Satisfactory surgical outcome of T2 gastric cancer after modified D2 lymphadenectomy

Objective： Though D2 lymphadenectomy has been increasingly regarded as standard surgical procedure for advanced gastric cancer （GC）, the modified D2 （D 1＋7, 8a and 9） lymphadenectomy may be more suitable than D2 dissection for T2 stage GC. The purpose of this study is to elucidate whether the surgical outcome of modified D2 lymphadenectomy was comparable to that of standard D2 dissection in T2 stage GC patients. Methods： A retrospective cohort study with 77 cases and 77 controls matched for baseline characteristics was conducted. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the extent of lymphadenectomy： the modified D2 group （roD2） and the standard D2 group （D2）. Surgical outcome and recurrence date were compared between the two groups. Results： The 5-year overall survival （OS） rate was 71.4% for patients accepted mD2 lymphadenectomy and 70.1% for those accepted standard D2, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant. Multivariate survival analysis revealed that curability, tumor size, TNM stage and postoperative complications were independently prognostic factors for T2 stage GC patients. Patients in the mD2 group tended to have less intraoperative blood loss （P=0.001） and shorter operation time （P〈0.001） than those in the D2 group. While there were no significant differences in recurrence rate and types, especially lymph node recurrence, between the two groups. Conclusions： The surgical outcome of mD2 lymphadenectomy was equal to that of standard D2, and the use of mD2 instead of standard D2 can be a better option for T2 stage GC.

Evaluation of rational extent lymphadenectomy for local advanced gastric cancer

Based upon studies from randomized clinical trials, the extended （D2） lymph node dissection is now recommended as a standard procedure for local advanced gastric cancer worldwide. However, the rational extent lymphadenectomy for local advanced gastric cancer has remained a topic of debate in the past decades. Due to the limitation of low metastatic rate in para-aortic nodes （PAN） in JCOG9501, the clinical benefit of D2＋ para-aortic nodal dissection （PAND） for patients with stage T4 and/or stage N3 disease, which is very common in China and other countries except Japan and Korea, cannot be determined. Furthermore, the role of splenectomy for complete resection of No.10 and No.l I nodes has been controversial, and however, the final results from the randomized trial ofJCOG0110 have yet to be completed. Gastric cancer with the No.14 and No.13 lymph node metastasis is defined as MI stage in the current version of the Japanese classification. We propose that D2~No.14v and ＋No.13 lymphadenectomy may be an option in a potentially curative gastrectomy for tumors with apparent metastasis to the No.6 nodes or infiltrate to duodenum. The examined lymph node and extranodal metastasis are significantly associated with the survival of gastric cancer patients.

Benefits of minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of gastric cancer

We read with great interest the article that retrospectively analyzed 814 patients with primary gastric cancer,who underwent minimally invasive R0 gastrectomy between 2009 and 2014 by grouping them in laparoscopic vs robotic procedures.The results of the study highlighted that age,American Society of Anesthesiologists status,gastrectomy type and pathological T and N status were the main prognostic factors of minimally invasive gastrectomy and showed how the robotic approach may improve long-term outcomes of advanced gastric cancer.According to most of the current literature,robotic surgery is associated with a statistically longer operating time when compared to open and laparoscopic surgery;however,looking at the adequacy of resection,defined by negative surgical margins and number of lymph nodes removed,it seems that robotic surgery gives better results in terms of the 5-year overall survival and recurrencefree survival.The robotic approach to gastric cancer surgery aims to overcome the difficulties and technical limitations of laparoscopy in major surgery.The threedimensional vision,articulation of the instruments and good ergonomics for the surgeon allow for accurate and precise movements which facilitate the complex steps of surgery such as lymph node dissection,esophagus-jejunal anastomosis packaging and reproducing the technical accuracy of open surgery.If the literature,as well as the analyzed study,offers us countless data regarding the short-term oncological results of robotic surgery in the treatment of gastric cancer,satisfactory data on long-term follow-up are lacking,so future studies are necessary.

Improved Survival after Implementation of Multidisciplinary Team Meetings,Perioperative Chemotherapy,Extended Lymphnode Dissection and Laparoscopic Surgery in the Treatment of Advanced Gastric Cancer

Aims: The treatment of gastric cancer has changed in the western countries during the last decade. This includes multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, perioperative chemotherapy, extended lymph node dissection, and laparoscopic surgery, all of which were gradually implemented at our department from 2008. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of these changes on morbidity and survival. Material and Methods: 185 patients with gastric cancer were operated with curative intent from 2000 until 2016 in this retrospective, observational, follow-up study;83 before implementation of modern principles in 2008 (period 1) and 102 were treated after 2008 (period 2). Results: The resection rate (94% vs 92.8%) and mortality rates (4.8% vs 2.9%) did not differ between the two periods. In period 2, 48 patients (47.1%), received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In 36 patients (35.3%), laparoscopic surgery with D2 lymphadenectomy was performed. There was a significantly higher yield in the number of lymph nodes in period 2 compared to period 1 (14 vs 8, p pparent between laparoscopic and open surgery in the second period (32 vs 10, p The five-year survival rate was significantly improved after the change in treatment principles with an estimated improvement from 30% to 40% between the periods (p = 0.033). Conclusion: The combined effect of MDT meetings, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, extended lymphnode dissection and laparoscopy has improved the prognosis of gastric cancer patients.

Factors associated with early recurrence after curative surgery for gastric cancer

AIM: To characterize patterns of gastric cancer recurrence and patient survival and to identify predictors of early recurrence after surgery.METHODS: Clinicopathological data for 417 consecutive patients who underwent curative resection for gastric cancer were retrospectively analyzed. Tumor and node status was reclassified according to the 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer tumor-node-metastasis classification for carcinoma of the stomach. Survival data came from both the patients' follow-up records and telephone followups.Recurrent gastric cancer was diagnosed based on clinical imaging, gastroscopy with biopsy, and/or cytological examination of ascites, or intraoperative findings in patients who underwent reoperation.Predictors of early recurrence were compared in patients with pT1 and pT2-4a stage tumors. Pearson's χ 2 test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare differences between categorical variables. Survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared via the log-rank test. Variables identified as potentially important for early recurrence using univariate analysis were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis.RESULTS: Of 417 gastric cancer patients, 80(19.2%)were diagnosed with early gastric cancer and the remaining 337(80.8%) were diagnosed with locally advanced gastric cancer. After a median follow-up period of 56 mo, 194 patients(46.5%) experiencedrecurrence. The mean time from curative surgery to recurrence in these 194 patients was 24 ± 18 mo(range, 1-84 mo). Additionally, of these 194 patients,129(66.5%) experienced recurrence within 2 years after surgery. There was no significant difference in recurrence patterns between early and late recurrence(P < 0.05 each). For pT1 stage gastric cancer, tumor size(P = 0.011) and pN stage(P = 0.048) were associated with early recurrence of gastric tumors.Patient age, pT stage, pN stage, Lauren histotype,lymphovascular invasion, intraoperative chemotherapy,and postoperative chemotherapy were independent predictors of early recurrence in patients with pT2-4a stage gastric cancer(P < 0.05 each).CONCLUSION: Age, pT stage, pN stage, Lauren histotype, lymphovascular invasion, intraoperative chemotherapy, and postoperative chemotherapy are independent factors influencing early recurrence of pT2-4a stage gastric cancer.

Predictive factors improving survival after gastric and hepatic surgical treatment in gastric cancer patients with synchronous liver metastases

Background The prognosis for patients with gastric cancer and synchronous liver metastases is very poor.However,a standard therapeutic strategy has not been well established.The clinical benefit and prognostic factors after hepatic surgical treatment for liver metastases from gastric cancer remain controversial.Methods Records of 105 patients who underwent gastrectomy regardless of hepatic surgical treatment for gastric cancer with synchronous liver-only metastases in our center between 1995 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed.Results The overall survival rate for the 105 patients was 42.1%,17.2%,and 10.6% at 1,2,and 3 years,respectively,with a median survival time of 11 months.Multivariate survival analysis revealed that the extent of lymphadenectomy （D） （P 〈0.001）,lymph node metastases （P 〈0.001）,extent of liver metastases （H） （P=0.008）,and lymphovascular invasion （P=-0.002） were significant independent prognostic factors for survival.Among patients who underwent D2 lymphadenectomy,those who underwent hepatic surgical treatment had a significantly improved survival compared with those who underwent gastrectomy alone （median survival,24 vs.12 months; P 〈0.001）.However,hepatic surgical treatment was not a prognostic factor for patients who underwent D1 lymphadenectomy （median survival,8 vs.8 months;P=0.495）.For the 35 patients who underwent gastrectomy plus hepatic surgical treatment,D2 lymphadenectomy （P 〈0.001）,lymph node metastases （P=-0.015）,and extent of liver metastases （H1 vs.H2 and H3） （P=-0.017） were independent significant prognostic factors for survival.Conclusions D2 lymphadenectomy plus hepatic surgical treatment may provide hope for long-term survival of judiciously selected patients with hepatic metastases from gastric cancer.Patients with a low degree of lymph node metastases and H1 liver metastases would make the most appropriate candidates.However,if D2 dissection cannot be achieved,hepatic surgical treatment is not recommended.

A matched cohort study of laparoscopy-assisted and open total gastrectomy for advanced proximal gastric cancer without serosa invasion

Background Little is known about the feasibility and safety of laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy （LATG） with extended lymphadenectomy in patients with advanced gastric cancer （AGC）.This study compared the technical feasibility,safety,and oncologic efficacy of LATG with open total gastrectomy （OTG） for AGC without serosa invasion.Methods From January 2009 to December 2011,235 patients underwent LATG and 153 patients underwent OTG for AGC without serosa invasion.Age,gender,and depth of invasion （pT2 and pT3） were matched by propensity scoring,and 116 patients （58 LATG and 58 OTG） were selected for analysis.Their clinicopathologic characteristics,postoperative outcomes,and survival were compared.Results There was no significant difference in clinicopathologic characteristics between the two propensity-matched groups.Median number of lymph nodes per patient was 29,and the mean number of retrieved lymph nodes was similar in the LATG and OTG groups （30.8±10.2 vs.29.0±8.3）.Peri-operative characteristics,operation time,number of transfused units per patient,and time to resumption of activities were similar in the two groups; while blood loss,times to first flatus and resumption of soft diet,and post-operative stay were significantly lower in the LATG group （P ＜0.05,respectively）.Rates of post-operative complications （12.1％ vs.15.5％） and postoperative mortality （0％ vs.1.7％）,as well as cumulative survival rates,were similar.Conclusions LATG with D2 lymphadenectomy is a safe and feasible procedure for AGC patients without serosa invasion.ProsPective.multicenter,randomized trials are needed to confirm the efficacy of LATG in this patient population.

Recent trends from the results of clinical trials on gastric cancer surgery

The Japan Clinical Oncology Group has recently conducted large scale clinical trials with findings that have revealed pivotal strategies for the treatment of resectable gastric cancer surgery.These findings include the fact that D3 lymphadenectomy does not improve survival rates when compared to D2 lymphadenectomy,and it is not recommended for resectable gastric cancer.Also,a transhiatal approach is recommended,instead of the left thoraco-abdominal approach,for the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the esophago-gastric junction or gastric cardia which has invaded≤3 cm of the esophagus.Gastrectomy with splenectomy and bursectomy had been recommended as a part of the D2 lymphadenectomy.However,the results of the recent clinical trials revealed that splenectomy should be avoided in total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy for proximal gastric cancer and that bursectomy should be avoided in gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy for resectable gastric cancer.Both splenectomy and bursec-tomy were found to be unable to improve survival,but instead increased operative morbidity.These trials revealed that the above-mentioned invasive and aggressive procedures did not provide sufficient survival benefits and that gastric cancer surgery may be trending from an“invasive to less invasive”and“aggressive to more conservative”approach.