Prognosis of video-assisted thoracoscopic pulmonary metastasectomy in patients with colorectal cancer lung metastases: an analysis of 154 cases

Purpose

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is widely used in thoracic surgery and increasingly applied to pulmonary metastasectomy. The purpose of this study was to identify prognostic factors of patients undergoing VATS pulmonary metastasectomy from colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

Between January 2005 and June 2015, a total of 154 patients underwent VATS pulmonary metastasectomy from CRC. Patient demographic data and characteristics of the primary tumor and pulmonary metastasis were analyzed to identify factors significantly correlated with prognosis.

Results

The median follow-up period after pulmonary resection was 37 months. The cumulative 5-year overall survival rate after VATS pulmonary metastasectomy from CRC was 71.3%. History of metastasis to other sites (p = 0.035), status of mediastinal lymph nodes (p < 0.001), and preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (p = 0.013) were identified as independent prognostic factors. Subgroup analysis with a combination of these three independent prognostic factors revealed 5-year OS rates of 91.0, 70.0, 30.3, and 0.0% for patients with zero, one, two, and three risk factors, respectively. Other factors, such as sex, disease-free interval, T stage of primary tumor, and status of lymph node near the primary tumor, were not significantly associated with prognosis.

Conclusion

VATS pulmonary metastasectomy is efficacious for patients with CRC pulmonary metastases. History of metastasis to other sites, status of mediastinal lymph nodes, and preoperative CEA level were identified as independent prognostic factors. The number of risk factors significantly influenced patient survival.

     

Metachronous colorectal cancer

Aim

In this study, we present our patients with metachronous colorectal cancer.

Patients and methods

In the period between 1990 and 2009, 670 patients with colorectal cancer were treated.

Results

Metachronous cancer was developed in 4 (0.6%) patients. The time interval between index and metachronous cancer was 28 months to 22 years (mean 146 months).

Conclusion

Metachronous colorectal cancer is a potential risk that proves the necessity of postoperative colonoscopic control of all patients with colorectal cancer.

     

Assessment for diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in esophageal cancer using endoscopic ultrasound elastography

Background

We performed endoscopic ultrasound real-time tissue elastography to more accurately diagnose lymph node metastasis of esophageal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of EUS elastography to distinguish benign from malignant lymph nodes in esophageal cancer patients.

Methods

The present study had two steps. As the first step (study 1), we developed diagnostic criteria for metastatic lymph nodes using elastography and verified the validity of the criteria. Three hundred and twenty-two lymph nodes from 35 patients treated by surgical resection were included in the study. As the second step (study 2), we preoperatively examined the lymph nodes of esophageal cancer patients with EUS elastography and compared its diagnostic performance with that of the conventional B-mode EUS images. A total of 115 lymph nodes from 31 patients were included.

Results

In study 1, lymph nodes were considered malignant if 50 % or more of the node appeared blue, or if the peripheral part of the lesion was blue and the central part was red/yellow/green. The sensitivity and specificity of the elastography were 79.7 and 97.6 % with an accuracy of 93.8 %, which was significantly higher than the values for conventional B-mode imaging. In study 2, the sensitivity and specificity of the EUS elastography were 91.2 and 94.5 % with an accuracy of 93.9 %, which was also significantly higher than the values for conventional B-mode EUS imaging.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated that EUS elastography is useful for diagnosing lymph node metastasis of esophageal cancer.

     

Evaluation of esophageal and airway stent placement for patients with advanced and recurrent esophageal cancer

Background

Patients with advanced esophageal cancer frequently experience dysphagia and dyspnea, and relief of such symptoms is important. We wished to clarify the efficacy of endoscopic stent placement in patients with dysphagia or dyspnea caused by advanced esophageal cancer.

Methods

A database of patients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophageal and airway stent insertion between 2005 and 2012 was analyzed retrospectively. Effects and complications of stent insertion, and survival after stent insertion, were investigated.

Results

Eighteen patients were treated by esophageal (n = 10) and/or airway (n = 9) stent placement. Marked improvements in food intake were recognized in eight patients after esophageal stenting. Marked improvements in breathing were observed in all patients after airway stenting. Dysphagia scores in the esophageal stent group as well as dyspnea grades in Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.0 (CTCAE 4.0) in the airway stent group were significantly improved (p = 0.0078). In the esophageal stent group, major complications (CTCAE grade ≥3) occurred in seven of ten patients (70 %). In the airway stent group, major complications occurred in three of nine patients (33 %). Median survival of all 18 patients was 87.5 (range 13–1952) days after esophageal and/or airway stent placement.

Conclusions

Stent placement is effective for the improvement of malignant dysphasia and dyspnea caused by advanced esophageal cancer.

     

Prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis after thoracoabdominal esophagectomy does not reduce the risk of pneumonia in the first 30 days: a retrospective before-and-after analysis

Purpose

Thoracoabdominal esophageal resection for malignant disease is frequently associated with pulmonary infection. Whether prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis beyond a single perioperative dose is advantageous in preventing pulmonary infection after thoracoabdominal esophagectomy remains unclear.

Methods

In this retrospective before-and-after analysis, 173 patients between January 2009 and December 2014 from a prospectively maintained database were included. We evaluated the effect of a 5-day postoperative course of moxifloxacin, which is a frequently used antimicrobial agent for pneumonia, on the incidence of pulmonary infection and mortality after thoracoabdominal esophagectomy.

Results

104 patients received only perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis (control group) and 69 additionally received a 5-day postoperative antibiotic therapy with moxifloxacin (prolonged-course). 22 (12.7%) of all patients developed pneumonia within the first 30 days after surgery. No statistically significant differences were seen between the prolonged group and control group in terms of pneumonia after 7 (p?=?0.169) or 30 days (p?=?0.133), detected bacterial species (all p?>?0.291) and 30-day mortality (5.8 vs 10.6%, p?=?0.274).

Conclusion

A preemptive 5-day postoperative course of moxifloxacin does not reduce the incidence of pulmonary infection and does not improve mortality after thoracoabdominal esophagectomy.

     

Diagnostic delay of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial infection in China

Background

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection is an emerging, but neglected public health concern in China.

Findings

To investigate diagnostic delay of NTM diseases in China, we analyzed 91 patients with pulmonary NTM infection in ShandongProvince. The median diagnostic delay time of the analyzed patients was 84 days, which was significantly associated with rural inhabitance (135 days vs. 73 days of urban inhabitance, p?<?0.01) and lower level of first visiting hospitals/clinics (70 and 82 days of tertiary and secondary hospitals/clinics respectively vs. 120 days of primary hospitals/clinics, p?<?0.05). M. farcinogenes was isolated from a 79-year-old male patient, which is the first report of pulmonary infection in humans.

Conclusions

Our results indicate a significant diagnostic delay of NTM diseases in China, especially for rural patients with limited access to higher-level healthcare services.

     

Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in cirrhotic patients in Nile Delta

Background and Study Aims

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB) in cirrhotic patients occurs mainly from esophageal and gastric varices; however, quite a large number of cirrhotic patients bleed from other sources as well. The aim of the present work is to determine the prevalence of non-variceal UGIB as well as its different causes among the cirrhotic portal hypertensive patients in Nile Delta.

Methods

Emergency upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy for AUGIB was done in 650 patients. Out of these patients, 550 (84.6 %) patients who were proved to have cirrhosis were the subject of the present study.

Results

From all cirrhotic portal hypertensive patients, 415 (75.5 %) bled from variceal sources (esophageal and gastric) while 135 (24.5 %) of them bled from non-variceal sources. Among variceal sources of bleeding, esophageal varices were much more common than gastric varices. Peptic ulcer was the most common non-variceal source of bleeding.

Conclusions

Non-variceal bleeding in cirrhosis was not frequent, and sources included peptic ulcer, portal hypertensive gastropathy, and erosive disease of the stomach and duodenum.

     

Various clinicopathological features of patients with metachronous colorectal cancer in relation to different diagnostic intervals

Backgrounds

Clinicopathologic factors relating to developing metachronous colorectal cancer (CRC) have been reported. However, the effects of different diagnostic intervals on these risk factors required further analysis.

Patients and methods

This retrospective study comprised 14,481 patients diagnosed from January 1995 to December 2012. Metachronous CRC was defined as the occurrence of a second colorectal cancer at least 1 year post-operatively.

Results

A total of 153 (1.06%) patients developed metachronous CRCs during the follow-up. Significantly higher rates of developing metachronous cancer occurred in male patients (1.2 vs 0.9%), patients with synchronous CRC (2.0 vs 1.0%), and patients with a positive family history of CRC (1.4 vs 0.9%). Pertaining to diagnostic intervals related to clinicopathological features, more severe staging was significant in the diagnostic interval between 2 and 3 years (35 vs 7.7%, 20.6%, 17.5%, P?=?.01) compared with other intervals. Male patients were more frequently detected to have CRC within 3 years compared with females (53.1 vs 29.1%, P?=?.005). For a diagnostic interval ≧ 5 years, a significantly higher rate of metachronous CRC located at the right colon was observed than that located at the left colon (36.6 vs 19.7%, p?=?0.03).

Conclusions

We evinced that a diagnostic interval between 2 and 3 years was a key time for metachronous CRC diagnosis with worse staging distribution. Based on current findings, we recommend the stratification of metachronous CRCs into diagnostic intervals of 1–2, 2–3, and ≧ 3 years, as they exhibit significantly different characteristics.

     

Prognosis of Cancer with Synchronous or Metachronous Malignant Pleural Effusion

Purpose

Malignant pleural effusions (MPE) may either coincide with or follow the diagnosis of a primary tumor. Whether this circumstance influences prognosis has not been well substantiated.

Methods

Retrospective review of all consecutive patients who were cared for at a Spanish university hospital during an 11-year period and received a diagnosis of MPE.

Results

Of 401 patients, the MPE was the first evidence of cancer in 265 (66%), and it followed a previously diagnosed neoplasm in 136 (34%). Lung cancer predominated in the former group (131, 50%), and breast cancer in the latter (55, 40%). MPE that were the presenting manifestation of hematological and ovarian tumors had a statistically significant survival advantage as compared to those which developed in patients from a previously known cancer (respective absolute differences of 41 and 20 months; p < 0.005).

Conclusions

In hematological and ovarian malignancies, the synchronous or metachronous diagnosis of MPE may have prognostic implications.

     

The effect of an elemental diet on oral mucositis of esophageal cancer patients treated with DCF chemotherapy: a multi-center prospective feasibility study (EPOC study)

Purpose

Oral mucositis (OM) is one of the most uncomfortable adverse events experienced by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Previous reports have revealed that the oral administration of an elemental diet (ED) may prevent OM. However, the incidence of OM has not been accurately determined by specialized diagnostic methods and the effects of an ED on OM remain unclear. We investigated the dose that could feasibly be administered and its effects with regard to the suppression of OM in esophageal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods

We performed a prospective multi-center feasibility study of the administration of an ED (160 g/day) with 2 cycles of docetaxel/cisplatin/5-FU (DCF) chemotherapy. We assessed compliance to the ED for 49 days and the incidence of OM according to the amount of the ED that was orally administered. The incidence of OM was graded by a dental specialist who was experienced in dental oncology using a central OM review system.

Results

Fourteen of 20 patients (70%) were able to complete the orally administered ED (160 g/day) during the course of chemotherapy. Three patients (15%) could not take the ED orally for 9, 14, and 21 days, respectively, while 1 patient (5%) took the ED orally at an average dose of 80 g/day for 35 days. The remaining 2 patients (10%) could not take the 80 g/day dose for 11 and 12 days, respectively. The incidence of grade?≥?2 OM in the ED completion group (15.4%, 2 of 13 patients) was significantly lower than that in the non-completion group (66.7%, 4 of 6 patients) (p?=?0.046).

Conclusions

An ED might be a one of the test treatment to reduce the incidence of OM in esophageal cancer patients treated with DCF and should be evaluated in further randomized study.

Clinical trial

The date of submission: Dec 08th, 2017.

     

Incidence and risk factors of advanced neoplasia after endoscopic mucosal resection of colonic laterally spreading lesions

Purpose

To investigate advanced neoplasia (AN) after endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of colonic laterally spreading lesions (LSLs).

Methods

A retrospective study of patients who underwent injection-assisted EMR of colonic LSLs ≥?10 mm was performed. Primary outcome was overall rate of AN at initial surveillance colonoscopy. Secondary outcomes were the rates of residual AN (rAN) at the EMR site and metachronous AN (mAN), and analysis of risk factors for AN, including effect of surveillance guidance.

Results

Three hundred seventy-four patients underwent successful EMR for 388 LSLs. AN occurred in 66/374 (17.6%) patients on initial surveillance colonoscopy at median follow-up of 364.5 days. Two patients had both rAN and mAN, for a total of 68 instances of AN, including 30/374 (8.0%) cases of rAN and 38/374 (10.2%) cases of mAN. On multivariate analysis, use of piecemeal resection was associated with increased likelihood of residual AN (P?=?0.003, OR 9.2, 95% CI 2.1–33.3). Twenty-nine out of thirty cases (96.7%) of rAN were successfully endoscopically managed at surveillance colonoscopy.

Conclusions

AN occurred in 17.6% of all patients at initial surveillance colonoscopy at a median of 1 year after EMR. Roughly half of the instances of AN were metachronous lesions. Our data support a 1-year surveillance interval after EMR of LSLs ≥?10 mm with careful inspection of the entire colon, not just the prior resection site.

     

Validation study of a health risk appraisal model and endoscopic screening for early esophageal cancer in men in specialized hospitals

Background

This study was designed to validate a health-risk appraisal (HRA) model for identifying Japanese men in specialized hospitals who were at high risk for esophageal cancer on the basis of their past and present facial flushing reactions after drinking alcohol, drinking and smoking status, and intake of vegetables and fruit.

Methods

We prospectively studied men 50 years or older with no history of head and neck cancer or esophageal cancer who presented at Kitasato University Hospital to undergo endoscopic examination from January 2011 to March 2013. The subjects responded to an HRA questionnaire before examination.

Results

Among the 164 patients enrolled, 157 were eligible for analysis. The median HRA score was 3 in patients aged 70–90 years and 6 in those aged 50 to 69 years. Early esophageal cancer was diagnosed on endoscopic examination in 3 subjects (1.9%, 3/157). Among 70 patients 70–90 years of age, 18 (25.7%, 18/70) had an HRA score of 7 or higher, and early esophageal cancer was detected in 2 (11.1%, 2/18) of these patients. Early esophageal cancer was not detected in 87 patients 50–69 years of age. Early esophageal cancer was detected in a 70-year-old patient with an HRA score of 2 who had no history of drinking alcohol or smoking.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that an HRA questionnaire is useful for identifying persons 70 years or older who are at high risk for alcohol-related esophageal cancer in specialized hospitals.

     

Effects of acotiamide on esophageal motility in healthy subjects: a randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled crossover study

Background

Acotiamide is a new drug that exhibits prokinetic activity by enhancing the release of acetylcholine. However, its effects on esophageal motility currently remain unknown. Therefore, we herein investigated the effects of acotiamide on esophageal motility in healthy, asymptomatic subjects.

Methods

Thirty healthy subjects received 100 mg of acotiamide or placebo three times a day for 7 days separated by a 28-day washout period in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. On the seventh day of treatment, esophagogastric junction pressure, integrated relaxation pressure, and primary peristalsis were assessed using high-resolution manometry.

Results

Esophagogastric junction pressure was significantly higher in the acotiamide group (median 28.2 mmHg) than in the placebo group (24.0 mmHg), whereas no significant differences were observed in integrated relaxation pressure, the distal contractile integral, or contraction patterns between the two groups. Among 13 healthy subjects with peristaltic abnormalities, no significant differences were noted in integrated relaxation pressure or the distal contractile integral between the acotiamide and placebo groups; however, the esophagogastric junction pressure (acotiamide 23.4 mmHg; placebo 21.7 mmHg) significantly increased, the contraction pattern significantly improved, and the frequency of esophageal peristaltic abnormalities significantly decreased in the acotiamide group.

Conclusion

Acotiamide improves the peristaltic pattern in patients with peristaltic abnormalities by decreasing weak peristalsis with a small break.

     

Use of self-expandable plastic stents (SEPS) in management of refractory benign esophageal strictures: a single center experience

Back ground

Benign esophageal stricture is a common cause for dysphagia in adults. It can negatively affect the quality of patient’s life and may cause many complications. Benign esophageal strictures are caused by different procedures and disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, post-surgery anastomotic stricture, radiation, ablative therapy or caustic ingestion. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of Polyflex stent insertion in refractory benign esophageal strictures in patients admitted to the endoscopy unit of the Medical Research Institute hospital, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.

Patients and methods

Polyflex, self-expandable plastic stent, were inserted in nine patients with refractory benign esophageal strictures with follow-up for 1 year.

Results

Dysphagia was significantly improved in 88% of patients, after insertion of Polyflex stents. Complications reported were one patient with stent migration and 2 patients with esophageal ulceration.

Conclusion

The use of Polyflex stents in the management of benign refractory esophageal strictures appears to be promising with high clinical success rate and few manageable complications.

     

Oligometastatic colorectal cancer: is single-site bony colorectal metastasis a treatable condition?

Introduction

A potentially resectable bony metastasis in the context of oligometastatic colorectal cancer is uncommon. Bony metastases are usually considered a late event with poor prognosis and generally associated with liver and/or lung metastases.

Index case

A previously healthy 33-year-old gentleman, with no family history of colorectal cancer, presented with rectal bleeding and at colonoscopy had a biopsy-proven adenocarcinoma of the rectum, 7 cm from the anal verge. Imaging also showed an isolated bone metastasis in the left ischial tuberosity. Following recovery from an anterior resection and a segment 5 metastasectomy, he underwent resection of the bony metastasis with a left type 3 internal hemipelvectomy. Three years from the bony resection, there is no evidence of recurrence on imaging.

Discussion

Osseous metastases are usually treated with palliative intent with bisphosphonates or external radiation, with surgical fixation of pathological fractures in some cases. Median survival after diagnosis of bone metastases is less than 10 months. Surgery is perhaps the only way of potentially achieving cure in patients with single-site bony metastases from colorectal cancer. Reports of such surgery in the literature are however very scant.

Conclusion

Our case is unusual and ongoing follow up is required. However, current disease-free status at conventional and functional imaging is encouraging. A multidisciplinary and indeed multicentre approach may be needed, and oligometastatic disease, even to a bone, may be amenable to curative surgical intervention in highly selected cases.

     

Association of Structured Virtual Visits for Hypertension Follow-Up in Primary Care with Blood Pressure Control and Use of Clinical Services

Background

Optimal management of hypertension requires frequent monitoring and follow-up. Novel, pragmatic interventions have the potential to engage patients, maintain blood pressure control, and enhance access to busy primary care practices. “Virtual visits” are structured asynchronous online interactions between a patient and a clinician to extend medical care beyond the initial office visit.

Objective

To compare blood pressure control and healthcare utilization between patients who received virtual visits compared to usual hypertension care.

Design

Propensity score-matched, retrospective cohort study with adjustment by difference-in-differences.

Participants

Primary care patients with hypertension.

Exposure

Patient participation in at least one virtual visit for hypertension. Usual care patients did not use a virtual visit but were seen in-person for hypertension.

Main measures

Adjusted difference in mean systolic blood pressure, primary care office visits, specialist office visits, emergency department visits, and inpatient admissions in the 180 days before and 180 days after the in-person visit.

Key results

Of the 1051 virtual visit patients and 24,848 usual care patients, we propensity score-matched 893 patients from each group. Both groups were approximately 61 years old, 44% female, 85% White, had about five chronic conditions, and about 20% had a mean pre-visit systolic blood pressure of 140–160 mmHg. Compared to usual care, virtual visit patients had an adjusted 0.8 (95% CI, 0.3 to 1.2) fewer primary care office visits. There was no significant adjusted difference in systolic blood pressure control (0.6 mmHg [95% CI, ??2.0 to 3.1]), specialist visits (0.0 more visits [95% CI, ??0.3 to 0.3]), emergency department visits (0.0 more visits [95% CI, 0.0 to 0.01]), or inpatient admissions (0.0 more admissions [95% CI, 0.0 to 0.1]).

Conclusions

Among patients with reasonably well-controlled hypertension, virtual visit participation was associated with equivalent blood pressure control and reduced in-office primary care utilization.

     

Prospective pilot study of adoptive immunotherapy with autologous αβT cells for five cases of advanced and/or recurrent esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background

Although several clinical trials of vaccination and cellular immunotherapy for esophageal cancer have been reported, clinical trials of anti-CD3-activated autologous αβT cell therapy for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma are limited.

Method

A total of five patients with recurrent esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled in this prospective pilot study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the patients were cultured with immobilized anti-CD3 antibody and interleukin-2 for approximately 14 days, and 5 × 10⁹ lymphocytes were harvested. Expanded lymphocytes were intravenously infused every 2 weeks for six courses. All patients were followed up until death. The treatment response was assessed by the number of lymphocytes, CD4/CD8 ratio, serum tumor markers, and computed tomography scan.

Results

A total of 23 courses of treatment were completed. Three of the five patients (cases 2, 3, and 4) completed six courses of cell therapy according to the protocol. However, case 1 quit treatment after three courses and case 5 quit treatment after two courses because of tumor progression. There were no adverse effects related to cell therapy. Although cases 1 and 5 did not show any treatment benefits, cases 2, 3, and 4 showed some treatment benefits. Cases 2 and 4 showed long-term survived for more than 1 year.

Conclusion

These results might suggest the safety and benefits of anti-CD3-activated autologous αβT cell therapy for the part of the patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

     

Removable self-expanding metal stents insertion for the treatment of perforations and postoperative leaks of the esophagus

Background

Esophageal rupture, spontaneous or iatrogenic, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The current study aims at highlighting the various clinical scenarios, where esophageal fully covered self-expanding removable metal stents (FCSEMS) can be used in esophageal rupture.

Methods

In patients who underwent insertion of FCSEMS between January 2013 and June 2014, all data regarding demographics, indications, insertion, removal, and outcomes were studied retrospectively.

Results

Seven patients underwent the placement of esophageal covered SEMS. Two patients had Boerhaave syndrome, two had leak following the repair of aortic aneurysm, one had extensive esophageal injury following transesophageal echocardiography, one had carcinoma esophagus with tracheaesophageal fistula, and one had dehiscence of esophagogastric anastomosis. Stent insertion was successful in all the patients; one had stent migration which was managed endoscopically. Two patients died due to underlying illness; the rest had successful removal of stents after 8–10 weeks and good outcomes.

Conclusion

Esophageal FCSEMS placement is safe and effective modality in management of patients with esophageal rupture.

     

Laparoscopic colectomy for colonic carcinoma

Aim

The aim of this study is to present our experience with the laparoscopic treatment approach for colonic carcinoma.

Patients and methods

Between 2005 and 2010, laparoscopic colectomy was performed in 13 patients; 9 patients underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy, 3 sigmoidectomy and 1 patient underwent laparoscopic caecectomy.

Results

With regards to the right hemicolectomies, the average operative time was 168 min and the average hospital stay 5.3 days. In patients who underwent laparoscopic sigmoidectomy, the average operative time was 176 min, while the average hospital stay was 10.2 days. Finally, the laparoscopic caecectomy was performed in 85 min. There was one conversion (7.7%) to an open procedure, as well as one case (7.7%) of anastomotic leakage, which was treated with re-laparotomy and a Hartmann’s procedure. Up to today, all patients remain healthy with no signs of tumor recurrence.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic colectomy for cancer, in the hands of an experienced laparoscopic surgeon, is a safe and efficient procedure.