Katsuhiko Okubo

Adrenal Metastasis from Rectal Cancer: Report of a Case

Abstract.We report a case of heterochronic adrenal metastasis from colorectal carcinoma in a 51-year-old woman. A left adrenal metastasis was found by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging 8 months after an anterior resection for advanced rectal carcinoma, and a left hepatectomy for a solitary liver metastasis. The level of serum carcinoembryonic antigen was still within the normal range. A left adrenalectomy was performed, and histopathological examination revealed adenocarcinoma, compatible with the rectal carcinoma resected 8 months earlier. The patient died of lung metastases 6 months after the adrenalectomy. A review of autopsy series in the world literature revealed that adrenal metastasis from colorectal cancer is not rare. Therefore, the possibility of adrenal metastasis should be considered in the follow-up of patients after primary surgery for colorectal cancer, even though the liver and lung are the main metastatic sites.

Serum interleukin-12 levels in patients with gastric cancer.

PurposeTo evaluate the immunological status of patients with gastric cancer before surgery, we investigated the relationship between serum interleukin-12 (IL-12) levels and clinicopathological factors.MethodsWe measured serum IL-12 levels in 127 patients with gastric cancer and 35 healthy controls, by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the Human IL-12 +p40 Immunoassay kit.ResultsThe serum IL-12 levels in the patients with gastric cancer were significantly higher than those of the healthy controls (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in disease stage or gross appearance among the cancer groups, but the serum IL-12 levels in patients with T4 disease were significantly lower than those in patients with T1, T2, or T3 (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in serum IL-12 levels between patients with and those without lymph node, liver, or peritoneal metastasis. The serum IL-12 levels in patients with distant metastasis were significantly lower than those in patients without distant metastasis (P < 0.02). There were no significant differences in the serum IL-12 levels according to classification by histopathological findings. Analysis with the linear correlation coefficient showed no significant correlation between serum IL-12 and serum carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9, CA 72-4, α-fetoprotein, or immunosuppressive acidic protein. However, there was a significant relationship between serum IL-12 levels and soluble IL-2 receptor levels (r = 0.53, P < 0.01).ConclusionSerum IL-12 levels in patients with far-advanced gastric cancer were significantly lower than those in patients with less-advanced gastric cancer. This is because macrophages in patients with far-advanced cancer would be hectic and unable to produce sufficient IL-12.

Successful treatment of leptomeningeal metastases from breast cancer using the combination of trastuzumab and capecitabine: a case report

We report a case of metastatic breast cancer with leptomeninges and multiple bone metastases that showed an excellent response to the combination of trastuzumab and capecitabine; therapeutic effect was evaluated by MRI at follow-up. A 44-year-old woman underwent modified radical mastectomy in February 1997. In April 2003, a tumor at the right basis cerebri and multiple bone metastases were noted, and in October 2003, she underwent enucleation of the tumor. Histopathologically, the tumor was consistent with a basal skull metastasis from breast cancer. In March 2004, the patient began to experience pain, weakness, and paresthesia of both legs. She was diagnosed, with leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) from breast cancer using MRI. In December 2005, the combination of trastuzumab and capecitabine administered as sixth-line treatment was very effective for LM. Although it is generally very difficult to diagnose LM and assess the therapeutic effect with MRI, in this case, it was possible. To our knowledge, there has been no report in the literature describing the combination of trastuzumab and capecitabine for LM from breast cancer. Although the mechanism underlying the efficacy of this combination is still unknown, the treatment would be worth trying because of its few side effects in extensively treated patients with LM from breast cancer. To confirm the antitumor efficacy of trastuzumab and capecitabine, however, further investigations are required.

Situs inversus totalis with malignant lymphoma of the stomach: Report of a case

Situs inversus totalis is a rare congenital anomaly that often occurs concomitantly with other disorders. We report a case of situs inversus totalis with malignant lymphoma of the stomach, which was successfully treated by surgery followed by chemotherapy and irradiation. The patient was a 51-year-old woman who present with colicky pain in the left upper quadrant of her abdomen. Chest X-ray showed a right-sided heart, and ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed a situs inversus totalis with multiple gallstones in the gallbladder. Tree-dimensional reconstructed CT of the abdomen showed no other malformations coexisting with situs inversus totalis, but a barium upper gastrointestinal series found an inverted stomach and an elevated tumor with ulceration in the center, localized in the antrum of the stomach. First, we performed a cholecystectomy, followed by a total gastrectomy with dissection of the lymph nodes and splenectomy, and Roux-en-Y reconstruction. Histopathological examination confirmed a diagnosis of malignant lymphoma of the stomach (diffuse large B-cell type) with metastasis to the regional lymph nodes. Chemotherapy using the CHOP regimen was given three times, starting 1 month postoperatively. A follow-up CT scan showed enlargement of one lymph node around the abdominal aorta and irradiation was delivered to the area of the inverted Y in the abdomen. At the time of writing, 10 months after surgery, the patient is well with no signs of recurrence and leading a normal life. Careful preoperative assessment is very important for determining the most appropriate surgical procedure in patients with situs inversus totalis associated with a malignancy.

Angiosarcoma of the breast: report of a case and its findings of MRI.

A 67-year-old woman with angiosarcoma of the left breast is presented. Physical findings showed a hard mass in the left breast with skin discoloration and erythema. Mammography showed a high density shadow in the mass without microcalcification and spicula. On ultrasonography, a hypoechoic mass with an ill-defined boundary was detected. On MRI, the tumor had low signal intensity on Tl-weighted images, and higher signal intensity on T2-weighted images. MRI with Gd-DTPA images showed higher signal intensity on Tl-weighted images with relatively lower intensity in the central area of the tumor. The artery supplying the tumor derived from the left inner thoracic artery and was visualized on three-dimensional dynamic MRI angiography. Initially misdiagnosed as inflammatory breast cancer, an arterial injection of CPA (100 mg) and 5-FU (500 mg) had been performed preoperatively. The definitive diagnosis of angiosarcoma was established by intraoperative frozen section examination. She underwent modified radical mastectomy and is now free of recurrence. This case emphasizes the difficulties in the clinical diagnosis of angiosarcoma of the breast.

Changes in Liver Enzymes after Surgery in Anti-Hepatitis C Virus-positive Patients

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of surgical intervention on changes in liver enzymes in patients with antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV). Of 623 patients who underwent laparotomy in our department during the 2 years between January 2000 and December 2001, a group of 39 (6.3%) who were positive for the HCV antibody were enrolled in this study. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and cholinesterase (ChE) were the standard liver tests performed. The antibody to HCV was measured in serum using an ELISA kit that can detect antibodies against the combined epitopes. The postoperative elevated values of AST and ALP in the anti-HCV-positive group were significantly higher than those in the anti-HCV-negative group (p < 0.05). The postoperative decreased values of ChE in the anti-HCV-positive group were significantly greater than those in the anti-HCV-negative group (p < 0.02). The postoperatively decreased ratios of ChE in the anti-HCV positive group were significantly greater than those in the anti-HCV negative group (p < 0.0001). Using multivariate logistic regression modeling, testing positive for the antibody to HCV was independently and significantly associated with abnormal levels of ALT and ALP (p = 0.035 and 0.018, respectively). Monitoring liver enzymes such as ChE, ALT, and ALP might be effective for evaluating liver function after surgery in anti-HCV-positive patients.

Serum soluble interleukin 2 receptor levels in patients with breast cancer

Preoperative levels of serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) were examined in 37 patients with breast cancer. We investigated the correlations of serum soluble IL-2R levels with various factors such as stage grouping, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, tumor size, histopathological type, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR) and CA 153. Serum soluble IL-2R levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Levels of serum soluble IL-2R in the patients with stage III and IV breast cancer were significantly higher than those in the normal controls, and patients with stage I and II breast cancer. Preoperative levels of serum soluble IL-2R in patients with T3 and T4 were also significantly higher than those in patients with T1 and T2. Serum levels of IL-2R in patients with distant metastasis were also significantly higher than those in patients without distant metastasis. Moreover, serum levels of soluble IL-2R in patients with higher CA 15-3 were significantly higher than those in patients with normal CA 15-3 levels.We conclude that preoperative serum soluble IL-2R levels in patients with breast cancer may be a valuable parameter, especially in evaluating whether they have distant metastasis or not.

A false positive for metastatic lymph nodes in the axillary region of a breast cancer patient following mastectomy

Recent advanced imaging modalities such as positron emission tomography (PET) detect malignancies using 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (18-FDG) with high accuracy, and they contribute to decisions regarding diagnosis, staging, recurrence, and treatment response. Here, we report a case of false-positive metastatic lymph nodes that were diagnosed by PET/CT and ultrasonography in a 48-year-old breast cancer patient who had undergone mastectomy. The tumors, which were oval shaped and resembled lymph nodes, were detected by ultrasonography. PET/CT revealed high uptake of 18-FDG in the tumors. To investigate the proposed recurrence and to re-evaluate the biology of the recurrent tumors, a tumor was removed from the brachial plexus of the patient. Histological findings revealed it to be a schwannoma. All imaging modalities including PET/CT failed to distinguish benign tumors from metastatic lymph nodes in the brachial plexus. After resection of the schwannomas, the patient complained of a slight motor disorder of the second finger on the right hand. Hence, it is important to consider a false-positive case of lymph node metastasis in a breast cancer patient following mastectomy.

Thyroid Adenoma with Extensive Extracellular Mucin Deposition: Report of a Case

A thyroid tumor with extensive extracellular mucin deposition is extremely rare. We herein describe a case of a thyroid adenoma with prominent myxoid stroma. A 63-year-old man presented with a mass in his right anterior neck. Radiological examinations showed this mass to be a thyroid tumor with a cystic component. The histopathological findings showed the stroma of this tumor to consist of abundant myxoid materials which stained gray-bluish for hematoxylin-eosin. The myxoid material was positive for alcian blue, whereas periodic acid-Schiff did not stain this material. No intracytoplasmic mucin was identified. In an immunohistochemical study, the tumor cells were negative for cytokeratin 19. Furthermore, positive staining was observed for thyroglobulin while a negative finding was seen for calcitonin.

BiClamp forceps significantly shorten the operation time for breast surgery

PurposeA novel approach was introduced for breast surgery using the BiClamp, a new bipolar thermal energy device, to avoid complications and to shorten the time required for the dissection of the axillary lymph nodes.MethodsThirty-six patients with early breast cancer were assessed. The surgical parameters were compared between the procedures performed using the BiClamp technique (n = 14) and conventional surgery with suture ligation (n = 22). The parameters included the operation time, blood loss, and discharge on the first postoperative day. In addition, each of those parameters was compared between the patients with a high body mass index (BMI) (>22) and a low BMI (≤22). The sealed vessels were examined histologically and heat-associated morphological vessel wall alterations were evaluated.ResultsThe operation time was significantly shorter in the BiClamp group than in the control group (P = 0.017, 90 ± 18 vs 115 ± 33 min). In addition, the blood loss in the BiClamp group tended to be smaller than in the control group, but the difference was not significant (P = 0.54, 61 ± 47 vs 74 ± 67 g). No other parameters showed any significant differences between the two groups.ConclusionThe BiClamp thermofusion technique was safe and useful in breast surgery involving axillary dissection.