A combined prediction model for biliary tract cancer using the prognostic nutritional index and pathological findings: a single-center retrospective study.

Background: The prognostic nutritional index, a marker of nutritional status and systemic inflammation, is a known biomarker for various cancers. However, few studies have evaluated the predictive value of the prognostic nutritional index in patients with biliary tract cancer. Therefore, we investigated the prognostic significance of the prognostic nutritional index, and developed a risk-stratification system to identify prognostic factors in patients with biliary tract cancer.

Preoperative Albumin-to-Globulin Ratio Predicts Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Cohort Study Including Non-Hepatitis Virus-Infected Patients.

Introduction: We evaluated the prognostic significance of the preoperative albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with various liver etiologies.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 157 patients with HCC between July 2010 and February 2021. The relationship between clinicopathological variables was investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Impact of lymph node dissection on clinical outcomes of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Inverse probability of treatment weighting with survival analysis.

Background: Lymph node metastasis (LNM) has been established as a critical risk factor for prognosis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). The clinical implications of lymph node dissection (LND) have been debated. This study aimed to clarify the prognostic impact of LND by multicenter retrospective analysis.

Soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 and prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure.

Aims: Endothelial cell vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) plays a pivotal role in angiogenesis, which induces physiological cardiomyocyte hypertrophy via paracrine signalling between endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes. We investigated whether a decrease in circulating soluble VEGFR-2 (sVEGFR-2) levels is associated with poor prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure (HF).

Methods And Results: We performed a multicentre prospective cohort study of 1024 consecutive patients with HF, who were admitted to hospitals due to acute decompensated HF and were stabilized after initial management.

A prospective multicenter study of the magnifying endoscopic evaluation of the invasion depth of superficial esophageal cancers.

Background: Treatment strategies for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC) are determined mainly on the basis of the invasion depth. The Japan Esophageal Society (JES) developed a simplified magnifying endoscopic classification for estimating the invasion depth of SESCC. We aimed to evaluate its accuracy.

Why not de-intensification for uterine cervical cancer?

Objective: The majority of uterine cervical cancer is known to be related to human papillomavirus (HPV), and HPV-related tumors are known to be radio-sensitive. In the management of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer, de-intensification of treatment has been attempted; however, no such attempt is performed in the management of cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to identify a group of patients who can safely be treated by de-escalated treatment intensity.

Preoperative prognostic nutritional index predicts postoperative infectious complications and oncological outcomes after hepatectomy in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: In the surgical treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), postoperative complications may be predictive of long-term survival. This study aimed to identify an immune-nutritional index (INI) that can be used for preoperative prediction of complications.

Patients And Methods: Multi-institutional data from 316 patients with ICC who had undergone surgical resection were retrospectively analysed, with a focus on various preoperative INIs.

The Spiral Trial: A multicenter, randomized, controlled trial of Spiral thread sutures versus conventional thread sutures to prevent thinning of uterine scars following elective cesarean section.

Background: The aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to investigate whether Spiral-thread sutures are superior to conventional sutures (0-Vicryl) for preventing uterine scar thinning following elective cesarean section.

Methods: This multicenter, parallel-group RCT will be conducted in four hospitals across three medical regions in Japan to assess 200 women (≥20 years old) with singleton pregnancies who are scheduled to undergo cesarean sections. Eligible women will be randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to receive either the conventional uterine suture continuous absorption thread, which is most commonly used in Japan, or the Spiral thread.

Comparison of Inflammation-based Prognostic Scores in Patients With Biliary Tract Cancer After Surgical Resection.

Background/aim: Inflammation-based prognostic scores are proven prognostic biomarkers in various cancers. This study aimed to identify a useful prognostic score for patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC) after surgical resection.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study recruited 115 patients with BTC during 2010-2020.

[Three Cases of Orbital Metastasis from Breast Cancer Treated with Radiotherapy].

Orbital metastasis from breast cancer is relatively uncommon and is not the dominant prognosis. While it can reduce a patient's QOL through symptoms such as diplopia, visual impairment, and exophthalmos, evidence suggests that radiotherapy might improve these symptoms in a relatively short period. We report 3 cases of orbital metastasis from breast cancer treated with radiotherapy.

Efficacy and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric tube cancer: A multicenter retrospective study.

Background: Recent improvements in the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer have led to the increased occurrence of gastric tube cancer (GTC) in the reconstructed gastric tube. However, there are few reports on the treatment results of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for GTC.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ESD for GTC after esophagectomy in a multicenter trial.

[Operative Technique for Gastric GIST According to the Tumor Location or Growth Pattern].

Gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST)is rarely accompanied by lymph node metastasis. Therefore, partial gastrectomy generally proceeds with good indication for laparoscopic surgery. However, surgical procedures can be complicated by the tumor location or growth type.

A multi-institutional survey of the quality of life after treatment for uterine cervical cancer: a comparison between radical radiotherapy and surgery in Japan.

This study aimed to research the post-treatment quality of life (QOL) between radiotherapy (RT)- and operation (OP)-treated early cervical cancer survivors, using separate questionnaires for physicians and patients. We administered an observational questionnaire to patients aged 20-70 years old with Stages IB1-IIB cervical cancer who had undergone RT or OP and without recurrence as outpatients for ≥6 months after treatment. We divided 100 registered patients equally into two treatment groups (n = 50 each).

Utility of a 21-gauge Menghini-type biopsy needle with the rolling method for an endoscopic ultrasound-guided histological diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis: a retrospective study.

Background: The histological diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) by an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided approach is still challenging.

Methods: We investigated the utility of the 21-gauge Menghini-type biopsy needle with the rolling method for the histological diagnosis of AIP, in comparison with conventional 22-gauge needles. Among total 28 patients, rate of definitive histological diagnosis, acquired sample area of tissue, rate of histopathological diagnosis of AIP, and adverse events were retrospectively analyzed.

Prenatally diagnosed congenital pyloric atresia in consecutive three siblings: a case report.

Background: Congenital pyloric atresia (CPA) is a rare gastrointestinal anomaly frequently associated with epidermolysis bullosa (EB). Although the complications of familial isolated CPA are minor, delays in diagnosis can increase the chances of morbidity.

Case Presentation: Three female infants born to a Japanese mother presented with CPA at birth.

Successful treatment of recurrent small cell carcinoma of urinary bladder with pembrolizumab.

Introduction: Small cell carcinoma of urinary bladder is rare and has an aggressive malignant behavior and poor prognosis. Advanced bladder cancers are treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, however, its efficacy for small cell carcinoma of urinary bladder is unclear.

Case Presentation: A 54-year-old female, diagnosed with clinical stage T2N0M0 small cell carcinoma of urinary bladder, underwent radical cystectomy after three cycles of etoposide-cisplatin neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Prolapsed tongue papilloma cured by administration of the traditional Japanese (Kampo) herbal medicine, Keishibukuryogan-ka-yokuinin: A case report.

Squamous papilloma is a benign mass lesion of the oral mucosa. For papillomas of the tongue, surgery is recommended owing to their malignant potential; however, certain complications may be associated with surgery. A traditional Japanese (Kampo) herbal medicine, Keishibukuryogan-ka-yokuinin (KBGY), has been used to treat viral warts and various skin diseases in Japan.

[Outcomes of Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomies by a Single Surgeon Alternating Operating Position].

The clinical outcome of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) was retrospectively investigated taking into consideration the surgeon's position during the procedure. The study cohort included 184 consecutive patients who had undergone LRP performed by a single surgeon from February 2013 to July 2018. During the study period,the surgeon stood alternately on either the left or right side of the patient.

Efficacy of surgical management for recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A multi-institutional study by the Okayama Study Group of HBP surgery.

Background: The prognosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) has been poor, because of the high recurrence rate even after curative surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of surgical resection of recurrent ICC.

Patients And Methods: A total of 345 cases of ICC who underwent hepatectomy with curative intent in 17 institutions were retrospectively analyzed, focusing on recurrence patterns and treatment modalities for recurrent ICC.

Long-term outcomes of endoscopic versus surgical resection for MM-SM1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma using propensity score analysis.

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) confined to the muscularis mucosae (MM) or up to 200 µm of the submucosa (SM1) confers the risk for lymph node metastasis, and is defined as relative indication for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) by the Japan Esophageal Society guidelines. Although additional surgical treatment after ESD is recommended, long-term outcomes of ESD compared with those of surgery have not been clarified. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of ESD and surgery for cN0M0 relative indication lesions of ESCC.

Predictors of early postoperative pneumonia after oncologic surgery with the patients receiving professional oral health care: A prospective, multicentre, cohort study.

This study was a prospective, multicentre, cohort study on 685 patients who had undergone oncologic surgery. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of postoperative pneumonia. The two groups were compared with respect to their background, index operation, food eaten, oral condition, contents of oral care and dental treatment, laboratory data, and bacterial flora.