Comparison of Clinical Outcomes between Laparoscopic and Open Appendectomy: A Retrospective Analysis of 2,745 Patients

PURPOSE: Despite the reported advantages of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA), there is debate about the postoperative complication rates. Our study attempts to determine if laparoscopic appendectomy is safe and feasible compared with open appendectomy (OA). METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients who underwent open appendectomy (OA, 2,109 cases) and laparoscopic appendectomy (LA, 500 cases) at our hospital between 1997 and 2007. Incidental and interval appendectomies were excluded from this study. Demographic data, pathology, operation time, length of hospital stay, days to regular diet, and in hospital complication rate were identified. RESULTS: The peak age was 27 years. Seven of the 500 were converted to OA, yielding a conversion rate of 1.2%. The presence of non-visualized appendix, adhesion and technical failures were reasons for conversion. The distribution of histological stages of inflammation was comparable in both groups. The mean operating time was longer for the laparoscopic (64 min) than for the open procedure (58 min) (P<0.001). The complication rate after OA (7%) was significantly higher than that following LA (2.8%) (P=0.001). Hospital stay and frequency of analgesic administration were significantly lower in LA group than in OA group. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe and clinically beneficial operating procedure even in patients with appendicitis with peritonitis, perforation and abscess, resulting in shorter hospital stays and lower complication rates.

Partial remission of a primary gastric choriocarcinoma after etoposide and cisplatin chemotherapy in a hemodialysis patient / 대한내과학회지

Primary gastric choriocarcinomas are rare and no treatment regimen for hemodialysis patients with a primary gastric choriocarcinoma has been established. We report a partial response to etoposide and cisplatin chemotherapy in a hemodialysis patient with a primary gastric choriocarcinoma. A 69-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease experienced hematemesis for 3 days. Gastroduodenoscopy revealed an ulcerative mass with recent bleeding. A subtotal Billroth II gastrectomy was performed and a gastric choriocarcinoma was identified histopathologically. One month postoperatively, recurrence was diagnosed by detecting an elevated serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG) level and multiple liver and lymph node metastases. The patient was treated with chemotherapy consisting of etoposide and cisplatin (EP). After six cycles of EP chemotherapy, the tumor size decreased markedly and a partial response was seen on computed tomography. Post-therapy positron emission tomography showed a complete metabolic response and the serum beta-HCG level had normalized.

The Comparative Analysis between Laparoscopic Total Extraperitoneal Repair and Open Tissue Repair: Initial Experience of a Single Institute

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy has been recognized as one of the treatment options for inguinal hernia. This study compared the short-term results of two methods of repair: totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair and open tissue based repair. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on all patients who underwent laparoscopic TEP repair (LH, 105 cases) and open repair (OH, 57 cases) at our hospital between September 2007 and December 2008. Posterior wall repairs in open technique follow as McVay (25 cases) and Bassini (32 cases). Demographic data, operation time, perioperative complications, consumption of analgesics, and hospital stay were compared. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in relation to patient characteristics; age, gender, BMI, medical and surgical history and hernia type. Also, there was no difference of operation time for both groups. Patients in the LH group consumed fewer analgesics (P=0.002). Intraoperative complications occurred more frequently in the LH group (P=0.036) but postoperative complications were similar. Hospital stay was shorter in LH (P<0.001). There was no difference of recurrence between LH group and OH group for 16 months. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic TEP repair shows similar postoperative complications and recurrences and with less postoperative pain and hospital stay, compared with open tissue based hernia repair. However, further study with longer follow up data is necessary.

Primary Gastric Choriocarcinoma

The majority of choriocarcinomas occur in the uterus as gestational malignant tumors. Rarely, a choriocarcinoma appears in the gastrointestinal tract, and the tumor is assumed to arise from a different histogenetic origin as compared to tumors of other sites. A primary gastric choriocarcinoma is a rare aggressive, widely metastatic malignant tumor, and has a poor prognosis. Reported here is a case of a 69-year-old woman with a primary gastric choriocarcinoma who presented with melena, epigastric pain, and was diagnosed with a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma based on a preoperative endoscopic biopsy. Gastrectomy with lymph node dissection, followed by postoperative chemotherapy, is the treatment of choice. Therefore, in the case of a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with a bleeding tendency, a meticulous examination with the suspicion of a choriocarcinoma should be undertaken.

Correlation between the Serum Leptin Level and the Expression of Leptin in Stomach Cancer Patients

PURPOSE: The adipocyte-derived cytokine leptin plays a major role in the control of stable body weight by suppressing food intake and increasing energy metabolism. Leptin regulates the cell proliferation of various epithelial cells and it may be involved in the promotion of cancer. Leptin and its receptor are highly expressed in gastric adenocarcinoma, but the association between the serum leptin level and the tissue expression of leptin is uncertain. We evaluated the serum leptin level and the expressions of leptin and leptin receptor in gastric cancer, and we explore the possible mechanism and role of leptin in the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 72 carcinomas that were curatively resected at our hospital from October 2005 to March 2007 were included in this study. By immunoassay and immunohistochemical staining, we evaluated the serum leptin level and the expressions of leptin and its receptor, and we analyzed their relationship together with the clinicopathological variables. RESULTS: The serum leptin level was increased as the patient's BMI increased and it was decreased in H. pylori infected patients. The expression of leptin was increased as the TNM stage increased (P=0.014), and the expression of leptin receptor in the intestinal type gastric adenocarcinoma was higher than that in the diffuse type gastric adenocarcinoma (71.4% vs 28.6%, respectively, P=0.033). CONCLUSION: There was no significant correlation between the serum leptin level and expression of leptin in gastric cancer patients. The expression of leptin was associated with the TNM stage, but its role in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer has to be elucidated.

Undifferentiated Adenocarcinoma with Rhabdoid Features in the Stomach: A Case Report

Rhabdoid tumor has been considered to be a rare subtype of Wilm's tumor with Rhabdomyoma features. Since rhabdoid tumor that developed in the kidney was described for the first time in 1989, it has been reported in the gastrointestinal tract, although this is rare. The appropriate treatment is radical resection, and the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy has not yet been reported on. The outcome of extra-renal rhabdoid tumor is different from renal rhabdoid tumor and the former shows a poor prognosis. Among extra-renal rhabdoid tumors, undifferentiated gastric adenocarcinoma with rhabdoid features is very rare and its prognosis is poor. A 63 years old male patient underwent total gastrectomy for a tumor that developed in the greater curvature of the gastric body and this was diagnosed as undifferentiated gastric adenocarcinoma with rhabdoid features, according to the histopathology. We experienced an undifferentiated gastric adenocarcinoma with rhabdoid features that was diagnosed by immunohistochemical staining and we report here on this case.

Relation of the E-cadherin Expression and the Lauren Classification in Stomach Cancer according to the Tumor Location

PURPOSE: E-cadherin (ECD) plays a pivotal role in integrating the normal tissue architecture and the suppression of cancer invasion, including stomach cancer. The epidemiology of stomach cancers is noticeably different according to the site of the index tumor, even though the stomach cancers all have similar gross shapes. In this study, the relation between the expression of ECD, along with the clinicopathologic parameters and recurrence or survival, were investigated for patients with gastric adenocarcinoma according to the tumor location. METHODS: We examined formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archival tissues from 50 surgically resectable gastric adenocarcinomas, which were grouped by the index tumor site as follows: distal (antrum) versus proximal (mid and upper body). To elucidate the correlation between the ECD expression and the site of the stomach cancer with the other clinicopathologic factors, we examined the ECD tissue status via performing immunohistochemistry. To compare the rates of recurrence and survival among subgroups, the patients were followed up for an average of 42 months. RESULTS: Among the 50 tumors examined, 28 (56%) tumors showed various degrees of a ECD expression. The gender, age, size, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, stage, lymphatic invasion and vascular invasion were not related with the ECD expression. The Lauren classification was cor-related with the ECD expression in the mid and upper body stomach cancer, but not in the antral stomach cancer (P=0.042). The expression of ECD was not related with the survival rate (P=0.223). There was no significant difference in the recurrence rate between the subgroups with and without an abnormal expression of ECD (P=0.588). CONCLUSION: For the mid and upper body stomach cancer, the expression of E-cadherin correlated with the diffuse type of cancer, according to the Lauren classification, but not with the survival rate.

Solitary Neurofibroma of the Stomach

A neurofibroma of the gastrointestinal tract is frequently associated with type 1 neurofibromatosis. A solitary neurofibroma, which refers to a localized neurofibroma occurring in patients without stigmata of neurofibromatosis, can rarely occur in the stomach. The majority of neurofibromas of the stomach remain small and asymptomatic, and are usually found incidentally. Surgical resection is required for symptomatic relief and for confirmation of the diagnosis. Herein, the case of a 68-year-old woman found to have a solitary neurofibroma in the angle of stomach is reported. The patient underwent a laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy, with a gastroduodenostomy. The gross, microscopic and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with the diagnosis of a neurofibroma of the stomach.

Clinical Usefulness of a Totally Laparoscopic Gastrectomy

PURPOSE: In Korea, the number of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomies for early gastric cancer patients has been on the increase. Although minimally invasive surgery is more beneficial, no reported case of a total laparoscopic gastrectomy has been reported because of difficulty with intracorporeal anastomosis. This study attempts, through our experience, to determine the safety and feasibility of a total laparoscopic gastrectomy with various types of intracorporeal anastomosis using laparoscopic linears stapler in treating early gastric carcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the surgical results and clinicopatholgical characteristics of 81 patients that underwent a totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy at our department between June 2004 and May 2007. The intracorporeal anastomoses were performed by using laparoscopic linear staplers. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 287 minutes, the mean anastomotic time was 40 minutes, and the mean number of laparoscopic linear staplers used for an operation was 7.5. The mean time to the first flatus, the first food intake, and discharge from hospital was 2.9, 3.6, and 10.3 days respectively. There were 11 cases of postoperative complications, but no case of postoperative mortality or conversion to an open procedure. In 75 patients with an adenocarcinoma, the mean number of lymph nodes harvested was 38.1 and the stage distribution was as follows: stage I, 72 patients; stage II, 2 patients; stage IV, 1 patient. During the mean follow-up period of 14 months, 5 patients died of other causes and there were no cases of cancer recurrence. CONCLUSION: A total laparoscopic gastrectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis by using a laparoscopic linear stapler was found to be safe and feasible. We were able to obtain acceptable surgical outcomes in terms of minimal invasiveness.

Comparison of an Uncut Roux-en-Y Gastrojejunostomy with a Billroth I Gastroduodenostomy after Totally Laproscopic Distal Gastrectomy

PURPOSE: An uncut Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy has been known to be effective in preventing bile reflux gastritis in the remnant stomach and the Roux stasis syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To evaluate the usefulness of a totally laparoscopic uncut Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy (TLuRYGJ) after a distal gastrectomy, we reviewed the medical records of 19 consecutive patients that underwent a TLuRYGJ at our institution, and 11 consecutive patients who underwent a totally laparoscopic Billroth I gastrectomy (TLB-I) during the same period. RESULTS: Postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms related to the postgastrectomy syndrome and the Visick classification at six months after surgery were not different in the two groups; however, there was no case of symptomatic bile reflux gastritis and only one case of delayed gastric empting, for which medication was required, in the TLuRYGJ group. The endoscopic findings of the remnant stomach for bile reflux gastritis at six months after surgery were better in the TLuRYGJ group than in the TLB-I group. CONCLUSION: A TLuRYGJ was found to be effective in preventing bile reflux gastritis and the Roux stasis syndrome.

Pledget as a Useful Substitute for a Knot in Intracorporeal Continuous Gastrointestinal Suturing

PURPOSE: Pledget is a PTFE felt that is usually used for suture reinforcement in cardiovascular surgery. In order to minimize the difficulty in intracorporeal continuous gastrointestinal suturing by reducing the number of tied knots, we have used pledget as substitute for a knot (pledget suturing). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive patients who underwent totally laparoscopic uncut Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy after distal gastrectomy in our institution were enrolled in this study, and the patients were divided into three groups according to the method of intracorporeal anastomosis. Basically, intracorporeal anastomosis was performed by several firings of linear staplers; however, the entry holes for the stapler at the jejunojejunostomy and the gastrojejunostomy were closed by pledget suturing in group A (8 patients), the entry hole for the stapler at jejunojejunostomy was closed by conventional suturing in group B (8 patients), and all of the entry holes for the stapler were closed by stapling in group C (16 patients). The surgical outcomes of each group were compared to each other. RESULTS: The anastomotic time in group A was not longer than in group B, although there were more sutures used in group A, but it was longer than in group C. The number of stapler cartridges used in group A was the smallest among the three groups. In group B, there were two cases of a break of suture material during anastomosis, there were no such cases in group A. There was no complication related to anastomosis in all of the groups. CONCLUSION: Pledget was found to be useful for minimizing the difficulty in intracoproreal continuous gastrointestinal suturing and reducing the number of stapler cartilages used in intracorporeal anastomosis.

The Comparison of Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy with Open Adrenalectomy

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to compare the outcomes of patients who had undergone a conventional open adrenalectomy (OA) with those who had undergone a laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 66 patients who underwent an adrenalectomy between 1990 and 2005. The study group was comprised of 41 laparoscopic cases with 25 open adrenalectomy cases comprising the control group. The parameters studied included the operating times, transfusion volumes, time to resumption of a soft diet, total frequency of analgesics, time to return to free ambulation and length of hospital stay in both the OA and LA groups. RESULTS: No mortality was observed in either the OA or LA groups. The operating times were, on average, 203.1+/-64.5 and 158.2+/-76.4 minutes in the OA and LA group, respectively (P=0.011). 10 cases in the OA group needed a transfusion (average: 438.52+/-687.57 ml), but two cases including one require conversion to a celiotomy, due to a right renal vein injury, needed a transfusion (average: 23.41+/-110.63 ml)(P=0.004). The patients of the OA and LA groups began soft diets on the 4.8+/-1.1 (3~7 days) and 2.7+/-1.5 postoperative days (1~8 days), respectively (P=0.004). Total frequencies of analgesics were 9.5+/-6.5 and 4.4+/-4.7 in the OA and LA groups, respectively (P=0.001). The times needed to return to free ambulation were 7.6+/-3.8 and 4.3+/-2.3 days in the OA and LA groups, respectively (P= 0.000). Postoperative hospital stays were 16.3+/-7.5 and 7.3+/-2.3 days in the OA and LA groups, respectively (P=0.000). CONCLUSION: An LA appears to be a safe and effective approach for patients with various adrenal pathologies and large sized adrenal lesions. We expect the indications for an LA may be extended to large adrenal tumors as well as primary or metastatic malignant adrenal lesions if the oncologic principles are obeyed.

Gastric Perforation due to Mucormycosis in a Patient with Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Chronic Pancreatitis

Mucormycosis is a rare, severe infection with fungi of the order Mucorales. It is usually found in immunocompromised patients with diabetic ketoacidosis, glucocorticosteroid use, neutropenia in the setting of malignancy, and burns. Rhinocerebral disease is the most common form of mucormycosis. Other major symptoms are pulmonary, cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and systemic dissemination. Successful treatment requires removal of the underlying risk factor, antifungal therapy with amphotericin B, and aggressive surgery. We present a case of gastric perforation due to mucormycosis with diabetic ketoacidosis and chronic pancreatitis, with a review of the literature.

Totally Laparoscopic Pylorus-preserving Gastrectomy with D2 Lymph Node Dissection

To improve postoperative quality of life, and to avoid postgastrectomy syndrome, pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) is considered as a good option in the middle third early gastric cancer. Convetional PPG has limitation in number 5 lymph node dissection because of preservation of blood supply and nerve innervation to the pylorus. To expand the indication of PPG, limitation on lymph node dissection must be overcomed. In case of laparoscopic PPG, there have been few reports in the literature. Herein we report a case of totally laparoscopic PPG with D2 lymph node dissection with review of literature.

Carcinosarcoma of Pancreas

Carcinosarcoma of the pancreas is a rare malignant tumor that shows a combined or mixed proliferation of carcinomatous and sarcomatous cells. This tumor has been variously called carcinosarcoma, pleomorphic large cell carcinoma, giant cell carcinoma, and undifferentiated carcinoma. A 52-year-old man was hospitalized for evaluation of his epigastric pain and jaundice. An abdominal computed tomography revealed the presence of a poorly enhancing mass, arising from the head of the pancreas. Pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. The final pathologic diagnosis was undifferentiated carcinoma with 2 distinct components. One component was a conventional infiltrating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and the other component was sarcoma. We present here a case of carcinosarcoma of the pancreas along with a review of the literatures.

DNA Methylation of Multiple Genes in Gastric Cancer: Association with CpG Island Methylator Phenotype and Helicobacter pylori Infection

PURPOSE: Methylation of gene regulatory elements plays an important role in gene inactivation without genetic alteration. Gastric cancer is one of the tumors that exhibit a high frequency of CpG island hypermethylation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of CpG island hypermethylation in gastric carcinoma in relation to H. pylori infection, CIMP and clinicopathologic variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the promoter methylation status of six genes (hMLH1, p16, p14, COX-2, MGMT, E-cadherin) and CIMP in 36 gastric carcinoma tissues as well as in nontumor tissues. CIMP status was investigated by examining the methylation status of MINT 1, 2, 12, 25 and 31. The methylation status of the promoter was examined by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and H. pylori infection was examined by histological diagnosis after staining with Warthin-Starry silver. RESULTS: Among the 36 gastric carcinoma tissues, DNA hypermethylation was detected in the following frequencies: 14 (38.9%) for p14, 13 (36.1%) for p16, 8 (22.2%) for MGMT, 10 (27.8%) for COX-2, 21 (58.3%) for E-cadherin, and 6 (16.7%) for hMLH1. The frequencies for MINT1 and MINT25 hypermethylation were significantly higher in tumor tissues than in nontumor tissues. 16 (44.4%) of the 36 gastric carcinoma tissues were positive for the CIMP. CIMP-H tumors were associated with older patients and larger tumor size than CIMP-L tumors. We found a significant association between the presence of the CIMP and hypermethylation of p16. Hypermethylation of p16 and MINT2 were significantly different when compared by age. MINT1 gene methylation was significantly associated with H. pylori infection (P=0.004). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that aberrant hypermethylation of multiple tumor related genes (hMLH1, p16, p14, COX-2, MGMT, E-cadherin, MINT1, 2, 12, 25, 31) occurs frequently in gastric carcinoma tissues. The hypermethylation of MINT1 was significantly higher in the tumor tissues and was associated with H. pylori infection.

The Early Experience with a Totally Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy

PURPOSE: In Korea, the number of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomies for early gastric cancer patients has been increasing lately. Although minimally invasive surgery is more beneficial, no reported case of a totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy has been reported because of difficulty with intracorporeal anastomosis. This study attempts, through our experiences, to determine the feasibility of a totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy using an intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy in treating early gastric carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated surgical results and clinicopatholgic characteristics of eight(8) patients with an early gastric carcinoma who underwent a totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy at the Department of Surgery, Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, between June 2004 and September 2004. The intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy was performed with a delta-shaped ananstomosis by using only laparoscopic linear staplers (Endocutter 45 mm; Ethicon Endosurgery, OH, USA). RESULTS: The operative time was 369.4+/-62.5 minutes (range 275~65 minutes), and the anastomotic time was 45.1+/-14.4 minutes (range 32~0 minutes). The anastomotic time was shortened as surgical experience was gained. The number of laparoscopic linear staplers for an operation was 7.1+/-0.6. The number of lymph nodes harvested was 31.9+/-13.1. There was 1 case of transfusion and no case of conversion to an open procedure. The time to the first flatus was 2.8+/-0.5 days, and the time to the first food intake was 4.1+/-0.8 days. There were no early postoperative complications, and the postoperative hospital stay was 10.0+/-3.9 days. CONCLUSION: A totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy using an intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy with a delta-shaped anastomosis is technically feasible and can maximize the benefit of laparoscopic surgery for early gastric cancer.

Bone Metastasis after a Curative Resection for Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: Bone metastasis is not a common event in patients with gastric cancer. Therefore, most studies of bone metastasis in such patients have been in the form of case reports, so the clinical features of the bone metastasis are not well understood. To clarify metastatic patterns, the efficacy of radiation or chemotherapy, and the prognosis, we analyzed 29 cases of patients with bone metastases after curative surgery for gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine (29) gastric cancer patients with bone metastasis who underwent curative resection from January 1989 to December 2002 at the Departments of Surgery, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital and Our Lady of Mercy's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, were analyzed. RESULTS: Nineteen (19) patients were males and, 10 patients were females. The mean age of the patients was 53+/-12 years. There were more Borrmann type-3 and type-4 cancers and more undifferentiated histologic types. Most of the original cancers were stage III or IV. The most frequently involved bone was the spine. Treatment after recurrence was done in 16 patients (55.2%). The median survival time after recurrence of the patients who received treatment was seven (7) months (0~75 months in range), which was significantly longer than that of the patients who did not received treatment (P=0.019). However, there was no difference according to the treatment modality (P=0.388). CONCLUSION: Bone metastasis after a curative resection of gastric cancer tends to occur in Borrmann type-3 and type-4 cancers, cancers with undifferentiated histology and, in stage III/IV disease. The prognosis of bone metastasis is dismal, and aggressive treatment is the only way to prolong survival.

Combined Resection of Invaded Organ in Patients with T4 Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: Combined resection of invaded organ in advanced gastric cancer has been performed for complete removal of tumor and clearance of regional lymph node. However, higher morbidity and mortality associated with this procedure have been reported in recent large series and the efficacy of the procedure in survival remains controversial. In this study, we analyzed the efficacy of gastrectomy combined with invaded organ resection. METHODS: The medical records of 153 patients with T4 gastric carcinoma who underwent operation at Department of Surgery, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea from 1990 to 1998 were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into three groups. Thirty five patients with combined resection were included in group I, and 72 patients with gastrectomy alone were in group II and 46 patients with no resection were included in group III. RESULTS: Pancreas was the most frequently invaded organ (100 patients: 65.4%), followed by colon (57 patients: 37.3%). The patients of group III were older than that of group I, and the tumor size was bigger in group I than group II. Incidence of the lower one third of the gastric cancer was higher in group II and III than that of group I. Histologically, undifferentiated carcinomas were more frequent in all groups. Postoperative complications in group I occurred in 11 patients (31.5%): intraabdominal abscess (4 patients: 11.4%), duodenal stump leakage (2 patients: 5.7%), renal failure (2 patients: 5.7%), and followed by bleeding, pulmonary complication, pancreatitis. Operative mortality of group I was 2.9%. The 5-year survival rate of group I and II was 15.6% and 3.1%, respectively and 0% in group III. In patients without peritoneal or liver metastasis, the 5-year survival rate of group I and II was 27.0% and 5.5%, respectively. But in patients with incurable factors, there was no difference in survival between the two groups. Median survival of group I with incurable factors was only 7 months. CONCLUSION: Combined resection of invaded organ in patients with T4 gastric carcinoma is a relatively safe procedure. Combined resection should be considered in patients without incurable factors such as peritoneal or liver metastasis.

The Effect of Preoperative Concurrent Chemoradiation in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

PURPOSE: Tumor downstaging from preoperative chemoradiation has been associated with an increased probability of a sphincter-saving procedure and with improved local control and survival rate. We observed the effect and the prognostic value of pathologic tumor downstaging, including complete pathologic response to preoperative concurrent chemoradiation, resectability, sphincter-saving rate, disease- free survival, and overall survival in locally advanced rectal cancer patients. METHODS: From January 2000 to December 2003, we recruited a total 78 patients with computed tomography stages II and III rectal cancer which was treated by using preoperative concurrent chemoradiation; all patients had a radical resection with total mesorectal excision. Surgical resection was performed 6 to 8 weeks after completing the radiation therapy. The average follow up was 25.40+/-13.64 months. RESULTS: The number of patients according to CT stage before preoperative chemoradiation was 39 (II) and 39 (III). Tumor downstaging occurred in 51 (65.4%) patients, including 11 (14.1%) patients who had a complete pathologic response. Tumor size, radiation dose, and clinical stage were associated with tumor downstaging in the univariate analysis. None of the clinical or pathologic variables was associated with a complete pathologic response. The overall resectibality was 100%. The number of sphincter-saving procedures were 61 (78.2%). Recurrence occurred in 17 (21.8%) patients: local recurrence in 4 (5.1%) and distant metastasis in 13 (16.7%). None of the patients with a complete pathologic response recurred. Recurrences were 3 (17.6%)/7 (22.6%)/7 (36.8%) for pathologic stages I/II/III. Recurrence was more common among younger patients (P <0.05). Patients in the complete pathologic response group had more favorable disease-free survival compared with other group (yp stage I, II, III) (P=0.026). CONCLUSION: Preoperative concurrent chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer seems to afford some potential advantages: high tumor response, resectability, and feasible sphincter preservation, and even a complete pathologic response. A complete pathologic response to preoperative chemoradiation is associated with an improved disease-free survival.