A Comparison of Gastric Cancer Surgery Between Japan and China

Background: The differences in gastric cancer between East and West have been frequently discussed. However, there are few studies that have compared Japan and China in Asia. Methods: Patient characteristics, surgical procedures and pathologic information were compared among gastric cancer patients who underwent curative-intent gastrectomy at two large volume cancer centers in China and Japan. Results: The median age of Japanese patients is 70 years, seven years older than those in China, and more than 25% of Japanese patients were older than 75. In China, the tumor was thicker, and lymph node metastasis was frequently observed. Total gastrectomy was more common in China (35.6% vs 21.9%). Distal gastrectomy rate was 56.0 percent in Japan, compared to 42.2 percent in China. The proportion of patients undergoing proximal gastrectomy was almost equal in China and Japan. Further analysis of the characteristics of patients undergoing total gastrectomy revealed that in China, more advanced gastric cancer patients with larger tumors and more lymph node metastasis underwent total gastrectomy, while in Japan, more early stage gastric cancer patients underwent total gastrectomy. Conclusion: There are some differences in gastric cancer between Japan and China. China needs to learn from Japan by establishing some screening programs for the diagnosis and treatment of early gastric cancer

Two Cases of Rectal Cancer with Retzius Shunt Treated with Robot-Assisted Surgery

The retroperitoneal intestinal vein-general circulation anastomotic pathway is referred to as a Retzius shunt; however, it is not a well-recognized condition. Here, we describe two patients with a Retzius shunt who underwent robot-assisted surgery for rectal cancer. The first case was an 81-year-old woman who had tested positive for fecal occult blood. A type 0-Is tumor was found in the middle rectum, and we used robot-assisted surgery for resection. Intraoperative findings included a dilated vein between the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and inferior mesenteric vein (IMV); further, computed tomography (CT) revealed flow into the inferior vena cava (IVC). We clipped the vein without major bleeding and the tumor-specific mesorectal excision was completed. Thereafter, we reviewed relevant literature and identified the structure to be a Retzius shunt. The second case was 77-year-old man with type 1 advanced cancer in the middle rectum who underwent robot-assisted surgery. In this case, we recognized the Retzius shunt on preoperative CT due to our experience with the first case and surgery was completed without any problems. Preoperative recognition of vascular malformations, such as the Retzius shunt by CT is critical to ensure the safety of robot-assisted surgery

Gross Appearance and Curability Are Predictive Factors of a Better Prognosis After Gastrectomy in Gastric Cancer Patients with Metastasis to the Adjacent Peritoneum of the Stomach

[Background] Gastric cancer patients with peritoneal metastasis have an extremely poor prognosis. The aim of the current study was to clarify the predictive factors of a better outcome in gastric cancer patients with peritoneal metastasis. [Methods] We analyzed the records of 2262 gastric adenocarcinoma patients who underwent gastrectomies at our institution between January 1980 and December 2010. [Results] The 5-year survival rates for advanced gastric cancer patients with P1 (n = 43), P2 (n = 56), and P3 (n = 36) metastasis were 16.3%, 0%, and 0%, respectively. The prognosis of P1 gastric cancer patients was significantly better than that of either P2 (P = 0.0003) or P3 patients (P < 0.0001). A multivariate analysis identified gross appearance and curability as independent prognostic indicators in P1 gastric cancer patients. In fact, the prognosis was good for patients in whom an R0/1 resection had been performed and with tumors having a gross appearance of other than type 4, with a 40% 5-year survival rate and a 29-month median survival time. [Conclusion] Our data indicated a good prognosis for P1 patients in whom an R0/1 resection could be performed and with tumors having a gross appearance of other than type 4. Therefore, radical surgery and adequate adjuvant chemotherapy should be performed in these patients

Neuroendocrine Tumor Arising From Meckel’s Diverticulum Unexpectedly Diagnosed After Diverticulectomy and in Which Multiple Lymph Node Metastases Were Found After Reoperation: A Case Report

A 47-year-old man with progressive anemia possibly due to digestive tract bleeding was referred to our hospital. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen showed a 2-cm tumor lesion arising near the small intestine. Enteroscopy revealed a 3-cm submucosal tumor at the ileum. A gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the small intestine was suspected, and the patient underwent surgery. During the operation, a diverticulum approximately 60 cm orad to the terminal ileum and a tumor at the top of the diverticulum were observed. Considering the location, Meckel’s diverticulum was suspected. No lymphadenopathy was present in the mesentery. Laparoscopy-assisted resection of the diverticulum without lymph node dissection was performed. The histological diagnosis of the tumor was a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor. Given the possibility of lymph node metastasis, we performed a second operation to remove the small intestine and lymph nodes. Histologically, 7 of the 18 dissected lymph nodes were metastatic. he postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient survived without tumor recurrence for another 2 years 8 months. Neuroendocrine tumors of Meckel’s diverticulum are aggressive. Therefore, small intestinal resection along with lymph node dissection might be necessary as part of the surgical strategy

Postoperative Serum Albumin is a Potential Prognostic Factor for Older Patients with Gastric Cancer

【Background】 The incidence of gastric cancer (GC) among older adults is increasing. Therefore, determining postoperative age-associated prognostic factors is clinically important. This study retrospectively investigated the prognostic significance of serum albumin level in older GC patients. 【Methods】 We enrolled 135 patients aged ? 75 years, who underwent gastrectomies with histopathological diagnoses of gastric adenocarcinoma. 【Results】 Preoperative albumin (pre-Alb) levels in patients with advanced GC and stage III/IV GC were significantly lower than those in patients with early GC (P = 0.0032) and stage I/II GC (P = 0.006), respectively. Postoperative albumin (post-Alb) levels (measured 1 month after surgery) in male patients and in patients with advanced GC were significantly lower than those in female patients (P = 0.024) and those with early GC (P = 0.044), respectively. Post-Alb levels of patients who died of other diseases were significantly lower than those who were still living (P = 0.0004). Prognosis of patients with high post-Alb levels (? 4g/dL) was significantly better than that of patients with low post-Alb levels (< 4g/dL; P = 0.045); and in multivariate analysis, post-Alb level was an independent prognostic indicator. 【Conclusion】 Post-Alb level is a useful predictive factor for the prognosis of older GC patients. Postoperative nutritional support might help improve the prognosis of older GC patients