Locally advanced undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells of the pancreas

Undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells of the pancreas(UCOGCP) is an unusual pancreatic neoplasm that represents < 1% of all pancreatic malignancies. Moreover, the giant cells of UCOGCP morphologically resemble the benign giant cells of bone tumors. Due to the rarity of this tumor type, the histogenesis and biologic behavior of UCOGCP remain controversial. Here, we report a case of UCOGCP that exhibited an invasive growth pattern involving infiltration of the adjacent bowel loop and portal vein,as well as superior mesenteric vein thrombosis. The patient underwent a distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy and partial colectomy, followed by four cycles of gemcitabine chemotherapy. No evidence of recurrence was detected after ten years. In addition to this case, clinical information on other UCOGCP cases reported in the English literature is summarized.     

Undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells of the pancreas

Pure undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells of the pancreas is very rare. Its prognosis is grim. The clinicopathologic findings of a case of this unusual tumor are presented. Following resection, the patient at 9 mo follow-up developed local recurrence.     

Anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas: Case report and literature review of reported cases in Japan

We report a case of a 64-year-old woman with anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas (ACP) with cyst formation and review 60 ACP cases reported in Japan. In 20% of cases, laboratory tests revealed severe anemia (hemoglobin level < 10.0 g/dL) and elevated leucocyte counts (> 12000/mm³), which were likely attributable to rapid tumor growth, intratumoral hemorrhage, and necrosis. Elevated serum CA19-9 levels were observed in 55% of cases. Cyst-like structures were observed on imaging in 47% of cases, and this finding appears to reflect subsequent cystic degeneration in the lesion. Macroscopically, hemorrhagic necrosis was observed in 77% of cases, and cyst formation was observed in 33% of cases. ACP should be considered when diagnosing pancreatic tumors with a cyst-like appearance, especially in the presence of severe anemia, elevated leucocyte counts, or elevated serum CA19-9 levels.     

老年未分化型早期胃癌淋巴结转移的危险因素分析

目的总结老年患者未分化型早期胃癌（early gastric cancers,EGCs）的临床病理特征,分析未分化型EGCs淋巴结转移的危险因素。方法纳入2010年1月—2019年8月在北京协和医院行根治性胃癌切除+淋巴结清扫术,手术病理诊断符合EGCs的老年（≥65岁）患者,以分化型EGCs为对照,比较分析未分化型EGCs（即印戒细胞癌和低分化腺癌）的临床病理特征。用Logistic回归对老年未分化型EGCs淋巴结转移风险进行多因素分析。结果纳入老年EGCs共165例,其中未分化型EGCs 82例（印戒细胞癌11例,低分化腺癌 71例）,分化型EGCs 83例。淋巴结转移率方面,老年EGCs淋巴结转移率为9.1%（15/165）,分化型EGCs淋巴结转移率为4.8%（4/83）,未分化型EGCs淋巴结转移率为13.4%（11/82）。未分化型EGCs中,低分化腺癌淋巴结转移率为15.5%（11/71）,印戒细胞癌11例均无淋巴结转移。单因素分析提示浸润深度（P=0.019)、病变大小（P=0.006）、合并溃疡（P=0.006）、凹陷型（P=0.003）与老年未分化型EGCs淋巴结转移相关。多因素分析提示黏膜下层浸润（OR=11.98,95%CI:1.17~122.84,P=0.037 ）、病变直径＞2 cm（OR=11.95,95%CI:1.88~76.07,P=0.009)是老年未分化型EGCs淋巴结转移的独立危险因素。所有满足扩大适应证的老年未分化型EGCs无淋巴结转移。结论黏膜下层浸润、病变直径＞2 cm是老年未分化型EGCs淋巴结转移的独立危险因素。满足扩大适应证的老年未分化型EGCs患者适合内镜黏膜下剥离术治疗。     

A case of anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas producing granulocyte-colony stimulating factor

We report a case of anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas with production of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in a 59-year-old male. He was referred to our hospital with a chief complaint of epigastralgia and suffered from leukocytosis. Differential diagnosis included pancreatic tumors and submucosal tumor of the stomach, but definite preoperative diagnosis could not be made. He underwent distal pancreactomy, total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction and splenectomy. He recovered uneventfully postoperatively and was discharged from hospital on the 14th postoperative day. Histological examination showed anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas. Since the peripheral leukocyte count was sharply decreased after the operation, we suspected the tumor would be producing G-CSF. Then immunohistochemistry showed a positive stain in the tumor. Therefore, we diagnosed the tumor as anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas producing G-CSF. Three months after the resection, local recurrence was detected by abdominal computed tomography. The patient died of hemorrhagic shock due to tumor invasion of the intestine 8 months after the operation.     

Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: Survival and prognostic factors after lipiodol chemoembolisation in 89 patients

BACKGROUND: The majority of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma are not eligible for surgical radical treatment (resection or liver transplantation) and lipiodol chemoembolisation is an efficient alternative procedure in this indication. AIMS: To identify prognostic factors in patients treated with lipiodol chemoembolisation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During 10 years, 89 consecutive patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma underwent lipiodol chemoembolisation as a single treatment. There were 80 males and 9 females, with a median age of 65 years. Treatment consisted of one to six courses of hepatic intra-arterial lipiodol with doxorubicine and gelatin sponge. RESULTS: The median survival was 13 months with a 13.6% survival rate at 4 years. Univariate analysis showed that serum levels of albumin, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and alpha-fetoprotein, Child's class, tumour type, tumour size and intensity of lipiodol capture after the first course of lipiodol chemoembolisation were significant prognostic factors of survival. In the multivariate analysis, four parameters remained associated with a significantly better outcome: Child's class A, largest lesion<5 cm, uninodular tumour and intense lipiodol capture. CONCLUSIONS: While lipiodol chemoembolisation is associated with good results only in some patients, in the absence of lipiodol capture, it should be ruled out.     

分化不良型早期胃癌淋巴结转移的危险因素分析

目的评估分化不良型早期胃癌患者淋巴结转移的危险因素,探讨其内镜治疗的可能性。方法回顾性分析2002年9月-2008年12月经手术证实的100例分化不良型早期胃癌患者,对其年龄、性别、肿瘤大小、部位、大体类型、溃疡、组织学类型、浸润深度及淋巴管肿瘤浸润与淋巴结转移的关系进行单因素和多因素分析。结果分化不良型早期胃癌的淋巴结转移率达18．00％。多变量分析显示肿瘤大小（〉2cm）、侵犯至黏膜下层、淋巴管肿瘤浸润均是分化不良型早期胃癌淋巴结转移的独立危险因素（P〈0．05）。肿瘤大小和淋巴管肿瘤浸润是分化不良型黏膜内早期胃癌的淋巴结转移的独立危险因素。在直径≤2cm且无淋巴管肿瘤浸润的分化不良型黏膜内早期胃癌中未发现淋巴结转移。结论直径≤2cm且无淋巴管肿瘤浸润的分化不良型黏膜内癌患者可考虑内镜治疗,术后需密切随访。     

Des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin as an important prognostic indicator in patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM：To clarify the effect of a high des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin （DCP） level on the invasiveness and prognosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma.
METHODS： Among 142 consecutive patients with known DCP levels, who underwent hepatectomy because of hepatocellular carcinoma, 85 patients met the criteria for small hepatocellular carcinoma, i.e. one ≤ 5 cm sized single tumor or no more than three ≤ 3 cm sized tumors.
RESULTS： The overall survival rate of the 142 patients was 92.1% for 1 year, 69.6% for 3 years, and 56.9% for 5 years. Multivariate analysis showed that microscopic vascular invasion （P = 0.03） and serum DCP ≥ 400 mAU/mL （P = 0.02） were independent prognostic factors. In the group of patients who met the criteria for small hepatocellular carcinoma, DCP ≥ 400 mAU/mL was found to be an independent prognostic factor for recurrence-free （P = 0.02） and overall survival （P = 0.0005）. In patients who did not meet the criteria, the presence of vascular invasion was an independent factor for recurrence-free （P = 0.02） and overall survivals （P = 0.01）. In 75% of patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma and high DCP levels, recurrence occurred extrahepatically.
CONCLUSION： For small hepatocellular carcinoma, a high preoperative DCP level appears indicative fortumor recurrence. Because many patients with a high preoperative DCP level develop extrahepatic recurrence, it is necessary to screen the whole body.     

Successful treatment for undifferentiated carcinoma of the esophagus: a case with complete response to chemoradiotherapy

Undifferentiated carcinoma of the esophagus (UEC) is an uncommon esophageal malignancy, and patients with UEC have an especially poor prognosis because of extensive metastasis even at an early stage. A standard treatment regimen for UEC has not yet been established. We have experienced a case with UEC (T2N1, stage II) that achieved complete remission by chemoradiotherapy [cisplatin (CDDP) + 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 50 Gy]. A 67-year-old man with a 4-cm type 1 tumor in the middle thoracic esophagus was diagnosed as UEC (non-small cell type) histologically. Computerized tomographic (CT) scan of the chest showed metastatic lesions at the right recurrent nerve lymph nodes. Although the lesion was diagnosed as T2, N1, and stage II, the patient was judged to be a severe case because surgical control of UEC is almost impossible even at the early stages. Chemoradiotherapy (CRT; CDDP + 5-FU, and radiation) was selected for this case. In the first course of CRT, the patient was given CDDP (20 mg/m²) and 5-FU (700 mg/m²) for 5 days and concurrent external-beam irradiation (30 Gy, 2 Gy/day × 15 days) in the “long-T” field including the cervical and mediastinal lymph nodes. The second course was the same chemotherapy (CDDP 20 mg/m²/day + 5-FU 700 mg/m²/day, 5 days) with externalbeam irradiation (2 Gy/day) for 10 days (5 days/week, 2 weeks). After the first course of CRT, the patient already had achieved complete remission (CR). An upper gastrointestinal endoscopic study showed the tumor had almost disappeared and was covered by normal epithelium. Histological study from the biopsy samples showed there were no viable cancer cells at the lesion. CT scan of the chest showed the metastatic lesions at the right recurrent nerve lymph nodes had reduced. After the second course of CRT had been completed, the patient was discharged from the hospital. The patient is still alive with no cancer relapse at 2.5 years after the treatment. Further studies to clarify the response rate and survival effect of CRT in patients with UEC are expected.     

Pleomorphic carcinoma of the pancreas with osteoclast-like giant cells

Summary We studied two cases of pleomorphic carcinoma of the pancreas with osteoclast-like giant cells. The cut surface of both tumors was firm and whitish-tan in color, with extensive hemorrhage and necrosis. Microscopically, these tumors were composed mainly of pleomorphic mononuclear cells and numerous bizarre giant cells, with a spindle-cell sarcomatoid appearance and adenocarcinomatous elements exhibiting varying degrees of differentiation. Multinucleated giant cells resembling osteoclasts were frequently located around sites of necrotic hemorrhage. Immunohistochemically, most tumor cells of sarcomatous areas and some anaplastic giant cells were positive for vimentin and cytokeratin. Both carcinoembryonic antigen and CA 19-9 were detected in tumor cells in one case, forming ducts or glands. These findings suggest that the tumors in these two cases originated from pancreatic-duct cells with mesenchymal differentiation. In contrast, osteoclast-like giant cells in both cases showed strong immunoreactivity with vimentin and with KP1 and PG-M1 (CD68), which are monoclonal antibodies that react with a histiocyte-macrophage-associated antigen; however, there was no reaction with any epithelial markers. Thus, osteoclast-like giant cells are not epithelial in nature, suggesting that their origin of histiocyte-macrophage lineage is possibly induced as a paraneoplastic product.     

Poor prognostic factors of hepatectomy in patients with resectable small hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis

Purpose Some patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at an early stage cannot attain long-term survival after hepatectomy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the poor prognostic factors for hepatectomy in patients with resectable small HCC with cirrhosis.Methods We studied 95 patients with cirrhosis with HCC, which consisted of a single tumor 5 cm or smaller or two or three tumor nodules each 3 cm or less; an absence of extrahepatic metastasis; and an absence of radiological evidence of macroscopic portal vein or hepatic vein invasion. We used Coxs proportional hazard model to identify risk factors associated with prognosis to determine the contra-indications for hepatectomy in patients with resectable small HCC.Results Preoperative risk factors were: (1) serum AFP concentration of more than 400 ng/ml; (2) infiltrative-, massive-, or multinodular-type (multiple) HCC; and (3) the presence of intrahepatic metastasis. Patients who had had more than one of the three preoperative risk factors were poor candidates for hepatic resection, with a 4-year survival of 16.3%.Conclusion If patients with resectable small HCC are diagnosed as having more than one of three preoperative risk factors, they should not receive hepatectomy or should be considered for primary liver transplantation as a therapeutic option for HCC.     

食管癌淋巴结转移的危险因素分析

目的探讨食管癌淋巴结转移的危险因素。 方法回顾性分析2015年7月至2017年9月,新疆自治区人民医院胸外科行手术治疗食管癌的224例患者的病例资料,比较淋巴结转移组(转移组)与非淋巴结转移组(非转移组)的关系,并进行多因素Logistic回归进行分析,探讨淋巴结转移的危险因素。 结果患者症状期较长、肿瘤长度、分化程度、肿瘤分期T与淋巴结转移有显著相关性(P<0.05)。 结论肿瘤低分化、肿瘤长度>5 cm、肿瘤侵润深度T₃～T₄、患者症状期>6个月是淋巴结转移的危险因素,应尽可能选择经右胸入路胸腹腔镜辅助下食管癌根治术,并清扫双侧喉返神经淋巴结。     

放射性131Ⅰ治疗分化型甲状腺癌肺转移的疗效及其主要预后因素的系统评价

目的 对放射性131Ⅰ治疗分化型甲状腺癌肺转移的疗效及其主要预后因素进行系统评价.方法 计算机枪索了5个数据库.检出有关放射性131Ⅰ治疗分化型甲状腺癌肺转移疗效及其预后因素的文献,从中提取与131Ⅰ治疗及主要预后因素有关的患者的5年和(或)10年生存率,并用RevMan4.2软件进行统计分析.结果 共纳入11个回顾性队列研究.统计分析结果提示:接受131Ⅰ治疗与未接受131Ⅰ治疗患者的5年生存率分别为74.9%和27.1%.二组患者的10年生存率分别为60.8%和12.2%,二者之间的差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);仅肺转移患者的5年及10年生存率均高于合并多处转移的患者(P<0.01);乳头状甲状腺癌患者的5年及10年生存率均高于滤泡状甲状腺癌患者的5年(P=0.01)及10年生存率(P=0.002);男性与女性患者的5年及10年牛存率没有差异(P>0.05).结论 131Ⅰ治疗能明显提高分化型甲状腺癌肺转移患者的生存率;转移范围和组织学类型是分化型甲状腺癌肺转移患者的两个重要预后因素;患者的预后不受性别的影响.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma presenting with bone metastasis: clinical characteristics and prognostic factors

Purpose  The survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been prolonged with improvements in various diagnostic tools and treatment modalities. Consequently, bone metastases from HCC are diagnosed more frequently. We investigated the clinical features, prognosis, treatment outcomes, and prognostic factors of HCC presenting with bone metastasis. Methods  Between June 2000 and April 2007, we recruited 37 consecutive HCC patients presenting with bone metastasis. These patients were divided into an untreated control group (n = 16) and a treated group (n = 21). Results  The mean age of the patients was 61.1 years (male:female, 31:6). The most common cause of HCC was hepatitis B virus infection (56.8%). Twenty-two patients (59.5%) were of Child-Pugh class A and 15 (40.5%) were of Child-Pugh class B. Spinal metastasis was most common and noted in 21 patients (56.7%). The treatment modalities in the treated group included intra-arterial chemotherapy in nine patients (42.8%), systemic chemotherapy in five (23.8%), and both intra-arterial and systemic chemotherapy in seven (33.4%). The median survival of all patients was 6.2 months (range 0.7–46.6); that of untreated control group and the treated group was 2.9 (range 0.7–42.2) and 9.7 (range 0.9–46.6) months, respectively, with no significant difference (log-rank test, P = 0.081). Cox regression analysis revealed that the presence of ascites at the initial presentation was the only prognostic factor (P = 0.016). Conclusion  Although our study showed that locoregional and/or systemic chemotherapy did not provide significant survival prolongation compared to supportive care in patients with HCC initially accompanied by bone metastasis, a more large-scaled randomized study might be required. S. U. Kim and D. Y. Kim have equally contributed to this work.     

Re-evaluation of classical prognostic factors in resectable ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma carries a poor prognosis with annual deaths almost matching the reported incidence rates. Surgical resection offers the only potential cure. Yet, even among patients that undergo tumor resection, recurrence rates are high and long-term survival is scarce. Various tumorrelated factors have been identified as predictors of survival after potentially curative resection. These factors include tumor size, lymph node disease, tumor grade, vascular invasion, perineural invasion and surgical resection margin. This article will re-evaluate the importance of these factors based on recent publications on the topic, with potential implications for treatment and outcome in patients with pancreatic cancer.     

ALK gene copy number gain and its clinical significance in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM:To examine the status and clinical significance of anaplastic lymphoma kinase(ALK)gene alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)patients.METHODS:A total of 213 cases of HCC were examined by fluorescent in situ hybridization using dual color break-apart ALK probes for the detection of chromosomal translocation and gene copy number gain.HCC tissue microarrays were constructed,and the correlation between the ALK status and clinicopathological variables was assessed byχ2test or Fisher’s exact test.Survival analysis was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier approach with a Log-rank test.Univariate and multivariate analyses of clinical variables were performed using the Cox proportional hazards regression model.RESULTS:ALK gene translocation was not observed in any of the HCC cases included in the present study.ALK gene copy number gain(ALK/CNG)(≥4 copies/cell)was detected in 28(13.15%)of the 213 HCC patients.The 3-year progression-free-survival(PFS)rate for ALK/CNG-positive HCC patients was significantly poorer than ALK/CNG-negative patients(27.3%vs 42.5%,P=0.048),especially for patients with advanced stageⅢ/Ⅳ(0%vs 33.5%,P=0.007),and patients with gradeⅢdisease(24.8%vs 49.9%,P=0.023).ALK/CNG-positive HCC patients had a significantly poorer prognosis than ALK/CNG-negative patients in the subgroup that was negative for serum hepatitis B virus DNA,with significantly different 3-year overall survival rates(18.2%vs 63.6%,P=0.021)and PFS rates(18.2%vs 46.9%,P=0.019).Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis suggested that ALK/CNG prevalence can predict death in HCC(HR=1.596;95%CI:1.008-2.526,P=0.046).CONCLUSION:ALK/CNG,but not translocation of ALK,is present in HCC and may be an unfavorable prognostic predictor.     

Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma: a multicenter study

Background

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a very rare entity with a poor prognosis. Due to the lack of studies on the subject, evidence is lacking concerning its management.

Methods

A multicenter collaborative study was conducted to assess treatment strategy, oncological outcome, and prognostic factors.

Results

Definitive analyses focused on 54 patients with a majority of advanced stage; the 3‐year overall survival (OS) and 3‐year recurrence‐free survival (RFS) rates were, respectively, 62.4% and 47.8%. During the follow‐up, 18 patients (33.3%) died, 10 (18.5%) developed metastases, 7 had lymph‐node involvement (13%), and 12 (22.2%) showed recurrence or local progression. In univariate analyses, treatment modalities associated with improved RFS were induction chemotherapy (p = 0.02) and intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (p = 0.007). In the multivariate analyses, only induction chemotherapy (p = 0.047, hazard ratio [HR] = 0.39) was significantly associated with improved RFS.

Conclusion

Multimodal therapies including induction chemotherapy and intensity‐modulated radiotherapy may improve the prognosis of SNUC; surgery might improve local control. Further multicenter studies are required.

     

Long-term follow-up of 124 patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis: Statistical analysis of prognostic factors

Objectives. The aims of this study were to clarify the long-term outcome of patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis (PM/DM) and to elucidate prognostic factors using statistical analysis.

Methods. We enrolled patients with PM/DM who visited our department between 1990 and 2014. Diagnoses of PM/DM and clinically amyopathic DM were based on the definitions of Bohan and Peter, and Sontheimer, respectively. We also obtained clinical data, such as age of onset, sex, medications, and presence of interstitial lung disease and malignancies, as well as laboratory tests, including the values of creatine kinase, KL-6, and ferritin. The follow-up was conducted until June 2014.

Results. A total of 124 patients (PM: 46, DM: 78) were enrolled. The mean age of onset was 53.5 years, and females were predominant (64.5%). Overall survival rates were 93%, 86%, and 78% for 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. The survival rates were significantly lower in patients with higher age of onset, with malignancies, and with hyperferritinemia in univariate analysis; however, multivariate analysis identified age of onset and serum ferritin as the most significant prognostic factors.

Conclusions. Our study indicates that when age of onset and serum ferritin are used in combination, we can predict prognosis of patients with PM/DM.