operative Af in our study was 6.4 % (38/593). Three (8 %) of these 38 patients, subsequently, suffered brain infarction. Multivariate analysis revealed that mediastinal lymph node dissection (OR ND-2/ND-0–1 = 3.06; 95 % CI 1.06–10.9) was associated with the development of post-operative Af.

Conclusion

Omission of mediastinal lymph dissection for patients with early stage lung cancer and a high risk of Af should be considered to prevent post-operative Af.

     

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Versus Axillary Dissection in Node-Negative Early-Stage Breast Cancer: 15-Year Follow-Up Update of a Randomized Clinical Trial

Background

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) allows for staging of the axillary node status in early-stage breast cancer (BC) patients and avoiding complete axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) when the sentinel lymph node (SLN) is proven to be free of disease. In a previous randomized trial we compared SLNB followed by ALND (ALND arm) with SLNB followed by ALND only if the SLN presented metastasis (SLNB arm). At a mid-term of ≈ 6 years median follow-up, the two strategies appeared to ensure similar survival and locoregional control. We have revised these previous findings and update the results following a 15-year observation period.

Methods

Patients were randomly assigned to either the ALND or SLNB arm. The main endpoints were event-free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS), and axillary disease recurrence. EFS and OS were assessed using Kaplan–Meier analysis and the log-rank test.

Results

The ALND and SLNB arms included 115 and 110 patients, respectively. At 14.3 years median follow-up, 39 primary BC-related recurrences occurred, 22 (19 %) of which occurred in the ALND arm and 17 (16 %) occurred in the SLNB arm (p = 0.519). No axillary relapse developed in the SLNB arm, while two were observed in the ALND arm. OS (82.0 vs. 78.8 %) and EFS (72.8 vs. 72.9 %) were not statistically different between the ALND and SLNB arms (p = 0.502 and 0.953, respectively).

Conclusions

SLNB is a safe and efficacious component of the surgical treatment of early-stage BC patients. In the long-term, SLNB is equivalent to ALND in terms of locoregional nodal disease control and survival in this subset of patients.

     

A multicenter study of using carbon nanoparticles to show sentinel lymph nodes in early gastric cancer

Background

Lymph node metastasis occurs in approximately 10 % of early gastric cancer. Preoperative or intra-operative identification of lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer is crucial for surgical planning. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using carbon nanoparticles to show sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in early gastric cancer.

Methods

A multicenter study was performed between July 2012 and November 2014. Ninety-one patients with early gastric cancer identified by preoperative endoscopic ultrasonography were recruited. One milliliter carbon nanoparticles suspension, which is approved by Chinese Food and Drug Administration, was endoscopically injected into the submucosal layer at four points around the site of the primary tumor 6–12 h before surgery. Laparoscopic radical resection with D2 lymphadenectomy was performed. SLNs were defined as nodes that were black-dyed by carbon nanoparticles in greater omentum and lesser omentum near gastric cancer. Lymph node status and SLNs accuracy were confirmed by pathological analysis.

Results

All patients had black-dyed SLNs lying in greater omentum and/or lesser omentum. SLNs were easily found under laparoscopy. The mean number of SLNs was 4 (range 1–9). Carbon nanoparticles were around cancer in specimen. After pathological analysis, 10 patients (10.99 %) had lymph node metastasis in 91 patients with early gastric cancer. SLNs were positive in 9 cases and negative in 82 cases. In pathology, carbon nanoparticles were seen in lymphatic vessels, lymphoid sinus, and macrophages in SLNs. When SLNs were positive, cancer cells were seen in lymph nodes. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of black-dyed SLNs in early gastric cancers were 90, 100, and 98.9 %, respectively. No patient had any side effects of carbon nanoparticles in this study.

Conclusions

It is feasible to use carbon nanoparticles to show SLNs in early gastric cancer. Carbon nanoparticles suspension is safe for submucosal injection.

     

Acute Appendicitis: A Weak Concordance Between Perioperative Diagnosis,Pathology and Peritoneal Fluid Cultivation

Background

The classification of acute appendicitis (AA) into various grades is not consistent, partly because it is not clear whether the perioperative or the histological findings should be the foundation of the classification. When comparing results from the literature on the frequency and treatment of AA it is important that the classifications are consistent. Furthermore, in the clinical settings, incorrect classification might lead to over diagnosing and a prolonged antibiotic treatment. The aim of our study was to investigate the concordance between perioperative diagnosis made by the surgeon and the histological findings of the removed appendix and furthermore compare this to the results from cultivation of peritoneal fluid aspirated perioperatively.

Methods

A prospective observational cohort study including patients (≥15 years of age) undergoing appendectomy.

Results

A total of 131 patients were included. In 116 (89 %) of these cases, appendicitis was confirmed histological. There was low concordance between the perioperative and histological diagnoses, varying from 16 to 76 % depending on grade of AA. Only 44 % of the patients receiving antibiotics postoperatively had a positive peritoneal fluid cultivation.

Conclusion

There was a low concordance in clinical and histopathological diagnoses of the different grades of appendicitis. Perioperative cultivation of the peritoneal fluid as a standard should be further examined. The potential could be a reduced postoperative antibiotic use.

Clinicaltrials.gov

Registration no.: NCT02304653.

     

Positive Lymph Node Ratio as an Indicator of Prognosis and Local Tumor Clearance in N3 Gastric Cancer

Background

Nodal metastasis is an important clinical issue in gastric cancer patients. This study was designed to investigate the clinical usefulness of the positive lymph node ratio (PLNR), which reflects both metastatic and retrieved lymph node numbers, in patients with pN3 gastric cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the records of 138 consecutive pN3 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy from 2000 to 2012.

Results

A PLNR of 0.4 was proved to be the best cutoff value to stratify the prognosis of patients with pN3 gastric cancer (P?<?0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that older age, larger tumor size (≥10 cm), and PLNR?≥?0.4 [P?<?0.001, HR 3.1 (95 % CI 1.7–5.4)] were independent prognostic factors in pN3 gastric cancer. Regarding the recurrence, patients with PLNR <0.4 had a significantly lower rate of lymph node recurrence than those with PLNR ≥0.4 (P?=?0.020). There was no significant difference in the lymph node recurrence rate between N3a and N3b patients in the PLNR <0.4 group [P?=?0.546, 11.6 % (7/60) vs. 12.5 (1/8)], indicating a better local control regardless of pN3 subgroups.

Conclusions

PLNR is useful to stratify the prognosis and evaluate the extent of local tumor clearance in pN3 gastric cancer.

     

The Oncological Value of Omentectomy in Gastrectomy for Cancer

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the oncologic value of omentectomy in patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Methods

All consecutive patients with gastric cancer that underwent gastrectomy with curative intent between April 2012 and August 2015 were prospectively analyzed. The greater omentum was separately marked during operation and pathologically evaluated for the presence of omental lymph nodes and tumor deposits.

Results

In total, 50 patients were included. The greater omentum harbored lymph nodes in nine (18 %) patients. The omental lymph nodes contained metastases in one (2 %) patient, still free of disease after 20 months. Omental tumor deposits were found in four (8 %) patients; one died <30 days postoperative and three developed peritoneal carcinomatosa after 4, 4, and 8 months. Patients with omental tumor deposits had a significantly reduced 1-year disease-free survival compared to patients without tumor deposits (0 vs. 58.7 %, p?=?0.003). No predictive factors for omental tumor involvement could be identified.

Conclusion

Omental lymph node metastases or tumor deposits are present in 10 % of Western European patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Omentectomy has a prognostic and oncologic value in the curative treatment of patients with gastric cancer. As no predictive factors for omental tumor involvement could be identified, omentectomy should be the standard in gastrectomy for gastric cancer patients.

     

Laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision via combined medial and cranial approaches for transverse colon cancer

Purpose

To evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision via combined medial and cranial approaches with three-dimensional visualization around the gastrocolic trunk and middle colic vessels for transverse colon cancer.

Methods

We evaluated prospectively collected data of 30 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision between January 2010 and December 2015, 6 of whom we excluded, leaving 24 for the analysis. We assessed the completeness of excision, operative data, pathological findings, length of large bowel resected, complications, length of hospital stay, and oncological outcomes.

Results

Complete mesocolic excision completeness was graded as the mesocolic and intramesocolic planes in 21 and 3 patients, respectively. Eleven, two, eight, and three patients had T1, T2, T3, and T4a tumors, respectively; none had lymph node metastases. A mean of 18.3 lymph nodes was retrieved, and a mean of 5.4 lymph nodes was retrieved around the origin of the MCV. The mean large bowel length was 21.9 cm, operative time 274 min, intraoperative blood loss 41 mL, and length of hospital stay 15 days. There were no intraoperative and two postoperative complications.

Conclusion

Our procedure for laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision via combined medial and cranial approaches is safe and feasible for transverse colon cancer.