[A Case of Stage IV Breast Cancer with Extensive Metastasis Successfully Treated with S-1 plus Anastrozole Therapy].

We report the case of a patient in which S-1 plus anastrozole was administered as first-line chemotherapy for Stage IV breast cancer with skin invasion, multiple lymph node metastasis, and lymphangitis carcinomatosis. A 77-year-old woman had a mass destroyed immediately outside the axilla with dry coughs. An 11mm unpalpable mass in the right breast and an axillary mass were confirmed to be scirrhous carcinoma(Luminal type B), respectively, by core needle biopsy. In one course, S- 1(100mg/day)therapy involves taking 2 courses of 14 days of administration and 7 days off the drug. Anastrozole(1mg/ day)was administered daily. After completion of one course, marked shrinkage of the axillary tumor and supraclavicular lymph node, and lightness of coughing was observed. The metastatic lymph nodes and pulmonary metastatic lesions reduced in size by over 30%, as revealed using CT. The adverse event was only grade 1 pigmentation and lacrimation. Ten months later, the self-destructed skin was completely scarred, and metastatic lesions had maintained their reduction in size. According to the results of the SELECT BC study, S-1 as primary chemotherapy for breast cancer is an evidence-based drug that can reduce the decrease in QOL, such as hair loss, and it can be positively selected.

[Two Cases of Colorectal Cancer with Tumor Thrombus in the Inferior Mesenteric Vein].

In colorectal cancer, progression with an intravenous tumor thrombus is very rare. Here, we report 2 cases of colorectal cancer which showed a tumor thrombus in the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV). Case 1: A 69-year-old woman was admitted for the treatment of advanced rectal cancer, and underwent a low anterior resection. Six months of post-operative therapy was carried out with mFOLFOX6, but a metachronous lung metastasis was detected and a lung partial resection was performed. Case 2: A 67-year-old man was admitted for the treatment of advanced sigmoid colon cancer with simultaneous liver metastasis, and underwent a laparoscopic high anterior resection. Four courses of mFOLFOX6+bevacizumab chemotherapy were carried out after surgery, and subsequently he underwent a partial hepatectomy. In both cases IMV tumor thrombus was suspected from abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). Tumor thrombus filling the lumen of the IMV was confirmed on histopathological examination. Colorectal cancer with IMV tumor thrombus is a form of advanced cancer with advanced vascular invasion, and there is a high risk of simultaneous or metachronous hematogenous metastasis. Combined modality therapy should therefore be given to improve the prognosis.

[Protein-losing gastroenteropathy in a case of colon cancer].

A 74-year-old man was admitted with primary complaints of appetite loss, abdominal swelling, and pedal edema. Laboratory data revealed the presence of anemia and hypoalbuminemia. Barium enema and colonofiberscopy demonstrated an advanced cancer in the transverse colon. Albumin scintigraphy revealed high uptake by the tumor in the transverse colon. Preoperative administration of albumin did not improve hypoalbuminemia. Serum protein and albumin levels improved immediately after resection of the tumor. Therefore, in the presence of hypoalbuminemia due to leakage from the tumor, it is important to operate promptly, without waiting to correct the hypoalbuminemia.

[A case of small bowel cancer with positive peritoneal cytology and five-year recurrence-free survival].

Small bowel cancer is frequently detected at an advanced stage and its prognosis is poor. We report on a patient with small bowel cancer with positive peritoneal cytology who survived for 5 years without recurrence after surgery.The case involved a 73-year-old woman who had undergone partial resection of the small intestine and lymphadenectomy for a small bowel tumor with obstruction. Pathological examination confirmed papillary adenocarcinoma with partial serosal invasion. Ascites cytology indicated a class V tumor. Adjuvant chemotherapy with TS-1 was administered for 20 months, and the patient has survived without evidence of disease for over 5 years.In this case, it is possible that TS-1 chemotherapy was effective for prevention against small bowel cancer recurrence.Furthermore , peritoneal cytology in patients with small bowel cancer should be evaluated as a predictor of prognosis.

[Two cases of chylous ascites after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery].

We report the cases of 2 patients in whom chylous ascites developed after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery. Case 1 involved a 64-year-old woman who underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with D3 lymphadenectomy for transverse colon cancer. Chylous ascites occurred immediately after the resumption of oral food intake on postoperative day 3. The patient gradually recovered by undergoing immediate treatment and by consuming a low-fat diet. The drain was removed on postoperative day 8, and the patient experienced no adverse events thereafter. Case 2 involved an 80-year-old man who underwent laparoscopic high anterior resection with D2 lymphadenectomy for multiple sigmoid cancers. Chylous ascites occurred a day after the resumption of oral food intake on postoperative day 3; however, food intake was continued. Because of its small volume, the chylous ascites was easily drained on postoperative day 6. Most cases of chylous ascites after colorectal cancer surgery can be easily resolved. However, if involvement of a major lymph duct is suspected during surgery, it should be ligated or clipped.

[A case of esophageal cancer with a funnel chest].

Esophageal cancer is a disease that is difficult to manage before and after surgery and is associated with a high in-hospital mortality rate despite there being reports of improved outcomes after multidisciplinary treatment. Meanwhile, although funnel chest is generally a subclinical condition, patients with this deformity may sometimes present with cardiac failure and chest pain. We report a case of advanced esophageal cancer with a funnel chest deformity that was very difficult to reconstruct after thoracoscopy-assisted resection.