Preoperative abnormal bone mineral density as a prognostic indicator in patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer: A cohort study.

Predicting postgastrectomy relapse and mortality in patients with gastric cancer (GC) remains challenging, with limitations to traditional staging systems such as the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) system. This study aimed to investigate the impact of preoperative Hounsfield unit (HU) values, which serve as a surrogate marker for bone mineral density (BMD), in predicting survival outcomes in patients with GC. A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from patients with GC who underwent curative-intent gastrectomy. Opportunistic abdominopelvic computed tomography images were used to assess HU values at the 3rd lumbar vertebra (L3). These values were then categorized using a cutoff value of 110 HU, which has been established in previous studies as a determinant for abnormal versus normal BMD. Cox regression analysis established predictor models for overall survival (OS). Among 501 initial patients, 478 met the inclusion criteria. Multivariate analyses revealed HU values (hazard ratio, 1.51), along with other factors (the 5-factor modified frailty index, type of gastrectomy, TNM stage, anemia, and serum albumin level), as significant predictors of OS. The full model (FM) incorporating these variables demonstrated superior discrimination ability compared to the baseline model (BM), which is based solely on the TNM stage (concordance index: 0.807 vs 0.709; P < .001). Furthermore, the FM outperformed the BM in predicting OS risks at 36- and 60-months post-surgery. In conclusion, among patients undergoing gastrectomy for GC, those with HU values ≤ 110 (indicating abnormal BMD) at the L3 level, as determined through opportunistic CT scans, exhibited a poorer prognosis than those with HU values > 110 (indicating normal BMD). Integrating HU with other clinicopathological parameters enhances predictive accuracy, facilitating individualized risk stratification and treatment decision-making, which could potentially lead to improved survival outcomes.

Prognostic significance of a five-factor modified frailty index in patients with gastric cancer undergoing curative-intent resection: A cohort study.

The 5-factor modified frailty index (mFI-5) evaluates frailty based on variables including functional status, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, and hypertension requiring medication. Despite its effectiveness in predicting surgical risk, the potential of mFI-5 as a predictor of long-term survival in patients with gastric cancer (GC) has not been investigated. This study aims to assess the prognostic significance of mFI-5 in patients with GC who have undergone curative-intent gastric resection. Among the 494 patients diagnosed with stage I to III GC, multivariate analysis revealed that age, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, geriatric nutritional risk index, mFI-5, and the type of gastrectomy were significant predictors for both overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). We assessed 3 models: Baseline model (BM, TNM stage only), interim model (IM, all significant variables except mFI-5), and full model (FM, all significant variables including mFI-5). FM outperformed BM for OS (C-index 0.818 vs 0.683; P < .001) and DFS (C-index 0.805 vs 0.687; P < .001). Similarly, IM outperformed BM for OS (C-index 0.811 vs 0.683; P < .001) and DFS (C-index 0.797 vs 0.687; P < .001). Multiple metrics consistently supported the improved discriminative capacity of FM and IM compared to BM. However, while FM exhibits enhanced predictive capacity over IM, this improvement lacks statistical significance across key metrics. In conclusion, our study highlights the clinical significance of the mFI-5, along with age, TNM stage, geriatric nutritional risk index, and type of gastrectomy, as valuable predictors of long-term survival in GC patients. The FM consistently demonstrates enhanced predictive accuracy compared to the BM. However, it is important to note that while the FM improves predictive power over the IM, this enhancement does not achieve statistical significance across multiple metrics. These findings collectively emphasize the potential clinical value of the FM as a robust tool for surgeons in predicting long-term survival outcomes before surgery in patients with GC.

Monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio as a determinant of survival in patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy: A cohort study.

The monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) is an important prognostic determinant of various malignancies. However, the prognostic role of MLR in patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy remains unclear. Patients with stage I to III gastric cancer who underwent curative-intent gastric resection were enrolled in this study. Cox regression analysis was used to determine the independent variables for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). The established models were validated internally. Inter-model comparisons were performed using the integrated area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and the concordance index. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that age, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, perineural invasion, serum albumin level, and MLR were prognostic factors for OS and DFS and constituted the full model. The full model was internally validated using calibration curves and decision curve analysis. The integrated area under the curve and concordance index of the full model outperformed those of TNM stage. The full model was a significant determinant of OS and DFS. Additionally, the full model was suggested to outperform TNM stage in predicting patient survival outcomes.

Comparison of the geriatric nutritional risk index and the prognostic nutritional index in determining survival outcome in patients with non-small cell lung cancer undergoing surgical resection: A cohort study.

To assess the clinical feasibility of the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) as determinants of survival in patients with stage I to III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This retrospective study included patients with stage I to III NSCLC from all age groups. Hazard ratios (HRs) for overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and relapse-free survival (RFS) were calculated using the Cox regression analysis. The concordance index (C-index) of the models was evaluated following the establishment of the prognostic models for survival. The median patient age was 69 years, and 64.6% of the patients were male. In total, 172 (65.4%) patients were classified as having stage I disease, 52 (19.8%) as stage II disease, and 39 (14.8%) as stage III disease. Using multivariate Cox regression analysis, the HRs of GNRI for OS, CSS, and RFS were 0.37 (P = .003), 0.47 (P = .041), and 0.38 (P < .001), respectively. However, the HRs of the PNI for survival outcomes were not statistically significant. Overall, age, sex, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, pleural invasion (PI), and GNRI were significant determinants of OS and constituted the OS model (concordance index [C-index], 0.824). In addition, age, TNM stage, PI, and GNRI were significant determinants of CSS and constituted the CSS model (C-index, 0.828). Finally, TNM stage, PI, lymphatic invasion, and GNRI were significant determinants of RFS and constituted the RFS model (C-index, 0.783). Our study showed that GNRI, but not PNI, was a predictor of OS, CSS, and RFS in patients with stage I-III NSCLC across all age groups. Excellent discriminant power was observed for OS, CSS, and RFS models.

Comparison of the Clinical Value of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index and Prognostic Nutritional Index as Determinants of Survival Outcome in Patients with Gastric Cancer.

Background: The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is an important determinant of overall survival (OS) in patients with stage I-III gastric cancer (GC) across all ages; however, its value as a determinant of disease-free survival (DFS) is unclear. Moreover, the prognostic values between the GNRI and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) remains unclear. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the value of the GNRI and PNI as determinants of OS and DFS in patients with stage I-III GC who underwent curative-intent gastrectomy. Cox regression analysis was used for evaluating the determinants of survival outcomes. The discriminative capacity of the prognostic model was determined using the concordance index (C-index), and then C-indices of related models were compared. Results: Data from 450 patients were analyzed. The median patient age was 60 years (range: 26-92 years). In total, 276 (61.3%) patients had stage I cancer, 83 (18.4%) had stage II cancer, and 91 (20.2%) had stage III cancer. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that age, type of gastrectomy (TOG), T stage, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, and GNRI were determinants of OS. These five covariates constituted the GNRI model for the OS. In addition, multivariate analysis revealed that age, TOG, TNM stage, and GNRI were determinants of DFS. These four covariates constituted the GNRI model for DFS. When constructing the PNI model for OS (comprising age, TOG, T stage, TNM stage, and PNI), and PNI model for DFS (including age, TOG, TNM stage, and PNI), the C-indices of the GNRI and PNI models were nearly equal for OS (0.818 and 0.818, respectively; p=0.909) and DFS (0.805 and 0.808, respectively; p=0.653). Using the GNRI models, nomograms for predicting OS and DFS were established. When validating the nomograms using calibration curves, the predicted survival closely matched the actual survival rate. Conclusion: The GNRI and PNI were important determinants of both OS and DFS in patients with GC across all ages. In addition, the effects of the GNRI model on OS and DFS were similar to those of the PNI model.

Preoperative mean platelet volume is a prognostic biomarker for survival in patients with gastric cancer: A cohort study.

This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic potential of mean platelet volume (MPV) in gastric cancer (GC) patients. Patients with stage I-III GC who underwent gastrectomy were enrolled in this study. Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the determinants of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). The discriminative capacity of the model was determined using the Harrell concordance index (C-index). The net benefit of the model was validated using decision curve analysis (DCA). Data from 401 patients were analyzed. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that age, stage, serum albumin level (ALB), perineural invasion (PNI) and MPV were determinants of both OS and DFS. The MPV model consisted of 5 covariates (age, stage, ALB, PNI, and MPV level), and the baseline model constituted the same covariates as the MPV model, except for the MPV level. C-indices for OS and DFS were higher in the MPV model than in the baseline model. When the models were validated using DCA, the MPV model showed a greater net benefit than the baseline model for nearly all the threshold probabilities. Age, stage, ALB, PNI, and MPV are prognostic factors for OS and DFS. The discriminative capacities for OS and DFS in the MPV model were higher than those in the baseline model, thus implying the clinical significance of the MPV level as a determinant of survival in GC.

Muscle-Related Parameters as Determinants of Survival in Patients with Stage I-III Gastric Cancer Undergoing Gastrectomy.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic potential of muscle-related parameters (MRPs) at the level of the third lumbar vertebra (L3) using computerized tomography (CT) images in patients with stage I-III gastric cancer (GC) who underwent curative gastric resection. Methods: Patients with stage I-III GC who underwent curative gastric resection between October 2006 and June 2014 were enrolled in this study. In addition to demographic and clinical parameters, MRPs, such as skeletal muscle index (SMI), skeletal muscle radiation attenuation (SMRA), paraspinal muscle index (PMI), and paraspinal muscle radiation attenuation (PMRA), at the L3 level using CT images were collected and analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival, and a Cox proportional hazard model was used to calculate the hazard ratio. In addition, the Pearson correlation coefficient was obtained as a measure of the linear relationship between the variables. Results: Data from 339 patients (233 men and 116 women) were analyzed. A strong correlation between SMI and PMI (r = 0.91); and SMRA and PMRA (r = 0.80) were observed, but only weak correlations between SMI and SMRA; and PMI and PMRA were found. When using the Cox model, SMRA or PMRA was a determinant of survival, but SMI and PMI were not. In the full model formed by adding SMRA or PMRA to a baseline model that included demographic and clinical variables, the C-index increased above 0.8, indicating excellent discrimination for both overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Moreover, the C-index of the model containing PMRA was higher than that of the model containing SMRA. Finally, there was a weak correlation between the prognostic nutritional index and SMRA or PMRA. Conclusions: With the multivariate Cox model, SMRA and PMRA appeared to determine survival. In addition, adding SMRA or PMRA to the baseline model increased the C-index above 0.8, indicating excellent discrimination for both OS and DFS. Moreover, compared to SMRA, the model containing PMRA appears to be a more accurate model for survival determination.

Clinical significance of C-Reactive Protein to Lymphocyte Count Ratio as a prognostic factor for Survival in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients undergoing Curative Surgical Resection.

Purpose: We assessed the clinical feasibility of C-reactive protein to lymphocyte ratio (CLR) as a determinant of survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing curative surgical resection. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients with stage I and II NSCLC undergoing curative resection. Demographic and clinical variables, including CLR, were collected and analyzed. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate hazard ratios for overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare differences between two independent groups. Results: The median age of the patients was 69.0 years, and male patients comprised 63.9% of all patients. A total of 164 (75.9%) patients were categorized as having stage I disease and 52 (24.1%) as having stage II disease. Using the multivariate Cox model, age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.08, p<0.001), lymphatic invasion (HR 3.12, p=0.004), stage (HR 5.10, p<0.001), and CLR (HR 1.01, p=0.003) were significant determinants of OS. In addition, age (HR 1.11, p=0.002), lymphatic invasion (HR 3.16, p=0.010), stage (HR 6.89, p<0.001), and CLR (HR 1.05, p=0.002) were significant determinants of CSS. Conclusions: Our findings show that CLR could be a determinant of survival in NSCLC patients undergoing curative surgical resection.

Clinical Significance of Paraspinal Muscle Parameters as a prognostic factor for survival in Gastric Cancer Patients who underwent Curative Surgical Resection.

Background: The quantitative and qualitative skeletal muscle parameters have been proposed to predict the outcome of patients with gastric cancer. However, the evidence for their association with long-term survival is still conflicting. This study aimed to investigate the effect of paraspinal muscle parameters on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with gastric cancer who underwent curative resection. Methods: Patients with stages I or II gastric cancer who underwent curative resection between October 2006 and June 2016 were identified from electrical medical records. Paraspinal muscle area and attenuation were measured at the level of the third lumbar vertebra using computerized tomography images. For the analysis of OS and DFS, proportional hazards model was used, incorporating demographic, pathologic, laboratory, and radiologic variables. Results: This study enrolled 296 patients (192 men and 104 women). In the multivariate proportional hazards model, total gastrectomy (hazard ratio [HR], 2.65; 95% Confidence interval [CI], 1.36-5.19; p = 0.0044), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.06-1.51; p = 0.0081), serum albumin level (HR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.07-0.39; p < 0.0001), paraspinal muscle area adjusted for body surface area (PMABSA) (HR, 3.06; 95% CI, 1.65-5.67; p = 0.0004), and mean attenuation in paraspinal muscle (PMMA) (HR, 3.38; 95% CI, 1.75-6.53; p = 0.0003) were prognostic factors for OS. Similarly, total gastrectomy (HR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.10-4.06; p = 0.0243), NLR (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.06-1.48; p = 0.0071), serum albumin level (HR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.10-0.51; p = 0.0035), PMABSA (HR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.34-4.37; p = 0.0035), and PMMA (HR, 3.19; 95% CI, 1.71-5.93; p = 0.0003) were prognostic factors for DFS. Conclusions: The pretreatment paraspinal muscle parameters such as PMABSA and PMMA along with total gastrectomy, NLR, and serum albumin level could predict OS and DFS in patients with stages I or II gastric cancer who underwent curative surgical resection. Because PMABSA and PMMA are newly characterized parameters in gastric cancer, the relationship with the survival of these parameters requires further validation in further studies before they are subjected to clinical applications.

Impact of Standardized Allergen-Removed Rhus verniciflua Stokes Extract on Advanced Adenocarcinoma of the Ampulla of Vater: A Case Series.

Background. Adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater (AAV) is a rare malignancy that has a better prognosis than other periampullary cancers. However, the standard treatment for patients with relapsed or metastatic AAV has not been established. We investigated the clinical feasibility of standardized allergen-removed Rhus verniciflua stokes (aRVS) extract for advanced or metastatic AAV. Patients and Methods. From July 2006 to April 2011, we retrospectively reviewed all patients with advanced AAV treated with aRVS extract alone. After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, 12 patients were eligible for the final analysis. We assessed the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of these patients during the follow-up period. Results. The median aRVS administration period was 147.0 days (range: 72-601 days). The best tumor responses according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors were as follows: two with complete response, two with stable disease, and eight with progressive disease. The median OS was 15.1 months (range: 4.9-25.1 months), and the median PFS was 3.0 months (range: 1.6-11.4 months). Adverse reactions to the aRVS treatment were mostly mild and self-limiting. Conclusions. Prolonged survival was observed in patients with advanced AAV under the treatment of standardized aRVS extract without significant adverse effects.