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Biomedical subjects

Yuichiro Doki

Publications and source records attributed to Yuichiro Doki.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Clinical outcome of esophageal cancer patients with history of gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Surgery for thoracic esophageal cancer after gastrectomy involves a complicated reconstruction procedure. A surgeon's hesitation is further increased because the clinical outcome of surgical treatment of these patients has not been elucidated. OBJECTIVES: Among 948 thoracic esophageal cancer patients who underwent curative operation, 72 (7.6%) had a history of gastrectomy. Their clinico-pathological features and survival (follow-up average 881 days) were compared with those without gastrectomy. RESULTS: Esophagectomy for patients after gastrectomy was performed via right thoracotomy (66), left thoracotomy (4), and transhiatal resection (2), and reconstruction was done using the right-side colon (57) or jejunum (15). Compared to non-gastrectomized patients, gastrectomized patients were exposed to longer operation time (523 min vs. 460 min), but no significant difference was observed in operative mortality (4.2% vs. 2.5%) or blood loss (1,189 ml vs. 990 ml). Pathological examination showed no significant difference in depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, and TNM staging between gastrectomized and non-gastrectomized patients, while tumors were located at lower position in the gastrectomized patients (P = 0.046). The overall and cause-specific 5-year survival rates were 56% and 65% for gastrectomized esophageal cancer patients, which were significantly better than for non-gastrectomized patients (36% and 44%, P = 0.0235 and 0.024, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed gastrectomy as a marginally independent factor for a favorable prognosis (hazard ratio 1.832, P = 0.0324). With respect to tumor recurrence, hematogenic metastasis tended to be less frequent in gastrectomized patients than in non-gastrectomized patients. In gastrectomized patients, neither disease (peptic ulcer or gastric cancer) nor reconstruction (Billroth-I, Billroth-II, and Roux-Y) for gastrectomy affected the clinicopathological findings or post-operable survival. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of esophageal cancer patients after gastrectomy was complicated but tolerable, and should be considered as a reliable therapeutic modality because of favorable patient prognosis.

Adult↗

Association of the primary tumor location with the site of tumor recurrence after curative resection of thoracic esophageal carcinoma.

The site of surgical failure in cases of thoracic esophageal cancer (TEC) may be affected by the vertical location of the cancer in this longitudinal organ, suggesting the need to select the mode of adjuvant therapy based on location. We classified 501 TECs (92% squamous cell carcinomas) that underwent curative surgery without preoperative treatment as 13% upper thoracic (Ut), 51% middle thoracic (Mt), and 36% lower thoracic (Lt) lesions. Recurrent disease was discovered in 180 (36%) of the patients during a postoperative survey, most frequently in the cervical nodes (19%), liver (18%), abdominal paraaortic nodes (17%), and upper mediastinal nodes (17%). Although postoperative survival rates were similar (5-year survival: Ut 51%, Mt 55%, Lt 54%), the tumor recurrence site was significantly affected by the TEC vertical location, with recurrence in the cervical and upper mediastinal nodes being most frequent for Ut and Mt cases and in the liver and abdominal paraaortic nodes for Lt cases. Insufficient surgical lymph node clearance could be assessed by the recurrence index (RI), defined as the frequency of metastasis at recurrence divided by that at surgery. The RI was significantly lower for the upper abdominal nodes (4%, 8/184) than the lower mediastinal nodes (15%, 19/123) or the upper mediastinal nodes (19%, 30/154). These findings indicated that regional tumor recurrence, corresponding to the surgical field, was more frequent in the Ut and Mt cases (53% and 51%) than the Lt cases (18%); and distant recurrence was more frequent in the Lt cases (62%) than in Ut or Mt cases (25% and 36%). Thus the vertical location of the thoracic esophageal cancer can be said to affected strongly the site of tumor recurrence after curative surgery. Regional radiotherapy might be expected to have an adjuvant effect on Ut/Mt tumors and systemic chemotherapy on Lt tumors.

Abdomen↗

When is curative gastrectomy justified for gastric cancer with positive peritoneal lavage cytology but negative macroscopic peritoneal implant?

For gastric cancer patients who have no peritoneal seeding at a macroscopic level but positive results in the peritoneal lavage cytology (PLC), the prognostic benefit expected by surgical resection is still controversial. During the period 1975-1994 as series of 417 consecutive patients without distant organ metastases underwent surgical resection for gastric cancer that had invaded the subserosal or deeper layers of the stomach wall. Immediately after laparotomy, the pouch of Douglas was washed with 100 ml of physiologic saline solution, and the fluid was collected for cytologic examination (four slide glasses) using Giemsa and Papanicolaou staining methods. According to the macroscopic (P) and cytologic (Cyt) results, the 417 patients were classified into three groups: P(+) (n = 97); P(-)/Cyt(+) (n = 25); and P(-)/Cyt(-) (n = 295). Their 3-year survival rates after surgical resection were 4%, 24%, and 48%, respectively (p = 0.0001: P(-)/Cyt(+) vs. P(-)/Cyt(-); p = 0.0018: P(-)/Cyt(+) vs. P(+). Among the 25 P(-)/Cyt(+) patients, postoperative survival was not associated with the T stage, N stage, cellular atypism, or cluster formation but with the number of cancer cells per slide during PLC. The 3-year survival rate was 35% for the subgroup with fewer than 10 cancer cells per slide (17 patients) and 0% for the other subgroup with 10 or more cancer cells per slide (8 patients) (p = 0.017). For P(-)/Cyt(+) patients, who represent a subgroup of gastric cancer patients with an intermediate survival rate between the P(-)/Cyt(-) and P(+) patients, the number of cancer cells observed during PLC offers a potent prognostic indicator for the gastrectomy.

Adult↗

Adult capillary hemangioma of the liver: report of a case.

We report a rare case of capillary hemangioma of the liver in an adult. The patient was a 55-year-old man, admitted for investigation of a hepatic tumor. The tumor was seen as a hypoechoic mass with a peripheral hypoechoic ring on ultrasonography. Computed tomography (CT) showed an enhancement pattern different from that of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or cavernous hemangioma. Ultrasonography-guided biopsy was technically very difficult because the tumor was located just below the diaphragm. We could not establish whether the tumor was HCC or cavernous hemangioma by the imaging findings, so we performed a hepatic resection. Histopathological examination confirmed a diagnosis of capillary hemangioma. Ultrasonography, CT, and magnetic resonance imaging showed an intermediate pattern between cavernous hemangioma and HCC. Thus, we must be aware of the possibility of capillary hemangioma when finding an atypical liver tumor inconsistent with HCC or cavernous hemangioma.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

A simple technique for performing laparoscopic purse-string suturing during circular stapling anastomosis.

An esophagojejunostomy using a circular stapler requires the fixing of an anvil at the esophageal stump. When this placement procedure is laparoscopically performed, purse-string suturing is difficult, and there is a risk of loosening when a conventional needle driver is used. We herein present a simple but effective technique for performing laparoscopic purse-string suturing of the esophageal stump using a semiautomatic suturing device called the Endostitch. Gastrointestinal anvil placement was laparoscopically performed for 10 patients who underwent an esophagojejunostomy following a total gastrectomy. After the lumen of the esophagus was expanded using bowel forceps, the Endostitch was used to place approximately 12 encircling purse-string sutures. An anvil was positioned with support of the esophageal wall at three points with forceps. The Endostitch was used for the ligation with a sufficient degree of tension applied by extracorporeally pulling the sutures through the abdominal wall. The time for placement of the anvil averaged approximately 8 min. The ring formation following anastomosis was favorable in all patients. As a result, we consider our technique to be simple but very effective.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Reduced tumor vessel density and high expression of glucose transporter 1 suggest tumor hypoxia of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus surviving after radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (ESCC) is radiosensitive; however, surgeons frequently encounter ESCC that survives radiotherapy to grow more rapidly and invasively. This alteration of tumor behavior may result from tumor hypoxia induced by radiotherapy. METHODS: Forty-four patients with advanced (T3 and T4) ESCC, who underwent radiotherapy before operation, either with 40 Gy for preoperative treatment or 60 Gy or more for radical treatment, and 44 patients without preoperative therapy were subjected to retrospective immunohistochemical study. CD34 for tumor vessels, glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) which was induced by hypoxia, MIB-1 for proliferating activity, and p53 were stained for surgical samples from ESCC patients. Tumor tissue at the invading front was the focus of evaluation. Macroscopic morphologic differences of ESCC were also evaluated. RESULTS: Loss of esophageal wall thickness and deep ulceration were morphologic characteristics of ESCC after radiotherapy. Tumor vessel density was reduced and GLUT1 expression was greater in the ESCC after radiotherapy than in those without treatment. Tumor vessel density was similar for both preoperative and radical radiotherapy samples, while GLUT1 expression tended to be greater in the latter than in the former. The expression of MIB-1 and p53 did not show any significant difference between ESCC with or without radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced vessel density and increased GLUT1 expression suggested tumor hypoxia for ESCC occurred after radiotherapy. Tumor hypoxia would induce ulcerative and invasive growth, which is a great obstacle to clinical treatment of residual or relapse ESCC after radiotherapy.

Aged↗

Surgical significance of superficial cancer spread in early gallbladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: A considerable percentage of gallbladder cancers are accompanied by superficial cancer spread adjacent to the main tumor, therefore cholecystectomy for early gallbladder cancer must be performed carefully to avoid leaving cancer cells at the surgical margins. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with gallbladder cancer invading no more than perimuscular connective tissue underwent surgical resection at our medical center. After the operation, resected specimens were investigated macroscopically and microscopically to clarify the clinicopathological features and the risk factors of superficial cancer spread. RESULTS: Sixty-six percent of all cases (21 cases) had superficial cancer spread. Comparison between the cases having superficial cancer spread and the cases without it revealed that the macroscopic morphology of the primary tumor and the depth of cancer invasion in the gallbladder wall were significantly different between the two groups. Furthermore, multivariate analysis indicated that 'superficial raised type' in macroscopic morphology was an independent predictive factor for having superficial cancer spread. Superficial cancer spread from the main tumor located in the neck of the gallbladder grows predominantly in the direction of the fundus. More advanced gallbladder cases were accompanied by more extensive superficial spread. CONCLUSIONS: Superficial cancer spread is frequently observed adjacent to the gallbladder cancer, especially in the superficial raised type. A negative margin should be confirmed by intraoperative frozen section histology while performing cholecystectomy.

Adult↗

NY-ESO-1 expression and immunogenicity in esophageal cancer.

PURPOSE: Although NY-ESO-1 was isolated from an esophageal carcinoma patient, its expression in this type of cancer and its immunogenicity in esophageal cancer patients have not yet been fully elucidated. We report here the frequency of NY-ESO-1 mRNA and protein expression in esophageal cancer and the presence of NY-ESO-1-specific immune response in patients. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: One hundred twenty three esophageal squamous cell carcinoma specimens were analyzed for the expression of NY-ESO-1 mRNA by conventional and real-time reverse transcription-PCR and the expression of protein by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Sera and peripheral blood lymphocytes from 51 patients were analyzed for the NY-ESO-1 antibody production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and NY-ESO-1 T cell response by enzyme-linked immunospot assay. Survival analyses were also performed. RESULTS: NY-ESO-1 mRNA was expressed in 41 of 123 (33%) esophageal squamous cell carcinoma specimens, and its expression was found at higher frequency in well-differentiated and moderately differentiated type of cancer. No mRNA copy was detected in any of the adjacent normal tissues. Twenty-one of 24 (87.5%) NY-ESO-1 mRNA-positive tumors were stained positively by immunohistochemistry. Correlation between the level of NY-ESO-1 mRNA expression and the degree of immunohistochemistry positivity was observed. Antibody production was observed in 2 patients with tumors that showed protein expression. Furthermore, a CD8 T-cell response against NY-ESO-1 was observed in 1 of the 2 seropositive patients. CONCLUSIONS: The high expression frequency of NY-ESO-1 mRNA and protein indicates NY-ESO-1 as a feasible vaccine target in esophageal cancer.

Antibodies↗

Total removal of the posterior mediastinal gastric conduit due to gastric cancer after esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: Total removal of the gastric conduit (TRGC) due to gastric cancer after esophagectomy often results in high operative morbidity and mortality rates, especially when done in the posterior mediastinum. This is one of the reasons for the retro-sternal or subcutaneous route being preferred for gastric conduit replacement in esophageal cancer operation. PATIENTS: Five out of 680 post-operative esophageal cancer patients underwent TRGC via thoracotomy and laparotomy due to posterior mediastinal gastric conduit cancers. RESULTS: In these patients, advanced gastric cancers were found at an average of 84 months (ranging 57-136 months) after esophageal cancer surgery and preoperative risk factors for TRGC were found in age, nutrition, and pulmonary function. The operative time for TRGC was long (average 670 min) but not associated with operative complications, while blood loss varied among patients, with one with the most operative blood loss dying after surgery due to pyothorax and renal failure. This case, and another early case subjected to TRGC first with thoracotomy then followed by laparotomy, showed more operative blood loss (10,895 and 3,260 ml) than the later three patients (2,370, 1,900, and 1,780 ml), who underwent laparotomy before thoracotomy with ligation of the blood supply of the gastric conduit and lysis of adhesion around gastric conduit in the lower mediastinum from the abdomen. CONCLUSION: TRGC in the posterior mediastinum would be safer if operative manipulation were started from laparotomy in order to reduce operative blood loss. J. Surg. Oncol. 2004;85:204-208.

Blood Loss, Surgical↗

Mucin phenotypic expression and background mucosa of esophagogastric junctional adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: In the West, the incidence of adenocarcinoma of the cardia or esophagogastric junction (EGJ) is increasing. This carcinoma is variously defined, however, and it contains heterogeneous tumors. In Japan, the frequency of this carcinoma is low, and little is known about it. We studied small esophagogastric junctional adenocarcinoma to determine its characteristics in Japanese patients. METHODS: Fifty-four patients with Siewert type II junctional adenocarcinoma (with tumors <<4 cm in maximum diameter) were studied. The carcinomas were classified into two types: tumors straddling the EGJ (EGJ-type) and tumors occurring entirely below the EGJ (bEGJ-type). Characteristics of the tumors and surrounding mucosae were evaluated. Phenotypic expression of mucin, p53 overexpression, and Helicobacter pylori infection were investigated histologically and immunohistochemically. RESULTS: Twenty-three (43%) patients had EGJ-type and 31 (57%) had bEGJ-type carcinomas. The ratio of advanced cancers was significantly higher in EGJ-type. Some between-group similarities and differences existed in histological type, mucin phenotype, and p53 protein overexpression, but they were not statistically significant. In the mucosa surrounding EGJ-type tumors vs bEGJ-type tumors, oxyntic glands were significantly better preserved, gastric intestinal metaplasia occurred significantly less frequently, and the H. pylori infection rate was lower. Barrett's metaplasia was seen in only 2 patients, with the EGJ-type. CONCLUSION: EGJ-type and bEGJ-type adenocarcinomas have different background mucosa of the stomach. EGJ-type has less atrophy of the oxyntic glands and less intestinal metaplasia in the stomach. This type appears to be the Western-type junctional adenocarcinoma that is still rare in Japan. Many cases of advanced junctional adenocarcinoma in Japan are of subjunctional origin.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Long-term follow-up of glucose tolerance function after pancreaticoduodenectomy: comparison between pancreaticogastrostomy and pancreaticojejunostomy.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of the present study are to determine the long-term changes in glucose tolerance function after pancreaticoduodenectomy and to compare the effects of pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) and pancreaticogastrostomy (PG). Patients and methods The present study consisted of 51 patients who received a pancreaticoduodenectomy for tumors of the pancreatic head area and survived more than 7 postoperative years without tumor recurrence. According to the type of pancreatic anastomosis, they were classified into 2 groups of 25 PJ patients and 26 PG patients. Changes in the patterns of a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGGT) (normal, impaired glucose tolerance [IGT], and diabetic [DM] patterns) and the need for beginning diabetic treatment (oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin) were compared between groups. RESULTS: Within 3 months after surgery, 14 (56%) patients in the PJ group had normal OGTT patterns, 8 (32%), IGT patterns, and 3 (25%), DM patterns. In the PG group, the patterns of OGTT were similar with 16 (62%) normal patterns, 6 (23%) IGT patterns, and 4 (15%) DM patterns. During the first 7 postoperative years, the 2 groups showed similar results: (1) none of the patients with normal patterns developed functional decline in glucose tolerance; (2) a high percentage of patients with initial IGT or DM patterns developed worsening glucose intolerance (7 [64%] of 11 PJ patients vs 7 [70%] of 10 PG patients); (3) the onset of functional decline in glucose tolerance occurred predominantly within the first 3 postoperative years; and (4) no specific causative event prior to the subsequent functional decline was detected. CONCLUSION: The decline of glucose tolerance after pancreaticoduodenectomy seems to be associated with a low reserve of endocrine function rather than anastomotic procedures or their related complications. Regardless of the types of pancreatic anastomosis, a close follow-up of glucose tolerance function is recommended during the first 3 postoperative years, especially among IGT or DM patients.

Aged↗

Attachment of human colon cancer cells to vascular endothelium is enhanced by N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V.

Expression of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT-V) in colon cancer has been shown to be related to hematogenous metastasis and poor prognosis. To investigate the mechanism by which cancer cells expressing GnT-V metastasize to distant organs, we established GnT-V-overexpressing DLD-1 and WiDr cells (human colon cancer cell lines) by transfecting them with a GnT-V expression vector. Attachment to endothelial cells expressing E-selectin was studied, and expression of the E-selectin ligand, sialyl Lewis x, in colon cancer cells was investigated. Both of the cell lines showed reduced adhesion to fibronectin as compared with mock transfectants. In contrast, attachment to human umbilical vein endothelial cells expressing E-selectin was significantly enhanced by GnT-V expression (p < 0.01). Sialyl Lewis x is a ligand for E-selectin and a marker for poor prognosis of colon cancer. Its synthesis in cells has been shown to involve GnT-V. We demonstrated that expression of sialyl Lewis x in colon cancer cells was induced by GnT-V expression. These results suggest that GnT-V induces sialyl Lewis x expression and leads colon cancer cells to metastasize by enhancing their ability to attach to vascular endothelium in distant organs, such as liver or lung. Inhibition of GnT-V activity may prevent metastasis in colon cancer patients with high sialyl Lewis x expression.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Reduced MLH1 expression after chemotherapy is an indicator for poor prognosis in esophageal cancers.

PURPOSE: Loss of function or expression of the mismatch repair gene MLH1 has been implicated in experimentally acquired resistance to cisplatin (CDDP) and other anticancer agents. The clinical significance of MLH1 expression was evaluated in advanced thoracic squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (ESCC) treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We investigated MLH1 and P53 expression by immunohistochemistry in the surgical specimens of 107 patients who had undergone preoperative chemotherapy using CDDP along with 5-FU and ADM. These findings were correlated with the clinical outcome for this treatment. Biopsy samples before chemotherapy in 20 of these patients, and another 43 surgical specimens without chemotherapy, were also examined as control samples. RESULTS: In surgical specimens of ESCC, low MLH1 expression was not frequent without chemotherapy, whereas it was commonly observed after chemotherapy (14 versus 37%, P = 0.0057). Comparison between samples before and after chemotherapy revealed that MLH1 expression was unchanged during chemotherapy in 12 of 20 patients (60%) but was from high to low in 8 of 20 patients (40%). In the surgical specimen after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, MLH1 expression was not correlated with any clinicopathological factors, including the response to chemotherapy. However, low MLH1 showed poorer prognosis than high MLH1 (5-year survival 40.6 versus 19.3%, P = 0.0393), and in multivariate analysis, MLH1 was an independent prognostic factor for this multimodal treatment, following lymph node metastasis and clinical response to chemotherapy. Positive p53 expression, which was not affected by chemotherapy, was weakly associated with a poor response and clinical outcome, although this trend was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: In advanced ESCC, expression of MLH1 is reduced during CDDP-based chemotherapy, and this may partly account for poor postoperative survival.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Overexpression of cyclin D1 contributes to malignancy by up-regulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 via the pRB/E2F pathway.

Overexpression of cyclin D1 due to gene rearrangement, gene amplification, or simply increased transcription occurs frequently in several types of human cancers. However, overexpression of cyclin D1 in cell culture system is insufficient, by itself, to cause malignant transformation. In the present study, we found that when rodent fibroblasts that overexpress cyclin D1, but not normal fibroblasts, were treated with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), there was enhanced cell cycle progression, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 activation, induction of anchorage-independent growth, and enhanced invasion of a Matrigel barrier. These enhanced responses to bFGF appear to be due to increased expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1, at both the mRNA and protein levels, in the cyclin D1-overexpressing cells. We obtained evidence that this increase in fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 expression is mediated through cyclin D1 activation of the pRB/E2F pathway. Taken together, these results suggest that in vivo cyclin D1 overexpression can enhance tumor progression, at least in part, by potentiating the stimulatory efforts of bFGF, which is often produced by stromal cells, and the growth of adjacent tumor cells.

3T3 Cells↗

Prognostic significance of the size of cancer nests in metastatic lymph nodes in human esophageal cancers.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative survival of patients with esophageal cancers after curative surgery is strongly affected by the presence of lymph node metastasis. The number and location of lymph node metastases have been evaluated and graded, but the clinical significance of their size has not been well investigated. METHODS: Of 322 esophageal cancer patients who underwent curative operations with radical lymph node dissection, 170 (53%) had lymph node metastasis. A total of 784 metastatic lymph nodes were obtained, and the area of the cancer nests was measured microscopically in the cross section. The data from each patient included the area of the largest cancer nest in the positive nodes (Nmax), classified as Na (<4 mm2), Nb (4-25 mm2), Nc (25-100 mm2), or Nd (>100 mm2). RESULTS: The 170 patients were classified according to the Nmax value: Na, 31 (18.2%); Nb, 35 (20.5%); Nc, 49 (28.8%); and Nd, 55 (32.4%). The 5-year survival rate was 77.7% in patients without lymph node metastasis and 35.4% in those with lymph node metastasis. When classified by Nmax, the 5-year survival rate was 77.8% for Na, 63.9% for Nb, 18.8% for Nc, and 12.8% for Nd. There was no significant difference in the survival rate between Na patients and those without lymph node metastasis. Nmax showed significant correlation with the primary tumor size, depth of tumor invasion, and number and location of metastatic lymph nodes, but not with histologic type or primary tumor location. In multivariate analysis, the Nmax value, the number of lymph node metastases and depth of tumor invasion were independent prognostic factors, while the location of the lymph node metastases was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The area of the largest cancer nest in the lymph nodes was one of the most significant prognostic factors for esophageal cancers. This estimation is objective and reproducible and may be of great importance when deciding the therapeutic modality for patients with esophageal cancers.

Esophageal Neoplasms↗

Aortic valve replacement for a patient with porcelain aorta and retrosternal gastric tube reconstruction after esophageal resection.

A 67-year-old woman with congestive heart failure due to aortic stenosis and regurgitation needed aortic valve replacement. She had undergone right radical mastectomy 23 years before, and total thoracic esophagectomy with retrosternal gastric tube reconstruction 11 years before. Plain computed tomography showed coincident porcelain aorta. Aortic valve replacement was performed through a median sternotomy approach. Blunt dissection on anterior and right side of the gastric tube could be done with minimal injury, and the heart was exposed as in usual cardiac surgery. Preoperative multi-detector computed tomography revealed inhomogeneous and patchy distribution of calcification in the ascending aorta, and was helpful to decide aortotomy site. Aortic valve replacement was done and aortotomy was closed with felt strip buttressed running suture. Postoperative course was uneventful.

Aged↗

Possible indication for surgical treatment of squamous cell carcinomas of the esophagus that involve the stomach.

BACKGROUND: The caudal spread of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) frequently involves the stomach. An extended surgical treatment may provide a tumor-free margin; however, its clinical benefit has not been elucidated. METHODS: Sixty-three of 582 patients with ESCC (11%) had massive gastric involvement and underwent esophagectomy with combined resection of the stomach and other organs. The mode of gastric involvement was classified as direct invasion from primary tumor (PT invasion) or invasion from metastatic lymph nodes (LN invasion). RESULTS: In addition to the removal of either the proximal (83%) or the whole (17%) stomach, 46 patients (73%) underwent the combined resection of adjacent organs, including the diaphragm, pancreas, liver, lung, and pericardium. This surgical treatment resulted in a high rate (83%) of curative resection and a low rate (8%) of operative mortality. Postoperative survival rates were 53%, 33%, and 25% at 1, 2, and 5 years, respectively. The first tumor recurrence was frequently in the abdominal paraaortic lymph nodes (41%) and the liver (28%), followed by the mediastinal lymph nodes, local recurrence, the lung, and other organs. The mode of gastric involvement strongly affected clinical outcome, with a 5-year survival rate of 36% for those with PT invasion but of only 7% with LN invasion (P <.0086). No significant difference was seen in the number and location of metastatic lymph nodes between the 2 groups; however, the size of the largest metastatic lymph node was significantly smaller with PT invasion than with LN invasion (12 mm vs 37 mm in diameter; P <.0001). CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of ESCC involving the stomach was considered safe and successful. A favorable prognosis can be expected for gastric invasion from the primary tumor but not from metastatic lymph nodes.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗