Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

Capsule endoscopy is being increasingly recognized as a gold standard for diagnosing small bowel disease, but along with the increased usage, capsule retention is being reported more frequently. We report a case of capsule endoscopy retention in a diverticulum of the duodenal proximal third portion, which we treated by esophagogastroduodenoscopy. A 69-year-old male visited hospital with hematochezia. He had hypertension and dyslipidemia for several years, and was taking aspirin to prevent heart disease. CT and colonoscopy revealed a diverticulum in the third portion of the duodenum, rectal polyps, and internal hemorrhoids. Capsule endoscopy was performed but capsule impaction occurred. The capsule was later detected by CT in the diverticulum. Endoscopy was performed a day later and the capsule was removed using a net. A small bowel series was conducted after capsule removal, and no stenosis was found. The patient fully recovered and no recurrence of hematochezia was observed at his one month exam. This is the first case in Korea of capsule retention in a duodenal diverticulum, with successful removal by endoscopy.
Abdomen/diagnostic imaging ; Aged ; Capsule Endoscopy ; Diverticulum/*diagnosis/diagnostic imaging ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Humans ; Male ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are uncommon and a relatively small subset of GISTs whose optimal surgical procedure has not been well defined. Because submucosal spread and local lymph node involvement is infrequent in GISTs, wide margins with routine lymph node dissection may not be required. Various techniques of limited resection for duodenal GISTs have been described depending on the site and the size of the tumors. In this study, we report two cases of GIST involving the third and fourth portion of the duodenum successfully treated by segmental duodenectomy with end-to-end duodenojejunostomy. This technique should be considered as a treatment option for GIST located at the third and fourth portion of the duodenum.
Duodenum ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes

It is common practice to reject potential grafts with fatty change over 30%. We report a case of successful liver transplant using a graft with 70% fatty liver. The patient was a 53 year old male with alcoholic liver cirrhosis who had received endoscopic varix ligation (EVL) for esophageal varix bleeding 4 months ago. He presented with esophageal varix bleeding and drowsy mentality, and was admitted to the ICU via the emergency room. He received EVL again. Preoperative total bilirubin was 11.4 mg/dl, prothrombin time was 40%. The donor was a 50 year old male with diabetes. Liver biopsy showed 70% fatty liver. The operation took 10 hours, and there was no intraoperative complication. Sixteen days after the operation, liver enzymes were normal but total bilirubin was elevated up to 10.26 mg/dl. Liver biopsy was done. Biopsy showed almost no fatty liver but it showed moderate rejection, so steroid recycling was done. Total bilirubin decreased steadily. But 38 days after the operation, ascites increased, and follow-up liver biopsy again showed almost no fatty change but showed severe rejection. Steroid pulse therapy was done, and after pulse therapy the amount of ascites decreased, and the patient was discharged 56 days after the transplantation in tolerable condition. Brain death donor liver grafts with severe fatty liver increase the risk of post transplant complications such as renal failure. But since severe fatty liver does not always cause primary nonfunction, it may be considered as transplant grafts in selected cases.
Ascites ; Bilirubin ; Biopsy ; Brain Death ; Emergencies ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Fatty Liver ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; Ligation ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic ; Male ; Prothrombin Time ; Recycling ; Rejection (Psychology) ; Renal Insufficiency ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants ; Varicose Veins

We report herein a case of hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach with liver metastasis. Gastric carcinoma generally presents as adenocarcinoma and rarely shows a hepatoid pattern, which can produce alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). The stomach is one of the common sites at which hepatoid adenocarcinoma has been detected. A 75-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital with a symptom of epigastric discomfort. Gastrofibroscopy revealed a large tumor occupying the greater curvature of the stomach body. The level of serum AFP was markedly increased. Abdominal computed tomography revealed multiple liver masses. Biopsy samples of the gastric lesion and liver masses finally confirmed her case as hepatoid adenocarcinoma in the stomach with liver metastasis. The AFP-producing gastric carcinoma needs special attention because it often presents with early liver metastasis and has a poor prognosis.
Adenocarcinoma/*diagnosis/pathology/radiography ; Aged ; Female ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/*diagnosis/secondary/ultrasonography ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Stomach Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; alpha-Fetoproteins/metabolism

We present here a case of recurrent rectal cancer liver metastasis that was managed with ante situm liver resection under total vascular exclusion (TVE) and venovenous bypass with hypothermic perfusion. A 58-year-old man who suffered with rectal cancer liver metastasis was transferred to our hospital in January 2006. A left lateral sectionectomy had been previously performed. Recurrent lesion developed in segments I, IV and VIII one year after the first hepatectomy. The tumor was 5 cm in diameter and it involved the confluence of the hepatic veins and the retrohepatic vena cava. An incomplete tumor-free margin and massive bleeding were expected with performing a conventional liver resection, together with vena cava reconstruction. Therefore, we planned an ante situm liver resection under TVE and venovenous bypass with hypothermic perfusion. After adhesiolysis, hilar dissection was carried out. The inflow to the medial segment was interrupted, and then the liver and inferior vena cava (IVC) were mobilized fully. During controlling the bleeding of a short hepatic vein, we found adhesion of the hepatocaval portion. Therefore, TVE and venovenous bypass were performed along with suprahepatic IVC transection. The long conduit of V5 was preserved during hepatic parenchymal dissection, and the paracaval portion of the caudate lobe was readily detached from the IVC. The suprahepatic IVC was reconstructed after V5 reconstruction with using the saphenous vein. Portal vein anastomosis was then conducted. After reperfusion, an end-to-side anastomosis was performed between the saphenous vein graft and the IVC. Finally, a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was carried out. The patient remains well without recurrence 12 months after the last operation.
Ants ; Hemorrhage ; Hepatectomy ; Hepatic Veins ; Humans ; Liver ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Perfusion ; Portal Vein ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Recurrence ; Reperfusion ; Saphenous Vein ; Transplants ; Vena Cava, Inferior

PURPOSE: Patients with gallbladder cancer tend to have advanced, unresectable tumor at the time of presentation and they face a dismal prognosis in the absence of a standard chemotherapy regimen. This study was performed to evaluate the outcomes of patients with gallbladder cancer and who underwent postoperative gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. METHODS: From March of 2001 to February of 2008, a total of 27 patients underwent operation for gallbladder cancer. They underwent two types of gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. One type of regimen was the combined administration of gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 and 5-fluorouracil 200 mg/m2. The other one was combined administration of gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 and cisplatin 70 mg/m2. RESULTS: Among the 27 patients, 15 patients were treated with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy and 12 patients were treated with many kinds of the best supportive care without chemotherapy. The median survival was 29.1+/-2.7 months and 15.7+/-2.8 months, respectively. The median survival and disease free survival for the gemcitabine based chemotherapy group who received curative resection was 31.6+/-2.5 and 15.7+/-3.2 months, respectively. The median survival and disease free survival for the patients without chemotherapy after curative resection was 16.3+/-2.9 and 15.7+/-3.2 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients with gallbladder cancer and who received adjuvant gemcitabine-based chemotherapy had a relatively favorable prognosis. Especially, gemcitabine-based combination chemotherapy could be effective and acceptable for the treatment of gallbladder cancer patients who have undergone curative resection.
Cisplatin ; Deoxycytidine ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Fluorouracil ; Gallbladder ; Gallbladder Neoplasms ; Humans ; Prognosis