Impact of body mass index in elderly patients treated with laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND The impact of obesity on surgical outcomes in elderly patients candidate for liver surgery is still debated.AIM To evaluate the impact of high body mass index(BMI)on perioperative and oncological outcome in elderly patients(>70 years old)treated with laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS Retrospective multicenter study including 224 elderly patients(>70 years old)operated by laparoscopy for HCC(196 with a BMI<30 and 28 with BMI≥30),observed from January 2009 to January 2019.RESULTS After propensity score matching,patients in two groups presented comparable results,in terms of operative time(median range:200 min vs 205 min,P=0.7 respectively in non-obese and obese patients),complications rate(22%vs 26%,P=1.0),length of hospital stay(median range:4.5 d vs 6.0 d,P=0.1).There are no significant differences in terms of short-and long-term postoperative results.CONCLUSION The present study showed that BMI did not impact perioperative and oncologic outcomes in elderly patients treated by laparoscopic resection for HCC.

Adenocarcinoma of gastric cardia in the elderly: Surgical problems and prognostic factors

AIM： To analyze retrospectively, our results about patients who underwent surgical treatment for adenocarcinoma of the cardia in relation to age, in order to evaluate surgical problems and prognostic factors. METHODS： From January 1987 to March 2003, 140 patients with adenocarcinoma of the cardia underwent resection in the authors＇ institution. They were divided into three groups with regard to age. Patients 〈70 and 〉 60 year old （31） were excluded; we also excluded 18 out of 109 patients with poor general status or systemic metastases. So, we compared 51 elderly （≥ 70 year old） and 58 younger patients （≤ 60 year old）. The treatment was esophagectomy for type I tumors, and extended gastrectomy and distal esophagectomy for type Ⅱ and Ⅲ lesions. RESULTS： Laparotomy was carried out in 91 patients （83.4%）, 38 in the elderly （74.5%） and 53 in younger patients （91.3%, P〈0.05）. Primary resection was performed in 81 cases （89%） without significant differences between the two groups. Postoperative death was higher in the elderly （12.1%） than the other group （4.1%, P〈0.05）, while morbidity was similar in both groups. A curative resection （R0） was performed in 59 patients （72.8%）, 69.6% in the elderly and 75% in the younger group （P〉0.05）. The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were 26.7% and 17.8% respectively for the elderly and 40.7% and 35.1% respectively for younger patients （P = 0.1544）. Survival rates were significantly associated with R0 resection, pathological node-poskive category and tumor differentiation in both groups.CONCLUSION： As the age of the general population increases, more elderly patients with gastric cardia cancer will be candidates for surgical resection. Age alone should not preclude surgical treatment in elderly patients with gastric cardia cancer and a tumor resection can be carried out safely. Certainly, we should take care in defining the surgical treatment in elderly patients, particularly as regarding the surgical approach; although the surgical approach does not influence the survival rate, the transhiatal way still remains the best one due, to the lower incidence of respiratory morbidity and thoracic pain.

Peri-operative score for elderly patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Liver resection is the mainstay for a curative treatment for patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),also in elderly population.Despite this,the evaluation of patient condition,liver function and extent of disease remains a demanding process with the aim to reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality.AIM To identify new perioperative risk factors that could be associated with higher 90-and 180-d mortality in elderly patients eligible for liver resection for HCC considering traditional perioperative risk scores and to develop a risk score.METHODS A multicentric,retrospective study was performed by reviewing the medical records of patients aged 70 years or older who electively underwent liver resection for HCC;several independent variables correlated with death from all causes at 90 and 180 d were studied.The coefficients of Cox regression proportional-hazards model for sixmonth mortality were rounded to the nearest integer to assign risk factors'weights and derive the scoring algorithm.RESULTS Multivariate analysis found variables(American Society of Anesthesiology score,high rate of comorbidities,Mayo end stage liver disease score and size of biggest lesion)that had independent correlations with increased 90-and 180-d mortality.A clinical risk score was developed with survival profiles.CONCLUSION This score can aid in stratifying this population in order to assess who can benefit from surgical treatment in terms of postoperative mortality.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in extremely elderly patients:An analysis of clinical characteristics,prognosis and patient survival

AIM： To identify the clinical and prognostic features of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） aged 80 years or more. METHODS： A total of 1310 patients with HCC were included in this study. Ninety-one patients aged 80 years or more at the time of diagnosis of HCC were defined as the extremely elderly group. Two hundred and thirty-four patients aged 〉/ 50 years but less than 60 years were regarded as the non-elderly group. RESULTS： The sex ratio （male to female） was significantly lower in the extremely elderly group （0.90：1） than in the non-elderly group （3.9：1, P〈 0.001）. The positive rate for HBsAg was significantly lower in the extremely elderly group and the proportion of patients negative for HBsAg and HCVAb obviously increased in the extremely elderly group （P〈 0.001）. There were no significant differences in the following parameters： diameter and number of tumors, Child-Pugh grading, tumor staging, presence of portal thrombosis or ascites, and positive rate for HCVAb. Extremely elderly patients did not often receive surgical treatment （P 〈 0.001） and they were more likely to receive conservative treatment （P〈 0.01）. There were no significant differences in survival curves based on the Kaplan-Meier methods in comparison with the overall patients between the two groups. However, the survival curves were significantly worse in the extremely elderly patients with stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ, stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ and Child-Pugh grade A cirrhosis in comparison with the non-elderly group. The causes of death did not differ among the patients, and most cases died of liverrelated diseases even in the extremely elderly patients. CONCLUSION： In the patients with good liver functions and good performance status, aggressive treatment for HCC might improve the survival rate, even in extremely elderly patients.

Radiofrequency ablation vs surgical resection in elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in Milan criteria

BACKGROUND Surgical resection and radiofrequency ablation(RFA)represent two possible strategy in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)in Milan criteria.AIM To evaluate short-and long-term outcome in elderly patients(>70 years)with HCC in Milan criteria,which underwent liver resection(LR)or RFA.METHODS The study included 594 patients with HCC in Milan criteria(429 in LR group and 165 in RFA group)managed in 10 European centers.Statistical analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method before and after propensity score matching(PSM)and Cox regression.RESULTS After PSM,we compared 136 patients in the LR group with 136 patients in the RFA group.Overall survival at 1,3,and 5 years was 91%,80%,and 76%in the LR group and 97%,67%,and 41%in the RFA group respectively(P=0.001).Diseasefree survival at 1,3,and 5 years was 84%,60%and 44%for the LR group,and 63%,36%,and 25%for the RFA group(P=0.001).Postoperative Clavien-Dindo IIIIV complications were lower in the RFA group(1%vs 11%,P=0.001)in association with a shorter length of stay(2 d vs 7 d,P=0.001).In multivariate analysis,Model for End-stage Liver Disease(MELD)score(>10)[odds ratio(OR)=1.89],increased value of international normalized ratio(>1.3)(OR=1.60),treatment with radiofrequency(OR=1.46),and multiple nodules(OR=1.19)were independent predictors of a poor overall survival while a high MELD score(>10)(OR=1.51)and radiofrequency(OR=1.37)were independent factors associated with a higher recurrence rate.CONCLUSION Despite a longer length of stay and a higher rate of severe postoperative complications,surgery provided better results in long-term oncological outcomes as compared to ablation in elderly patients(>70 years)with HCC in Milan criteria.

Comparison of short-term efficacy between totally laparoscopic gastrectomy and laparoscopic assisted gastrectomy for elderly patients with gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Totally laparoscopic gastrectomy(TLG)entails both gastrectomy and gastrointestinal reconstruction under laparoscopy.Compared with laparoscopic assisted gastrectomy(LAG),TLG has been demonstrated in many studies to require a smaller surgical incision,result in a faster postoperative recovery and less pain and have comparable long-term efficacy,which has been a research hotspot in recent years.Whether TLG is equally safe and feasible for elderly patients remains unclear.AIM To compare the short-term efficacy of and quality of life(QOL)associated with TLG and LAG in elderly gastric cancer(GC)patients.METHODS The clinicopathological data of 462 elderly patients aged≥70 years who underwent LAG or TLG(including distal gastrectomy and total gastrectomy)between January 2017 and January 2022 at the Department of General Surgery,First Medical Center,Chinese PLA General Hospital were retrospectively collected.A total of 232 patients were in the LAG group,and 230 patients were in the TLG group.Basic patient information,clinicopathological characteristics,operation information and QOL data were collected to compare efficacy.Compared with those in the LAG group,intraoperative blood loss in the TLG group was significantly lower(P<0.001),and the time to first flatus and postoperative hospitalization time were significantly shorter(both P<0.001).The overall incidence of postoperative complications in the TLG group was significantly lower than that in the LAG group(P=0.01).Binary logistic regression results indicated that LAG and an operation time>220 min were independent risk factors for postoperative complications in elderly patients with GC(P<0.05).In terms of QOL,no statistically significant differences in various preoperative indicators were found between the LAG group and the LTG group(P>0.05).Compared with the laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy group,patients who received totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy had lower nausea and vomiting scores and higher satisfaction with their body image(P<0.05).Patients who underwent laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy were more satisfied with their body image than patients in the totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION TLG is safe and feasible for elderly patients with GC and has outstanding advantages such as reducing intracorporeal blood loss,promoting postoperative recovery and improving QOL.

Newly emerging standard chemotherapies for gastric cancer and clinical potential in elderly patients

With the increase in average life expectancy,the rate of occurrence of gastric cancer in elderly patients is also rising.While many clinical trials have been conducted to examine the effect of chemotherapy treatment on gastric cancer,age limits for eligible subjects have prevented the establishment of standards for chemotherapy in elderly patients with gastric cancer.As of March 2009,evidence-based standard chemotherapy regimens were established.In the Western world,debates centered on the ECF(Epirubicin/cisplatin/5FU) or DCF(Docetaxel/cisplatin/5-FU) regimens based on the phase □ randomized controlled trial at the Royal Marsden Hospital(RMH) or the V325 study,respectively.The JCOG9912 and SPIRITS trials emerged from Japan indicating attractive regimens that include S-1 for advanced gastric cancer patients.Using these active anticancer drugs,the trials that studied the eff icacy of adjuvant therapies or surgical approaches,such as the Int-116/MAGIC/ACTS-GC trials,have actually succeeded in demonstrating the benefits of adjuvant therapies in gastric cancer patients.For cases of gastric cancer in elderly patients,treatment policies should consider these studies while analyzing not only the therapeutic effects but also drug toxicity,individual general health conditions,and social factors to select treatments that emphasize quality of life.

Clinical Application and Research Progress of Accelerated Rehabilitation Surgery in Perioperative Period of Advanced Gastric Cancer in the Elderly

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) has been used in various surgical professions in recent years and is widely accepted by doctors. This concept not only helps patients speed up postoperative recovery, reduce the incidence of related complications and shorten hospital stays, but also has been proved to be effective and safe in the perioperative application of gastric cancer. This article reviews the clinical application and research progress of enhanced recovery after surgery in the perioperative period of advanced gastric cancer in the elderly.

Study on treatment and nursing of elderly patients with gastric cancer complicated with diabetes

Objective To study and analyze the treatment and nursing of elderly patients with gastric cancer complicated with diabetes.Methods:different data were analyzed and summarized.Conclusion:the elderly patients with gastric cancer and diabetes can cooperate with the control of blood glucose during the surgical treatment,and strengthen the nursing before and after the operation.

Characteristics and prognosis of gastric cancer in patients aged ≥ 70 years

AIM:To elucidate the prognostic value of age for gastric cancer and identify the optimal treatment for elderly gastric cancer patients.METHODS:We enrolled 920 patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy between January 2003and December 2007 in our center.Patients were categorized into three groups:younger group(age<50years),middle-aged group(50-69 years),and elderly group(≥70 years).Clinicopathological features were compared among the three groups and potential prognostic factors were analyzed.The log-rank test was used to assess statistical differences between curves.Independent prognostic factors were identified by the Cox proportional hazards regression model.Stratified analysis was used to investigate the impact of age on survival at each stage.Cancer-specific survival was also compared among the three groups by excluding deaths due to reasons other than gastric cancer.We analyzed the potential prognostic factors for patients aged≥70years.Finally,the impact of extent of lymphadenectomy and postoperative chemotherapy on survival for each age group was evaluated.RESULTS:In the elderly group,there was a male predominance.At the same time,cancers of the upper third of the stomach,differentiated type,and less-invasive surgery were more common than in the younger or middle-aged groups.Elderly patients were more likely to have advanced tumor-node-metastasis(TNM)stage and larger tumors,but less likely to have distant metastasis.Although 5-year overall survival(OS)rate specific to gastric cancer was not significantly different among the three groups,elderly patients demonstrated a significantly lower 5-year OS rate than the younger and middle-aged patients(elderly vs middle-aged vs younger patients=22.0%vs 36.6%vs 38.0%,respectively).In the TNM-stratified analysis,the differences in OS were only observed in patients withⅡandⅢtumors.In multivariate analysis,only surgical margin status,pT4,lymph node metastasis,M1 and sex were independent prognostic factors for elderly patients.The5-year OS rate did not differ between elderly patients undergoing D1 and D2 lymph node resection,and these patients benefited little from chemotherapy.CONCLUSION:Age≥70 years was an independent prognostic factor for gastric cancer after gastrectomy.D1 resection is appropriate and postoperative chemotherapy is possibly unnecessary for elderly patients with gastric cancer.

Clinical features, outcomes and treatment-related pneumonitis in elderly patients with esophageal carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the clinical features and prognoses of elderly patients with esophageal carcinoma and to compare the effects of radiotherapy and rates of treatment-related pneumonitis (TRP) between elderly and non-elderly patients.

Baseline characterization of patients aged 70 years and above with hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To characterize the baseline profiles of patients aged 70 years and above with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).METHODS: A series of 127 consecutive patients with HCC were enrolled between 2000 and 2004, and none of them had been diagnosed as having HCC previously. Baseline profiles, including parameters of hepatic function such as serum transaminase and prothrombin time [PT (% activity)] were compared between patients aged ≥70 and ＜70 years.RESULTS: Patients ≥70 years old showed significantly lower levels of aspartate aminotransferase (P = 0.04)and alanine aminotransferase (P = 0.01), and significantly higher PTs (P= 0.04) and platelet counts (P = 0.02).Concomitantly, among ≥70-year-old patients, HCC was more common in non-cirrhotics, whereas among patients ＜70 years old, HCC was more common in cirrhotics. There was no significant difference between the groups in the number or size of tumors.CONCLUSION: Older HCC patients showed less inflammation and better preservation of hepatic function, indicating that not only cirrhotic patients but also noncirrhotic patients should be considered as a high-risk group among the elderly.

“Jianpi Tongwei Prescription”Acupoint Application Combined with Moxibustion for Gastric Retention in Elderly Patients with Nasal Feeding

Objective:To explore the effect of“Jianpi Tongwei Prescription”acupoint application combined with moxibustion in the treatment of gastric retention in elderly patients with nasal feeding.Method:60 cases elderly patients with nasogastric gastric retention in our hospital were selected as the research object from March 1,2019 to on October 31,2019,and were randomly divided into treatment group and control group.Patients in the control group received the nasal feeding of domperidone,10 mg/time,3 times/d,for 21 days or until gastric retention<100 mL.On the basis of the control group,patients in the treatment group was treated with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)characteristic nursing“Jianpi Tongwei Prescription”acupoint application combined with moxibustion on Zusanli.Results:The effective rate of Jianpi Tongwei Prescription combined with moxibustion in the treatment of gastric retention in elderly patients with nasal feeding was higher than that of conventional treatment(51.2%vs.23.3%,P<0.05),and the rate of gastrointestinal reaction in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05),moderate and severe gastrointestinal reactions were significantly lower than the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:“Jianpi Tongwei Prescription”acupoint application combined with moxibustion is effective in the treatment of early clinical symptoms of gastric retention in elderly patients with nasal feeding,no adverse reactions,worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Surgical Outcome of Gastric Cancer in Patients Younger than 36 Years of Age

OBJECTIVE This study was designed to determine theclinicopathologic features of young patients who underwentgastrectomy for gastric cancer and to improve the clinicalmanagement of this disease.METHODS From 1981 to 2000,among 1,830 gastric cancerpatients were admitted in our hospital for surgical treatment,66of them were<36 years of age.The clinicopathologic data of theseyoung patients were collected and reviewed.RESULTS The male:female ratio was 1.2:1.Most tumors werelocated in the lower third of the stomach(63.1%).The overall5-year survival rate of 66 cases was 28.7%.The 5-year survivalrates in the patients with early stages and with advanced stages ofgastric carcinoma were 77.8%(7/9)and 21.1%(12/57),respectively.Unfavorable prognostic factors associated with poor 5-yearsurvival included the degree of the invasion in the gastric wall(P<0.05),and curability of resection(non-curative vs.curative;P<0.05).CONCLUSION Gastric cancer in young adults tends to be moreadvanced presentation when diagnosed.However,young patientswith early gastric cancer can tolerate radical treatments well.Itis important to promptly make a precise diagnosis for gastriccarcinoma in young patients and to treat it in early stage.

Systemic therapy of non-colorectal gastrointestinal malignancies in the elderly

In the coming years life expectancy is expected to increase and with this the percentage of the population above age 65 will grow. Patients above 65 make up more than two thirds of those currently diagnosed with gastrointestinal malignancies. Available evidence based medicine does not focus on the average patient, above the age 70, encountered in every day practice. Most guidelines and clinical trials are not designed to take into account the special considerations needed when treating the elderly such as functional status, comorbidities, polypharmacy, life expectancy, and social support. The majority of available data is based on retrospective reviews or subset analyses of larger studies where the elderly represent a fraction of the studied population. This review focuses on the toxicities and tolerability of current standard therapies for noncolorectal gastrointestinal malignancies, including gastroesophageal, pancreatic, bile duct and hepatocellular cancers in the elderly. With careful patient selection and geriatric assessment the elderly can safely benefit from standard therapies offered to younger patients.

IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY ON S100 PROTEIN-POSITIVE DENDRITIC CELLS IN PATIENTS WITH GASTRIC CARCINOMA

The density of dendritic cells (DC) and macro-phages (Mφ) in tissue specimens of gastric carcinoma (GC n=65) was investigated by ABC im-munohistochemical method using anti-S100 protein and anti-lysozyme antibodies, and was compared with that in gastric ulcer (GU n=19), chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG n=28) and normal gastric mucosa (NGM n=15). The mean density if DC (cells/mm2) in GC (15.0 was significantly higher than that in NGM (3.8) and GU (8.3), but was remarkably lower when compared to that in CAG (29.5) (P<0.01). Statistically significant difference in the population density of DC was observed between well- and poorly-differentiated GC (P<0.01). With their unique dendritic processes, DC were mainly concentrated within dense lymphoid infiltrates or in the T-area of reactive lymphoid follicles and were interspersed among the tumor cells. In contrast, Mφ were present around the necrotic foci and were rarely seen within the non-necrotic neoplastic tissues. These data suggest that DC, which differ in morphology, distribution, number and function form Mφ may be more directly involved in the host immune reaction against tumor by acting as antigen presenting cells.

Individualized Treatment and Palliative Care for A90-Year-Old Patient with Primary Gastric Diffuse Large-B Cell Lymphoma:4 Year Follow-up and Inspiration

A 90-year-old man was diagnosed with primary gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(PGDLBL)by PET/CT examination,gastroscopy,biopsy and histopathological analysis at a regular physical check in April,2016.The patient received R-CO chemotherapy(rituximab,cyclophosphamide,and vincristine)and radiotherapy subsequently,with enteral nutritional treatment through 3-cavity nasogastric tube due to development of pyloric obstruction.To satisfy patient's strong desire of eating by himself,we performed surgery of exploratory laparotomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass(RGB)to relieve pylorus obstruction.Postoperatively,the patient resumed oral feeding,supplemented by nasogastric tube feeding at 1350-1550 Kcal daily.He is now 94 years old with fairly well nutrition and normal communication.The outcome of 4 year follow-up suggests that nutritional treatment and palliative medicine are important for improving prognosis and life-quality of very elderly patients with end-stage tumors apart from the effective chemotherapy,radiotherapy,and surgery.

Distal gastric tube resection with vascular preservation for gastric tube cancer:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Survival rates in patients with esophageal cancer undergoing esophagectomy have improved,but the prevalence of gastric tube cancer(GTC)has also increased.Total resection of the gastric tube with lymph node dissection is considered a radical treatment,but GTC surgery is more invasive and involves a higher risk of severe complications or death,particularly in elderly patients.CASE SUMMARY We report an elderly patient with early GTC that had invaded the duodenum who was successfully treated with resection of the distal gastric tube and Roux-en-Y(R-Y)reconstruction.The tumor was a type 0-IIc lesion with ulcer scars surrounding the pyloric ring.Endoscopic submucosal resection was not indicated because the primary lesion was submucosally invasive,was undifferentiated type,surrounded the pyloric ring,and had invaded the duodenum.Resection of distal gastric tube with R-Y reconstruction was safely performed,with preservation of the right gastroepiploic artery(RGEA)and right gastric artery(RGA).CONCLUSION Distal resection of the gastric tube with preservation of the RGEA and RGA is a good treatment option for elderly patients with cT1bN0 GTC in the lower part of the gastric tube.

Intensity modulated radiation therapy in elderly patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Purpose To evaluate the outcomes in elderly patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)treated by intensity modulated radiation therapy(IMRT).Methods Patients with NPC aged≥70 years old who received intensity-modulated radiation therapy≥60 Gy were recruited into this study.The overall survival(OS),progression-free survival(PFS),cancer-specific survival(CSS),locoregional recurrence-free rate(LRFR)and distant metastasis-free rate(DMFR)were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method.The Cox proportional hazards model was applied to perform multivariate analysis for independent prognosticators using meaningful variables from the univariate analysis.Results One hundred ninety seven patients with NPC≥70 years were recruited from the 4351 newly diagnosed NPC patients from January 2011 to December 2020.The 5-year OS,CSS,PFS,LRFR and DMFR were 59.6%,78.9%,51.3%,91.6%and 78.9%,respectively.the plasma EBV DNA was the only prognostic factor for OS,the overall staging was the only prognostic factor for CSS,and plasma EBV DNA and N category were borderline significant factor for DMFR.We did not find any prognosticator for PFS and LRFR.Conclusions The survival after IMRT for elderly patients with NPC is suboptimal.Further study stratified by comorbidity and geriatric assessment is needed.