Long-term survival case of esophageal carcinosarcoma coexisting with alcoholic liver cirrhosis successfully treated by staged operation: A case report

IntroductionPatients with esophageal cancers including carcinosarcoma sometimes have underlying liver cirrhosis because of a history of heavy drinking. It is definitely required to determine the appropriate surgical strategy and to manage the patients promptly when performing esophagectomy for the esophageal carcinosarcoma coexisting with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.Presentation of caseA 56-year-old male patient with a history of chest pain and difficulty swallowing was admitted to our hospital. He had a history of drinking 250 g of alcohol per day. Endoscopy revealed an irregular protruding tumor on the left wall of the lower-third thoracic esophagus. Computed tomography showed a tumor lesion in the lower-third thoracic esophagus; the images also showed irregularities on the surface of the liver, suggestive of coexisting alcoholic liver cirrhosis. The preoperative diagnosis was T3N2M0, Stage III esophageal leiomyosarcoma. In consideration of the underlying alcoholic liver cirrhosis, a staged operation was planned for this patient as a curative treatment. The patient had an uneventful postoperative clinical course and was discharged on the 47th day after the first surgery. Final histopathological diagnosis was T2N0M0, Stage II esophageal carcinosarcoma. The patient is alive without recurrence three years after surgery.DiscussionThis is the first report of long-term survival case of esophageal carcinosarcoma with alcoholic liver cirrhosis that was treated successfully by staged operation.ConclusionsDespite coexisting with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, staged operation could reduce the surgical invasiveness, so that very good short-term outcome and long-term survival was obtained in the patient with esophageal carcinosarcoma.     

Prostatic cancer with multiple pulmonary metastases treated successfully with hormonal therapy: a case report

A 66-year-old, man was referred to our hospital for further examination of multiple pulmonary nodules on chest X-ray performed on medical examination. He was referred to our clinic because his chief complaint was poor urinary stream. Prostatic cancer was suspected on digital rectal examination and magnetic resonance imaging. Serum prostatic specific antigen (PSA) level was 134.9 ng/ml. Histological examination of transrectal prostatic sextant biopsy revealed well differentiated adenocarcinoma of prostate. Abdominal computed tomography-scan, gastro-intestinal tract examination and bone scintigraphy demonstrated no other primary lesions or distant metastases. Under the diagnosis of prostatic cancer with multiple pulmonary metastasis, we performed total androgen blockade (TAB) consisting of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone agonist and flutamide following dietylstilbestrol (DES) intravenous injection therapy. After three months, pulmonary nodules disappeared on chest X-ray and PSA level decreased to below 0.1 ng/ml. Pulmonary nodules also disappeared on CT-scan after six months after TAB. He is alive and free from the recurrence for 42 months.     

Long-term survival after surgical resection of metachronous lung,brain and thyroid gland metastases from rectal cancer: A case report

Introduction and importanceBrain and thyroid metastasis from rectal cancer are uncommon, and the prognosis is poor. We report a patient with rectal cancer who developed metachronous lung, brain and thyroid metastases. Each metastatic lesion was curatively resected resulting in prolonged survival.Case presentationA 60-year-old male underwent rectal cancer resection, and the pathological diagnosis was tubular adenocarcinoma, pT2,pN1a,M0, pStageⅢa. Ten years after rectal resection, a solitary tumor in the left lung was detected. The tumor was resected thoracoscopically and the pathological diagnosis was metastatic tumor. Three years after the pulmonary resection, a solitary brain tumor was detected. The tumor was removed surgically, and the pathology was metastatic tumor. Two years after brain resection, a thyroid mass was detected. A partial thyroidectomy was performed and the pathology with immunohistochemical staining confirmed the thyroid lesion as a metastasis from the previous rectal cancer. Four years after thyroid resection (19 years after the initial rectal resection), he died from multiple lung and bone metastases.Clinical discussionColorectal metastases to the brain and thyroid gland are uncommon and are usually found with other distant metastases. Overall survival has been reported to be extremely poor. In this patient, lung, brain, and thyroid metastases were solitary and metachronous, and each lesion was curatively resected. Surgical treatment might contribute to prolonged survival.ConclusionThe treatment strategy of each patient should be individualized and depends on the timing of metastasis development. Selected patients with complete resection of metachronous metastases may have prolonged survival.     

A case with synchronous multiple liver metastases from gastric carcinoma: postoperative long-term disease-free survival

Purpose  We herein report a case with synchronous multiple liver metastases from gastric carcinoma surviving disease-free for more than 10 years after hepatic resection. Methods  A 64-year-old male admitted to our hospital because of constitutional wariness. Preoperative diagnosis was type 1 gastric cancer at the lower third of the stomach and multiple metastases of both hepatic lobes. After we performed distal gastrectomy with regional lymphadenectomy and wedge hepatic resection for eight metastatic liver tumors, he received 5-fluoropyrimidine and platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy during the early postoperative period. Results  The pathologic examination revealed moderately differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma with regional lymph node metastasis and multiple liver metastases. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient is doing well without disease recurrence after more than 10 years following surgery. Conclusion  To the best of our knowledge, this patient is the longest disease-free survivor after liver resection for synchronous multiple liver metastases from advanced gastric cancer. In this modern era of developing liver surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy, combination therapy of aggressive surgery and early postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer with liver metastasis may allow long-term survival in selected patients.     

Long-term survival after surgical resection of metachronous inguinal lymph node and contralateral lung metastases from lung cancer; report of a case

The majority of patients with metastatic diseases are not indicated for radical surgery because of another metastatic lesions. We herein describe a case of long-term survival after surgical resections of metachronous inguinal lymph nodal and contralateral pulmonary metastases from lung cancer. In August 1999, a 71-year-old man presented with hemosputa. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed a tumor of the right lung. In January 2000, the right upper lobectomy was performed, and thereafter the lesion was diagnosed as a large cell carcinoma. Two months later, a groin tumor was detected, diagnosed as a metastatic lesion with aspiration cytology, and resected. In October 2001, a newly developing lung tumor in the left upper lobe was detected by routine chest CT. In December 2001, a partial resection of the left upper lobe was performed, and the tumor was diagnosed as a large cell carcinoma. The patient is alive without recurrence for 5 years.     

Long-term survival of a lung cancer patient treated with photodynamic therapy

A 63-year-old male, status post-right pneumonectomy, presented with hemoptysis. Although chest X-ray and CAT scan film findings were negative, bronchoscopy with biopsy from the left mainstem bronchus demonstrated squamous cell carcinoma. Because of the inoperable location of the lesion, the patient was treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT) in February 1984. At present, the patient is cancer free more then 6 years after PDT.     

Long-term survival after living-donor liver transplantation for unresectable colorectal metastases to the liver: case report

We present a case of long-term survival of a patient who underwent living-donor liver transplantation for unresectable liver metastases of colon cancer. Two years after left hemicolectomy and subsequent to repeated liver resections, this patient presented with unresectable metastatic disease confined to the liver. She was offered a living-donor liver transplantation, and her husband agreed to be the donor. Five years after transplant, she was alive and recurrence free.     

Unusual case of cavitary lung metastasis of esophageal cancer: A case report

Introduction and importanceCavitary lung metastases are rare. We experienced lung metastasis of esophageal cancer with a cavity, which is extremely rare.Case presentationA 69-year-old female diagnosed with thoracic esophageal cancer underwent radical esophagectomy. Pathological diagnosis was T3N0M0-pStageII. Cavitary lesion appeared in the lower lobe of the right lung 12 months after surgery. We suspected an inflammatory change and followed up strictly. On Computed tomography (CT) image 18 months after surgery, the cavitary lesion slightly increased in size, showing wall thickening and fluid inside. Fluid collection disappeared after antibiotic treatment. The patient was followed for 4 weeks without antibiotics and fluid collection reappeared. Cavitary lesion resection for the purpose of diagnosis was planned because malignancy could not be excluded, although the readministration of antibiotics was also considered. Thoracoscopic partial resection of the right lower lobe of the lung was performed. Histopathological examination showed squamous cell carcinoma which was similar in morphology to esophageal cancer. The final diagnosis was lung metastasis of esophageal cancer.Clinical discussionMetastatic lung cancer with a cavity is rare, accounting for approximately 4% of all cases. Moreover, Lung metastasis of esophageal cancer with a cavity is extremely rare.ConclusionsThe specimen collection, including total biopsy, should be aggressively performed when diagnosing cavitary lung disease in patients with a history of neoplastic disease.     

A case of long-term survival of advanced penile carcinoma treated with combination therapy

A 72-year-old man with genital ulcerative tumor was introduced to our hospital in December 1997. The pathological examination revealed well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. A diagnosis by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging indicated that a locally advanced penile carcinoma had infiltrated the urethra, prostate, pubic bone and there was also bilateral inguinal lymphoadenopathy. Linac irradiation (40Gy/4 weeks) combined with once-a-week administration of THP-ADM were indicated. One month after the combination therapy, the tumor size had become small enough to allow curative surgical treatment. Pathological examination revealed no positive margin. For eight years since this radical treatment, the patient has been healthy with no local recurrence and no distant metastatic lesion.     

Advanced esophageal cancer with an esophago-bronchial fistula successfully treated by chemoradiotherapy following esophageal bypass surgery: report of a case

Esophageal bypass surgery using a gastric tube prior to definitive chemoradiotherapy in preparation for the formation of esophago-tracheal or bronchial fistula is a possible strategy for esophageal cancer invading the airway. This report presents the case of a patient with esophageal cancer involving the left main bronchus who underwent esophageal bypass followed by definitive chemoradiotherapy and who has achieved long-term survival without deterioration of his quality of life, in spite of the development of a malignant esophago-bronchial fistula.     

Liver metastases from breast cancer: long-term survival after curative resection

BACKGROUND: Liver metastases from breast cancer are associated with a poor prognosis (median survival < 6 months). A subgroup of these patients with no dissemination in other organs may benefit from surgery. Available data in the literature suggest that only in exceptional cases do these patients survive more than 2 years when given chemohormonal therapy or supportive care alone. We report the results of liver resection in patients with isolated hepatic metastases from breast cancer and evaluate the rate of long-term survival, prognostic factors, and the role of neoadjuvant high-dose chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over the past decade, 17 women underwent hepatic metastectomy with curative intent for metastatic breast cancer. The follow-up was complete in each patient. The median age at the time breast cancer was diagnosed was 48 years. Neoadjuvant high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) with hematopoietic progenitor support was used in 10 patients before liver resection. Perioperative complications, long-term outcome, and prognostic factors were evaluated. RESULTS: Seven of the 17 patients are currently alive, with follow-up of up to 12 years. Four of these patients are free of tumors after 6 and 17 months and 6 and 12 years. The actuarial 5-year survival rate is 22%. One patient died postoperatively (mortality rate, 6%) of carmustine-induced fibrosing pneumonitis. There was no further major morbidity in the other patients. The liver was the primary site of recurrent disease after liver resection in 67% of the patients. Patients in whom liver metastases were found more than 1 year after resection of the primary breast cancer had a significantly better outcome than those with early (< 1 year) metastatic disease (P = .04). The type of liver resection, the lymph node status at the time of the primary breast cancer resection, and HDC had no significant impact on patient survival in this series. CONCLUSIONS: Favorable 22% long-term survival can be achieved with metastasectomy in this selected group of patients. Careful evaluation of pulmonary toxicity from carmustine and exclusion of patients with extrahepatic disease are critical. Improved survival might be achieved with better selection of patients and the use of liver-directed adjuvant therapy.     

Pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer after surgery for esophageal cancer with gastric tube reconstruction in a long-term survivor: A case report

IntroductionTo maintain the blood circulation of the gastric tube in pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) for periampullary cancer after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, it is necessary to preserve the gastroduodenal artery and its branch, the right gastroepiploic artery, which are usually resected for more convenient, complete, and effective lymph node dissection. Here we report the case of a patient with a postoperative survival period of more than 5 years.Presentation of caseA 79-year-old man, who underwent subtotal esophagectomy and gastric tube reconstruction 11 years ago, was diagnosed with pancreatic head cancer during routine examination 5 years after the esophageal surgery. After placement of a coronary artery stent for an arterial branch stenosis incidentally found during preoperative screening electrocardiogram, he underwent pancreatic surgery. As the tumor did not extend to the anterior surface of the pancreas and as there were no swollen lymph nodes in the area, the gastroduodenal artery, the gastroepiploic artery and vein could be preserved. Elective PPPD was conducted without incident, and good preoperative gastric tube circulation was maintained postoperatively. Reconstruction was performed according to the modified Child procedure with duct-to-mucosa stentless pancreaticojejunostomy. The postoperative course was uneventful and though it took the patient a long time to overcome the physical decline, he remains alive with no recurrent disease over 5 years post-operation.ConclusionAlthough PPPD may be performed after esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction, it is still unclear how the risk of recurrence is affected. Therefore, the indications of this procedure should always be carefully considered.     

A giant Krukenberg tumor from a perforated gastric cancer that was successfully removed after multidisciplinary therapy: report of a case

A 46-year-old female underwent total gastrectomy with a combined resection of the pancreatic tail, spleen, and lateral segment of the liver surgery after conservative medical management for a perforated advanced gastric cancer. The histological findings showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, and the tumor was Stage IIIC. S-1 and “Kampo-Juzen-taiho-to” were administered as postoperative adjuvant chemo-immunotherapy. A Krukenberg tumor was identified 4 years later. The histological findings strongly suggested the presence of peritoneal dissemination, and S-1-based combined chemotherapies using key drugs such as CDDP, CPT-11, and taxane with the biochemical response modifier “Lentinan” was administered. However, the Krukenberg tumor rapidly increased in size after 4 years and she complained of abdominal distension. Therefore, it was removed with neither difficulties nor apparent recurrent disease, which was thought to be due to the S-1-based combined chemotherapy and the immunological agents are likely to have contributed to her long survival and good quality of life.     

Salvage esophagectomy for local recurrent esophageal cancer after definitive chemoradiotherapy followed by photodynamic therapy: A case report

IntroductionPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) is performed as a salvage treatment for patients with residual or recurrent esophageal cancer after chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Although PDT is considered less invasive than salvage surgery, it is unclear how deep its effects are and whether it causes damage to adjacent tissues. Herein, we report a case of esophageal cancer treated with PDT followed by esophagectomy. In this case, we evaluated the effect of PDT on adjacent tissues based on surgical and pathological examination.Presentation of caseA 58-year-old man with dysphagia was diagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC; T1N0M0, Stage I) in the upper thoracic esophagus. He underwent definitive CRT with two courses of 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin every 4 weeks with 60 Gy of radiation. Twelve months after CRT, endoscopic examination revealed local recurrence, and PDT using talaporfin sodium was performed. The tumor recurred again 6 months after PDT, and robot-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy was performed as a definitive treatment. Tissues around the left side of the esophagus and thoracic duct were tightly adherent with severe fibrosis and were successfully removed by extended resection. Histopathological examinations showed that the esophageal wall and peri-esophageal tissue were replaced by fibrous tissue and this extended even beyond the tumor.DiscussionThe primary tumor was limited to the submucosal layer, and the target for irradiation had some longitudinal margins. Therefore, PDT can cause intense inflammation in tissues adjacent to the tumor.ConclusionsIt is necessary to consider the location when performing salvage esophagectomy after PDT.     

De novo lung cancer diagnosed 32 months after liver transplantation: report of a case

Patients who undergo organ transplantation are now known to be at increased risk of the development of de novo malignant tumors. This is primarily a consequence of immunosuppression, which may promote tumor development and progression by a variety of mechanisms. It was also reported recently that the relative ratio of lung tumors developing in orthotopic liver transplantation patients was 3.7 times greater than in the general population. We report a case of de novo lung cancer diagnosed in a 65-year-old man 32 months after he underwent liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma secondary to hepatitis C virus cirrhosis. He had received tacrolimus as immunosuppressive therapy after the liver transplantation. The tumor was resected, and he remains well almost 3 years later. Previous reports provide evidence that immunosuppressive therapy is a risk factor for de novo lung cancer; thus, it is important to reduce immunosuppression for orthotropic liver transplantation patients, and to screen them carefully to detect the tumor at an early stage.