Predictive Factors for Non-Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis in the Case of Positive Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis in Two or Fewer Nodes in Breast Cancer.

Background: In breast cancer, recent clinical trials have shown that sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) alone without axillary lymph node dissection results in excellent prognosis if there is sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis in two or fewer nodes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between non-SLN metastasis and clinicopathological factors in case of SLN metastasis in two or fewer nodes in breast cancer.

Methods: Patients who underwent SLNB for invasive breast cancer and were found to have positive SLN in two or fewer nodes were evaluated.

Amplification of Genomic DNA for Decoy Receptor 3 Predicts Post-Resection Disease Recurrence in Breast Cancer Patients.

Background: Decoy receptor 3 (DcR3), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily, shows inhibitory effects on Fas-mediated apoptosis. Currently, data are lacking on the correlation between DcR3 and the recurrence of breast cancer. The authors examined DcR3 mRNA expression and genomic amplification in breast cancer, and investigated the effect of DcR3 gene amplification on prognosis of patients.

Is early enteral nutrition initiated within 24 hours better for the postoperative course in esophageal cancer surgery?

Background: Early enteral nutrition within 24 h after surgery has become a recommended procedure. In the present study, we retrospectively examined whether initiating EN within 24 h after esophagectomy improves the postoperative course.

Methods: Among 103 patients who underwent thoracic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, we enrolled the cases in which EN was initiated within 72 h after surgery.

[Utility of serum human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 extracellular domain(HER2 ECD)assessment in patients with advanced or recurrent breast cancer and those who received neoadjuvant therapy].

Levels of serum human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 extracellular domain(HER2ECD )were measured in breast cancer patients. Fifty-six patients had advanced or recurrent disease, and 21 others were preoperation patients who received neoadjuvant therapy. In the tissue HER2-positive group of advanced or recurrent patients, levels of serum HER2ECD at first recurrence were high(≥15.

[Evaluation of hepatic resection for synchronous liver metastasis from gastric cancer].

To evaluate the effect of hepatic resection for synchronous liver metastasis from gastric cancer, the clinicopathological factors of gastric cancer, the size and number of liver metastasis and surgical procedures for liver metastasis were studied. Between 1977 and 2006, a total of 49 patients (38 men and 11 women) underwent hepatic resections and gastrectomy. The median age was 70 years old (range 41-81).