Protocolos para acompanhamento por telefone de pessoas com neoplasia gastrointestinal em quimioterapia / Protocolos para el acompañamiento telefónico de personas con neoplasia gastrointestinal en quimioterapia / Protocols for telephone follow-up of people with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing chemotherapy

Resumo Objetivo descrever o processo de construção e validação de conteúdo e aparência de protocolos para o acompanhamento por telefone na redução dos efeitos colaterais (inapetência, náusea e vômito, diarreia e constipação) associados à quimioterapia antineoplásica ambulatorial para pessoas com neoplasia maligna gastrointestinal. Métodos Estudo metodológico e quantitativo, realizado no período de setembro a novembro de 2020, em três etapas: realização de scoping review, construção dos protocolos e avaliação do material por especialistas. Foram desenvolvidos segundo o referencial metodológico da psicometria de Pasquali. Para avaliação de conteúdo, empregou-se a técnica de Delphi em duas rodadas (Delphi I [16 juízes] e Delphi II [12 juízes]) e, considerou-se válidos aqueles itens com Coeficiente de Validação de Conteúdo (CVC) maior que 0,80 e consenso de mais de 80,0% na técnica de Delphi. Os dados foram analisados por meio da estatística descritiva e inferencial (Teste binominal). Resultados Todos os requisitos dos protocolos alcançaram concordância entre os juízes superior a 80,0%, bem como todos os itens atingiram níveis de avaliação estatisticamente significativos. Ao final do Delphi II, os quatro protocolos se apresentaram expressivamente válidos (inapetência [CVC = 0,98]; náusea e vômito [CVC = 0,99]; diarreia [CVC = 0,99]; e, constipação [CVC = 0,98]). Conclusão O conteúdo dos protocolos demonstrou alta credibilidade e, sua adoção nas instituições de saúde, pode contribuir para o acompanhamento por telefone na redução dos efeitos colaterais (inapetência, náusea e vômito, diarreia e constipação) associados à quimioterapia antineoplásica ambulatorial para pessoas com neoplasia maligna gastrointestinal.

Resumen Objetivo Describir el proceso de construcción y validación de contenido y apariencia de protocolos para el acompañamiento por teléfono en la reducción de los efectos colaterales (inapetencia, náuseas y vómitos, diarrea y constipación) asociados a la quimioterapia antineoplásica ambulatoria para personas con neoplasia maligna gastrointestinal. Métodos Estudio metodológico y cuantitativo, realizado en el período de septiembre a noviembre de 2020, en tres etapas: realización de scoping review , construcción de los protocolos y evaluación del material por especialistas. Fueron desarrollados según el referente metodológico de la psicometría de Pasquali. Para la evaluación de contenido se utilizó la técnica de Delphi en dos rondas (Delphi I [16 jueces] y Delphi II [12 jueces]) y se consideraron válidos los ítems con Coeficiente de Validez de Contenido (CVC) superior a 0,80 y consenso superior al 80,0 % en la técnica de Delphi. Se analizaron los datos por medio da estadística descriptiva e inferencial (Prueba binominal). Resultados Todos los requisitos de los protocolos alcanzaron la coincidencia entre los jueces superior al 80,0 %, así como todos los ítems alcanzaron niveles de evaluación estadísticamente significantes. Al fin del Delphi II, los cuatro protocolos se mostraron expresivamente válidos (inapetencia [CVC = 0,98]; náuseas y vómitos [CVC = 0,99]; diarrea [CVC = 0,99]; y constipación [CVC = 0,98]). Conclusión El contenido de los protocolos demostró alta credibilidad y su adopción en las instituciones de salud, puede contribuir para el acompañamiento por teléfono en la reducción de los efectos colaterales (inapetencia, náuseas y vómitos, diarrea y constipación) asociados a la quimioterapia antineoplásica ambulatoria para personas con neoplasia maligna gastrointestinal.

Abstract Objective To describe the process of construction and validation of protocol content and appearance for telephone follow-up to reduce side effects (lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and constipation) associated with outpatient antineoplastic chemotherapy for people with gastrointestinal malignancy. Methods This is a methodological and quantitative study, carried out from September to November 2020, in three stages: scoping review development, protocol construction and material assessment by experts. They were developed according to the Pasquali's psychometrics methodological framework. For content assessment, the Delphi technique was used in two rounds (Delphi I [16 judges] and Delphi II [12 judges]) and, those items with Content Validation Coefficient (CVC) were considered valid greater than 0.80 and consensus of more than 80.0% in the Delphi technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Binominal test). Results All protocol requirements reached agreement among the judges above 80.0% as well as all items reached statistically significant levels of assessment. At the end of Delphi II, the four protocols were significantly valid (lack of appetite [CVC = 0.98]; nausea and vomiting [CVC = 0.99]; diarrhea [CVC = 0.99]; and constipation [CVC = 0.98]). Conclusion The content of the protocols demonstrated high credibility and their adoption in health institutions can contribute to telephone follow-up in reducing side effects (lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and constipation) associated with outpatient antineoplastic chemotherapy for people with gastrointestinal malignancies.

Strategies of chemotherapy for peritoneal metastasis of gastrointestinal cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Peritoneal metastasis of gastrointestinal cancer is an independent factor that seriously affects the prognosis of patients. The "seed-soil" theory is considered to be the main theory to explain peritoneal metastasis. Because of the small size of peritoneal metastatic nodules at the initial stage, early diagnosis is particularly difficult, therefore, the risk assessment of peritoneal metastasis is very important. Recently, the diagnosis methods have gradually developed from clinicopathological factors to cytology and molecular level. In addition, the integrated assessment of multiple groups including radiomics further enriches the accurate diagnosis of peritoneal metastasis. Peritoneal metastasis is a big challenge in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer which may also lead to refractory malignant ascites, intestinal obstruction, cachexia and other related complications. At present, the treatment is based on systemic chemotherapy. The combination of surgery, intraperitoneal chemotherapy and HIPEC is an effective treatment for peritoneal metastasis of gastrointestinal cancer. How to enrich peritoneal metastasis patients with potential benefits, how to determine the timing of conversion surgery, how to further optimize the existing treatment plan, especially how to formulate treatment plan for patients after conversion surgery, call for improved study design and prospective randomized controlled trials. The goal of continuous efforts is to effectively prolong the survival of gastrointestinal cancer trials patients with peritoneal metastasis.

Tumores del estroma gastrointestinal: Análisis de 40 casos / Gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Analysis of 40 cases

Los tumores del estroma gastrointestinal representan menos del 3% de los tumores digestivos. Se localizan principalmente en el estómago y el intestino delgado. El tratamiento radical es la resección quirúrgica. Cuando son inoperables o diseminados la administración de imatinib es el tratamiento de elección. La finalidad de este estudio retrospectivo fue describir las características de los pacientes con tumores del estroma gastrointestinal atendidos en nuestra institución en el período 2000-2015. Fueron analizados los casos de 40 pacientes consecutivos con diagnóstico de tumor del estroma gastrointestinal (edad media 58 años, rango 33-84). La supervivencia media a 5 años del total de pacientes fue 30.5%. Al diagnóstico, 30 (75%) tenían enfermedad localizada; de estos, 14 recibieron imatinib adyuvante y 15 seguimiento en observación. En este grupo, el intervalo libre de enfermedad fue 55 meses. En aquellos con enfermedad diseminada, el intervalo libre de progresión fue 30 meses.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors represent less than 3% of all digestive tumors. They are primarily located in the stomach and the small intestine. The curative treatment is surgical resection. In the case of unresectable tumor or advanced disease, imatinib is the treatment of choice. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the characteristics of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors treated at our institution in the period 2000-2015. We analyzed 40 consecutive patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (mean age 58-year old, range 33-84). The mean 5-year survival was 30.5%. At diagnosis, 30 patients had localized disease (75%); 14 of them received adjuvant imatinib and 15 follow-up on observation. In this group the disease-free interval was 55 months. In patients with advanced disease, the progression-free interval was 30 months.

Preoperative imatinib for patients with primary unresectable or metastatic/recurrent gastrointestinal stromal tumor

OBJECTIVES: Despite its rising popularity, reports on the use of preoperative imatinib mesylate (IM) in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) are limited. This study aims to explore the clinical efficacy of preoperative IM in patients with primarily unresectable or metastatic/recurrent GIST. METHODS: Between September 2009 and February 2014, patients with primarily unresectable or metastatic/recurrent GIST treated by a single medical team were recruited and considered for preoperative IM therapy. Re-examination was conducted regularly and abdominal enhanced CT data, blood biochemistry and responses to IM were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients were enrolled, including 13 with a primary tumor (7 stomach, 3 small bowel, 2 rectal and 1 pelvic tumor) and 5 with recurrent or metastatic GIST (2 with liver metastasis, 2 with anastomotic recurrence and 1 with pelvic GIST). The median follow-up time was 9.5 months (range of 3-63). The median tumor sizes before and after initiation of IM treatment were 9.1 cm and 6.0 cm (p = 0.003) based on the CT findings, respectively. All patients showed a decrease in tumor burden and the median tumor size reduction was 35%. Sixteen of the 18 patients showed a partial response to IM and two possessed stable disease. Nine of the 18 patients (50%) underwent surgical resection of primary or metastatic/recurrent tumors, with a median of 7 months of IM therapy. One case each of multivisceral resection and tumor recurrence were noted. CONCLUSIONS: IM as a preoperative therapy is feasible and safe for unresectable or metastatic/recurrent GIST that can effectively decrease tumor size, facilitating resection. .

Management of gastrointestinal stromal tumor: The lmatinib era and beyond.

The availability of imatinib followed by other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has dramatically altered the outcome of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Patients with advanced or poor risk disease can now expect survival measured in years instead of months. An experienced multi disciplinary team (MDT) will be able to personalize therapy to ensure maximum benefit. This review will provide the updated information and finer points regarding state of the art management of GIST with the use of imatinib and other TKIs.

Manejo dos tumores do estroma gastrointestinal / Management of gastrointestinal strobe tumors

Os tumores estromais gastrointestinais são neoplasias mesenquimais do trato gastrointestinal que expressam a proteína tirosina quinase KIT. Ressecção cirúrgica é o tratamento de primeira linha para GISTs operáveis e localizados, além de contribuir para aumento de sobrevida em metastáticos e recorrentes. Novas linhas de drogas estão surgindo para modificar os padrões clássicos de tratamento.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract that express protein tyrosine kinase KIT. Surgical resection is the first-line treatment for localized and operable GISTs, and contribute to increased survival in metastatic and recurrent disease. New lines of drugs are emerging to modify the classic patterns of treatment.

Imatinib Plasma Monitoring-Guided Dose Modification for Managing Imatinib-Related Toxicities in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Patients

Imatinib, the first-line treatment in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), is generally well tolerated, although some patients have difficulty tolerating the standard dose of 400 mg/day. Adjusting imatinib dosage by plasma level monitoring may facilitate management of patients who experience intolerable toxicities due to overexposure to the drug. We present two cases of advanced GIST patients in whom we managed imatinib-related toxicities through dose modifications guided by imatinib plasma level monitoring. Imatinib blood level testing may be a promising approach for fine-tuning imatinib dosage for better tolerability and optimal clinical outcomes in patients with advanced GIST.

Características genético-moleculares de los tumores estromales gastrointestinales (GIST) / Molecular and genetic features of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)

Los tumores estromales gastrointestinales (GIST) son neoplasias mesenquimales que típicamente surgen a nivel del estómago, intestino delgado, colon, y otros sitios en la cavidad abdominal y su identificación se ha incrementado por mejoras en los criterios de detección. La mayor parte de los tumores GIST son causados por mutaciones activadoras en los genes de receptores transmembranares tirosina quinasa c-KIT y receptor alpha del factor de crecimiento derivado de plaquetas (PDGFRA). Las mutaciones causales de GIST se restringen solo a ciertas regiones del gen que corresponden a importantes zonas funcionales de c-KIT o PDGFRA. Se reporta que hasta 70% de casos de GIST se debe a mutaciones en el exón 11 del gen c-Kit que corresponde a la región yuxtamembrana del receptor. La región y el tipo de mutación determinan diferencialmente cómo se desarrolla la neoplasia, el pronóstico y su respuesta a inhibidores de las tirosina quinasas como el Imanatib. Por tal motivo, el genotipado de KIT y PDGFRA es importante para el diagnóstico y establecimiento de la sensibilidad a los inhibidores tirosina quinasa.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are mesenchymal neoplasms typically arising in the stomach, small intestine, colon, and other sites in the abdominal cavity and its identification has improved dramatically mainly due to better criteria in its detection. Most GISTs tumors harbor activating mutations in the tyrosine kinase receptor c-KIT or platelet derived growth factor receptor-alpha (PDGFRA). Those mutations are restricted to a few regions corresponding to important functional domains of c-KIT or PDGFRA. Upto 70% of cases are due to mutations in exon 11 of c-KIT corresponding to its juxtamembrane region of the receptor. The location and type of mutation will differentially determine the development of the disease, its prognosis and the response to inhibitors of tyrosine kinases as Imanatib. For this reason, genotyping c-KIT and PDGFRA is important for GIST diagnosis and assessment of sensitivity to tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Desarrollo de resistencia secundaria a imatinib y tratamiento quirúrgico de un GIST gástrico maligno / Secondary imatinib resistance and surgical treatment of a malignant gastric GIST

Introduction. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) constitute a pathological condition whose treatment require the interaction of surgical and pharmacological procedures in primary, recurrent, and metastatic disease. Herein, we discuss the case of a patient operated for malignant primary GIST who suffered recurrence of his disease secondary to the development of imatinib resistance. Case report: A male patient was operated on March 2007 because of a malignant gastric GIST, with wedge resection of the tumor. In June 2008, a computerized abdominal tomography scan (CT) showed the presence of nodules over the porta hepatis, mesocolon, greater omentum and gastric antrum; at this moment imatinib 400 mg/day was initiated. A new CT in June 2010, showed a cystic tumor in the right lower abdominal quadrant besides the previously described peritoneal implants, and surgical treatment was proposed. The surgical findings consisted on a big cystic GIST implanted over the greater omentum, and multiple epiploic nodules over the gallbladder and gastric antrum. All visible tumors were resected including the gallbladder and gastric antrum. A positron emission tomography taken on December 2010, described 2 small hypermetabolic peritoneal nodules. The imatinib dose was increased to 800 mg/day, and at the last control, one year after the last surgery, the CT did not show disease progression. Discussion: This case report illustrates the GIST’s malignant potential. The tumor developed imatinib resistance after an initial period of good response to the drug. To control the disease, a new surgical intervention and an increase in the dose of imatinib was required.

Introducción. Los tumores del estroma gastrointestinal (GIST) constituyen una condición patológica cuyo tratamiento requiere la interacción de procedimientos terapéuticos y farmacológicos en los tumores primarios, recurrencias y metástasis. Reportamos el caso de un paciente operado por un GIST primario que sufrió recurrencia secundaria a desarrollo de resistencia al imatinib. Caso clínico: Paciente que se operó en marzo de 2007 por un GIST gástrico maligno, realizándose resección en cuña del tumor. En junio de 2008, como parte del seguimiento, se tomó una tomografía abdominal que informó la presencia de nódulos en el hilio porta, mesocolon, epiplón mayor y antro gástrico, iniciándose tratamiento con imatinib 400 mg diarios. La tomografía realizada en junio de 2010 demostró en el hemiabdomen derecho un tumor quístico, además de los implantes previamente descritos. Con estos antecedentes se decidió el tratamiento quirúrgico. Los hallazgos consistieron en un GIST del epiplón mayor, múltiples lesiones epiploicas, vesiculares y del antro gástrico. Se decidió resecar todas las lesiones visibles, la vesícula biliar y el antro gástrico. Una tomografía por emisión de positrones de diciembre de 2010 describe 2 pequeños nódulos hipermetabólicos peritoneales. Se aumentó la dosis de imatinib a 800 mg diarios y en el último control a 1 año de la última cirugía, la tomografía no demostró progresión de la enfermedad. Discusión: El presente caso ilustra el potencial maligno de los GIST. El tumor desarrolló resistencia al imatinib después de un período inicial con buena respuesta. Para controlar la enfermedad se requirió una nueva intervención quirúrgica y aumento de la dosis de imatinib.

Linfomas del tubo digestivo y glándulas anexas en pacientes con SIDA: serie de casos / Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the digestive tract and anexal glands in AIDS patients

Introducción: el linfoma no Hodgkin (LNH) es la segunda neoplasia más frecuente en pacientes con SIDA. Una de las principales características de los LNH asociados con el SIDA es la alta frecuencia de compromiso extranodal, incluyendo el tracto astrointestinal, como manifestación inicial de la neoplasia. Métodos: se analizaron de manera retrospectiva las características epidemiológicas, clínicas, virológicas, inmunológicas e histopatológicas de 8 pacientes con diagnóstico de linfomas del tracto gastrointestinal y glándulas anexas (hígado y parótida) asistidos en la División de VIH- /SIDA del Hospital de Enfermedades Infecciosas F J Muñiz de Buenos Aires, Argentina, entre enero de 1997 y diciembre de 2004. Todos los pacientes fueron evaluados por tomografía computarizada y examen de la médula ósea, además de los exámenes endoscópicosde diagnóstico. Resultados: todos los pacientes fueron varones; 4 eran heterosexuales, 2 homosexuales, uno hemofílico y uno adicto a drogas endovenosas. Tres pacientes presentaron coinfección por el virus de la hepatitis C. La mediana de edad fue de 42 años y la mediana de linfocitos T CD4 + fue de 87 células/uL al momento del diagnóstico de la neoplasia. Ningún paciente recibía TARGA al momento del diagnóstico del linfoma. La incidencia global de linfomas (primarios del sistema nervioso central, no Hodgkin sistémicos y de Hodgkin) durante el período de estudio fue de 2,9% (54 casos); 17 pacientes (32%) tuvieron diagnóstico de LNH sistémicos; 10 (58,8%) de ellos tuvieron presentación extranodal al momento del inicio de las mani manifestaciones clínicas y 8 (80%) comprometieron el tubo digestivo y las glándulas anexas (parótida, cavum, esófago, estómago, duodeno, colon derecho en 2 casos e hígado en el restante), como LNH primarios, de alto grado y de fenotipo "B". Todos los pacientes presentaronsíntomas "B" al momento del diagnóstico. De acuerdo con los criterios de estadificación de Lugano, 4 se encontraban en el estadio...

Background: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is the second most common neoplasm among patients with AIDS. One of the major clinical characteristics of AIDS-associated NHL is the high frequency of extranodal involvement, including the gastrointestinaltract, at initial presentation. Methods: From January 1997 to December 2004, 8 cases of NHL of the digestive tract and anexal glands (liver and parotid gland) were observed at the HIV/AIDS division of the Infectious Diseases F J Muñiz Hospital from Buenos Aires,Argentina. All patients were staged by computed tomography scanning and bone marrow examination, in addition to the endoscopic evaluation. Results: All patients were males; 4 were heterosexual, 2 homosexual, and 1 were a hemophilic and an intravenous drug abuser. The median age was 42 years and the median CD4 T cell count was 87 cells/uL at the time of the diagnosis of neoplasm. No patient was receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) at lymphoma diagnosis. The global incidence of AIDS-associated lymphomas (central nervous system lymphomas, non-Hodgkin lymphomas and Hodgkin lymphoma) during the time of study was 2,9% (54 cases); 17 patients(32%) had diagnosis of systemic NHL; 10 (58,8%) of them were extranodal at the onset of clinical symptoms and 8 (80%) involvement the digestive tract and anexal glands (parotid gland, cavum, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, the right colon in 2 patients and the liver), as primary NHL of high grade and "B" phenotype. All patients presented "B" symptoms at the time of diagnosis. Primary duodenal lymphoma was the only Burkittlymphoma of this serie and we detected the Epstein-Barr virus genome in the biopsy smears of this tumor and in the hepatic lymphoma. Four patients were treated with systemic chemotherapy with granulocytic growth factor support plus highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART); 2 of them (cavum and one of the colon) had a prolonged survival with immune reconstitution during 5 and 6...

Tumores del estroma gastrointestinal (GIST): revisión de la literatura / Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (gist): literature review

Los tumores del estroma gastrointestinal representan un tipo infrecuente de tumor de origen mesenquimático, con origen en las células intersticiales de Cajal. Se caracterizan por expresar un receptor de membrana mutante con actividad tirosina quinasa anormal (c-kit CD117) que condiciona su activación permanente y una proliferación celular no controlada. Pueden encontrarse a cualquier nivel del tracto gastrointestinal, pero son más frecuentes en estómago e intestino delgado. Frecuentemente cursan de forma asintomática, constituyendo un hallazgo endoscópico o radiológico. La enfermedad localizada habitualmente es de buen pronóstico tras su resección quirúrgica, mientras que la sobrevida es baja en etapas avanzadas, con escasa respuesta a la quimioterapia convencional. El surgimiento del imatinib, un inhibidor de la tirosina quinasa, ha representado un verdadero hito, dado su eficacia en el control de la enfermedad irresecable o metastásica, permitiendo un importante aumento en la sobrevida de estos pacientes.

A Case of Neurotoxicity Following 5-Fluorouracil-based Chemotherapy

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent. However, its neurotoxicity is rare and not well recognized. We report a case of 5-FU neurotoxicity with organic brain syndrome and progression to multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a 44-year-old male patient having malignant gast- rointestinal stromal tumor. 5-FU-induced neurotoxicity should, therefore, be considered as an important differential diagnosis in cancer patients with neurological abnormality and history of chemotherapy.

Linfomas primarios del tubo digestivo / Primary lymphoma of the digestive tube

El tracto gastrointestinal es el sitio más frecuente de manifestación extraganglionar del linfoma no Hodgkin. Analizamos 18 pacientes consecutivos con linfoma gastrointestinal (8 del sexo masculino y 10 del femenino) tratados en nuestro Servicio entre los años 1983 y 1996. El promedio de edad fue de 56,4 años. Hubo 2 casos de linfoma de Hodgkin. El dolor abdominal y la baja de peso fueron los síntomas más importantes y el tumor no fue palpable en la mayoría de los casos. La endoscopia digestiva alta fue anormal, aunque no diagnostica, en el 62,5 por ciento de los casos. La localización primaria del tumor fue: 9 en el estómago, 7 en el intestino delgado, 1 en el ciego y 1 en el duodeno. De acuerdo a la Working Formulation, 8 de los 16 linfomas no Hodgkin fueron de bajo grado de malignidad. Los pacientes fueron estadiados de acuerdo al sistema de Ann Arbor modificado por Musshoff. Seis pacientes estaban en estadio IE, 8 en IIE1, 1 en lIE2 y 3 en estadio IVE. Se practicó resección quirúrgica en todos los pacientes. Siete pacientes que fueron considerados de alto riesgo recibieron poliquimioterapia postoperatoria. La sobrevida actuarial a los 5 años fue de 43,8 por ciento. Pensamos que la resección tumoral es el mejor tratamiento primario del tumor en pacientes en estadio IE y que éstos no necesitan terapia posterior

Comparison of adjuvant radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy following surgery in stage IE and IIE primary gastrointestinal tract non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

patients (median age 49.6 years) were treated for primary gastrointestinal lymphoma between 1979 and 1989. There were twenty-three cases of gastric lymphoma and seventeen cases of intestinal lymphoma. Following surgery, seventeen patients received postoperative chemoradiotherapy (ACOP) by the sandwich technique, seven patients received postoperative radiotherapy, and sixteen patients did not receive any other form of adjuvant treatment. Nineteen patients were stage IE and twenty-one were stage IIE. Stage IE disease was more prevalent in the gastric lymphoma group than the intestinal lymphoma group (p less than 0.01). At a median follow-up of 17 months (1-102 + months), 17 of 19 stage IE patients and 15 of 21 stage IIE patients remained alive. The survival rate was 90% in the postoperative chemoradiotherapy group and 83.3% in the postoperative radiotherapy group at five years, and 42.7% in the surgery alone group at four years, which showed statistical significance (p less than 0.01, p less than 0.05, each). Statistically improved survival rates were achieved with a postoperative chemoradiotherapy modality in intestinal lymphoma (p less than 0.01), stage IIE (p less than 0.01), intermediate grade by NCI criteria (p less than 0.01), poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma (p less than 0.05), and diffuse histiocytic lymphoma (p less than 0.01) according to Rappaport classification, compared to those of the surgically treated only group. Three local relapses occurred in the operation alone group, and one in the adjuvant radiotherapy group which occurred simultaneously with distant lymph node recurrence. The pathologic stage of all of these relapsed patients was stage IIE-2. These results suggest that adjuvant chemoradiotherapy in completely resected localized gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can decrease local and systemic relapse resulting in long-term disease free survival and overall survival compared to operation alone.