Procedure for lymph node dissection around splenic artery in proximal gastric cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The effect of lymph node metastasis around the splenic artery on the prognosis of proximal gastric cancer patients is not confirmed. The aim of this study is to clarify the optimal procedure for lymph node dissection along the splenic artery in proximal gastric cancer. METHODOLOGY: Proximal gastric cancer patients who underwent total gastrectomy with pancreaticosplenectomy were examined. The anatomical location of lymph nodes and the metastases around the pancreas were also studied in pancreatic cancer patients who underwent total pancreatectomy. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis of lymph node metastasis around the splenic artery showed that No. 11 lymph node metastasis was affected by No.10 lymph node that was predicted by depth of invasion. Multivariate analysis of prognostic variables by Cox's proportional hazard regression revealed that No. 10 lymph node metastasis was the significant factor affecting prognosis. No lymph node metastasis infiltrating the pancreatic parenchyma was observed in the pancreatic body or the tail. CONCLUSIONS: Total gastrectomy preserving the pancreas and spleen is the optimal procedure in proximal T2 gastric cancer. Total gastrectomy with splenectomy is appropriate in T3 cases, and distal pancreatectomy should be additionally done only in cases of direct invasion by the lymph node and/or the tumor to the pancreas.     

Is pancreas and/or spleen resection required in total gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer?

OBJECTIVE: Total gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer is frequently combined with extended lymphadenectomy. This technique is easier when resection of distal pancreas and/or spleen is performed. We have tried to evaluate whether the resection of both structures and total gastrectomy in patients with advanced gastric cancer actually improve survival rates. PATIENTS: From 1991 to 1999, 140 patients with advanced gastric cancer underwent total gastrectomy at the General Hospital of Albacete: 43 with simple total gastrectomy, 57 with total gastrectomy plus splenectomy and 40 with total gastrectomy plus distal pancreaticosplenectomy. Univariate and multivariate analysis were conducted in order to evaluate different prognostic factors and survival curves among the groups. RESULTS: Survival rates of the three groups were compared for each factor, being only significant variables the degree of tumor infiltration in the gastric wall, the size of the tumor, the staging and the type of lymphatic infiltration. Neither splenectomy nor distal pancreaticosplenectomy improved the survival compared to simple total gastrectomy. Morbimortality rates increased with more aggressive surgical procedures, but differences were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Resection of distal pancreas and/or spleen plus total gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer is associated to a greater number of isolated lymph nodes, but do not improve the survival of patients.     

Indication of splenectomy for gastric carcinoma involving the proximal part of the stomach

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The role of splenectomy in the surgical management of gastric carcinoma is controversial and there is no consensus of opinion regarding the therapeutic value of splenectomy. The aim of this study was to search for possible metastasis to lymph nodes in the splenic hilum or along the splenic artery to avoid unnecessary splenectomy and to determine its indication. METHODOLOGY: The clinical records of 204 patients who underwent total gastrectomy combined with splenectomy for gastric carcinomas involving the proximal part of the stomach were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of nodal involvement to the splenic hilum and/or along the splenic artery was 49 (24.0%) of 204 gastric carcinomas involving the proximal part of the stomach that underwent combined gastrectomy and splenectomy. The characteristics of gastric carcinoma with metastasis to these nodes included a larger tumor, deeper penetration (T3, 4 tumors), a number of lymph node metastasis, and infiltrative type. In T2 cases, all the tumors with cancerous involvement to these nodes showed intraoperative gross serosal change). When the tumor size was less than 40 mm, nodal metastatic rate to the splenic hilum and/or along the splenic artery was very low. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, splenectomy should be conducted in T2 cases with gross serosal change and T3, 4 cases. With regard to tumor size, in the cases with a tumor whose size was less than 40 mm, it is possible to preserve the spleen in most cases. In the near future, splenectomy should be clarified precisely by randomized trials in advanced gastric carcinoma.     

Indications for pancreaticosplenectomy in advanced gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The lymph nodes along the splenic artery (No. 11) and at the splenic hilum (No. 10) are classified in group 2 (n2) in the Japanese Classification of Gastric Carcinoma. Pancreaticosplenectomy is performed to achieve complete D2 dissection, but its efficacy remains controversial. To clarify the indications for pancreaticosplenectomy in gastric cancer, surgical results were investigated. METHODOLOGY: This study investigated 111 gastric cancer patients who underwent potentially curative total gastrectomy with pancreaticosplenectomy accompanied by D2 or more extensive lymph node dissection. The rate of lymph node metastasis and the number of Nos. 10 and 11 lymph nodes that contained metastases were ascertained from several histopathological findings. Predictive factors for metastasis in lymph nodes Nos. 10 and 11 and prognostic factors for survival were calculated and compared using the univariate and Cox proportional hazard regression model. RESULTS: Lymph node metastasis to No. 10 or 11 was observed in 19 patients. Of these, 8 (42.1%) had paraaortic lymph node metastases. The average number of metastatic lymph nodes in the 19 patients was 19.4 +/- 19.2. The location of the primary tumor and the number of metastatic lymph nodes were correlated to lymph node metastasis to Nos. 10 and 11. Of the regional lymph nodes, the right paracardial lymph nodes and those along the short gastric vessels frequently metastasized to No. 10 or 11. The 5-year survival rate of patients with metastases in lymph nodes No. 10 or 11 was 23.8% and that with No. 16 metastases was 24.5%, whereas that in n2 without metastasis in No. 10 or 11 was 41.4%. The independent prognostic factor was the number of metastatic lymph nodes. Of the postoperative complications, pancreatic fistula was observed in 43 patients (38.7%) and followed by anastomotic leakage in 6 (5.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Pancreaticosplenectomy is indicated in patients with advanced gastric cancer in the upper third or the whole of the stomach and with lymph node metastasis at right paracardial or along the short gastric vessels. To obtain good surgical results, pancreaticosplenectomy with paraaortic lymph node dissection (D3) should be carried out in patients with as few metastatic lymph nodes as possible.     

Does pancreaticosplenectomy contribute to better survival?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was conducted to clarify the impact of pancreaticosplenectomy on the prognosis of patients with gastric carcinoma. METHODOLOGY: Two hundred and seventy-two patients who underwent total gastrectomy with distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Lymph node metastases at the splenic hilum (#10) and along the splenic artery (#11) occurred in 12.4% and 19.2% of cases, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of those without metastasis at #10 was 62.8%. Once nodal metastasis occurred, the prognosis became very poor; only 18.2% in those with a single positive node and 15.4% of those with two or more positive nodes at this location survived 5 years. Similar trends in survival were observed with respect to nodes at #11. When stratified by nodal status as currently determined by microscopic examination, pancreaticosplenectomy saved 4.5% of patients with positive nodes, but was insufficient in 17.3% of cases and was not necessary in the 78.2% of cases who were node negative at these locations. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that pancreaticosplenectomy can save some patients with positive nodes in these regions; however, the small survival benefit does not provide a basis for the general application of this highly morbid procedure. To further evaluate these results in a randomized study, selection of a subset of patients who are likely to have metastasis is the key.     

进展期近端胃癌淋巴结转移86例

目的:分析进展期近端胃癌的淋巴结转移规律,为进展期近端胃癌的胃切除范围以及是否需要联合切脾提供参考依据.方法:选择江汉大学附属医院1989-01/2010-09行根治性切除手术的进展期近端胃癌86例,记录每例患者的淋巴结数目和大小,计算淋巴结总数和平均值,计算总体淋巴结转移率以及No.1-16淋巴结转移率.结果:86例手术标本共检出淋巴结4756枚(30-157枚),平均55.30±20.23枚/例.其中≤5mm的淋巴结占81.14%(3859/4756).86例中70例有淋巴结转移,淋巴结转移率81.40%.有癌转移的淋巴结中,≤5mm的淋巴结占60.96%(556/912).总体淋巴结转移率为81.40%.No.1-4和No.7-9淋巴结转移率较高(39.53%-80.23%),而No.12-15淋巴结转移率极低(0.00%-2.33%),No.16淋巴结转移率为15.12%.No.5和No.6淋巴结转移率分别为22.09%和15.12%.No.10和No.11淋巴结转移率分别为33.2%和18.60%.结论:进展期近端胃癌的淋巴结转移规律有助于指导淋巴结切除术,因为切除No.5-6和No.10-11淋巴...     

Effectiveness of paraaortic lymph node dissection for advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness of paraaortic lymph node dissection (D4) for gastric cancer from the viewpoint of long-term results. METHODOLOGY: Among 879 patients who underwent gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer, 130 patients who underwent D4 lymphadenectomy were evaluated in relation to clinicopathological findings and long-term results. RESULTS: The frequency of histological paraaortic lymph node metastasis (n4) was 23.1% (30/130). The cumulative 5-year survival rate of 30 n4 patients with D4 lymphadenectomy was 16.7%, which was higher than that (4.2%) of n4 patients without D4 (sampling of paraaortic lymph nodes). Among n4 patients with D4 lymphadenectomy, the cumulative survival rate in 8 patients with 1-2 paraaortic lymph nodes involved (5-year survival rate: 50%) was significantly higher than that in 21 patients with 3 or more paraaortic lymph nodes involved (5-year survival rate: 4.6%). According to the intra-operative macroscopic extent of lymph node metastasis, the cumulative survival rate of patients who were judged as N2 was higher than that of patients judged as N4. CONCLUSIONS: Paraaortic lymph node dissection for advanced gastric cancer was effective, especially when it was done prophylactically and when the number of paraaortic lymph node metastases were 2 or less.     

Laparoscopic splenic hilum lymph node dissection for advanced proximal gastric cancer:A modified approach for pancreasand spleen-preserving total gastrectomy

AIM:To investigate the feasibility and optimal approach for laparoscopic pancreasand spleen-preserving splenic hilum lymph node dissection in advanced proximal gastric cancer.METHODS:Between August 2009 and August 2012,12 patients with advanced proximal gastric cancer treated in Nanfang Hospital,Southern Medical University,Guangzhou,China were enrolled and subsequently underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy with pancreasand spleen-preserving splenic hilum lymph node(LN)dissection.The clinicopathological characteristics,surgical outcomes,postoperative course and followup data of these patients were retrospectively collected and analyzed in the study.RESULTS:Based on our anatomical understanding of peripancreatic structures,we combined the characteristics of laparoscopic surgery and developed a modified approach(combined supraand infra-pancreatic approaches)for laparoscopic pancreasand spleenpreserving splenic hilum LN dissection.Surgery was completed in all 12 patients laparoscopically without conversion.Only one patient experienced intraoperative bleeding when dissecting LNs along the splenic artery and was handled with laparoscopic hemostasis.The mean operating time was 268.4 min and mean number of retrieved splenic hilum LNs was 4.8.One patient had splenic hilum LN metastasis(8.3%).Neither postoperative morbidity nor mortality was observed.Peritoneal metastasis occurred in one patient and none of the other patients died or experienced recurrent disease during the follow-up period.CONCLUSION:Laparoscopic total gastrectomy with pancreasand spleen-preserving splenic hilum LN dissection using the modified approach for advanced proximal gastric cancer could be safely achieved.     

Prophylactic lymph node dissection for early gastric cancer invading submucosa

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Prophylactic lymph node dissection for gastric cancer patients was considered to prolong survival time and D2 lymph node dissection was a standard treatment for early gastric cancer invading submucosa without lymph node metastasis. We investigated the possibility of minimizing the extent of prophylactic lymph node dissection for early gastric cancer invading submucosa if there was no evidence of lymph node metastasis. METHODOLOGY: We analyzed data on 404 patients with early gastric cancer invading the submucosa who underwent gastrectomy from 1979 to 1998 in the National Kyushu Medical Center, Fukuoka, Japan. The postoperative survival rate of patients with standard D2 dissection was compared with cases of those with limited D2 dissection which was defined as confined as D2 dissection dissections No.7 (lymph nodes were those along the left gastric artery), No.8 (lymph nodes along the anterosuperior common hepatic artery) and No.9 (lymph nodes along the celiac artery). RESULTS: Of the 404 patients, 52 and 17 had lymph node metastasis in group 1 and group 2 nodes, respectively. Of 17 patients with lymph node metastasis in group 2, 14 (82.4%) had metastasis confined to No.7, 8 and 9 of group 2 nodes. The 5-year survival rate of patients with submucosal cancer without lymph node metastasis was 94.4% after limited D2 dissection and 97.3% after standard D2 dissection, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The appropriate prophylactic lymph node dissection for early gastric cancer invading the submucosa without lymph node metastasis was considered to be minimized to limited D2 dissection.     

Risk factors for lymph node metastasis and evaluation of reasonable surgery for early gastric cancer

AIM: To give the evidence for rationalizing surgical therapy for early gastric cancer with different lymph node status. METHODS: A series of 322 early gastric cancer patients who underwent gastrectomy with more than 15 lymph nodes retrieved were reviewed in this study. The rate of lymph node metastasis was calculated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the independent factors for predicting lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: No metastasis was detected in No.5, 6 lymph nodes (LN) during proximal gastric cancer total gastrectomy, and in No.10, 11p, 11d during for combined resection of spleen and splenic artery and in No.15 LN during combined resection of transverse colon mesentery. No.11p, 12a, 14v LN were proved negative for metastasis. The global metastastic rate was 14.6% for LN, 5.9% for mucosa, and 22.4% for submucosa carcinoma, respectively. The metastasis in group Ⅱ?was almost limited in No.7, 8a LN. Multivariate analysis identified that the depth of invasion, histological type and lymphatic invasion were independent risk factors for LN metastasis. No metastasis from distal cancer (≤ 1.0 cm in diameter) was detected in group Ⅱ?LN. The metastasis rate increased significantly when the diameter exceeded 3.0 cm. All tumors (≤ 1.0 cm in diameter) with LN metastasis and mucosa invasion showed a depressed macroscopic type, and all protruded carcinomas were > 3.0 cm in diameter. CONCLUSION: Segmental/subtotal gastrectomy plus D1/D1 No.7 should be performed for carcinoma (≤ 1.0 cm in diameter, protruded type and mucosa invasion).Subtotal gastrectomy plus D2 or D1 No.7, 8a, 9 is the most rational operation, whereas No.11p, 12a, 14v lymphadenectomy should not be recommended routinely for poorly differentiated and depressed type of submucosa carcinoma (> 3.0 cm in diameter). Total gastrectomy should not be performed in proximal, so does combined resection or D2 /D3 lymphadenectomy.     

Efficacy of prophylactic extended lymphadenectomy with gastrectomy for patients with node-negative advanced gastric carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Extended lymphadenectomy with gastrectomy is widely performed for patients with advanced gastric carcinoma. However, the therapeutic value of prophylactic extensive lymphadenectomy in patients with node-negative advanced gastric cancer is controversial. METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively analyzed 221 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for advanced gastric carcinoma without lymph node metastasis to evaluate the effect of prophylactic extended lymphadenectomy on postoperative survival. The postoperative survival rate of patients who underwent extended lymphadenectomy was compared with that of patients who underwent limited lymphadenectomy. Predictive risk factors for tumor recurrence and recurrent patterns also were analyzed. RESULTS: Extended lymphadenectomy improved the postoperative survival rate of patients with advanced tumors even when lymph node spread was absent. Whether or not prophylactic extended lymphadenectomy was performed significantly affected tumor recurrence in patients with node-negative advanced gastric carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive lymphadenectomy with gastrectomy prolongs survival of patients with node-negative advanced tumors.     

腹腔镜早期胃癌根治术的临床研究

目的:探讨腹腔镜胃癌根治术在早期胃癌治疗中的临床应用。方法:回顾性分析2004年10月至2009年12月间79例接受腹腔镜胃癌根治术的早期胃癌患者的临床资料,包括手术方式、手术时间、术中失血、术后排气时间、术后住院天数、并发症、术后病理和随访等。结果:除1例中转开腹手术外,其余78例均在腹腔镜下完成胃切除和淋巴结清扫,其中腹腔镜远端胃切除术74例,近端胃切除术2例,全胃切除术2例;腹腔镜下D1+α式淋巴结清扫34例,D1+β式淋巴结清扫15例,D2式淋巴结清扫29例。手术时间为(202.9±45.6)min,术中失血(144.5±146.5)mL,术后排气时间(2.8±1.0)d,术后住院天数为(11.3±5.6)d,8例(10.1%)患者出现腹腔内出血、吻合口漏、小肠梗阻等,经手术和非手术治疗后痊愈。手术上、下切缘距离肿瘤为(4.0±1.9)cm和(3.6±1.7)cm,手术平均清扫淋巴结(13.1±6.5)枚,其中有3例(3.8%)发现淋巴结转移。术后随访2～64个月,均无肿瘤复发和远处转移。结论:腹腔镜胃癌根治术是治疗早期胃癌安全、可行、微创、有效的手术方法。     

Lymph node dissection in surgical treatment for remnant stomach cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lymphatic flow and the incidence of lymph node metastasis in remnant stomach cancer after distal gastrectomy are obscure. There is consequent controversy about appropriate lymph node dissection in such cases. METHODOLOGY: Thirty-three consecutive patients with remnant stomach cancer and 44 consecutive patients primary gastric cancer in the upper third of the stomach were investigated retrospectively about lymphatic flow by injection of activated carbon particles, and about the incidence of lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: Lymphatic flow and the incidence of lymph node metastasis in remnant stomach cancer after distal gastrectomy without lymph node dissection were the same as those in primary gastric cancer in the upper third of the stomach. Lymphatic flow after distal gastrectomy with lymph node dissection frequently streamed toward the para-aortic lymph nodes through the lymph nodes along the greater curvature and the suprapancreatic lymph nodes. Lymphatic flow toward the jejunal and colonic mesentery was observed regardless of the method of reconstruction. This lymphogenesis was clearly observed, especially in patients with tumors invading the anastomosis site of Billroth-II reconstruction. Station Nos. 110 (lower paraesophageal) and 111 (supradiaphragmatic) lymph nodes were also stained, despite being considered sites of distant metastasis irrespective of the method of reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the evidence of altered lymphatic flow and the incidence of lymph node metastases in remnant stomach cancer, left upper abdominal evisceration with para-aortic lymph node dissection should be performed in advanced remnant stomach cancer.     

Therapeutic strategy for scirrhous type gastric cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: As no appropriate therapeutic strategy has yet been established in scirrhous type gastric cancer, we retrospectively analyzed the therapeutic outcomes in patients with this type of cancer. METHODOLOGY: A total of 183 patients with scirrhous type gastric cancer were enrolled in the study. 127 of them underwent resection; 61 potentially curative gastrectomy; 66 palliative resection; and 56 had no surgery. RESULTS: Univariate analysis revealed that the number of metastatic lymph nodes and the depth of invasion influenced prognosis in curatively resected cases, whereas no factor did so after palliative resection. Multivariate analysis showed that prognosis was affected independently by peritoneal metastasis and non-regional lymph node metastasis in all resected cases, but by the number of metastatic lymph nodes in curatively resected cases. There was no significant difference in survival between patients undergoing and those not undergoing palliative gastrectomy. Prophylactic (6) and therapeutic CHPP (12) had no efficacy on peritoneal metastasis. Furthermore, left upper abdominal evisceration (LUAE) (9) did not improve long-term results in curatively resected cases. CONCLUSIONS: In scirrhous type gastric cancer, gastrectomy including extended lymph node dissection is justified only in patients with limited lymph node metastasis, and palliative gastrectomy should be not performed because it has no efficacy on survival.     

Recurrence in early gastric cancer--presence of micrometastasis in lymph node of node negative early gastric cancer patient with recurrence

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There are cases of recurrence even after curative resection in early gastric cancer. METHODOLOGY: Seven hundred and sixty-five patients with early gastric cancer who underwent curative gastrectomy were analyzed to identify the prognostic factor. Micrometastases within lymph nodes were determined by immunohistochemistry using anti-cytokeratin antibody in node-negative early gastric cancer patients with recurrence. RESULTS: The recurrence was observed in 17 patients. Hematogenous recurrence was observed most frequently (47.1%), followed by peritoneal recurrence (23.5%). Of 17 patients with recurrence, 6 (35.3%) patients died more than 5 years after operation. The prognosis was poorer when the patients were older, and the depth of invasion was greater, lymph node metastasis, lymphatic involvement, and vascular involvement were present, and lymph node dissection was limited. The independent prognostic factors were lymph node metastasis, lymph node dissection, and age by multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards. Micrometastases within lymph nodes were confirmed in 3 of 6 node-negative patients with recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: When patients have lymph node metastases or are older, close and long-term follow-up and careful planning of postoperative adjuvant therapy might be necessary to avoid recurrence. The detection of micrometastases by anti-cytokeratin antibody might be useful for predicting the possibility of recurrence in early gastric cancer.     

Paraaortic lymph node dissection for gastric cancer in 244 consecutive cases

BACKGROUND/AIMS: More than 20% of patients with advanced gastric cancer show paraaortic lymph node metastasis. However, whether extensive paraaortic lymphadenectomy is beneficial remains controversial. We performed a prospective study of paraaortic lymphadenectomy for patients with advanced gastric cancer. METHODOLOGY: From January 1991 to March 2004, 244 consecutive patients with advanced gastric cancer underwent gastrectomy with paraaortic lymphadenectomy with curative intent. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the period: Group 1 (1991-1995), Group 2 (1996-1999), and Group 3 (2000-2004). RESULTS: Overall mortality rate was 2.4%, and it fell rapidly from 7.1% in Group 1 to 0% in Group 3. Postoperative complications occurred in 35.6%. High age and postoperative complications were significant predictive factors for operative death. Preoperative comorbidity, positive distal margin, and pancreatectomy were significant predictive factors of postoperative complications. Depth of cancer invasion was correlated with paraaortic node metastasis. Ten patients with paraaortic node metastases survived for more than 5 years. Operative curability and postoperative complications were significant prognostic factors for patients who underwent this procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Paraaortic lymph node dissection for gastric cancer should be performed in patients with tumors deeper than the serosa. Pancreatectomy should be avoided, with careful management required in cases of unavoidable pancreatectomy.     

Laparoscopic spleen-preserving splenic hilar lymphadenectomy in 108 consecutive patients with upper gastric cancer

AIM: To evaluate the feasibility and short-term efficacy of laparoscopic spleen-preserving splenic hilar (No. 10) lymphadenectomy to treat advanced upper gastric cancer (AUGC).METHODS: Between January and December 2012, 108 laparoscopic spleen-preserving No. 10 lymphadenectomy along with total gastrectomy with routine D2 lymphadenectomy were performed consecutively at our hospital to treat clinical T2-3 (cT2-3) upper gastric cancers. The preoperative clinical T stage was cT2 in 36 patients and cT3 in 72 patients. A prospectively designed database tracked the 108 patients, including the completeness of their medical records and the adequacy of follow-up. Patient clinicopathological characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative surgical outcomes, morbidity and mortality, lymph node (LN) dissection, and postoperative follow-up were analysed retrospectively.RESULTS: Laparoscopic spleen-preserving No. 10 lymphadenectomy was successful in all 108 patients. The mean operation time was 169.3 ± 27.1 min, and the mean No. 10 lymphadenectomy time was 20.0 ± 5.7 min. The mean total blood loss was 46.2 ± 11.3 mL, and the mean blood loss from No. 10 lymphadenectomy was 14.3 ± 3.8 mL. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 11.9 ± 6.0 d. The intraoperative and postoperative morbidity rates were 3.7% and 12.0%, respectively; however, there was no postoperative mortality. A mean of 44.4 ± 17.6 LNs were retrieved from each specimen, including 3.0 ± 2.4 No. 10 LNs. Three patients (2.8%) with cT3 cancer had LN metastasis of the splenic hilus, including two patients with pathological T3 (pT3) and one patient with pathological T4a (pT4a) tumours, all located in the greater curvature. No splenic hilar LNs metastasis was evident in the patients with pT1 and pT2 tumours. At a median follow-up time of 18 mo (range, 12 to 23 mo), all patients were alive and none had experienced recurrent or metastatic disease.CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic spleen-preserving No. 10 lymphadenectomy is feasible and effective to treat AUGC. Routine No. 10 lymphadenectomy may be unnecessary for AUGC without serosa invasion, unless T3 tumours are located in the greater curvature.     

Eight-year survival after advanced gastric cancer treated with S-1 followed by surgery

We report a case of advanced gastric cancer, with cervical, axillary, and abdominal paraaortic lymph node metastases, that was successfully treated with chemotherapy and surgery. The disease was initially considered unresectable, and the patient was treated with orally administered S-1. Chemotherapy was effective, and all lymph node metastases disappeared after 6 courses. After 27 mo of chemotherapy, the patient underwent curative surgery, with subtotal gastrectomy and lymph node dissection. Histopathologic...     

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with a combination of irinotecan and cisplatin in advanced gastric cancer--a case report

We report a case of advanced gastric carcinoma successfully treated with a combination of irinotecan and cisplatin as neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The patient, a 78-year-old man, had type 2 gastric cancer, which had metastasized to the paraaortic lymph nodes. He was treated with irinotecan, 70 mg on day 1 and day 15, and cisplatin, 80 mg on day 1. The course was repeated every 4 weeks. Two courses of treatment resulted in a marked reduction of both the primary tumor and lymph nodes. Subsequently, the patient underwent curative surgery consisting of total gastrectomy, splenectomy, and D3 lymph node dissection. No surgical complications were observed. On microscopic examination, only a few tumor cells were detected in the granulation tissues of the resected stomach and in the lymph nodes. This would be the first case to demonstrate the effectiveness and the safety of irinotecan and cisplatin used in the neoadjuvant setting for treatment of advanced gastric carcinoma.     

Transabdominal ultrasonography in preoperative staging of gastric cancer

AIM: To investigate the value of transabdominal ultrasonography (US) in the preoperative staging of gastric cancer. METHODS: A total of 198 patients with gastric cancer underwent preoperatively transabdominal US, depth of tumor infiltration was assessed in 125 patients, and lymph node metastasis was assessed in 106 patients. RESULTS: The staging accuracy of transabdominal US was 55.6%, 75.0%, 87.3% and 71.1% in T1, T2, T3 and T4 carcinomas, respectively. The overall accuracy was 77.6%. The detection rate for pancreatic invasion and liver invasion was 77.4%, 71.4%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy of transabdominal US in assessment of lymph node metastasis were 77.6%, 64.1%, 72.6%, respectively. Various shapes such as round, ovoid, spindle were encountered in benign and malignant lymph nodes. Majority of both benign and malignant lymph nodes were hyperechoic and had a distinct border. Benign lymph nodes were smaller than malignant lymph nodes in length and width (P = 0.000, 0.005). Irregular shape, fusional shape, infiltrative signs, inhomogenous echo were seen mainly in malignant lymph nodes (P = 0.045, 0.006, 0.027, 0.006). CONCLUSION: Transabdominal US is useful for preoperative staging in gastric cancer, although it is difficult to differentiate benign from malignant lymph nodes.