Chondromodulin-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor-A expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: accelerator and brake theory for angiogenesis at the early stage of cancer progression.

Background: Magnifying endoscopy has demonstrated dramatic morphologic changes in the surface microvasculature of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) according to the depth of invasion. We investigated the mechanism of angiogenesis in early-stage ESCC by examining the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and chondromodulin (ChM)-1.

Methods: Using 41 samples of superficial esophageal cancer (EP and LPM 19 cases, MM or deeper 22 cases) and 7 samples of regenerative squamous epithelium, the expression of VEGF-A and ChM-1 was examined in relation to the histological grade or morphology of the surface microvasculature demonstrated by magnifying endoscopy (types A, B, and C correspond to types A, B1, and B2 and B3 of the magnifying endoscopic classification of the Japan Esophageal Society, respectively).

Indocyanine green fluorescence angiography of the reconstructed gastric tube during esophagectomy: efficacy of the 90-second rule.

By examining the reconstructed gastric tube during esophagectomy using indocyanine green fluorescence (ICG) angiography, we have established a '90-second rule' to confirm good blood perfusion at the anastomosis site. We examined the surgical outcome (rate of anastomotic leakage) of 70 consecutive patients who underwent esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction using ICG fluorescence angiography. All of the anastomoses were made in the area where less than 90 seconds was needed for enhancement using ICG fluorescence angiography (i.

Thymidine phosphorylase and angiogenesis in early stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: The relationship between thymidine phosphorylase (TP) and angiogenesis at the early stage of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma has been unclear.

Methods: Using 14 samples of normal squamous epithelium, 11 samples of low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, and 64 samples of superficial esophageal cancer, microvessel density (MVD) was estimated using immunostaining for CD34 and CD105. TP expression was also evaluated in both cancer cells and stromal monocytic cells (SMCs).

Vascular endothelial growth factors C and D and lymphangiogenesis at the early stage of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression.

We conducted a detailed study of lymphangiogenesis and subsequent lymph node metastasis in early-stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) using immunostaining for D2-40 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and D. The study materials included 13 samples of normal squamous epithelium, 6 samples of low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN), and 60 samples of superficial ESCC (M1 and M2 cancer 24; M3 or deeper cancer 36). We assessed lymphatic vessel density (LVD) using D2-40 and immunoreactivity for VEGF-C and D in relation to histological type, lymphatic invasion, and lymph node metastasis.

Efficacy of Conversion Surgery Following S-1 plus Cisplatin or Oxaliplatin Chemotherapy for Unresectable Gastric Cancer.

Background/aim: To evaluate the efficacy of conversion surgery following S-1 plus cisplatin (CS) or oxaliplatin (SOX) chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinicopathological and survival data of 74 patients with unresectable gastric cancer receiving CS or SOX.

Results: Fifty-five and nineteen patients received CS and SOX, respectively.

Efficacy of Nab-Paclitaxel as Second-line Chemotherapy for Unresectable or Recurrent Gastric Cancer.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nanoparticle albumin-bound-paclitaxel (nab-PTX) as second-line chemotherapy (CT) for patients with unresectable or recurrent gastric cancer (GC).

Patients And Methods: The clinicopathological and survival data of 37 patients with unresectable or recurrent GC who underwent nab-PTX monotherapy as second-line CT, were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: The median number of cycles and relative dose intensity administered per patient were 5 and 90%, respectively.

A newly developed continuous zoom-focus endocytoscope.

 We report the features of a newly developed endocytoscopy system (ECS), the GIF-Y0074.  The GIF-Y0074 offers high-definition resolution with a consecutive increase of magnification to × 500. Using ECS, we observed 32 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), 11 cases of gastric cancer, and five cases of duodenal adenoma.

Improved Efficacy by Addition of Protein-bound Polysaccharide K to Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Advanced Gastric Cancer.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of protein-bound polysaccharide K (PSK) added to S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy for treatment of advanced gastric cancer.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively examined clinicopathological and recurrence-free survival (RFS) data for 136 patients with stage II or III advanced gastric cancer who underwent S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy with or without PSK.

Results: Among 13 clinicopathological factors, non-T4 stage (odds ratio (OR)=0.

Prognostic Factors for Gastric Cancer with Cancer Cells in the Peritoneal Cavity.

Aim: To identify the prognostic factors for gastric cancer with positive peritoneal cytology (CY1) or peritoneal metastasis (P1).

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinicopathological and survival data of 78 patients who had undergone gastrectomy and/or S-1 based chemotherapy for CY1 or P1 gastric cancer.

Results: The median overall survival (OS) did not differ significantly between patients with CY1P0, CY0P1 and CY1P1 disease (24, 17 vs.

[Problems in the Treatment of Stage Ⅲ Colorectal Cancer with Perforation].

We retrospectively investigated clinical outcome and treatment strategies in Stage Ⅲcolorectal cancer patients who underwent emergency surgery because of tumor-related perforation. We compared the clinical outcome of 6 patients (perforation group) who underwent emergency surgery for colonic perforation due to Stage Ⅲ colorectal cancer with 12 matched patients (matching group) who underwent elective colorectal surgery, between April 1998 and March 2012. Patients in the perforation group underwent colostomy procedures more frequently (p=0.

[Efficacy of Postoperative Chemotherapy in Stage Ⅳ Colorectal Cancer with Perforation].

The clinical outcome and efficacy of postoperative chemotherapy in patients with Stage Ⅳ colorectal cancer with perforation were investigated. We compared the clinical outcomes between 11 patients with Stage Ⅳ colorectal cancer (perforation group), who underwent emergency surgery for colonic perforation between September 2005 and March 2012, and 22 matched patients (matching group) who underwent elective colorectal surgery during the same period. The colostomy rate in the perforation group was significantly higher than that of the matching group: patients with perforation received stoma construction surgery more frequently (p<0.

Coexpression of COX-2 and iNOS in Angiogenesis of Superficial Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Using immunohistochemical staining, the present study was conducted to examine whether cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) affect angiogenesis in early-stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We also analyzed the correlation between these two factors. Cyclooxygenase 2, iNOS, and angiogenesis in early-stage ESCC are unclear.

[Efficacy of oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy in stage II and III colorectal cancer with perforation].

This retrospective study evaluated the efficiency of oxaliplatin-based (Oxa-based) adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer with perforation. The study included 38 patients who underwent surgery for perforation associated with StageII and III colorectal cancer between April 1998 and March 2013. Patients with operative mortality were excluded from the study.

Factors predicting recurrence in patients with Siewert type II carcinoma treated with curative resection.

Aim: To evaluate the recurrence risk for Siewert type II esophagogastric junction carcinoma treated with curative resection.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinicopathological and recurrence-free survival (RFS) data of 52 patients after curative resection for Siewert type II carcinoma focusing on the role of lymph node metastasis around the greater curvature or parapyloric area.

Results: Recurrence was observed in 21 (40%) patients; the median time-to-recurrence was 11 months (range=3-33 months).

Prognostic role of gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer with positive peritoneal cytology.

This retrospective study identified the optimal treatment strategy for patients with gastric cancer with positive peritoneal cytology. We analyzed clinicopathologic and survival data for 54 patients who had undergone gastrectomy and/or chemotherapy for treatment of gastric cancer with positive peritoneal cytology with (n = 40) or without (n = 14) metastatic disease. The median overall survival did not differ significantly between patients with gastric cancer with positive peritoneal cytology with and without metastatic disease (19 versus 13 months, respectively).

Predicting the amount of intraperitoneal fluid accumulation by computed tomography and its clinical use in patients with perforated peptic ulcer.

The correlation between the amount of peritoneal fluid and clinical parameters in patients with perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) has not been investigated. The authors' objective was to derive a reliable formula for determining the amount of peritoneal fluid in patients with PPU before surgery, and to evaluate the correlation between the estimated amount of peritoneal fluid and clinical parameters. We investigated 62 consecutive patients who underwent emergency surgery for PPU, and in whom prediction of the amount of accumulated intraperitoneal fluid was possible by computed tomography (CT) using the methods described by Oriuchi et al.

Production of intraperitoneal interleukin-6 following open or laparoscopic assisted distal gastrectomy.

The interleukin (IL)-6 concentration in plasma or serum has been considered to represent the degree of stress resulting from surgery. However, IL-6 in peritoneal fluid has rarely been considered. The aim of this study was to assess the concentration and amount of IL-6 in peritoneal fluid as indicators of surgical stress.

[Significant prognostic factors in stage IV gastric cancer].

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinicopathological variables, including the granulocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio(G/L ratio), as prognostic factors for Stage IV gastric cancer patients. A total of 70 patients treated for Stage IV gastric cancer were enrolled in this study. Univariate analysis indicated that age ≥70 years, performance status >2, resection not being performed, chemotherapy not being administered, high C-reactive protein(CRP)levels, and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels were significantly associated with poor survival.

[Significance of the granulocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic predictor in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of the granulocyte-to-lymphocyte(G/L)ratio as a prognostic predictor in patients with Stage IV colorectal cancer. A total of 83 patients who underwent oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for Stage IV colorectal cancer were enrolled in the study. Univariate analysis indicated that the G/L ratio; number of involved organs(more than one organ); performance status ≥1; noncurability; and levels of hemoglobin, C-reactive protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, and lactate dehydrogenase before chemotherapy were significant prognostic factors.

[Evaluation of immunity in elderly patients with unresectable gastric cancer receiving S-1/Lentinan combination chemotherapy].

Purpose: This retrospective study evaluated immunity in elderly patients with unresectable gastric cancer receiving S-1/ Lentinan combination chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: This study included 10 patients aged≥70 years with unresectable gastric cancer who received S-1/Lentinan combination chemotherapy between October 2008 and December 2012. All patients gave written informed consent.

Heterotopic mesenteric ossification after a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurism: case report with a review of literatures.

Heterotopic mesenteric ossification (HMO) is a rare disease that results in intra-abdominal ossification of unknown origin. An 88-year-old man developed an intestinal obstruction 2 weeks after undergoing an operation for a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, resulting in intestinal obstructions those did not improved concervatively. During relaparotomy performed 30 days after the first operation, hard adhesions of the small intestine and mesentery were found; these adhesions were difficult to separate without damaging the serosa of the small intestine.

Comparison between transverse mini-incision and longitudinal mini-incision for the resection of locally advanced colonic cancer.

We performed a retrospective review of non-overweight (body mass index ≤ 25 kg/m(2)) patients scheduled to undergo a curative resection of locally advanced colon cancer via a transverse mini-incision (n = 62) or a longitudinal mini-incision (skin incision ≤7 cm, n = 62), with the latter group of patients randomly selected as historical controls matched with the former group according to tumor location. Extension of the transverse mini-incision wound was necessary in 3 patients (5%). Both groups were largely equivalent in terms of demographic, clinicopathological, and surgical factors and frequency of postoperative complications.

Angiogenesis in superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: assessment of microvessel density based on immunostaining for CD34 and CD105.

Objective: The esophagus is the only organ where changes in the superficial microvasculature from normal squamous epithelium to invasive cancer are evident by magnifying endoscopy. We investigated in detail the features of angiogenesis in early-stage esophageal cancer using CD34 and CD105 immunostaining, and also the correlation between angiogenesis and mononuclear cell infiltration.

Materials And Methods: Using 10 samples of normal squamous epithelium, 7 samples of low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, and 45 samples of superficial esophageal cancer, we determined the microvessel density at hot spots showing positive staining for CD34 and CD105.

Is gastric tube reconstruction the optimal surgical procedure for Siewert type II esophagogastric junction carcinoma?

Background/aim: To evaluate the potential risk of gastric tube reconstruction for Siewert type II esophagogastric junction carcinoma.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinicopathological and survival data of 41 patients who had undergone total gastrectomy for Siewert type II carcinoma, focusing on lymph node metastasis around the middle to lower greater curvature or parapyloric area.

Results: Histological examination showed involvement of at least one lymph node in six patients (14%).