Portal vein wedge resection and patch venoplasty with autologous vein grafts for hepatobiliary-pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Advanced hepatobiliary-pancreatic cancer often invades critical blood vessels, including the portal vein (PV) and hepatic artery. Resection with tumor-free resection margins is crucial to achieving a favorable prognosis in these patients. Herein, we present our cases and surgical techniques for PV wedge resection with patch venoplasty using autologous vein grafts during surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PhCC). CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1: 73-year-old female patient with PDAC; underwent subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy, with superior mesenteric vein wedge resection and venoplasty with the right gonadal vein. Case 2: 67-year-old male patient with PDAC; underwent distal pancreatectomy and celiac axis resection, with PV wedge resection and venoplasty with the middle colic vein. Case 3: 51-year-old female patient with type IV PhCC; underwent left hepatectomy with caudate lobectomy and bile duct resection, with hilar PV wedge resection and venoplasty with the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV). Case 4: 69-year-old male patient with type IIIA PhCC; underwent right hepatopancreatoduodenectomy, with hilar PV resection and patch venoplasty with the IMV. All patients survived for over 12 months after the surgery, without local recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: PV wedge resection and patch venoplasty is a useful technique for obtaining tumor-free margins in surgeries for hepatobiliary-pancreatic cancer.

Crohn's disease-related anal fistula cancer diagnosed by examination under anesthesia: a case report.

BACKGROUND: As the number of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) increases, the incidence of IBD-related colorectal cancer (CRC) is also on the rise. Crohn's disease (CD)-related CRC has been reported to have a poorer prognosis than sporadic CRC, and the early detection of CD-related CRC is difficult. Japanese patients with CD are reported to have a higher frequency of anorectal cancer than the Western population; however, methods for early diagnosis have not yet been established because of perianal pain during the examination. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of CD-related anal fistula cancer that was detected early by surveillance examination under anesthesia (EUA). The patient was a 37-year-old man, diagnosed with CD at the age of 15 years and started medical treatment. However, due to poor disease control, the intestinal tract remained highly inflamed and the patient continued to have over 10 bowel movements per day. He was referred to our hospital for surgical treatment after a colonoscopy (CS), which revealed multiple active ulcers and stenoses. Since three perianal seton drainage tubes had been placed around his anus since the age of 33 years, we decided to perform an EUA to rule out cancer coexistence in the anorectal region. After a random biopsy of the rectum by CS under general anesthesia, we resected and curetted multiple perianal fistulas as much as possible and reinserted the seton drainage tubes. Pathological examination of the fistula tract revealed adenocarcinoma in one tract, indicating the coexistence of anal fistula cancer. Based on the diagnosis of multiple intestinal stenoses and anal fistula cancer due to CD, we performed hand-assisted laparoscopic total colectomy, rectal amputation, extensive perineal resection, and reconstruction using a left rectus abdominis flap. CONCLUSION: In a long-term CD patient with anorectal lesions, we performed an EUA to diagnose the coexistence of anal fistula cancer at an early stage, and surgical resection was achieved. EUA is effective for the early detection and treatment of CD-related CRC and may contribute to an improved prognosis.

[A Case Report-A Successful Case of Distal Pancreatectomy with En Bloc Celiac Axis Resection for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer with an Aberrant Right Hepatic Artery].

In cases of pancreatic cancer with anatomical variations of the hepatic artery, it is important to evaluate the hemodynamics of each case for surgical indication. We report the case of a 68-year-old man with locally advanced pancreatic cancer and an aberrant right hepatic artery who underwent distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection(DP-CAR). He was admitted to our institute due to abdominal discomfort. A CT scan showed pancreatic cancer invading the common hepatic artery. He underwent chemoradiotherapy with a diagnosis of locally advanced pancreatic cancer. After the tumor downstaging, we performed DP-CAR, which included a gastroduodenal artery and a proper hepatic artery resection. Even though delayed gastric emptying was observed after the operation, he was discharged on postoperative day 36.

[FOLFIRI plus RAM Therapy in Later Line of Unresectable Colorectal Cancer].

FOLFIRI plus ramucirumab(RAM)therapy has been reported to be effective and safe in the RAISE trial as second-line treatment for unresectable colorectal cancer. It is hypothesized that RAM may be effective in patients with PD treated with FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab(Bev)due to different mechanism of action from that of Bev, which is also an angiogenesis inhibitor. From January 2017 to December 2021, we conducted a retrospective study of 6 patients who had PD with 5-FU, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, or Bev as first or second-line treatment at our institution and who received FOLFIRI plus RAM in later line treatment. The 6 cases consisted of 3 patients in the third-line treatment, 1 patient in the fourth-line treatment, and 2 patients in the sixth-line treatment. The anti-tumor effect was PD in all cases in the third-line and fourth-line treatment, but the 2 patients of sixth-line treatment were controlled diseases.

[A Case of Advanced Gastric Cancer with Distant Lymph Nodes Metastasis Showing a Complete Response to Six-Courses Chemotherapy].

This study reports a 66-year-old female presenting abdominal pain. Gastrointestinal endoscopy showed the presence of a type 3 tumor in the lesser curvature of the stomach, and biopsy revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. CT images displayed thickening of the stomach wall and enlarged paraaortic lymph nodes, left supraclavicular lymph nodes, and left iliac lymph nodes. FDG-PET/CT scan showed abnormal accumulation at the same site. The patient was diagnosed with unresectable highly advanced gastric cancer(cT4aN2H0P0M1[LYM], Stage Ⅳ). She was treated with combination chemotherapy of S-1 and CDDP(SP). Tumor markers normalized(CA19-9 11,158→20 U/mL)after 3 courses with a marked reduction of lesions. After 5 courses of chemotherapy, the tissue biopsy did not reveal any cancer and a complete response(CR) was achieved. Adverse events of diarrhea and loss of appetite were observed. Subsequently, chemotherapy was discontinued after 6 courses, and CR remained for the next 5 years. Thus, we experienced a rare case of unresectable advanced gastric cancer with distant lymph nodes metastasis, showing long-term recurrence-free survival after receiving 6 courses of SP chemotherapy.

[A Case of Internal Hernia Incarceration of a Mesenteric Defect following Laparoscopic Ileocecal Resection].

A 75-year-old man underwent laparoscopic ileocecal and partial small bowel resections for the management of appendiceal cancer. The pathological diagnosis was cecal cancer(T4b[ileum, abdominal wall],N0[0/13], M0, pStage Ⅱc). After 4 months of surgery, he suddenly experienced abdominal pain and vomiting and was presented to our emergency room. He was diagnosed with bowel obstruction following which, conservative treatment was initiated through a nasogastric ileus tube implantation; however, he did not show any improvement. Subsequently, he underwent experimental laparotomy on the 18th day of the disease. Intraabdominal examination revealed herniated small intestine through a mesenteric defect, which was closed following repositioning of the herniated small intestine. The postoperative course was good, and the patient was discharged on the 10th day after surgery. No recurrence of intestinal obstruction has been observed after 1 year and 6 months. Closure of the mesenteric defect, although not commonly performed in laparoscopic colorectal surgery, is worth considering because of the risk of developing an internal hernia requiring surgical treatment, as in our case.

[Surgical Technique for Prevention of Incisional Hernia in Laparoscopic Small Bowel Resection in the Obese Patient].

A 67-year-old woman reporting lower abdominal pain and anemia was examined. Small intestinal tumor was diagnosed by small intestinal radiographic contrast study and small intestinal endoscopy, and we decided to perform a laparoscopic partial resection of the small bowel. Since she was obese patients(BMI 36.3, abdominal wall 6 cm)at high risk of postoperative incisional hernia, we devised a way to make the wound smaller. We judged thick abdominal wall make umbilical wound larger in single port surgery. We performed multi-port surgery by using one 15 mm trocar, and removed small intestinal tumor from 15 mm port incision. In addition, to prevent incisional hernia, we used a trocar with a wound closure assist function for securely closing the port wound in all layers. Histopathological diagnosis was neuroendocrine tumor. The patient is being followed up without recurrence and without incisional hernia. In partial small bowel resection of obese patient, the use of a 15 mm port to minimize wound site and the use of trocar with a wound closure assist function may lead to prevent incisional hernia.

[Laparoscopic Tumor Resection for Retroperitoneal Leiomyosarcoma-A Case Report].

A 59-year-old man visited our department because of cholecystectomy. Preoperative CT revealed a tumor shadow measuring 50 mm in front of the right iliopsoas muscle. MRI showed a low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and a slightly high signal intensity on the T2-weighted image. PET-CT showed accumulation of FDG(SUVmax 5.39)in the tumor but no other abnormal accumulations. We performed tumor resection for diagnostic purposes because malignancy could not be ruled out owing to the large size of the mass. Intraoperative findings showed a well-circumscribed margin of the tumor without invasion to other tissues. The retroperitoneum was incised circumferentially along the tumor under laparoscopic guidance, and the tumor was resected. Histopathological and immunostaining findings were consistent with leiomyosarcoma. In laparoscopic surgery, the surgical margin is observed in detail through the magnifying effect. Therefore, laparoscopic surgery can be a surgical option for tumors that may be completely excised based on preoperative findings.

[A Long-Term Survival Case of Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of Gallbladder-Report of a Case].

The patient is 77-year-old man. He received open cholecystectomy and choledocholithotomy when he was 74 years old. Because postoperative diagnosis was small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma(NEC), the resection of gallbladder bed and hilus lymph nodes were performed. During the follow up period, the liver metastases and portal vein tumor thrombosis appeared. Therefore, chemotherapy was performed according to small cell lung cancer. In addition to chemotherapy, radiation therapy was performed for the purpose of local control. He is still alive about 3 years after the first operation. This case suggested the efficacy of multidisciplinary treatment including operation, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy in NEC of gallbladder patient with liver metastasis.

[Pathological Complete Response in a Case of Advanced Gastric Cancer with Para-Aortic Lymph Nodes Metastasis Treated by Preoperative Chemotherapy with S-1 and Oxaliplatin(SOX Therapy)].

The patient was a 73-year-old man, diagnosed as advanced gastric cancer with para-aortic lymph nodes(PAN)metastasis. He was treated by 3 courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)with S-1 and oxaliplatin(SOX therapy). CT showed significant reduction of both primary tumor and metastatic lymph nodes. We performed distal gastrectomy with D2 plus PAN dissection. The histopathological findings showed no residual viable tumor cell. The pathological effect of chemotherapy was judged Grade 3(pCR)in both primary tumor and dissected lymph nodes. He is alive without recurrence 21 months after surgery.

[A Case of Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a 25-Year-Old Vietnamese Male].

We report a rare case of hepatic fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma(FLC). A 25-year-old Vietnamese male experienced loss of appetite and abdominal pain. He was referred for further examination of a 20 cm tumor in the left lobe of the liver detected in mass screening ultrasonography. He tested negative for HBs-antigen and HCV-antibody. The serum PIVKA- Ⅱ level was elevated. Liver function test findings were normal. The arterial phase of contrast enhanced abdominal CT revealed a 20×30 cm tumor that was well-enhanced, except for a central scar in the left lobe of liver. Enhanced MRI showed a high intensity tumor. T2-weighted MRI showed an iso-intensity tumor with a low-intensity central fibrous scar. Upon diagnosing the patient with FLC, we performed left hepatic trisegmentectomy. Pathological findings of the surgical specimen showed eosinophilic large neoplastic cells surrounded by fibrous stroma arranged in a lamellar fashion. This confirmed the diagnosis. FLC, which occurs in noncirrhotic livers of young patients, is a distinct clinicopathological variant of hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatectomy for FLC should be accompanied with regional lymphadenectomy because of its association with lymph node metastasis. We also reviewed cases reported in Japan.

[Laparoscopic Surgery for Synchronous Retroperitoneal Tumor and Ovarian Mature Teratoma-A Case Report].

A 72-year-old woman was transferred to our hospital after being diagnosed with retroperitoneal and ovarian tumors. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a well-defined mass lesion measuring 35 mm on the dorsal side of the descending part of the duodenum that was surrounded by the head of the pancreas and inferior vena cava. In addition, a cystic mass measuring 90 mm was found in the pelvis. Hence, the patient was diagnosed synchronous retroperitoneal tumor and teratoma. Laparoscopic retroperitoneal tumor resection and right adnexectomy were performed. The pathological findings indicated that the retroperitoneal tumor was a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and the pelvic tumor was a mature cystic teratoma of the ovary. On the basis of the computed tomography findings, we judged that the tumor had a poor tendency to infiltrate and could be peeled off and resected using laparoscopic surgery. In this rare case, the retroperitoneal tumor and mature teratocarcinoma were simultaneously resected laparoscopically.

[A Case of Castleman's Disease with Lymphadenopathy during the Treatment of Gastric Cancer].

We report a patient who had Castleman's disease with lymphadenopathy during the treatment of gastric cancer. In May 2017, a 63-year-old man underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy, which revealed a tumor on the posterior wall of the lower part of the stomach. Based on a biopsy, he was diagnosed with suspected adenocarcinoma, Group 4. In June 2017, he visited our hospital, and endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)was performed. The pathological diagnosis of the resected specimens was L, Less, 20×10 mm, Type 0-Ⅱc, tub1, pT1a(M), UL(-), ly(-), v(-), pHM0, pVM0, pStage ⅠA. He was referred to our department for the treatment of abdominal lymphadenopathy. His lymphadenopathy was localized in the gastric lesser curvature as an enlarged lymph node 15mm in size, based on the findings of contrast-enhanced CT. On FDG- PET/CT, we found a slight accumulation of SUVmax 2.4 in the early phase in the same lymph node. We could not confirm a diagnosis, and we performed laparoscopic dissection of the lymph node for diagnosis and treatment. The size of the specimen was 14×14mm, surface was smooth, and lymph node was elastic and soft. We found lymphoid follicles with atrophic germinal center using HE staining. We also found increased hyperplastic blood vessels around the germinal center, and he was diagnosed with hypervascular Castleman's disease.

[Long-Term Survival of a Patient with Para-Aortic Lymph Node Recurrence Who Underwent Lymph Node Dissection and Received Chemotherapy Following Curative Gastrectomy].

A 66-year-old man underwent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. S-1 was administered as adjuvant chemotherapy. Abdominal CT showed para-aortic lymph node recurrence 31 months after the surgery. There was no other recurrence according to PET-CT, and we performed para-aortic lymph nodes dissection 41 months after the surgery. Lymph node recurrence in the retrocrural space was observed 37 months after the 2nd surgery. We administered S-1 plus L-OHP chemotherapy. After 4 courses, CT revealed that he had achieved complete response, and he has remained disease-free for 79 months after lymph node dissection. Some patients with para-aortic lymph node recurrence after curative gastrectomy may benefit from treatment including chemotherapy and surgical dissection.

[Two Cases of Pancreatectomy for Pancreatic Metastasis from Renal Cell Carcinoma].

Metastasis of renal cell carcinoma to the pancreas is a relatively rare condition. We encountered 2 such cases. The first case was a 72-year-old man who underwent a left nephrectomy owing to left renal cancer in 2005. An abdominal dynamic CT scan 12 years after surgery revealed tumors in the pancreatic body and right kidney. A PET-CT scan revealed low intensity uptake of both tumors, and therefore, metastasis of the left renal cell carcinoma to the pancreas was suspected. We then performed partial resections of the pancreatic tail and right kidney. Pathologic findings confirmed that the pancreatic tumor and right renal tumor were metastases of the left renal cell carcinoma. The postoperative course was favorable, and the patient has been followed up in an outpatient setting for 10 months with no signs of recurrence. The second case was a 51- year-old woman with tumors in the left kidney and pancreatic head that were detected by abdominal contrast CT and MRI. We diagnosed the patient with left renal cell carcinoma with metastasis to the pancreas. We performed a radical nephrectomy of the left kidney and full pancreatectomy. Pathologic findings confirmed left renal cell carcinoma, pStage Ⅳ, with metastasis to the pancreas. The postoperative course was favorable without recurrence for 14 years. We report on two cases of metastasis of renal cell carcinoma to the pancreas in patients who underwent radical resections and had favorable postoperative courses, with some bibliographic consideration.

[A Case of Long-Term Survival after Repeated Multidisciplinary Treatment for Liver Metastasis of Ampullary Cancer].

The patient was a 79-year-old man. He underwent endoscopic papillectomy for ampullary cancer when he was 70 years old. At the ages of 71 and 73 years, liver metastasis in segment 6 was detected, and radiofrequency ablation(RFA)was performed and adjuvant chemotherapy(gemcitabine, S-1)was administered. At the age of 79 years, recurrence of liver metastasis appeared. Because there were no other metastatic lesions, we performed S6 subsegmentectomy. Five months after the surgery, no recurrence was observed. In general, the prognosis of patients with ampullary cancer with distant metastasis is very poor. This case suggested the efficacy of multidisciplinary treatment, including surgery, RFA, and chemotherapy, in a patient with ampullary cancer with distant metastasis.

[A Case of Resected Metachronous Pancreatic Metastasis from Rectal Carcinoma].

A 69-year-old man underwent a Miles operation with D3 lymph node dissection for rectal cancer. The pathological diagnosis was adenocarcinoma(Rb, A, ly2, v3, N2M0P0H0, Stage Ⅲb). Adjuvant chemotherapy was added for 6 months after the rectal resection. Metastasis in the left lung was detected 1 year and 10 months after rectal resection for which large segmental resection was performed. Without the onset of any new lesions, the patient underwent subsequent follow-up examinations. Abdominal CT performed for increased tumor marker levels observed at 6 years and 8 months after rectal resection revealed a mass suggestive of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma for which distal pancreatectomy was performed. The pathological diagnosis was metastasis to the pancreas from the rectal cancer as the tumor cells were immunohistochemically negative for cytokeratin 7 and positive for cytokeratin 20. There has been no indication of recurrence for 13 months after the pancreatic surgery. Resectable pancreatic metastasis from colorectal cancer is rarely reported. However, pancreatic resection may result in long-term survival in some cases. Patients that tolerate pancreatectomy and have no metastasis in the other organs should be considered good candidates for pancreatic resection. We present this case with a review of the literature.

[A Case of Cystic Biliary Hamartoma with a Difficult Preoperative Diagnosis].

Intrahepatic bile duct dilatation was detected in a 63-year-old man based on abdominal ultrasonography. The computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans showed an intrahepatic cystic lesion in the hilar bile duct that led to intrahepatic bile duct dilatation. As a result, intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct(IPNB)was suspected. Moreover, the intrahepatic bile duct dilatation was confirmed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP). Biliary and brushing cytology indicated that the cystic lesion was class Ⅱ and class Ⅲ, respectively. Radiological imaging test did not rule out the possibility of a malignant lesion. Hence, a radical left hepatectomy was performed. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen indicated that it was a non-malignant cystic biliary hamartoma. Cystic biliary hamartoma or the von Meyenburg complex is a relatively rare disease. Although this disease is categorized as benign, differential diagnosis between benign and malignant forms is difficult, and this is an important clinical issue.

[A Case of Superior Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis during Administration of Bevacizumab for Rectal Cancer].

A colonoscopy to investigate fecal incontinence revealed a type 3 tumor in the rectum of a 67-year-old man. Histological findings demonstrated rectal adenocarcinoma. CT revealed multiple metastases in the liver, and the patient was diagnosed as having rectal cancer(Rb, Ant, type 3, T3, N3, M1a[H2], cStage Ⅳa). No intestinal stenosis due to the tumor was found, and chemotherapy(FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab)was initiated. After 5 courses of the chemotherapy, a thrombus was found in the superior mesenteric vein on enhanced CT. The patient had no subjective symptoms, and anticoagulation therapy was started after admission. After confirming the shrinkage of the thrombus, laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection(prxD3)was performed to remove the primary tumor. The thrombus did not grow during the perioperative time and disappeared after 6 months. For the next 2 years, no new thrombus was detected. Mesenteric vein thrombosis is a notable complication of chemotherapy with bevacizumab.

[Laparoscopic Surgery for a Case of Double Digestive Cancers with X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia].

A 65-year-old man was diagnosed with agammaglobulinemia at the age of 53 years. To investigate the cause of the increased CRP value, CT was performed and revealed thickening of the walls of the ascending colon and rectum. Colonoscopy revealed tumors and stenoses in the ascending colon and rectum. Both tumors were found to be adenocarcinomas in histological examinations. The preoperative diagnosis of the ascending colon and rectal cancers was cT4aN0M0, cStageⅡb. Preoperatively, we administered 10.0 g of immunoglobulin intravenously. We performed laparoscopic right hemicolectomy and high anterior resection with D3 dissection of the lymph node. On postoperative day 1, we again administered 10.0 g of immunoglobulin intravenously. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged on postoperative day 13. Laparoscopic colectomy for patients with agammaglobulinemia can be performed safely by administering immunoglobulin during the perioperative period.