Atsushi Sasaki

Oita University, Ōita-shi, Oita-ken, Japan

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Publications (57)128.96 Total impact

  • Article: Two-stage laparoscopic resection of colon cancer and metastatic liver tumour.
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    ABSTRACT: We report herein the case of 70-year-old woman in whom colon cancer and a synchronous metastatic liver tumour were successfully resected laparoscopically. The tumours were treated in two stages. Both post-operative courses were uneventful, and there has been no recurrence during the 8 months since the second procedure.
    Journal of Minimal Access Surgery 10/2012; 8(4):152-3.
  • Article: A comparative study of the long-term outcomes after laparoscopy-assisted and open left lateral hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma.
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    ABSTRACT: Laparoscopic hepatectomy was initially reported in 1992. However, the reported experiences are scarce, and this operation has not been a standard procedure until now. The aims of this study were to assess our results of laparoscopy-assisted left lateral hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to compare them with those of open conventional procedures. From 1984 to 2002, left lateral hepatectomy for HCC less than 5 cm in diameter was carried out in 21 patients. Ten patients received a laparoscopy-assisted procedure, and remaining 11 patients received an open procedure. There were no significant differences in the operation time, blood loss, resected liver weight, and resection margin between the 2 groups. The total time that analgesics were given, body temperature on postoperative day 1, weight loss on postoperative day 7, and postoperative hospital stay in the laparoscopic group were significantly better than in the conventional group. With regard to the long-term prognosis, there were no differences in patient survival or disease-free survival rates between the 2 groups. Laparoscopy-assisted left lateral hepatectomy for HCC is superior to the conventional open surgery in terms of its short-term results and does not cause the long-term survival to deteriorate. Therefore, laparoscopic hepatectomy may be an alternative choice for treatment of HCC.
    Surgical laparoscopy, endoscopy & percutaneous techniques 10/2009; 19(5):e171-4. · 1.23 Impact Factor
  • Article: Direct invasion to the colon by hepatocellular carcinoma: report of two cases.
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    ABSTRACT: Although hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common tumor, direct invasion of the gastrointestinal tract by HCC is uncommon. Recently, we encountered two cases of HCC with direct invasion to the colon. The first patient was a 79-year-old man who underwent transarterial chemo-embolization (TACE) for HCC 1.5 years prior to admission to our hospital. Computed tomography (CT) showed a 7.5-cm liver tumor directly invading the transverse colon. Partial resection of the liver and transverse colon was performed. The patient survived 6 mo after surgery, but died of recurrent HCC. The second patient was a 69-year-old man who underwent TACE and ablation for HCC 2 years and 7 months prior to being admitted to our hospital for melena and abdominal distension. CT revealed a 6-cm liver tumor with direct invasion to the colon. The patient underwent partial resection of the liver and right hemicolectomy. The patient recovered from the surgery. But, unfortunately, he died of liver failure due to liver cirrhosis one month later. Although the prognosis of HCC that has invaded the colon is generally poor due to the advanced stage of the disease, surgical resection may be a favorable treatment option in patients with a good general condition.
    World Journal of Gastroenterology 08/2008; 14(28):4583-5. · 2.47 Impact Factor
  • Article: Short- and long-term outcomes after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma with concomitant esophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis.
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    ABSTRACT: Hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices (EV) is often avoided because of poor liver function reserve. Outcomes of resection in such cases have not been fully investigated. We conducted a retrospective study of 134 cirrhotic patients (Child-Pugh class A or B) who underwent hepatic resection for HCC, comparing short- and long-term outcomes in patients with EV (n = 31) to those in patients without EV (n = 103). Patients with EV had higher tumor differentiation, fewer instances of portal invasion, lower liver function reserve, and more limited resections than did patients without EV. Of 31 patients with EV, four died of postoperative complication, and nine of liver failure, seven of HCC, two of ruptured EV, and two of other causes. Median survival time for patients who died of liver failure was 59 months. Mortality and morbidity rates after hepatic resection did not differ between patients with and without EV. The 5-year overall survival rate was significantly higher in patients with EV (70.1%) than in those without EV (47.5%, P = 0.045) but did not differ between patients without portal invasion with and without EV (P = 0.55). Presence of EV was not an independent predictor for survival. Short- and long-term outcomes of hepatic resection in HCC patients with and without EV are similar. Limited hepatic resection for early-stage tumor is an option for Child-Pugh class A or B patients with EV.
    Annals of Surgical Oncology 07/2008; 15(6):1670-6. · 4.17 Impact Factor
  • Article: Laparoscopic treatment for a case of ileal anisakiasis.
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    ABSTRACT: Small bowel anisakiasis is a relatively uncommon disease and there is only a few report of laparoscopic treatment for patients with small bowel anisakiasis. We report a case of ileal anisakiasis successfully treated by laparoscopy-assisted partial resection of the ileum. A 39-year-old Japanese man visited our hospital with right lower quadrant pain. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a moderate amount of ascites and small bowel dilation. Laparoscopy performed to diagnose causes for peritonitis and ileus revealed an area of induration, 10 cm in length, and thickening of the wall of the distal ileum. Laparoscopy-assisted partial resection of the ileum was performed. An Anisakis spp. larva was found attached to the mucosa of the specimen. The patient was discharged on day 20 after surgery. Small bowel anisakiasis is often difficult to diagnose and to distinguish from other abdominal diseases. Laparoscopic examination is useful for diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.
    Surgical laparoscopy, endoscopy & percutaneous techniques 05/2008; 18(2):216-8. · 1.23 Impact Factor
  • Article: Retrorectal epidermoid cyst in an elderly woman: report of a case.
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    ABSTRACT: An epidermoid cyst is a common occurrence in the skin. Such a cyst occurring in the retrorectal space, however, is extremely rare. We herein present a case of retrorectal epidermal cyst in a 67-year-old Japanese woman. She reported no symptoms and a perirectal mass behind the lower rectum was accidentally detected by computed tomography (CT). Contrast CT and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic mass (76x70x63 mm) with a slightly enhanced thin wall which was attached to the lower rectum. The patient underwent surgery via a posterior approach. The mass was exposed after an excision of subcutaneous fat and was firmly adhered to the anal sphincter muscle. The cystic mass was completely removed without a proctectomy. Histologically, the cyst was diagnosed to be an epidermoid cyst. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 9. A diagnosis of retrorectal cystic tumor is difficult, and a complete resection is necessary for the treatment of such tumors.
    Surgery Today 02/2008; 38(8):761-4. · 1.22 Impact Factor
  • Article: Hepatitis B virus infection predicts extrahepatic metastasis after hepatic resection in patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma.
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    ABSTRACT: Although extrahepatic metastasis occurs rarely after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the prognosis of these patients is extremely poor. Predictors of extrahepatic metastasis have not been fully investigated. To identify predictors of extrahepatic metastasis after resection, we retrospectively investigated 77 patients with HCC tumors > 50 mm in diameter who underwent hepatic resection. We investigated correlations between postoperative extrahepatic metastasis and clinicopathologic factors as well as extrahepatic metastasis-free survival rate by log rank test and predictors of extrahepatic metastasis by univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs-Ag) was found in 25 (32.5%) of 77 patients, and extrahepatic metastasis occurred in 26 (33.8%). Patients with extrahepatic metastasis showed better liver function and a high occurrence of HBs-Ag positivity than those without. The 5-year extrahepatic metastasis-free survival rate was worse in patients with HBs-Ag positivity, larger tumors (> or = 70 mm), higher alfa-fetoprotein level (> or = 300 ng/mL), and lower indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes (ICGR15) (< 15%) than in those without. By univariate logistic regression analysis, HBs-Ag positivity, larger HCC tumor (> or = 70 mm), lower ICGR15 (< 15%), and lower preoperative lymphocyte count (< 1000/mm3) were predictors of extrahepatic metastasis (P < .1). By multivariate analysis, HBs-Ag positivity was an independent predictor of postoperative extrahepatic metastasis (P = .04). In patients positive for HBs-Ag, radiologic examination of extrahepatic organs should be performed as a part of the postoperative surveillance. Hepatitis B virus infection may promote establishment of extrahepatic metastasis.
    Annals of Surgical Oncology 12/2007; 14(11):3181-7. · 4.17 Impact Factor
  • Article: Loss of MAL expression in precancerous lesions of the esophagus.
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    ABSTRACT: We have identified a novel function of MAL (T-cell differentiation-related gene) as a candidate suppressor gene in esophageal cancer. As the role of MAL expression in esophageal carcinogenesis is as yet undetermined, MAL expression in a rat multi-step carcinogenic model and in precancerous lesions of the human esophagus was investigated. Microarray analysis between MAL-transfectant and control cells was also carried out to clarify how MAL confers its anti-tumor effects. (1) In the rat model, MAL expression levels in laser microdissected normal esophageal epithelium, dysplastic tissues and carcinoma tissues were examined by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. (2) Immunostaining with MAL antibody was performed in 10 dysplastic lesions adjacent to cancer in six cases of esophageal cancer. (3) We established a MAL transfectant using a Tet-off vector in esophageal cancer cells and performed microarray analysis under MAL-positive and MAL-negative conditions. (1) In the rat model, MAL mRNA expression was observed only in the normal samples. (2) MAL expression was observed distinctively in differentiated or keratinized normal tissues and was not observed in either dysplastic lesions or carcinoma tissue. (3) Up-regulated genes in MAL-positive cells included keratin 18 (transfectant/control = 2.94) and keratin 10 (t/c = 2.82). MAL expression was lost in dysplastic lesions of the rat carcinoma model as well as the human esophagus. The up-regulated keratins revealed by microarray analysis and the strong staining of the differentiated normal tissues in immunohistochemical study support the role of MAL as a regulator of differentiation in esophageal epithelium.
    Annals of Surgical Oncology 06/2007; 14(5):1670-7. · 4.17 Impact Factor
  • Article: Prognostic value of preoperative peripheral blood monocyte count in patients with colorectal liver metastasis after liver resection.
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    ABSTRACT: Prognostic values of leukocyte subset counts in peripheral blood of cancer patients have not yet been fully investigated. We retrospectively examined the relation between preoperative absolute counts of peripheral blood leukocyte subsets and clinicopathologic factors and long-term prognosis in 97 patients with liver metastasis from colorectal cancer who underwent hepatic resection. Median preoperative peripheral blood leukocyte subset counts were as follows: neutrophils 3148/mm3; lymphocytes 1574/mm3; monocytes 380/mm3. Univariate analysis indicated significantly worse 5-year cancer-related survival for patients with a peripheral blood monocyte count >300/mm3 (67.5%) than for patients with a count <or=300/mm3 (36.8%). Multivariate analysis showed a preoperative peripheral blood monocyte count >300/mm3 and preoperative CEA level (>10 ng/ml) to be independent predictive factors for cancer-related survival after hepatic resection. The preoperative peripheral monocyte count correlated positively with white blood cell and neutrophil counts, but not with the tumor number, interval between colorectal and hepatic surgery, or preoperative serum CEA level. Our findings indicate that a preoperative absolute peripheral blood monocyte count >300/mm3 is an independent predictive factor for cancer-related survival of patients with colorectal liver metastasis who have undergone hepatic resection.
    Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 06/2007; 11(5):596-602. · 2.83 Impact Factor
  • Article: Increased mRNA expression of chemokines in hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.
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    ABSTRACT: The infiltration of lymphocytes in tumor tissue has been associated with a good prognosis for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The purpose of the present study was to estimate the correlation between mRNA expression of chemokines and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in HCC. A total of 44 HCC were examined. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using antibodies to CD4, CD8, CD68, and L-26. The mRNA expression of each chemokine was investigated: regulated upon activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), interleukin-8 (IL-8), epithelial-derived neutrophil attractant-78 (ENA78), interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), monokine induced by interferon-gamma (Mig), and interferon-gamma in HCC were quantified via a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. Chemokine proteins of Mig and IP-10 were examined by immunohistochemistry. The mean number of infiltrating lymphocytes in HCC was 136.9 +/- 32.9/0.25 mm2. Of these infiltrating lymphocytes, CD8-positive T lymphocytes were those predominantly seen around the tumor cells. The mean mRNA expression (copies/10(3) glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase [GAPDH] mRNA) of the following chemokines was determined to be follows: 3.0 +/- 1.9 copies/10(3) GAPDH mRNA, RANTES; 9.2 +/- 4.9 copies/10(3) GAPDH mRNA, IL-8; 44.6 +/- 24.4 copies/10(3) GAPDH mRNA, ENA78; 215.7 +/- 93.9 copies/10(3) GAPDH mRNA, IP-10; 77.3 +/- 38.5 copies/10(3) GAPDH mRNA, Mig; and 1.7 +/- 0.4 copies/10(3) GAPDH mRNA, interferon-gamma. Significant close correlations were observed between the number of infiltrating lymphocytes in these HCC and the expression of Mig and IP-10 mRNA. In the immunostaining, expression of Mig and IP-10 proteins was found only in the HCC cells in the high-infiltration group. Some chemokines induced by interferon-gamma, such as Mig and IP-10, may promote lymphocyte recruitment to HCC and may thus play important roles in cancer immunology.
    Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 06/2007; 22(5):690-6. · 2.87 Impact Factor
  • Article: Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) expression in hepatocellular carcinoma with bone metastasis.
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    ABSTRACT: Although receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) seems to be involved in the development of bone metastases in several malignant tumors, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been investigated. We retrospectively examined the immunohistochemical expression of RANKL in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded resected specimens obtained from 96 patients with HCC with (n = 16) and without (n = 80) bone metastases. In addition, tumor RANKL mRNA expression was evaluated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in five selected patients. We analyzed the relationship between RANKL expression level, bone metastasis development, and survival rate of patients with HCC after hepatic resection. Of the 96 patients with HCC, serum hepatitis C virus antibody was detected in 43.5% of patients and hepatitis B surface antigen in 29.5% of patients. Thirty-three patients (36.5%) also had liver cirrhosis. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that RANKL protein was present in 10 (62.5%) of 16 patients with HCC with bone metastasis compared with 21 (26.3%) of 80 patients with HCC without bone metastasis; we found that RANKL expression was statistically significantly correlated to bone metastasis development (P < .01). RANKL mRNA expression was confirmed by RT-PCR in patients positive for RANKL protein expression by immunohistochemistry. The 5-year cancer-related (P < .01) and disease-free survival (P < .01) rates after hepatic resection were statistically significantly worse in patients positive for RANKL expression compared with RANKL-negative patients. Some HCC cells produced the crucial bone resorption regulator RANKL. Because RANKL modulates bone turnover, its presence would have profound implications for the establishment and development of bone metastases.
    Annals of Surgical Oncology 04/2007; 14(3):1191-9. · 4.17 Impact Factor
  • Article: A case of an alpha-fetoprotein-producing intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma suggests probable cancer stem cell origin.
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    ABSTRACT: Recent evidence suggests that some cancers may originate from cancer stem cells, which may derive from carcinogenesis of normal stem cells. A hepatic progenitor cell population, which gives rise to hepatocytes and cholangiocytes, has been suggested in humans, though whether these cells can give rise to malignant tumors has not been confirmed. We report here a case of an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) in an 81-year-old woman with chronic hepatitis C viral infection, suggesting malignant transformation of hepatic stem cells as a mechanism for hepatic neoplasia. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a low-density mass with surrounding enhancement measuring 5 cm x 5 cm in segments IV and VIII of the liver. The preoperative serum levels of tumor markers were 1.7 ng/ml of carcinoembryonic antigen, 22 mAU/ml of protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II, 43.4 U/ml of carbohydrate antigen 19-9, and 1,560 ng/ml of AFP. Following central bisegmentectomy of the liver, serum AFP levels decreased dramatically. Histologically, the tumor cells showed indistinct glandular structures with abundant fibrous stroma. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the neoplastic cells reacted strongly to antibodies against AFP and cytokeratin (CK) 7. In addition, cancer cells showed partially positive reaction to anti-CK14, a liver stem cell marker, and to anticluster designation (CD) 133, a hematopoietic stem cell marker, and negative reaction to antihepatocyte paraffin (HepPar) 1. These data may indicate that the tumor was derived from a normal liver stem cell that underwent oncogenic transformation.
    The Oncologist 04/2007; 12(3):320-4. · 3.91 Impact Factor
  • Article: Opa interacting protein 5 (OIP5) is a novel cancer-testis specific gene in gastric cancer.
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    ABSTRACT: Identification of novel cancer-specific antigens is important for the advancement of immunotherapy. Our aim was to identify cancer-specific genes in gastric cancer. Using cDNA microarray analysis, we detected genes overexpressed specifically in gastric cancer cells. The expression levels of selected genes, including OIP5, was confirmed by real time RT-PCR analysis in tumor/normal paired bulk samples of 58 clinical cases. The expression levels of selected genes in normal tissues were also determined with a human total RNA master panel. We also compared the expression status of OIP5 with that of the other known cancer-testis specific genes. Twenty-two genes were determined to be upregulated in gastric cancer cells. Among these, three genes (CDC6, Exo1, and OIP5) were selected and confirmed to be upregulated in the tumor tissue compared to normal tissue. A human total RNA master panel demonstrated that OIP5, but not Exo1 or CDC6, showed high specificity in testis. Thus OIP5 may be considered a cancer-testis specific gene. In 58 clinical cases of gastric cancer examined, we found OIP5 gene expression in 27 cases (47%). Thirteen of these 27 cases showed no expression of the known cancer specific genes such as MAGE-1, MAGE-3 or NY-ESO-1. Using a combination of LMD and microarray, we identified OIP5 as a cancer-testis specific gene. Further expression analysis in a set of clinical cases revealed that OIP5 may be a novel immunotherapy target for patients with gastric cancer.
    Annals of Surgical Oncology 03/2007; 14(2):885-92. · 4.17 Impact Factor
  • Article: A CASE OF ESOPHAGEAL HIATAL HERNIA OF LARGE MIXED TYPE SUCCESSFULLY TREATED WITH A LAPAROSCOPIC NISSEN'S FUNDOPLICATION
    Nihon Rinsho Geka Gakkai Zasshi (Journal of Japan Surgical Association) 01/2007; 68(10):2486-2489.
  • Article: Fatty acid binding protein 6 is overexpressed in colorectal cancer.
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    ABSTRACT: Fatty acid binding protein 6 (FABP6) is a cancer-related protein that acts as an intracellular transporter of bile acid in the ileal epithelium. Because bile acids are implicated in the carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer, we evaluated FABP6 expression in colorectal cancer. The expression of FABP6 mRNA was evaluated in 78 paired samples of cancer/normal tissue representing colorectal cancer cases, plus 16 adenomas, and 16 metastatic lymph nodes. An immunohistochemical study was conducted with paraffin sections. In vitro transfection was done to determine FABP6's biological roles. The expression of FABP6 mRNA was significantly higher in cancer (75 of 78, 96.2%) than in normal tissue (P<0.001). The expression of mRNA was increased in cancer compared with adenoma, but was dramatically decreased in node metastases. Tumors with high FABP6 expression were smaller in size (P<0.01), more often in the left colon (P<0.05), and had shallower invasion into the bowel wall (P<0.05) compared with those with low expression. There was no significant difference between high- and low-expression tumors regarding clinicopathologic variables such as histologic type, lymph node, or liver metastasis, Dukes' classification, and prognosis. Immunohistochemical study revealed that FABP6 expression was primarily observed in cancer cells. In vitro transfection revealed that transfectants showed weaker invasiveness (P<0.05), more dominant proliferation (P<0.001), and less apoptosis than mock cells. The expression of FABP6 was higher in primary colorectal cancers and adenomas than in normal epithelium, but was dramatically decreased in lymph node metastases, suggesting that FABP6 may play an important role in early carcinogenesis.
    Clinical Cancer Research 09/2006; 12(17):5090-5. · 7.74 Impact Factor
  • Article: Improved long-term survival after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in the modern era: retrospective study from HCV-endemic areas.
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    ABSTRACT: It remains unclear whether recent progress in perioperative management and treatment for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has improved patient outcomes in hepatitis C virus-endemic areas. The clinicopathologic and follow-up data of 218 consecutive HCC patients who underwent curative resection between 1982 and 2003 were analyzed. Patients were assigned to one of two groups: before 1992 (early group; n=82) and 1992 and later (late group; n=136). Factors influencing survival rates were investigated by multivariate analysis. The effects of the period during which the hepatic resection was done on the patients' outcome were examined with respect to tumor size. The 5-year cancer-related and disease-free survival rates were 51.4% and 20.4%, respectively. The late group showed better 5-year cancer-related survival than the early group (64.1% vs. 33.8%), but disease-free survival did not differ significantly between the groups. On multivariate analysis, the period of the hepatic resection was identified as an independent prognostic factor for cancer-related survival (relative risk 0.70, P<0.01) but not disease-free survival. There were no differences in the cancer-related and disease-free survival rates between the two groups for patients with tumors<or=25 mm. In patients with HCCs>50 mm, both cancer-related and disease-free survival rates were better in patients in the late group. During the past two decades, improvements in the treatment of recurrent HCC tumors have contributed to controlling large HCCs but not to controlling the multicentric development of HCCs. It may be important to control multicentric recurrence of HCC to improve patient survival in areas where the hepatitis C virus is endemic.
    World Journal of Surgery 08/2006; 30(8):1567-78. · 2.36 Impact Factor
  • Article: Prognostic value of preoperative peripheral blood monocyte count in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
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    ABSTRACT: The prognostic significance of the leukocyte subsets in peripheral blood has not yet been investigated in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. We sought to clarify the prognostic value of preoperative peripheral blood leukocyte subset counts, especially the absolute monocyte count, in HCC patients who have undergone hepatic resection. We retrospectively examined the relation between the preoperative absolute number of peripheral monocytes and clinicopathologic factors or long-term prognosis in 198 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent curative resection. Univariate analysis indicated a significantly worse 5-year disease-free survival rate in patients with a peripheral blood monocyte count > 300/mm(3) (14.8%) than in patients with a count < or = 300/mm(3) (29.2%). There were no significant differences between patients in disease-free survival based on the lymphocyte or neutrophil count. According to multivariate analysis, preoperative peripheral blood monocyte count > 300/mm(3), alpha-fetoprotein level > 100 ng/mL, aspartate aminotransferase level > 100 IU/mL, and presence of microvascular invasion were independent risk factors for disease-free survival of less than 5 years. The peripheral blood monocyte count was higher in patients of male sex or those with a noncirrhotic liver, microvascular invasion, major hepatic resection, older age (>65 years), large tumor (> or =50 mm), or increased platelet count (>100,000/mm(3)) than in patients without these characteristics. Our findings indicate that the preoperative absolute count (>300/mm(3)) of peripheral blood monocytes may be related to tumor progression and that it is an independent risk factor for recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after resection. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy might be necessary in patients with elevation of the preoperative absolute count of peripheral blood monocytes.
    Surgery 06/2006; 139(6):755-64. · 3.10 Impact Factor
  • Article: Cancer stem cells in human gastrointestinal cancers.
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    ABSTRACT: The concept of cancer stem cell has developed in leukemia. Recently, it has expanded to include solid tumors such as brain or breast tumors. However, the descriptions are not recognized in human gastrointestinal cancers. We used flow cytometry and the DNA-binding dye (Hoechst 33342) to isolate side population (SP) cells from various human gastrointestinal system cancer cell lines. The SP cell fraction is considered to contain abundant stem cells. Fifteen of 16 cancer cell lines from the gastrointestinal system contained 0.3-2.2% SP cells. We studied the characteristics of the SP cells in hepatic or colon cancer cell lines. The results demonstrated that cancers of the gastrointestinal system do contain SP cells that show some characters of so-called stem cells. In this paper, we report our study results with a review of the literature.
    Human Cell 03/2006; 19(1):24-9. · 1.27 Impact Factor
  • Article: Chemokine receptor CCR6 as a prognostic factor after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.
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    ABSTRACT: Chemokines and their receptors have recently been shown to have major roles in cancer metastasis. The aim of this study was to determine whether the interaction between chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) and its ligand, macrophage inflammatory protein-3 alpha (MIP-3alpha), correlates with metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To observe the reaction of CCR6 expressed cancer cells to MIP-3alpha stimulation, chemotactic and actin polymerization assays for both CCR6 high cells (HepG2) and CCR6 low cells (MCF-7) were performed. CCR6 mRNA levels in tumor specimens from 30 HCC patients were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Patients were classified into two groups, high (>or= 20 copies; n=10) CCR6 and low (<20 copies; n=20) CCR6 on the basis of CCR6 expression, and the groups were compared with respect to clinicopathological features. When HepG2 cells (CCR6 high) were stimulated with MIP-3alpha, they migrated in a dose-dependent manner, and formation of pseudopodia was observed. These phenomena were not observed in the CCR6 low cells. The incidence of intrahepatic metastasis was higher in the high CCR6 expression group than in the low CCR6 expression group (P<0.05). Disease-free survival was significantly poorer in the high CCR6 expression group than in the low CCR6 expression group (P<0.05). It was indicated that CCR6 might be associated with intrahepatic metastasis of HCC and might be able to become one of the prognostic factor after hepatic resection for HCC.
    Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 02/2006; 21(1 Pt 1):161-8. · 2.87 Impact Factor
  • Article: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for a double gallbladder of the duodenal type.
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    ABSTRACT: Double gallbladder is a rare congenital malformation and generally considered a duplication of 1 primordium. We encountered an extremely rare case of double gallbladder of the duodenal type that was considered a duplication of 2 primordia. We were able to diagnose the anomaly preoperatively by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and spiral computed tomography after intravenous infusion cholangiography, and laparoscopic removal was successfully performed. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of double gallbladder of the duodenal type that was diagnosed preoperatively and treated successfully by laparoscopic removal.
    Surgical laparoscopy, endoscopy & percutaneous techniques 01/2006; 15(6):355-8. · 1.23 Impact Factor

Institutions

  • 1996–2012
    • Oita University
      • • Faculty of Medicine
      • • First Department of Surgery
      Ōita-shi, Oita-ken, Japan
  • 2006–2007
    • Kyushu University
      • • Medical Institute of Bioregulation - MIB Hospital
      • • Division of Surgery
      Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka-ken, Japan