ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Telomeres are simple repeats elements located at each end of the chromosomes of eukaryotic cells. The main function of telomeres is to cap the chromosome end and protect it from enzymatic attack. Telomerase that facilitates the synthesis of telomere has been detected in not only cancer, but also in precancerous lesion. In this study, we compared the telomerase expression between low-grade and high-grade gastric dysplasia. METHODS: The telomerase expression of 43 patients with gastric dysplasia (22 low-grade and 21 high-grade) was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining in tissues. RESULTS: The telomerase expression was much higher in the tissues from the patients with high-grade gastric dysplasia than in those tissues of the patients with low-grade gastric dysplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Activation of telomerase may be related with the malignant potentiality in gastric cells. Further studies are needed to define the role of telomerase in gastric tumorigenesis.
Subject(s)
Humans , Carcinogenesis , Eukaryotic Cells , Immunohistochemistry , Telomerase , TelomereABSTRACT
Gastroinstestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are defined as a group of KIT (CD117) positive mesenchymal tumors. Approximately 70% of those tumors are found in the stomach followed in order by the small bowel, colon and rectum, esophagus. The common clinical presentation of GISTs varies according to the size and location of the tumors, ranging from massive gastrointestinal bleeding to vague abdominal pain. We detected a GIST of the stomach incidentally during chest-computed tomography examination of a 68-year-old-woman. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed an 8 cm sized protruded lesion with normal mucosal covering on the posterior wall of the gastric body, and endoscopic ultrasonography showed a cystic mass originating in the fourth layer of the stomach. The patient was treated with a subtotal gastrectomy. Immunohistochemical studies on the surgical resection specimen showed CD117(+) and CD34(+). The final diagnosis was a GIST of the stomach showing exophytic growth.
Subject(s)
Humans , Abdominal Pain , Colon , Diagnosis , Endoscopy, Digestive System , Endosonography , Esophagus , Gastrectomy , Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors , Hemorrhage , Rectum , StomachABSTRACT
Anisakiasis of the gastrointestinal tract is caused by the ingestion of raw fish or uncooked foods infested with Anisakis larvae belonging to the subfamily Anisakidae. With the increasing popularity of Japanese cuisine such as sashimi in Korea, the incidence of anisakiasis is expected to increase. The entire gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus to the rectum can be involved. Colonic anisakiasis is rare in comparison with gastric involvement. We report the anisakiasis concurrently invading the stomach, ileocecal valve and transverse colon treated by endoscopy with a brief review of the relevant literature.