Chugoku Rosai Hospital

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw is currently classified only by clinical staging, with no imaging-based qualitative classification available. To establish foundational data for a new classification method that could help guide treatment decisions and predict prognosis, this study investigated the computed tomography findings commonly observed in patients with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw and their frequencies. Computed tomography scans from 784 patients across 19 medical institutions were analyzed for the presence of osteolysis, sequestrum separation, periosteal reactions, mixed-type osteosclerosis, and the bone-within-bone appearance. Clinical factors associated with each finding were also examined. Osteolysis appeared as localized in 55.1% of cases, extended in 27.7%, and advanced in 13.8%. In contrast, 3.4% of patients showed no osteolysis. This non-osteolytic pattern was more common among patients treated with denosumab. Sequestrum separation was seen in 34.7% of patients, most frequently among those with osteoporosis. Periosteal reactions were observed in 5.9% of cases as the attached type, 12.4% as the gap type, and 5.6% as the irregular type. Mixed-type osteosclerosis occurred in 31.9% of cases, most often in the mandibles of patients with malignant tumors. The bone-within-bone appearance was observed in 3.1% of cases. Patients with sequestrum separation had more favorable treatment outcomes. In contrast, those without osteolysis and those with periosteal reactions, mixed-type osteosclerosis, or bone-in-bone appearance were more likely to have poorer outcomes. This multicenter study clarified the prevalence of several key computed tomography features in medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, highlighting their potential relevance to clinical outcomes. These findings lay the groundwork for future research into their prognostic and therapeutic implications to support the development of a new imaging-based classification system.

Elevated serum IgG4 is a key diagnostic marker for type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), but some patients lack IgG4 elevation, complicating diagnosis. This study investigated the clinicopathological features of AIP without elevated serum IgG4 levels. A total of 323 patients diagnosed with AIP at Hiroshima University Hospital and affiliated institutions were analyzed. Patients were categorized into IgG4-positive (≥ 135 mg/dL), IgG4-negative (< 135 mg/dL with “definite” or “probable” diagnosis), and possible (with “possible” diagnosis) groups. Comparative analysis was performed between the IgG4-positive (n = 281) and IgG4-negative (n = 20) groups. Segmental or focal narrowing of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) and retroperitoneal fibrosis were significantly more common in the IgG4-negative group (90.0% vs. 58.7%, P = 0.011; and 35.0% vs. 12.5%, P = 0.012, respectively). Although the number of pathological findings was comparable, the rate of surgical intervention was significantly higher in the IgG4-negative group (P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in relapse rates or relapse sites between the two groups. These findings suggest that MPD narrowing and retroperitoneal fibrosis may be characteristic of AIP without elevated IgG4. Vigilant monitoring for relapse is warranted, regardless of serum IgG4 levels.

PurposeTo determine prognostic parameters, we extensively examined whether physical, biochemical, and histological factors were associated with clinical outcomes in metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) patients.MethodsA total 822 mHSPC patients were retrospectively investigated and examined the associations between prognosis and clinicopathological parameters including BMI, initial PSA level, TNM classification, Hb, Alb, CRP, AST, ALT, LDH, ALP, Gleason grade group, and EOD score.ResultsAccording to the CHAARTED criteria, 338 (41.1%) and 484 (58.9%) patients were classified into low- and high-volume disease, respectively. In univariate and multivariate analyses, Gleason grade group, Alb, CRP, LDH, and ALP were determined as significant predictors for both PFS and OS. When mHSPC patients were classified into three group including favorable (none of risk factors), intermediate (one or two risk factors) and poor (more than three risk factors) according to these four parameters, the survival curves were significantly stratified according to the risk classification. When the risk classification was applied on the patients with low- or high-volume disease in CHAARTED criteria, worse prognosis was found in poor risk group patients with low-volume disease and favorable prognosis was found in favorable risk group patients with high-volume disease.ConclusionThese results suggested that Gleason grade, CRP, LDH, and ALP were the independent predictors for mHSPC patients regardless of metastatic burden.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00345-025-05862-4.

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are in general treated with conventional fractionation regimen of 1.8-2 Gy per fraction. Altered fractionation (ALFT) strategies such as hypofractionation radiotherapy (HYPO-RT), accelerated fractionation radiotherapy (AFRT), and hyperfractionation radiotherapy (HFRT) have not been practiced uniformly across centers in different parts of the world. Countries in Asia share common cancer demographics, and we designed this survey for Federation of Asian Radiation Oncology (FARO) member countries to understand the usage and challenges in the delivery of ALFT in HNCs. A 21-point electronic survey (Federation of Asian Radiation Oncology Research Network [FERN]-S-005) was designed by the FERN and was circulated through the FARO research secretariat to the FARO council member countries and the responses were collected between August and November 2023. Twelve of 14 member countries (85.7%) responded to the survey. Twenty-seven responses were received and 78% of the respondents belonged to government/teaching academic institute. 4/27 (14.8%) reported never using HYPO-RT for any of the clinical subsite of HNCs, while the majority (85.2%) used it for glottic cancers and 22% also used it for postoperative setting. Majority (77.7%) used a fractionation schedule with dose per fraction ranging between 2.2 and 2.5 Gy. 6/27 (22.2%) used AFRT for definitive setting and five of these also used concurrent chemoradiotherapy. 4/27 (14.8%) centers reported using HFRT. The most common reason (62.9%) for the limited usage of AFRT/HFRT was reported to be logistical, such as unavailability of machine slots, patient load, and so on. The result of the survey suggests that among the ALFT strategies for HNCs, HYPO-RT schedules have common interest and feasibility among the FARO member countries and also highlights the challenges in the delivery of AFRT/HFRT in the Asian region.

Background/AimSarcopenia is diagnosed based on grip strength and skeletal muscle mass. Although decreased skeletal muscle mass has been reported to be associated with poor outcomes after hepatectomy, a few studies have included data on grip strength in hepatectomy candidates. This multicenter study investigated the clinical factors and postoperative complications associated with sarcopenia by assessing the grip strength and skeletal muscle mass in patients undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Patients and MethodsData from patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC between January 2020 and March 2022 were retrospectively collected from multi-institutional databases. Sarcopenia was defined as reduced grip strength and skeletal muscle mass. The patients were categorized into the sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups, and baseline characteristics and short term outcomes were compared between the two groups.ResultsOverall, 253 patients were included, among which 36 (14.2%) had sarcopenia. The sarcopenia group was significantly associated with older age, low body mass index, comorbid heart or chronic pulmonary disease, cerebrovascular accident history, and overall and major postoperative complications compared to the non-sarcopenia group. Among major postoperative complications [Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC) ≥Ⅲ], the incidence of bile leakage and intra-abdominal abscess were higher in the sarcopenia group than in the non-sarcopenia group. Multivariate analysis revealed that sarcopenia was an independent risk factor for overall and major postoperative complications (CDC ≥Ⅲ).ConclusionSarcopenia, defined by grip strength and skeletal muscle mass, is a predictor of overall and major complications after hepatectomy for HCC.

To develop a job-exposure matrix for sedentary behavior and assess its relationship with non-communicable diseases. We constructed a job-exposure matrix using occupational and industry classifications combined with data on daily average sitting durations from 41,718 individuals. This matrix was then applied to a cohort of 706,939 participants in a case-control study to explore the link between sedentary behavior and non-communicable disease risks. The matrix effectively identified sedentary behavior across different occupational groups. Using the matrix to assess sedentary behavior, associations were found between increased sedentary activity and heightened risks of diabetes, acute myocardial infarction, and endometrial cancer, while a reduced risk was observed for stroke. The job-exposure matrix provides valuable insights into the health impacts of sedentary behavior in the workplace, underscoring significant disease risks associated with prolonged inactivity.

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that influence clinical outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in patients aged ≥40 years. We studied 264 patients aged ≥40 and 154 patients aged ≤20 years who underwent ACL reconstruction at several surgical centers. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors that influenced the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) at 1 year post-ACL reconstruction. In the older patient group, cartilage damage in the patellofemoral compartment at surgery was a significant risk factor for poor postoperative KOOS subscores (pain, activities of daily living [ADL], sports, and quality of life [QOL]). Articular cartilage damage in the lateral compartment also significantly influenced one of the postoperative KOOS subscores (symptoms). In the younger patient group, articular cartilage damage in any compartments did not influence the postoperative KOOS subscores; only two preoperative KOOS subscores (symptoms and QOL) significantly influenced their postoperative KOOS subscores. We concluded that the articular cartilage damage in the patellofemoral compartment at ACL reconstruction predicts poor KOOS subscores at the 1-year follow-up in patients aged ≥40 years. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (Prevalence); Level of evidence, 2.

We previously reported that abdominal aortic calcification is associated with poor overall and recurrence-free survival after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the effect of abdominal aortic calcification on cancer-specific prognosis in very old patients with several comorbidities remains unknown. This multicenter study aimed to evaluate the impact of abdominal aortic calcification on the cumulative recurrence rate and recurrence-free survival in patients with HCC aged >80 years. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 128 patients (aged ≥80 years) who underwent liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma at seven hospitals belonging to Hiroshima Surgical Study Group of Clinical Oncology between January 2014 and December 2018. Patients were divided into two groups: high and low abdominal aortic calcification groups. The primary endpoints were cumulative recurrence rate and recurrence-free survival. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis demonstrated that the cumulative recurrence rate in the high abdominal aortic calcification group was significantly higher than that in the low abdominal aortic calcification group, and the high abdominal aortic calcification group had a significantly lower recurrence-free survival rate. In the multivariate analysis, high abdominal aortic calcification (p = 0.03), high des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin score (p = 0.04), and multiple tumors (p < 0.01) were independent predictive factors for recurrent HCC, and high abdominal aortic calcification (p = 0.01) and high des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin (p = 0.01) were independent predictive factors for poor cancer-specific survival. Our results indicate that the abdominal aortic calcification score is associated with cumulative recurrence rate and recurrence-free survival in very old patients with HCC.