Synchronous and metachronous liver metastases in patients with colorectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Liver metastases are the most common complication to colorectal cancer, and the presence of metastatic disease severely impacts the overall prognosis of the disease. Since the diagnostic work-up of metastasised colorectal cancer has undergone tremendous changes in past decades, an impact on the incidence of metastatic disease is anticipated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and prognosis of liver metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS: From 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2011, all patients with a primary diagnosis of colorectal cancer were identified. Data on metastatic dissemination to the liver were collected from medical charts. Patients were followed until death or the end of the study period (31 December 2016). RESULTS: Among the total study population of 1,672 patients, 23.6% of patients were diagnosed with liver metastases. The incidence of synchronous and metachronous metastases was 16% and 7.7%, respectively. Patients with synchronous and metachronous metastases had a median survival of ten (95% confidence interval (CI): 7.5-12.5) and 43 (95% CI: 35.8-50.2) months, respectively, compared with a median survival of 86 (95% CI: 73.5-98.5) months for patients without liver metastases. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of synchronous metastases has remained high despite improved diagnostic technology. Patient survival remains significantly lower when metastatic disease is present, even though treatment options for liver metastases have improved. FUNDING: none. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

Cheek Numbness Caused by Perineural Tumor Invasion of the Infraorbital Nerve: A Review of 3 Diagnostically Challenging Cases.

BACKGROUND Facial pain and numbness are common symptoms with a variety of causes; rarely, it is an initial sign of perineural infiltration of malignant tumors. CASE REPORT Here, we report 3 challenging cases, all presenting with pain and numbness of the cheek as the primary symptoms. Upon referral, there were neither signs of severe illness nor information about previous malignant diseases, while the diagnostic work-ups revealed additional involvement of the facial nerve in 2 of the cases. Surgical removal of the perineural tissue around the infraorbital nerve revealed perineural invasion by a squamous carcinoma. A more thorough review of their medical histories revealed that all 3 of the patients had had previous facial skin cancer. CONCLUSIONS Numbness or pain in the cheek may represent perineural invasion of a facial cutaneous carcinoma. This review of 3 cases addresses the necessity of identifying previous incidences of skin cancer in the medical history.

The optimal lymph node dissection in patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to refine the optimal lymph node dissection in Western patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG). BACKGROUND: Lymphadenectomy is essential in addition to surgery for AEG. Asian studies continually present superior survival rates using a more extended lymphadenectomy compared with results reproduced in the West. Thus, the optimal extend of the lymphadenectomy remains unclear in Western patients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort was conducted of patients with AEG from January 1st, 2003 to December 31st, 2011. All patients undergoing curatively intended surgery was included. Two types of resections were constructed; Res1 included patients where only the loco regional lymph nodes were removed (station 1-4, 7 and 9) and Res2 included the additional removal of the more distant stations 8 and/or 11. RESULTS: We identified 510 patients with AEG. The highest frequency of lymph node metastases was seen in the loco regional stations 1-3, 7 and 9, ranging from 34% to 41.4%. There was no difference in overall survival between the two groups; the median survival rate for Res1 was 30.4 months compared to 24.1 months for Res2 (p = 0.157). Furthermore, the extend of lymph node dissection seemed to have no effect on survival (HR = 1.061, 95%CI 0.84-1.33). CONCLUSION: No significant difference in survival between the extended and the less extended lymphadenectomy was found. The presence of metastases in distant lymph nodes indicates poor survival and may represent disseminated disease. We do not find evidence that supports an extended lymph node dissection in Western patients.

Ketorolac and Other NSAIDs Increase the Risk of Anastomotic Leakage After Surgery for GEJ Cancers: a Cohort Study of 557 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of ketorolac and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on anastomotic leakage after surgery for gastro-esophageal-junction cancer. Within the last two decades, the incidence of gastro-esophageal-junction cancer has increased in the western world and surgery is the curative treatment modality of choice. Anastomotic leakage is a feared complication of gastro-esophageal surgery, as it increases recurrence, morbidity, and mortality. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are widely used for postoperative pain relief. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have, however, in colorectal surgery, been shown to increase the risk of anastomotic leakage. METHOD: In a historical cohort study, we investigated the impact of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on anastomotic leakage in 557 patients undergoing surgery for gastro-esophageal-junction cancer. Data were collected from a prospective maintained database, the Danish National Patient Registry, and patient medical records. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistical models and were stratified for theoretical confounders. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, we did not observe any difference in age, gender, tobacco exposure, or comorbidity status between patients experiencing anastomotic leakage and those without. In multivariate analysis, gender, histology, and type of anastomosis proved to affect odds ratios for anastomotic leakage. After adjustment for possible confounders, we found an odds ratio of 6.05 (95% confidence interval 2.71; 13.5) for ketorolac use and of 5.24 (95% confidence interval 1.85; 14.8) for use of other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for anastomotic leakage during the first seven postoperative days. CONCLUSION: In the present study, we found a strong association between the postoperative use of ketorolac and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the risk for anastomotic leakage after surgery for gastro-esophageal-junction cancers.

Preoperative CT versus diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the liver in patients with rectal cancer; a prospective randomized trial.

Introduction. Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequent cancers in the world and liver metastases are seen in up to 19% of patients with colorectal cancers. Detection of liver metastases is not only vital for sufficient treatment and survival, but also for a better estimation of prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of diffusion weighted MRI of the liver as part of a combined MR evaluation of patients with rectal cancers and compare it with the standard preoperative evaluation of the liver with CT. Methods. Consecutive patients diagnosed with rectal cancers were asked to participate in the study. Preoperative CT and diffusion weighted MR (DWMR) were compared to contrast enhanced laparoscopic ultrasound (CELUS). Results. A total of 35 patients were included, 15 patients in Group-1 having the standard CT evaluation of the liver and 20 patients in Group-2 having the standard CT evaluation of the liver and DWMR of the liver. Compared with CELUS, the per-patient sensitivity/specificity was 50/100% for CT, and for DWMR: 100/94% and 100/100% for Reader 1 and 2, respectively. The per-lesion sensitivity of CT and DWMR were 17% and 89%, respectively compared with CELUS. Furthermore, one patient had non-resectable metastases after DWMR despite being diagnosed with resectable metastases after CT. Another patient was diagnosed with multiple liver metastases during CELUS, despite a negative CT-scan. Discussion. DWMR is feasible for preoperative evaluation of liver metastases. The current standard preoperative evaluation with CT-scan results in disadvantages like missed metastases and futile operations. We recommend that patients with rectal cancer, who are scheduled for MR of the rectum, should have a DWMR of the liver performed at the same time.

Perioperative Colonic Evaluation in Patients with Rectal Cancer; MR Colonography Versus Standard Care.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Preoperative colonic evaluation is often inadequate because of cancer stenosis making a full conventional colonoscopy (CC) impossible. In several studies, cancer stenosis has been shown in up to 16%-34% of patients with colorectal cancer. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the completion rate of preoperative colonic evaluation and the quality of perioperative colonic evaluation using magnetic resonance colonography (MRC) in patients with rectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with rectal cancer were randomized to either group A: standard preoperative diagnostic work-up or group B: preoperative MR diagnostic work-up (standard preoperative diagnostic work-up + MRC). A complete and adequate perioperative clean-colon evaluation (PCE) was defined as either a complete preoperative colonic evaluation or a complete colonic evaluation within 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were randomized to group A and 28 to group B. Complete preoperative colonic evaluation with CC was achieved in 39% patients in group A and 93% for group B (Fisher's exact test, P < .001). PCE with CC was achieved in 64% and 93% in groups A and B, respectively (Fisher's exact test, P = .02). In group A, one synchronous cancer was found by CC. However, the location was misjudged as a sigmoid cancer. In group B, two synchronous cancers were found in the same patient who had an insufficient preoperative CC due to an obstructing rectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: MRC is a valuable tool and is recommended as part of the standard preoperative evaluation for patients with rectal cancer.

[Circulating tumour cells is a promising prognostic and predictive marker of gastric cancer]. / Cirkulerende tumorceller kan muligvis benyttes som prognostisk og prædiktiv markør ved ventrikelcancer.

Despite chemotherapy and intended curative surgery, approximately 50% of patients with gastric cancer develop recurrence and eventually die of metastatic disease. The detection of circulating tumour cells (CTC) in peripheral blood is a promising prognostic and predictive marker. The most typically applied approaches to the detection of CTC are RT-PCR and immunological assays. Measurement of CTC in gastric cancer seems useful for predicting prognosis and monitoring response of chemotherapy. There is still no gold standard for CTC-detection in gastric cancer patients and larger studies are needed.

Number of published randomized controlled multi center trials testing pharmacological interventions or devices is increasing in both medical and surgical specialties.

BACKGROUND: In general, there is a need for testing new interventions in large randomized controlled trials. Depending on the research question it may be advantageous to establish multicenter studies as a way of organizing clinical trials in order to increase study power. MAIN OBJECTIVES: The object of this study was to investigate the development in the organization of multicenter studies, the distribution of studies within different clinical specialties, across continents, and investigate the differences related to testing various interventions. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A literature search was done in MEDLINE for multicenter studies published in 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010, respectively. Data extraction identified data related to clinical specialties, interventions, participating patients, departments, countries, and continents. RESULTS: The number of multicenter studies increased from 112 in 1995 to 1,273 in 2010, with a larger share of multicenter studies being performed in Europe and North America. The pharmacological interventions were primarily being tested in medical studies followed by the device tests predominantly in surgical studies. The number of included patients as well as the number of participating departments increased during the time span, though the increase in studies was most evident in Europe and North America compared with the rest of the world.

Status and prognosis of lymph node metastasis in patients with cardia cancer - a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) has a poor prognosis and survival rates significantly decreases if lymph node metastasis is present. An extensive lymphadenectomy may increase chances of cure, but may also lead to further postoperative morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the optimal treatment of cardia cancer remains controversial. A systematic review of English publications dealing with adenocarcinoma of the cardia was conducted to elucidate patterns of nodal spread and prognostic implications. METHODS: A systematic literature search based on PRISMA guidelines identifying relevant studies describing lymph node metastasis and the associated prognosis. Lymph node stations were classified according to the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association guidelines. RESULTS: The highest incidence of metastasis is seen in the nearest regional lymph nodes, station no. 1-3 and additionally in no. 7, 9 and 11. Correspondingly the best survival is seen when metastasis remain in the most locoregional nodes and survival equally tends to decrease as the metastasis become more distant. Furthermore, the presence of lymph node metastasis significantly correlates to the TNM-stage. Incidences of metastasis in mediastinal lymph nodes are associated with poor survival. CONCLUSION: The best survival rates is seen when lymph node metastasis remains locoregional and survival rates decreases when distant lymph node metastasis is present. The dissection of locoregional lymph nodes offers significantly therapeutic benefit, but larger and prospective studies are needed to evaluate the effect of dissecting distant and mediastinal lymph nodes.

Inflammatory response in laparoscopic vs. open surgery for gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic surgery may offer advantages compared to open surgery, such as earlier mobilization, less pain and lower post-surgical morbidity. Surgical stress is thought to be associated with the postoperative immunological changes in the body as an impaired immune function, which may lead to an increased susceptibility to complications and morbidity. The aim of this review was to investigate if laparoscopic surgery reduces the immunological response compared to open surgery in gastric cancer. METHODS: We conducted a literature search identifying relevant studies comparing laparoscopy or laparoscopic-assisted surgery with open gastric surgery. The main outcome was postoperative immunological status defined as surgical stress parameters, including inflammatory cytokines and blood parameters. RESULTS: We identified seven studies that addressed the immunological status in patients undergoing laparoscopic or laparoscopy-assisted surgery compared to open surgery. IL-6 in circulation was found to be significantly reduced in laparoscopic patients. Furthermore, the plasma concentration of C-reactive protein was significantly lower in laparoscopic patients compared to patients undergoing laparotomy. Finally, most studies reported lower levels of white blood cell count in laparoscopic patients, although this result did not reach statistical significance in a small number of studies. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy-assisted gastric surgery seems to attenuate the immune response compared to open surgery. Larger and prospective studies are needed to further evaluate if the immunological status is relatively preserved in minimal invasive surgery and if this may reduce the postoperative complications compared to open surgery.

No increased risk of perforation during colonoscopy in patients undergoing Nurse Administered Propofol Sedation.

OBJECTIVE: Nurse Administered Propofol Sedation (NAPS) contributes to a deeper sedation of the patients, making them unable to respond to pain and an increased incidence of perforations has been speculated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk of perforations during colonoscopies performed with either NAPS or conventional sedation regimes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were retrospectively retracted from medical journals from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2011. All journals were examined and cross-referenced to reveal any perforations. We analyzed all colonoscopies in regard to nature of the procedure (diagnostic vs therapeutic), experience of the endoscopist and ASA-classification of the patients. RESULTS: A total of 6371 colonoscopies were performed, of which 3155 were performed under propofol sedation. There were 16 perforations (0.25%); 10 of these performed during NAPS and 6 during conventional colonoscopy (p = 0.454, OR: 1.7 (95% CI: 0.6-5.7)). There were 4874 diagnostic and 1497 therapeutic colonoscopies, with a majority of the perforations (94%) occurring during a diagnostic procedure (p = 0.389). No statistically difference was found in the incidence of perforations caused by an experienced or less experienced endoscopist (p = 0.589). CONCLUSION: The risk of colonic perforations during colonoscopy was not found to be significantly higher in patients undergoing NAPS compared to patients undergoing conventional sedation, although a tendency may exist. Furthermore, we found no correlation to neither experience of the endoscopist, nature of the procedure nor sex of the patients. Larger and prospective studies are needed to further evaluate on this subject.