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Background Advanced gastric cancer in the lower third of the stomach often results in stricture of the gastric cavity and digestive symptoms. Gastrojejunostomy has been suggested to improve such symptoms, and the advent of new anticancer agents for gastric cancer has improved the response rate of the disease, which makes it possible to perform R0 gastrectomy in part of patients with stage IV gastric cancer. We experienced a rare case in which a patient with stage IV gastric cancer and cancerous pyloric stenosis was treated with R0 surgery after undergoing a gastrojejunal bypass procedure and multidisciplinary treatment. There have not been any previous reports about cases in which a previous gastrojejunostomy was utilized as a reconstruction route during distal gastrectomy in a patient with gastric cancer that had been treated with chemotherapy and/or CRT. Case presentation An 80-year-old female with advanced gastric cancer and pyloric stenosis was admitted to Kagoshima University Hospital. As peritoneal washing cytology produced a positive result, laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy (modified Devine procedure) was performed to improve food passage, and S-1 (100 mg/body, days 1–14) plus paclitaxel (120 mg/body, days 1 and 15) was administered. Although the tumor was temporarily reduced in size, an abdominal computed tomography scan obtained after four courses of chemotherapy showed progressive disease. Thus, chemoradiotherapy (56 Gy, S-1: 60 mg/body, CDDP: 5 mg/body, days 1–5) was indicated. Marked tumor shrinkage and negative peritoneal washing cytological results were achieved. Curative gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy was performed. We carried out distal gastrectomy and lymph node dissection, and the gastrojejunostomy produced as a gastric bypass in the previous operation was preserved. The patient has not suffered a tumor relapse in 4 years since the surgery. Conclusions We surgeons increase a chance to perform R0 gastrectomy for stage IV gastric cancer following intensive chemotherapy and/or CRT. We should choose proper position of gastrojejunostomy in producing alimentary bypass for stage IV gastric cancer patients to facilitate curative surgery.

Background We reported our experience of adenocarcinoma of sigmoid colon neovagina. Case presentation A 67-year-old female with a history of neovagina construction for Rokitansky syndrome complained of vaginal bleeding. She had a mucinous adenocarcinoma at the anterior aspect of the neovagina. Her original surgery, using sigmoid colon to construct the artificial vagina, was 40 years ago Conclusions This patient’s case may contribute to our understanding of carcinogenesis in the colon.

Background Perioperative staging laparoscopy is a useful tool for the detection of occult peritoneal metastases in gastrointestinal cancers. This retrospective study aimed to determine the clinical value of staging laparoscopy for advanced or recurrent gastric cancer. Methods A total of 178 patients with advanced or recurred gastric cancer who underwent perioperative staging laparoscopy were enrolled. In the absence of peritoneal deposits (P1) and positive peritoneal cytology (CY1), gastrectomy with lymph node dissection was indicated with curative intent. If P1 or CY1 was detected intraoperatively, patients received intensive chemotherapy and laparoscopic surgical intervention. Results Curative gastrectomy was performed in 104 patients after confirmation of P0 and CY0 status. P1 or CY1 was detected for the first time in 23 (15%) patients. A total of 13 patients were converted from gastrectomy to intensive chemotherapy after detection of P1 or CY1. Additional laparoscopic interventions included insertion of intraperitoneal reservoir port in 54 patients, insertion of a metallic stent in five, ileostomy for colon stricture in six, jejunostomy in 19, and gastrojejunostomy in 16. Of eight patients treated with intensive chemotherapy who underwent R0 gastrectomy after second-look laparoscopy, five are currently free from recurrence of gastric cancer for 25.5 months. Conclusions Occult peritoneal dissemination was detected in about 14% in patients with tumors deeper than T2. Moreover, additional laparoscopic interventions can be utilized for P1 or CY1 patients. The excellent surgical outcomes of R0 gastrectomy after chemotherapy and second-look laparoscopy indicate that confirmation of P0 and CY0 status by staging laparoscopy is of value to determine treatment strategy in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1477-7819-12-350) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.