Risk Factors of Submucosal or Lymphovascular Invasion in Early Gastric Cancer <2 cm.

Although prediction of submucosal (SM) or lymphovascular (LV) invasion is important before endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer (EGC), it can only be confirmed following endoscopic resection. After endoscopic resection, patients with SM or LV invasion may require additional surgery due to high risk of lymph node metastasis.We conducted a retrospective study to identify risk factors for SM or LV invasion before endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of EGC. Between January 2009 and May 2014, we reviewed the data of patients with EGC who met the absolute indications for ESD before procedure: well and/or moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas, tumors ≤ 2 cm in length and absence of ulcer or ulcer-scar.During study period, a total of 308 lesions in 297 patients were included. SM or LV invasion was detected in 34 lesions (34/308, 11.0%). Multivariate analysis revealed that a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (odds ratio [OR] 4.157, P = 0.000) and location of the stomach (the upper and middle third; OR 3.100, P = 0.008) were significant risk factors for SM or LV invasion.Careful consideration of endoscopic treatment decision might be necessary for the patients with a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma and EGC located on the upper and middle third of the stomach.

Primary Adenocarcinoma with Focal Choriocarcinomatous Differentiation in the Sigmoid Colon.

Primary colorectal choriocarcinoma is a rare neoplasm. Only 19 cases have been reported worldwide, most of which involved adenocarcinomas. The prognosis is usually poor, and the standard therapy for this tumor has not been established. A 61-year-old woman presented with constipation and lower abdominal discomfort. She was diagnosed with primary adenocarcinoma with focal choriocarcinomatous differentiation in the sigmoid colon and liver metastasis. Because the serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin level was not significantly elevated, and because only focal choriocarcinomatous differentiation was diagnosed, we selected the chemotherapy regimen that is used for the treatment of metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma. The patient survived for 13 months after the initial diagnosis. This is the first case in Korea to assess the suppressive effects of the standard chemotherapy for colorectal adenocarcinoma against coexisting colorectal choriocarcinoma and adenocarcinoma.

Acute ectopic pancreatitis occurring after endoscopic biopsy in a gastric ectopic pancreas.

Ectopic pancreas is a congenital anomaly and the most common type of ectopic tissue in the gastrointestinal tract. Most patients with an ectopic pancreas are asymptomatic and rarely have complications. Ectopic pancreatitis after an endoscopic biopsy has not been reported. We report a patient who developed acute ectopic pancreatitis in the stomach after an endoscopic biopsy. A 71-year-old male patient presented with a subepithelial tumor (SET) in the stomach and had no symptoms. Endoscopic ultrasonography demonstrated a 30-mm hypoechoic mural mass, lobulated margins, and anechoic duct-like lesions. To obtain proper tissue specimen, endoscopic biopsy was performed through the opening on the surface of the mass. The pathologic results confirmed an ectopic pancreas. One day after the endoscopic biopsy, he developed persistent epigastric pain. His serum amylase and lipase elevated. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed swelling of the SET and diffuse edema of the gastric wall. His condition was diagnosed as acute ectopic pancreatitis occurring after endoscopic biopsy.

Successful treatment by chemotherapy of pineal parenchymal tumor with intermediate differentiation: a case report.

A 37-year-old male presented with a mass measuring 2.5 cm in size in the midbrain and obstructive hydrocephalus, which had manifested as a headache and dizziness. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the brain showed intermediate enhancement on T1-weighted MR imaging and a high intensity of enhancement on T2-weighted MR. Neurosurgeons performed an occipital craniotomy with partial removal of the tumor and the postoperative diagnosis was a pineal parenchymal tumor with intermediate differentiation. He had undergone irradiation with 54 Gy of radiation on 27 fractions for removal of the remaining tumor approximately one month after surgery. However, in follow-up imaging performed four months after radiotherapy, a remnant mass in the superoposterior aspect of the midbrain was found to have extended to the hypothalamus and the third ventricle. He was treated with six cycles of procarbazine, lomustine, vincristine chemotherapy. At five months since the completion of chemotherapy, the brain MR imaging showed no evidence of any remaining tumor and he no longer displayed any of his initial symptoms.

Endoscopic resection of granular cell tumors in the gastrointestinal tract: a single center experience.

BACKGROUND: The frequency of granular cell tumors (GCTs) identified in the gastrointestinal tract has recently increased with the increased use of routine endoscopy. Endoscopic treatment is increasingly used as an alternative to traditional surgical resection, but there are few reports on the efficacy, safety, and long-term prognosis of endoscopic treatment for GCTs. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy, safety, and long-term prognosis of endoscopic resection for the gastrointestinal GCTs. METHODS: We examined a total of 27 GCTs in 25 patients who were treated by endoscopic resection from January 2007 to February 2011. For endoscopic resection, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was used. RESULTS: Twenty GCTs were located in the esophagus, 5 in the stomach, and 2 in the colon. The median size of the GCTs was 10 mm; the largest size, located in the ascending colon, measured 18 mm. EMR with a ligation device was performed in 20 cases, conventional EMR in 5 cases, and ESD in 2 cases. En bloc resection was performed in 25 cases (92.6%), and endoscopic complete resection piecemeal resection was achieved in 25 cases (92.6%). Pathologic complete resection was achieved in 22 lesions (81.5%). Intraprocedural bleeding was noted in three patients, with no occurrence of perforation or postprocedure stricture. No recurrence was observed during the mean follow-up period of 15 months (range 9-31 months). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic resection appears to be a safe and effective treatment for GCTs in the gastrointestinal tract.