Background The most important prognostic factor after curative surgery for gastric carcinoma is the presence of lymph node metastases. According to the 7th edition of the UICC TNM staging system for gastric cancer, N classification was categorized as N0 (no regional lymph node metastasis), N1 (1-2 regional lymph node metastases), N2 (3-6 regional lymph node metastases), and N3 (7 or more regional lymph node metastases). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rationality of the new UICC/AJCC N classification in comparison with the 6th UICC classification. Methods From August 2002 to July 2006, 295 patients with gastric cancer underwent curative resection with D2 lymph node dissection by a single surgeon. We analyzed retrospectively the significant prognostic factors and identified the suitability of the 7th UICC N staging system. Results According to the 7th UICC N classification, the 5-year cumulative survival rates (5-YSR) of N0, N1, N2, N3a, and N3b were 89.7, 73.6, 54.9, 23.1, and 5.4%, respectively (P \ 0.0001). Using univariate analysis, the N classification of the 7th and 6th UICC/AJCC TNM staging system, T classification of the 7th UICC TNM staging system, size and location of tumor, and histology were associated with the overall survival of gastric cancer after curative surgery. However, Cox regression multivariate analysis showed the 7th UICC N classification was an independent prognostic factor instead of the 6th UICC N classification (P \ 0.0001). ConclusionThe 7th UICC classification for lymph node metastasis is thought to be a more reliable prognostic factor for gastric cancer than the 6th classification.

The transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) has excellent cosmetic effects and its popularity is increasing worldwide. We present our experience with TOETVA and its short-term outcomes. This study included 110 consecutive patients who underwent TOETVA at a single institution between July 2016 and June 2020. We analyzed clinicopathologic data, short-term postoperative outcomes, and learning curve using cumulative summation (CUSUM) analysis. Of the 110 patients who underwent TOETVA, 101 had malignant disease and 100 (90.9%) underwent lobectomy. The mean age was 39.7 ± 9.7 years, and the mean tumor size was 1.0 ± 0.7 cm (range, 0.3–3.6 cm). Operation time was 168.0 ± 63.4 min for total thyroidectomy, 111.0 ± 27.7 min for lobectomy, and 73.7 ± 18.1 min for isthmusectomy. Five patients (4.5%) experienced transient vocal cord palsy (VCP) and one (0.9%) had permanent VCP. The swallowing impairment index-6 score was 2.18 ± 3.21 at postoperative three months, and 0.97 ± 1.72 at postoperative six months. The learning curve for lobectomy was 58 cases in CUSUM analysis. TOETVA is a safe and feasible approach with an acceptable operation time and a low complication rate. This approach is a surgical option for patients who desire excellent cosmesis.

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PurposeWe evaluated the risk of contralateral breast cancer (CBC) and ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) and investigated the predictive factors for CBC and IBTR in breast cancer patients with BRCA mutations and non-carriers at high-risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC).MethodsWe analyzed prospectively collected clinical data of patients with unilateral breast cancer who were at high-risk for HBOC and were tested for the BRCA mutation between 2003 and 2013.ResultsThe cohort comprised 540 patients with 45 BRCA1 carriers, 50 BRCA2 carriers, and 445 non-carriers. The median follow-up was 84.5 months. Overall, 61 patients (11.3%) developed CBC (24.4% for BRCA1 carriers, 20% for BRCA2 carriers, and 9% for non-carriers). The 10-year cumulative risk for CBC was 23.8% for BRCA1 carriers, 19.1% for BRCA2 carriers, and 9.8% for non-carriers (p = 0.174). Among the 277 patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery, 29 (10.5%) developed IBTR (9.1% for BRCA1 carriers, 16.7% for BRCA2 carriers, and 10.2% for non-carriers). The 10-year cumulative risk for IBTR for BRCA1 carriers, BRCA2 carriers, and non-carriers was 8.7%, 14.1%, and 20%, respectively (p = 0.577). BRCA1 (hazard ratio [HR], 2.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20–7.20; p = 0.019) and BRCA2 (HR, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.13–7.35; p = 0.027) mutations and negative estrogen receptor status (HR, 4.02; 95% CI, 1.60–10.08; p = 0.003) were the significant predictive factors for CBC, while tumor size ≥ 2 cm was predictive of IBTR (HR, 6.11; 95% CI, 2.03–18.33; p = 0.001).ConclusionWhile BRCA1/2 mutation carriers had a higher risk of developing CBC compared to non-carriers at high-risk of HBOC, the risk of IBTR was similarly high across breast cancer patients irrespective of the BRCA mutation. Further preventive strategies to reduce CBC and IBTR for all patients at high-risk of HBOC should be investigated.