Artery Invasion Research Articles

Update on giant cell arteritis.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a challenging condition to manage because of the potential for acute irreversible vision loss and corticosteroid-related morbidity. Recent developments offer the potential to improve both the assessment and treatment of patients. Vascular imaging is increasingly being used in the diagnostic algorithm for GCA. Results from recent vascular ultrasound and high-resolution cranial MRI studies have led some groups to suggest forgoing temporal artery biopsy (TAB) in selected patients. The treatment armamentarium has been enhanced with the addition of Tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody that inhibits IL-6 and has been shown to be effective in sustaining glucocorticoid-free remission out to 52 weeks. New publications have provided guidance in how clinicians can interpret minimally inflamed biopsies and navigate the controversy about what role, if any, varicella zoster virus may play in the pathophysiology of GCA. Basic science developments have improved our understanding of the immunopathology of GCA including the role of Th1 and Th17 lymphocytes and mechanisms of arterial wall lymphocyte invasion. There have been significant recent advances in GCA, particularly in relation to imaging and treatment options. Longer term outcome data will help clarify how best to utilize them in routine clinical practice.

Risk factors related to metastasis of para-aortic lymph nodes in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: A retrospective observational study.

This study was designed to explore the risk factors related to metastasis of para-aortic lymph node (PALN).Clinicopathologic data of 241 patients with resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with extended lymphadenectomy between January 2008 and December 2015 were collected, potential factors related to metastasis of PALN were analyzed.Positive rate of PALN was 19.5% (47/241). Univariate analysis showed that back pain (P = .028), preoperative CA19-9 level (P < .001), tumor size (P < .001), portal vein (PV)/superior mesenteric vein (SMV) invasion (P < .001), superior mesenteric artery (SMA) invasion (P < .001), and diameter > 1.0 cm were in correlation with PALN involvement, multivariate analysis revealed that preoperative CA19-9 level, PV/SMV invasion, SMA invasion and diameter > 1.0 cm were independent risk factors to metastasis of PALN. Patients with LN8+ had a higher positive rate of PALN than with LN8− (38.1% vs 15.6%, P = .001), similar results could be found when LN12+ (35.8% vs 13.2%, P < .001) and LN14+ (41.2% vs 11.0%, P < .001), multivariate analysis showed that LN8+ and LN14+ were closely in correlation with PALN metastasis.Several factors were related to the status of PALN, preoperative CA19-9 level, PV/SMV invasion, SMA invasion and diameter > 1.0 cm were 4 independent risk factors to PALN metastasis. LN8+ and LN14+ were 2 strong predictors of PALN metastasis. A comprehensive analysis covering all possible risk factors related to metastasis of PALN should be given before design of treatment plan whenever involvement of PALN was suspected.

Appropriateness of Subadventitial Resection for Invasion of the Carotid Artery by Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Selection of surgical treatment for patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) that includes great vessel invasion is challenging. We investigated the efficacy of tumor excision, with regard to safety of the surgical procedure and prognosis among patients with PTC invasion of the carotid or vertebral artery. This study is a retrospective review of patients who underwent surgical excision for PTC at our institution, between 1981 and 2010, with 49 patients treated for carotid artery invasion and nine for vertebral artery invasion. Twenty patients with carotid artery invasion receiving initial treatment underwent subadventitial resection. Among 29 relapsing patients with carotid artery invasion, subadventitial resection was performed in 27 and en-block resection and reconstruction in the other two. In patients with carotid artery invasion, locoregional recurrence was identified in 14 patients, with the recurrence specific to the carotid artery in one case and distant recurrence in 15. The 10-year disease-specific survival rate was shorter among relapsing patients (21.7%) than among those receiving an initial treatment (69.3%). At 8years after surgery, however, the survival rates were comparable between the two groups. Of the nine patients with vertebral artery invasion, two received initial treatment, with either preservation or reconstruction of the vertebral artery. The other six cases were tumor recurrences, treated by tumor and vertebral artery resection. Vertebral artery invasion was associated with carotid artery invasion in five patients and subclavian artery invasion in four. Carotid artery invasion by PTC did not extend beyond the adventitia of the artery in the majority of patients. Most patients with vertebral artery invasion required tumor excision with vertebral artery resection.

Surgical Outcomes for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma with Vascular Invasion

PurposeTo investigate short- and long-term surgical outcomes for patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma and vascular invasion. MethodsData from 249 patients who underwent perihilar cholangiocarcinoma surgery between 2000 and 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Patient evaluations included short-term surgical outcomes following vascular resection and long-term outcomes in cases with histopathological vascular invasion. ResultsMortality was 3.6% overall; 16% for hepatic artery resections, 5.4% for portal vein resections, and 1.7% in the absence of vascular resection (p = 0.029). No between-group differences were observed in the incidence of Clavien–Dindo grade ≥ 3 complications. The factors related to perioperative mortality were hepatic artery resection (odds ratio [OR] = 25.5), right trisectionectomy (OR = 13.0), and central bisectionectomy (OR = 13.8). Multivariate analysis for overall survival identified several prognostic factors: carcinoembryonic antigen level ≥ 5 ng/mL (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.68), poor differentiation (HR = 2.39), distant metastasis (HR = 1.97), and R1 invasive resection (HR = 2.13). Five-year overall survival for patients with portal vein invasion and M0R0/1cis was 35.6%, significantly worse than the 53.4% for patients with no portal vein invasion and M0R/1cis but better than the 0% for patients with portal vein invasion and M1 or R1. Those with hepatic arterial invasion and M0R0/1cis were 24.7%, significantly worse than the 53.4% for patients with no hepatic arterial invasion and M0R0/1cis but significantly better than the 0% for patients with hepatic arterial invasion and M1 or R1. ConclusionShort-term outcomes for patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma and undergoing vascular resection were poor compared to those without vascular resection. Long-term survival in R0M0 disease was more favorable; aggressive surgery is recommended.

Complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma: 2 case reports

Introduction: Surgical resectability rates are given after chemotherapy for locally advanced PDA patients are very low. In here, receiving a complete radiologic reply after the neoadjuvant chemotherapy because of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) invasion, two cases will be presented. Case 1: A 40cm lesion surrounding SMA 360° in uncinate process was detected in 61-year-old male patient in the radiological examination. Twelve cures of neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX were administered to the patient. Pathologic involvement was not seen on PET-CT imaging. With these findings, pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. Histopathologically, no residual tumor was detected and 20 reactive lymph nodes were dissected. After adjuvant chemotherapy treatment, 18 months later, the patient died by peritoneal carcinomatosis. Case 2: A 6cm mass surrounding the SMA 360° was found in the pancreas head localization in a 45-year-old female patient in the radiological examination that performed due to jaundice. Neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX regimen (14 cures) was given. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed to patient who had a complete radiological response. Although tumor was not observed macroscopically, 3 mm free tumor deposit was seen in the peripancreatic fat tissue. No metastases were seen in the removed 18 lymph nodes. After adjuvant chemotherapy (oxaliplatin-gemcitabine), the patient is followed up for 30 months without disease. Conclusion: Locally advanced PDA patients giving radiologically complete response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be given a chance of surgery. In these patients, survival is close to these resectable tumors. This abstract was presented in 13th Congress of the Turkish Association of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery on December 2017 in Antalya, Turkey.

CT texture analysis of pancreatic cancer.

We investigated the value of CT texture analysis (CTTA) in predicting prognosis of unresectable pancreatic cancer. Sixty patients with unresectable pancreatic cancers at presentation were enrolled for post-processing with CTTA using commercially available software (TexRAD Ltd, Cambridge, UK). The largest cross-section of the tumour on axial CT was chosen to draw a region-of-interest. CTTA parameters (mean value of positive pixels (MPP), kurtosis, entropy, skewness), arterial and venous invasion, metastatic disease and tumour size were correlated with overall and progression-free survivals. The median overall and progression-free survivals of cohort were 13.3 and 7.8 months, respectively. On multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, presence of metastatic disease at presentation had the highest association with overall survival (p = 0.003-0.05) and progression-free survival (p < 0.001 to p = 0.004). MPP at medium spatial filter was significantly associated with poor overall survival (p = 0.04). On Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of CTTA parameters at medium spatial filter, MPP of more than 31.625 and kurtosis of more than 0.565 had significantly worse overall survival (p = 0.036 and 0.028, respectively). CTTA features were significantly associated with overall survival in pancreas cancer, particularly in patients with non-metastatic, locally advanced disease. • CT texture analysis is easy to perform on contrast-enhanced CT. • CT texture analysis can determine prognosis in patients with unresectable pancreas cancer. • The best predictors of poor prognosis were high kurtosis and MPP.

Optimal resection area for superior mesenteric artery nerve plexuses after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma.

Recently, several reports demonstrated the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) or chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) for patients with borderline resectable (BRPC) and locally advanced unresectable pancreatic carcinoma (LAPC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment response after NACRT, especially for nerve plexuses, and the optimal resection area for superior mesenteric artery nerve plexuses in BRPC and LAPC patients after NACRT.A total of 17 patients with BRPC and LAPC received preoperative gemcitabine-based NACRT. The numbers of BRPC and LAPC patients were 13 and 4, respectively. We evaluated nerve plexus invasion by CT before and after NACRT, decided on the resection area of plexus invasion in SMA before NACRT, and compared the preoperative evaluation and clinicopathological findings.In the plexus of the supra-mesenteric artery (pl-SMA), arterial nerve plexus invasion, in cases <90°, all patients showed the absence of residual cancer in the resected specimen after NACRT. In cases between 90° and 180°, 1 of 2 patients (50%) showed nerve plexus invasion. In cases over 180°, all patients showed nerve plexus invasion. We could perform R0 resection in all 10 cases, and pl-SMA invasion disappeared in 6 of 7 BRPC patients.We demonstrated the relationship between the angle of nerve plexus tumor invasion and treatment effect after NACRT. We could perform R0 resection in all pl-SMA invasion cases, deciding on the resection area of pl-SMA based on CT before NACRT.

大血管（頸動脈・椎骨動脈・腕頭動脈）浸潤に対する手術の適応と限界

大血管（頸動脈・椎骨動脈・腕頭動脈）浸潤に対する手術の適応と限界

Assessment of clinical outcomes of advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma

BackgroundLow resectability and poor survival outcome are common for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA), especially in advanced stages. The present study was to assess the clinical outcome of advanced HCCA, focusing on therapeutic modalities, survival analysis and prognostic assessment. MethodsClinical data of 176 advanced HCCA patients who had been treated in our hospital between January 2013 and December 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Prognostic effects of clinicopathological factors were explored by univariate and multivariate analysis. Survival predictors were evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. ResultsThe 3-year overall survival rate was 13% for patients with advanced HCCA. Preoperative total bilirubin (P = 0.009), hepatic artery invasion (P = 0.014) and treatment modalities (P = 0.020) were independent prognostic factors on overall survival. A model combining these independent prognostic factors (area under ROC curve: 0.748; 95% CI: 0.678–0.811; sensitivity: 82.3%, specificity: 53.5%) was highly predictive of tumor death. After R0 resection, the 3-year overall survival was up to 38%. Preoperative total bilirubin was still an independent negative factor, but not for hepatic artery invasion. ConclusionsSurgery is still the best treatment for advanced HCCA. Preoperative biliary drainage should be performed in highly-jaundiced patients to improve survival. Prediction of survival is improved significantly by a model that incorporates preoperative total bilirubin, hepatic artery invasion and treatment modalities.

Diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic head cancer followed by mesenteric-portal vein invasion

To evaluate the outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy with mesenteric-portal vein resection for pancreatic head cancer. Retrospective analysis included 124 patients with pancreatic head cancer for the period 2010-2017. Mesenteric-portal vein (MPV) invasion was diagnosed in 37 (29.8%) patients, tumor contact with superior mesenteric artery as a borderline resectable state was noted in 11 cases. All patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with mesenteric-portal vein resection. Vein invasion was histologically confirmed in 19 (51.3%) out of 37 patients. At the same time, arterial invasion was absent in 11 patients with a borderline resectable tumor. CT-associated overdiagnosis of venous wall invasion was 6.4%, intraoperative overdiagnosis - 87.5%. R0-resection was achieved in 88.5% after conventional pancreaticoduodenectomy and in 78.4% after pancreaticoduodenectomy followed by MPV resection. Median survival was 17 months, 2-year survival - 41%. Among 11 patients with a borderline resectable tumor median survival was 11 months. Pancreaticoduodenectomy without vein resection was followed by 2-year survival near 68.1%. Differences were significant (p=0.02). Pancreaticoduodenectomy followed by MPV resection as the first stage of combined treatment of pancreatic head cancer is absolutely justified if circumferential involvement of the vein and contact with superior mesenteric artery or celiac trunk do not exceed 50%. Vein resection can provide R0-surgery in these cases.

Clinical application of combined hepatic artery resection and reconstruction in surgical treatment for hilar cholangiocarcinoma

Objective: To clarify whether the surgical treatment for hilar cholangiocarcinoma combined with artery reconstruction is optimistic to the patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma with hepatic artery invasion. Methods: There were 384 patients who received treatment in the First Affiliated Hospital to Army Medical University from January 2008 to January 2016 analyzed retrospectively. There were 27 patients underwent palliative operation, 245 patients underwent radical operation, radical resection account for 63.8%. Patients were divided into four groups according to different operation method: routine radical resection group(n=174), portal vein reconstruction group (n=47), hepatic artery reconstruction group (n=24), palliative group(n=27). General information of patients who underwent radical operation treatment was analyzed by chi-square test and analysis of variance. The period of operation time, blood loss, the length of hospital stay and hospitalization expenses of the radical operation patients were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Comparison among groups was analyzed by LSD-t test. Results: The follow-up ended up in June first, 2016. Each of patients followed for 6 to 60 months, the median follow-up period was 24 months. 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 81.3%, 44.9% and 13.5% of routine radical operation group, and were 83.0%, 44.7% and 15.1% of portal vein reconstruction group, and were 70.8%, 27.7% and 6.9% of hepatic artery reconstruction group, respectively. And 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of hepatic artery reconstruction group was lower than routine radical group and portal vein reconstruction group significantly (P<0.05). However, the rate of postoperative complications of the hepatic artery reconstruction group and the routine radical operation group and the portal vein reconstruction group were 62.5%(15/24), 55.3%(96/174) and 51.5%(24/47), respectively. There was no significant difference among them (P>0.05). The data shows that the ratio of lymphatic metastasis in hepatic artery reconstruction group (70.8%) is much higher than them in routine radical operation group (20.1%) and portal vein reconstruction group (19.1%) significantly (P<0.05). The presented data also indicate that hepatic artery resection prolongs survival time comparing with patients undergoing palliative therapy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Cox regression analysis indicate that hepatic artery resection and reconstruction is a protective factor compare with palliative therapy (RR=0.38, 95%CI: 0.22-0.67). The significant reason for shorter survival time is a positive correlation between hepatic artery invasion and lymph node metastasis. Conclusion: Hepatic artery resection and reconstruction has beneficial impact on oncologic long-term outcome in patients with advanced stage hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Pathological and Radiological Splenic Vein Involvement are Predictors of Poor Prognosis and Early Liver Metastasis After Surgery in Patients with Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma of the Body and Tail.

The prognostic impact of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) invasion to the splenic vessel is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical value of pathological and radiological splenic vessel invasion in PDACs of the body and tail. Medical records of patients with resectable PDAC of the body and tail who underwent distal pancreatectomy between 2003 and 2016 at the Kobe University Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Overall, 68 patients (29 female and 39 male patients) were enrolled. Pathologically determined splenic vein invasion (p-SV) and splenic artery invasion (p-SA) were identified in 21 (30.9%) and 5 (7.4%) patients, respectively. The p-SV (but not p-SA) was an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis (p=0.009). On analysis of recurrence patterns, patients with PDAC positive for p-SV were at a higher risk for liver metastasis (p=0.022); however, the associations were not significant for other recurrence patterns. Liver metastasis occurred earlier in patients who were positive for p-SV (p=0.015). Preoperative computed tomography effectively diagnosed pathological vessel invasion (SV: sensitivity, 95.2%, specificity, 72.3%; SA: sensitivity, 100%, specificity, 84.1%). Radiological SV invasion remained significant in multivariate analysis regarding postoperative survival (p=0.007), and was also associated with early liver metastases (p=0.008). Pathological/radiological SV invasion were independent adverse prognostic factors associated with early liver metastasis in patients with PDAC of the body/tail. Assessment of these findings may be useful in determining optimal therapeutic options in these patients.

Integration of different criteria for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer using classification tree analysis: the use of radiological tumour–vascular interface in correlation with surgical and pathological outcomes

To integrate various criteria for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) based on radiological parameters using classification tree analysis. The institutional review board approved this retrospective study and waived the requirement for informed consent. Two hundred and thirty-five tumour-vein interfaces and 67 tumour-artery interfaces in 245 patients with surgically confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who underwent both preoperative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were assessed by two independent readers. Radiological parameters for evaluation of the tumour-vascular interface were boundary, length of interface, degree of circumferential interface, and contour deformity of affected vessels. Classification tree analysis was performed to determine parameters associated with vascular invasion using pathological and surgical results as the reference standard. In the classification tree analysis for the tumour-vein interface, contour deformity and degree of circumferential interface were the first and second determining factors, respectively, for both surgical and pathological vascular invasion. For the tumour-artery interface, boundary and degree of circumferential interface were the first and second determining factors for surgical invasion, while contour deformity and length of interface were the first and second determining factors for pathological invasion. The BRPC group of modified criteria arbitrarily formed based on the results had similar surgical (74.1-81.6%) and pathological (54.3-63.3%) venous invasion compared to that of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) criteria, and the lowest surgical (33.3%) and pathological (6.7%) arterial invasion compared with those in previously established criteria for BRPC (43.3-55.6% and 22.2-26.1%, respectively). Various criteria for BRPCs were integrated using classification tree analysis, and a modified criterion for BRPC, which provides satisfactory results, was established.

Benefit of salvage total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy for recurrent locally advanced head and neck cancer after radiotherapy

BackgroundThe treatment modalities for recurrent locally advanced head and neck cancer failure after radiotherapy are limited with poor prognosis. Salvage supra-radical operation seems to be an option. It has not been established which patients will benefit from salvage total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 66 patients with previously irradiated recurrent T4 head and neck cancer who underwent salvage total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy at our institution between January 2001 and June 2014. The clinical outcome and toxicities were analyzed.ResultsFlap loss occurred in 2 patients, and the incidence of fistulas and anastomosis strictures was 15.6% (10/66) and 13.6% (9/66), respectively. The median survival time of the entire cohort was 12 months. The interval between radiation and salvage surgery, and microscopic carotid artery invasion were identified as independent prognostic factors for overall survival. The 3-year overall survival rates of patients with (n = 33) and without (n = 33) risk factors were 9.1% and 47.2%, respectively (p = 0.007). A time interval between radiation and salvage surgery ≤6 months and previous concurrent chemotherapy or targeted therapy were risk factors for severe post-operative complications.ConclusionsSalvage total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy is beneficial to selected patients with recurrent locally advanced head and neck cancer after radiotherapy.

Use of dynamic MRI during swallowing to assess carotid artery invasion by neck metastasis.

The effectiveness of dynamic MRI in evaluating the relationship between metastatic lymph nodes and the carotid artery was investigated. Thirty-two patients with metastatic lymph nodes, possibly adherent to the carotid artery, were evaluated with dynamic MRI before surgery. Consecutive axial and oblique images were obtained during swallowing. The displacement rate of the target carotid artery to the contralateral carotid artery and the low-intensity stripe between the metastatic lymph nodes and the carotid artery wall were compared with the surgical findings. A displacement rate > 50% indicated resectable metastatic lymph nodes. Low-intensity stripe was present in 65% of patients and indicated no invasion; 82% of patients without low-intensity stripe had resectable metastatic lymph nodes. The others without low-intensity stripe required carotid artery resection due to malignant invasion. The accuracy rate, sensitivity, and specificity were 78%, 83%, and 100%, respectively. Dynamic MRI during swallowing is useful for assessing suspected carotid artery involvement in patients with metastatic lymph nodes to achieve maximal safe resection.

Evaluating vertebral artery dominancy before T4 lung cancer surgery requiring subclavian artery reconstruction.

To evaluate vertebral artery (VA) dominancy and the risk of brain infarction in T4 lung cancer patients with tumor invasion into the subclavian artery. We reconstructed the subclavian artery in 10 patients with T4 non-small cell lung cancer. The histological stages were IIIA in eight patients and IIIB in two patients. We evaluated the VA dominancy by performing a four-vessel study preoperatively and investigated the relationship between the methods of VA treatment and postoperative brain complications, retrospectively. Seven patients had a superior sulcus tumor (SST) and three had direct invasion into the mediastinum. Based on the tumor location, a transmanublial approach was used in five patients and a posterolateral hook incision was used in the other five. All subclavian artery (SA) reconstructions were done using an artificial woven graft. Preoperative angiography of the VA revealed poor development of the contralateral side in two patients. One of these patients suffered a severe brain infarction on postoperative day 2, which proved fatal. In the other patient, the VA was connected to the left SA graft by a side-to-end anastomosis and there was no postoperative brain complication. Preoperative SA and VA angiography is mandatory for identifying the need for VA reconstruction in lung cancer patients with major arterial invasion.

Evaluation and proposal of novel resectability criteria for pancreatic cancer established by the Japan Pancreas Society

The guidelines for the classification of the resectability of pancreatic cancer established by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network can be difficult to utilize in clinical practice. We evaluated novel criteria proposed by the Japan Pancreas Society. We analyzed 382 patients with pancreatic cancer between 2001 and 2015 for survival differences among subgroups classified according to the Japan Pancreas Society classification. Overall survival and disease-free survival were expressed as median values and compared with data based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network classification, and differences in initial patterns of recurrence were analyzed. Overall survival times according to the Japan Pancreas Society criteria were 34.2, 29.7, 17.3, 14.3, and 15.8months for the groups defined as resectable, resectable with portal vein invasion, borderline resectable with portal vein invasion, borderline resectable with arterial invasion, and unresectable by locally advanced disease respectively. The overall survival of the resectable group was better than those of the borderline resectable with portal vein invasion or borderline resectable with arterial invasion groups (P<.0001); however, the borderline resectable with portal vein invasion, borderline resectable with arterial invasion, and unresectable by locally advanced groups showed no differences in overall survival. The resectable group showed a tendency toward better survival than the resectable with portal vein invasion group (P=.058). The median overall survival times according to the classic 2012 National Comprehensive Cancer Network criteria were 30.5, 20.5, 15.8, and 13.8months for the resectable, portal invasion, common hepatic artery and superior mesenteric artery invasion groups, respectively. Each survival curve was clearly separate. The borderline resectable with arterial invasion and unresectable by locally advanced groups exhibited high local recurrence rates (42.0% and 44.8%, respectively). The Japan Pancreas Society criteria, which are simpler, predicted survival differences between the resectable group and the other subgroups. Our data suggest that cancer patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (borderline resectable with portal vein invasion and borderline resectable with arterial invasion) can be managed as a single subset.

The major thoracic vascular invasion of lung cancer.

BackgroundWe actually investigated the surgical and pathological findings in cases which tumor invasion of the major thoracic vessels was suspected based on the preoperative Computed tomography (CT) findings.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed our prospective database of all patients, who underwent lung resection for lung cancer from 2012 to 2014. 387 patients underwent lung cancer surgery. Among these patients, we analyzed 30 patients in whom pulmonary artery (PA) invasion was suspected and 11 patients in whom pulmonary vein (PV) or left atrium (LA) invasion was suspected based on the preoperative CT findings.ResultsAmong the 30 patients with suspected PA invasion, there were 9 patients in whom the tumor could be peeled off the PA in actual thoracotomy. Pathological invasion of the PA was observed in 6 of these patients. The positive predictive value of the preoperative CT findings was 20%. Among the 11 patients with suspected PV or LA invasion, there were 2 patients in whom the tumor could be peeled off the PV or LA in actual thoracotomy. Pathological tumor invasion of the PV or LA was observed in 4 of these patients. The positive predictive value of the preoperative CT findings was 36%.ConclusionThe positive predictive value of the preoperative CT findings for tumor invasion of the thoracic vessels was low. Therefore, surgical opportunities that offer the chance of a cure shouldn't be missed in advanced lung cancer patients because the tumor is located near the major thoracic vessels on preoperative CT.

Predictive risk factors for peritoneal recurrence after pancreatic cancer resection and strategies for its prevention.

To evaluate the risk factors for peritoneal recurrence (PR) of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and to discuss the appropriate management strategies. We reviewed the medical records of 236 patients who underwent pancreatectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We then compared the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with vs. those without PR. The independent risk factors for PR were defined using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. The median survival of patients with PR was 13.3months after surgical treatment. The PR group had a significantly higher incidence of portal vein resection, longer operative time (≥648min), greater blood loss (≥2179mL), blood transfusion, tumor size, portal vein invasion, artery invasion, pancreatic nerve plexus invasion, and histological grade. Multivariate analysis revealed that excessive blood loss (≥2179mL; P=0.010), artery invasion (P=0.025), pancreatic nerve plexus invasion (P=0.001), and histological grade 3 (P=0.011) were independent risk factors for PR. Excessive blood loss was also strongly related to tumor size (P=0.018). Local invasion and tumor size-related factors suggested the possibility of intraoperative dissemination at the time of tumor resection. Preoperative treatment and an operative procedure to prevent tumor exposure may help prevent PR.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy for borderline resectable pancreatic head cancer with a modified artery-first approach technique

The treatment of borderline resectable pancreatic head cancer (BRPHC) is still controversial and challenging. The artery-first approaches are described to be the important options for the early determination. Whether these approaches can achieve an increase R0 rate, better bleeding control and increasing long-term survival for BRPHC are still controversial. We compared a previously reported technique, a modified artery-first approach (MAFA), with conventional techniques for the surgical treatment of BRPHC. A total of 117 patients with BRPHC undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) from January 2013 to June 2015 were included. They were divided into an MAFA group (n=78) and a conventional-technique group (n=39). Background characteristics, operative data and complications were compared between the two groups. Mean operation time was significantly shorter in the MAFA group than that in the conventional-technique group (313 vs 384 min; P=0.014); mean volume of intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the MAFA group than that in the conventional-technique group (534 vs 756 mL; P=0.043); and mean rate of venous resection was significantly higher in the conventional-technique group than that in the MAFA group (61.5% vs 35.9%; P=0.014). Pathologic data, early mortality and morbidity were not different significantly between the two groups. MAFA is safe, simple, less time-consuming, less intraoperative blood loss and less venous resection, and therefore, may become a standard surgical approach to PD for BRPHC with the superior mesenteric vein-portal vein involvement but without superior mesenteric artery invasion.