Background and purpose: Three-incision esophagectomy for patients with esophageal cancer has been increasingly used, but the incidence of either postoperative anastomotic leak or stricture is higher than that in intrathoracic gastroesophageal anastomosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical effects of the side-to-side stapled cervical gastroesophageal anastomosis in preventing anastomotic leak and stricture after three-incision esophagectomy. Methods: One hundred and twenty-seven patients undergoing three-incision esophagectomy for esophageal cancer with gastric replacement were reviewed. A side-to-side stapled cervical gastroesophageal anastomosis was performed in 71 cases and manually sewn anastomosis in 56 cases. The incidence of postoperative anastomotic leak and stricture was compared between these two groups and the results were statistically analyzed using SPSS11.0 soft.Results: Anastomotic leakage was noted in seven patients (9.9%) in the stapler group and fourteen patients (25.0%) in the manually sewn group (P=0.04). After the operation two patients (2.8%) in the stapler group and nine patients (16.1%) in the manually sewn group developed a benign esophageal stricture (P=0.02).The incidence of either postoperative anastomotic leak or stricture in cases of the stapler group was significantly lower than that in the manually sewn group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Construction of the cervical esophagogastric anastomosis with a side-to-side stapled technique provides a larger luminal diameter which significantly reduces the incidence of postoperative anastomotic strictures. The surgery also greatly reduces the incidence of anastomotic leaks and strictures, so it could be used as an alternative strategy for cervical esophagogastric anastomosis after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

Background and purpose: As the most common tracer used for PET/CT to detect malignant tumors. ~(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (~(18)F-FDG) can reflect the metabolism of glucose. However, there exists physiologic uptake in the intestinal tract of healthy people. Because ileocecal foci is predilection site of malignant tumors and inflammatory disease, the purpose of this study was to investigate the discrimination of PET/CT detection of incidental ileocecal high FDG uptake. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 28 unexpected ileocecal focal uptake of ~(18)F-FDG localized by PET/CT, and then semi-quantitatively analyzed the extent of radioactive uptake in ileocecal foci. After PET/CT, the etiology of the findings was confirmed histologically by surgery, endoscopic or by long-term follow-up. All the data were assessed for statistical significance using one-way ANOVA. Results: In all the ileocecal foci, there were 14(50%) physiologic FDG uptake, 8 (28.6%) benign diseases and 6 (21.4%) malignant tumor. Maximal standardized uptake value was 5.2±1.6 in physiologic uptake, 6.8±4.1 in benign lesions and 12.8±5.5 in malignant lesions. There was statistically significant difference between malignant tumors and the other 2 groups. According to ROC analysis, when SUN_(max) was 6.75, the sensitivity and specificity of ileocecal malignant tumor were 100% and 86.4%, respectively. Conclusion: The significant value of discrimination between benign and malignant lesions of ileocecal focal FDG uptake by PET/CT was affirmative. It is very important to recognize physiologic uptake of ileocecal conjunction in the interpretation of image. Semi-quantitative analyze was not helpful to identify benign lesions from physiologic uptake.

Background and purpose: x-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) is one of the crucial kinds of inhibitor of apoptosis protiens (IAPs) which belongs to an apoptosis-supressing factor family. It has been found that XIAP is significantly expressed in many kinds of tumor cells, and there is a correlation between XIAP expression level and chemoresistance. We aimed to study the relationship between chemoresistance and the expression of XIAP induced by gemcitabine (GEM) in pancreatic carcinoma cell line BxPC-3. Methods: The pancreatic carcinoma cell line BxPC-3 was incubated in DMEM, and the cells were treated with 3.10 μg/mL GEM for different sections (0, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h, 0 h was the contral group). Then changes of the cell cycle and apoptosis index were evaluated by flow cytometry, mRNA transcription and expression of XIAP were also examined by RT-PCR and Westem blot. Results: In control group the apoptosis rate was (1.23±1.6)%, while the apoptosis rates were (10.3±1.8)%, (14.2±1.5)%, (18.8±1.7)% and (20.3±2.0)%, respectively, in experimental groups, cell cycle analysis showed that G_0-G_1 phase arrest was induced by GEM, and there was a significant differences (F=146.24, P<0.05). But there was no significant difference in apoptosis rates between the 48 h and 72 h groups (P>0.05). We also found that the longer the cells were treated with GEM, the more mRNA transcription and expression of XIAP were detected (F=83.72, F=103.58, P<0.05). Between the 24 h group and 36 h group (P>0.05), which were different from the 36 h and 48 h groups, 48 h and 72 h groups (P<0.05), no significant differences were found in mRNA transcription and expression of XIAP. Conclusion: GEM could obviously inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of BxPC-3 cells, and drug sensitivity decreased with prolongation of exposure time. GEM might induce and increase the expression of XIAP, which might influence the apoptosis of the cells later, and the disturbance of apoptosis progression might have contributed to chemoresistance.

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant tumor that develops in bone. Since chemotherapy was introduced into the multi-modality treatment regimen for high-grade osteosarcoma, its prognosis has been impressively improved; about two-thirds of all patients could achieve long-term survival. This review summarized the history of chemotherapy for osteosarcoma and current chemotherapeutic treatment strategies for classical osteosarcoma. The review also emphasized the necessity that the patients should be treated in specialized centers and prospective, multi-institutional trials are needed.

The high mobility group A2 (HMGA2), one ofnon-histone chromatin proteins, may alter chromatin structure and thereby regulate the transcription of several genes by either enhancing or suppressing transcription factors, and leading to malignant neoplasm formation. This paper focuses on the role of the HMGA proteins in human neoplastic diseases, and discusses the mechanisms by which they contribute to carcinogenesis, and diagnosis strategies based on targeting HMGA proteins.

Background and purpose: Preemptive analgesia is one of the strategies to treat postoperative pain by preventing the establishment of central sensitization. This study was designed to explore whether the method of flurbiprofen axetil injection combined with bilateral cervical plexus nerve block in thyroid carcinoma surgery as multimodal preemptive analgesia can serve as a better analgesia. Methods: Sixty patients with thyroid carcinoma were randomly divided into three groups. Patients in Group A were treated with flurbiprofen axetil injection combined with bilateral cervical plexus nerve block as multimodal preemptive analgesia. Patients in Group B were anesthetized with bilateral cervical plexus nerve block. General anesthesia alone was used in patients of Group C. The onset time of nerve block, operation time, extubation time and dosage of fentanyl were recorded. The VAS (visual analogue scale) was used to evaluate the pain level, the side effects of drugs were also analyzed. Results: The onset time of nerve block in Group A, Group B were (7.47±1.04) min and (8.75±1.36) min, repectively (P<0.05). The dosage of fentanyl n Group A, B and C were (0.36±0.04) mg, (0.40±0.06) mg and (0.45±0.07) mg, respectively (Group A vs Group B P<0.05; Group A vs Group C, P<0.01).VAS scores of patients in Group C were higher than both Group A and B at 4,8 h after operation. Moreover, patients in Group B got higher VAS scores than that of Group A at 8 h. The side effects of both Group A and B were much less serious than that of Group C. Conclusion: Flurbiprofen axetil injection combined with bilateral cervical plexus nerve block as multimodal preemptive analgesia during thyroid carcinoma surgery can supply better analgesia and opioid-sparing effects, with less side effects.

Background and purpose: Paclitaxel is believed to be efficient in treating malignant ascites in gastric cancer. However, researches are still needed to get more evidence. The aim of this study was to discuss the efficacy and safety of the treatment of malignant ascites in gastric cancer with paclitaxel. Methods: Six cases of late phase gastric cancer patients were enrolled into the study, paclitaxel 60 mg/m~2 and 1 500-2 000 mL natural solution were administered via intraperitoneal injection, qw, for a of total 2-4 weeks. Efficacy and toxicity were determined according to WHO criteria. Results: Five (5/6) had complete response, and one (1/6) with partial response. The malignant ascites recession time was 0.5-10 months, overall survival time 2-10 months, 4 cases suffered grade Ⅰ-Ⅲabdominal pain, 4 cases grade Ⅰ leucopenia, 3 cases grade Ⅰ hair loss, 1 case grade Ⅰ liver injury (with past history of hepatitis). Conclusion: Paclitaxel is effective and relatively safe to treat malignant ascites of gastric cancer.

Background and purpose: Systemic reports about the prognosis of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) of stage T_(1-3a)N_0M_0 combined with inflammatory enlargement of hilar lymph nodes have not been observed in the literature. This study was to investigate the prognostic role of inflammatory enlargement of hilar lymph nodes in the patients with RCC of stage T_(1-3a)N_0M_0 and its association with clinical features. Methods; Forty-nine patients with RCC of stage T_(1-3a)N_0M_0 combined with inflammatory enlargement of hilar lymph nodes were reviewed and all these patients underwent radical nephrectomy from January 1995 to January 2000. Results: The duration of follow-up was 8-14 years with the average of 7.5 years. Seven patients were lost to follow-up. Seventeen patients without RCC and four with RCC metastases are alive at present. Eighteen patients died of RCC relatad complications and three died of cerebro-cardiovascular disease. Metastases occurred in twenty-two patients one year after surgery. The 5- and 10- year survival rates were 53.1% and 42.9%, respectively. Conclusion: Most of the enlarged hilar lymph nodes in RCC were diagnosed as lymphadenitis. The rate of inflammatory enlargement of hilar lymph nodes in the long-term survival patients with RCC of stage T_(1-3a)N_0M_0 were comparatively low. Regional lymphadenectomy or resection of enlarged inflammatory lymph nodes could not protect the patients from metastasis completely. It is advised that limited lymphadenectomy with resection of enlarged inflammatory lymph nodes should be performed for the patients in RCC combined only with inflammatory enlargement of hilar lymph nodes.

Background and purpose: Sorafenib hepatocellular carcinoma assessment randomized protocol (SHARP) and sorafenib in patients in Asia-Pacific region with hepatocellular carcinoma (ORIENTAL) had indicated that multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib could prolong overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP) as well as improve progress free survival (PFS) in patients with advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Drug-related adverse events in the course of treatment restricted its clinical application to a certain degree. This study was aimed to summerize the adverse events as well as the management of sorafenib in our clinic. Methods: Twenty-five cases clinically diagnosed as advanced hepatocellular carcinoma were enrolled from January 2008 to October 2009. All the patients who received sorafenib treatment met inclusion criteria as followed: (1) Progression of disease after trans-hepatic arterial chemoembolization therapy; (2) Extensive portal vein cancerous thrombus formation; (3) Portal zone or retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis or multiple remote metastasis, such as lung or bone; (4) Diffused poor blood supply to tumor; (5) Inform consent was obtained. All adverse events with different grade were observed during the beginning 12 weeks, and clinical treatment were carried out relatively. Results: Total of 25 cases were enrolled. Nine patients died of the disease, 3 of them died during the first 12 weeks, 3 patients abandoned sorafenib treatment, among them 2 died before the finish of 12 weeks treatment and 1 patient discontinued 5 months after the sorafenib treatment. Twenty cases finally assigned. Number of patients encountered drug-related adverse events were: HFSR (hand-foot-skin-reaction) 4(4/20), diarrhea 4(4/20), alopecia 5(5/20), rasb 4(4/20), fatigue 8(8/20), leukopenia and Thrombocytopenia 4(4/20), elevated blood pressure 1(1/20) and abdominal pain 1(1/20). After clinical management, 20 patients' sorafenib treatment were eventually not affected by adverse events. Conclusion: Sorafenib was well-tolerated and is a safe option of treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background and purpose: Brain metastases are common occurrences in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Gefitinib is a specific inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor-associated tyrosine kinase, which has been commonly used in the treatment for advanced NSCLC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antitumor efficacy of gefitinib in NSCLC patients with brain metastases. Methods: Fifty NSCLC patients with brain metastases were reviewed retrospectively. All of them were treated with gefitinib, given orally at a daily dose of 250 mg. These patients discontinued administration of gefitinib when disease progression, death or intolerable side effects appeared. X~2 test was applied in response analysis. Survival analysis was compared with Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test respectively. The multivariate analysis was perfonned with Cox's proportion risk model. Statistical significance was defined as P<0.05. Results: In terms of intracranial lesions, partial response (PR) was observed in 5 patients (10%), stable disease (SD) in 37 patients (74%) and progressive disease (PD) in 8 patients (16%), objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 10% and 84%, respectively. As for systemic disease, PR was observed in 5 patients (10%), SD in 30 patients (60%) and PD in 15 patients (30%), overall ORR and DCR were 10% and 70%, respectively. Overall DCR was related to the patients' PS score and the number of brain metastases (P=0.004, P=0.022), but there was no statistical difference in overall DCR among different subtypes of age, gender, smoking history, histology, the onset of brain metastases, chemotherapy, brain radiotherapy and side effects (P>0.05). The median time to disease progression (MTTP) was 7.0 months, which was related to the patients' PS score and smoking history (P=0.000, P=0.045). The median survival time (MST) was 10.8 months, and 1-and 2-year survival rates were 44% and 6% respectively. The univariate analysis showed that the survival time was related to the patients' PS score. smoking history and the number of brain metastases (P=0.011, P=0.028, P=0.044). The multivariate analysis indicated that both the patients' PS score and smoking history were two independent prognostic factors (P=0.005, P=0.006) and the relationship of the survival time and the number of brain metastases was near to statistical significance (P=0.075). Conclusion: The patients with non-smoking history and favorable performance status(PS 0-1) may have better survival benefit and those with single brain metastasis have a trend to survive longer. Gefitinib may be effective on brain metastases in NSCLC patients and appears to be a possible new treatment option.