Synchronous gastric cancer associated with hepatocellular carcinoma: a study of 10 patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Little information regarding synchronous gastric cancer (GC) associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is available. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinicopathologic features of synchronous GC associated with HCC, and we also discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic issues regarding them. METHODOLOGY: In a series of 396 patients with GC and 340 patients with HCC, we investigated the clinicopathologic features of the patients with synchronous GC associated with HCC (HCC group; n=10). They were compared to the patients with resected GC without HCC (non-HCC group) which was divided into 2 groups: with chronic hepatic disease (CHD: CHD group; n=15) and without CHD (Control group; n=345). RESULTS: The HCC group consisted of 10 of the 396 patients with GC (2.6%), and of 340 with HCC (2.9%). Eight node-negative early GC and 2 advanced GC cases were observed in the HCC group. Nine of these GC (90%) were well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. The tumor sizes of the HCC group were significantly smaller than those of the control group (p<0.05). The incidences of intestinal type and early GC in the HCC group were significantly higher than those in the control group, (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in any parameters between the HCC group and CHD group. With regard to early GC, there were no significant differences in any parameters, excluding the site of GC in the CHD group, between the HCC group and non-HCC group. Eight in the HCC group were surgically resected, and the post-operative period of these patients was uneventful. Although there were no significant differences in survival after surgery among the 3 groups, the survival of the patients with early GC in the HCC group was significantly worse than that in the control group (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The clinicopathologic features of synchronous GC associated with HCC are not very aggressive in most patients probably because of the early detection, and those of early GC with HCC appeared to resemble that of GC with CHD. Since early GC may not influence the clinical outcome of HCC patients, limited gastric resection can be recommended even when curative surgery for HCC is performed. By contrast, when advanced GC is present, curative gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy would be advisable to improve the long-term survival.     

Phlegmonous gastritis associated with advanced esophageal cancer

Phlegmonous gastritis is a rapidly progressive bacterial infection of the stomach wall. It has a high mortality rate and aggressive treatment, either with antibiotics or surgical resection, is required. Here, we report an extremely rare case of phlegmonous gastritis associated with advanced esophageal cancer. A 65-year-old Japanese man was urgently admitted to the hospital due to pyrexia and gastrointestinal symptoms. Abdominal computed tomography revealed widespread diffuse thickening of the gastric wall. On endoscopic examination, an ulcerative mass was detected at the lower thoracic esophagus, and a markedly elevated submucosal lesion was present in the middle of the stomach body. Biopsy specimens taken endoscopically from the esophageal tumor confirmed a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. Gastric biopsy cultures were positive for Streptococcus viridans, leading to a diagnosis of phlegmonous gastritis associated with esophageal cancer. After the patient’s condition improved with preoperative antibiotic administration, we performed a thoracoscopic esophagectomy, a total gastrectomy and a reconstruction of the gastrointestinal tract using a pedicled right colon. Histological examination of the resected specimen confirmed that the gastric mass was compatible with a phlegmon.     

Crohn's disease associated with gastric cancer

Received: May 15, 2000 / Accepted: November 10, 2000     

Synchronous gallbladder and pancreatic cancer associated with pancreaticobiliary maljunction

We report the case of a 46-year-old woman who presented with chronic intermittent abdominal pain without jaundice; abdominal ultrasonography showed thickening of the gallbladder wall and dilatation of the bile duct. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography showed pancreatobiliary maljunction with proximal common bile duct dilatation. Pancreatobiliary maljunction was diagnosed. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed suspected gallbladder cancer and distal common bile duct obstruction. A pancreatic head mass was incidentally found intraoperative. Radical cholecystectomy with pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. The pathological report showed gallbladder cancer that was synchronous with pancreatic head cancer. In the pancreatobiliary maljunction with pancreatobiliary reflux condition, double primary cancer of the pancreatobiliary system should be awared.     

Associated primary tumors in patients with gastric cancer

GOAL: To determine the prevalence of associated primary tumors in patients with gastric cancer. STUDY: Retrospective study of 2,668 patients with gastric cancer observed at our department between July 1974 and December 1999. Associated tumors were diagnosed using Warren and Gates criteria, and included tumors that were not considered to be a metastasis, invasion, or recurrence of gastric cancer. RESULTS: Of all, 3.4% (n = 78) had primary tumors other than gastric cancer, 27% of which were synchronous (n = 21) and 73%, metachronous (n = 57). The mean follow-up time was 4 years (range, 1-13 years), and the male-to-female ratio was 1:1. The median age at diagnosis of gastric cancer was 67 years (range, 37-84 years), 69 years for patients with synchronous tumors versus 60 years for those with metachronous (p = 0.050). For at least half the patients the median time interval to metachronous cancer was 3 years (range, 1-22 years). Seventy-eight percent (n = 61) had two cancers; most were colonic (19%), uterine and ovarian (16%), and breast tumors (13%). Seventeen percent (n = 13) had three tumors: colon (46%), breast (23%), and skin (23%). Four percent (n = 3) had four tumors. One case with seven tumors was also observed [colon, breast (two tumors), uterus, skin, and stomach (two tumors)]. No statistically significant differences were found between synchronous and metachronous with regard to sex, gastric cancer location, and staging (TNM). Sixty-three percent (n = 49) died while under observation. CONCLUSIONS: We found associated tumors in 3.4% of patients with gastric cancer. The most frequent associated tumors were breast and colon cancer. Surveillance for these tumors would be appropriate, at least in first years, after diagnosis of gastric cancer.     

胃-食管重复癌并发胃内重复良性瘤1例

食管-胃重复型癌为多源性肿瘤,多源性肿瘤指同患者的一个或多个器官组织发生2个以上原发恶性肿瘤.此类病例并不罕见.本文病例胃镜检查取活检并被病理证实同时重复合并多种恶性和良性肿瘤,本病例少见.     

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis associated with multiple gastric cancer

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG) is an inflammation of the digestive tract that is characterized by eosinophilic infiltration. There are no specific symptoms, and are related to the layer in which eosinophilic infiltration is observed. A 69-year-old Japanese man presented to our hospital with a history of general malaise, diarrhea, and dysgeusia. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed reddish elevated lesions that were edematous all over the gastric mucosa. In addition, three tumors were also observed. The biopsies of the reddish elevated mucosa revealed eosinophilic infiltration and tubular adenocarcinoma from the tumors. Colonoscopy showed abnormal reddish elevated mucosa. The biopsies from the reddish elevated mucosa showed eosinophilic infiltration. From the abdominal contrast computed tomography scan, tumor stain was seen in the anterior wall of the gastric body. No ascites, intestinal wall thickening, or lymph node swelling were found. A slight elevation in the serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), 480 IU/ml, was found from the laboratory test results; other laboratory results were within normal limits including the number of peripheral eosinophils. No specific allergen was found from the multiple antigen simultaneous test and from the skin patch test. The parasitic immunodiagnosis was negative. He was diagnosed with EG associated with gastric cancer and underwent total gastrectomy, regional lymph node dissection with reconstruction by a Roux-en-Y method. He was prescribed prednisolone after the operation and showed a good clinical response. There are many case reports on EG, but none of them were associated with cancer. We encountered a case of EG associated with multiple gastric cancer; the patient underwent total gastrectomy.     

NQO1 C609T polymorphism associated with esophageal cancer and gastric cardiac carcinoma in North China

AIM: To investigate the association of the NQO1 (C609T)polymorphism with susceptibility to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and gastric cardiac adenocarcinoma (GCA) in North China.METHODS: The NQO1 C609T genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis in 317 cancer patients (193 ESCC and 124 GCA) and 165 unrelated healthy controls.RESULTS: The NQO1 C609T C/C, c/r and T/T genotype frequency among healthy controls was 31.5 %, 52.1% and 16.4 % respectively. The NQO1 T/T genotype frequency among ESCC patients (25.9 %) was significantly higher than that among healthy controls (X2=4.79, P=0.028). The NQO1T/T genotype significantly increased the risk for developing ESCC compared with the combination of C/C and C/T genotypes,with an age, sex and smoking status adjusted odds ratio (OR)of 1.78 (1.04-2.98). This increased susceptibility was pronounced in ESCC patients with family histories of upper gastrointestinal cancers (UGIC) (adjusted OR=2.20, 95 %CI=1.18-3.98). Similarly, the susceptibility of the NQO1 T/T genotype to GCA development was also observed among patients with family histories of UGIC, with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.55 (95 % CI=1.21-5.23), whereas no difference in NQO1 genotype distribution was shown among patients without family histories of UGIC.CONCLUSION: Determination of the NQO1 C609T genotype may be used as a stratification marker to predicate the individuals at high risk for developing ESCC and GCA in North China.     

NQO1 C609T polymorphism associated with esophageal cancer and gastric cardiac carcinoma in North China

AIM: To investigate the association of the NQO1 (C609T) polymorphism with susceptibility to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and gastric cardiac adenocarcinoma (GCA) in North China. METHODS: The NQO1 C609T genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis in 317 cancer patients (193 ESCC and 124 GCA) and 165 unrelated healthy controls. RESULTS: The NQO1 C609T C/C, C/T and T/T genotype frequency among healthy controls was 31.5 %, 52.1 % and 16.4 % respectively. The NQO1 T/T genotype frequency among ESCC patients (25.9 %) was significantly higher than that among healthy controls (chi(2)=4.79, P=0.028). The NQO1 T/T genotype significantly increased the risk for developing ESCC compared with the combination of C/C and C/T genotypes, with an age, sex and smoking status adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.78 (1.04-2.98). This increased susceptibility was pronounced in ESCC patients with family histories of upper gastrointestinal cancers (UGIC) (adjusted OR=2.20, 95 % CI=1.18-3.98). Similarly, the susceptibility of the NQO1 T/T genotype to GCA development was also observed among patients with family histories of UGIC, with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.55 (95 % CI=1.21-5.23), whereas no difference in NQO1 genotype distribution was shown among patients without family histories of UGIC. CONCLUSION: Determination of the NQO1 C609T genotype may be used as a stratification marker to predicate the individuals at high risk for developing ESCC and GCA in North China.     

Factors associated with pN3 stage tumors according to the TNM classification in advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of the present study was to analyze factors associated with pN3-stage tumors, as classified according to the TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors, in patients who undergo curative resection for advanced gastric cancer. METHODOLOGY: A total of 391 patients with advanced gastric cancer (247 males and 144 females; average age, 59.2 years) were enrolled in the present study. The numbers of dissected regional lymph nodes and positive nodes were assessed, and node stage was determined according to TNM. Patient survival and factors associated with pN3-stage tumors were then analyzed. RESULTS: The 5-year survival rate was 82.9% for the 132 N0 patients, 66.4% for the 154 N1 patients, 41.1% for the 64 N2 patients and 21.1% for the 41 N3 patients. A significant difference was found between some of the curves (N0 and N1, p = 0.0012; N1 and N2, p = 0.0007; N2 and N3, p = 0.0055). In logistic regression analysis, independent factors associated with advanced gastric cancers with a pN3-stage tumor were tumor diameter (> 6 cm vs. < or = 6 cm, p = 0.0037), number of dissected nodes (> 30 vs. < or = 30, p = 0.0143), depth of invasion (T3 or T4 vs. T2, p = 0.0028) and microscopic type (undifferentiated vs. differentiated, p = 0.0147). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that tumor diameter (> 6 cm), depth of invasion (T3 or T4) and microscopic type (undifferentiated type) are the most reliable indicators of pN3-stage tumors in patients who undergo curative resection for advanced gastric cancer.     

Tumor-associated metabolic alterations in patients with gastric and esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was conducted to elucidate tumor-induced alterations in pace maker enzymes and possible effects of pre-operative nutritional support on those enzymes in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients. METHODOLOGY: Three pacemaker enzymes; phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPck) for gluconeogenesis, malic enzyme for de novo fatty acid synthesis, and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) for triglyceride clearance in liver and adipose tissues were examined in 22 patients with gastrointestinal cancers, both with or without pre-operative total parenteral nutritional support. Five patients with normal nutrition and liver function but undergoing cholecystectomy were used as controls. RESULTS: Activity of hepatic malic enzyme was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) and activity of hepatic PEPck was slightly elevated in patients with advanced stage cancer. LPL activity in the abdominal subcutaneous tissue was increased by advanced tumor bearing (p < 0.05). Pre-operative total parenteral nutrition for 1 week resulted in significant stimulation of LPL activity in adipose tissue from patients with advanced cancer compared to that from controls (6.53 +/- 4.99 U/g tissue and 1.32 +/- 0.18 U/g tissue, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Effects of tumor bearing on key regulatory enzymes were evident only at the advanced stages. Pre-operative hyperalimentation may increase fat storage at the peripheral tissue by stimulating tissue LPL activity even at the advanced stage disease.     

Novel targets in gastric and esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer (EC) and gastric cancer (GC) constitute a major cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Recent improvements in both surgical techniques and adjuvant/neoadjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy or both have increased the survival of patients with loco-regional disease. However, most patients with GC or EC have advanced disease either at diagnosis or during the follow-up, and despite recent advances, these patients still do poorly. Understanding of the molecular pathways that characterize cell growth, cell cycle, apoptosis, angiogenesis and invasion has provided novel targets in cancer therapy. In this review we describe the current status of targeted therapies in the treatment of EC and GC, including EGFR inhibitors, antiangiogenic agents, cell cycle inhibitors, apoptosis promoters and matrix metalloproteinases inhibitors. The emerging data from the clinical development of these compounds has provided novel opportunities in the treatment of EC and GC that will probably translate into clinical benefit for patients with these common malignancies.     

Polyamines in human gastric and esophageal cancer

Total, free, and acetylated polyamine concentrations were investigated in gastric or esophageal tissue, serum, and urine of 40 patients with gastric and 16 patients with esophageal cancer, 40 patients with non-malignant gastrointestinal diseases, and 30 healthy volunteers by means of automated reversed-phase liquid chromatography. In both types of carcinoma polyamine levels were highly elevated in tissue, serum, and urine as compared with healthy controls, which supports the concept that polyamines play an important role in proliferating tissues. However, non-malignant gastrointestinal diseases partly showed similar elevations. A significant linear correlation of polyamines in both carcinomas was found for erythrocyte sedimentation rate but not for tumor stage, tumor size, localization, carcinoembryonic antigen, CA 19-9, and CA 125. It is concluded that owing to its low specificity, polyamine determination in serum and urine has no clinical relevance in the screening for gastric or esophageal carcinoma.     

Early esophageal cancer in patients with a history of gastrectomy for gastric cancer

To detect early esophageal cancer effectively, it is important to select high-risk groups. Because we often see early esophageal cancer after gastrectomy for gastric cancer, we investigated 11 early esophageal cancers treated endoscopically in 7 patients who had undergone gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Their average age was 70.8 ± 5.2 years. Median interval between previous gastrectomy and the diagnosis of esophageal cancer was 10 years. Endoscopic examination revealed mild bile reflux into the remnant stomach and esophagitis, but there was no case of Barrett's esophagus. Histological types were all squamous cell carcinoma. Although it has been reported that cancer development is most frequent in the lower esophagus after gastrectomy, we noticed that the majority of these were located in the middle thoracic esophagus (6/11, 55%), similar to general esophageal cancer. As all cases were detected by a regular checkup, it is important to follow up patients after gastrectomy for gastric cancer.