Depletion of MUC5B mucin in gastrointestinal cancer cells alters their tumorigenic properties: implication of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Secreted mucins are large O-glycosylated proteins that participate in the protection/defence of underlying mucosae in normal adults. Alteration of their expression is a hallmark of numerous epithelial cancers and has often been correlated to bad prognosis of the tumour. The secreted mucin MUC5B is overexpressed in certain subtypes of gastric and intestinal cancers, but the consequences of this altered expression on the cancer cell behaviour are not known.

Are Thoracotomy and/or Intrathoracic Anastomosis Still Predictors of Postoperative Mortality After Esophageal Cancer Surgery?: A Nationwide Study.

Background: Intrathoracic (vs cervical) anastomosis and a thoracotomy (vs absence) have previously been associated with increasing postoperative mortality (POM). Recent improvements in surgical practices and perioperative management may have changed these dogmas.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of performing intrathoracic anastomosis and/or thoracotomy on POM after esophageal cancer surgery in recent years.

Is Centralization Needed for Esophageal and Gastric Cancer Patients With Low Operative Risk?: A Nationwide Study.

Objective: To investigate the impact of center volume on postoperative mortality (POM) according to patient condition.

Background: Centralization has been shown to improve POM in esophageal and, to a lesser extent, gastric cancer surgery; however, the benefit of centralization for patients with low operative risk is questionable.

Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent esophageal or gastric cancer surgery between 2010 and 2012 in France were included (N = 11,196).

Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: Impact of a Large Hiatal Hernia on Outcomes After Surgery.

Objective: To evaluate complete tumor resection rate (primary objective), 30-day postoperative outcomes, and survival (secondary objectives) in patients with a hiatal hernia (HH) ≥5 cm (HH group) compared with those who did not have a HH or presented with a HH <5 cm (control group).

Background: HH is a risk factor for esophageal and junctional adenocarcinoma (EGJA). Its impact on the outcomes after EGJA surgery is unknown.

High-Grade Toxicity to Neoadjuvant Treatment for Upper Gastrointestinal Carcinomas: What is the Impact on Perioperative and Oncologic Outcomes?

Background: Perioperative oncologic treatments provide a survival benefit for junctional and gastric adenocarcinoma (JGA) and esophageal cancer (EC). Whether neoadjuvant therapy toxicity (NTT) correlates with increased perioperative risk remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the impact of grade III/IV NTT on postoperative and oncologic outcomes in resected upper gastrointestinal malignancies.