C-met and E-cadherin Expression in Advanced Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: In the current study, the relation between the clinicopathological parameters and levels of the amplification of the c-met and E-cadherin genes were investigated in patients with an advanced gastric carcinoma. METHODS: The levels of amplification of the c-met and E-cadherin genes in 44 advanced gastric carcinoma patients were retrospectively investigated using RT-PCR. The relationships between the levels of amplification of these genes and the clinicopathological parameters were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Seventeen (38.6%) and 13 (29.5%) of the 44 advanced gastric carcinoma patients were evaluated as having amplification of the c-met gene and down-regulation of the E-cadherin gene, respectivly. The amplification of c- met gene was significantly correlated with serosal invasion, lymph node metastasis and neural invasion, whereas the down-regulation of the E-cadherin gene was significantly correlated with the diffuse type of gastric carcinoma by Lauren's calssification, and neural invasion. CONCLUSION: The levels of the c-met and E-cadherin gene amplifications may be a powerful aids in evaluating the metastatic potential and prognosis in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Predictors of Lymph Node Metastasis in Submucosal Gastric Carcinomas

PURPOSE: Submucosal gastric carcinomas metastasize to lymph nodes more often than the intramucosal gastric carcinomas. The objectives of this study are to clarify the characteristics of submucosal gastric carcinomas, especially in reference to the status of lymph node metastasis, and to explore the possibility of a minimally invasive operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinicopathologic features of 88 patients with submucosal gastric carcinoma, all of whom were treated with a D(2)(+)alpha gastrectomy between January 1994 and December 1999, were examined retrospectively with respect to the status of lymph nodes. The size, depth of submucosal invasion, histologic differentiation, location, and macroscopic finding of the tumor were investigated in association with the presence or the absence of lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: Among the 88 patients, 15 (17.05%) had lymph node metastasis, and the status of metastasis was significantly correlated with tumor size and depth of submucosal invasion. The frequency of metastasis was 0% (0/7) of up to 1.0cm and 18.5% (15/81) over 1.0 cm in size (P=0.034) and 6.1% (2/33) of up to 1.0 mm and 23.6% (13/55) over 1.0 mm in depth of submucosal invasion (P=0.042). CONCLUSION: The tumor size and depth of submucosal invasion are useful indicators of lymph node metastasis in submucosal gastric carcinoma. A minimally invasive operation can be applied for submucosal gastric carcinoma up to 1.0 cm in size. Further studies are needed to limited surgery for depth of submucosal invasion.

Predictors of Lymph Node Metastasis in Submucosal Gastric Carcinomas

PURPOSE: Submucosal gastric carcinomas metastasize to lymph nodes more often than the intramucosal gastric carcinomas. The objectives of this study are to clarify the characteristics of submucosal gastric carcinomas, especially in reference to the status of lymph node metastasis, and to explore the possibility of a minimally invasive operation. MATENRIALS AND METHODS: The clinicopathologic features of 88 patients with submucosal gastric carcinoma, all of whom were treated with a D2+alpha gastrectomy between January 1994 and December 1999, were examined retrospectively with respect to the status of lymph nodes. The size, depth of submucosal invasion, histologic differentiation, location, and macroscopic finding of the tumor were investigated in association with the presence or the absence of lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: Among the 88 patients, 15 (17.05%) had lymph node metastasis, and the status of metastasis was significantly correlated with tumor size and depth of submucosal invasion. The frequency of metastasis was 0% (0/7) of up to 1.0 cm and 18.5% (15/81) over 1.0 cm in size (p=0.034) and 6.1% (2/33) of up to 1.0mm and 23.6% (13/55) over 1.0 mm in depth of submucosal invasion (p=0.042). CONCLUSION: The tumor size and depth of submucosal invasion are useful indicators of lymph node metastasis in submucosal gastric carcinoma. A minimally invasive op-eration can be applied for submucosal gastric carcinoma up to 1.0 cm in size Further studies are needed to limited surgery for depth of submucosal invasion.