Yuichiro Takeda

Significance of Ductal Margin Status in Patients Undergoing Surgical Resection for Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to determine whether carcinoma in situ at the bile duct margin is prognostically different from residual invasive carcinoma in patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.Summary Background DataAlthough there are many reports that the ductal margin status at bile duct resection stumps is a prognostic indicator in patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, some patients who undergo resection with microscopic tumor involvement of the bile duct margin survive longer than expected.MethodsA retrospective clinicopathological analysis of 128 patients who had undergone surgical resection for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was conducted. The status of the bile duct resection margin was classifiedas negative in 105 patients (82.0%), positive for carcinoma in situ in 12 patients (9.4%), and positive for invasive carcinoma in 11 patients (8.6%).ResultsDuctal margin status was an independent prognostic indicator by both univariate (p = 0.0022) and multivariate (p = 0.0105) analyses, along with lymph node metastasis. There was no significant difference between patients with a negative ductal margin and those with a positive ductal margin with carcinoma in situ (p = 0.5247). The 5-year survival rate of patients with a positive ductal margin with carcinoma in situ (22.2%) was significantly better (p = 0.0241) than with invasive carcinoma (0%). There was a significant relationship between local recurrence and ductal margin status (p = 0.0401).ConclusionsAmong patients undergoing surgical resection for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, invasive carcinoma at the ductal resection margins appears to have a significant relation to local recurrence and also a significant negative impact on survival, whereas residual carcinoma in situ does not. Discrimination whether carcinoma in situ or invasive carcinoma is present is important in clinical setting in which the resection margin at the ductal stump is positive.

Significance of Extensive Surgery Including Resection of the Pancreas Head for the Treatment of Gallbladder Cancer—From the Perspective of Mode of Lymph Node Involvement and Surgical Outcome

The present study aimed to clarify the efficacy of extensive surgery, including pancreas head resection, for more complete lymphadenectomy in the treatment of gallbladder carcinoma. The study involved retrospective analyses of 65 consecutive patients with gallbladder carcinoma who underwent surgical resection between 1982 and 2003. Of these 65 patients, 41.5% displayed node-positive disease and among them 23.1% had positive para-aortic nodes. Of six node-positive 5-year survivors, five underwent pancreatoduodenectomy combined with S4aS5 hepatic subsegmentectomy. The 5-year survival rates were 76.2% for pN0, 30.0% for pN1, 45.8% for pN2, and 0% for pM1[lymph], respectively. Significant differences existed in survival rates. Postoperative recurrence was observed in 24.1% (13/54) of patients who underwent R0 resection. Of the four patients who displayed lymph node recurrence, two had pericholedocal and/or posterior pancreatoduodenal lymph node metastasis at the time of surgery and underwent pancreas-preserving regional lymphadenectomy. These results suggest that extensive resection, including resection of the pancreatic head, is effective in selected patients with up to pN2 lymph node metastasis, as long as complete removal of the cancer can be achieved. Pancreatoduodenectomy combined with S4aS5 hepatic subsegmentectomy should be considered when lymph node metastasis is obvious and the patient is in good condition.

Evaluation of UICC-TNM and JSBS staging systems for surgical patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

AimTwo staging systems exist to classify extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHC), the TNM staging of the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) and the classification system of the Japanese Society of Biliary Surgery (JSBS). This study sought to evaluate the utility of these two staging systems.MethodOne hundred and twenty eight consecutive patients who underwent surgical resection were retrospectively classified into the appropriate stages using the UICC-TNM and JSBS systems. We also compared the distribution and survival curves of respective stages.ResultsAlthough the UICC-TNM staging system divided patients into seven categories, 106 of 128 patients (82.8%) fell into three stages (stages IA, IIA, or IIB). In contrast, patients were relatively evenly divided across the five categories in JSBS staging. The survival curve of UICC-TNM stage IIB was more similar to stage IV than stages IIA or III; survival rates for stages IIB and IV were significantly lower than the other stages. According to the JSBS staging system, there were significant differences between stages I and III, IVA and IVB, and II and IVA/IVB, and III and IVA/IVB.ConclusionsPatients who underwent surgical resection were not evenly divided across UICC-TNM staging categories in comparison to JSBS staging. Stratification of survival ability was better when using the JSBS staging in comparison to the UICC-TNM system. The better understanding about distribution of patient classified by stage and stratification ability of survival of these two staging system may help surgeons assess the patients with EHC.

Mohs Chemosurgery for Local Control of Giant Recurrent Papillary Thyroid Cancer

BACKGROUND Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) generally has a good prognosis but may have an aggressive course, particularly in the elderly. Standard treatment consists of radioactive iodine and thyrotropin suppression with superphysiological doses of thyroid hormone. Other modalities are less commonly used. We report perhaps the first patient with PTC who was treated with Mohs chemosurgery. SUMMARY The patient was a 94-year-old woman who was diagnosed at age 67 with PTC and underwent a near-total thyroidectomy. The PTC recurred in the cervical nodes and reached the size of 8 x 5.5 cm by age 89. The tumor had become exposed and was hemorrhaging. By age 92 it measured 10 cm, encompassed the right common carotid artery, and was invading the trachea and larynx. In order to implement local control, we applied Mohs ointment. She also required blood transfusions. After approximately 1 month, the tumor had flattened, and the hemorrhaging stopped, and the patient was able to be discharged from the hospital to home nursing. CONCLUSION Treatment with Mohs chemosurgery should be considered in the rare patient with exposed locally aggressive PTC for palliation and improved quality of life.