The effects of neoadjuvant chemoradiation on pTNM staging and its prognostic significance in esophageal cancer.

For esophageal cancer, it is not clear if pathologic TNM staging after chemoradiation and resection will have the same prognostic significance compared with patients who undergo resection only. From 1995 to 2004, prospectively collected data from 279 patients with intrathoracic squamous cell cancers were analyzed. Patients were given chemoradiation either as part of a randomized trial comparing neoadjuvant chemoradiation with surgical resection alone, or because of advanced disease at presentation.

Esomeprazole with aspirin versus clopidogrel for prevention of recurrent gastrointestinal ulcer complications.

Background And Aims: The role of clopidogrel in patients at risk for gastrointestinal complications is uncertain, although it has been recommended for patients who have gastrointestinal intolerance to aspirin. We tested the hypothesis that clopidogrel is as effective as esomeprazole and aspirin in preventing recurrences of ulcer complications.

Methods: This was a prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled study of 170 patients who developed ulcer bleeding after the use of low-dose aspirin between November 2002 and January 2005.

The influence of technical complications on postoperative outcome and survival after esophagectomy.

Background: The dismal survival associated with esophagectomy for cancer has led to the search for potentially correctable factors responsible for this poor prognosis. Although it is intuitive that technical complications could increase postoperative mortality, the effect on long-term survival is controversial.

Methods: From 1990 to 2002, 434 patients underwent resection for squamous cell carcinoma of the intrathoracic esophagus.

Early prediction of tumor recurrence after curative resection of gastric carcinoma by measuring soluble E-cadherin.

Background: Currently, to the authors' knowledge, there is no serum marker to predict disease recurrence after patients undergo curative resection for gastric carcinoma. Previous reports have indicated that serum levels of soluble E-cadherin had prognostic value in these patients. The objective of the current study was to determine whether soluble E-cadherin levels could predict disease recurrence in patients with gastric carcinoma who underwent curative surgery.

Patients with Helicobacter pylori positive and negative duodenal ulcers have distinct clinical characteristics.

Aim: To assess the clinical characteristics of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) negative duodenal ulcer.

Methods: Patients with an endoscopic diagnosis of duodenal ulcer between 1996 and 2002 were included in the present study. Patients were considered to be negative for H pylori, if both histological examination and rapid urease test of biopsy specimens were negative.

A single-layer, continuous, hand-sewn method for esophageal anastomosis: prospective evaluation in 218 patients.

Hypothesis: A 1-layer, continuous technique for esophageal anastomosis after esophagectomy has been in routine use at the University of Hong Kong Medical Centre since 1996. This study aims to document the results of this method and examine factors that may predispose patients to complications associated with esophageal anastomosis.

Design: Retrospective study.

Predictive factors for postoperative pulmonary complications and mortality after esophagectomy for cancer.

Objective: This study aimed at: (1) documenting the evolution of surgical results of esophagectomy in a high-volume center, (2) identifying predictive factors of pulmonary complications and mortality, and (3) examining whether preoperative chemoradiation therapy would complicate postoperative recovery.

Summary Background Data: Pulmonary complications and mortality rate after esophagectomy remain substantial, and factors responsible have not been adequately studied. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation is widely used; it is hypothesized that this may lead to adverse postoperative outcome.

Pleural drainage after transthoracic esophagectomy: experience with a vacuum system.

Conventional pleural cavity drainage after esophagectomy involves one to two large-bore drainage tubes connected to underwater bottles. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of a small mobile vacuum drainage system. Out of 173 patients who underwent transthoracic esophagectomy, 167 (97%) had the vacuum drain successfully placed at the end of the operation.

A prospective evaluation of catheter probe EUS for the detection of ascites in patients with gastric carcinoma.

Background: Gastric carcinoma is known for its propensity to spread to the peritoneum. This study assessed the value of EUS in the detection of ascites not visible on CT in patients with gastric carcinoma.

Methods: A total of 402 consecutive patients with histopathologically confirmed gastric adenocarcinoma underwent catheter-probe EUS.

Improvement in treatment results and long-term survival of patients with esophageal cancer: impact of chemoradiation and change in treatment strategy.

Objective: To identify prognostic factors and reasons for improved survival over time in patients with esophageal cancer.

Summary Background Data: Management strategies for esophageal cancer have evolved with time. The impact of chemoradiation in the overall treatment results has not been adequately studied.

Soluble E-cadherin is an independent pretherapeutic factor for long-term survival in gastric cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate whether pretherapeutic serum soluble E-cadherin is an independent factor predicting long-term survival in gastric cancer. Gastric cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world, but a satisfactory tumor marker is currently unavailable for gastric cancer. Soluble E-cadherin has recently been found to have prognostic value in gastric cancer.