The Predictive and Prognostic Factors in Patients with Gastric Cancer Accompanied by Gastric Outlet Obstruction

Laparoscopic versus open distal gastrectomy with d2 lymphadenectomy in treatment of locally T4A gastric cancer: the protocol of a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. While laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) has been widely adopted for early and locally advanced gastric cancer (AGC), its safety and oncological efficacy in T4a GC remain unclear. To date, no randomized controlled trials have specifically examined the role of LG in the treatment of T4a GC. This study aims to provide robust evidence comparing the short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) versus open distal gastrectomy (ODG) in resectable T4a GC.

METHODS

This is a phase III, randomized controlled, non-inferiority trial. Patients with clinical T4a GC (cT4aN0-3M0) suitable for distal gastrectomy with D2 dissection will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to undergo either LDG or ODG. A total 240 patients (120 each group) are required to statistically show non-inferiority of the LDG with respect to the primary end-point, 3-years disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary endpoints include morbiity, mortality, postoperative recovery, and quality of life.

DISCUSSION

This study is the first prospective randomized trial specifically designed to compare laparoscopic and open approaches for T4a GC. By standardizing surgical techniques and ensuring experienced surgeons perform the procedures, this trial aims to establish whether LDG can provide equivalent oncological outcomes while reducing perioperative morbidity and enhancing postoperative recovery. The findings will provide high-quality evidence to inform future guidelines and clinical decision-making in the management of T4a gastric cancer.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04384757), version 6. Registration Date: 08/05/2020.

Advancing care in malignant gastric outlet obstruction: a contemporary review of management strategies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this review is to summarize the most pertinent data on management of malignant gastric outlet obstruction (MGOO), with an emphasis on recent updates.

RECENT FINDINGS

Traditionally, options to restore luminal patency in patients with MGOO were surgical gastrojejunostomy (SGJ) and endoscopic insertion of an enteral stent. The latter was reserved for patients with poor performance status or anticipated survival less than 2 months. Endoscopic gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) is a newer technique that aims to mimic a SGJ and involves placement of a lumen apposing metal stent (LAMS) from the stomach directly into the jejunum. In a recent randomized trial of EUS-GE vs. enteral stent, the former was associated with reduced re-interventions, improved stent patency, and improved patient reported eating habits. Recent publications suggest that EUS-GE may offer substantial advantages over S-GJ; a randomized trial is currently underway. Venting gastrostomy may be the most suitable option for patients with markedly impaired gastric motility or with multiple luminal obstructions.

SUMMARY

MGOO is a debilitating late complication of advanced upper gastrointestinal malignancies, resulting from blockage or mechanical compression of the distal stomach, pyloric antrum or duodenum. Various modalities are currently available, and should be tailored to patient's expectations, underlying cause, life expectancy, and functional status.

Comparison of endoscopic and surgical gastrojejunostomy in patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction: a national cohort analysis (2016-2020)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Malignant gastric outlet obstruction (MGOO) is an unfortunate adverse event of advanced upper GI malignancies. Historically, surgical gastrojejunostomy (SGJ) has been the procedure of choice to achieve enteral bypass. Recently, endoscopic techniques have gained popularity in the management of MGOO. We aimed to compare periprocedural outcomes between SGJ and endoscopic gastrojejunostomy (EGJ) in patients with MGOO.

METHODS

The National Inpatient Sample was queried from 2016 through 2020. The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, codes were used to identify adult admissions with a principal diagnosis of gastric, pancreatic, or duodenal cancer undergoing EGJ or SGJ. The 2 cohorts were compared for periprocedural adverse events.

RESULTS

Of 20,930 patients undergoing gastrojejunostomy for MGOO, 16,585 underwent SGJ and 4345 underwent EGJ. The SGJ cohort had a higher proportion of patients with pancreatic cancer (36.16% vs 19.56%) and a lower proportion of patients with gastric cancer (55.16% vs 71.99%). A higher percentage of EGJs were performed in the Northeast (20.33% vs 27.66%, P < .001), whereas a smaller percentage of EGJs were performed in the South (30.56% vs 39.52%, P < .001). Between the 2 groups, the difference in mortality rates was not significantly different (0.62; 95% CI, 0.35-1.10; P = .106), but the EGJ group had lower odds of respiratory failure (4.7% vs 7.4%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.68; 95% CI, 0.48-0.96; P = .032), blood transfusion (9.25% vs 13.74%; aOR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.48-0.82; P = .001), and peritonitis (2.19% vs 4.5%; aOR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.33-0.91; P = .022). The EGJ group had lesser hospitalization charges (mean $164,794 vs $183,519; adjusted difference on regression, $16,495; 95% CI, 29,204-3786; P = .011) and shorter hospital stays (mean, 9.88 vs 12.56 days; adjusted difference, 2.24 days; 95% CI, 1.53-2.96; P < .001). The use of EGJ increased over 5 years (16.86% in 2016 to 24.14% in 2020, P for trend = .002), whereas the use of SGJ decreased (83.13% in 2016 to 75.85% in 2020, P for trend = .002).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with SGJ, EGJ is associated with lower rates of periprocedural adverse events, hospitalization charges, and length of stay. For these reasons, EGJ should be strongly considered in managing MGOO.

Effect of different preoperative nutritional treatments on postoperative recovery and clinical outcomes in patients with gastric cancer and early gastric outlet obstruction

Patients with gastric cancer and early gastric outlet obstruction often experience malnutrition and require various nutritional support strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different preoperative nutritional treatments on their postoperative recovery and prognosis. The present retrospective study collected data from 467 patients with gastric cancer and early gastric outlet obstruction who underwent surgery at Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital (Harbin, China) between January 2016 and December 2018. All patients received preoperative nutritional treatment, with a mean treatment duration of 8.23±2.33 days. The present study analyzed associations and survival in different groups using χ2, independent-samples t-test, ANOVA and log-rank tests. Furthermore, single- and multi-factor survival analyses were conducted and nomograms and calibration curves constructed to investigate factors influencing patient survival. In this study, 230 patients (49.3%) received only parenteral nutrition (PN; Group 1), 162 patients (34.7%) received PN combined with enteral nutrition (EN; Group 2) and 75 patients (16.0%) received PN combined with a full- or semi-liquid diet (Group 3). No significant differences in clinical and pathological parameters were observed among the groups. However, Group 2 showed significant advantages in postoperative recovery, including faster time to first postoperative bowel sounds, flatus and bowel movement. Survival analysis indicated that Group 3 had shorter progression-free survival (χ2=30.485) and overall survival (χ2=31.249). Preoperative nutritional treatment was identified as an independent prognostic factor. Preoperative PN combined with EN proved advantageous for postoperative recovery of patients with gastric cancer and early gastric outlet obstruction. Furthermore, PN combined with full- or semi-liquid diets may not have fully met the nutritional needs of these patients, resulting in less favorable clinical outcomes.

Gastric point-of-care ultrasonography in patients undergoing radical gastrointestinal surgery before anesthetic induction: an observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents is a serious perioperative complication. Patients with gastric cancer may experience delayed gastric emptying. However, the role of qualitative and quantitative gastric ultrasound assessments in this patient population before anesthesia induction has not yet been determined.

METHODS

Adult patients with gastrointestinal cancer were recruited and examined using gastric point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) before anesthetic induction from March 2023 to August 2023 in a tertiary cancer center. Three hundred patients with gastric cancer were conducted with POCUS prior to induction, and three hundred patients with colorectal cancer were included as controls. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the gastric antrum and gastric volumes (GV) were measured and calculated. We determined the nature of the gastric contents and classified the antrum using a 3-point grading system. A ratio of GV to body weight > 1.5mL/Kg was defined as a high risk of aspiration.

RESULTS

In patients with gastric cancer, 70 patients were classified as grade 2 (23%, including 6 patients with solid gastric contents) and 63 patients (21%) were identified as having a high risk of aspiration. Whereas in patients with colorectal cancer, only 11 patients were classified as grade 2 (3.7%), and 27 patients (9.7%) were identified as having a high risk of aspiration. A larger tumor size (OR:1.169, 95% CI 1.045-1.307, P = 0.006), tumor located in antrum (OR:2.304, 95% CI 1.169-4.539,P = 0.016), gastrointestinal obstruction (OR:21.633, 95% CI 4.199-111.443, P < 0.0001) and more lymph node metastasis (OR:2.261, 95% CI 1.062-4.812, P = 0.034) were found to be positively while tumor site at cardia (OR:0.096, 95% CI 0.019-0.464, P = 0.004) was negatively associated with high aspiration risk in patients with gastric cancer.

CONCLUSION

The Gastric POCUS prior to induction provides an assessment of the status of gastric emptying and can identify the patients at high risk of aspiration, especially those with gastric cancer.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( www.chictr.org.cn ) identifier: ChiCTR2300069242; registered 10 March 2023.

Outcomes after partially covered self-expandable metal stent placement for recurrent duodenal obstruction

BACKGROUND

Outcomes of partially covered self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) as an additional stent after recurrent duodenal obstruction (RDO) have not been elucidated. In this study, we compared outcomes of partially covered and uncovered SEMS placement after RDO in patients with malignant duodenal obstruction and explored factors affecting re-recurrent obstruction and overall survival in this population.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of patients undergoing SEMS placement for RDO at a cancer institute in Japan from July 2014 to June 2021. Clinical variables and outcomes of patients undergoing partially covered and uncovered SEMS placement were compared.

RESULTS

Sixty-one patients underwent SEMS placement after RDO, for which the COMVI stent was used in 38 cases and uncovered stents were used in 23 cases. Stent ingrowth was the most common cause of RDO (51.4%). Stent migration only occurred after partially covered stent placement (20% vs. 0%, p = 0.018). Choice of SEMS had no impact on time to re-RDO (median 2.8 vs. 4.1 months, p = 0.776) or overall survival (median 2.6 vs. 2.4 months, p = 0.703). Median overall survival was longer in patients receiving chemotherapy after second stenting (4.6 vs. 1.8 months, p < 0.001) and shorter in those with early RDO, regardless of the SEMS used. Use of the partially covered stent had no impact on survival or time to RDO.

CONCLUSIONS

While outcomes after partially covered SEMS placement for RDO were not significantly different from uncovered SEMS, migration remains a concern when they are used as a second stent. Chemotherapy after second stenting was associated with longer overall survival but not with longer time to re-RDO.

Development and verification of a nomogram for predicting the prognosis of resectable gastric cancer with outlet obstruction

Background

The prognosis of patients with gastric cancer (GC) with gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) after gastrectomy is highly variable. In this study, we aimed to develop a nomogram to predict the prognosis of these patients.

Patients and Methods

Data from 218 GC patients with GOO who underwent gastrectomy at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were retrospectively collected as a training cohort. The data of 59 patients with the same diagnosis who underwent gastrectomy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University were collected as an external verification cohort. A nomogram for the overall survival (OS) was developed using the Cox regression model in the training cohort, which was validated in a verification cohort.

Results

Multivariate analysis showed that the surgical procedure (P < 0.001), period of chemotherapy (P < 0.001), T stage (P = 0.006), N stage (P = 0.040), systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) (P < 0.001), and fibrinogen level (P = 0.026) were independent factors affecting OS. The nomogram constructed on the aforementioned factors for predicting the 1- and 3-year OS achieved a Harrell’s concordance index (C-index) of 0.756 and 0.763 for the training and verification cohorts, respectively. Compared with the 8th American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Tumour-Node-Metastasis (TNM) staging system, the nomogram had higher C-index values and areas under the curve (AUCs) and slightly higher net clinical benefit.

Conclusion

Compared to the 8th AJCC staging system, the newly developed nomogram showed superior performance in predicting the survival of GC patients with GOO after gastrectomy.