OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with metachronous hepatic metastases arising from pancreatic adenocarcinoma who had previously received curative surgery.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2002 and 2017, percutaneous RFA was performed on 94 metachronous hepatic metastases (median diameter, 1.5 cm) arising from pancreatic cancer in 60 patients (mean age, 60.5 years). Patients were included if they had fewer than five metastases, a maximum tumor diameter of ≤ 5 cm, and disease confined to the liver or stable extrahepatic disease. For comparisons during the same period, we included 66 patients who received chemotherapy only and met the same eligibility criteria described.RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in all hepatic metastasis without any procedure-related mortality. During follow-up, local tumor progression of treated lesions was observed in 38.3% of the tumors. Overall median survival and 3-year survival rates were 12 months and 0%, respectively from initial RFA, and 14.7 months and 2.1%, respectively from the first diagnosis of liver metastasis. Multivariate analysis showed that a large tumor diameter of > 1.5 cm, a late TNM stage (≥ IIB) before curative surgery, a time from surgery to recurrence of < 1 year, and the presence of extrahepatic metastasis, were all prognostic of reduced overall survival after RFA. Median overall (12 months vs. 9.1 months, p = 0.094) and progression-free survival (5 months vs. 3.3 months, p = 0.068) were higher in the RFA group than in the chemotherapy group with borderline statistical difference.CONCLUSION: RFA is safe and may offer successful local tumor control in patients with metachronous hepatic metastases arising from pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Patients with a small diameter tumor, early TNM stage before curative surgery, late hepatic recurrence, and liver-only metastasis benefit most from RFA treatment. RFA provided better survival outcomes than chemotherapy for this specific group with borderline statistical difference.
Adenocarcinoma ; Catheter Ablation ; Diagnosis ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility of transanal total mesorectal excision in difficult cases including obese patients or patients with bulky tumors or threatened mesorectal fascias. METHODS: We performed laparoscopy-assisted transanal total mesorectal excision in patients with biopsy-proven rectal adenocarcinoma located 3–12 cm from the anal verge as part of a prospective, single arm, pilot trial. The primary endpoint was resection quality and circumferential resection margin involvement. Secondary endpoints included the number of harvested lymph nodes and 30-day postoperative complications. RESULTS: A total of 12 patients (9 men and 3 women) were enrolled: one obese patient, 7 with large tumors and 8 with threatened mesorectal fascias (4 patients had multiple indications). Tumors were located a median of 5.5 cm from the anal verge, and all patients received preoperative chemoradiotherapy. Median operating time was 191 minutes, and there were no intraoperative complications. One patient needed conversion to open surgery for ureterocystostomy after en bloc resection. Complete or near-complete excision and negative circumferential resection margins were achieved in all cases. The median number of harvested lymph nodes was 15.5. There was no postoperative mortality and 3 cases of postoperative morbidity (1 postoperative ileus, 1 wound problem near the stoma site, and 1 anastomotic dehiscence). CONCLUSION: This pilot study showed that transanal total mesorectal excision is also feasible in difficult laparoscopic cases such as in obese patients or those with bulky tumors or tumors threatening the mesorectal fascia. Additional larger studies are needed.
Adenocarcinoma ; Arm ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Conversion to Open Surgery ; Fascia ; Humans ; Ileus ; Intraoperative Complications ; Laparoscopy ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Mortality ; Pilot Projects ; Postoperative Complications ; Prospective Studies ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Transanal Endoscopic Surgery ; Wounds and Injuries

Despite its declining incidence, gastric cancer is globally, still, the third most common cause of cancer-related mortality. Gastric cancer is a heterogeneous disease with diverse pathogenesis and molecular backgrounds. Therefore several systems have been proposed to aid in the classification of gastric adenocarcinoma based on the macroscopic, microscopic and anatomical features of the tumor. However, these classifications did not reflect the pathogenesis of the disease. Recently, genomic analysis has identified several subtypes of gastric adenocarcinoma and a detailed understanding of the molecular biology behind the neoplastic phenotype is possible to develop of more effective therapies. We will describe the existing various classification of gastric cancer and the recently introduced molecular biology and immunological classification.
Adenocarcinoma ; Classification ; Incidence ; Molecular Biology ; Mortality ; Phenotype ; Stomach Neoplasms

PURPOSE: We have summarized the experience of our institution related to what treatment has been performed in patients with pancreatic fistula and their outcome.METHODS: Seventy-eight pancreatico-enteric anastomosis failure (PEAF) patients of 403 pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) were included for this retrospective study. PEAF was defined by the presence of rich amylase (over 10,000 IU/L) in drainage fluid at postoperative day 5 to 7 and radiographic demonstration of the anastomotic breakdown and associated local fluid collection. The management was analyzed by observation group (O group), intervention (I group) and surgery group (S group).RESULTS: Preoperative clinical status of the PEAF group and non-PEAF group was similar. Bile duct cancer was the highest risk subgroup of the PEAF (P=0.001) and the pancreatic adenocarcinoma showed the least risk for the PEAF (P<0.001). Among the 78 PEAF patients, 50 were managed as a conservative treatment, 15 patients were received radiologic intervention and 13 patients performed rescue surgery. Among these three subgroups, there was no statistical significance in the patient's demographics, clinical status, surgical factors and disease nature. However, mortality was significantly higher in the S group (P<0.001). The mortality cases were developed one and six patients in O and S group, respectively. Surgical procedures in S group were completion total pancreatectomy with or without splenectomy (n=12) and pancreatectomy preserving spleen in four (28.6%). Pancreaticogastrostomy repair and Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy reconstruction were performed each case, respectively.CONCLUSION: Proper drainage catheter indwelling during the PD or postoperative radiological intervention can effectively manage the PEAF without surgical interventional treatment.
Adenocarcinoma ; Amylases ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; Catheters ; Demography ; Drainage ; Humans ; Mortality ; Pancreatectomy ; Pancreatic Fistula ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Pancreaticojejunostomy ; Retrospective Studies ; Spleen ; Splenectomy

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and the incidence continues to rise. Although many prognostic factors have been identified, the clinical characteristics and outcomes in Korean lung cancer patients are not well defined. METHODS: Of the 23,254 new lung cancer cases registered at the Korea Central Cancer Registry in 2013, total 489 patients from 19 hospitals were abstracted by the Korean Central Cancer Registry. The clinical data retrospectively analyzed, patients were followed up until December 2015. RESULTS: The median age was 69 years (interquartile range, 60–74 years); 65.4% were male and 62.1% were ever-smokers. Cough was the most common initial symptom (33.5%); 13.1% of patients were asymptomatic. While squamous cell carcinoma was the most common subtype in male patients (37.2%), adenocarcinoma was the most frequent histological type in all patients (48.7%) and females (76.3%). The majority of patients received treatment (76.5%), which included surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Older age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.037), lower body mass index (HR, 0.904), ever-smoker (HR, 2.003), small cell lung cancer (HR, 1.627), and distant metastasis (HR, 3.990) were independent predictors of mortality. Patients without symptoms (HR, 0.387) and without treatment (HR, 0.364) were associated with a favorable outcome in multivariate Cox analysis. CONCLUSION: Lung cancer in Korea occurs predominantly in elderly patients, with adenocarcinoma being the most frequent subtype. The prognosis was poorer in ever-smokers and older, malnourished, and untreated patients with advanced lung cancer.
Adenocarcinoma ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cough ; Drug Therapy ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung ; Male ; Mortality ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pilot Projects ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinicopathological features and the prognosis between patients with adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG) and with adenocarcinoma of gastric antrum (AGA), and to investigate the prognostic factors of AEG and AGA. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed on clinicopathological data of 239 AEG patients (AEG group) and 313 AGA patients selected simultaneously (AGA group) undergoing operation at Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital from January 2001 to December 2012. INCLUSION CRITERIA: (1) receiving radical surgery (R0 resection); (2) AEG or AGA confirmed by pathological examination of postoperative tissue specimens; (3) without preoperative neoadjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy; (4) complete clinicopathological and follow-up data; (5) patients who died of non-tumor-related causes were excluded. Chi-square test and independent samples t-test were used to determine differences in clinicopathological factors between two groups. The overall survival (OS) of patients was compared by Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test. Multivariate prognosis analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: As compared to AGA group, AEG group had higher proportion of male [82.0%(196/239) vs. 65.2%(204/313),χ²=19.243,P<0.001], older age [(60±10) years vs. (55±12) years, t=4.895, P<0.001], larger tumor diameter [(5.6±2.4) cm vs. (5.0±3.3) cm, t=2.480,P=0.013], more T4 stage[64.8%(155/239) vs. 55.6%(174/313),Z=-3.998, P<0.001], and more advanced tumor stage [stage III:60.7%(145/239) vs. 55.6%(174/313),Z=-2.564,P=0.010]. There were no statistically significant differences in serum albumin or hemoglobin between two groups (all P>0.05). The 5-year OS rate was 33.5% and 56.9% in AEG group and AGA group respectively and the median OS was 60.0(3.0-60.0) months and 33.6(3.0-60.0) months respectively; the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). In AEG group, univariate analysis showed that differences of hemoglobin level (5-year OS rate: 24.0% for <130 g/L, 39.9% for ≥130 g/L, P=0.006), tumor diameter (5-year OS rate: 41.9% for <5 cm,28.8% for ≥5 cm, P=0.014), N stage (5-year OS rate: 42.2% for N0, 40.9% for N1, 31.7% for N2, 15.8% for N3a, 9.0% for N3b, P<0.001) and TNM stage (5-year OS rate: 56.2% for stage I, 38.5% for stage II, 28.3% for stage III,P=0.017) were statistically significant (all P<0.05); multivariate analysis revealed that the worse N stage was an independent risk factor of prognosis survival for AEG patients(HR=1.404,95%CI:1.164-1.693, P<0.001), and serum hemoglobin level ≥130 g/L was an independent protective factor of prognosis survival for AEG patients (HR=0.689,95%CI:0.501-0.946,P=0.021). In AGA group, univariate analysis showed that differences of serum albumin (5-year OS rate: 49.1% for <40 g/L, 61.1% for ≥ 40 g/L, P=0.021), tumor diameter (5-year OS rate: 74.2% for <5 cm, 39.9% for ≥ 5 cm, P<0.001), T stage (5-year OS rate: 98.3% for T1,83.3% for T2,50.0% for T3,36.8% for T4, P<0.001), N stage (5-year OS rate: 89.0% for N0, 62.3% for N1, 50.0% for N2, 33.9% for N3a, 10.3% for N3b, P<0.001) and TNM stage (5-year OS rate: 97.3% for stage I, 75.8% for stage II, 32.8% for stage III, P<0.001) were statistically significant (all P<0.05); multivariate analysis revealed that the worse T stage (HR=1.516,95%CI:1.060-2.167,P=0.023) and the worse N stage (HR=1.453,95%CI:1.209-1.747,P<0.001) were independent risk factors for prognosis of AGA patients. CONCLUSIONS As compared to AGA, AEG presents have poorer prognosis,and is easier to present with later pathological stage and larger tumor diameter. N stage and hemoglobin level are independent factors associated with the OS of AEG patients. T stage and N stage are independent factors associated with the OS of AGA patients.
Adenocarcinoma ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Esophagogastric Junction ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Pyloric Antrum ; pathology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVE: To compare the long-term survival outcomes of Siewert II adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG) between transthoracic (TT) approach and transabdominal (TA) approach. METHODS: The databases of Gastrointestinal Surgery Department and Thoracic Surgery Department in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from 2006 to 2014 were integrated. Patients of Siewert II AEG who underwent resection were retrospectively collected. INCLUSION CRITERIA: (1) adenocarcinoma confirmed by gastroscopy and biopsy; (2) tumor involvement in the esophagogastric junction line; (3) tumor locating from lower 5 cm to upper 5 cm of the esophagogastric junction line, and tumor center locating from upper 1 cm to lower 2 cm of esophagogastric junction line; (4)resection performed at thoracic surgery department or gastrointestinal surgery department; (5) complete follow-up data. Patients at thoracic surgery department received trans-left thoracic, trans-right thoracic, or transabdominothoracic approach; underwent lower esophagus resection plus proximal subtotal gastrectomy; selected two-field or three-field lymph node dissection; underwent digestive tract reconstruction with esophagus-remnant stomach or esophagus-tubular remnant stomach anastomosis above or below aortic arch using hand-sewn or stapler instrument to perform anastomosis. Patients at gastrointestinal surgery department received transabdominal(transhiatal approach), or transabdominothoracic approach; underwent total gastrectomy or proximal subtotal gastrectomy; selected D1, D2 or D2 lymph node dissection; underwent digestive tract reconstruction with esophagus-single tube jejunum or esophagus-jejunal pouch Roux-en-Y anastomosis, or esophagus-remnant stomach or esophagus-tubular remnant stomach anastomosis; completed all the anastomoses with stapler instruments. The follow-up ended in January 2018. The TNM stage system of the 8th edition UICC was used for esophageal cancer staging; survival table method was applied to calculate 3-year overall survival rate and 95% cofidence interval(CI); log-rank test was used to perform survival analysis; Cox regression was applied to analyze risk factors and calculate hazard ratio (HR) and 95%CI. RESULTS: A total of 443 cases of Siewert II AEG were enrolled, including 89 cases in TT group (with 3 cases of transabdominothoracic approach) and 354 cases in TA group. Median follow-up time was 50.0 months (quartiles:26.4-70.2). The baseline data in TT and TA groups were comparable, except the length of esophageal invasion [for length <3 cm, TA group had 354 cases(100%), TT group had 44 cases (49.4%), χ²=199.23,P<0.001]. The number of harvested lymph node in thoracic surgery department and gastrointestinal surgery department were 12.0(quartiles:9.0-17.0) and 24.0(quartiles:18.0-32.5) respectively with significant difference (Z=11.29,P<0.001). The 3-year overall survival rate of TA and TT groups was 69.2%(95%CI:64.1%-73.7%) and 55.8% (95%CI:44.8%-65.4%) respectively, which was not significantly different by log-rank test (P=0.059). However, the stage III subgroup analysis showed that the survival of TA group was better [the 3-year overall survival in TA group and TT group was 78.1%(95%CI:70.5-84.0) and 46.3%(95%CI:31.0-60.3) resepectively(P=0.001)]. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the TT group had poor survival outcome (HR=2.45,95%CI:1.30-4.64, P=0.006). CONCLUSION The overall survival outcomes in the TA group are better, especially in stage III patients, which may be associated with the higher metastatic rate of abdominal lymph node and the more complete lymphadenectomy via TA approach.
Adenocarcinoma ; classification ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; China ; Databases, Factual ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; classification ; pathology ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Esophagogastric Junction ; pathology ; surgery ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Laparotomy ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; classification ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Survival Analysis ; Thoracic Surgical Procedures

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression patterns of transcription factor SOX12 in lung adenocarcinoma and its significance in the diagnosis and prognosis of the malignancy. METHODS: Large cancer genome databases were used to analyze SOX12 expression level in lung adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and semiquantitative PCR were used to detect the expression of SOX12 in 36 specimens of lung adenocarcinoma tissues, 15 adjacent tissues and 21 normal lung tissues. The prognostic value of SOX12 in lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier Plotter database, and the relationship between SOX12 expression and the overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PPS) of the patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Analysis of TCGA database and GEO (GSE40419) database showed that SOX12 expression levels were significantly higher in in lung adenocarcinoma than in normal lung tissues ( < 0.001). The results of IHC and semiquantitative PCR revealed that SOX12 was expressed at significantly higher levels in lung adenocarcinoma than in normal lung tissues ( < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with lung adenocarcinoma positive for SOX12 had a significantly shorter OS and PPS time than those negative for SOX12 ( < 0.05), but SOX12 positivity did not significantly affect OS and PPS of patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS High expression levels of SOX12 in lung adenocarcinoma are significantly associated with a poor OS of the patients, suggesting the value of SOX12 to assist in early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of lung adenocarcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; Adenocarcinoma of Lung ; metabolism ; mortality ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; mortality ; Databases, Factual ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; mortality ; Prognosis ; SOXC Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors

Adenocarcinoma of Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; genetics ; mortality ; ErbB Receptors ; genetics ; Exons ; genetics ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; genetics ; mortality ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography ; Survival Analysis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Esophageal cancer is an aggressive malignant tumor with a poor prognosis because of its typically advanced stage at diagnosis and treatment-related morbidity and mortality. Of the two major subtypes, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma, ESCC is prevalent in more than 90 percent of esophageal cancer patients in Korea. Both the incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer are declining, and the relative survival rate of patients with esophageal cancer has improved. These epidemiological changes are attributed to increase in the detection rate of esophageal cancer at localized and regional stages before distant spread of the disease. And the most well-known risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma are obesity and gastro-esophageal reflux disease. The carcinogenesis of ESCC is associated with chronic irritation caused by smoking, heavy alcohol use, drinking very hot beverages, and a low socioeconomic status. Understanding the risk factors for esophageal cancer can lead to the identification of preventative strategies to reduce the risk of developing esophageal cancer or to improve the long-term prognosis.
Adenocarcinoma ; Beverages ; Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Diagnosis ; Drinking ; Epidemiology ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Mortality ; Obesity ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Social Class ; Survival Rate