H. Sarashina

Evaluation of echographic diagnosis of rectal cancer using intrarectal ultrasonic examination

Ultrasonic examinations conducted in order to diagnose the depth of invasion and local lymph node metastases of rectal cancer. The intrarectal approach was performed preoperatively in 99 patients with rectal cancer, using either an Olympus-Aloka ultrasonic endoscopeTM (7.5 MHz) or other probes (Aloka, 7.5 MHz, 5 MHz). Through this method, intrapelvic organs were detected clearly, and hypoechoic findings due to tumors were detected in all patients. The normal rectal wall was echogenically divided into five layers, the third layer being the submucosal and the fourth layer being the proper muscle layer. In some cases, the proper muscle layer was divided into three layers in the echogram. In 79 of 88 patients, the diagnosis of depth of invasion, classified into three groups, was possible. Metastatic lymph nodes were shown as a hypoechoic round mass. In 52 of 71 patients proven to have local lymph node metastases in surgical specimens, lymph node metastases were diagnosed preoperatively. Thus, intrarectal ultrasonography provides valuable information concerning the choice of operating methods for rectal cancer.

Evaluation of lateral lymph node dissection with preoperative chemo-radiotherapy for the treatment of advanced middle to lower rectal cancers

Background and aimsThis study examined rectal cancers with lateral lymph node (LN) metastases and whether lateral lymph node dissection (LLD) with or without preoperative chemo-radiotherapy (XRT) benefits patients with rectal cancer.Patients and methodsA total of 452 consecutive cases of curatively resected pT2, pT3, and pT4 middle to lower rectal cancers were retrospectively analyzed. Of these, 265 patients underwent curative LLD and 155 XRT. Data were evaluated with respect to the cumulative percentage of survival.ResultsLateral LN metastases were identified in 7.7% of patients. Of the pT3/pT4 extraperitoneal cancer patients 13.5/18.8% had lateral LN metastases. In the treatment of middle rectal cancers and pT2 extraperitoneal cancers LLD either with or without XRT did not improve survival rate. For the treatment of pT3/pT4 extraperitoneal tumors prior to the introduction of total mesorectal excision (TME) in 1994 LLD plus XRT yielded significantly better survival and local control than conventional surgery without LLD or XRT, although LLD alone did not improve either survival or local recurrence rates. Since 1995 TME with or without subsequent LLD has yielded favorable results for the treatment of extraperitoneal tumors.ConclusionFor the treatment of middle rectal cancers and pT2 extraperitoneal cancers LLD either with or without XRT does not improve survival rate. For pT3/pT4 extraperitoneal tumors, which are associated with a high incidence of lateral node metastasis, combining treatment modalities such as TME followed by LLD or XRT followed by TME may be considered.

Morphometric analysis of cytological atypia in colonic adenomas

A total of 29 colorectal polyps were classified into those with mild, moderate, and severe dysplasia, and carcinoma. Morphometric analyses were performed on each group, determining; mean nuclear area (N-area), nuclear cytoplasmic (N/C) ratio, nuclear crowding index (Cx) and mean cellular area (C-area). N-area and N/C ratio increased in accordance with the progress of the atypical changes. Cx showed a gradual increase up to moderate dysplasia and a decline from severe dysplasia to carcinoma. N-area in severe dysplasia and carcinoma was distinctively larger than that in mild and moderate dysplasia. As for C-area, the value from normal to moderate dysplasia remained about the same, in contrast to the much higher levels in severe dysplasia and carcinoma. These results clearly indicated that the rise in N/C ratio from normal to moderate dysplasia depends mainly on nuclear crowding, but that from severe dysplasia to carcinoma on nuclear enlargement.

Nerve-sparing surgery for advanced rectal cancer patients: special reference to Dukes C patients.

Abstract. Several nerve-sparing operations for advanced rectal cancer that aim to preserve genitourinary function without compromising tumor clearance have been developed in Japan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival and local recurrence of these procedures in Dukes B and C patients. A total of 177 patients with advanced rectal cancer underwent curative nerve-sparing surgery (NSS) over the last 11 years; 52 were Dukes B patients and 54 were Dukes C. Altogether 36 had Dukes C1 and 18 had Dukes C2 tumors, 13 with lateral lymph node metastases, designated lateral LN(+). The 5-year survival rate was 92% for Dukes B, 67% for Dukes C1, and 39% for Dukes C2 patients: 11% for Dukes C2 patients with lateral LN(+). The local recurrence rate was 6% for Dukes B, 11% for Dukes C1, and 33% for Dukes C2 patients: 20% for the lateral LN(−) group and 39% for the lateral LN(+) group. Almost all of the patients undergoing NSS could micturate spontaneously, but preservation of sexual function was not as successful. Although there is no guarantee of preserving satisfactory sexual function, our NSS is an acceptable procedure for Dukes B, C1, and C2 patients without lateral lymph node metastases.

Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the colon. Report of a case.

A rare case of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma arising in the sigmoid colon, found accidentally during an operation for cholecystolithiasis, is reported. The tumor was located 40 cm from the anal verge, and had two histologic variations consisting of a large distended cystic lesion and branching cystic channels with papillary proliferation of the epithelium. Serial sections revealed the existence of a luminal communication between the two lesions. The tumor tissue was seen mainly in the muscularis propria with no mucosal involvement. The papillary portion had a highly differentiated appearance, giving rise to considerable difficulty in determining whether it was benign or malignant. In a localized area, however, the tumor invaded into the subserosa and showed distinctive atypical changes. The tumor cells showed intense reactivity for carcinoembryonic antigen. This mucinous cystadenocarcinoma was considered to be originated from an enterogenous cyst, a possible derivative of duplication of the colon. The differential diagnosis concerning this rare tumor is also discussed.

Ileocolic intussusception in adult due to malignant lymphoma in the cecum with intramural metastasis

A rare adult case of intussusception caused by malignant lymphoma of the cecum with intramural metastasis is reported. The patient was a 24-year-old man. Ileocolic intussusception was diagnosed by characteristic findings on abdominal computed tomography. Endoscopic examination revealed a massive protuberant tumor, 3 cm in diameter, and a semipedunculated polyp, 1 cm in diameter, in the cecum, which had caused the ileocolic intussusception. Endoscopic biopsy specimens failed to yield a definitive diagnosis histologically, but right hemicolectomy with lymph node dissection was performed. On histologic examination of the surgical specimens, both the tumor and the polyp were diagnosed as diffuse lymphoma of medium-sized cell type, and no lymph node involvement was found. The patient responded well to surgical and chemotherapeutic treatment, and has had no recurrence of malignant lymphoma in the 2 years since the surgical treatment. This was a very rare case of an intussusception in an adult patient due to malignant lymphoma in the cecum with intramural metastasis and without lymph node involvement.