Clinical Significance of Tumor Deposits in Gastric Cancer: a Retrospective and Propensity Score-Matched Study at Two Institutions

Clinical Significance and Prognostic Implications of Discontinuous Growth Pattern in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: A Multi-Institutional Study

The significance of discontinuous growth (DG) of the tumor to include tumor deposits and intramural metastasis in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is unclear. Esophagectomy specimens from 151 treatment-naïve and 121 treated patients with EAC were reviewed. DG was defined as discrete (≥2 mm away) tumor foci identified at the periphery of the main tumor in the submucosa, muscularis propria, and/or periadventitial tissue. Patients' demographics, clinicopathologic parameters, and oncologic outcomes were compared between tumors with DG versus without DG. DGs were identified in 16% of treatment-naïve and 29% of treated cases ( P =0.01). Age, gender, and tumor location were comparable in DG+ and DG- groups. For the treatment-naïve group, DG+ tumors were larger with higher tumor grade and stage and more frequent extranodal extension, lymphovascular/perineural invasion, and positive margin. Patients with treated tumors presented at higher disease stages with higher rates of recurrence and metastasis compared with treatment-naïve patients. In this group, DG was also associated with TNM stage and more frequent lymphovascular/perineural spread and positive margin, but not with tumor size, grade, or extranodal extension. In multivariate analysis, in all patients adjusted for tumor size, lymphovascular involvement, margin, T and N stage, metastasis, neoadjuvant therapy status, treatment year, and DG, DG was found to be an independent adverse predictor of survival outcomes in EAC. DG in EAC is associated with adverse clinicopathologic features and worse patient outcomes. DG should be considered throughout the entire clinicopathologic evaluation of treatment-naïve and treated tumors as well as in future staging systems.

Prognostic effect of categorized tumor deposits in gastric cancer: A single-center retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Tumor deposits are defined as all types of isolated cancer lesions without lymphocyte aggregates considered part of the lymph node. Tumor deposits have been reported as a negative prognostic factor. However, the survival significance of categorized tumor deposits is uncertain, particularly in gastric cancer. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic difference among categorized tumor deposits.

METHODS

Patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer were enrolled. All tumor deposits were categorized into irregular nodule, irregular nodule star, smooth nodule, and vascular/neural invasion. There are some cases with more than 2 categorized tumor deposits. These cases were categorized as tumor deposit complex in the following analysis. We performed survival analysis between the patients with and without tumor deposits, and compared the survival among each categorized tumor deposit.

RESULTS

Of 868 patients, there were 96 (11.1%) and 772 (88.9%) patients with and without tumor deposits. Vascular/neural invasion, smooth nodule, irregular nodule, irregular nodule star, and the tumor deposits complex was observed in 6 (6.3%), 15 (15.6%), 43 (44.8%), 1 (1.0%), and 31 (32.3%) patients. Patients with tumor deposits displayed poorer survival than those without; the 3-year overall survival: tumor deposits negative = 87.0%, tumor deposits positive = 53.2% (P < .001). Survival analysis revealed tumor deposits can be a prognostic risk factor (hazard ratio: 1.9854, 95% confidence interval: 1.393-2.830, P < .01). Irregular nodule and the tumor deposits complex demonstrated the worst prognosis (irregular nodule 3-year overall survival: 51.2%, tumor deposits complex 3-year overall survival: 41.9%, P = .001), whereas smooth nodule demonstrated better prognosis (smooth nodule 3-year overall survival: 80%).

CONCLUSION

Tumor deposits exerted a negative survival effect in gastric cancer. Irregular nodule and the tumor deposits complex displayed a strong prognostic effect.

Risk factors for postoperative recurrence of pT2-3N0M0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and patterns of its recurrence

This study aimed to explore the patterns of postoperative recurrence in patients with pT2-3N0M0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and to identify the risk factors for the recurrence. Patients with pT2-3N0M0 ESCC who were treated at our hospital from January 2010 to August 2019 were divided into three categories: those with anastomotic recurrence, those with lymph node recurrence, and those with hematogenous metastasis. The sites of initial recurrence and metastasis were counted and potential risk factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression. Four hundred and eighty-five patients with pT2-3N0M0 ESCC were ultimately included, 176 (36.29%) of whom experienced tumor recurrence or metastasis. Cox multivariate analysis revealed that the postoperative T-stage, procedure, tumor location, and degree of differentiation were independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence (P < 0.05). The median time of recurrence was 38 months, and the most common site of recurrence was the lymph nodes in 126 patients (71.59%), followed by hematogenous metastasis in 73 patients (41.47%), and anastomotic recurrence in 21 patients (11.93%). 119 patients (67.61%) experienced recurrence within 36 months, with a probability of recurrence of 84.09% within 5 years, and recurrence remained relatively unchanged after 5 years. The proportion of postoperative lymph node recurrence and hematogenous metastasis in patients with pT3N0M0 ESCC was significantly higher than that in patients with pT2N0M0 ESCC (P < 0.05). At higher tumor locations in the body, the proportion of lymph node recurrence increased (P < 0.05). In conclusion, postoperative T-stage, procedure, tumor location, and degree of differentiation were independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence in pT2-3N0M0 ESCC, with regional lymph node recurrence being the most common pattern, emphasizing the importance of regional lymph nodes in this context.

Clinical significance of tumor deposits in gastric cancer after radical gastrectomy: a propensity score matching study

OBJECTIVE

The value of tumor deposits (TDs) in the prognosis and staging of gastric cancer (GC) is still under debate. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic value of TDs and the best ways to incorporate TDs in the TNM classification of GC.

METHODS

Patients (n = 3460) undergoing curative gastrectomy for GC in the West China Hospital from 2005 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed and divided into two groups according to the TD status (positive vs. negative). Later, clinicopathological features and overall survival (OS) between the two groups were compared. Thereafter, the associations between the presence of TD and other clinicopathological factors were evaluated through logistic regression. In addition, univariate and multivariate Cox regression were conducted for determining prognostic factors. The possibility of selection bias was reduced through conducting the 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) analysis. The modified classification systems proposed previously that incorporated TDs into the TNM staging system were assessed.

RESULTS

There were 10.5% of patients (362/3460) diagnosed with TDs. TDs were significantly related to unfavorable factors such as advanced T stage and N stage and independently associated with poor prognosis. The 5-year OS of patients with TDs was significantly lower than that of patients without TDs (31.0% vs. 60.9%, P < 0.001), whereas higher than that of patients with peritoneal metastasis (31.0% vs. 5.0%, P < 0.001). In patients receiving chemotherapy, the 5-year OS of patients with TDs was also significantly lower than that of patients without TDs (42.0% vs. 50.9%, P = 0.026). Moreover, the system incorporating TDs in the TNM classification as metastatic lymph nodes outperformed others.

CONCLUSIONS

TDs are related to the aggressive characteristics and are an independent prognostic factor for GC. Incorporating TDs in the TNM classification as the metastatic lymph nodes increases the accuracy in predicting prognosis.

Prognostic significance of tumor deposits in radically resected gastric cancer: a retrospective study of a cohort of 1915 Chinese individuals

Background

Tumor deposits (TDs) have been identified as an independent prognostic factor in gastric cancer (GC). However, the associated clinicopathological factors and how to simply and reasonably incorporate TD into the TNM staging system remain undetermined. The aim of the current study was therefore to assess the significance of TD among radically resected GC patients.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 1915 patients undergoing radical resection between 2007 and 2012. The patients were classified into two groups according to TD status (absent vs. present), and the clinicopathologic characteristics, DFS, and OS were compared. Associations of TD presence with other clinicopathologic factors were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the prognostic factors for DFS and OS in the primary cohort. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to reduce the possibility of selection bias according to the presence of TD. External validation of previously proposed modified staging systems incorporating TD was conducted.

Results

The detection rate of TD was 10.5% (201/1915). The presence of TD was significantly related to unfavorable clinicopathologic variables, including advanced T and N categories. According to the multivariate Cox regression analysis, the presence of TD was identified as an independent prognostic factor for DFS and OS in the primary cohort (both P < 0.001). In the after-PSM cohort, TD presence also significantly shortened DFS and OS. In the external validation, one system that incorporated TD into the pTNM stage had the best performance.

Conclusions

The presence of TD was significantly associated with poor survival in radically resected GC patients. The incorporation of TD into the TNM staging system can further improve the predictive capability. A multicenter cohort with a large sample size is needed to determine the appropriate method of incorporation.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12957-022-02773-1.

Tumor Characteristics Associated with Lymph Node Metastasis and Prognosis in Patients with ERBB2-Positive Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancers (GCs) that express human erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ERBB2, also known as HER2) account for 7.3%–20.2% of GCs. The pathological and prognostic factors associated with lymph node metastasis of such tumors are still unclear. Therefore, we aimed to identify the risk factors for lymph node metastasis and prognostic factors of patients with ERBB2-positive GC. We conducted a retrospective analysis of pathological specimens after D2 radical surgery for locally advanced GC and D1+ surgery performed for early GC in our hospital from January 2015 to December 2018. Patients with ERBB2-positive GC were selected and the potential risk factors for lymph node metastasis and potential factors affecting prognosis were evaluated. Among 1,124 GC patients, 122 diagnosed with ERBB2-positive GC were included in the study. We found that risk factors for lymph node metastasis included tumor size (hazard ratio (HR)- 6.213, 95% confidence interval (CI)- 2.097–18.407, p = 0.001), neural invasion (HR- 2.876, 95% CI - 1.011–8.184, p = 0.048), and vascular invasion (HR- 16.881, 95% CI - 5.207–54.727, p < 0.001). T stage (HR- 4.615, 95% CI - 2.182–9.759, p < 0.001) and vascular invasion (HR- 3.036, 95% CI - 1.369–6.736, p = 0.006) were significant prognostic variables. These findings shed new light on the pathology and prognosis of patients with ERBB2-positive GC.

Pathologic Lymph Node Staging of Gastric Cancer

OBJECTIVES

The TNM classification is the main tool for lymph node (LN) staging in gastric cancer (GC). However, alternative LN staging systems have been proposed, and the role of features other than the number of metastatic LNs is being investigated. Our aim is to discuss the main challenges of LN assessment in GC.

METHODS

Comprehensive review of the literature on alternative LN staging systems, examined LNs, sentinel LN (SLN) biopsy, LN micrometastases (LNMIs), extracapsular extension (ECE), and tumor deposits (TDs) in GC.

RESULTS

Many controversies exist regarding LN assessment in GC. The TNM classification shows excellent prognostic performance, but alternative prognostic methods such as the LN ratio or log odds of positive LNs have demonstrated to be better than the TNM system in terms of prognostic accuracy. The value of SLN biopsy and LNMIs in GC is still unclear, and several challenges concerning their clinical impact and pathologic analysis must be overcome before their introduction in clinical practice. Most authors have identified ECE and TDs as independent prognostic factors for survival in GC.

CONCLUSIONS

Further studies should be performed to evaluate the impact of these features on the TNM classification and patient outcomes, as well as to standardize alternative LN staging systems.

HIFU for the treatment of gastric cancer with liver metastases with unsuitable indications for hepatectomy and radiofrequency ablation: a prospective and propensity score-matched study

Background

The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy and safety of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in gastric cancer with liver metastasis (GCLM) patients who were contraindicated for either hepatectomy or radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Methods

This is a prospective, observational study on GCLM patients with 1–3 liver metastases. The primary gastric lesions were thoroughly resected and any case that exhibited extra-hepatic metastasis was excluded. A 1:2:2 propensity score-matching analysis was performed using a logistic regression model on the HIFU group, best supportive care (BSC) group, and palliative chemotherapy (PC) group. The primary endpoints include progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

Forty patients were finally included, there were 8 cases in HIFU group, 16 cases in BSC group, and 16 cases in PC group. The median follow-up time for the entire cohort was 10 months. The median PFS was 16.5 months in HIFU group, 2 months in BSC group, and 5 months in PC group. The median OS was 27.5 months in the HIFU group, 7 months in the BSC group, and 11.5 months in the PC group. Additionally, no grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred in the HIFU group.

Conclusion

The results of this study showed that HIFU treatment could improve the long-term prognosis of GCLM patients without a significant increase in the occurrence of adverse events. Compared with PC and BSC, HIFU is the preferred treatment option when GCLM patients without extra-hepatic metastasis are unable to undergo either surgery or RFA.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12893-021-01307-y.

Clinicopathological factors associated with the presence of tumor deposits in resected gastric cancer patients

Purpose

The role of tumor deposits (TDs) in the staging of gastric cancer is currently debatable. TDs are defined as tumoral nodules in perigastric adipose tissue with no evidence of lymphatic, vascular, or neural structures. Clinicopathological factors related to the presence of TDs are not well defined. This study aimed to identify the clinicopathological factors associated with the presence of TDs in resected gastric cancer patients.

Materials and methods

This prospective study included patients diagnosed with gastric cancer and treated with D2 radical gastrectomy from January 2019 to January 2020. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the factors related to the presence of TDs.

Results

A total of 111 patients were eligible and TDs were present in 31 of them (28%). In the univariate analysis, male gender (p = 0.027), tumor size ≥ 5cm (p = ≤0.001), serosa and adjacent organs invasion (pT4a and pT4b) (p = ≤0.001), ≥16 metastatic lymph nodes (pN3b) (p = ≤0.001), and TNM stage III tumors (p = ≤0.001) were significantly associated with the presence of TDs. The multivariate analysis showed that a tumors size ≥5 cm (OR = 3.69, 95% CI: 1.17-11.6), serosa and adjacent organs invasion (pT4a and pT4b) (OR = 3.78, 95% CI: 1.31-10.86) and ≥16 metastatic lymph nodes (pN3b) (OR = 3.21, 95%CI:1.06-9.7) were independent risk factors for the presence of TDs.

Conclusions

Larger tumors (tumor size ≥ 5cm), serosa and adjacent organs invasion (pT4 and pT4b), and ≥16 metastatic lymph nodes (pN3b) were independent risk factors for the presence of TDs.