Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy performed in a morbidly obese patient with gastrointestinal stromal tumor: a case report and literature review.

Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most frequent submucosal tumor, and with advancements of diagnostic modalities, the incidence of GIST cases diagnosed have increased. Similarly, prevalence of morbid obesity has also rapidly increased over the past decade. Notably, the incidence of GIST in obese patients was reported to be more frequent as compared to the general population.

Comparison of Inflammation-Based Prognostic Scores Associated with the Prognostic Impact of Adenocarcinoma of Esophagogastric Junction and Upper Gastric Cancer.

Background: Several inflammation-based prognostic scores have a prognostic value in patients with various cancers. This study investigated the prognostic value of various inflammation-based prognostic scores in patients who underwent a surgery for adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) and upper gastric cancer (UGC).

Methods: We reviewed data of 206 patients who underwent surgery for AEG and UGC.

Clinical Significance of SIP1 and E-cadherin in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), when epithelial cells convert to mesenchymal cells, influences cancer invasion and metastasis. Smad interacting protein 1 (SIP1) is an EMT trigger, which is inversely correlated with E-cadherin in some carcinomas. To elucidate the role of SIP1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the status of EMT and the clinicopathological features were evaluated.

Nuclear expression of chemokine receptor CXCR4 indicates poorer prognosis in gastric cancer.

Background: The CXCL12/CXCR4 axis plays a pivotal role in cancer progression and metastases in various epithelial cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the localization and correlation between CXCL12/CXCR4 expression and clinicopathological features in gastric cancers.

Materials And Methods: This study included 111 Japanese patients with primary gastric cancers, which invade submucosa or more, all of whom underwent gastrectomy between 1992 and 1996.

Rectal cancer with disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow: report of a case.

We report a rare case of disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow from rectal cancer with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). A 65-year-old man was admitted with melena and low back pain at rest. X-ray examination showed rectal cancer with multiple bone metastases.

Prognostic markers for immunochemotherapy using tegafur -uracil (UFT) and protein-bound polysaccharide K (PSK).

Aim/background: We previously reported that PSK-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis reaction (PSK-stimulation index; PSK-SI) may be a prognostic marker for immunochemotherapy using PSK in gastrointestinal cancer patients. In this study we evaluated the usefulness of PSK-SI as a prognostic marker for PSK therapy at higher and lower serum immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) levels.

Patients And Methods: 98 gastric and 135 colorectal cancer patients were analyzed.

CEA/CA72-4 levels in peritoneal lavage fluid are predictive factors in patients with gastric carcinoma.

Purpose: Increased levels of tumor marker in intra-operative peritoneal lavage are associated with an earlier detection of recurrent peritoneal dissemination.

Method: Intra-operative peritoneal lavage samples from 193 patients with gastric cancer were obtained to determine the levels of the tumor markers, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cancer-related antigen 72-4 (CA72-4) using a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay.

Results: The peritoneal lavage CEA (CY-CEA), CA72-4 (CY-CA72-4) and serosal invasion were independent factors predicting the peritoneal dissemination including CY(+).

Surgery after preoperative chemotherapy for patients with unresectable advanced gastric cancer.

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of surgery after preoperative chemotherapy for unresectable advanced gastric cancer.

Method: Twenty patients with disappeared peritoneal dissemination or decreased lymph node metastasis by systemic chemotherapy underwent surgery (group S), while 14 with peritoneal dissemination or lymph nodes >N2 (group C) received continuous systemic chemotherapy. Among group S patients, 15 underwent a curative resection (group R0), while the other 5 did not microscopically undergo a curative resection (group R1).

Podoplanin is expressed at the invasive front of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas and is involved in collective cell invasion.

The expression of podoplanin is reportedly involved in collective cell invasion, which is independent from the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We focused on the expression of podoplanin in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC) and investigated the correlation of podoplanin and EMT-related markers, and evaluated its prognostic significance. Five ESCC cell lines were subjected to western blot analysis for podoplanin and EMT markers.

Outcome and status of microsatellite stability in Japanese atomic bomb survivors with early gastric carcinoma.

Background: In the decade after the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima, a high incidence of leukemia was observed among atomic bomb survivors. However, the incidence of other cancers gradually increased, while that of leukemia decreased after this period. We evaluated the clinical outcome of early gastric cancer and microsatellite stability over a long-term period in atomic bomb survivors.

Production of gastrointestinal tumors in mice by modulating latent TGF-β1 activation.

TGF-β and its signaling pathways are important mediators in the suppression of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. TGF-β is released from cells in a latent complex consisting of TGF-β, the TGF-β propeptide [latency associated protein (LAP)], and a latent TGF-β binding protein (LTBP). We previously generated mice in which the LTBP-binding cysteine residues in LAP TGF-β1 were mutated to serine precluding covalent interactions with LTBP.

Preliminary trial of surgery after chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination.

Systemic chemotherapy is the key treatment for patients presenting with advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination. In certain cases, adjuvant surgery following systemic chemotherapy may result in improved long-term survival. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant surgery following response to chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination.

Plasma D-dimer level as a mortality predictor in patients with advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer.

Objective: Plasma D-dimer levels are elevated in patients with a variety of solid tumors. Recently, it has been reported that the level before curative surgery is a prognostic factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). We investigated whether the plasma D-dimer level before systemic chemotherapies is a predictor for advanced or recurrent unresectable CRC.

ATR-Chk1 signaling pathway and homologous recombinational repair protect cells from 5-fluorouracil cytotoxicity.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) has long been a mainstay antimetabolite chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of major solid tumors, particularly colorectal cancer. 5-FU is processed intracellularly to yield active metabolites that compromise RNA and DNA metabolism. However, the mechanisms responsible for its cytotoxicity are not fully understood.

Biological mechanism and clinical effect of protein-bound polysaccharide K (KRESTIN(®)): review of development and future perspectives.

The mechanism of action of protein-bound polysaccharide K (PSK; KRESTIN(®)) involves the following actions: (1) recovery from immunosuppression induced by humoral factors such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-β or as a result of surgery and chemotherapy; (2) activation of antitumor immune responses including maturation of dendritic cells, correction of Th1/Th2 imbalance, and promotion of interleukin-15 production by monocytes; and (3) enhancement of the antitumor effect of chemotherapy by induction of apoptosis and inhibition of metastasis through direct actions on tumor cells. The clinical effectiveness of PSK has been demonstrated for various cancers. In patients with gastric or colorectal cancer, combined use of PSK with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy prolongs survival, and this effect has been confirmed in multiple meta-analyses.

Surgical removal of a denture with sharp clasps impacted in the cervicothoracic esophagus: report of three cases.

We report three cases of successful surgical removal of a denture with sharp clasps impacted in the cervical esophagus. Patient 1 was a 57-year-old woman institutionalized for over 30 years for schizophrenia, patient 2 was a 62-year-old man hospitalized for brain paralysis, and patient 3 was a 64-year-old man suffering cerebral hemorrhage sequelae. All three patients swallowed a denture accidentally.

Simultaneous total gastrectomy and endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm: report of a case.

We herein present the case of a 66-year-old man with both gastric cancer and an infrarenal abdominal aneurysm. The patient's medical history included bladder cancer, chronic renal failure, and ischemic heart disease. We performed a simultaneous endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and total gastrectomy.

Copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity at the p53 locus in carcinogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas associated with p53 mutations.

Purpose: LOH at the p53 locus has been reported to be associated with esophageal squamous cell carcinogenesis. The aim of this study is to identify potential mechanisms resulting in LOH around the p53 locus in its carcinogenesis.

Experimental Design: We investigated 10 esophageal cancer cell lines and 91 surgically resected specimens, examining them for LOH at the p53 locus on chromosome 17.

In-hospital mortality after a surgical resection for esophageal cancer: analyses of the associated factors and historical changes.

Background: Resections for esophageal cancer are invasive, with high mortality and morbidity rates. The object of this study was to clarify the factors associated with in-hospital death while also evaluating any associated historical changes in the characteristics of such deaths.

Methods: The factors associated with mortality were examined by logistic regression analysis in 1106 patients who underwent an esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

Unique variation of the hepatic artery identified on preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography angiography in surgery for gastric cancer: report of a case.

Hepatic artery injury is one complication associated with surgery for gastric cancer. This complication does not occur frequently, but it can cause serious problems. Anatomical variations of the hepatic arteries are thought to be a factor in such injuries.

Impact of perioperative peripheral blood values on postoperative complications after esophageal surgery.

Purpose: Prediction of the postoperative course of esophagectomy is an important part of the strict perioperative management of patients undergoing surgery for esophageal cancer.

Methods: To evaluate their clinical importance, peripheral blood values, including white blood cell count (WBC), lymphocyte count, and the levels of total protein, transferrin, factor XIII, D-dimer, fibrin, and fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) were measured before and after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer in 24 patients.

Results: The preoperative WBC and the pre- and postoperative lymphocyte count were decreased remarkably in patients who received preoperative chemoradiotherapy.

Alcohol drinking, cigarette smoking, and the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: epidemiology, clinical findings, and prevention.

Both cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking are well-established risk factors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and the relationship of dose to cancer risk has already been described. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of these two factors has been reported. Our case-control study revealed the odds ratio of ESCC to be 50.

High expression of BUBR1 is one of the factors for inducing DNA aneuploidy and progression in gastric cancer.

Gastric cancers show high frequency of DNA aneuploidy, a phenotype of chromosomal instability. It is suggested that the abnormal spindle assembly checkpoint is involved in DNA aneuploidy, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. We studied the mechanism by assessing the expression of BUBR1 in gastric cancer.

Repair using the pectoralis major muscle flap for anastomotic leakage after esophageal reconstruction via the subcutaneous route.

Background: Anastomotic leakage with an intractable cutaneous fistula frequently develops after an esophagectomy and reconstruction via the subcutaneous route.

Methods: A pectoralis major muscle (PMM) flap was used for the treatment of 6 patients with esophageal cancer who developed anastomotic leakage with fistula after reconstruction via the subcutaneous route. A gastric tube and colon had been used for reconstruction in 2 and 4 patients, respectively.

Preoperative chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer: factors associated with clinical response and postoperative complications.

Background: The factors associated with the clinical results of preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for esophageal cancer and its effect on postoperative complications are still unclear.

Patients And Methods: The 686 patients with esophageal cancer were classified into 376 who received preoperative CRT (group I) and 310 who received surgery alone (group II).

Results: A multivariate analysis for group I patients revealed pathologically complete response to be a favorable prognostic factor.