Impact of Postoperative Complication and Completion of Multimodality Therapy on Survival in Patients Undergoing Gastrectomy for Advanced Gastric Cancer

A LASSO Cox Regression Predictive Model for Patients Undergoing Surgery for Pancreatic Body and Tail Adenocarcinoma Patients: Comparative Long-Term Survival Analysis of Radical Antegrade Modular Pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS) and Standard Retrograde Pancreatosplenectomy (SPRS)

PURPOSE

This study was designed to assess the advantages of radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS) over standard retrograde pancreatosplenectomy (SPRS) in terms of disease-free survival (DFS) by comparing clinical outcomes.

METHODS

Clinical data from 154 patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital between January 2015 and August 2018 were collected. We compared the preoperative conditions, postoperative complications, and survival outcomes of patients who underwent two different surgical procedures. By creating a LASSO-Cox model, we determined the parameters affecting DFS and the risk ratios of the two surgical procedures on DFS.

RESULTS

The R0 resection rate (85.23% vs. 68.18%, P = 0.003), negative posterior margin rate (96.59% vs. 75.76%, P < 0.001), and tumor bed recurrence rate (15.29% vs. 40.00%, P = 0.001) significantly differed between the RAMPS and SPRS groups. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival and DFS rates of the RAMPS group were significantly better than those of the SPRS group (P < 0.05). Disease-free survival analysis based on Kaplan-Meier curves revealed that RAMPS was superior to SPRS (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend RAMPS as the preferred procedure for treating ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic body and tail due to its enhanced lymph node repair capacity and visualization of posterior pancreatic sections, which can increase DFS in patients.

Impact of postoperative complications on gastric cancer survival

BACKGROUND

Long-term implications of postoperative complications, particularly non-cancer-related mortality in patients with gastric cancer following gastrectomy, remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the impact of these complications on non-cancer-related deaths.

METHODS

A cohort of 236 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer in a Japanese hospital was divided based on complications classified as Clavien-Dindo grade II or higher. The Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank tests, and Cox hazard ratio analysis were used to evaluate recurrence-free survival and overall survival and to identify complications and survival predictors.

RESULTS

Delirium was the most common complication (21 of 52 patients). A significant difference was observed in the overall survival (with complications, 3-year: 58.1% and 5-year: 51.6%; without complications, 3-year: 82.3% and 5-year: 73.6%; P < .001) but not in recurrence-free survival (with complications, 3-year: 77.8% and 5-year: 77.8%; without complications, 3-year: 87.5% and 5-year: 85.2%). Non-cancer-related deaths, predominantly resulting from pneumonia, were more prevalent in the complications group than in the noncomplications group. Factors, including high American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status scores, blood transfusion, open surgery, male sex, total gastrectomy, and a history of neurologic/psychiatric disease, were independently associated with decreased overall survival.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative complications affect long-term prognosis, resulting in decreased overall survival and increased noncancer mortality. Proactive strategies, including optimizing preoperative management, preventing complications, and postdischarge interventions, are essential, with a focus on pulmonary disease prevention to improve prognosis after gastrectomy.

Survival Outcomes in Patients with Resectable Gastric Cancer Treated with Total Neoadjuvant Therapy

BACKGROUND

Perioperative chemotherapy has become the standard of care for locally advanced gastric cancer. Total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT), including both chemotherapy and chemoradiation, is utilized in other gastrointestinal malignancies. We determined survival in a contemporary cohort of gastric cancer patients treated with TNT.

METHODS

Using a prospective institutional database, patients diagnosed with cT2-4 or cN+ gastric adenocarcinoma (January 2012 to June 2022) who underwent staging laparoscopy, received TNT, and underwent gastrectomy were identified. Overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were determined using standard statistical methods.

RESULTS

The study included 203 patients. The most common TNT sequence was induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation (n = 186 [91.6%]). A total of 195 (96.1%) patients completed planned neoadjuvant treatments. Surgery included total gastrectomy in 108 (53.2%), extended (D1+/D2) lymphadenectomy in 193 (95.1%), and adjacent organ resection in 19 (9.4%) patients. Pathologic complete response (pCR) was achieved in 32 (15.8%) patients. The 5-year OS rate was 65.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 57.8-73.5%), and the 5-year DSS rate was 70.8% (95% CI 63.6-78.9%) in the study cohort. Among patients with pCR, the 5-year OS rate was 89.1% (95% CI 78.1-100.0%), and the 5-year DSS rate was 96.9% (95% CI 91-100%). Posttreatment pathologic N and M stages were the strongest prognostic indicators associated with both OS and DSS.

CONCLUSIONS

Total neoadjuvant therapy for resectable gastric cancer is associated with a high rate of treatment completion and promising survival outcomes. Prospective comparisons with perioperative treatment are needed to identify patients most likely to benefit from TNT.

Short-term outcomes of distal gastrectomy versus total gastrectomy for gastric cancer under enhanced recovery after surgery: a propensity score-matched analysis

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) has been used safely and effectively in patients with gastric cancer. Our aim was to evaluate the short-term outcomes of total gastrectomy (TG) versus distal gastrectomy (DG) for gastric cancer under ERAS. A prospectively collected database of 1349 patients with gastric cancer who underwent TG or DG between January 2016 and September 2022 was retrospectively analyzed. Propensity score matching analysis was used at a ratio of 1:1 to reduce confounding effects, and perioperative clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. The primary outcome was overall postoperative complications (POCs). Secondary outcomes comprised time to bowel function recovery, postoperative hospital stay, mortality, and 30-day readmission rate. Of 1349 identified patients, 296 (21.9%) experienced overall POCs. Before matching, multivariable analysis revealed that age, body mass index, diabetes, operation time, and extent of gastrectomy were independent risk factors for overall POCs. After matching, each group comprised 495 patients, and no significant differences were observed between the groups for all parameters except tumor location. Compared with TG, DG was associated with significantly earlier days to first flatus and to eating a soft diet, and shorter postoperative hospital stay (P < 0.05). The incidence of overall- and severe POCs (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ IIIa) in the TG group was significantly higher vs. the DG group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of days to eating a liquid diet, or mortality and 30-day readmission rates between the groups (P > 0.05). In the subgroup analysis for middle-third gastric cancer, the TG group experienced higher rates of overall- and severe POCs, with a longer postoperative hospital stay. Compared with DG, patients who underwent TG had higher POC rates, slower recovery of bowel function, and longer duration of hospitalization under ERAS. Therefore, caution is needed when initiating early feeding for patients who undergo TG.

Textbook oncological outcomes and prognosis after curative gastrectomy in advanced gastric cancer: A multicenter study

BACKGROUND

The impact of achieving textbook oncological outcome (TOO) as a multimodal therapy quality indicator on the prognosis of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) remains inadequately assessed.

METHODS

Patients with AGC who underwent curative gastrectomy between January 2010 and December 2017 at two East Asian medical centers were included. TOO was defined as achieving the textbook outcome (TO) and receiving neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant chemotherapy (NCT or ACT). Cox and logistic regression models were used to identify prognostic and non-TOO-associated risk factors.

RESULTS

Among 3626 patients, 57.6% achieved TOO (TOO group), exhibiting significantly better 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) than the non-TOO group (both p < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression identified TOO as an independent prognostic factor for 5-year OS (HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.61-0.74; p < 0.001) and DFS (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.66-0.81; p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression showed that open gastrectomy, lack of health insurance, age ≥65 years, ASA score ≥ Ⅲ, and tumor size ≥50 mm are independent risk factors for non-achievement of TOO (all p < 0.05). On a sensitivity analysis of TOO's prognostic value using varying definitions of chemotherapy parameters, a stricter definition of chemotherapy resulted in a decrease in the TOO achievement rate from 57.6 to 22.3%. However, the associated reductions in the risk of death and recurrence fluctuated within the ranges of 33-39% and 28-37%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

TOO is a reliable and stable metric for favorable prognosis in AGC. Optimizing the surgical approach and improving health insurance status may enhance TOO achievement.

Postoperative infectious complications worsen oncologic outcomes following pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remains the only curative option for patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Infectious complications (IC) can negatively impact patient outcomes and delay adjuvant therapy in most patients. This study aims to determine IC effect on overall survival (OS) following PD for PDAC.

STUDY DESIGN

Patients who underwent PD for PDAC between 2010 and 2020 were identified from a single institutional database. Patients were categorized into two groups based on whether they experienced IC or not. The relationship between postoperative IC and OS was investigated using Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Among 655 patients who underwent PD for PDAC, 197 (30%) experienced a postoperative IC. Superficial wound infection was the most common type of infectious complication (n = 125, 63.4%). Patients with IC had significantly more minor complications (Clavien-Dindo [CD] < 3; [59.4% vs. 40.2%, p < 0.001]), major complications (CD ≥ 3; [37.6% vs. 18.8%, p < 0.001]), prolonged LOS (47.2% vs 20.3%, p < 0.001), biochemical leak (6.1% vs. 2.8%, p = 0.046), postoperative bleeding (4.1% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.026) and reoperation (9.6% vs. 2.2%, p < 0.001). Time to adjuvant chemotherapy was delayed in patients with IC versus those without (10 vs. 8 weeks, p < 0.001). Median OS for patients who experienced no complication, noninfectious complication, and infectious complication was 33.3 months, 29.06 months, and 27.58 months respectively (p = 0.023). On multivariate analysis, postoperative IC were an independent predictor of worse OS (HR 1.32, p = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

IC following PD for PDAC independently predict worse oncologic outcomes. Thus, efforts to prevent and manage IC should be a priority in the care of patients undergoing PD for PDAC.

Prognostic Value of Postoperative Complication for Gastric Cancer

Background: The incidence of complications in gastric cancer (GC) patients after surgery was increasing, and it was not clear whether postoperative complications would have an impact on prognosis. The current study attempted to investigate the role of postoperative complication for prognosis on GC patients undergoing radical resection. Materials and Methods: Eligible studies were searched in three databases, including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, in accordance with the searching strategy on September 4th, 2022. The survival values were most concerned; then, hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled up. All prognostic values, including overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS), were allowed. Subgroup analysis based on complication types was used for further in-depth research. Results: A total of 29 studies involving 33,858 patients were included in this study. Intra-abdominal abscess (19.4%) was the most common complications in the included studies, followed by anastomotic leakage (17.0%) and pneumonia (16.4%). There were 23, 4, 6, and 10 studies that reported OS, DFS, DSS, and RFS, respectively. After analysis, postoperative complication was found to be an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR = 1.52, I2 = 1.14%, 95% CI = 1.42-1.61, P = .00), DFS (HR = 1.71, I2 = 0.00%,95% CI = 1.44-1.98, P < .05), DSS (HR = 1.60, I2 = 54.58%, 95% CI = 1.26-1.93, P < .1), and RFS (HR = 1.26, I2 = 0.00%, 95% CI = 1.11-1.41, P < .05). Subgroup analysis found that noninfectious complication was not significantly associated with OS (HR = 1.39, I2 = 0.00%, 95% CI = 0.96-1.82, P > .05). Conclusion: Surgeons needed to pay more attention to GC patients who developed postoperative complications, especially infectious complications, and take proactive management to improve the prognosis.

Nomogram to predict overall survival of patients receiving radical gastrectomy and incomplete peri-operative adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II/III gastric cancer: a retrospective bi-center cohort study

BACKGROUND

To establish a nomogram to predict the probability of survival of patients with stage II/III gastric cancer (GC) who received incomplete peri-operative adjuvant chemotherapy (PAC).

METHODS

The medical records of stage II/III GC patients who received curative resection and 1 to 5 cycles of PAC from two tertiary hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were randomly classified into either a training group or validation group at a ratio of 7:3. The nomogram was constructed based on various prognostic factors using Cox regression analysis in the training cohort, and was validated by the validation group. Concordance index and calibration curves were used to evaluate the discrimination and calibration of the nomogram. Additionally, decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to compare the net clinical benefits of the nomogram and eighth version of TNM staging system.

RESULTS

A total of 1,070 consecutive patients were included and 749 patients were enrolled into the training group. Lower body mass index (< 18.5 kg/m2), total gastrectomy, stage III disease and fewer cycles of PAC were identified to be independent predictors for poorer survival. The area under the curve (AUC) values of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve predicting 5-year survival probabilities and C-index were 0.768 and 0.742, 0.700 (95%CI: 0.674-0.726) and 0.689 (95%CI: 0.646-0.732) in the training and validation groups, respectively. The calibration curves in the validation cohort showed good agreement between the prediction and observation of 1-, 3- and 5-year survival probabilities. Furthermore, DCA showed that our model has a better net benefit than that of TNM staging system.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings emphasize the value of completing PAC. The nomogram which was established to predict survival probability in patients with stage II/III GC receiving radical gastrectomy and incomplete PAC had good accuracy and was verified through both internal and external validation.

Relation between frailty and adverse outcomes in elderly patients with gastric cancer: a scoping review

Background

Playing an exemplary role, frailty have crucial effect on the preoperative evaluation of elderly patients. Previous studies have shown that frailty is associated with complications and mortality in patients with gastric cancer (GC). However, with the development of the concept of "patient-centered", the range of health-related outcomes is broad. The differences in relation between frailty and various adverse outcomes will be further explored.

Method

The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang, and Chinese Biomedical Literature databases were searched for keywords, including frailty (such as frail) and gastric cancer (such as stomach neoplasms or stomach cancer or gastrectomy or gastric surgery). The search period is until August 2023. The included studies were observational or cohort studies with postoperative related adverse outcomes as primary or secondary outcome measures. Valid assessment tools were used. The Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-sectional Studies was used to assess methodological quality in the included literature.

Result

Fifteen studies were included, including 4 cross-sectional studies, 8 retrospective cohort studies, and 3 prospective cohort studies. Among them, 6 studies were rated as "Good" and 9 studies were rated as "Fair," indicating that the quality of the literature was high. Then, 10 frailty assessment tools were summarized and classified into two broad categories in accordance with frailty models. Results of the included studies indicated that frailty in elderly patients with GC was associated with postoperative complications, mortality, hospital days, readmissions, quality of life, non-home discharge, and admission to the intensive care unit.

Conclusion

This scoping review concludes that high levels of preoperative frailty increase the risk of adverse outcomes in elderly patients with GC. Frailty will be widely used in the future clinical evaluation of elderly gastric cancer patients, precise risk stratification should be implemented for patients, and frailty management should be implemented well to reduce the occurrence of adverse treatment outcomes.

Risk factors for abdominal surgical infectious complications after distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer: A post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial (JCOG0912)

BACKGROUND

Abdominal surgical infectious complications (ASIC) after gastrectomy for gastric cancer impair patients' survival and quality of life. JCOG0912 was conducted to compare laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy with open distal gastrectomy for clinical stage IA or IB gastric cancer. The present study aimed to identify risk factors for ASIC using prospectively collected data.

METHODS

We performed a post-hoc analysis of the risk factors for ASIC using the dataset from JCOG0912. All complications were evaluated according to the Clavien-Dindo classification (CD). ASIC was defined as CD grade I or higher anastomotic leakage, pancreatic fistula, abdominal abscess, and wound infection. Analyses were performed using the logistic regression model for univariable and multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 910 patients were included (median age, 63 years; male sex, 61 %). Among them, ASIC occurred in 5.8 % of patients. In the univariable analysis, male sex (odds ratio [OR] 2.855, P = 0.003), diabetes (OR 2.565, P = 0.029), and Roux-en-Y (R-Y) reconstruction (vs. Billroth Ⅰ, OR 2.707, P = 0.002) were significant risk factors for ASIC. In the multivariable analysis, male sex (OR 2.364, P = 0.028) and R-Y reconstruction (vs. Billroth Ⅰ, OR 2.310, P = 0.015) were independent risk factors for ASIC.

CONCLUSIONS

Male sex and R-Y reconstruction were risk factors for ASIC after distal gastrectomy. Therefore, when performing surgery on male patients or when R-Y reconstruction is selected after gastrectomy for gastric cancer, surgeons should pay special attention to prevent ASIC.

Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC), Oncological Outcomes and Long-Term Survival among Patients with Gastric Cancer and Limited Peritoneal Disease Progression after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

INTRODUCTION

The role of surgery in stage IV gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis (PM) remains unclear. The objective of the current single-center study was to define the impact of gastrectomy with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) on outcomes among Central European GC patients with limited peritoneal disease progression after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

METHODS

Patients with histologically confirmed GC who underwent curative-intent multimodal treatment between 2013 and 2023 were included. Patients without adenocarcinoma, who did not undergo gastrectomy, had early (cT1) or metastatic GC at the time of initial diagnosis, who underwent multivisceral resection, incomplete cytoreduction or palliative care, died before planned curative-intent treatment, or had incomplete clinical or pathological missing information were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 74 patients who underwent curative-intent treatment for GC with PM were included in the final analytic cohort. Patients who underwent gastrectomy with CRS+HIPEC were less likely to achieve TOO (CRS+HIPEC: 28% vs. CRS: 57.1%, p = 0.033) compared with individuals after CRS alone. Specifically, patients who underwent gastrectomy with CRS+HIPEC had a higher likelihood of postoperative complications (CRS+HIPEC: 48% vs. CRS: 20.4%, p = 0.018) and longer hospital LOS (median, CRS+HIPEC: 12 vs. CRS: 10, p = 0.019). While administration of HIPEC did not impact long-term survival (median OS, CRS+HIPEC: 16 months vs. CRS: 12 months, p = 0.55), postoperative complications (median OS, CCI < 30:16 months vs. CCI > 30:5 months, p = 0.024) and ICU stay (median OS, no ICU stay: 16 months vs. ICU stay: 5 months, p = 0.008) were associated with worsened long-term survival among GC patients with PM.

CONCLUSIONS

Data from the current study demonstrated a lack of survival benefit among advanced GC patients with PM undergoing gastrectomy with CRS+HIPEC when compared with individuals after gastrectomy with CRS alone. Administration of perioperative chemotherapy and achievement of TO failed to withstand the peritoneal disease progression during NAC.

Prognostic impact of postoperative infection after resection of biliary malignancy: A multicenter retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of postoperative infections in patients who underwent resection for biliary malignancy, including intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, distal cholangiocarcinoma, gallbladder carcinoma, and carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater.

METHODS

This study was conducted in an 11-center retrospective cohort study. Patients with biliary tract cancer who underwent curative resection between April 2013 and March 2015 at 11 institutions in Japan were enrolled. We analyzed the prevalence of postoperative infection, infection-related factors, and prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Of the total 290 cases, 33 were intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, 60 were perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, 120 were distal cholangiocarcinoma, 55 were gallbladder carcinoma, and 22 were carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. Postoperative infectious complications, including remote infection, were observed in 146 patients (50.3%), and Clavien-Dindo ≥III in 115 patients (39.7%). Postoperative infections occurred more commonly in the patients who received pancreaticoduodenectomy and bile duct resection. Patients with infectious complications had a significantly poorer prognosis than those without (median overall survival 38 months vs 62 months, P = .046). In a diagnosis-specific analysis, although there was no correlation between infectious complications and overall survival in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, distal cholangiocarcinoma, and carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater, infectious complications were a significantly poor prognostic factor in gallbladder carcinoma (P = .031).

CONCLUSION

Postoperative infection after surgery for biliary tract cancer commonly occurred, especially in patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and bile duct resection. Postoperative infection is relatively associated with the prognosis of patients with biliary malignancy, especially gallbladder carcinoma.

Does postoperative pulmonary infection correlate with intestinal flora following gastric cancer surgery? - a nested case-control study

Introduction

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the potential correlation between gut microbes and postoperative pulmonary infection in gastric cancer patients. Additionally, we aimed to deduce the mechanism of differential functional genes in disease progression to gain a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology.

Methods

A nested case-control study design was utilized to enroll patients with gastric cancer scheduled for surgery at West China Hospital of Sichuan University. Patients were categorized into two groups, namely, the pulmonary infection group and the control group, based on the development of postoperative pulmonary infection. Both groups were subjected to identical perioperative management protocols. Fecal samples were collected 24 h postoperatively and upon pulmonary infection diagnosis, along with matched controls. The collected samples were subjected to 16S rDNA and metagenomic analyses, and clinical data and blood samples were obtained for further analysis.

Results

A total of 180 fecal specimens were collected from 30 patients in both the pulmonary infection and control groups for 16S rDNA analysis, and 3 fecal samples from each group were selected for metagenomic analysis. The study revealed significant alterations in the functional genes of the intestinal microbiome in patients with postoperative pulmonary infection in gastric cancer, primarily involving Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Ruminococcus, and Collinsella. During postoperative pulmonary infection, gut flora and inflammatory factors were found to be associated with the lipopolysaccharide synthesis pathway and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) synthesis pathway.

Discussion

The study identified enriched populations of Klebsiella, Escherella, and intestinal bacteria during pulmonary infection following gastric cancer surgery. These bacteria were found to regulate the lipopolysaccharide synthesis pathway, contributing to the initiation and progression of pulmonary infections. Inflammation modulation in patients with postoperative pulmonary infection may be mediated by short-chain fatty acids. The study also revealed that SCFA synthesis pathways were disrupted, affecting inflammation-related immunosuppression pathways. By controlling and maintaining intestinal barrier function, SCFAs may potentially reduce the occurrence of pulmonary infections after gastric cancer surgery. These findings suggest that targeting the gut microbiome and SCFA synthesis pathways may be a promising approach for preventing postoperative pulmonary infections in gastric cancer patients.

Analysis of surgical outcomes and risk factors for anastomotic leakage following trans-hiatal resection of esophagogastric junction cancer

BACKGROUND

The trans-hiatal lower esophagectomy is considered less invasive than the trans-thoracic esophagectomy for resection of esophagogastric junction (EGJ) cancer. However, the optimal procedure remains controversial and should be determined while considering both oncological and safety aspects.

METHODS

This retrospective study comprised 124 patients that underwent curative resection for EGJ cancer. The study analysis included 93 patients with tumor centers located within 2 cm of the EGJ. Clinicopathological findings and surgical outcomes were compared between patients treated using trans-hiatal and trans-thoracic approaches.

RESULTS

Sixty-three patients underwent lower esophagectomy using the trans-hiatal approach (TH-G). The remaining 30 patients underwent esophagectomy using the trans-thoracic approach (TT-E). The TH-G group were older, had a lower prevalence of lymphatic spread, shorter length of esophageal invasion, and shorter operative duration compared to the TT-E group. Although no significant differences in the frequency of postoperative complications, a higher proportion of patients in the TH-G group developed anastomotic leakage (16% vs. 7%, p = 0.33). Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that cardiac comorbidity was an independent risk factor for anastomotic leakage (odds ratio, 5.24; 95% CI, 1.06-25.9; P < 0.05) in TH-G group. Further examination revealed that preoperative cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) with 50% or greater could be surrogate marker as risk factor for anastomotic leakage in TH-G group (35% vs. 7.5%, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The trans-hiatal approach can be used for resection of EGJ cancer. However, special attention should be paid to the prevention of anastomotic leakage in patients with cardiac comorbidities or a large preoperative CTR.

Postoperative complications and prognosis based on type of surgery in ulcerative colitis patients with colorectal cancer: A multicenter observational study of data from the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum

Background

Patients with ulcerative colitis are reported to be at increased risk of colorectal cancer and are also at high risk of postoperative complications. However, the incidence of postoperative complications in these patients and how the type of surgery performed affects prognosis are not well understood.

Methods

Data collected by the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum on ulcerative colitis patients with colorectal cancer between January 1983 and December 2020 were analyzed according to whether total colorectal resection was performed with ileoanal anastomosis (IAA), ileoanal canal anastomosis (IACA), or permanent stoma creation. The incidence of postoperative complications and the prognosis for each surgical technique were investigated.

Results

The incidence of overall complications was not significantly different among the IAA, IACA, and stoma groups (32.7%, 32.3%, and 37.7%, respectively; p = 0.510). The incidence of infectious complications was significantly higher in the stoma group (21.2%) than in the IAA (12.9%) and IACA (14.6%) groups (p = 0.048); however, the noninfectious complication rate was lower in the stoma group (13.7%) than in the IAA (21.1%) and IACA (16.2%) groups (p = 0.088). Five-year relapse-free survival was higher in patients without complications than in those with complications in the IACA group (92.8% vs. 75.2%; p = 0.041) and the stoma group (78.1% vs. 71.2%, p = 0.333) but not in the IAA group (90.3% vs. 90.0%, p = 0.888).

Conclusion

The risks of infectious and noninfectious complications differed according to the type of surgical technique used. Postoperative complications worsened prognosis.

Relationship between laparoscopic total gastrectomy-associated postoperative complications and gastric cancer prognosis

This study aimed to investigate the incidence and prognosis of postoperative complications after laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) for gastric cancer (GC). We retrospectively enrolled 411 patients who underwent curative LTG for GC at seven institutions between January 2004 and December 2018. The patients were divided into two groups, complication group (CG) and non-complication group (non-CG), depending on the presence of serious postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade III [≥ CD IIIa] or higher complications). Short-term outcomes and prognoses were compared between two groups. Serious postoperative complications occurred in 65 (15.8%) patients. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in the median operative time, intraoperative blood loss, number of lymph nodes harvested, or pathological stage; however, the 5-year overall survival (OS; CG 66.4% vs. non-CG 76.8%; p = 0.001), disease-specific survival (DSS; CG 70.1% vs. non-CG 76.2%; p = 0.011), and disease-free survival (CG 70.9% vs. non-CG 80.9%; p = 0.001) were significantly different. The Cox multivariate analysis identified the serious postoperative complications as independent risk factors for 5-year OS (HR 2.143, 95% CI 1.165-3.944, p = 0.014) and DSS (HR 2.467, 95% CI 1.223-4.975, p = 0.011). A significant difference was detected in the median days until postoperative recurrence (CG 223 days vs. non-CG 469 days; p = 0.017) between the two groups. Serious postoperative complications after LTG negatively affected the GC prognosis. Efforts to decrease incidences of serious complications should be made that may help in better prognosis in patients with GC after LTG.

Safety and short-term outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for advanced gastric cancer after neoadjuvant immunotherapy: A retrospective cohort study

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been increasingly used for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer (AGC). However, the safety and the short-term outcomes of laparoscopic gastrectomy for patients with AGC after neoadjuvant immunotherapy (NAI) remain unknown.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the patients with AGC who underwent laparoscopic surgery after neoadjuvant therapy between 1 January 2019 and 31 October 2021. We further compared the differences in postoperative complications, overall response rate, adverse events, surgical parameters, and postoperative recovery between two cohorts: the NAI group (NAI plus chemotherapy) and the neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) group. Multivariable regression analyses were used to determine the risk factors for the overall response rate.

Results

Overall, 80 patients were enrolled, of whom 30 cases were included in the NAI cohort and 50 were included in the NAC cohort. The overall rate of postoperative complications was 30.0% in both groups (p = 1.000). The overall response rate was 70.0% in the NAI cohort and 40% in the NAC cohort (p = 0.012). The adverse effects were found in 16 cases (53.3%) of the NAI cohort and 23 cases (46.0%) of the NAC cohort (p = 0.645). There was no statistical difference in intraoperative bleeding (50 ml vs. 50 ml, p = 0.983), operation time (320.9 min vs. 303.5 min, p = 0.382), dissected lymph node count (43.5 vs. 40.0, p = 0.364), first postoperative anal aerofluxus (3 days vs. 3 days, p = 0.091), first liquid diet (4 days vs. 5 days, p = 0.213), and postoperative length of stay in the hospital (8 days vs. 7 days, p = 0.508) between the two groups. NAI was estimated to be the independent protective factor [odds ratio (OR) 4.931, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.385-17.559), p = 0.014] for odds to overall response rate, whereas vessel invasion was found to be the significant risk factor [OR 0.113, 95% CI (0.027-0.475), p = 0.003].

Conclusions

Laparoscopic surgery after NAI combined with chemotherapy is a safe therapeutic choice for AGC and may bring better short-term outcomes due to a higher overall response rate.

Prognostic impact of postoperative infection in patients with pancreatic cancer: A multicenter cohort study

BACKGROUND

Postoperative infection after pancreatectomy in patients with pancreatic cancer often leads to poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic effect of postoperative infection in patients with pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

A multicenter cohort study was performed using a common database of patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent curative pancreatic resections between April 2013 and March 2015 at 15 high-volume centers in Japan. The rate of postoperative infection was determined, and patient demographic characteristics, clinicopathologic factors, and prognostic factors for overall survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 462 eligible patients who underwent curative pancreatectomy, postoperative infection occurred in 141 patients (31%), including 114 surgical site infections (25%), 50 remote infections (11%), and 23 combined infections (5%). Risk factors for postoperative infection included high body mass index, nondiabetes, and longer operation time. In the survival analysis, patients with postoperative infection had significantly worse overall survival than patients without postoperative infection. The median survival times were 21.9 and 33.0 months (P = .023), respectively, for patients with and without postoperative infection. According to the multivariate analysis for overall survival, lack of adjuvant therapy (P = .002), but not postoperative infection (P = .829), predicted poor prognosis. The multivariate analysis revealed that postoperative infection (P < .001) was an independent risk factor for lack of adjuvant therapy.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative infection in patients with pancreatic cancer may indirectly worsen the prognosis by preventing timely adjuvant therapy.

Risk Factors and Prognostic Impact of Postoperative Complications in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is important to improve the prognosis of patients with advanced gastric cancer. However, it may result in postoperative complications (POCs). The aim of this study is to evaluate risk factors and prognostic impact of POCs in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: We retrospectively collected clinical information of patients who underwent curative gastrectomy after receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy between 2011 and 2018. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Logistic regression and Fisher’s exact test were used to evaluate risk factors for complications. Results: A total of 176 patients were included in our study. The 3-year OS rates for the complication group (n = 30) and non-complication group (n = 146) were 36.7% and 52.7%, respectively (p = 0.0294). Age, BMI, multivisceral resection and operation time were independent risk factors for POCs in patients. Patients with multivisceral resection were more likely to suffer from grade III-IV complications (p = 0.026). Inflammation complications might occur in patients with high BMI (p = 0.017). Low preoperative albumin seemed to be a risk factor for leakage complications (p = 0.033). Conclusions: Our study revealed that patients with POCs had a poor prognosis and we identified the risk factors for complications so that POCs can be avoided in time.

Prognostic value of myosteatosis and sarcopenia for elderly patients with colorectal cancer: A large-scale double-center study

BACKGROUND

Myosteatosis and sarcopenia are forms of muscle depletion that impair the normal physiological function of elderly patients, resulting in a worse prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of sarcopenia and myosteatosis on postoperative outcomes in elderly patients with colorectal cancer.

METHODS

From February 2015 to March 2021, a total of 921 elderly patients who underwent curative surgeries for colorectal cancer at 2 centers were enrolled and grouped by the presence of either myosteatosis or sarcopenia. Clinicopathological characteristics and postoperative outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. The independent risk factors for complications and overall survival were evaluated.

RESULTS

Patients with myosteatosis had higher incidences of total and surgical complications, longer surgical duration, lower numbers of lymph nodes harvested, and longer postoperative hospital stays. Patients with sarcopenia had higher incidences of total complications, medical complications, and shorter surgical durations. Both conditions had adverse effects on overall survival and disease-free survival. Overweight status (P = .004), hypoalbuminemia (P < .001), myosteatosis, (P = .029) and sarcopenia (P = .017) were independent risk factors for total complications. Hypoalbuminemia (P = .035), myosteatosis (P = .003), sarcopenia (P = .027), and tumor-nodes-metastasis stage (≥Ⅲ; P < .001) were independent negative prognostic factors for overall survival.

CONCLUSION

Myosteatosis and sarcopenia have different characteristics and are associated with poor prognoses in elderly patients with colorectal cancer. Myosteatosis occurs more frequently. Early diagnosis and intervention for myosteatosis should be included in preoperative management, which may improve prognosis in elderly patients.

The Impact of Perioperative Events on Cancer Recurrence and Metastasis in Patients after Radical Gastrectomy: A Review

Radical gastrectomy is a mainstay therapy for patients with locally resectable gastric cancer (GC). GC patients who are candidates for radical gastrectomy will experience at least part of the following perioperative events: surgery, anesthesia, pain, intraoperative blood loss, allogeneic blood transfusion, postoperative complications, and their related anxiety, depression and stress response. Considerable clinical studies have shown that these perioperative events can promote recurrence and decrease the long-term survival of GC patients. The mechanisms include activation of neural signaling and the inflammatory response, suppression of antimetastatic immunity, increased release of cancer cells into circulation, and delayed adjuvant therapy, which are involved in every step of the invasion-metastasis cascade. Having appreciated these perioperative events and their influence on the risk of GC recurrence, we can now use this knowledge to find strategies that might substantially prevent the deleterious recurrence-promoting effects of perioperative events, potentially increasing cancer-free survival in GC patients.

Body Mass Index and Prognosis of Patients With Stage II/III Gastric Cancer After Curative Gastrectomy: Completion of Perioperative Adjuvant Chemotherapy May Be a Confounding Factor

Objective

To investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and overall survival (OS) of patients with stage II/III gastric cancer (GC) after radical gastrectomy, and evaluate the potential influence of perioperative adjuvant chemotherapy (PAC).

Methods

Medical records of 2,510 consecutive stage II/III GC patients who underwent curative resection between November 2010 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The optimal cutoff value of BMI for OS was determined by X-tile. The independent predictive factors for completeness of PAC were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Cox regression analyses assessed the association among BMI, completeness of PAC, and OS.

Results

Of the 2,510 patients, 813 cases with BMI < 20.3 kg/m² were classified as belonging in the low BMI group. Further analyses confirmed that low BMI was an independent predictor for incomplete PAC (< 6 cycles, n = 920) and poorer OS (hazard ratio: 1.317, 95% confidence interval: 1.162-1.494, P < 0.001), but neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) was a protective factor. An additive effect was found in those with both low BMI and incomplete PAC, as they had even worse OS. However, in patients with low BMI, completion of PAC (≥ 6 cycles) significantly improved OS, which became comparable to that in the high BMI group (P = 0.143).

Conclusions

Low preoperative BMI independently affects completion of PAC and prognosis of patients with stage II/III GC, but completing PAC can compensate for the adverse influence of low BMI on OS. Thus, strategies designed to ensure the completion of PAC, such as NAC and nutritional support, should be further investigated.

Textbook outcome, chemotherapy compliance, and prognosis after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer: A large sample analysis

BACKGROUND

This study aims to analyze the effect of textbook outcome (TO) on the long-term prognosis and adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) compliance of patients with gastric cancer (GC) in a single institute.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Consecutive patients who underwent radical gastrectomy with pathological stage I-III at Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2010 to June 2017 were included. TO was defined as receiving a complete-potentially curative status, ≥15 lymph nodes examined, hospital stay ≤21 days, and freedom from intraoperative and postoperative complications, re-intervention in 30 days, 30-day readmission to the hospital or intensive care unit, and 30-day postoperative mortality.

RESULTS

Totally 3993 patients were included, of which 3361 (84.2%) patients achieved TO. The overall, disease-specific, and recurrence-free survival of patients achieving TO were significantly better than those of patients without achieving TO (all P < 0.05). The total number of AC cycles was greater and the interval from surgery to first AC was shorter in the TO group compared with the Non-TO group. Age >65 years old, open surgery, pT3-4 stage, and total radical gastrectomy (TG) were identified as related high-risk factors for failure to achieve TO. Laparoscopic surgery facilitated TO achievement in high-risk groups.

CONCLUSION

TO is a reliable indicator of favorable prognosis of patients with GC and contributes to postoperative chemotherapy compliance. Age ≤65 years old, non-TG, pT1-2 stage, and laparoscopic surgery may promote the achievement of TO.

The Influence of Heavy Metals on Gastric Tumorigenesis

Objectives

This study aimed to observe the relationship among heavy metals concentration, microsatellite instability (MSI), and human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) gene amplification in gastric cancer (GC) patients.

Methods

The concentrations of 18 heavy metals in the plasma of GC patients and healthy controls were measured by inductive coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP-MS). MSI detection was conducted by detecting 5 microsatellite repeat markers by PCR analysis. HER2 gene amplification was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The relationship among heavy metal elements, tumor biomarkers, HER2 amplification, and MSI status was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.

Results

A total of 105 GC patients and 62 healthy controls were recruited in this study. The concentration of arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cuprum (Cu), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), stibium (Sb), selenium (Se), stannum (Sn), strontium (Sr), thallium (Tl), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) were significantly different between GC patients and controls. Among 105 GC patients, including 87 microsatellite-stable (MSS) samples and 18 MSI samples, the concentration of Ga is significantly higher in the MSI group than that in the MSS group. Meanwhile, in 97 GC patients having detected HER2 gene amplification, 69 of 97 had negative HER2 gene amplification and the rest 28 GC patients had positive HER2 gene amplification. The concentration of Hg, Sn, and Tl is noticeably higher in the HER2 positive group than in the HER2 negative group. Only Sb was positively correlated with MSI, but none of these heavy metals was correlated with HER2 gene amplification.

Conclusions

The results indicated that Sb has significant positive correlation with the MSI status, which suggests that Sb may cause MSI in GC. However, further research studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms in the near feature.

Association among prognostic nutritional index, post-operative infection and prognosis of stage II/III gastric cancer patients following radical gastrectomy

Background/objective

To investigate the influence of pre-operative immunological and nutritional status, assessed by the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) score, on post-operative infection, and the potential additive effects of low PNI and infection on prognosis after radical resection of stage II/III gastric cancer (GC).

Methods

The medical records of 2352 consecutive stage II/III GC patients who underwent radical gastrectomy were retrospectively reviewed. The independent predictors for infections were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses. Cox regression analysis was used to assess any associations between PNI, infection and OS.

Results

A total of 160 (6.8%) cases developed infections and low PNI (< 43.9) was confirmed as an independent predictor. Both PNI < 43.9 and infections independently predicted poor OS (hazard ratio: 1.163, 95% confidence interval: 1.007–1.343; HR: 1.347, 95%CI: 1.067–1.700), and an additive effect was confirmed as patients with both low PNI and infection had worst OS. Further stratified analyses showed that complete peri-operative adjuvant chemotherapy (PAC, ≥ 6 cycles) could significantly improve OS in patients with low PNI and/or infection, which was comparable to those with PNI ≥ 43.9 and/or infection (P = 0.160).

Conclusions

Infection was the most common complication after gastrectomy and PNI < 43.9 was identified as an independent predictor. Low PNI was associated with poorer OS in stage II/III GC, independent of infections, and low PNI and infections had a synergistic effect that was associated with worst OS. However, complete PAC could significantly improve OS in these patients. Thus, strategies to decrease infection and complete PAC should be further investigated.

Impact of Preoperative Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on the Outcomes of Gastric Cancer Patients Following Gastrectomy: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

Purpose

The current study aims to explore the outcomes of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on gastric cancer patients following gastrectomy through propensity score matching (PSM) analysis.

Methods

A retrospective study of gastric cancer patients following gastrectomy was conducted in a single clinical center from January 2014 to December 2019. The short-term outcomes, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed between T2DM group and Non-T2DM group.

Results

A total of 703 patients were enrolled in this study. After 1:1 PSM, 84 patients in T2DM group and 84 patients in Non-T2DM were matched for final analysis. No significant difference was found in terms of operation time, intra-operative blood loss, retrieved lymph nodes, postoperative stay, blood transfusion and complications between T2DM group and Non-T2DM group (p > 0.05). The Kaplan-Meier curve implied that T2DM had no impact on OS or DFS. Cox regression was conducted to identify predictive factors for prognosis. Body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.039 < 0.05, HR = 0.725, 95% CI = 0.534–0.983), pre-operative lymphocyte (p = 0.017 < 0.05, HR = 0.678, 95% CI = 0.493–0.932), pathological tumor node metastasis (pTNM) stage (p = 0.000 < 0.05, HR = 2.619, 95% CI = 2.048–3.349) and complications (p = 0.006 < 0.05, HR = 1.528, 95% CI = 1.132–2.061) were predictive factors for OS, and BMI (p = 0.013 < 0.05, HR = 0.524, 95% CI = 0.315–0.872), pTNM stage (p = 0.000 < 0.05, HR = 2.619, 95% CI = 2.048–3.349) and complications (p = 0.008 < 0.05, HR = 1.892, 95% CI = 1.179–3.036) were independent predictive factors for DFS.

Conclusion

T2DM did not have an impact on gastric cancer patients following gastrectomy in terms of short-term outcomes and prognosis.

Clinical impact of gastrectomy for gastric cancer patients with positive lavage cytology without gross peritoneal dissemination

BACKGROUND

The prognosis of gastric cancer patients with positive lavage cytology without gross peritoneal dissemination (P0CY1) is poor. The survival benefit of gastrectomy for these patients has not been established.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this population-based cohort study, we investigated the impact of radical gastrectomy with lymph node dissection for P0CY1 patients. Patients who were diagnosed with Stage IV gastric cancer from 2008 to 2015 in all nine cancer-designated hospitals in a tertiary medical area were listed. Patients who were diagnosed with histologically proven adenocarcinoma in both the primary lesion and lavage cytology during the operation or a diagnostic laparoscopic examination were enrolled. Patients with a gross peritoneal lesion or other metastatic lesions were excluded. The primary outcome was the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of gastrectomy for overall survival. We also evaluated the survival time in patients who underwent gastrectomy or chemotherapy in comparison to patients managed without primary surgery or with best supportive care.

RESULTS

One hundred patients were enrolled. The aHR (95% confidence interval) of gastrectomy was 0.677 (0.411-1.114, p = 0.125). The median survival time in patients who received gastrectomy (n = 74) was 21.7, while that in patients managed without primary surgery (n = 30) was 20.5 months (p = 0.155). The median survival time in patients who received chemotherapy (n = 76) was 23.0 months, while that in patients managed without chemotherapy was 8.6 months (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Gastrectomy was not effective for improving the survival time in patients with P0CY1 gastric cancer. Surgeons should prioritize the performance of chemotherapy over surgery as the initial treatment.

Comparative Analysis of Postoperative Complications after Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC in Gastric Cancer

INTRODUCTION

Patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) frequently show peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). PC reduces life expectancy and quality of life. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has been shown to improve overall survival. Nevertheless, it has been reported that CRS and HIPEC are accompanied by an increase in postoperative complications. The purpose of this study was to investigate the complications associated with CRS and HIPEC and overall and disease-free survival.

METHODS

Patients with AGC and PC, who received complete CRS and HIPEC, were included in the HIPEC group (n = 15). Patients with AGC but without PC, who received resection of the primary tumor alone, constituted the control group (n = 43).

RESULTS

Patients enrolled in the HIPEC group presented with a median PCI of 7. In comparison with the control group, no differences were found in patient characteristics, risk factors, pathological findings, and operative procedures. Twenty-five percentage of the patients in both groups suffered from serious postoperative complications (CDC ≥3a). Surgical and medical complications, rate of reoperation, and mortality did not differ. Also, the recurrence pattern, median survival, and 1- and 2-year survival rates showed no differences.

CONCLUSION

CRS and HIPEC do not lead to an increased postoperative morbidity and mortality in AGC with PC. Albeit the poorer prognosis of patients with PC, survival of both groups was comparable.

The outcome of young vs. old gastric cancer patients following gastrectomy: a propensity score matching analysis

Purpose

The purpose of the current study was to compare the postoperative complications, overall survival and disease-free survival in young and old gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy using propensity score matching (PSM).

Methods

Adult patients (aged ≥ 18 years) who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer in a single clinical center from January 2013 to December 2017 were enrolled continuously for retrospective analysis. To minimize the selection bias between the young and old groups, the PSM was conducted in this study.

Results

A total of 558 patients were included in this study, with 51 patients in the young group (aged ≤ 45 years) and 507 patients in the old group (aged > 45 years). After 1:1 matching according to PSM, 51 patients in the young group were matched to 51 patients in the old group. After PSM, there was no difference in the baseline information. In terms of short-term outcomes, no difference was found in operation time (P = 0.190), intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.336), retrieved lymph nodes (P = 0.948), blood transfusion (P = 0.339), postoperative hospital stay (P = 0.194), or postoperative complications (P = 0.477) between the two groups. For overall survival, no statistically significant difference was found in all stages (P = 0.383), stage I (P = 0.431), stage II (P = 0.875) or stage III (P = 0.446) gastric cancer. Furthermore, regarding disease-free survival, no differences were found between the two groups in all stages (P = 0.378), stage I (P = 0.431), stage II (P = 0.879) or stage III (P = 0.510) gastric cancer.

Conclusion

Age might not be an independent prognostic factor for short-term outcomes, OS, or DFS in gastric cancer patients who underwent gastrectomy. The pTNM stage of GC might be an independent prognostic factor for OS and DFS.

Is there a difference in utilization of a perioperative treatment approach for gastric cancer between safety net hospitals and tertiary referral centers?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Perioperative therapy is a favored treatment strategy for gastric cancer. We sought to assess utilization of this approach at safety net hospitals (SNH) and tertiary referral centers (TRC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients in the US Safety Net Collaborative (2012-2014) with resectable gastric cancer across five SNH and their sister TRC were included. Primary outcomes were receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and perioperative therapy.

RESULTS

Of 284 patients, 36% and 64% received care at SNH and TRC. The distribution of Stage II/III resectable disease was similar across facilities. Receipt of NAC at SNH and TRC was similar (56% vs. 46%, p = 0.27). Compared with overall clinical stage, 38% and 36% were pathologically downstaged at SNH and TRC, respectively. Among patients who received NAC, those who also received adjuvant chemotherapy at SNH and TRC were similar (66% vs. 60%, p = 0.50). Asian race and higher clinical stage were associated with receipt of perioperative therapy (both p < 0.05) while treatment facility type was not.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no difference in utilization of a perioperative treatment strategy between facility types for patients with gastric cancer. Pathologic downstaging from NAC was similar across treatment facilities, suggesting similar quality and duration of therapy. Treatment at an SNH is not a barrier to receiving standard-of-care perioperative therapy for gastric cancer.

Postoperative Infectious Complications Worsen Long-Term Survival After Curative-Intent Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Postoperative infectious complications may be associated with a worse long-term prognosis for patients undergoing surgery for a malignant indication. The current study aimed to characterize the impact of postoperative infectious complications on long-term oncologic outcomes among patients undergoing resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

Patients who underwent curative-intent resection for HCC between 2000 and 2017 were identified from an international multi-institutional database. The relationship between postoperative infectious complications, overall survival (OS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) was analyzed.

RESULTS

Among 734 patients who underwent HCC resection, 269 (36.6%) experienced a postoperative complication (Clavien-Dindo grade 1 or 2 [n = 197, 73.2%] vs grade 3 and 4 [n = 69, 25.7%]). An infectious complication was noted in 81 patients (11.0%) and 188 patients (25.6%) had non-infectious complications. The patients with infectious complications had worse OS (median: infectious complications [46.5 months] vs no complications [106.4 months] [p < 0.001] and non-infectious complications [85.7 months] [p < 0.05]) and RFS (median: infectious complications [22.1 months] vs no complications [45.5 months] [p < 0.05] and non-infectious complications [38.3 months] [p = 0.139]) than the patients who had no complication or non-infectious complications. In the multivariable analysis, infectious complications remained an independent risk factor for OS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.7; p = 0.016) and RFS (HR, 1.6; p = 0.013). Among the patients with infectious complications, patients with non-surgical-site infection (SSI) had even worse OS and RFS than patients with SSI (median OS: 19.5 vs 70.9 months [p = 0.010]; median RFS: 12.8 vs 33.9 months [p = 0.033]).

CONCLUSION

Infectious complications were independently associated with an increased long-term risk of tumor recurrence and death. Patients with non-SSI versus SSI had a particularly worse oncologic outcome.

Sarcopenia in Patients With Normal Body Mass Index Is an Independent Predictor for Postoperative Complication and Long-Term Survival in Gastric Cancer

Malnutrition in patients with gastric cancer (GC) with normal body mass index (BMI) is often ignored. This study aimed to explore the role of sarcopenia in predicting postoperative complication and long-term survival in patients with GC with normal BMI. We included patients with normal BMI (18.5 kg/m2  ≤ BMI < 23 kg/m2 ) who underwent radical gastrectomy between July 2014 and December 2016. Sarcopenia was assessed by muscle mass, handgrip strength, and gait speed. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to analyze the association between sarcopenia and the prognosis of patients with GC. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors contributing to postoperative complications and long-term survival. Overall, 267 patients with GC with normal BMI were included in this study; of which 49 (18.35%) patients were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Patients with sarcopenia had higher incidence of a major postoperative complication, longer postoperative hospital stays, and greater hospital costs. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with sarcopenia had poorer overall survival than non-sarcopenia patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that sarcopenia was an independent predictor for postoperative complication and long-term survival in such patients. Sarcopenia is an independent predictor for postoperative complications and long-term survival in patients with normal BMI after radical gastrectomy for GC. We recommend that patients with normal BMI should perform nutritional risk screening by sarcopenia.

Adverse Prognostic Impact of Postoperative Complications After Gastrectomy for Patients With Stage II/III Gastric Cancer: Analysis of Prospectively Collected Real-World Data

BACKGROUND

The impact of postoperative complications on the prognosis of gastric cancer remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between postoperative complications and long-term survival in patients undergoing gastrectomy for stage II/III gastric cancer.

METHODS

Some 939 patients underwent curative gastrectomy for stage II/III gastric cancer were identified from real-world data prospectively collected between 2013 and 2015. We divided patients according to the presence of serious complications, specifically, Clavien-Dindo grade III or higher complications or those causing a hospital stay of 15 days or longer.

RESULTS

Serious complications occurred in 125 (13.3%) patients. Patients without serious complications (64.3%) completed adjuvant chemotherapy significantly more than patients with serious complications (37.6%; p<0.001). The 5-year overall survival(OS) rate was 58.1% and recurrence-free survival(RFS) rate was 58.1% in patients with serious complications, which were significantly worse than those of patients without serious complications (73.4% and 74.7%, respectively; p<0.001 for both). In stage II, once patients completed adjuvant chemotherapy adequately, the OS and RFS of patients with serious complications did not differ from those without serious complications. However, in stage III, the patients with serious complications showed a worse OS even after completion of adequate adjuvant chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Serious complications after gastrectomy had a negative impact on the prognosis of stage II/III gastric cancer patients. Serious complications worsen the survival in association with inadequate adjuvant chemotherapy. Efforts to reduce serious complications, as well as support adequate chemotherapy through proper management of serious complications, would improve the prognosis of stage II/III gastric cancer patients.

Association of Obesity with Worse Operative and Oncologic Outcomes for Patients Undergoing Gastric Cancer Resection

BACKGROUND

How obesity has an impact on operative and oncologic outcomes for gastric cancer patients is unclear, and the influence of obesity on response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has not been evaluated.

METHODS

Patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for primary gastric cancer between 2000 and 2018 were retrospectively identified. After stratification for NAC, operative morbidity, mortality, overall survival (OS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) were compared among three body mass index (BMI) categories: normal BMI (< 25 kg/m²), mild obesity (25-35 kg/m²), and severe obesity (≥ 35 kg/m²).

RESULTS

During the study period, 984 patients underwent upfront surgery, and 484 patients received NAC. Tumor stage did not differ among the BMI groups. However, the rates of pathologic response to NAC were significantly lower for the patients with severe obesity (10% vs 40%; p < 0.001). Overall complications were more frequent among the obese patients (44.3% for obese vs 24.9% for normal BMI, p < 0.001). Intraabdominal infections were also more frequent in obese patients (13.9% for obese vs 4.7% for normal BMI, p = 0.001). In the upfront surgery cohort, according to the BMI, OS and DSS did not differ, whereas in the NAC cohort, severe obesity was independently associated with worse OS [hazard ratio (HR) 1.87; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-3.48; p = 0.047] and disease-specific survival (DSS) (HR 2.08; 95% CI 1.07-4.05; p = 0.031).

CONCLUSION

For the gastric cancer patients undergoing curative gastrectomy, obesity was associated with significantly lower rates of pathologic response to NAC and more postoperative complications, as well as shorter OS and DSS for the patients receiving NAC.

Association Among Blood Transfusion, Postoperative Infectious Complications, and Cancer-Specific Survival in Patients with Stage II/III Gastric Cancer After Radical Gastrectomy: Emphasizing Benefit from Adjuvant Chemotherapy

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to investigate the potential additive influence of perioperative blood transfusion (BTF) and postoperative infections on cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients with stage II/III gastric cancer (GC) after radical gastrectomy.

METHODS

The medical records of 2114 consecutive stage II/III GC patients who underwent curative resection and planned to receive adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) were retrospectively reviewed. The independent predictive factors for infections were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses. Cox regression analysis was used to assess any associations between BTF, infection and CSS.

RESULTS

A total of 507 (24.0%) received perioperative BTF and 148 (7.0%) developed infections with BTF being identified as an independent predictor for infections. Both BTF and infections independently predicted poor CSS (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.193, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.007-1.414; HR 1.323, 95% CI 1.013-1.727) and an additive effect was confirmed as patients who had both BTF and infection had even worse CSS. Further stratified analyses showed that complete AC (≥ 6 cycles) could significantly improve CSS in patients who had BTF and/or infection, which was comparable to those without BTF and/or infection (P = 0.496).

CONCLUSIONS

Infection was the most common complication after gastrectomy and BTF was identified as an independent risk factor. BTF was associated with shorter CSS in stages II/III GC, independent of infections, and receiving BTF and developing infections had an additive effect that was associated with even worse CSS. However, complete AC could significantly improve CSS in these patients. Thus, strategies designed to ensure the completion of AC, such as neoadjuvant chemotherapy, should be further investigated.

Surgery by a minimally invasive approach is associated with improved textbook outcomes in oesophageal and gastric cancer

INTRODUCTION

Textbook outcome (TBO) is a composite measure of a number of peri-operative and clinical outcomes in oesophagogastric malignancy. It has previously been shown that TBOs are associated with improved overall survival in both oesophageal and gastric cancer. The influence of a minimally invasive approach (MIA) on TBO is not well defined. The purpose of this study is to validate TBO in our population, examine the influence of a MIA on achieving a TBO, and the impact of TBO on long-term survival.

METHODS

269 patients undergoing oesophagectomy and 258 patients undergoing subtotal or total gastrectomy were included in this study. Demographic, clinical and pathological differences between patients with and without a TBO were compared using univariable and multivariable analysis. Overall survival for those with and without a TBO was examined. The influence of MIA on overall survival and TBO was determined using Cox proportional hazard models.

RESULTS

Patients undergoing oesophagectomy and gastrectomy were significantly more likely to achieve a TBO when MIA was used (p = 0.01 and 0.001 respectively). When MIA is included as an outcome measure patients achieving a TBO show improved overall survival in both oesophageal and gastric cancer. MIA, clear resection margins and no unplanned admission to critical care are the strongest predictors of overall survival from the putative bundle of TBO parameters.

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive surgery is associated with improved TBO. Completion of a minimally invasive approach should be considered for inclusion as a textbook parameter.

Impact of Treatment Sequencing on Survival for Patients with Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

Data are limited concerning the survival outcomes of locally advanced gastric cancer patients according to the multimodality therapy (MMT) administered.

METHODS

Single institution, retrospective analysis of 235 patients with locally advanced gastric cancer from 2001 to 2015. All patients met criteria for curative-intent surgery and chemotherapy ± radiation therapy. Treatment regimens were: (1) surgery first with adjuvant chemoradiation therapy (S + Adj); (2) perioperative chemotherapy + surgery (Periop); and (3) total neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery (TNT + S).

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-eight (60.0%) patients received S + Adj, 69 (26.8%) Periop, and 38 (13.2%) TNT + S. Of the 235 patients, 222 (94.5%) received surgery. All intended therapy was received by 81.6% of TNT + S, 44.5% of S + Adj, and 42.0% of Periop patients. MMT was significantly more likely to be completed by TNT + S patients (HR 6.67, p < 0.001). At a median follow-up of 37 months, survival rates on an intention-to-treat basis with TNT + S, Periop, and S + Adj were 52.6%, 59.4%, and 45.3%, respectively. Regimen and completion of MMT significantly affected overall mortality risk. Compared with Periop, TNT + S had similar mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR] 1.28, p = 0.421), whereas S + Adj had increased mortality risk (HR 1.64, p = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

The choice of treatment sequencing has a major impact on completion rates of multimodal therapy in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer. Less than 50% of patients treated with upfront surgery or perioperative chemotherapy receive all intended therapies. TNT has higher intended therapy completion rates and comparable survival compared with perioperative therapy in our data. Further prospective investigations of TNT are warranted.

Incidence and Grading of Complications After Gastrectomy for Cancer Using the GASTRODATA Registry: A European Retrospective Observational Study

OBJECTIVE

Utilizing a standardized dataset based on a newly developed list of 27 univocally defined complications, this study analyzed data to assess the incidence and grading of complications and evaluate outcomes associated with gastrectomy for cancer in Europe.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

The absence of a standardized system for recording gastrectomy-associated complications makes it difficult to compare results from different hospitals and countries.

METHODS

Using a secure online platform (www.gastrodata.org), referral centers for gastric cancer in 11 European countries belonging to the Gastrectomy Complications Consensus Group recorded clinical, oncological, and surgical data, and outcome measures at hospital discharge and at 30 and 90 days postoperatively. This retrospective observational study included all consecutive resections over a 2-year period.

RESULTS

A total of 1349 gastrectomies performed between January 2017 and December 2018 were entered into the database. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 577 patients (42.8%). Total (46.1%) and subtotal (46.4%) gastrectomy were the predominant resections. D2 or D2+ lymphadenectomy was performed in almost 80% of operations. The overall complications' incidence was 29.8%; 402 patients developed 625 complications, with the most frequent being nonsurgical infections (23%), anastomotic leak (9.8%), other postoperative abnormal fluid from drainage and/or abdominal collections (9.3%), pleural effusion (8.3%), postoperative bleeding (5.6%), and other major complications requiring invasive treatment (5.6%). The median Clavien-Dindo score and Comprehensive Complications Index were IIIa and 26.2, respectively. In-hospital, 30-day, and 90-day mortality were 3.2%, 3.6%, and 4.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a standardized platform to collect European data on perioperative complications revealed that gastrectomy for gastric cancer is still associated with heavy morbidity and mortality. Actions are needed to limit the incidence of, and to effectively treat, the most frequent and most lethal complications.

Significance of Detection of the HER2 Gene and PD-1/PD-L1 in Gastric Cancer

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relationship between the HER2 gene and PD-1/PD-L1 in gastric cancer and its significance.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to detect HER2 protein expression, HER2 gene amplification, and PD-1/PD-L1 expression in 78 cases of gastric cancer.

RESULTS

The expression rate of HER2 protein was 43.6% (34/78), of which 19.4% (14/78) were HER2 3+, 14.1% (11/78) were HER2 2+, and 11.5% (9/78) were HER2 1+. The results showed that 19.2% (15/78) of samples had HER2 gene amplification, 3.8% (3/78) of samples had a HER2/CEP17 ratio <2.0, and 19.2% (15/78) of samples had HER2 gene amplificationf and HER2 copy/cell ≥6.0, as detected by FISH. The positive rate of PD-L1 was 38.5% (30/78) in gastric cancer cells and 50.0% (39/78) in interstitial lymphocytes. The expression of the HER2 gene, PD-L1, and PD-1 in gastric cancer was correlated with the stage and lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The combined detection of the HER2 gene and PD-1/PD-L1 in gastric cancer provides an important reference index for the prognosis of gastric cancer and the benefit of targeted antitumor drugs.