Utility of Molecular Analysis of Peritoneal Fluid in Staging Laparoscopy of Advanced Esophagogastric Junction and Gastric Cancer Prior to Neoadjuvant Treatment.

PURPOSE: Molecular analysis of peritoneal fluid in staging laparoscopy of gastric cancer is performed to improve the detection of free intraperitoneal tumor cells. Nevertheless, its significance is controversial, especially in patients with negative cytology but positive molecular analysis. The aim of this study was to analyze the sensitivity of molecular analysis and its prognostic value. METHODS: A retrospective analysis from April 2011 to October 2019 was performed. Cytology (Cyt) and molecular analysis were analyzed by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytokeratin 20 (CK20) tumor makers. RESULTS: During the study period, 138 staging laparoscopies were performed. Macroscopic carcinomatosis was found in 12.3%. Of the remaining 87.7%, 9.9% were Cyt + and 11.6% were Cyt- RT-PCR + . Of the latter, 9 responded to chemotherapy and underwent radical surgery. The sensitivity of cytology and molecular analysis was 0.70 and 0.76, respectively (p = 0.67). The 2-year overall survival (OS) of Cyt- RT-PCR + vs. Cyt + was similar (p = 0.1). The 2-year OS of Cyt-RT-PCR + subgroup who underwent radical surgery vs. Cyt-RT-PCR- patients was similar (p = 0.69), but disease-free survival was shorter in the first group (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Our results show that the sensitivity of molecular analysis is similar to that of cytology. The prognostic value of positive molecular analysis was similar to positive cytology in terms of 2-year overall survival, except in the subgroup of operated patients in whom the overall survival was similar to that of those with a negative molecular analysis, albeit with a shorter disease-free survival.

Gastric and Small Intestine Gist: Results of 156 Cases in 20 Years.

PURPOSE: Gastric and small intestine are the most common gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). There are few studies of patients who underwent surgical treatment with disparate findings. We aimed to evaluate the differences between groups and the risk factors for recurrence and mortality. METHODS: A retrospective study of 96 gastric and 60 small intestine GIST was performed between 1995 and 2015. Both groups were compared in terms of clinicopathologic features, morbidity, recurrence, and mortality. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS®. RESULTS: Eighty-one gastric GISTs and 56 small intestine GISTs underwent surgical treatment. Gastrointestinal bleeding was the most common cause of emergency surgery being more frequent in gastric GIST (P = 0.009); however, emergency surgery was indicated more frequently in the small intestinal GIST (P = 0.004) and was mostly due to perforation (P = 0.009). With a median follow-up of 66.9 (39.7-94.8) months, 28 (20.4%) patients had recurrence. A mitotic index > 5 (P ≤ 0.001) and the intestinal location (P = 0.012) were significantly associated to recurrence. Tumor size > 15 cm (P = 0.001) and an age of ≥ 75 years (P = 0.014) were associated to mortality. On univariate analysis, higher mean values of Ki-67 were associated to higher mortality (P = 0.0032). Small intestine GIST presented lower disease-free survival (DFS) than that of gastric GIST (65.7% vs 90.8%) with P = 0.003. The overall survival (OS) of gastric and small intestine GIST was 74.7% and 71.6%, respectively (P = 0.68). CONCLUSION: Small intestine GIST received emergency surgery more frequently showing lower DFS and same OS than that of gastric GIST. We found that Ki-67 could be a prognostic factor. Further studies are necessary to assess whether Ki-67 is a prognostic risk factor for GISTs.