[A Case of Advanced Neuroendocrine Cell Carcinoma of the Stomach Treated with S-1 and Cisplatin Chemotherapy].

A 69-year-old man presented to our hospital because of epigastric pain. A type 2 lesion was seen in the lesser curvature of the antrum of the stomach. A moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma(human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative) was diagnosed by biopsy. Abdominal computed tomography showed a mass shadow 52mm in diameter in the pyloric region invading the surrounding organs, but no evidence of distant metastasis. Chemotherapy with S-1 and cisplatin(SP therapy)was initiated because of a diagnosis of locally advanced gastric cancer. After 2 courses of chemotherapy, the tumor shrinkage rate was 70%, confirming that treatment was effective. However, severe skin disorders developed, precluding the continuation of chemotherapy. Staging laparoscopy showed no evidence of peritoneal dissemination, but invasion into the superior mesenteric vein was noted. The tumor was resected by pancreaticoduodenectomy with partial resection of the venous wall. Pathological examination of the resected specimens provided a definite diagnosis of neuroendocrine cell carcinoma. As of 1 year and 7 months after surgery, there has been no observation of metastasis or recurrence. SP therapy was suggested to be a useful regimen for preoperative chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced neuroendocrine cell carcinoma.

Is histopathological evidence really essential for making a surgical decision about mucinous carcinoma arising in a perianal fistula? Report of a case.

We report an unusual case of mucinous adenocarcinoma of the anus associated with a chronic anal fistula, treated successfully by abdominoperineal resection (APR). Although multiple biopsies failed to reveal any histological evidence of malignancy, cancer was diagnosed from the mucin obtained for cytology. Subsequent histological examination of the resected specimen revealed clusters of cancer cells floating in a mucous lake, suggesting that it would have been difficult to acquire the cells in a biopsy sample. Conversely, the presence of mucin lakes and globules in specimens drained from the region of perianal sepsis may have been histologically informative for diagnosis. Thus, although biopsy of the lesion is undoubtedly essential for diagnosis, it often fails to provide enough information to make a definite diagnosis of mucinous carcinoma. This case illustrates that clinicians should base their decision on whether to perform surgery on clinical manifestations, imaging findings, and cytology of mucin obtained by drainage when it is difficult to obtain malignant cells by biopsy.

Pancreatobiliary fistula associated with an intraductal papillary-mucinous pancreatic neoplasm manifesting as obstructive jaundice: report of a case.

We report a pancreatobiliary fistula caused by an intraductal papillary-mucinous pancreatic neoplasm (IPMN), manifesting as obstructive jaundice. Computed tomography showed dilatation of the bile duct and main pancreatic duct, with multiple cystic masses in the head of the pancreas. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatocholangiography showed a patulous papilla with mucin secretion. Contrast enhancement outlined amorphous material obstructing the lower part of the common hepatic duct. Pancreatogram and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed diffuse dilatation of the main pancreatic duct and side branches without communication with the adjacent organs or duct. We performed pancreaticoduodenectomy for IPMN of the pancreatic head and a tumor-like lesion in the lower common bile duct (CBD). Macroscopically, impacted thick mucus protruded into the CBD from the pancreas via a pancreatobiliary fistula. Histologic examination revealed a pancreatobiliary fistula caused by intraductal papillary-mucinous carcinoma of the pancreas with mucin hypersecretion, an adenoma without interstitial infiltration, and isolated implantation of an IPMN in the bile duct mucosa around the fistula.

Necrotizing fasciitis secondary to carcinoma of the gallbladder with perforation.

We present an unusual case of necrotizing fasciitis in the upper abdominal wall caused by penetrating perforation of the gallbladder. It was manifested as an elastic and reddish abdominal swelling with severe tenderness, but no peritoneal irritation. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated water density with a slightly elevated CT value and air bubbles in the subcutaneous space. The preoperative diagnosis was subcutaneous abscess with fasciitis. At surgery, necrotizing fasciitis and subcutaneous abscess secondary to penetrating perforation of the gallbladder were revealed. Cholecystectomy and peritoneal irrigation were performed. Although no tumor was evident during surgery, a tumor located close to the perforation site was found just after the operation. Pathological examination revealed gallbladder carcinoma without stones. There have been very few previous reports of necrotizing fasciitis following gallbladder perforation. The presentation, diagnosis, and management of fasciitis, as well as carcinoma of the gallbladder with perforation, are discussed.

Release of band cells from the bone marrow is impaired by preoperative chemoradiation in patients with esophageal carcinoma: increased risk of postoperative pneumonia.

PURPOSE: To examine the difference in hematological data and postsurgical course after esophagectomy between patients receiving preoperative chemoradiation and patients without preoperative treatment. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus who underwent esophagectomy during the past 2 years were retrospectively analyzed in the study. Six patients had preoperative chemoradiation (CRT group) and 16 patients had no preoperative treatment (non-CRT group). The hematological data, postoperative course, and surgical complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Patients in the CRT group were given cisplatin and 5-FU (143 and 6,000 mg on average, respectively) plus an average of 35 Gy of radiation. Although the neutrophil count did not show a significant difference between the two groups, the band cell count was lower in the CRT group compared with the non-CRT group on postoperative day 1 (P<0.05). Postoperative pneumonia was detected in three patients (50%) from the CRT group versus none of the non-CRT group. CONCLUSION: Preoperative CRT may be a risk factor for postoperative pneumonia in patients with esophageal carcinoma who undergo esophagectomy. The normal bone marrow response of releasing band cells from the postmitotic marrow pool after surgery could be disturbed by CRT, which might contribute to an increase in later pulmonary complications.

Dynamic graciloplasty resulting fecal continence without electrical stimulation: report of a case.

A 32 year-old man received dynamic graciloplasty for fecal incontinence due to a pelvic fracture. The perception of stool was obtained soon after the colostomy closure. Defecography and a manometric study showed that the patient could contract the transposed gracilis muscle independently. While the resting anal canal pressure remained low (52 cmH(2)O), he maintained excellent continence without stimulation. When stimulated, the anal canal pressure rose to 112 cmH(2)O. Electrical stimulation is therefore not always necessary for a good function after dynamic graciloplasty.

Conformal radiation therapy for liver metastasis of esophageal carcinoma.

Recently, aggressive hepatectomies or hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for liver metastasis from gastric or colorectal carcinoma have been performed, and the number of successful studies of liver metastasis have increased. However, there have been few successful cases of liver metastasis from esophageal carcinoma by surgery or chemotherapy. Herein, we show the benefits of radiation therapy for the treatment of liver metastasis from esophageal carcinoma. A 60-year-old woman with a 5-cm solitary liver metastasis from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was treated with radiation therapy. The treated volume was encompassed by the anteroposterior and right lateral opposing fields, shaped by a multileaf collimator. The daily fraction size was 1.8 Gy, 5 days per week, for a total dose of 54 Gy. During the course of treatment, the patient did not experience any complications. After radiotherapy, abdominal computed tomography showed that the enhanced solid tumor had changed to a very low-density mass lesion with a clear margin, and the size was decreasing gradually between the 6 months. Radiotherapy could be a treatment of choice in patients with liver metastasis from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Feasibility of dividing the main vessels for enhancement of dynamic graciloplasty.

PURPOSE: The technique of dynamic graciloplasty is not yet-completely satisfactory. Its function could be improved by ensuring total wrapping of the neoanus with the muscular part of the gracilis, but this can only be achieved by dividing the main blood vessels, which are considered essential for blood supply to the flap. We devised a vascular delay technique to preserve the flap without these vessels, which we performed first experimentally, then clinically, with promising results. METHODS: Seventeen Japanese white rabbits were given graciloplasty after electrical stimulation, vascular ligation, or no preparation. The neoanus was assessed manometrically and histologically 5 days later. The good results seen in the animals encouraged us to start performing enhanced dynamic graciloplasty clinically. Five patients were given electrical stimulation and the vascular delay technique was carried out before dynamic graciloplasty. RESULTS: Vascular delay in the rabbits preserved the muscle flap, but electrical stimulation had a limited effect. In all five patients, the neoanus was successfully wrapped with the muscular part of the flap. There were no ischemic symptoms or perioperative complications. Furthermore, the neoanal pressure increased significantly with electrical stimulation from 23.8 cmH(2)O to 89.2 cmH(2)O. Satisfactory continence was achieved in three of the four patients whom we were able to evaluate. CONCLUSION: Dissection of the main vessels of the gracilis muscle with vascular delay and long-term electrical stimulation may optimize the gracilis flap in patients requiring dynamic graciloplasty.