Recurrence in patients following curative resection of early gastric carcinoma

Chinese national clinical practice guidelines on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of early gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the digestive system in China. Few comprehensive practice guidelines for early gastric cancer in China are currently available. Therefore, we created the Chinese national clinical practice guideline for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of early gastric cancer.

METHODS

This clinical practice guideline (CPG) was developed in accordance with the World Health Organization's recommended process and with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) in assessing evidence quality. We used the Evidence to Decision framework to formulate clinical recommendations to minimize bias and increase transparency in the CPG development process. We used the Reporting Items for practice Guidelines in HealThcare (RIGHT) statement and the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) as reporting and conduct guidelines to ensure completeness and transparency of the CPG.

RESULTS

This CPG contains 40 recommendations regarding the prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of early gastric cancer based on available clinical studies and guidelines. We provide recommendations for the timing of Helicobacter pylori eradication, screening populations for early gastric cancer, indications for endoscopic resection and surgical gastrectomy, follow-up interval after treatment, and other recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

This CPG can lead to optimum care for patients and populations by providing up-to-date medical information. We intend this CPG for widespread adoption to increase the standard of prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of early gastric cancer; thereby, contributing to improving national health care and patient quality of life.

Application of Parametric Shared Frailty Models to Analyze Time-to-Death of Gastric Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND

Despite its declining incidence, gastric cancer (GC) is one of the world's leading malignancies and a major global health concern due to its high prevalence and fatality rate. Furthermore, it is the world's fourth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death. Studying the determinants of time to death of gastric cancer patients will give clinicians more information to develop specific treatment plans, forecast prognosis, and track the progress of death cases. The application of the frailty model can help account for random variation in survival that may exist due to unobserved factors, as well as show the impact of latent factors on death risk. As a result, the purpose of this study was to assess the determinants of time to death of GC patients' by applying the parametric shared frailty models.

METHODS

The data for this study were obtained from gastric cancer patients admitted to the Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, from January 1, 2015, to February 29, 2020. With the aim of coming up with an appropriate survival model that determines factors that affect the time to death of gastric cancer patients, various parametric shared frailty models were compared. In all of the frailty models, patient regions were used as a clustering variable. The current study implemented exponential, Weibull, log-logistic, and lognormal distributions for baseline hazard functions with gamma and inverse Gaussian's frailty distributions. The performance of all models was compared using the AIC and BIC criteria. R statistical software was used to conduct the analysis.

RESULTS

A retrospective study was undertaken on a total of 407 gastric cancer patients under follow-up at Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital. Of all 407 GC patients, 56.3% died while the remaining 43.7% were censored. The patients' median time to death was 21.9 months, with a maximum survival time of 49.6 months. In the current study, the clustering effect was significant in modeling the time to death from gastric cancer. The Weibull model with inverse Gaussian frailty has the minimum AIC and BIC value among the candidate models compared. The dependency within the clusters for the Weibull-inverse Gaussian frailty model was [Formula: see text] (13.4%). According to the results of our best model (Weibull-inverse Gaussian), the sex of the patient, the smoking status, the tumor size, the treatment taken, the vascular invasion, and the disease stage was found to be statistically significant at an alpha = 0.05 significance level.

CONCLUSION

Time to death of GC patient's data set was well described by the Weibull-inverse Gaussian shared frailty. Furthermore, Weibull baseline distribution best fits the GC data set as it enables proportional hazard and accelerated failure time model, for time to failure data. There is unobserved heterogeneity between clusters (patient regions), indicating the need to account for this clustering effect. In this study, survival time to death among GC patients was discovered to be small. Covariates like older age, being male, having higher (advanced) stage of GC disease (stage three and stage four), advanced tumor size, being smoker, infected by Helicobacter pylori, and existence of vascular invasion significantly accelerate the time to death of GC patients. In contrast, talking combination of more treatments prolongs the time to death of patients. To improve the health of patients, interventions should be taken based on significant prognostic factors, with special attention dedicated to patients with such factors to prevent GC death.

SIRT6 silencing overcomes resistance to sorafenib by promoting ferroptosis in gastric cancer

Sorafenib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that shows anti-tumour effects against various cancers including gastric cancer (GC). However, the clinical application of sorafenib is often hampered by drug resistance. Sirtuins 6 (SIRT6) is a member of the Sirtuin family of NAD (+)-dependent enzymes that are critically involved in various biological activities. This study presents that SIRT6 silencing overcomes sorafenib resistance by promoting ferroptosis, which is a novel form of cell death. Mechanistically, SIRT6 inhibition led to the inactivation of the Keap1/Nrf2 signalling pathway and downregulation of GPX4. The overexpression of GPX4 or activation of Keap1/Nrf2 reverses the effects of the downregulation of SIRT6 on sorafenib-induced ferroptosis. Thus, targeting the SIRT6/Keap1/Nrf2/GPX4 signalling pathway may be a potential strategy for overcoming sorafenib resistance in GC.

A Case Study on Modeling the Time to Recurrence of Gastric Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer is a malignant tumor of the stomach and it is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The study aimed to model the time to first recurrence of gastric cancer patients at the Tikur Anbesa specialized hospital.

METHODS

The data for this study were gastric cancer patients followed up from January 1, 2013 to February 29, 2020 at Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital, Oncology Center, Addis Ababa. We used Weibull, log-logistic and lognormal as baseline hazard functions with the gamma and the inverse Gaussian frailty distributions. Data analyzed with the statistical software R.

RESULTS

The median recurrence time of the patients was about 23.96 months with a maximum recurrence time of 60.81 months, of which about 61.2% had first recurrences of gastric cancer. The clustering effect is significant in modeling the time to recurrence of gastric cancer. According to the result of the log-logistic inverse Gaussian frailty model, the sex of the patient, the tumor size, smoking habit, the treatment carried out, the vascular invasion, the stage of the disease, the helicobacter pylori infection and the histological type were the significant prognostic factors  at 5% level of significance.

CONCLUSION

Inverse Gaussian frailty model is the model that best describes the time to recurrence of the gastric cancer data set. Gender of the patients, tumor size, treatment taken, vascular invasion, disease stage, helicobacter pylori infection and histological type were the determining prognostic factors. This requires measures to improve patient health and prevent relapse based on significant risk factors, and particular attention should be paid to patients with such factors.

Anastomotic recurrence after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with delta-shaped anastomosis : report of a case

Delta-shaped anastomosis is nowadays an increasingly performed reconstruction method in laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer. To date, anastomotic recurrence at the delta-shaped anastomotic site has not been reported. Surgery for this disease is more complicated than anastomotic recurrence at the site of conventional Billroth-I anastomosis. A 68-year-old female was referred to our institute with early gastric cancer on the posterior wall of the antrum. She underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with delta-shaped Billroth-I anastomosis. Follow-up gastrofiberscopy 16 months after the operation revealed suspected anastomotic recurrence, and gastric biopsy revealed signet-ring cell carcinoma. Open total gastrectomy with reconstruction with the Roux-en-Y method was performed. At the distal part of the previous anastomosis, an adequate length of the duodenum was dissected from the pancreas. Then, the duodenum was transected 3 cm distal to the anastomosis using a linear stapler. The patient recovered well and was discharged on postoperative day 14. The patient is alive without re-recurrence 3 years postoperatively. We successfully treated a patient with anastomotic recurrence of gastric cancer after delta-shaped anastomosis. Adequate resection of the duodenal stump was performed without any residual tumor or injury to the pancreas. J. Med. Invest. 67 : 211-213, February, 2020.

Proteomic Analysis Reveals That Metformin Suppresses PSMD2, STIP1, and CAP1 for Preventing Gastric Cancer AGS Cell Proliferation and Migration

Metformin is one of the most widely used anti-diabetic drugs in type-II diabetes treatment. The mechanism of decreasing blood glucose is believed to suppress hepatic gluconeogenesis by increasing muscular glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity. Recent studies suggest that metformin may reduce cancer risk; however, its anticancer mechanism in gastric cancers remains unclear. Here, we aim to evaluate the anticancer effects of metformin on human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells. Our results showed that metformin inhibited AGS cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Using small-scale quantitative proteomics, we identified 177 differentially expressed proteins upon metformin treatment; among these, nine proteins such as 26S proteasome non-ATPase regulatory subunit 2 (PSMD2), stress-induced phosphoprotein 1 (STIP1), and adenylyl cyclase-associated protein 1 (CAP1) were significantly altered. We found that metformin induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, suppressed cell migration, and affected cytoskeleton distribution. Additionally, patients with highly expressed PSMD2, STIP1, and CAP1 have a poor clinical outcome. Our study provides a novel view of developing therapies for gastric cancer.

A machine learning-based predictor for the identification of the recurrence of patients with gastric cancer after operation

To explore the predictive performance of machine learning on the recurrence of patients with gastric cancer after the operation. The available data is divided into two parts. In particular, the first part is used as a training set (such as 80% of the original data), and the second part is used as a test set (the remaining 20% of the data). And we use fivefold cross-validation. The weight of recurrence factors shows the top four factors are BMI, Operation time, WGT and age in order. In training group:among the 5 machine learning models, the accuracy of gbm was 0.891, followed by gbm algorithm was 0.876; The AUC values of the five machine learning algorithms are from high to low as forest (0.962), gbm (0.922), GradientBoosting (0.898), DecisionTree (0.790) and Logistic (0.748). And the precision of the forest is the highest 0.957, followed by the GradientBoosting algorithm (0.878). At the same time, in the test group is as follows: the highest accuracy of Logistic was 0.801, followed by forest algorithm and gbm; the AUC values of the five algorithms are forest (0.795), GradientBoosting (0.774), DecisionTree (0.773), Logistic (0.771) and gbm (0.771), from high to low. Among the five machine learning algorithms, the highest precision rate of Logistic is 1.000, followed by the gbm (0.487). Machine learning can predict the recurrence of gastric cancer patients after an operation. Besides, the first four factors affecting postoperative recurrence of gastric cancer were BMI, Operation time, WGT and age.

Robotic versus laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer: The largest meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has been increasingly used in the treatment of gastric cancer (GC). Laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) has shown several advantages over open surgery in dealing with GC, although it is still considered a demanding procedure. Robotic gastrectomy (RG) is now being employed with increased frequency worldwide and has been reported to overcome some limitations of conventional LG. The aim of this updated meta-analysis is to compare surgical and oncological outcomes of RG versus LG for gastric cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using the PubMed, MEDLINE and Cochrane library database of published studies comparing RG and LG up to March 2020. The evaluated end-points were intra-operative, post-operative and oncological outcomes. Dichotomous data were calculated by odds ratio (OR) and continuous data were calculated by mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), and a random-effect model was always applied.

RESULTS

Forty retrospective studies describing 17,712 patients met the inclusion criteria. With respect to surgical outcomes, robotic compared with laparoscopic gastrectomy was associated with higher operating time [MD 44.73, (95%CI 36.01, 53.45) p < 0.00001] and less intraoperative blood loss [MD -18.24, (95%CI -25.21, -11.26) p < 0.00001] and lower rate of surgical complication in terms of Dindo-Clavien ≥ 3 classification [OR 0.66, (95%CI 0.49, 0.88) p = 0.005]. With respect to oncological outcomes, the RG group showed a significantly increased mean number of retrieved lymph nodes [MD 1.84, (95%CI 0.84, 2.84) p = 0.0003], but mean proximal and distal resection margin distance and the recurrence rate were not significantly different between the two approaches.

CONCLUSIONS

With respect to safety, technical feasibility and oncological adequacy, robotic and laparoscopic groups were comparable, although the robotic approach seems to achieve better short-term surgical outcomes. Moreover, a higher rate of retrieved lymph nodes was observed in the RG group.

Abundance of CD163-Positive Tumor-Associated Macrophages in the Early Gastric Cancer Predicts the Recurrence after Curative Resection

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of M2 macrophages to predict the recurrence of early gastric cancer (EGC).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was carried out among EGC patients (95 non-recurrence and 78 recurrence) who underwent surgery at Luhe People's Hospital of Nanjing. A 5-year recurrence status was utilized to classify the patients into the recurrence group and non-recurrence group. CD163 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen were utilized as markers to detect M2 macrophages and proliferation. Cumulative tumor recurrence curve was adopted to analyze the association between the number of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and the recurrence of EGC. Colony formation and invasion abilities of MKN45 (JCRB0254, human gastric epithelial cell line) with or without M2 macrophage coculture were detected in vitro, and the xenograft model was utilized to detect in vivo effect of M2 macrophages on tumor growth.

RESULTS

The number of CD163+ macrophages and expression of transforming growth factor-β1, matrix metallopeptidase 9, and vascular endothelial growth factor A were significantly different between the EGC recurrence and non-recurrence group. The cumulative tumor recurrence rate was found to be dependent on the infiltration number of TAMs. M2 macrophages promoted the proliferation and invasion of human MKN45 cells in vitro, as well as tumor growth in the xenograft model.

CONCLUSION

The abundance of CD163+-positive TAMs in EGC predicts the recurrence after curative resection.

The effect of Jianpi Yangzheng Xiaozheng Decoction and its components on gastric cancer

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Jianpi Yangzheng Xiaozheng Decoction (JPYZXZ) is an empirical compound prescription based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine. JPYZXZ, which is "Qi-invigorating, spleen-strengthening and stasis-removing," can improve the quality of life of gastric cancer patients and prolong their survival; however, the exact mechanism underlying the antitumor effects of this compound is still not clear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to clearly define the effect of JPYZXZ and its components, Jianpi Yangzheng Decoction (JPYZ) and Xiao Zheng San Jie Decoction (XZSJ), on inhibiting the progression of gastric cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effect of JPYZXZ and its components on the motility of gastric cancer MGC-803 cells was measured by MTT, adhesion, transwell assays and wound-healing assays. JPYZXZ, JPYZ and XZSJ were administered to 615 mice with gastric cancer xenografts, and their effect on the inhibition of subcutaneous transplantation was analyzed. THP-1 monocyte cells were used to establish tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) models. The polarized state of the TAMs was detected by Flow Cytometry, ELISA and Immunohistochemistry. The mRNA and protein expression of tumor epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and TAM-related genes was determined by Real-time PCR and Western Blot, respectively.

RESULTS

We determined that both JPYZXZ and its components inhibited the progress of gastric cancer in vitro, and JPYZXZ was clearly more effective than JPYZ or XZSJ. The in vivo results demonstrated that the JPYZXZ and XZSJ group exhibited a significant decrease in the tumor weight compared to the control group. Further analysis indicated that JPYZXZ was more active than JPYZ or XZSJ in inhibiting the gastric cancer EMT transformation both in vivo and in vitro. However, JPYZ was more effective compared with JPYZXZ for inducing the phenotypic change in macrophages from M2 to M1.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that both JPYZXZ and its components prevent the progress of gastric cancer. JPYZXZ inhibits the gastric cancer EMT more effectively than JPYZ and XZSJ, but JPYZ primarily works to regulate the phenotypic change in macrophages from M2 to M1.

New metastatic lymph node classification for early gastric cancer should differ from those for advanced gastric adenocarcinoma: Results based on the SEER database

AIM

To establish an appropriate N classification system for early gastric cancer (EGC).

METHODS

Data from 10714 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy between 1988 and 2011 were retrieved from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result database. The overall survival (OS) based on the eighth edition and new tumor lymph node metastasis (TNM) staging systems were compared, and the analysis was repeated in an external validation set from the Fujian Medical University Union Hospital database.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in OS between N1 and N2 cancers or between N3a and N3b cancers in cases of EGC. The X-tile program identified that the new staging system for EGC consisted of T1N0, T1N1’ [1-6 metastatic lymph nodes (LNs)], and T1N2’ ( ≥ 7 metastatic LNs). Compared with the eighth edition of the TNM staging system, the OS of patients in T1N1’ stage was similar to that of patients with stage IIA disease, whereas the OS of patients in T1N2’ stage was similar to that of patients with stage IIB disease. The new TNM staging system exhibited a slightly lower Akaike Information Criterion value and higher χ² and c-statistic compared with the eighth edition of the TNM classification system. Similar results were found in the external validation dataset from the external validation set.

CONCLUSION

We have developed an optional new TNM staging system with a better predictive ability that can be used to accurately predict the 5-year OS of patients with EGC.

The Characteristics, Prognosis, and Risk Factors of Lymph Node Metastasis in Early Gastric Cancer

Background

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is the most important risk factor for endoscopic treatment in early gastric cancer (EGC) patients. We aimed to investigate the rate of LNM, the risk factors, and the prognosis of EGC patients with LMN.

Methods

A total of 10,039 patients who underwent gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy were reviewed between January 2010 and December 2015 at Jiangsu Province Hospital in China. Among them, we identified 1004 (10%) EGCs. First, endoscopic and clinicopathological features related to LNM were analyzed, and then risk factors for LNM were identified using univariate and multivariate analysis. Finally, the short- and long-term outcomes were compared between the groups.

Results

LNM occurred in 123 (12.3%) EGCs. Most of EGCs were male (n = 720, 71.7%) and mean age was 59.65 ± 11.09 years. The rate of H. pylori infection was 78.0% (783/1004). LNM was significantly associated with age, sex, location, lesion size, macroscopic type, depth of invasion, differentiation type, histological morphology, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and TMN stage. By multivariate analysis, significant independent risk factors for LNM in EGC were identified as following: male sex (OR 2.365, P = 0.035), age ≦ 40 (OR 0.055, P = 0.012), depressed type (OR 2.721, P = 0.013), submucosa invasion (OR 2.987, P = 0.032), LVI (OR 5.186, P = 0.003), tumor located in corpora (OR 8.904, P = 0.047), and in angle (OR 12.998, P = 0.024). 86.5% were successfully followed up for 3 years. The overall 1- and 3-year survival rates in LNM group were 100% and 91.1%, respectively, and those with no LNM were 100% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusion

EGCs were investigated in 10.0% of gastric cancer, which LNM occurred in 12.3% of EGC. Independent risk factors of LNM included male sex, age (>40), the depth of invasion, LVI, and tumor located in corpora or angle. The 3-year overall survival rate was greater in EGC patients without LNM.

Five-year survival analysis of surgically resected gastric cancer cases in Japan: a retrospective analysis of more than 100,000 patients from the nationwide registry of the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association (2001-2007)

BACKGROUND

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the tumor characteristics, surgical details, and survival distribution of surgically resected cases of gastric cancer from the nationwide registry of the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association.

METHODS

Data from 118,367 patients with primary gastric carcinoma who underwent resection between 2001 and 2007 were included in the survival analyses. The 5-year survival rates were calculated for various subsets of prognostic factors.

RESULTS

The median age of the patients was 67 years. The proportions of patients with pathological stage (Japanese Gastric Cancer Association) IA, IB, II, IIIA, IIIB, and IV disease were 44.0%, 14.7%, 11.7%, 9.5%, 5.0%, and 12.4% respectively. The death rate within 30 days of operation was 0.5%. The 5-year overall survival rate in the 118,367 patients who were treated by resection was 71.1%. The 5-year overall survival rates of patients with pathological stage IA, IB, II, IIIA, IIIB, and IV disease were 91.5%, 83.6%, 70.6%, 53.6%, 34.8%, and 16.4% respectively. The 5-year disease-specific survival rates in the patients with pT1 (mucosa) disease after D1+ dissection of lymph node station no. 7 (D1 + α), D1+ dissection of lymph node station nos. 7, 8, and 9 (D1+ β), and D2 lymphadenectomy were 99.4%, 99.6%, and 99.1% respectively. The 5-year disease-specific survival rates in the patients with pT1 (submucosa) disease after D1 + α, D1 + β, and D2 lymphadenectomy were 97.3%, 98.1%, and 96.9% respectively.

CONCLUSION

Detailed analyses of the data from more than 100,000 patients show the recent trends of the outcomes of gastric cancer treatment in Japan and provide baseline information for use by medical communities around world.

Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Decoction Inhibits the Invasion and Metastasis of Gastric Cancer Cells through TGF-β/Smad Pathway

Background. Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Decoction (YHJD) can obviously improve the quality of life of those patients with gastric cancer and prolong their survival. Methods. In vitro experiments, we observe YHJD's effect on the cells' proliferation by MTT assay. Cell adhesion assay, wound-healing assay, and Transwell invasion assay serve to detect its influence on cells' adhesion, migration, and invasion, respectively. Inhibitor (10 μM/L of SB431542) and activator (10 ng/mL of TGF-β) of TGF-β/Smad pathway were used to estimate whether YHJD's impact on the biological behavior of gastric cancer cells was related to TGF-β/Smad pathway. In in vivo studies, YHJD was administered to the nude mice transplanted with gastric cancer to observe its effect on the tumor. Western blotting and immunohistochemical assay were used to test relevant cytokines of TGF-β/Smad pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in MGC-803 cells and the tumor bearing nude mice. Results. YHJD inhibited proliferation, adhesion, migration, and invasion of MGC-803 gastric cancer cells in vitro. In in vivo studies, YHJD reduced the volume of the transplanted tumors. It also enhanced the expression of E-cadherin and decreased the levels of N-cadherin, TGF-β, Snail, and Slug in both MGC-803 cells and the transplanted tumor by western blot assay. The immunohistochemical assay revealed that YHJD raised E-cadherin in the tumors of the mice; on the contrary, the expression of N-cadherin, Twist, vimentin, TGF-βR I, p-Smad2, p-Smad3, Snail, and Slug reduced. Conclusion. YHJD can effectively inhibit the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells. The mechanism may be related to TGF-β/Smad pathway.

Prognostic value of pretreatment standardized uptake value of F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose PET in patients with gastric cancer: a meta-analysis

Background

F-18- fluorodeoxyglucose Positron emission tomography (¹⁸FDG-PET) has been widely used in clinical practice. However, the prognostic value of the pretreatment standardized uptake value (SUV) for patients with gastric cancer remains controversial.

Methods

Major databases were systematically searched. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale; the PET protocols were also evaluated. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were used to estimate the effect size. Data from the included studies were analyzed using Review Manager Software version 5.2.

Results

Eight studies with 1080 patients were included. The pooled HR for OS of six studies including 672 patients was 1.72 (95% CI [1.28–2.3], p = 0.0004, I² = 0%), indicating that patients with high SUVs may have poor prognosis. The pooled HR for RFS was 1.70 (95% CI [1.20–2.39], p = 0.003, I² = 0%). Subgroup analysis based on the cutoff values determining method indicated that the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) method could better define the cutoff value. Subgroup analysis based on the therapeutic strategies used subsequently indicated the significant prognostic value of SUV.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our meta-analysis indicated that pretreatment SUV in primary lesions can be an important prognostic factor for overall survival and recurrence-free survival in patients with gastric cancer. High SUVs may indicate poor prognosis.

Surveillance for Gastric Cancer

This article discusses the current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines and other available Western and Eastern guidelines for the surveillance of gastric cancer following surgical resection. It reviews the literature assessing the utility of intensive surveillance strategies for gastric cancer, which fails to show an improvement in survival. The unique issues relating to follow-up of early gastric cancer and after endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer are discussed. This article also reviews the available modalities for follow-up. In addition, it briefly discusses the advancements in treatment of recurrent and metastatic disease and the implications for gastric cancer survival and surveillance strategies.

Comparison the sixth and seventh editions of the AJCC staging system for T1 gastric cancer: a long-term follow-up study of 2124 patients

BACKGROUND/AIM

The aim of this study was to establish an appropriate TNM staging system for early gastric cancer.

METHODOLOGY

We evaluated 2124 patients who had undergone gastrectomy for early gastric cancer between 1989 and 2001.

RESULTS

Using the seventh edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system, we found no significant differences in tumor recurrence and survival between N1 and N2 cancers or between N3a and N3b cancers, whereas the survival curves for N2 and N3 cancers were quite different. Similarly, using the classification in the sixth edition of the AJCC staging system, we found no significant difference in survival between the N2 and N3 cancer groups, whereas the survival curves for N1 versus N2 or N3 cancers were quite different.

CONCLUSIONS

The classifications in the sixth and seventh editions of the AJCC staging system have a limitation for T1 gastric cancer (early gastric cancer).

Total versus subtotal gastrectomy for distal gastric cancer: meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Objectives

This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted to give a more precise estimation of the efficacy and drawbacks of total gastrectomy (TG) versus subtotal gastrectomy (SG) for proven distal gastric cancer.

Methods

The electronic databases Cochrane and PubMed (updated on April 10, 2016) were searched for randomized controlled trials comparing TG with SG as surgical procedures for distal gastric cancer. Five outcome variables were analyzed, including postoperative complications, anastomotic fistula rate, hospital mortality rate, mortality rate of recurrence (the patient’s death is caused by the recurrence of gastric cancer, rather than caused by other diseases), and 5-year survival rate. Random or fixed effect model was used to perform this meta-analysis.

Results

Six trials, including 573 cases treated with TG and 791 cases treated with SG, were included. Compared with patients in the SG group, patients in the TG group did not show a higher rate of postoperative complications (odds ratio [OR]: 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71–3.03, P=0.30). However, patients in the TG group showed a significantly higher rate of anastomotic fistula than patients in the SG group (OR: 3.78, 95% CI: 1.97–7.27, P<0.0001). Hospital mortality rate, which was analyzed in four trials, including 510 TG versus 729 SG patients, showed no significant difference between the two groups (OR: 1.80, 95% CI: 0.85–3.78, P=0.12). Importantly, there was no significant difference in the 5-year survival between the two groups (OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.39–1.19, P=0.18). Mortality rate of recurrence, which was also analyzed in three trials, including 396 TG versus 407 SG patients, showed a significantly higher rate in the TG group (OR: 0.07, 95% CI: 0.01–0.13, P=0.03).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis demonstrated that postoperative complications, hospital mortality rate, and 5-year survival rate in TG patients was similar to the SG group. Furthermore, SG was associated with significantly fewer anastomotic fistula and lower mortality rate of recurrence compared with TG. However, lower mortality rate of recurrence was probably related to the criteria of these two procedures.

Risk factors of lymph node metastasis in early gastric carcinomas diagnosed by WHO criteria in 379 Chinese patients

OBJECTIVE

To investigate risk factors of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in Chinese early gastric carcinoma (EGC) patients diagnosed using the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and compare the differences in those factors between proximal (PGC) and distal gastric carcinoma (DGC).

METHODS

Among 3 176 gastric cancer resections we identified 379 (11.9%) consecutive EGC (104 PGC and 275 DGC) with lymphadenectomy performed at the Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University (Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China) between January 2005 and December 2012. Endoscopic and clinicopathological features related to LNM were analyzed.

RESULTS

LNM occurred in 49 (12.9%) EGC, including three PGC and 46 DGC. In early DGC, middle age (41-60 years), tumor size ≥3.1 cm, submucosal invasion, poorly cohesive carcinoma, micropapillary adenocarcinoma and lymphovascular invasion were risk factors by univariate analysis. In contrast, no risk factors of LNM were identified in early PGC. By multivariate analysis, female sex (odds ratio [OR] 2.4), DGC (OR 8.1), poorly cohesive carcinoma (OR 8.8) and lymphovascular invasion (OR 38.8) were found to be significant independent risk factors for LNM. The risk of LNM was effectively stratified using a scoring model of mild (score ≤3.5), moderate (score 4.0-8.5) and high (score ≥16) risk groups.

CONCLUSIONS

LNM occurred in 12.9% of EGC diagnosed with the WHO criteria in Chinese patients. Independent risk factors of LNM were identified in early DGC only and included female sex, DGC, poorly cohesive carcinoma and lymphovascular invasion. Early PGC has a much lower risk for LNM than early DGC.

Risk factors for recurrence in T1-2N0 gastric cancer in the United States and China

INTRODUCTION

Recurrence patterns after curative intent gastrectomy for T1-2N0 gastric adenocarcinoma are poorly defined. We sought to assess timing, patterns, and risk factors for recurrence in patients treated at two high-volume gastric cancer centers in the United States and China.

METHODS

Between 1995 and 2011, 1,058 patients underwent curative intent gastrectomy. Recurrences were classified as locoregional, distant, or peritoneal. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for recurrence.

RESULTS

Overall, 7% (76) of our 1,058 patients from the United States (n = 414) and China (n = 644) recurred. Liver (43%) was the most common site of recurrence in both countries (US: 24%, China: 52%), followed by peritoneum (16%), lymph nodes (10%), and anastomosis (8%). Median time to recurrence was 23 months (US: 30 months, China: 23 months), which decreased with increasing T-stage (T1a: 27 months, T1b: 24 months, T2: 22 months). Tumor size (P = 0.001), depth of invasion (P = 0.010), histological type (P = 0.022) and lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.001) were independently associated with recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Patients infrequently recur following curative intent gastrectomy for T1-2N0 gastric adenocarcinoma. Almost all recurrences occur between six months and 3 years post-operatively, most frequently in distant anatomic locations; selective followup during this time period is recommended. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:745-749. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Relationship Between 18F-FDG Uptake on PET and Recurrence Patterns After Curative Surgical Resection in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer

This study evaluated the predictive value of 18F-FDG PET for distant metastasis-free survival and peritoneal recurrence-free survival as well as recurrence-free survival and overall survival after curative surgical resection in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC).

METHODS

Two hundred seventy-nine patients with AGC who underwent preoperative 18F-FDG PET and subsequent curative surgical resection were included. The tumor-to-normal liver uptake ratio (TLR) of cancer lesions was measured, and the prognostic significance of TLR and tumor factors for distant metastasis-free survival, peritoneal recurrence-free survival, recurrence-free survival, and overall survival was assessed.

RESULTS

The 5-y recurrence-free survival, peritoneal recurrence-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, and overall survival rates were 46.9%, 68.5%, 76.0%, and 58.1%, respectively. Depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion, and TLR were independent prognostic factors for both recurrence-free survival and overall survival (P<0.05). For distant metastasis-free survival, lymphovascular invasion and TLR were independent risk factors (P<0.05). In patients with a TLR of 2.0 or less, the 5-y distant metastasis-free survival rate was 95.5%; in patients with a TLR greater than 2.0, the 5-y distant metastasis-free survival rate was 68.8%. For peritoneal recurrence-free survival, TLR showed no statistical significance (P=0.7) whereas pT stage, lymph node metastasis, Lauren classification, and Bormann type were independent prognostic factors (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

18F-FDG uptake of AGC is an independent prognostic factor for distant metastasis-free survival, recurrence-free survival, and overall survival. The possibility of distant metastasis during follow-up should be considered in patients with high 18F-FDG uptake.

Factors associated with early recurrence after curative surgery for gastric cancer

AIM: To characterize patterns of gastric cancer recurrence and patient survival and to identify predictors of early recurrence after surgery.

METHODS: Clinicopathological data for 417 consecutive patients who underwent curative resection for gastric cancer were retrospectively analyzed. Tumor and node status was reclassified according to the 7^th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer tumor-node-metastasis classification for carcinoma of the stomach. Survival data came from both the patients’ follow-up records and telephone follow-ups. Recurrent gastric cancer was diagnosed based on clinical imaging, gastroscopy with biopsy, and/or cytological examination of ascites, or intraoperative findings in patients who underwent reoperation. Predictors of early recurrence were compared in patients with pT1 and pT2-4a stage tumors. Pearson’s χ² test and Fisher’s exact test were used to compare differences between categorical variables. Survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared via the log-rank test. Variables identified as potentially important for early recurrence using univariate analysis were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: Of 417 gastric cancer patients, 80 (19.2%) were diagnosed with early gastric cancer and the remaining 337 (80.8%) were diagnosed with locally advanced gastric cancer. After a median follow-up period of 56 mo, 194 patients (46.5%) experienced recurrence. The mean time from curative surgery to recurrence in these 194 patients was 24 ± 18 mo (range, 1-84 mo). Additionally, of these 194 patients, 129 (66.5%) experienced recurrence within 2 years after surgery. There was no significant difference in recurrence patterns between early and late recurrence (P < 0.05 each). For pT1 stage gastric cancer, tumor size (P = 0.011) and pN stage (P = 0.048) were associated with early recurrence of gastric tumors. Patient age, pT stage, pN stage, Lauren histotype, lymphovascular invasion, intraoperative chemotherapy, and postoperative chemotherapy were independent predictors of early recurrence in patients with pT2-4a stage gastric cancer (P < 0.05 each).

CONCLUSION: Age, pT stage, pN stage, Lauren histotype, lymphovascular invasion, intraoperative chemotherapy, and postoperative chemotherapy are independent factors influencing early recurrence of pT2-4a stage gastric cancer.

Gastric stump carcinoma after distal subtotal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer: experience of 541 patients with long-term follow-up

BACKGROUND

Gastric stump carcinoma (GSC) has been studied after primary gastrectomy for benign disease but few studies have evaluated its correlation with gastric cancer.

PATIENTS

We assessed 541 patients submitted to subtotal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer at least 15 years ago.

RESULTS

GSC was diagnosed in 16 (2.9%) patients, giving a 4% cumulative risk of GSC 20 years after surgery. Diagnosis was made within 5 years of surgery in 10 patients and after 8 years in 6 cases. GSC occurred in 13/470 (2.8%) patients submitted to Billroth 2 reconstruction, 2/30 (6.7%) patients who underwent Billroth 1, and 1/41 (2.4%) patients after Roux-en-Y reconstruction. Significant risk factors observed for GSC were histologic type and sex. Other synchronous or metachronous extragastric tumors were registered in 56 (11.2%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of GSC was low, even 20 years after subtotal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer. Lauren intestinal histotype and male sex were frequently associated with GSC. No correlation was observed between GSC and reconstruction technique or multifocality. Clinically speaking, GSC could be considered a subset of gastric cancer.

Diagnosis and evaluation of gastric cancer by positron emission tomography

Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. The diagnosis of gastric cancer has been significantly improved with the broad availability of gastrointestinal endoscopy. Effective technologies for accurate staging and quantitative evaluation are still in demand to merit reasonable treatment and better prognosis for the patients presented with advanced disease. Preoperative staging using conventional imaging tools, such as computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic ultrasonography, is inadequate. Positron emission tomography (PET), using ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) as a tracer and integrating CT for anatomic localization, holds a promise to detect unsuspected metastasis and has been extensively used in a variety of malignancies. However, the value of FDG PET/CT in diagnosis and evaluation of gastric cancer is still controversial. This article reviews the current literature in diagnosis, staging, response evaluation, and relapse monitoring of gastric cancer, and discusses the current understanding, improvement, and future prospects in this area.

Prediction of peritoneal recurrence by the mRNA level of CEA and MMP-7 in peritoneal lavage of gastric cancer patients

A number of tumor markers had been reported to be useful in detecting free cancer cells in the peritoneal cavity and predict peritoneal recurrence in gastric cancer patients. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical impact of different tumor markers in peritoneal lavage fluid using the real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique and to screen the most effective ones from them. The peritoneal lavage fluid of 116 patients with gastric cancer was sampled at laparotomy. After RNA extraction and reverse transcription, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using the primers and probes for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin-20, matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), carbohydrate antigen 125, and transforming growth factor-beta-1. Among the 116 patients, 45 (38.8%) were confirmed to have peritoneal recurrence. Any of the PCR-positive results of the five tumor markers could predict peritoneal recurrence in the univariate analysis (P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the PCR results of CEA (P = 0.003) and MMP-7 (P = 0.028) were found to be independent prognostic factors. A real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis of the CEA and MMP-7 transcripts in peritoneal lavage fluid could effectively predict peritoneal recurrence in advanced gastric cancer patients who underwent a potentially curative resection.

Clivus metastasis from gastric signet ring cell carcinoma after a 10-year disease-free interval--case report

A 64-year-old male presented with an extremely unusual case of solitary clivus metastasis from gastric cancer manifesting as mild headache and diplopia 10 years after radical excision of the primary tumor. The patient underwent surgical resection using an endoscopic transsphenoidal approach. Histological examination revealed typical signet ring cell carcinoma (SRC) which was identical to that of the previous gastric cancer. Why the late recurrence occurred such a long time after the first surgery and how it spread to the clivus remain unclear. The characteristics of SRC and the process of "tumor dormancy" may have been involved in the mechanism underlying late metastasis.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis

Several gastrointestinal and gynecological malignancies have the potential to disseminate and grow in the peritoneal cavity. The occurrence of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) has been shown to significantly decrease overall survival in patients with liver and/or extraperitoneal metastases from gastrointestinal cancer. During the last three decades, the understanding of the biology and pathways of dissemination of tumors with intraperitoneal spread, and the understanding of the protective function of the peritoneal barrier against tumoral seeding, has prompted the concept that PC is a loco-regional disease: in absence of other systemic metastases, multimodal approaches combining aggressive cytoreductive surgery, intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy and systemic chemotherapy have been proposed and are actually considered promising methods to improve loco-regional control of the disease, and ultimately to increase survival. The aim of this review article is to present the evidence on treatment of PC in different tumors, in order to provide patients with a proper surgical and multidisciplinary treatment focused on optimal control of their locoregional disease.

Clinical experience of 528 laparoscopic gastrectomies on gastric cancer in a single institution

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) for locally advanced gastric cancer (AGC) as well as early gastric cancer (EGC) has gradually gained popularity. However, long-term experiences of LG for AGC as well as EGC rarely have been reported.

METHODS

A total of 528 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled in the study, and clinical experiences of LG were evaluated.

RESULTS

The study included 332 men and 196 women. The mean age was 61.3 ± 11.8 years. Of the 528 patients, 432 underwent distal gastrectomy, 87 had a total gastrectomy, and 9 had a proximal gastrectomy. There were 198 T1a, 139 T1b, 63 T2, 83 T3, and 45 T4a lesions. In 127 patients, lymph node metastasis was observed, and the rate of it was 1.5% in T1a, 12.2% in T1b, 34.9% in T2, 59.0% in T3, and 80.0% in T4a. The median follow-up period was 24 months (range, 1-83 months). The 5-year survival and disease-free survival rates according to the stage of tumor were 99.3% and 97.8% in stage I, 95.4% and 89.7% in stage II, and 44.4% and 31.3% in stage III, respectively. Operation related morbidities occurred in 45 patients, and there were 2 mortalities. Tumors recurred in 36 patients consisting of 2 in T1a, 2 T1b, 2 T2, 12 T3, and 18 T4a. Carcinomatosis peritonei was observed most commonly.

CONCLUSION

In our experience, oncologic results and the safety of LG for EGC and serosa-negative AGC were acceptable. This treatment may be considered as an alternative operative approach.

Management strategies for locoregional recurrence in early-stage gastric cancer: retrospective analysis and comprehensive literature review

OBJECTIVE

To present a comprehensive account and literature review addressing the anatomical distribution, natural history, and management strategies for locoregional recurrence in early-stage gastric cancer (EGC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective chart review of patients presenting with EGC recurrence at King Hussein Cancer Center (Amman, Jordan) between July 2006 and May 2009. A literature review of publications addressing recurrence following surgery for EGC was undertaken via a systematic search of PUBMED database and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline updates.

RESULTS

Seventeen patients presented with EGC, three of whom (17.6%) were pathologically staged as T2N1 [1/33 lymph nodes (LNs)], T1N0, and T1N0 were afflicted by recurrence following R0 partial gastrectomy. Literature review yielded 18 studies specifically addressing recurrence in EGC. Several management strategies have been proposed for isolated recurrence following gastrectomy in EGC. NCCN clinical practice guideline updates do not take into consideration whether the recurrence is isolated or widespread and whether the initial stage is early or advanced.

CONCLUSIONS

While acknowledging the limitations of this study, including the small sample size and the short follow-up period, it appears clear that oncologic treatment is possible for EGC recurrence, particularly, in patients with isolated relapse. Guideline updates should differentiate between management strategies suitable for recurrence occurring in early versus advanced initial cancer stage.

Role of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in the prediction of gastric cancer recurrence after curative surgical resection

PURPOSE

The study evaluated the role of preoperative (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT in the prediction of recurrent gastric cancer after curative surgical resection.

METHODS

A total of 271 patients with gastric cancer who underwent (18)F-FDG PET/CT and subsequent curative surgical resection were enrolled. All patients underwent follow-up for cancer recurrence with a mean duration of 24 ± 12 months. (18)F-FDG PET/CT images were visually assessed and, in patients with positive (18)F-FDG cancer uptake, the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV(max)) of cancer lesions was measured. (18)F-FDG PET/CT findings were tested as prognostic factors for cancer recurrence and compared with conventional prognostic factors. Furthermore, (18)F-FDG PET/CT findings were assessed as prognostic factors according to histopathological subtypes.

RESULTS

Of 271 patients, 47 (17 %) had a recurrent event. Positive (18)F-FDG cancer uptake was shown in 149 patients (55 %). Tumour size, depth of invasion, presence of lymph node metastasis, positive (18)F-FDG uptake and SUV(max) were significantly associated with tumour recurrence in univariate analysis, while only depth of invasion, positive (18)F-FDG uptake and SUV(max) had significance in multivariate analysis. The 24-month recurrence-free survival rate was significantly higher in patients with negative (18)F-FDG uptake (95 %) than in those with positive (18)F-FDG uptake (74 %; p < 0.0001). In subgroup analysis, (18)F-FDG uptake was a significant prognostic factor in patients with tubular adenocarcinoma (p = 0.003) or poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (p = 0.0001). However, only marginal significance was shown in patients with signet-ring cell carcinoma and mucinous carcinoma (p = 0.05).

CONCLUSION

(18)F-FDG uptake of gastric cancer is an independent and significant prognostic factor for tumour recurrence. (18)F-FDG PET/CT could provide effective information on the prognosis after surgical resection of gastric cancer, especially in tubular adenocarcinoma and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma.

Long-term oncologic outcomes of 714 consecutive laparoscopic gastrectomies for gastric cancer: results from the 7-year experience of a single institute

BACKGROUND

Although many reports have indicated the feasibility of laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) regarding short-term surgical outcomes, the role of LG remains controversial because studies of long-term outcomes of LG are insufficient. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term oncologic outcomes of patients who have undergone LG.

METHODS

Between May 2003 and December 2009, 714 consecutive patients underwent LG for gastric cancer. After excluding operative mortality (n = 4) and a case of Krukenberg tumor that was not identified at the time of surgery (n = 1), a total of 709 patients were analyzed for long-term oncologic outcomes. Gastric cancer cases were analyzed according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer classification (seventh edition). Overall survival and relapse-free survival were estimated by using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 46.2 months. Postoperative recurrence was observed in 26 patients (3.7%). The instances of recurrence were as follows: seven peritoneal, six locoregional, five hematogenous, four distant lymph nodes, and four mixed recurrence. There were neither port-site nor wound site metastases. The 5-year relapse-free survival rates were: 95.8% in stage I, 83.4% in stage II, and 46.4% in stage III. Five-year overall survival rates were: 96.4% in stage I, 83.1% in stage II, and 50.2% in stage III. The independent risk factors for recurrence were T stage and N stage. For survival, age, T stage, and N stage were statistically independent prognostic factors

CONCLUSIONS

Our single-center study of a large patient series revealed that LG for gastric cancer had acceptable long-term oncologic outcomes comparable to those of conventional open surgery.

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for gastric and colorectal cancer in Mainland China

AIM: To investigate the current status of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) management, as well as the usage of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in mainland China.

METHODS: A potentially curative therapeutic strategy for selecting patients with PC, known as “Techniques”, consists of CRS in combination with HIPEC. A systemic search of published works and clinical trials was performed. Additional papers were retrieved by cross-checking references and obtaining information from Chinese oncologists and relevant conferences. One hundred and one papers and one registered clinical trial on HIPEC were included.

RESULTS: A literature review identified 86 hospitals in 25 out of all 31 areas of mainland China that perform HIPEC. The earliest report included in our survey was published in 1993. Different approaches to HIPEC have been utilized, i.e. palliative, prophylactic, and possibly curative treatment. Only one center has consistently performed HIPEC according to the “Sugarbaker Protocol”, which involves evaluating the extent of PC with peritoneal cancer index and the results of CRS with the completeness of cytoreduction. Positive preliminary results were reported: 7 of 21 patients with PC survived, free of tumors, during an 8-43-mo follow-up period. Hyperthermic strategies that include HIPEC have been practiced for a long time in mainland China, whereas the “Sugarbaker Protocol/Techniques” has been only rarely implemented in China. The Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International hosts a biannual workshop with the intent to train more specialists in this field and provide support for the construction of quality treatment centers, especially in developing countries like China, whose population is huge and has a dramatically increased incidence of cancer.

CONCLUSION: To popularize Sugarbaker Protocol/Techniques in mainland China in PC management arising from gastric cancer or colorectal cancer will be the responsibility of the upcoming Chinese Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group.

Risk of recurrence after laparoscopy-assisted radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer performed by a single surgeon

BACKGROUND

The risk of recurrence after laparoscopy-assisted radical gastrectomy (LAG) was investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical data of 398 consecutive patients who underwent radical gastrectomy with R0 resection for gastric cancer at Gyeongsang National University Hospital between January 2005 and December 2007 were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Of the patients, 65.4% (n = 261) and 34.6% (n = 138) underwent LAG and open radical gastrectomy (OG), respectively. Of the LAG cases, 73.2% (n = 192), 10.7% (n = 28), 12.6% (n = 33), and 3.1% (n = 8) had stage I, II, III, and IV gastric cancer, respectively. All patients were followed up for a mean of 36.8 ± 13.7 months, and 14.6% (n = 58) had recurrence during the follow-up period. Univariate analysis revealed that tumor size, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, method of approach (LAG versus OG), and operation type were associated significantly with recurrence. Multivariate analysis revealed that only high TNM stage was significantly associated with recurrence (P = 0.00). While patients who underwent OG had higher incidence of recurrence than patients who underwent LAG, OG was not significantly associated with recurrence on multivariate analysis (P = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

LAG and OG did not differ significantly in terms of recurrence, even when used in advanced gastric cancer cases. Multivariate analysis revealed that high TNM stage was significantly associated with recurrence. Thus, LAG appears to be a safe and feasible procedure that has the potential to be an alternative to open surgery, even for advanced gastric cancer.

Early detection of recurrence after endoscopic treatment for early gastric cancer

OBJECTIVE

Although there have been many reports regarding clinical outcomes of endoscopic treatment for early gastric cancer (EGC), little is known about detection of recurrence after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). This study aims to clarify the clinical value of serological marker or imaging tools, including conventional CT and PET-CT scans, in detecting recurrent gastric cancer after ESD in Korea.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From July 2004 to March 2008, 212 patients who had received ESD for EGC were enrolled in the study. For preoperative staging, conventional CT and PET-CT scans were performed in 141 patients, and for detection of recurrence of cancer, conventional CT, PET-CT scans and tumour marker; CEA, CA19-9, AFP were checked in 165 patients.

RESULTS

The local recurrence rate was 4.7% (10/212) during the study period. At 9 months after endoscopic treatment, 3 cases recurred. Four showed recurrence at 12 months, 2 at 18 months and 1 at 24 months. The positive rate was 7.1% (10/141) in conventional CT and 0% (0/24) in PET-CT scans for preoperative staging. Conventional CT and PET-CT scans could not detect local recurrence of cancer during the follow-up period. Tumour markers did not show any significant correlation with recurrence of cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggests that conventional CT, PET-CT scans and tumour marker have no role in the primary surveillance of early gastric cancer and/or in detecting recurrence after endoscopic treatment. For early diagnosis of recurrence after endoscopic treatment, a biopsy specimen from the endoscopic examination has to be obtained at regular intervals.

Recurrence following laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a multicenter retrospective analysis of 1,417 patients

BACKGROUND

The risk of recurrence and recurrence patterns after laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy for gastric cancer remain unclear. The objective of this study is to assess recurrence and its timing, patterns, and risk factors following laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy from multicenter data.

METHODS

A retrospective multicenter study was performed using data from 1,485 patients who had undergone laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy for gastric cancer at ten institutions from 1998 to 2005. Recurrence and its timing and patterns were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for recurrence.

RESULTS

Excluding 68 patients (9 postoperative mortalities, 1 synchronous distant metastasis, 2 nonadenocarcinomas, and 56 losses to follow-up), 50 of 1,417 patients (3.5%) had recurrences. Incidence of recurrence was 1.6% (19/1186) in early gastric cancer and 13.4% (31/231) in advanced gastric cancer. Recurrence occurred in 34 of 50 patients (68.0%) within 2 years of surgery, and in 45 of 50 patients (90.0%) within 3 years. The recurrence pattern was hematogenous in 17 patients (34.0%), peritoneal in 11 (22.0%), locoregional in 10 (20.0%), distant lymph nodes in 2 (4.0%), and mixed in 10 (20.0%). Advanced T-classification and lymph node metastases were risk factors for recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy showed satisfactory long-term oncologic outcomes similar to those of open surgery. The study provides additional evidence suggesting that laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy is a good alternative to open gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer of relatively early stage, although results of a randomized controlled trial and more long-term follow-up are needed to provide conclusive evidence.

Clinicopathological characteristics and predictive markers of early gastric cancer with recurrence

Early gastric cancer (EGC) is a "curable" disease with a high cure rate made possible through proper surgical treatment; nonetheless, some patients sustain a disease recurrence after curative resection. The aim of this study was to identify the clinicopathological characteristics of recurrent EGC and determine predictable immunohistochemical markers for recurrence. We investigated the clinicopathological features of 1,786 EGC cases, and using tissue microarray, the expression of c-erbB-2, EGFR, MLH1, MSH2, p53, and AQP1 was examined in group with recurrence and control group without recerrence. In the clinical analysis, 32 of 1,786 (1.79%) patients showed recurrence, with a 2.04% five-year cumulative recurrence rate. Age, submucosal invasion, and lymph node metastasis significantly correlated with tumor recurrence (P=0.044, 0.019, and <0.001, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed lymph node status and old age (>or=57 yr) as independent risk factors of recurrence. In a case-control study, immunopositivity for c-erbB-2 was significantly associated with disease recurrence (P=0.024). There is the probability that EGC patients with old age (>or=57 yr), lymph node metastasis, submucosal invasion, and c-erbB-2 immunopositivity will experience recurrence; therefore, it is critical that patients with these risk factors be followed-up closely and considered candidates for adjuvant treatment.