The diagnostic values of measuring the liver volume in detecting occult hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.

Background/aims: Some studies have shown the reduction of portal blood flow in patients with occult hepatic metastases, which may lead to a decrease in the liver volume. The aim of this study was to assess volumetric changes of the liver with occult colorectal metastases.

Methodology: Sixty-three consecutive patients with colorectal cancer who underwent curative resection were studied retrospectively.

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma of the gallbladder.

A 73-year-old man presented for further evaluation of a gallbladder polyp, 5 years after left radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Computed tomography revealed a 2-cm enhancing pedunculated tumour within the gallbladder. Open simple cholecystectomy was performed and the tumour was histologically confirmed as a metastasis of the RCC to the gallbladder.

Diagnostic value of measuring liver volume for detecting occult hepatic metastases from colorectal or gastric cancer.

Some studies have shown reduced portal blood flow in patients with occult hepatic metastases, which may lead to decreased liver volume. A retrospective study was conducted in patients undergoing curative resection for colorectal (n = 63) or gastric (n = 52) cancer. The ratio of the preoperative computed tomography (CT)-estimated liver volume to the standard liver volume (CV/SV ratio) was calculated.

Improved quality of life with jejunal pouch reconstruction after total gastrectomy.

Background: There is increasing evidence that the effect of jejunal pouch reconstruction is satisfactory for reservoir function in several randomized control studies. However, these studies were performed in patients with advanced gastric cancer, where significant numbers of the patients died of disease recurrence. In order to exclude the influence of disease recurrence, we performed jejunal pouch reconstruction after total gastrectomy in patients with early gastric cancer in a randomized controlled study and investigated whether or not an improved quality of life (QOL) was observed with jejunal pouch reconstruction.

Clinicopathologic features of gastric cancers producing alpha-fetoprotein.

Background: Patients with gastric cancers producing alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were reported to have a poor prognosis with high rates of liver metastasis. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the clinicopathological features of AFP-producing gastric cancers, in particular characteristics of liver metastasis, and to evaluate treatment of these cancers.

Methods: In 27 of the 29 cases with elevated preoperative serum AFP levels among a total of 974 primary gastric cancers, AFP production was confirmed in gastric cancer cells by immunohistochemistry.

Oncofetal antigen 5T4 expression as a prognostic factor in patients with gastric cancer.

Background: Oncofetal antigen 5T4 is defined by a monoclonal antibody raised against placental trophoblast membranes. Antigen 5T4 is reported to be expressed only on trophoblasts and neoplastic cells and would be a potentially useful marker for neoplastic cells.

Materials And Methods: We evaluated the expression of 5T4 oncofetal antigen in gastric cancer by immunohistochemistry and investigated whether or not the expression of this antigen is correlated with the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer.

Prognostic significance of adoptive immunotherapy with tumor-associated lymphocytes in patients with advanced gastric cancer: a randomized trial.

Purpose: We performed adoptive immunotherapy (AIT)with tumor-associated lymphocytes (TALs) in combination with chemotherapy in patients with advanced-stage gastric cancer in a randomized controlled study and investigated whether or not an improved survival effect is observed with AIT.

Experimental Design: Forty-four consecutive patients with stage IV gastric cancer [staged according to the International Union against Cancer classification] were prospectively assigned to the control group (chemotherapy alone) or the AIT group (AIT plus chemotherapy). Patients in the AIT group received an adoptive transfer of cultured TALs in combination with low-dose cisplatinum/5-fluorouracil chemotherapy, whereas patients in the control group received chemotherapy alone.

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase expression in preoperative biopsy and surgically resected specimens of gastric carcinoma.

Purpose: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is most commonly used to treat patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms, including gastric carcinoma. Dihydroxypyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), an enzyme involved in metabolism of 5-FU, is a key factor determining the sensitivity of the tumors to 5-FU. Particularly when preoperative chemotherapy based on 5-FU is attempted, it is critical to know in advance how much DPD the tumor expresses.