Lack of Methylene Blue Staining in Superficial Epithelia as a Possible Marker for Superficial Lateral Spread of Bile Duct Cancer

Longitudinal cancer spread is very important for staging of resectability in bile duct cancer. We verified the difference in methylene blue staining properties between cancerous and noncancerous epithelia that are usually observed by cholangioscopy. We obtained 45 biopsy specimens from the common bile duct of 20 patients with bile duct disease using percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) after staining with 0.05% methylene blue. We compared the microscopic staining properties with the gross endoscopic observations and evaluated the characteristics of methylene blue staining on frozen sections of each type of cholangial epithelium. Microscopic staining properties were significantly associated with endoscopic observations (p = 0.00001). While 18 of 20 (90%) specimens of normal epithelia stained with methylene blue, 11 of 16 (69%) specimens of metaplastic epithelia were stained, with no staining obtained in cancerous epithelia. The cancerous epithelia stained significantly less often than either the normal (p = 0.000005) or the metaplastic (p = 0.001) epithelia. Evaluation of methylene blue staining during PTCS revealed that this stain was absorbed by the cholangial epithelia, not superficially stuck to it. The difference in methylene blue staining properties between the cancerous and normal epithelia could be helpful to clarify the boundary of superficial lateral spread of bile duct cancer

Relationship Between Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangioscopy Findings and Pattern of Carcinomatous Spread in the Bile Duct

To clarify the relationship between percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic findings such as papillogranular surface and vascular dilation, which are reportedly characteristic of carcinoma, and the pattern of spread for bile duct carcinomas, we compared endoscopic photographs with histological features of biopsy specimens in 57 regions of specimens from 35 patients with malignant stenosis of the bile duct. Regions with a papillogranular surface were associated with noninvasive mucosal carcinomas and papillary proliferation of superficial epithelia significantly more often than regions without such a surface (P<0.0001). The sensitivity and specificity of the papillogranular surface to noninvasive mucosal carcinoma was 79 and 95%, respectively, that of papillary proliferation of superficial epithelia was 100 and 98%, respectively. Regions with vascular dilation were associated with invasive carcinoma significantly more often than regions without vascular dilation (P<0.0001). The sensitivity and specificity of vascular dilation to invasive carcinoma were 90 and 86%, respectively. Results indicate that a papillogranular surface is related to noninvasive mucosal carcinomas while vascular dilation is related to invasive carcinomas. However, a papillogranular surface was even more closely related to papillary proliferation of superficial epithelia

Use of a colonoscope for distal duodenal stent placement in patients with malignant obstruction

Background: Stent placement in the distal duodenum or proximal jejunum with a therapeutic gastroscope can be difficult, because of the reach of the endoscope, loop formation in the stomach, and flexibility of the gastroscope. The use of a colonoscope may overcome these problems. Objective: To report our experience with distal duodenal stent placement in 16 patients using a colonoscope. Methods: Multicenter, retrospective series of patients with a malignant obstruction at the level of the distal duodenum and proximal jejunum and treated by stent placement using a colonoscope. Main outcome measurements are technical success, ability to eat, complications, and survival. Results: Stent placement was technically feasible in 93% (15/16) of patients. Food intake improved from a median gastric outlet obstruction scoring system (GOOSS) score of 1 (no oral intake) to 3 (soft solids) (p = 0.001). Severe complications were not observed. One patient had persistent obstructive symptoms presumably due to motility problems. Recurrent obstructive symptoms were caused by tissue/tumor ingrowth through the stent mesh [n = 6 (38%)] and stent occlusion by debris [n = 1 (6%)]. Reinterventions included additional stent placement [n = 5 (31%)], gastrojejunostomy [n = 2 (12%)], and endoscopic stent cleansing [n = 1 (6%)]. Median survival was 153 days. Conclusion: Duodenal stent placement can effectively and safely be performed using a colonoscope in patients with an obstruction at the level of the distal duodenum or proximal jejunum. A colonoscope has the advantage that it is long enough and offers good endoscopic stiffness, which avoids looping in the stomach

Survival of patients with metastatic breast cancer: twenty-year data from two SEER registries

BACKGROUND: Many researchers are interested to know if there are any improvements in recent treatment results for metastatic breast cancer in the community, especially for 10- or 15-year survival. METHODS: Between 1981 and 1985, 782 and 580 female patients with metastatic breast cancer were extracted respectively from the Connecticut and San Francisco-Oakland registries of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The lognormal statistical method to estimate survival was retrospectively validated since the 15-year cause-specific survival rates could be calculated using the standard life-table actuarial method. Estimated rates were compared to the actuarial data available in 2000. Between 1991 and 1995, further 752 and 632 female patients with metastatic breast cancer were extracted respectively from the Connecticut and San Francisco-Oakland registries. The data were analyzed to estimate the 15-year cause-specific survival rates before the year 2005. RESULTS: The 5-year period (1981–1985) was chosen, and patients were followed as a cohort for an additional 3 years. The estimated 15-year cause-specific survival rates were 7.1% (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.8–12.4) and 9.1% (95% CI, 3.8–14.4) by the lognormal model for the two registries of Connecticut and San Francisco-Oakland respectively. Since the SEER database provides follow-up information to the end of the year 2000, actuarial calculation can be performed to confirm (validate) the estimation. The Kaplan-Meier calculation for the 15-year cause-specific survival rates were 8.3% (95% CI, 5.8–10.8) and 7.0% (95% CI, 4.3–9.7) respectively. Using the 1991–1995 5-year period cohort and followed for an additional 3 years, the 15-year cause-specific survival rates were estimated to be 9.1% (95% CI, 3.8–14.4) and 14.7% (95% CI, 9.8–19.6) for the two registries of Connecticut and San Francisco-Oakland respectively. CONCLUSIONS: For the period 1981–1985, the 15-year cause-specific survival for the Connecticut and the San Francisco-Oakland registries were comparable. For the period 1991–1995, there was not much change in survival for the Connecticut registry patients, but there was an improvement in survival for the San Francisco-Oakland registry patients