[Significance of Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization for BCLC Stage B Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Mal-Nutrition].

Background and Aim: The recommendedind ication of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer(BCLC)stage B HCC. But there are some cases in which we do not perform TACE because of liver damage with malnutrition in stage B. So we examined whether branched-chain amino acid (BCAA)improve nutritional status and perform TACE to contribute the prolongation of HCC survival. METHODS: This study included8 8 patients treatedfor liver cirrhosis with HCC. All patients initially receivedBCAA granules. In patients with unchangedor decreasedAlb levels, BCAA granules were discontinuedandBCAA enrichednutrient was started. TACE for HCC were performedin those with an improvedChild -Pugh score. RESULTS: TACE were performedfollowing the aggressive intervention with BCAA nutritional education in 66 of 88(75%)patients. Finally, overall survival time was significantly extended in TACE group(p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Timely aggressive nutritional intervention in BCLC stage B HCC, early partial replacement with BCAA enrichednutrient before TACE may consequently contribute to improvement of the treatment outcome of HCC.

[Evaluation of Eligibility Criteria for Elderly Patients of Pancreaticoduodenectomy].

BACKGROUND/AIM: Pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD)treatment outcomes in elderly patients have been reported to be acceptable, but the eligibility criteria are not clear. To elucidate the importance of PD in octogenarians, we set beforehand the eligibility criteria in the elderly and evaluated whether the validity of the patient selection was adaptable. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 244 patients aged >70 years who hadpancreaticobiliary cancer. The patients were divided into 2 groups as follows: 32 patients in the octogenarian group and 212 patients in the septuagenarian group. The eligibility criteria were as follows: (1)cardiac function as ejection fraction of at least 40%, measured using Doppler echocardiography; (2)pulmonary function as forcedexpiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1.0%)of at least 50%on spirography; (3) nutritional status as serum albumin level of at least 3.0 g/dL; (4)daily activity status as Karnofsky performance status of at least 80%; and(5)psychological independence status as the capability of self-determination with respect to surgery. Postoperative morbidity and long-term outcome were comparedbetween the 2 groups, andprognostic factors relating to survival time were identified. RESULTS: The patients in the octogenarian group showed a significantly higher incidence rates of 2 or more comorbidities(p<0.0001)andd elirium(p=0.024). The difference in mortality rate between the 2 groups was not significant. No significant difference in overall survival rate was found between the 2 groups(p=0.197). The independent prognostic factors relating to survival duration were intraoperative blood loss(p=0.0008)andd uration of surgery(p= 0.0091). CONCLUSION: The eligibility criteria for PD in elderly patients are also satisfactorily applicable to octogenarian patients. These criteria may be helpful when uncertainties arise regarding the selection of PD.

[A Case of Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Head Cancer Treated by Curative Resection after Chemotherapy].

A 77-year-old woman with back and epigastric pains was diagnosed with pancreatic head cancer according to the result of contrast computed tomography, which showed a 25mm irregular low-density area at the pancreatic head infiltrating nearly half of the superior mesenteric plexus. There were no findings of lymph node metastasis or distant metastasis. The pretreatment diagnosis was borderline resectable(BR)pancreatic head cancer, cT3, N0, M0, cStage ⅡA. The patient was treated with gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel therapy. She developed Grade 3 neutropenia, and the dose was adjusted in order to continue chemotherapy. The size of the tumor had reduced to 15mm after 6 courses of the therapy, and the infiltration into the superior mesenteric plexus had also reduced. Therefore, the patient underwent subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy and D2 lymph node dissection. The histopathological findings were invasive ductal carcinoma with R0 radical resection. The efficacy of preoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for BR pancreatic cancer has not been established yet, but improving the R0 resection rate with preoperative chemotherapy may contribute to an improvement in the outcome of pancreatic cancer.

[A Case of Liver Metastasis from a Primary Adenocarcinoma of the Appendix Presenting Five Months after the Initial Surgery].

A 70-year-old man with lower right quadrant abdominal discomfort was admitted to our hospital. Colonoscopy identified a villous tumor protruding into the cecal lumen from the appendiceal orifice. Abdominal computed tomography(CT)revealed a cecal tumor with a swollen appendix. An appendiceal cecal tumor with obliterative appendicitis was diagnosed, and we performed an appendicectomy with removal of part of the cecum. On pathological examination, well to moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with infiltration of the proper muscular layer was diagnosed. No additional treatment was given as the patient refused further surgery and chemotherapy. However, a metastatic tumor in S4/8 of the liver was seen on CT 5 months after the initial surgery. A resection of liver metastasis was performed after chemotherapy. We report herein a rare case of primary appendiceal adenocarcinoma reoccurring shortly after surgery.

Eligibility Criteria Specific to Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Octogenarians: Single-center Opinion.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) treatment outcomes in elderly patients have been reported to be acceptable, but the eligibility criteria are not clear. To elucidate the importance of PD in octogenarians in particular, we set five eligibility criteria for elderly patients based on preoperative cardiac and pulmonary function, nutritional status, daily activity status, and psychological independence status for the first time and evaluated prospectively whether the validity of patient selection was adaptable. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 222 patients with pancreaticobiliary cancer aged over 70 years. The patients were divided into two groups: 192 patients as septuagenarians and 30 as octogenarians. Postoperative morbidity and long-term outcome were compared between the two groups, and prognostic factors relating to survival time were identified. RESULTS: Octogenarians had a significantly higher frequency of two or more comorbidities (p<0.0001). The difference in the mortality rates between the two groups was not significant, being 3.3% and 4.2%, respectively. No difference between the two groups was found in overall survival rate, including deaths due to other diseases, for any type of pancreaticobiliary cancer. Independent prognostic factors relating to survival duration were intraoperative blood loss (p=0.0004) and duration of surgery (p=0.0093). CONCLUSION: These five eligibility criteria for PD in elderly patients are also satisfactorily applicable to octogenarian patients. These criteria may be helpful when uncertainties arise regarding the selection of PD.

[Analysis of the Relationship between the Change of Drain Amylase Value and Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula after Pancreaticoduodenectomy].

To diagnose postoperative pancreatic fistula(POPF)after pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD)during early post operative days, we evaluatedwhether a change in drain amylase value(DAV), WBC value, or CRP value predicted clinically significant POPF. One hundred thirty patients underwent substomach preserving PD(SSPPD)from 2005 to 2016 in our institution andwe examinedDAV, WBC, andCRP values at POD 1, 3, and 5. Seventy-five patients(57.7%)were equivalent to ISGPF grade A at POD 3.We analyzedthese 75 cases by following 5 factors(DAV at POD 3>1,500 U/L, DAV at POD 5>1,000 U/L,WBC value at POD 5≤9,000/mL, DAV of POD 5 decreased to 1/3 from DAV of POD 3, CRP value not improved≥50%from POD 3 to 5) andwere concernedwith the crisis of the grade B/C POPF at final diagnosis after POD 5. In conclusion, DAV of POD 5 decreased to 1/3 from DAV of POD 3, andthe CRP value having not improved(≥50%from POD 3 to 5)were significant risk factors for POPF grade B andC by Cox proportional hazard models.

An assessment of the efficacy of first-line Helicobacter pylori-eradication therapy based on clarithromycin susceptibility.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the efficacy of standard triple therapy comprising proton pump inhibitor, clarithromycin (CAM), and amoxicillin, for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has reduced owing to the increasing CAM resistance of H. pylori. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of first-line H. pylori-eradication therapy on the basis of CAM sensitivity. METHODS: We enrolled 447 patients who were diagnosed with H. pylori infection from January 2011 to July 2014 and examined the antimicrobial resistance. In total, 260 patients without a history of H. pylori eradication therapy were treated with CAM- or metronidazole (MNZ)-based eradication therapy on the basis of the treatment period and CAM sensitivity of H. pylori. Between January 2011 and June 2013, patients were treated with CAM-based empirical therapy. Between July 2013 and July 2014, patients with CAM-sensitive strains were treated with CAM-based eradication therapy, and those with CAM-resistant strains were treated with MNZ-based therapy. RESULTS: The overall rate of resistance to CAM was 29.8%. The eradication rates of the empirical therapy and CAM-sensitivity-based therapy were 76.5% and 93.0%, respectively (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Eradication therapy based on CAM sensitivity was more effective than empirical eradication therapy for the first-line treatment of H. pylori-infected patients.

Impact of Branched-Chain Amino Acid-Enriched Nutrient on liver Cirrhosis with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Stage B: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: In decompensated liver cirrhosis, hypoalbuminemia still persists even after they have been treated with branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) granules. We prospectively evaluated whether BCAA enriched nutrient switched from BCAA granules would increase the serum albumin level, and consequently extend the survival time after hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. METHODS: This study included 77 patients treated for liver cirrhosis with HCC. After the nutritional assessment, all patients initially received BCAA granules. In patients with unchanged or decreased serum albumin levels, BCAA granules were discontinued and BCAA enriched nutrient was started. Transcatheter arterial chemembolization (TACE) for HCC were performed in those with an improved Child-Pugh score. RESULTS: TACE were performed following the aggressive intervention with BCAA nutritional education in 54 of 77 (70.1%) patients. Finally, survival time was significantly extended in the TACE group (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Timely aggressive nutritional intervention in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B HCC, namely, early partial replacement with BCAA enriched nutrient may consequently improve the treatment outcome of HCC.

[Prediction of Treatment Effect of Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Computed Tomography(CT)-Attenuation Value].

AIM: In general, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)can obtain a high therapeutic effect on hypervascular tumors, but the definition of"hypervascular"is unclear. In this study, stainedtumor images on enhancedcomputedtomography( CT)were assessedaccord ing to CT-attenuation value. We investigatedwhether it is possible to estimate the treatment effect(TE)of TACE for hepatocellular carcinomas(HCCs). STUDY POPULATION AND METHODS: We studied 50 patients with unresectable HCCs who underwent TACE. A total of 141 tumors were diagnosed as HCC on enhanced CT. We measured andcalculatedthe ratios of CT-attenuation values of HCCs in the arterial phase to normal enhancedliver parenchyma in the portal phase(CT value ratio). We then evaluatedTE on each target nodule by enhancedCT, to examine the correlation between TE andthe CT value ratio. RESULTS: The CT-attenuation values were 119(range 61-180)hounsfieldunits(HU)for HCC and8 3(49-141)HU for liver parenchyma, andthe CT value ratio was 1.47(0.7-2.6). TE was positively correlatedwith the CT value ratio(p=0.0005). The cut-off value that suggestedfavorable results for TACE was 1.7 by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)analysis. CONCLUSION: The CT value ratio is useful for recognition of hypervascular tumors. We obtained favorable results in cases with a CT value ratio of 1.7 or more.

[Three Cases of Unresectable, Advanced, and Recurrent Colorectal Cancer Associated with Gastrointestinal Obstruction That Were Treated with Small Intestine-Transverse Colon Bypass Surgery].

Herein, we report 3cases of unresectable, advanced, and recurrent colorectal cancer associated with gastrointestinal obstruction. The patients were treated with small intestine-transverse colon bypass surgery, which improved the quality of life (QOL)in all cases. Case 1 was an 80-year-old woman who presented with subileus due to ascending colon cancer. After surgery, her oral intake was reestablished, and she was discharged home. Case 2 was an 89-year-old woman whose ileus was caused by cecal cancer with multiple hepatic metastases. After surgery, the patient was discharged to a care facility. Case 3 was an 83-year-old man whose ileus was caused by a local recurrence and small intestine infiltration after surgery for rectosigmoid cancer. He underwent surgery after a colonic stent was inserted. His oral intake was re-established and he was discharged home. Small bowel-transverse colon bypass surgery can be used to manage various conditions rostral to the transverse colon. It is still possible to perform investigations in patients whose general condition is poorer than that of patients who undergo resection of the primary lesion. This avoids creating an artificial anus and allows continuation of oral intake, which are useful for improving QOL in terminal cases.

[Synchronous Double Cancer Involving Gastric Cancer Resembling a Submucosal Tumor with Stenosis in the Pylorus and Ascending Colon Cancer - A Case Report].

An 82-year-old woman presented to our hospital with a complaint of frequent vomiting. She was admitted for intensive examination and treatment. Abdominal computed tomography revealed that her stomach was severely expanded, and the wall of the ascending colon was thickened throughout its circumference. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy uncovered severe stenosis in the pylorus and an elevated lesion resembling a submucosal tumor on the posterior wall of the pylorus. Biopsies of the lesion revealed that it was of Group 1. On colonoscopy, type 2 cancer was found in the ascending colon throughout the circumference, and the biopsies revealed that it was of Group 5. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was repeated, and the same result was obtained. The possibility of malignancy could not be excluded; therefore, distal gastrectomy and right colectomy were performed. In terms of histopathology, both resected specimens displayed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma; however, immunohistochemical studies revealed differences in staining at the two sites. The case was diagnosed as synchronous double cancer involving gastric cancer resembling a submucosal tumor with stenosis in the pylorus and ascending colon cancer. Gastric cancer resembling a submucosal tumor is usually difficult to diagnose on biopsy. If the endoscopic findings reveal an elevated lesion resembling a submucosal tumor with stenosis, then the possibility of carcinoma should be considered, and the most suitable treatment should be selected.

[The case of a patient who experienced perforation related to sigmoid colon cancer, was bearing a hepatic metastasis, and who underwent radical resection for advanced colon cancer after a salvage operation for pan-peritonitis and chemotherapy].

Colorectal cancer associated perforation initially develops as pan-peritonitis but easily progresses to septic shock, which can be fatal. As such, it can be hard for patients to recover from this pathological condition. A 79-year-old man who was suffering from pan-peritonitis due to sigmoid colon cancer-associated perforation and also had a metastatic hepatic lesion was admitted to our hospital. He underwent an emergency operation in October 2012. Due to hemodynamic instability, peritoneal lavage and drainage, and stomal formation were performed during the operation. Polymyxin-B direct hemoperfusion (PMXDHP) and continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF) were performed for septic shock and acute renal failure, respectively. The patient was administered 5 courses of chemotherapy consisting of capecitabine, oxaliplatin, and bevacizumab (Cape+L-OHP +Beva) with no severe adverse reactions; the primary colonic and metastatic hepatic lesions showed a good response to the chemotherapy. A radical resection for the sigmoid colon cancer, including a partial hepatic resection for the metastatic lesion, was performed in May 2013. Surveillance examinations have indicated that the patient is recurrence-free 13 months after radical resection.

[Does interventional radiological treatment (transcatheter arterial chemoembolization/transarterial infusion) improve the prognosis of patients with unresectable and recurrent hepatocellular carcinomas?].

UNLABELLED: We report herein the usefulness of interventional radiological treatment( IVR) for hepatocellular carcinomas( HCCs), based on the results of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization( TACE) and transarterial infusion( TAI). METHODS: The study included 256 cases of HCC. TACE and TAI were performed for durations permitted by the degree of liver damage. Results(: 1) TACE was performed in 224 cases( average: 4.5 times, range: 1-14 times), and TAI was performed in 32 cases( average: 2.3 times, range: 1-8 times).( 2) The 3- and 5-year survival rates for all cases were 45.5% and 31.6%, respectively.( 3) We classified all cases according to the number of HCCs, solitary, 2-4, and multiple HCCs, and found no significant differences in the survival rate between the 3 groups( p=0.207),( 4) TAI was followed by TACE in non-responsive cases, and the median survival time of the TAI group was 8.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: We can expect benefits from repeated TACE treatment in the multiple HCCs group, compared to the solitary HCC group. TAI followed by TACE might improve the prognosis of unresectable and recurrent HCCs. Therefore, we conclude that IVR has clinical benefit as local treatment for HCC.