M. J. Forshaw

Breast cancer metastasis to the stomach may mimic primary gastric cancer: report of two cases and review of literature

BackgroundThe stomach is an infrequent site of breast cancer metastasis. It may prove very difficult to distinguish a breast cancer metastasis to the stomach from a primary gastric cancer on the basis of clinical, endoscopic, radiological and histopathological features. It is important to make this distinction as the basis of treatment for breast cancer metastasis to the stomach is usually with systemic therapies rather than surgery.Case presentationsThe first patient, a 51 year old woman, developed an apparently localised signet-ring gastric adenocarcinoma 3 years after treatment for lobular breast cancer with no clinical evidence of recurrence. Initial gastric biopsies were negative for both oestrogen and progesterone receptors. Histopathology after a D2 total gastrectomy was reported as T4 N3 Mx. Immunohistochemistry for Gross Cystic Disease Fluid Protein was positive, suggesting metastatic breast cancer. The second patient, a 61 year old woman, developed a proximal gastric signet-ring adenocarcinoma 14 years after initial treatment for breast cancer which had subsequently recurred with bony and pleural metastases. In this case, initial gastric biopsies were positive for both oestrogen and progesterone receptors; subsequent investigations revealed widespread metastases and surgery was avoided.ConclusionIn patients with a history of breast cancer, a high index of suspicion for potential breast cancer metastasis to the stomach should be maintained when new gastrointestinal symptoms develop or an apparent primary gastric cancer is diagnosed. Complete histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of the gastric biopsies and comparison with the original breast cancer pathology is important.

Anastomotic strictures and delayed gastric emptying after esophagectomy: incidence, risk factors and management

The aim of this study was to report the incidence, risk factors, and management of gastric conduit dysfunction after esophagectomy in 177 patients over a 3-year period in a single center. Patients with anastomotic strictures or delayed gastric emptying (DGE) were identified from a prospective database. Anastomotic strictures occurred in 48 patients (27%). Eighty-three percent of early anastomotic strictures (<1 year) were benign, and all late strictures (>1 year) were malignant. Dilatation was effective in 98% of benign and 64% of malignant strictures. DGE occurred in 21 patients (12%), and was associated with both anastomotic leak (P = 0.001) and anastomotic stricture (P = 0.001). 4/8 patients with late DGE (>3 months postesophagectomy) were tumor-related. Pyloric dilatation was effective in 92% of early and 63% of late DGE. Pyloric stents were inserted in 3 patients with tumor-related DGE. After esophagectomy, early anastomotic strictures (within 1 year) and early delayed gastric emptying (within 3 months) are usually benign and respond to dilatation. However, patients presenting later with tumor-related obstruction are unlikely to respond to anastomotic or pyloric dilatation and should be stented.

Surgical management of colonic redundancy following esophageal replacement

Colonic redundancy is the most common late complication following esophageal replacement by colonic interposition. Redundancy in the colonic graft leads to mechanical dysfunction of the neo-conduit, causing disabling symptoms that may develop decades after the original surgery. When symptoms caused by food retention in the colonic loop occur, surgical correction may be necessary to improve quality of life and to prevent complications such as aspiration if lifestyle modifications fail. We describe two cases where remedial surgery was performed for redundancy in interposed colonic grafts. Particularly attention is given to preoperative work-up and surgical technique. The literature is reviewed for the etiology, clinical features and management options of this condition. These cases illustrate a successful surgical technique for correcting this complication.

Outcomes following colectomy for Clostridium difficile colitis

INTRODUCTION Clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea has become an important health problem in UK hospitals but surgical intervention is rarely required. There is little evidence regarding best practice for patients requiring surgical intervention. The aim of this multicentre study was to review our experience in patients requiring surgery for C. difficile colitis. METHODS Patients who underwent surgery for C. difficile colitis in 5 hospitals in Southeast England over a 7-year period (1 teaching hospital and 4 district general hospitals) were identified from histopathology databases. Data were collected regarding the presentation, indication for surgery and post-operative outcomes. RESULTS 15 patients (9 males; mean age=71 years (range 35-84 years)) underwent surgery. 46% of patients (n=7) contracted C. difficile during their hospital admission for other medical reasons and 73% of patients were initially admitted under other medical specialties. Diagnosis was only made preoperatively in 8 patients (53%). Indications for surgery were peritonitis and systemic toxicity (n=12), failure of medical management (n=2) and unresolving large bowel dilatation (n=1). 12 patients underwent total colectomy and the rest underwent segmental resection. All patients were admitted to the intensive care unit post operatively with a mean stay of 6 days. 2 patients needed a second look laparotomy. Mortality rate was 67% (n=10), with all but 1 patient dying within the 30-day mortality period. The mean length of hospital stay of survivors was 30 days (range 17-72). CONCLUSIONS Surgical intervention for C. difficile colitis remains uncommon. Total colectomy and end ileostomy is the procedure of choice. The outlook for patients requiring surgery remains poor.

Centralisation of Oesophagogastric Cancer Services: Can Specialist Units Deliver?

INTRODUCTION Oesophagogastric cancer surgery is increasingly being performed in only centralised units. The aim of the study was to examine surgical outcomes and service delivery within a specialist unit. PATIENTS AND METHODS The case notes of all patients undergoing attempted oesophagogastrectomy between January 2000 and May 2003 were identified from a prospective consultant database. RESULTS A total of 187 patients (median age, 63 years; range, 29-83 years; M:F ratio, 3.9:1) underwent attempted oesophago-gastrectomy. Of these, 91% were seen within 2 weeks of referral and treatment was instituted after a mean of 31 days (range, 1-109 days). More patients underwent surgery (63%) than neoadjuvant therapy (56%) within 1 month of referral. The main indication for surgery was invasive malignancy in 166 patients (89%). The 30-day mortality was 0.5% (1 death) and in-hospital mortality was 1.1% (2 deaths). The median length of hospital stay was 14 days (range, 7-69 days). Significant postoperative morbidity included: pulmonary complications (36%), cardiovascular complications (16%), wound infection (13%) and clinically significant anastomotic leaks (7%). Of the study group, 28 patients (15%) were admitted to ICU with a median stay of 10 days (range, 1-44 days); this accounted for 0.9% of ICU bed availability. Twelve patients (6.4%) were returned to theatre, most commonly for bleeding. The 1-year survival rates were 78%. During 2002-2003, national waiting list targets for both hernia repair and cholecystectomy were achieved. CONCLUSIONS Despite recent increases in workload, high volume specialist units can deliver an efficient and timely service with both good treatment outcomes and minimal impact upon elective surgical waiting lists and ICU provision.

Factors associated with early recurrence and death after esophagectomy for cancer.

Accurate selection of patients for radical treatment of esophageal cancer is essential to avoid early recurrence and death (ERD) after surgery. We sought to evaluate a large series of consecutive resections to assess factors that may be associated with this poor outcome.

A large series, resection controlled study to assess the value of radial EUS in restaging gastroesophageal cancer following neoadjuvant chemotherapy

The true value of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy for esophageal carcinoma is not established. Superior loco-regional detail may yield useful staging and prognostic information but information on its accuracy, as compared with computed tomography (CT), remains undefined and limited by small study size. We prospectively studied 109 patients with gastroesophageal cancer; 99 of whom were undergoing surgery. All had EUS and helical CT imaging before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the results were compared with pathological staging of resected specimens. Tumor response was assessed by the reduction in maximal tumor depth at EUS and correlated with patient survival. There was no difference in T and N stage accuracies between EUS and CT following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. manova showed a reduction in maximal tumor depth by > 50% at EUS to be associated with longer survival (relative risk = 0.48, P < 0.05). EUS responders had a median survival of 38 months compared to 30 months for non-responders (P < 0.05). The identification of lymphadenopathy at radial EUS was not predictive of survival. This large series study demonstrates the staging accuracy of CT and non-biopsy EUS in the setting of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for gastroesophageal cancer to be equivalent and poor. An endosonography may contribute useful clinical information in respect of potential survival. It is questionable whether radial EUS should be included in protocols for restaging.

Gastric tube necrosis following minimally invasive oesophagectomy is a learning curve issue

INTRODUCTION Gastric tube necrosis following oesophagectomy is thought to have an increased association with a minimally invasive technique. Some suggest gastric ischaemic preconditioning may reduce ischaemic complications. We discuss our series of 155 consecutive minimally invasive oesophagectomies (MIOs), including a number of cases of gastric tube ischaemia, of which 4 (2.6%) developed conduit necrosis. METHODS Data were collected prospectively of MIOs carried out by a single surgeon between 2005 and 2011. Cases of gastric tube necrosis were identified. RESULTS Overall, 155 patients were identified. The inpatient mortality rate was 2.6%. Gastric tube necrosis occurred in four patients (2.6%). An ultrasonic dissector injury to the gastroepiploic arcade had occurred in two cases. In another case, the gastric tube was strangulated in the hiatus. In the remaining case, no clear mechanical cause was identified. All 4 cases occurred within the first 73 cases. The gastric tube necrosis rate of the first 50 cases versus cases 51-155 was 4% and 2% respectively (p=0.5948). The anastomotic leak rate in these two cohorts was 18% and 7% respectively (p=0.0457). There was a significant reduction in overall gastric tube complications from 22% to 10% following the learning curve of the initial 50 cases (p=0.0447). CONCLUSIONS In our series, gastric tube necrosis appears to be a learning curve issue. Prophylactic measures such as ischaemic preconditioning become less relevant as the operating surgeons experience increases. Instead, meticulous attention to preserving the gastroepiploic arcade, avoidance of tension in the tube and careful positioning of the gastric conduit through an adequately sized hiatus are key factors.

The role of oesophageal diversion and exclusion in the management of oesophageal perforations

AIM Persistent sepsis from an oesophageal perforation has a near 100% mortality. We describe our experience with early oesophageal diversion and exclusion for patients in-extremis. METHODS A retrospective review of oesophageal perforations was performed between 2000 and 2007. There were five cases Boerhaaves and one case of iatrogenic perforation that required oesophageal diversion and exclusion. 4 males, 2 females with a mean age of 67.6 (58-72) years. RESULTS The primary procedure was performed within 24h in four patients; the other two were after 3 and 10 days. The intensive care unit (ITU) stay was a median of 25 days. Mortality rate was 50%. Median length of stay for the survivors was 60 days. Three patients underwent a successful colonic interposition in our unit after 6 months. CONCLUSION Exclusion and diversion procedures are required in very rare circumstances. In conditions of persistent leak and continuing sepsis or those patients not fit to undergo a major procedure they could be lifesaving if performed early. As it is a relatively easy and quick procedure it should be considered early as a 2nd line management option.

The effect of economic deprivation on oesophageal and gastric cancer in a UK cancer network.

Aims:  The National Health Service (NHS) Cancer Plan aims to eliminate economic inequalities in healthcare provision and cancer outcomes. This study examined the influence of economic status upon the incidence, access to treatment and survival from oesophageal and gastric cancer in a single UK cancer network.