Sato Harunobu

We report a case of a woman in her 70s who underwent conversion surgery after FOLFIRINOX, followed by radiation therapy for initially locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer. She visited her local doctor with a chief complaint of upper abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen revealed an irregular mass invading the superior mesenteric artery, and the first and second jejunal arteries(>180°)in the pancreatic uncinate region. Based on imaging, she was diagnosed as UR-LA(sm), cT4N0M0, cStage Ⅲ pancreatic cancer, and underwent 5 courses of modified FOLFIRINOX. Radiation therapy of 50.4 Gy was added for local control, and CA19-9 decreased from 394.1 U/mL to 10.5 U/mL. The treatment effect was judged as RECIST: partial response. The tumor was considered to be potentially curative, and a subtotal stomach preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed 8 months after the initial treatment. The tumor was found to be 3× 2 mm in size, pStage ⅠA, R0, and the response to preoperative chemotherapy: Evans Grade Ⅲ. The patient is alive at 5 months postoperatively without recurrence.

We report a case of a patient with sigmoid colon cancer and multiple liver metastases who underwent hepatectomy after chemotherapy and pathological results showed complete remission. However, after chemotherapy was discontinued, the patient developed a local recurrence of the liver metastasis and underwent rehepatectomy. The patient came to our hospital with lower abdominal pain. Colonoscopy revealed a circumferential type Ⅱ, well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. Laparoscopic sigmoidectomy with lymph node dissection was performed. Postoperative CT scan showed multiple liver metastases at S5, S7, and S8. 11 cycles of bevacizumab plus modified FOLFOX(mFOLFOX)were subsequently performed. The liver metastases shrank at all sites, and the patient underwent right hepatectomy. The resected specimen was considered to be in complete remission, with no evidence of viable malignant cells. Postoperatively, bevacizumab plus mFOLFOX was resumed for 6 cycles and the patient remained in remission. However, 3 months after stopping chemotherapy and 1 year and 6 months after hepatectomy, a follow-up CT scan showed local recurrence of the liver edge, and a diagnosis of local recurrence of liver metastasis was made, and a partial hepatectomy was performed. The patient is recurrence-free and resuming modified FOLFOX 9 months after surgery.

The outcomes of 88 patients with lower rectal T2 cancer who underwent radical A surgery(T2)were compared with those of 340 patients with T3 or T4a cancer(T3/T4a)and 51 patients with T1 cancer(T1). The rates of all lymph node(LN) metastasis, paraintestinal LN metastasis, intermediate and main LN metastasis, and lateral LN metastasis in T2 were all significantly lower than in T3/T4a and not different from those in T1. The recurrence rate of T2 was 15.9%, significantly lower than that of T3/T4a and not different from that of T1. Fifty percent of T2 recurrences were observed after 30 months postoperatively, significantly higher than that of T3/T4a and not different from that of T1. The 5-year survival rate of T2 was significantly higher than that of T3/T4a and did not differ from that of T1. In lower rectal T2, cancer LN dissection similar to that in T1 is appropriate, and high preoperative serum CA19-9 level is a risk factor for recurrence, suggesting the need for follow-up after 30 months postoperatively to take recurrence into consideration.

In this report, we describe a case of highly advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombosis extending into the main portal vein of the pancreas that was successfully treated with adjuvant lenvatinib after right hepatic resection with thrombectomy. A 70-year-old woman was referred from the clinic because of elevated hepatobiliary enzymes. The patient was positive for the hepatitis B virus antigen at our hospital. The tumor markers were highly elevated with alpha-fetoprotein (14.5 U/mL) and protein induced by vitamin K absence (PIVKAII) (1545 ng/mL), suggesting hepatocellular carcinoma. Dynamic abdominal computed tomography showed an early enhanced tumor approximately 6 cm in size and portal vein tumor thrombosis filling the main portal vein, but not extending into the splenic or superior mesenteric vein (SMV). On magnetic resonance imaging 1 week after CT, portal vein tumor thrombosis had extended to the confluence of the splenic vein with the SMV, indicating rapid tumor growth. Thus, we performed emergent right hepatectomy with tumor thrombectomy. Postoperatively, we treated the patient with lenvatinib for a tumor reduction surgery. Fortunately, the patient was alive 2 years postoperatively without recurrence. This case report suggests that a favorable outcome may be achieved with multidisciplinary treatment including resection and postoperative treatment with lenvatinib.

OBJECTIVES: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a problematic complication after stoma closure. The purse string suture (PSS) technique eliminates this problem, but the area takes longer to heal. The present retrospective study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of a vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system for the promotion of wound healing after stoma closure. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing stoma closure with the PSS technique were divided into two groups: those treated with and without use of the VAC system. The volume of dead space and the size of the wound were measured after stoma closure in both groups. The same measurements were performed on days 3 and 7 after closure. The time needed for wound closure was also examined in both groups. Outcomes were also evaluated according to age, body mass index, operative time, bleeding volume, wound consistency, patient satisfaction, perioperative inflammatory response, occurrence of SSI, and hospitalization days. RESULTS: The VAC group comprised 31 patients, and the non-VAC group comprised 34 patients. The volume of dead space on days 3 and 7 after closure was significantly smaller in the VAC group than in the non-VAC group (P=0.006 and P<0.001, respectively). The number of SSIs was significantly lower in the VAC group than in the non-VAC group (P=0.014). CONCLUSION: The dead space volume on days 3 and 7 after stoma closure with PSS significantly decreased by using the VAC system. The incidence of SSI after stoma closure also significantly decreased by using the VAC system.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the tongue menthol test, which measures the cold sensation detection threshold (CDT) of the tongue, used before and after oxaliplatin administration is an objective evaluation method for oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OPN). METHODS: The tongue menthol test was administered to patients both before and after undergoing chemotherapy containing oxaliplatin for colorectal cancer. The tongue menthol test was conducted by applying a menthol solution (a selective agonist of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 8 [TRPM8]) to the tongue and measuring the CDT. RESULTS: The mean CDT before the first dose of oxaliplatin was 0.34% (0.005%-1%; n=38), and the mean CDT after the first dose was 0.32% (0.005%-1%; n=38). The CDT appeared to decrease after the first dose, but this difference was not significant. In patients who received five courses of oxaliplatin, changes in CDT values were compared before and after the five courses. In patients with Neurotoxicity Criteria of Debiopharm (DEB-NTC) grade 2 neuropathy, the pre-oxaliplatin administration CDT was compared between before grade exacerbation and when exacerbation occurred, and was found to decline when grade exacerbation occurred. Moreover, when the CDTs before and after administration were compared before grade exacerbation, there was a significant decrease in CDT after administration (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: By performing a menthol test in oxaliplatin-treated patients, it may be possible to objectively predict the exacerbation of peripheral neuropathy at an early stage.

AIM: The surgical treatment of inguinal lymph node (ILN) metastases secondary to anorectal adenocarcinoma remains controversial. This study aimed to clarify the surgical treatment and management of ILN metastasis according to its classification. METHODS: This retrospective, multi-centre, observational study included patients with synchronous or metachronous ILN metastases who were diagnosed with rectal or anal canal adenocarcinoma between January 1997 and December 2011. Treatment outcomes were analysed according to recurrence and prognosis. RESULTS: Among 1181 consecutively enrolled patients who received treatment for rectal or anal canal adenocarcinoma at 20 referral hospitals, 76 (6.4%) and 65 (5.5%) had synchronous and metachronous ILN metastases, respectively. Among 141 patients with ILN metastasis, differentiated carcinoma, solitary ILN metastasis and ILN dissection were identified as independent predictive factors associated with a favourable prognosis. No significant difference was found in the frequency of recurrence after ILN dissection between patients with synchronous (80.6%) or metachronous (81.0%) ILN metastases. Patients who underwent R0 resection of the primary tumour and ILN dissection had a 5-year survival rate of 41.3% after ILN dissection (34.1% and 53.1% for patients with synchronous and metachronous ILN metastases, respectively, P = 0.55). CONCLUSION: The ILN can be appropriately classified as a regional lymph node in rectal and anal canal adenocarcinoma. Moreover, aggressive ILN dissection might be effective in improving the prognosis of low rectal and anal canal adenocarcinoma with ILN metastases; thus, prophylactic ILN dissection is unnecessary.

Obesity has been considered a risk factor for postoperative complications following colorectal cancer surgery. However, the usefulness of a combination of intracorporeal anastomosis and preoperative weight reduction for severely obese patients with colon cancer remains unclear. A 66-year-old man with a body mass index (BMI) of 43 kg/m2 presented with abdominal pain and iron deficiency anemia. Colonoscopy and computed tomography revealed advanced ascending colon cancer with regional lymph node metastasis and excessive abdominal fat. Preoperative diet-induced weight reduction was performed for severe obesity, which decreased his BMI to 39.7 kg/m2 after 1 month. Thereafter, curative resection was performed using intracorporeal anastomosis for reconstruction to achieve minimal colon and mesentery mobilization and a shorter incision. The patient was discharged from the hospital without complications. Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy combining intracorporeal anastomosis and preoperative weight reduction was extremely useful in the current patient with severe obesity and ascending colon cancer.

We reviewed clinical records of 73 cases with anal canal adenocarcinoma who underwent bilateral inguinal lymph node (ILN)dissection. Eleven patients with positive ILN metastasis(ILNM)were compared with 62 patients with negative ILNM in clinicopathological items and treatment outcomes to evaluate the effectiveness of ILN dissection. Positive ILNM were older, higher preoperative serum levels of CEA and CA19-9, more frequencies of undifferentiated carcinoma, T4b and severe lymphatic invasion than negative ILNM. And the number of mesorectal and lateral node metastasis were significantly more in positive ILNM than negative ILNM. Although the frequency of curability A surgery was significantly less in positive ILNM (63.6%)than negative ILNM(93.5%), there were no significant differences in recurrence rate and prognosis between positive ILNM and negative ILNM in Stage Ⅲ cancer. Recurrence in ILN occurred significantly more in positive ILNM (2 cases) than in negative ILNM(0 case)as initial recurrent site. And recurrence in pelvic local site occurred significantly more in positive ILNM(4 cases)than in negative ILNM(6 cases). Although there was no significant difference in oncological outcome in Stage Ⅲ anal canal adenocarcinoma, ILN recurrence and pelvic local recurrence should be cared for positive ILNM in postoperative follow-up.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the risk factors associated with cancer cell exfoliation in Stage II and III colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: This multicenter, prospective, observational study targeted 1,698 patients with cStage II and III CRC who underwent R0 resection between 2013 and 2017. Clinicopathological variables were analyzed for correlations with positive peritoneal lavage cytology (PLC). Results: The positive PLC rate was 2.7% (46/1,694 cases) at laparotomy and 1.6% (25/1,590 cases) after tumor resection. Logistic regression analyses identified that undifferentiated histologies diagnosed by preoperative biopsy specimen, cT4, and pN+ were independent factors that affected the positive PLC at laparotomy. The positive PLC rate at laparotomy was 4.5% (33/736 cases) among the patients with undifferentiated histology and/or cT4. Logistic regression analyses revealed that the presence of ascites and undifferentiated histology by biopsy independently affected positive PLC after tumor resection. Conclusions: The undifferentiated histology and/or T4 indicated by preoperative diagnosis were identified as factors affecting PLC at laparotomy. Furthermore, ascites and preoperative histological type were identified as factors affecting positive PLC after tumor resection. As factors affecting positive PLC, these preoperative findings were found to be equivalent to pathological findings.

A variety of histologies is often mixed in neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) called mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm (MiNEN). However, tumors consisting of both large-cell NEC and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are rare. NEC of the large intestine is aggressive; however, an ideal treatment strategy has not been established. In this study, we have reported a case of rectal MiNEN containing large-cell NEC and SCC that was covered by tubulovillous adenoma. A 73-year-old man was referred to our hospital for the treatment of an upper rectal tumor. The results of preoperative biopsy indicated tubulovillous adenoma, whereas computed tomography revealed multiple liver tumors and swollen lymph nodes around the rectum. Laparotomy was performed because of severe dyschezia caused by rectal stenosis. Hartmann's operation was performed because of peritoneal metastases. Histopathological examination of the rectal tumor revealed MiNEN containing large-cell NEC, SCC, well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, and tubulovillous adenoma covering the surface of the tumor. The patient died 73 days after surgery due to liver metastases. It is important to consider NEC in the differential diagnosis and tissue sampling should be performed to ensure appropriate management when pathological findings and clinical diagnosis do not match. More research is required to determine the ideal treatment for these rare and aggressive tumors.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) rarely spreads by implantation. We report a case of implantation of rectosigmoid cancer in an anal fissure. A 70-year-old woman with a 15-year medical history of anal fissure was referred to our hospital with anal pain of 3-month duration. Colonoscopy revealed a rectosigmoid tumor and a 10-mm submucosal tumor at the anal verge. Biopsy of the rectosigmoid and anal tumors revealed that both were moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas, and abdominoperineal resection (APR) was performed. The anal adenocarcinoma was surrounded by squamous cell epithelium and mainly proliferated in the submucosal and muscular layers. The patient was diagnosed as having rectosigmoid cancer with implantation of cancer in a preexisting anal fissure. The patient remains well 43 months post-surgery with no sign of recurrence. Implantation of CRC in anal fissure is a rare occurrence. Nevertheless, performing adequate anal examination of patients with CRC before surgery and during follow-up is necessary. Further, it is important to perform preoperative large bowel examination of patients with benign anal diseases to prevent implantation of CRC.

We reviewed clinical records of 354 cases with low rectal carcinoma(RC)after curative surgery(stage Ⅱ 149 cases and stage Ⅲ 205 cases). Stage Ⅱ with recurrence(23 cases)were compared with stage Ⅱ without recurrence(126 cases)in clinicopathological items to evaluate the factors affecting recurrence of stage Ⅱ RC, and were compared with stage Ⅲ with recurrence(89 cases)in treatment outcomes to identify the proper follow-up. Multivariate analysis revealed that sex and serum CA19-9 level were affecting factors for recurrence in stage Ⅱ low RC. The local recurrence rate of recurrence cases in stage Ⅱ RC(47.8%)was higher than in stage Ⅲ RC(29.2%). Recurrence was more found by serum tumor marker level in stage Ⅲ RC than in stage Ⅱ RC. Surgery for recurrent diseases was significantly more performed in stage Ⅱ RC(60.9%) than stage Ⅲ RC. Overall survival in stage Ⅱ RC with recurrence was significantly better than in stage Ⅲ RC with recurrence. And the prognosis after recurrence was also better in stage Ⅱ RC than in stage Ⅲ RC. It was thought that proper follow-up mainly by image examination would be effective to improve the prognosis.

Distal intramural spread refers to microscopic tumor implantation in the intestinal wall, distal to the inferior edge of a macroscopic tumor but rarely beyond 2 cm. We report a case of rectal cancer with preoperatively diagnosed distant intramural spread to approximately 6.5 cm. A 75-year-old woman diagnosed with upper rectal cancer was scheduled to undergo low anterior resection 5 weeks after initial presentation. However, preoperative digital rectal examination and anoscopy under general anesthesia revealed a rectal tumor 4 cm proximal to the anal verge; adenocarcinoma was diagnosed based on frozen section analysis of the rectal tumor. Therefore, abdominoperineal resection was performed, and histopathological examination confirmed a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with distal intramural spread of 6.5 cm. The patient died 18 months postoperatively owing to lung metastasis. Although distal intramural spread is rare and can be difficult to detect prior to surgery, repeated rectal examination, with prompt histological examination of suspicious lesions, can ensure earlier diagnosis to achieve better local control by radical surgery including sufficient distal margin.

We reviewed the clinical records of 302 patients with low rectal carcinoma to evaluate the effectiveness of lateral lymph node(LLN)dissection in cases of skip metastases to the LLN. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to nodal status: group N(133 cases), no metastasis in both the mesorectum lymph node(MLN)and LLN; groupM(100 cases), metastasis in the MLN and no LLN metastasis; group L(15 cases), which was defined as skip metastasis, with no metastasis in the MLN and LLN metastasis; and group ML(54 cases), node metastases in both the MLN and LLN. LLN metastasis was found in 22.8% of all patients, and skip metastasis was found in 10.1%. The recurrence rate in group L(40.0%, 6 cases)was significantly lower than that in group ML(75.9%, 41 cases)and not different from that in group M(43.0%, 43 cases). The initial recurrence sites in group L were the lung(3 cases)and local recurrence(3 cases). In group L, 20.0% had hematogenous recurrence, which was lower than in group ML. There was no significant difference between group L(5-year survival rate: 57.1%)and group M(71.7%)in terms of prognosis. Multivariate analysis revealed that histology was a risk factor for LLN metastasis in lowrectal cancer without MLN metastasis. The positive predictive value of LLN metastasis based on computed tomography was 43.9%. It was believed that LLN dissection was important, especially for non-differentiated cancer, in consideration of skip metastases to the LLN.

Intestinal metastases from colorectal cancer typically occur by intraperitoneal spread, whereas those occurring via hematogenous route are exceedingly rare. We report a case of intestinal metastases from sigmoid colon cancer that presented as iliopsoas abscess and ileus. A 78-year-old man who had undergone sigmoidectomy for sigmoid colon cancer 5 years ago was referred to our hospital with recurrent ileus and fever. Abdominal computed tomography showed a left iliopsoas abscess and a mass near the abscess that had ostensibly caused ileus. The patient underwent segmental resection of the jejunum including the mass. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen revealed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma proliferating mainly in the submucosal and muscular layers, which was pathologically identical to the colon cancer resected 5 years ago. He died 18 months after the surgery because of liver metastases. This case report highlights the delayed occurrence of colorectal metastases at unusual sites, such as the small bowel, more than 5 years after the resection of the primary cancer. Intestinal metastases should be considered in patients with a history of colon cancer, particularly in those with recurrent ileus or abdominal abscess with no obvious cause.

We evaluated the effectiveness of chemoradiotherapy(CRT)by reviewing 11 clinicalcases of analsquamous cellcarcinoma( SCC). Radiotherapy(RT)consisted of 40 Gy delivered to pelvic and bilateral inguinal lesions, and a perianal booster dose of 20 Gy in fractions of 2.0 Gy per day, 5 days per week. 5-fluorouracil(5-FU)and mitomycin C were administered twice every 4weeks as standard chemotherapy. On the first day of RT, patients received a single bolus dose of 10mg/m2 mitomycin C, and a continuous 24-hour infusion of 750mg/m2 5-FU for 5 days. One patient with a T3 tumor was orally administered S- 1 during RT because of his poor generalcondition, and 1 patient with a T2 tumor did not receive 1 course of 5-FU and MMC owing to an adverse event. Grade 3 adverse effects occurred in 3 patients, but all 11 patients completed CRT. The anal lesions of 10 patients had complete response after CRT. Recurrence of anal lesions occurred in 4 patients, including 2 patients who were not treated with standard CRT. Of 8 patients who received CR via standard CRT, 2 patients had recurrence of anal lesions more than 60 months after completion of CRT. CRT is believed to be safe and effective for improving the prognosis of anal squamous cell carcinoma; however, sufficient and appropriate follow-up is necessary after complete response.

We reviewed the clinical records of 14 cases who received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(CRT)to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the CRT for T4b rectal cancer. The preoperative radiotherapy consisted of 40-50 Gy delivered in fractions of 1.8-2.0 Gy per day, 5 days per week. A treatment with intravenous 5-fluorouracil, or oral tegafur-uracil(UFT)with l-leucovorin, or oral S-1, or capecitabine or intravenous irinotecan with oral S-1, was administered during radiotherapy. One patient died due to pelvic abscess at 69 days after CRT. Complete response(CR)or partial response(PR)was observed in 8 cases, 1 month after CRT. Curative surgery was performed in 10 patients. Among 10 patients who underwent curative surgery, both urinary and anal function were preserved in 5 patients. Although no lymph node metastasis was found in 9 patients of 10 patients who underwent curative surgery, recurrence was found in 5 patients, and local recurrence was found in 4 of these patients. Recurrence occurred in all patients who had recurrence within 1 year. Preoperative CRT was expected to be an effective treatment to improve the resection rate and prognosis for T4b rectal cancer. However, it was thought that it was necessary to be careful about local recurrence, especially within 1 year after surgery.

We reviewed the clinical records of 7 patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)to evaluate the effectiveness of radical chemoradiotherapy(CRT). The radiotherapy(RT)consisted of 40 Gy delivered to the pelvis and bilateral inguinal lesions, and a perianal booster dose of 20 Gy, in fractions of 2.0 Gy per day, 5 days per week. 5-fluorouracil(5-FU)and mitomycin C(MMC)were administered 3 times every 4weeks as standard chemotherapy. On the first day of RT, 750mg/m2 of 5-FU in the form of a continuous 24-hour infusion, for 5 days was administered. On the first day of chemotherapy, 10mg/ m2 of MMC was also administered as a single bolus infusion. One patient with a T3 tumor was administered oral TS-1 during RT because of advanced age. In the CRT group, there was 1 case each of T1 and T3, and the others were T2. Grade 2 adverse effects occurred in 5 patients, and Grade 3 in 2, but completion of CRT was achieved in all 7 patients. All patients had a complete response in the anal lesion after CRT. Three patients, including those with the T3 tumor treated with TS-1, developed recurrence of the anal lesion. Two patients with T2 tumors, who were treated with CRT comprising 5-FU and MMC, developed recurrence of the anal lesion more than 60 months after CRT. CRT is expected to be a safe and effective treatment to improve the prognosis for anal squamous carcinoma; however, sufficient and appropriate follow-up is necessary after a complete response.

We reviewed the clinical records of 81 patients with stage Ⅳ low rectal carcinoma (LRC) (25 Cur B surgeries and 56 Cur C surgeries) to evaluate the effectiveness of lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) by comparing the treatment outcomes with those of patients with stage Ⅲ LRC. Mesenteric lymph node metastasis was a risk factor for local recurrence in a multivariate analysis. There were no significant differences in the frequency of lateral node metastasis, local recurrence rate, or prognosis between Cur B and stage Ⅲ LRC patients. We suggest that LLND effectively improves prognosis as well as local control in Cur B patients. In Cur C patients, prognosis was poor regardless of lateral node metastasis. However, in patients with lateral node metastasis, there were no significant differences in between the Cur C (25.0%), Cur B, and stage Ⅲ groups, suggesting that LLND improves local control in Cur C patients with lateral node metastasis. Although the local recurrence rate was high (71.4%) in Cur C patients without lateral node metastasis, fewer lateral lymph nodes were harvested in these patients than in those with lateral node metastasis. Our results indicate that further examination of the local control effects of LLND in Cur C patients is necessary.

BACKGROUND: The large bowel is a rare site for leiomyomas. Furthermore, a colonic pedunculated leiomyoma is very rare. Complete endoscopic removal of a colonic leiomyoma can be problematic because of its submucosal origin. CASE REPORT: We report a colonic pedunculated leiomyoma that was removed by endoscopic polypectomy without complications. A 74-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of constipation. Colonoscopy demonstrated a 1-cm pedunculated polyp that was connected to a minute stalk within the sigmoid colon. It was removed by snare polypectomy. Histopathological examination demonstrated normal mucosa overlying a well-circumscribed proliferation of eosinophilic spindle cells arising in association with the muscularis mucosae. Immunohistological findings were positive for desmin and smooth muscle actin. The polyp was diagnosed as a leiomyoma. More than 9 months later, the patient remains well, with no further symptoms. CONCLUSION: For small, pedunculated leiomyomas, endoscopic snare polypectomy is thought to be a useful approach for both treatment and diagnosis.

We reviewed the clinical records of 9 patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) chiefly to evaluate the effectiveness of chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Surgery was performed in 1 patient; radiotherapy (RT), in 2; and CRT, in 6. RT consisted of 40 Gy delivered to the pelvic and bilateral inguinal lesions, and a perianal booster dose of 20 Gy in fractions of 2.0 Gy/day, 5 days a week. 5-fluorouraci (l 750 mg/m², administered through a 24-h continuous infusion for 5 days) and mitomycin C (10 mg/m², administered as a single bolus infusion)were administered 3 times every 4 weeks as standard chemotherapy. One patient with a T3 tumor received oral TS-1 during RT because of advanced age. In the CRT group, 1 patient had a T1 tumor, another had a T3 tumor, and the others had a T2 tumor. Grade 2 adverse effects occurred in 3 patients, and grade 3 adverse effects occurred in 1 patient. Nevertheless, CRT was completed in all of the 6 patients. All the patients had complete response after CRT for the anal lesion. Two patients, one of whom had a T3 tumor treated with oral S-1, had recurrence of the anal lesion. The 2 patients (T2 and T3) who underwent RT and needed surgery because of residual tumor died of recurrent disease. The patient with a T4 tumor who underwent abdominoperineal resection also died of recurrent disease. CRT is considered a safe and effective treatment option to improve prognosis in anal SCC.

We reviewed the clinical records of 13 patients who received preoperative chemoradiotherapy(CRT)to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of CRT for T4b rectal cancer. Preoperative radiotherapy consisted of 40-50 Gy delivered in fractions of 1.8-2.0 Gy per day, 5 days per week. Treatment with intravenous 5-fluorouracil, oral tegafur-uracil(UFT-E)with l-leucovorin, oral S-1, or intravenous irinotecan(CPT-11)with oral S-1 was administered during radiotherapy. At 63 days after CRT, 1 patient died because of pelvic abscess. Complete response(CR)or partial response(PR)was observed in 7 patients, 1 month after CRT. Curative surgery was performed in 9 patients. Among 10 patients who underwent surgery 70 days after CRT, 5 who showed PR 1 month after CRT underwent curative surgery; both urinary and anal function were preserved in 4 of these patients. Histological invasion to the adjacent organs was not observed in 6 patients, and 1 patient achieved histological CR. Of the 9 patients who underwent curative surgery, recurrence was observed in 2; however, the other patients survived without recurrence. Preoperative CRT was considered to be effective in improving the resection rate and prognosis in patients with T4b rectal cancer. However, careful attention should be paid to the severe toxicities associated with CRT, such as pelvic abscess.

We reviewed the clinical records of 6 cases with anal squamous cell carcinoma to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of chemoradiotherapy (CRT). The radiotherapy consisted of 40 Gy delivered to the pelvis and bilateral inguinal lesion, and a perianal booster dose of 20 Gy, in fractions of 2.0 Gy per day, 5 days per week. 5-FU and mitomycin C were administrated 3 times every 4 weeks as standard chemotherapy. On the first day of radiation therapy, 750 mg/m2 of 5-FU in the form of a continuous 24-hour infusion for 5 days was given. On the first day of chemotherapy, 10 mg/m2 of mitomycin C was also given as a single bolus infusion. One aged patient with a T3 tumor was administrated oral S-1 during radiotherapy. Four patients had a T2 tumor, 1 had a T1 tumor, and 1 had a T3 tumor. One patient had metastases in the Virchow lymph node that originated from synchronous vaginal cancer. No patient had hematogenous metastases. Grade 2 adverse effects occurred in 3 patients, and Grade 3 in 1 patient, during CRT, but the completion of CRT was achieved in all 6 patients. All patients had complete response (CR) in the anal lesion after CRT. Only the patient with a T3 tumor who was administrated S- 1 showed signs of recurrence in the anal lesion. CRT is expected to be a safe and effective treatment for improving the prognosis of anal squamous carcinoma.

In the guidelines on American National Comprehensive Cancer Network, local excision with adequate margin is recommended as a primary treatment for patients with T1, N0, and well-differentiated anal margin cancers. Otherwise, concurrent chemotherapy using mitomycin C(10mg/m², day 1 and 29)and 5-FU(1,000mg/m2/day, continuous intravenous infusion, day 1-4 and 29-32)with radiation(total dose of 45-59 Gy)is the recommended primary treatment for all other stages of nonmetastatic anal margin and anal canal cancer. Abdominoperineal resection is performed for patients with local recurrent diseases or residual tumor after chemoradiotherapy. Chemotherapy, using cisplatin(100mg/m², day 2)and 5-FU(1,000mg/m²/day, day 1-5)every four weeks, is recommended for patients with distant metastases, and radiotherapy can also be given for the local control of symptomatic anal lesions. Abdominoperineal resection has been performed in Japan; however, use of chemoradiotherapy is expected to increase for patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma. Clarification of the correct positioning of chemoradiotherapy using cisplatin, and the development of treatment using oral anticancer agents, are expected in the future by a clinical trial now in progress.

We reviewed clinical records of 11 cases with preoperative chemoradiotherapy to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of chemoradiotherapy for T4 rectal cancer. The preoperative radiotherapy consisted of 40-50 Gy delivered in fractions of 1 .8- 2.0 Gy per day, five days per week. A treatment of 5-fluorouracil, 500 mg/body per day intravenously, or oral UFT-E (300 mg/m²) with l-leucovorin (75 mg) per day, or oral S-1 (80 mg/m²) per day five days per week, was given during radiotherapy. One patient died due to pelvic abscess in 63 days after chemoradiotherapy. Invasive findings to the adjacent organs identified by CT and MRI disappeared in 6 cases with complete or partial response 1 month after chemoradiotherapy. Curative surgery was performed in 7 patients. Although the adjacent organs were also removed during surgery in 7 patients, there was no histological invasion to the adjacent organs in 4 patients, and one patient had histological complete disappearance of tumor. Although complications after surgery were found in all of the patients, they were improved by conservative treatment. Two of 7 patients with curative surgery had recurrence, but the rest of them survived without recurrence. Preoperative chemoradiotherapy was expected to be an effective treatment to improve the resection rate and prognosis for T4 rectal cancer. However, it was thought that it was necessary to be careful about severe toxicity, such as pelvic abscess.

We reviewed clinical records of 4 cases with squamous cell carcinoma in anus to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the chemoradiotherapy. The radiation therapy consisted of 40 Gy was delivered to pelvis and bilateral inguinal lesion, and perianal booster dose of 20 Gy, in fractions of 2.0 Gy per day, was given five days a week. On the first day of radiation therapy, 750 mg/m2 of 5-FU in the form of a continuous 24-hour infusion for 5 days was given. On the first day of chemotherapy, 10 mg/m2 of MMC was also given as a single bolus infusion. 5-FU and MMC were administered 4 times every 4 weeks. Three patients had T2 tumor, and one patient had T1 tumor. One patient had metastases in para-aortic and Virchow lymph node. No patients had hematogenous metastases. Grade 1 or 2 adverse effects occurred in 3 patients during chemoradiotherapy, but the completion of chemoradiotherapy was achieved in all of the 4 patients. All patients had complete response in the anal lesion after chemoradiotherapy. No patients had any sign of recurrence in anal lesion. Chemoradiotherapy was expected to be a safe and effective treatment to improve prognosis for anal squamous carcinoma.

We reviewed clinical records of 10 cases with preoperative chemoradiotherapy to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the chemoradiotherapy for T4 rectal cancer. The preoperative radiation therapy consisted of 40-50 Gy delivered in fractions of 1.8-2.0 Gy per day for five days per week. A treatment of 5-fluorouracil (500 mg/body) per day intravenously, or oral UFT-E (300 mg/m2) with l-leucovorin (75 mg/body) per day, or oral S-1 (80 mg/m2) per day for five days per week, was given during radiotherapy. Grade 1 or 2 adverse effects occurred in 3 patients during chemoradiotherapy, but a completion of chemoradiotherpy was achieved in all of the 10 patients. Invasive findings to the adjacent organs identified by CT and MRI disappeared in 6 cases with complete or partial response 1 month after chemoradiotherapy. Although the adjacent organs were also removed during surgery in 7 patients, curative surgery was performed in 7 patients. There was no histological invasion to the adjacent organs in 4 patients, and one patient had a histological complete disappearance of tumor. Although complications after surgery were found in all of the patients, they were improved by conservative treatment. Two of 7 patients with curative surgery had recurrence, but the rest of them survived without recurrence. Preoperative chemoradiotherapy was expected to be a safe and effective treatment to improve the resection rate and prognosis for T4 rectal cancer.