Comparison of safety of total laparoscopic versus laparoscopic-assisted radical gastrectomy for distal gastric cancer in older patients / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of total laparoscopic versus laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy and investigate the safety and replicability of total laparoscopic distal gastrectomy in older patients. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) age ≥65 years; (2) malignant gastric tumor diagnosed pathologically preoperatively; (3) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score 0-1; (4) Grade I-III American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status; (5) preoperative clinical tumor stage I-III; (6) total laparoscopic or laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy performed; and (7) gastrointestinal tract reconstruction using uncut Roux-en-Y or Billroth-II+Braun procedure. Patients who had received neoadjuvant therapy, undergone conversion to open surgery, or had serious comorbidities or incomplete data were excluded. The clinical data of 129 patients who met the above criteria and had undergone laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer from January 2012 to December 2021 in the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center in the Beijing Cancer Hospital were analyzed. According to the operation method, the patients were divided into total laparoscopic group and laparoscopic-assisted group. Variables studied comprised: (1) surgical procedure and postoperative recovery; (2) postoperative pathological findings; and (3) postoperative complications. Measurement data with skewed distribution are represented as mean(quartile 1, quartile 3). Comparisons between groups were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: After propensity score matching in a 1:1 ratio, there were 40 patients in the total laparoscopic distal gastrectomy group and 40 in the laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy group. Baseline characteristics did not differ significantly between the two groups (all P>0.05).Compared with the laparoscopic-assisted group, the total laparoscopic group had shorter main incisions (4.1±1.0 cm vs. 8.5±2.8 cm, t=9.375, P<0.001), time to fluid intake [4.0 (3.0, 4.8) days vs. 5.0 (4.0, 6.0) days, Z=2.167, P=0.030], and duration of indwelling abdominal drainage catheter [6.0 (6.0, 7.0) days vs. 7.0 (6.0, 8.0) days, Z=2.323, P=0.020]. Numerical Rating Scale scores on postoperative days 1 and 2 were higher in the total laparoscopic than the laparoscopic-assisted group [2.5 (1.0, 3.0) vs. 1.5 (1.0, 2.0), Z=1.980, P=0.048; 2.0 (1.0, 3.0) vs. 1.0 (1.0, 2.0), Z=2.334, P=0.020, respectively]. However, there were no significant differences between the groups in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, white blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, or albumin concentration on postoperative day 1, time to ambulation, mean time to bowel movement, postoperative admission to the intensive care unit, length of postoperative hospital stay, or Numerical Rating Scale scores on postoperative day 3 (all P>0.05). There were also no significant differences between the two groups in maximum tumor diameter, pathological tumor type, total number of lymph nodes dissected, or total number of positive lymph nodes (all P>0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications was 15.0% (6/40) in the total laparoscopic group and the laparoscopic-assisted group; these differences are not significant (χ2<0.001, P>0.999). Conclusions: Compared with laparoscopic-assisted radical gastrectomy for distal gastric cancer, total laparoscopic surgery has the advantages of shorter incision, shorter time to fluid intake, and shorter duration of indwelling abdominal drainage catheter in older patients (age ≥65 years). Total laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for distal gastric cancer does not increase the risk of postoperative complications and could therefore be performed more frequently.

Establishment and data quality control of a multicenter prospective database for prevalence of abdominal complications after gastroenterological surgery / 中华胃肠外科杂志

As the main cause of secondary operation and postoperative death, the incidence of intraperitoneal infectious complications varies significantly in different medical centers in China. Due to the lack of national data, it is not possible to assess and develop appropriate diagnosis and treatment strategies properly. To provide a high-quality data platform for complication registration and clinical research, a multicenter prospective database for the Prevalence of Abdominal Complications After GastroEnterological surgery was established. Based on the Hospital Information System (HIS)of 20 medical centers in China, the electronic case reporting form (e-CRF) listed on the website was used to collect medical information of patients undergoing gastric or colorectal cancer surgery. The data were verified by on-site auditing, and data cleaning was performed by R software. After the data cleaning, the data in the database was checked and evaluated by the principle investigators and data administrators. When all data queries and questions were corrected and answered, the database was locked to establish a multicenter prospective database for postoperative abdominal infectious complications (the PACAGE database). The PACAGE database has rich information resources and high data quality and is a good data platform for complication registration and clinical research.

Effects of laparoscopic hyperthermic intraperitoneal perfusion chemotherapy combined with intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy treatment in patients with untreated gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of laparoscopic hyperthermic intraperitoneal perfusion chemotherapy combined with intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy (HIPEC-IP-IV) in the treatment of peritoneal metastases from gastric cancer (GCPM). Methods: This was a descriptive case series study. Indications for HIPEC-IP-IV treatment include: (1) pathologically confirmed gastric or esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma; (2) age 20-85 years; (3) peritoneal metastases as the sole form of Stage IV disease, confirmed by computed tomography, laparoscopic exploration, ascites or peritoneal lavage fluid cytology; and (4) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-1. Contraindications include: (1) routine blood tests, liver and renal function, and electrocardiogram showing no contraindications to chemotherapy; (2) no serious cardiopulmonary dysfunction; and (3) no intestinal obstruction or peritoneal adhesions. According to the above criteria, data of patients with GCPM who had undergone laparoscopic exploration and HIPEC from June 2015 to March 2021 in the Peking University Cancer Hospital Gastrointestinal Center were analyzed, after excluding those who had received antitumor medical or surgical treatment. Two weeks after laparoscopic exploration and HIPEC, the patients received intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy. They were evaluated every two to four cycles. Surgery was considered if the treatment was effective, as shown by achieving stable disease or a partial or complete response and negative cytology. The primary outcomes were surgical conversion rate, R0 resection rate, and overall survival. Results: Sixty-nine previously untreated patients with GCPM had undergone HIPEC-IP-IV, including 43 men and 26 women; with a median age of 59 (24-83) years. The median PCI was 10 (1-39). Thirteen patients (18.8%) underwent surgery after HIPEC-IP-IV, R0 being achieved in nine of them (13.0%). The median overall survival (OS) was 16.1 months. The median OS of patients with massive or moderate ascites and little or no ascites were 6.6 and 17.9 months, respectively (P<0.001). The median OS of patients who had undergone R0 surgery, non-R0 surgery, and no surgery were 32.8, 8.0, and 14.9 months, respectively (P=0.007). Conclusions: HIPEC-IP-IV is a feasible treatment protocol for GCPM. Patients with massive or moderate ascites have a poor prognosis. Candidates for surgery should be selected carefully from those in whom treatment has been effective and R0 should be aimed for.

Building world leading surgical oncology for gastric cancer in China / 中华外科杂志

This century has seen significant advances in the treatment and research of gastric cancer in China. Chinese scholars have made a series of key technological breakthroughs in minimally invasive surgery, perioperative treatment and artificial intelligence diagnosis. These world-leading clinical researches have improved treatment outcomes and reduced surgical trauma. Global surveillance of trends in cancer survival 2000-14 reported that survival of gastric cancer in China has significantly improved during the last 20 years. This paper reviews the research history of surgical oncology for gastric cancer in China, summarises the experience and attempts to explore the future direction.

Current treatment status and trends of early gastric cancer in China: analyzed based on the data of China Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery Union / 中国实用外科杂志

Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancersin China. The proportion of early gastric cancer(EGC) is stillrelatively low in China. The data of China Gastrointestinal Can-cer Surgery Union from 2014 to 2017 can reflect the currentstatus and trends of diagnose and treatment of EGC in China.The union collected data of 134,111 cases of gastric cancer in95 centers in China. The trend analysis was performed with da-ta from centers with at least 3 years data collected. Within allthe patients, the proportion of EGC was 19.7%. The propor-tions of EGC were higher in Zhejiang, Beijing, Jiangsu, Tian-jin, and Shanghai, and were lower in Qinghai, Hainan, InnerMongolia, Yunnan, and Guangxi. The proportion of EGC in-creased from 19.7% in 2014 to 20.9% in 2017. In terms oftreatment, the proportions of endoscopic treatment, laparoscop-ic surgery, and open surgery were 24.3%, 37.7%, and 38.0%.From 2014 to 2017, the proportions of endoscopic treatmentand laparoscopic surgery increased while the proportion ofopen surgery decreased. Among patients received surgery,5.9% of pT1 a patients and 19.6% of pT1 b patients were withlymph node metastasis. In conclusion, the proportion of EGCincreased slightly in China but was still lower than that of Ja-pan and South Korea. Minimally invasive treatment graduallybecome the main treatment method of EGC.

Computed Tomography Arteriography for Detecting the Origin of the Inferior Pyloric Artery in Patients with Gastric Cancer

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the detection rate of the inferior pyloric artery (IPA) in patients with gastric cancer by computed tomography arteriography (CTA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients (48 males and 6 females; mean age, 59.0 ± 1.5 years) who had undergone radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer from September 2016 to July 2017 at our institution were recruited prospectively. Patients underwent abdominal contrast-enhanced CT scans and CTA imaging reconstruction before the operation. The origin of the IPA in all cases was determined by a radiologist based on CTA images and verified by the surgeon. The accuracy of CTA in diagnosing the origin of the IPA was calculated. Dominant vessels of the origin were analyzed. RESULTS: IPAs were detected by CTA in 51 patients (94.4%). Among these, IPAs originated from the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) (24 cases), the gastroduodenal artery (GDA) (4 cases), and the anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery (ASPDA) (20 cases). In the remaining 3 cases, the IPAs contained two branches originating from the RGEA and ASPDA, respectively. During surgery, in 2 (3.7%) of the 54 cases of gastric cancer, IPAs could not be detected; the IPAs originated from the RGEA (22 cases), GDA (5 cases), and ASPDA (24 cases). One case had an IPA originating from both the RGEA and the GDA. Finally, the accuracy of CTA in diagnosing the origin artery of the IPA was 85.2% (46/54). CONCLUSION: CTA can detect the origin of the IPA accurately, which can aid surgeons while performing pylorus-preserving operations.

Clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of Epstein-Barr virus associated gastric cancer: a single center large sample case investigation / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#Epstein-Barr virus associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) is different from the traditional gastric cancer (Epstein-Barr virus non-associated gastric cancer, EBVnGC), and has unique clinicopathological features. This study investigated the largest single center cancer series so as to establish the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of EBVaGC in China.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was conducted on EBVaGC and EBVnGC patients diagnosed at Peking University Cancer Hospital from 2003 to 2018 by comparing their clinicopathological features and prognosis. The gastric cancer (GC) dataset of public database was analyzed to obtain differentially expressed genes. The expression of important genes and their association with prognosis of GC were verified in GC tissues from our hospital.@*RESULTS@#In this study, 3 241 GC patients were included, and a total of 163 EBVaGC (5.0%) patients were identified. Compared with EBVnGC, EBVaGC was higher in male and younger patients, and positively associated with remnant GC, poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, and mixed type GC. EBVaGC was inversely related to lymph node metastasis. The 5-year survival rate of EBVnGC and EBVaGC was 59.6% and 63.2% respectively (P<0.05). In order to explore molecular features of EBVaGC, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset was analyzed (n=240), and 7 404 significant differentially expressed genes were obtained, involving cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis. The down-regulated invasion/metastasis gene SALL4 and the up-regulated immune checkpoint gene PD-L1 were important molecular features of EBVaGC. Validation of these two genes in large GC series showed that the majority of the EBVaGC was SALL4 negative (1/92, 1.1%, lower than EBVnGC, 303/1 727, 17.5%), and that PD-L1 was mostly positive in EBVaGC (81/110, 73.6%, higher than EBVnGC, 649/2 350, 27.6%). GC patients with SALL4 negative and PD-L1 positive were often associated with better prognosis.@*CONCLUSION@#EBVaGC is a unique subtype of GC with less metastasis and a good prognosis. It also has a distinct molecular background. The down-regulation of invasion/metastasis gene SALL4 and up-regulation of immune checkpoint gene PD-L1 are important molecular features.

Application of matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry in detecting K-ras gene mutation of colorectal cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical value of matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) in detecting K-ras gene mutation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-one paraffin-embeded specimens of colorectal cancer were selected. MALDI-TOF-MS and regular sequencing were used to test the mutation of codon 12 and 13 in K-ras exon 2.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Only 47 specimens could be detected successfully in regular sequencing, while all the specimens were tested successfully in MALDI-TOF-MS. Fourteen specimens had K-ras mutation in regular sequencing (30.0%), while 22 specimens had mutation in MALDI-TOF-MS (36.1%). Six specimens with mutation were found in MALDI-TOF-MS but were wild-type in regular sequencing. Same mutation types from 14 specimens were confirmed by both regular sequencing and MALDI-TOF-MS. MALDI-TOF-MS was able to detect the mutation in 2 specimens that was not identified in regular sequencing.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>MALDI-TOF-MS is a feasible approach of K-ras gene mutation testing in colorectal cancer, which is less demanding in terms of specimen quality and is more sensitive as compared to regular sequencing.</p>

Pay attention to digestive tract reconstruction after curative resection of gastric cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Several reconstruction techniques are available after gastrectomy. Roux-en-Y reconstruction following distal gastrectomy is the reference in terms of long-term functional and endoscopic outcomes. It is the preferred reconstruction for benign lesions and early gastric cancer. In patients with advanced gastric cancer, BillrothII (reconstruction is an acceptable alternative. After total gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y reconstruction is the simplest solution, with satisfactory functional outcome. Addition of a jejunal reservoir seems to improve long-term outcome after total gastrectomy and could be of benefit to patients with good prognosis. After distal or total gastrectomy, hand-sewn anastomoses should be preferred because of lower costs. Mechanical sutures can facilitate transhiatal esophagojejunostomy. After proximal gastrectomy, esophago-gastric anastomosis is the basic reconstruction method. Gastric remnant is made into gastric tube in the operation. The effect of pyloroplasty remains controversial, and further study is needed to improve the quality of life after operation.

Diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of gastric remnant cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Gastric remnant cancer (GRC) is defined as cancer in the remnant stomach after partial gastrectomy. The incidence of GRC is rising in recent years. The carcinogenesis, development, and metastasis of GRC are different from primary gastric cancer. The early detection of GRC should be based on rational surveillance of patients following gastrectomy. For early stage GRC, endoscopic resection is one of the safe and effective methods. For advanced GRC, the primary treatment alternative is surgical resection. Minimally invasive procedures such as laparoscopic exploration, laparoscopic-assisted resection of GRC are still safe choices for experienced surgeons.

Expression of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta in human gastric carcinoma and its clinical significance / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the expression of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta (CEBPB) in gastric carcinoma tissues and its association with clinicopathological features and prognosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CEBPB protein expression level was detected by immunohistochemistry method in resected gastric carcinomas and adjacent gastric mucosa tissues (n=81), and its association with clinicopathological features and prognosis was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The immunohistochemical staining of CEBPB was predominantly in the nucleus with some cytoplasmic staining. As a result, 16% (13/81) of the gastric carcinomas were stained positively, whereas there was hardly positive expression in adjacent gastric mucosa tissues. There was a significant association between the expression of CEBPB and distant metastasis on univariate analysis (P<0.05). The median survival time in patients with positive CEBPB expression was significantly lower than those with negative CEBPB expression (19.4 months vs. 45.2 months, P=0.024). Multivariable analysis showed that CEBPB was independently associated with prognosis (HR=2.544, 95%CI:1.154-5.610, P=0.021).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Up-regulation of CEBPB suggests poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer.</p>

Prognostic biomarkers and targeted therapies for gastric cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Gastric cancer patients with the same clinical stage may vary greatly in prognosis, which makes the improvement of current staging-based treatment imperative. The systematic biology approaches are the solution for systematic identification of biomarkers for prognostic evaluation and targeted therapy. These markers will be applied to classify the patients by molecular traits and then to guide the individualized medication. Although HER-2 antibody is currently the only targeted drug in guideline, more drugs are now addressed in early phases of clinical trials and parts of them will be eventually approved.

Application of perioperative imatinib mesylate therapy in initial resectable primary local advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor at intermediate or high risk / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of perioperative imatinib mesylate (IM) therapy for patients with initial resectable primary local advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) at intermediate or high risk on R0 resection rate and the prognosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight above GIST patients between December 2001 and February 2012 were divided into 2 groups: neoadjuvant group (15 cases, pre- and post-operation IM therapy) and adjuvant group (33 cases, post-operative IM therapy). R0 resection rate, complication rate, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed and compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The maximal tumor diameter and average tumor diameter were larger in neoadjuvant group as compared to adjuvant group (11.2 cm vs. 7.7 cm, P=0.005; 9.1 cm vs. 6.2 cm, P=0.014). The response rate of preoperative IM therapy was 93.3% (14/15). The R0 resection rate was 86.7% and 84.8% (P=1.000), and the complication rate was 13.3% and 9.1% (P=0.642) in neoadjuvant and adjuvant group respectively. The 3-year DFS was 55% and 41% (P=0.935), and 5-year OS was 83% and 75% (P=0.766) in neoadjuvant and adjuvant group respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Resectable primary local advanced GIST at intermediate or high risk with larger tumor diameter receiving perioperative IM therapy can achieve the same R0 resection rate, complication rate, DFS and OS as the GIST with smaller diameter receiving operation first. Perioperative IM therapy has potential advantage.</p>

Treatment progress of gastrointestinal stromal tumor / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis is defined by mutations within the KIT and PDGFRα gene. Surgical resection is the only radical treatment at present, but recurrence is common. In recent years, targeted therapy with imatinib mesylate, which inhibits KIT kinase activity, represents the other cornerstone for the treatment of GIST. For resectable GIST, operation combined with neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy with imatinib mesylate or other tyrosine kinase inhibitors can improve the prognosis of high-risk patients before or after complete resection. For unresectable GIST, targeted therapy with imatinib mesylate can effectively inhibit and ameliorate the progression of GIST.

Analysis of risk factors for pulmonary metastasis after curative resection of colorectal cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the risk factors for pulmonary metastasis after curative resection of colorectal cancer in order to improve the effectiveness of follow-up and the rate of early diagnosis for the high-risk patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinicopathological and follow-up data of 268 patients with colorectal cancer undergoing radical resection from January 2004 to December 2006 in the Beijing Cancer Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into study group including 16(6.0%) patients who developed lung metastasis and control group without lung metastasis. The high-risk variables associated with lung metastasis were reviewed by univariate analysis and multivariate analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Lung metastasis developed in 16 patients, including 10 cases with unilateral lung metastasis and 6 with bilateral. The median duration from colorectal surgery to identification of lung metastasis was 13.9 months. The diagnosis rate of pulmonary metastasis by enhanced chest CT was 81.3%(13/16). Univariate analysis identified the following associated with significant factors associated with pulmonary metastasis: primary tumor location(P=0.003), adjuvant chemotherapy(P=0.034), TNM stage(P=0.005) and preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) level (P=0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that primary tumor location(rectum) and preoperative serum CEA level(≥5 μg/L) were independent risk factors for pulmonary metastasis(both P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Primary tumor location and elevated preoperative CEA level are independent risk factors for pulmonary metastasis. Strict postoperative follow-up and routine chest enhanced CT examination is necessary for this particular patient population.</p>

Regulation mechanism study of S100A6 on invasion and metastasis in gastric cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the expression of S100A6 in gastric cancer, and to investigate the regulation mechanism of S100A6 in invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Expression of S100A6 protein in gastric cancer specimens, tissue adjacent to cancer, liver and lymph node metastasis tissue specimens was detected by immunohistochemical staining in 166 patients with gastric cancer from January 1995 to December 2001. Their association with clinicopathological factors was analyzed. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation-chip was used to detect the downstream factors potentially regulated by S100A6 in gastric cancer cell lines KATO3. S100A6 gene was transfected into gastric cancer cell line AGS, and cell invasion experiment and real time Q-polymerase chain reaction(RT Q-PCR) were used to detect the cell invasive ability and the mRNA expression of invasion-related factors (CDK5 and FLJ12438) in transfection group, negative control group and blank control group, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Low expression of S100A6 protein was found in cytoplasm of peritumoral tissues. In gastric cancer, liver and lymph node metastasis tissues, S100A6 protein expression was up-regulated in cytoplasm and (or) nuclei, especially in the tumor cells of invasive edge. The expression rates of gastric cancer, liver and lymph node metastasis tissues were 67.5%(112/166), 92.9%(26/28) and 100% (30/30) respectively. The high expression of S100A6 was associated with tumor local invasion, lymph node metastasis, cancer embolus, distant metastasis and TNM stages(all P<0.05). The transmembrane cell number was 31.3±5.5 in the S100A6 transfection group, significantly higher than that in negative control group (7.7±1.5) and blank control group (9.3±2.1)(both P<0.05), indicating an increase of cell invasion after S100A6 transfection. In transfection group, CDK5 mRNA expression was significantly higher than that in negative control group and blank control group(P<0.05). While FLJ1243 mRNA expression was similar among the three groups(P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>S100A6 may affect the malignant biological behavior of gastric cancer cells by regulating the expressions of down-stream invasion-associated factors, such as CDK5.</p>

Clinical value of serum CEA, CA19-9, CA72-4 and CA242 in the diagnosis and prognosis of gastric cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical value of tumor markers CEA, CA19-9, CA72-4 and CA242 in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with gastric cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and sixty gastric cancer patients who had received treatment from 2002 to 2007 at the Beijing Cancer Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Blood samples were taken from patients upon admission to the hospital, and CEA, CA19-9, CA72-4, CA242 levels were detected. Statistical analysis was performed to identify the clinical value of these tumor markers in diagnosis and prognosis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>On initial diagnosis, the positive rates of CEA, CA19-9, CA72-4 and CA242 were 37.7%, 26.7%, 37.6% and 21.3%, respectively, and the positive rate of combined detection was 62.9%. CEA was more frequently positive in patients with lymph node metastasis (P=0.029); CA72-4 was more frequently positive in patients with vascular involvement and advanced stage (P=0.039, P=0.011). Multivaraite analysis showed that CA72-4 was an independent prognostic factor (P=0.012). Patients with positive CA72-4 carried a 2.147-fold increased risk of death than those with negative CA72-4. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with positive CA19-9 or positive CA72-4 had worse survival than those with negative CA19-9 or CA72-4 (P=0.006, P=0.002).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Tumor markers including CEA, CA19-9, CA72-4 and CA242 have clinical significance and prognostic value in patients with gastric cancer. Combined detection of four tumor markers can increase the positive rate. CA72-4 is an independent prognostic factor. CA19-9 and CA72-4 are associated with the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer.</p>

Analysis of splenic hilar lymph node metastasis in advanced gastric cancer and dissection techniques / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the status of splenic hilar lymph nodes(No.4sa, No.10 or No.11d lymph nodes) metastasis and to investigate the proper dissection technique in patients with advanced gastric cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective study was performed to investigate 590 patients who underwent D2 curative proximal or total gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma from January 2006 to December 2009. Clinicopathological factors such as sex, age, location of the primary tumor, tumor sizes, gross type, depth of invasion, microscopic classification, neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the metastasis of adjacent lymph node were analyzed with univariate and multivariate analysis. Influence of combined splenectomy or pancreatectomy on lymph node dissection was also investigated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall ratio of metastatic lymph node(positive lymph nodes/lymph nodes harvested) in the splenic hilum was 17.5%(99/565). The positive rates of No.4sa, No.10, No.11d lymph nodes were 17.8% (41/230), 13.9%(29/209), and 22.8%(29/127), respectively. A total of 7.1%(42/590) of the patients had lymph node metastasis in the splenic hilum. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age, tumor size, depth of tumor invasion, positive metastasis of No.4sb lymph node were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis in the splenic hilum region. When comparing patients undergoing combined splenectomy or pancreatectomy(n=23) and those who did not undergo combined organ resection (n=553), the ratios of metastatic lymph node in the splenic hilum were 14.8%(4/27) and 17.2%(91/527), respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05). The postoperative complication rates were 26.1%(6/23) and 5.4%(30/553), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The operative mortality rates were 4.3% and 0.9%, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Metastasis to lymph nodes in the splenic hilum region in patients with gastric cancer possesses a certain pattern, and it is associated with tumor location, size, depth of invasion, and metastasis in No.4sb. Combined resection of the spleen or pancreas does not result in increased number of harvested lymph nodes or positive lymph nodes, yet is associated with higher complication rate. Therefore, combined organ resection should be meticulous.</p>

Clinicopathological observation of gastric cancer with pathological complete response following neoadjuvant chemotherapy / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer with pathological complete response(pCR) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data of gastric cancer patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy from 2002 to 2008 in the Beijing Cancer Hospital were reviewed. Five cases were found to have pCR. The slides were reviewed by two experienced pathologists independently. Histological structure, morphology of tumor cells, morphology and quantity of stromal cells were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Structure of the gastric wall was distinguishable in all the 5 cases, while distortion and rupture of muscular layer were found in 2 cases. Exudative inflammatory reaction was present in the whole gastric wall including the serosa layer. Three patients had ulcerative lesions with epithelial layer shedding, and atypical hyperplasia was found around the border of the ulcer, and vascular endothelial cells were swollen. Residual distorted necrotic tumor cells resided in 1 case only and no residual tumor cells was present in the other 4 patients. Significant hyperplasia of fibroblasts was present in 4 cases, large amount of lymphocytes infiltration in 3 cases including concurrent plasma cell infiltration in 1 case, multinucleated giant cell reaction in the muscular layer of 1 case, and foam cells aggregation in 1 case with mucinous adenocarcinoma. In addition, there were 2 cases with pCR had lymph node metastasis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>For cases with pCR following neoadjuvant chemotherapy, heterogeneity of stromal cells reaction is found in previous tumor site. Furthermore, the response of primary tumor does not necessarily parallel to that of lymph nodes.</p>

Downregulation of chromobox protein homolog 7 expression in multiple human cancer tissues / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between chromobox protein homolog 7 (cbx7) expression and the occurrence and development of colorectal carcinoma (CRC), gastric carcinoma (GC) and hepatocarcinoma (HCC) tissues.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The samples of neoplastic tissues and the corresponding cutting-edge normal tissues from 22 cases of CRC, 20 cases of GC, 30 cases of HCC were surgically collected. Level of cbx7 mRNA was detected with a fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR assay, and the correlationship among expression of cbx7 mRNA, the patients' clinicopathologic features and the surviving time after surgery was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The relative copy number of cbx7 mRNA in carcinomas and the normal tissues was 0.010 ± 0.015 vs 0.053 ± 0.042 for CRCs, 0.197 ± 0.195 vs 1.891 ± 1.254 for GCs, and 0.008 ± 0.008 vs 0.030 ± 0.021 for HCCs, respectively. Compared with the corresponding normal tissues, cbx7 expression was significantly downregulated in CRCs, GCs, and HCCs (t = -7.351, -5.417 and -6.680, respectively, P < 0.01). The expression of cbx7 mRNA in CRCs had significant differences not only between two age groups (the relative copy number of cbx7 mRNA in age > 55 group was 0.007 ± 0.015, but 0.017 ± 0.012 in age ≤ 55 group, t = -2.586, P = 0.022); but also between vascular embolus-positive and negative groups (the level of cbx7 mRNA in positive and negative group was 0.022 ± 0.021 vs 0.006 ± 0.011, t = -3.175, P = 0.010). The area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve is 0.769 (P = 0.033). when the Cut-off value of the relative copy number of cbx7 mRNA was 0.002 in CRCs. The values less-than 0.002 were defined as low expression. The CRC patients with low expression of cbx7 had a shorter overall survival time; whose 5 years survival rate was only 30.8% (4/13); while the rate was 77.8% (7/9) in high expression of cbx7 group. The difference had statistical significance (χ(2) = 4.329, P = 0.037). The similar differences could not be found among GC and HCC patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Downregulation of cbx7 expression was very common among multiple carcinomas cases, and the downregulation influenced the prognosis of CRC patients.</p>