Effect of genetic polymorphisms of interleukin-1 beta on the microscopic portal vein invasion and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated a relationship between genetic polymorphisms of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) and cancer development; however, their influence on cancer prognosis is unknown. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of IL-1ß single nucleotide polymorphisms on the hematogenous dissemination and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent primary liver resection at our hospital between April 2015 and December 2018. The primary endpoints were overall and recurrence-free survival. Secondary endpoints were microscopic portal vein invasion and number of circulating tumor cells. RESULTS: A total of 148 patients were included, 32 with rs16944 A/A genotype. A/A genotype was associated with microscopic portal vein invasion and number of circulating tumor cells (p = .03 and .04). In multivariate analysis, A/A genotype, alpha-fetoprotein level, and number of circulating tumor cells were associated with microscopic portal vein invasion (p = .01, .01, and <.01). A/A genotype, Child-Pugh B, and intraoperative blood loss were independent predictive factors for overall survival (p = .02, <.01, and <.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the IL-1ß rs16944 A/A genotype is involved in number of circulating tumor cells, microscopic portal vein invasion, and prognosis in HCC.

Protocol to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tolvaptan in patients with refractory ascites after liver resection: an open-label, single-arm phase I/II study.

Background: In patients with chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis, massive ascites after hepatic resection is the cause of prolonged hospitalization and worsening prognosis. Recently, the efficacy of tolvaptan in refractory ascites has been reported; however, there are no reports on the efficacy or safety of tolvaptan for refractory ascites after hepatic resection. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of early administration of tolvaptan in patients with refractory ascites after hepatic resection. Materials and methods: This is an open-label, single-arm phase I/II study. This study subject will comprise patients scheduled for hepatic resection of a liver tumor. Patients with refractory ascites after hepatic resection (drainage volume on postoperative day 1 ≥5 ml/body weight 1 kg/day) will be treated with tolvaptan. The primary endpoint will include the maximum change in body weight after hepatic resection relative to the preoperative baseline. The secondary endpoints will include drainage volume, abdominal circumference, urine output, postoperative complication rate (heart failure and respiratory failure), number of days required for postoperative weight gain because of ascites to decrease to preoperative weight, change in improvement of postoperative pleural effusion, total amount of albumin or fresh frozen plasma transfusion, type and amount of diuretics used, and postoperative hospitalization days. Conclusion: This trial will evaluate the efficacy and safety of tolvaptan prophylaxis for refractory ascites after hepatic resection. As there are no reports demonstrating the efficacy of tolvaptan prophylaxis for refractory ascites after hepatic resection, the authors expect that these findings will lead to future phase III trials and provide valuable indications for the selection of treatments for refractory postoperative ascites.

C-Reactive Protein/Albumin Ratio Is an Independent Risk Factor for Recurrence and Survival Following Curative Resection of Stage I-III Colorectal Cancer in Older Patients.

BACKGROUND: The number of older patients with cancer has increased, and colorectal cancer is expected to be affected by this trend. This study aimed to compare prognostic factors, including nutritional and inflammation-based indices, between patients aged ≥ 70 and < 70 years following curative resection of stage I-III colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 560 patients with stage I-III colorectal cancer who underwent curative resection between May 2010 and June 2018. A retrospective analysis was performed to identify prognosis-associated variables in patients aged ≥ 70 and < 70 years. RESULTS: Preoperative low body mass index, high C-reactive protein/albumin ratio, and comorbidities were mainly associated with poor prognosis in patients aged ≥ 70 years. Tumor factors were associated with a poor prognosis in patients aged < 70 years. The C-reactive protein/albumin ratio was independently associated with poor overall survival and recurrence-free survival in those aged ≥ 70 years. The time-dependent area under the curve for the C-reactive protein/albumin ratio was superior to those of other nutritional and inflammation-based indices in most postoperative observation periods in patients aged ≥ 70 years. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor factors were associated with a poor prognosis in patients aged < 70 years. In addition to lymph node metastasis, preoperative statuses were associated with poor prognosis in patients aged ≥ 70 years. Specifically, the preoperative C-reactive protein/albumin ratio was independently associated with long-term prognosis in patients aged ≥ 70 years with stage I-III colorectal cancer after curative resection.

Outcomes and Prognostic Analysis of Surgical Resection for Oligometastasis from Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients who underwent resection for oligometastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and identify the prognostic factors associated with poor survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent resection for oligometastasis from HCC between January 2000 and April 2021 were retrospectively investigated. Oligometastasis was defined as 1-5 single organ metastases that were detected preoperatively in this study. Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes were analyzed, and independent risk factors for poor prognosis were identified using cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients were included in this study. Eleven oligometastases were located in the intraabdominal lymph node, 8 in the adrenal gland, 5 in the lung, 4 in the peritoneum, 3 in the pleura, and 1 each in the supraclavicular lymph node and abdominal wall. No re-operation or operative death occurred in this study. The median OS was 44.6 months (range=5.1-150.6 months), and the median survival after primary HCC diagnosis was 116.5 months (range=7.1-253.6 months). The median cumulative incidence of recurrent HCC was 7.2 months (range=0.3-94.7 months). The multivariate analysis showed that an alpha-fetoprotein level ≥20 ng/ml and multiple primary HCC tumors were independent poor prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients who underwent resection for oligometastasis from HCC were demonstrated. A high alpha-fetoprotein level and multiple primary HCC tumors were independent poor prognostic factors. Surgical resection can be one of the treatment options for oligometastasis from HCC.

Efficacy and safety of lenvatinib-transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation sequential therapy followed by surgical resection for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma beyond Up-to-7 criteria: a study protocol for a multicentre, single-arm, prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: The feasibility and efficacy of surgical resection following systemic therapy for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) beyond the Up-to-7 criteria is unclear. The combination of lenvatinib (LEN) and transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation (TACE), termed LEN-TACE sequential therapy, has shown a high response rate and survival benefit in patients with intermediate-stage HCC. This trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of LEN-TACE sequential therapy and the feasibility of surgical resection for intermediate-stage HCC beyond the Up-to-7 criteria. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a multicentre, single-arm, prospective clinical trial. Thirty patients with intermediate-stage HCC beyond the Up-to-7 criteria will be enrolled. Patients eligible for this study will undergo LEN-TACE sequential therapy in which LEN is administered for 4 weeks, followed by TACE, and then further LEN for another 4 weeks. Patients will be assessed for efficacy of LEN-TACE sequential therapy and resectability, and surgical resection will be performed if the HCC is considered radically resectable. The primary outcome of this study is the resection rate after LEN-TACE sequential therapy. The secondary outcomes are the objective response rate of LEN-TACE sequential therapy, safety, curative resection rate, overall survival and recurrence-free survival. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This trial was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Hiroshima University, Japan (approval no. CRB210003), and has been registered with the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCTs061220007). The results of this study will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and shared with the scientific community at international conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: jRCTs061220007 (https://jrct.niph.go.jp/latest-detail/jRCTs061220007).

Preoperative percutaneous or transvascular marking for curative resection of small liver tumours with potential for missing during hepatectomy: a study protocol for an open-label, single-arm phase II study.

INTRODUCTION: Small liver tumours are difficult to identify during hepatectomy, which prevents curative tumour excision. Preoperative marking is a standard practice for small, deep-seated tumours in other solid organs; however, its effectiveness for liver tumours has not been validated. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative markings for curative resection of small liver tumours. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is an open-label, single-arm, single-centre, phase II study. Patients with liver tumours of ≤15 mm requiring hepatectomy will be enrolled and will undergo preoperative marking by placing a microcoil near the tumour using either the percutaneous or transvascular approach. The tumours, including the indwelling markers, will be excised. The primary endpoint will be the successful resection rate of liver tumours, defined as achieving a surgical margin of ≥5 mm and ≤15 mm. Secondary endpoints will include the results of preoperative marking and hepatectomy. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval for this trial was obtained from the Ethical Committee for Clinical Research of Hiroshima University, Japan. The results will be published at an academic conference or by submitting a paper to a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: jRCTs062220088.

Effect of abdominal aortic calcification on the prognosis and recurrence of colorectal cancer stages II-III: A retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is a well-known risk marker for cardiovascular disease. However, its clinical effect on patients who underwent radical surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) stages II-III is unclear. This study aimed to analyze the associations between AAC and prognosis of patients with stage II-III CRC. METHODS: To evaluate the effect of AAC on clinical outcomes, prognosis, and metastatic patterns of CRC, we analyzed 362 patients who underwent radical surgery for stage II-III CRC between 2010 and 2018. RESULTS: The high AAC group had significantly worse overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) after propensity score matching to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics of patients and tumors. In the multivariate Cox regression analyses, a high AAC was an independent risk factor for poor OS (hazard ratio [HR], 2.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-4.59; p = 0.01), poor CSS (HR, 5.22; 95% CI, 1.74-15.6; p < 0.01), and poor RFS (HR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.19-2.83; p < 0.01). A high AAC was not associated with a risk of lung metastasis or local or peritoneal recurrence, but a risk for liver metastasis of CRC. CONCLUSION: A high AAC showed a strong relationship with poor OS, CSS, and RFS after curative resection for stage II-III CRC. A high AAC was also associated with a risk for liver metastasis, which may worsen the prognosis in stage II-III CRC. AAC could be a new clinical tool for predicting the prognosis for patients in stage II-III CRC.

Usefulness and safety of midline incision for right-sided hepatectomy: Cohort study.

BACKGROUND: While the adoption rates of laparoscopic hepatectomy are increasing, most patients still undergo open hepatectomy. Open hepatectomies use inverted L-shaped or Mercedes incisions for right-sided liver tumor. To decrease procedural invasiveness, we performed midline incisions in such cases, excluding those of laparoscopic hepatectomy. This retrospective study examined the effects of this change in treatment policy on overall patient surgical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2012 to 2018, 374 patients who underwent hepatectomy for right-sided hepatocellular carcinoma were enrolled, and short-term patient outcomes were compared following stratification into the 1st (n = 157) or 2nd (n = 217) Era group based on whether procedures occurred before or after the policy change, respectively. RESULTS: Short-term outcomes were mostly comparable between the two groups, with significantly increased postoperative aspartate aminotransferase maximum values found in the 2nd Era group relative to the 1st Era group (median: 393 vs. 331, p < 0.05). Pain scores at rest during postoperative day 1 and while moving on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3 were significantly lower in the 2nd Era group than in the 1st Era group (p < 0.05, <0.01, <0.05, <0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Utilization of midline incisions may provide some benefits in postoperative outcomes for right-sided open hepatectomy cases.

A rare case of enlarged gastric heterotopic pancreas with retention cysts: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Gastric heterotopic pancreas (HP) is usually asymptomatic and benign; however, it may become evident when it is complicated by pathological changes such as inflammation, bleeding, and malignant transformation. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 43-year old man was diagnosed with gastric HP 18 years prior suffered a haemorrhage from the enlarged gastric HP with multiple cystic lesions. Although endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration showed no malignancy, he underwent a partial gastrectomy for diagnosis and treatment. Postoperative histological findings revealed ectopic pancreatic tissue with retained cysts that consisted of dilated pancreatic ducts without malignancy. DISCUSSION: This is a first report of enlarged gastric HP due to the expansion of retained cysts. Gastric HP is rarely enlarged by pathological changes including inflammation, retention cysts, or malignant neoplasms. CONCLUSION: Symptomatic enlarged gastric HP should be respected and further examined histologically to ensure diagnostic accuracy.

Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallbladder torsion: A case report and literature review.

We present a case of preoperatively diagnosed gallbladder torsion (GT) that was successfully treated by single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy. An 80-year-old woman presented with sudden pain and a palpable mass in the right upper quadrant. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed ischemic changes, a swollen gallbladder with a V-shaped distortion of the extrahepatic ducts, and the gallbladder in an abnormal anatomical position; clinical findings indicated GT. We performed single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy and intraoperatively found that the floating gallbladder was twisted counterclockwise by 180° around the cystic duct. After an uneventful postoperative course, the patient was discharged on postoperative day 7. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for a GT was first performed in 1994, and since then, 28 cases, including ours, have been treated laparoscopically. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for GT could be the standard treatment for this condition, and single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be a good surgical option for patients with GT because of its anatomical characteristics.

A case of sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation of the spleen with increased accumulation of fluorodeoxyglucose after 5-year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation (SANT) of spleen is a new entity defined as a benign pathologic lesion. Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) shows weak accumulation, thereby ruling out the malignancy in preoperative diagnosis is difficult. Herein, we reported a case of shrinking SANT with increased FDG accumulation during a 5-year follow-up period, which was treated by laparoscopic splenectomy. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 64-year-old female had been referred to our hospital for the evaluation of a splenic tumor. Initial contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a well-defined, and ovoid hypoattenuating lesion, measuring 52mm in diameter in the spleen. Initial PET/CT revealed accumulation of FDG in the tumor (maximum standardized uptake value [SUVmax]: 2.8). The mass was diagnosed as SANT, and the patient was followed-up every 6-12 months for 5 years. Follow-up PET/CT revealed increased accumulation of FDG (SUVmax: 3.5). As it was suspicious considering the differential diagnosis, including malignant lymphoma and inflammatory pseudotumor, she underwent laparoscopic splenectomy. The pathological results showed three types of vessels including capillaries, ectatic small veins, and sinusoids-like vessels, consistent with the features of SANT. DISCUSSION: A SANT may have features that resemble those of malignancy, including the growing mass and the increase of FDG accumulation. CONCLUSION: Although the preoperative diagnosis of SANT is difficult, it is necessary to make a diagnosis of SANT comprehensively, even when accumulation of FDG increased slightly during the follow-up period and suggested the possibility of malignant diseases.

Laparoscopic extraction of a giant peritoneal loose body: Case report and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: A peritoneal loose body is a rare finding and is sometimes founded incidentally during laparotomy or autopsy. A giant peritoneal loose body, measuring more than 50mm, is very rare, and only a few cases of laparoscopic extraction of these giant bodies have been reported in the literature. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 70-year-old man presented for evaluation of urinary frequency. He had no history of previous abdominal surgery or trauma. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis showed a giant oval-shaped mass with calcification of the luminal core, measuring 58mm in diameter. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a lesion with low intensity in T1-/T2-weighted images. Exploratory laparoscopy was performed. During the procedure, a yellow-white, oval-shaped mass with a "Boiled egg" appearance was discovered in front of the rectum. The mass was freely floating in the peritoneal cavity, without attachment to any intraperitoneal organs. The giant peritoneal loose body was extracted through a small incision, using an enlarged trocar site. DISCUSSION: Most peritoneal loose bodies are small, not exceeding 2cm in diameter, and are asymptomatic. Only a few cases of giant peritoneal loose bodies exceeding 5cm have been reported. CONCLUSION: A giant peritoneal loose body is very rare and laparoscopic extraction was a useful technique. We report a case of a giant peritoneal loose body and review previously published series.