Perineal approach for a gastrointestinal stromal tumor on the anterior wall of the lower rectum.

BACKGROUND: Wide margins of resection and regional lymphadenectomy for GIST are not necessary. Several procedures for rectal GIST have been designed according to the location and size of the tumor to preserve the anal function and decrease the morbidity rate. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 61-year-old-man with rectal bleeding. Proctologic examination revealed a small mass of approximately 2 cm in diameter on the anterior wall of the rectum at a distance of 4 cm from the anal verge. Histological examination of the biopsy sample via the rectum led to a diagnosis of GIST due to immunohistochemical positivity for C117 and CD34. Perineal resection was planned because abdominoperineal resection with sacrificing the sphincter function was excessive for this small tumor, and low anterior resection with the double stapling technique was difficult due to the lower position. A hemispheric incision was made from one mid-ischial tuberosity to the other with an apex of approximately 2 cm above the anus. The fascia band and muscles were successively transected in order to expose the anterior wall of the rectum, and excision of the tumor was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient remained free from incontinence and recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: This perineal approach for a GIST on the anterior wall of the rectum is one option for preserving the anal function and decreasing the morbidity rate.

Endoscopic microwave coagulation therapy of postoperative hemorrhage from a stapled anastomosis.

We experienced three cases of postoperative hemorrhage from a stapled gastrointestinal anastomosis, and established endoscopic microwave coagulation therapy (EMCT) with a cylinder-type electrode. We were able to treat postoperative hemorrhage over the entire circumference of stapled anastomosis successfully. Two patients had undergone a lower third thoracic esophagogastrectomy through a left thoraco-abdominal approach for gastric cancer in the cardia, while the other case had undergone Billroth I gastrectomy. They each had fresh bleeding from the stapled anastomosis after the operation. Emergency endoscopic examination was immediately performed. Endoscopy revealed bleeding on the suture line. We performed hemostasis endoscopically with microwave coagulation therapy safely. They were discharged from the hospital without complications such as leakage and stenosis. Since EMCT with the cylinder-type electrode can coagulate shallowly and widely, it is very effective for hemorrhage from a stapled anastomosis.

Enhancement of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies following vaccination with CEA peptide-pulsed dendritic cells.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is strongly expressed in a vast majority of gastrointestinal carcinomas. Recently, epitope peptides of CEA were identified. We have demonstrated HLA-A24-restricted peptide, CEA652[9] (TYACFVSNL), was capable of eliciting specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) which could lyse tumor cells expressing HLA-A24 and CEA. HLA-A24 is the most applicable MHC class I allele in the Japanese population. In this pilot study, we have used the peptide-pulsed dendritic cells (DCs) generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) supplemented with GM-CSF and IL-4 as the source of the vaccine. Eight patients with advanced CEA-expressing gastrointestinal malignancies received subcutaneous injections every 2 or 3 weeks. Immunomonitoring was performed by ELISpot (enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot) assay to measure the precursor frequency of CTLs and their capacity to elicit antitumor CTLs in vitro. Four of seven patients have developed their CTL response after vaccinations. DTH reaction was observed in one of eight patients at the DC-injected site. Skin biopsy at the injected site showed the infiltration of the lymphocytes. Furthermore, A24/CEA peptide tetramer assay revealed an increase in peptide-specific T-cell precursor frequency in vaccinated patients. No significant toxic adverse effects were observed, except for mild diarrhea in one case after three vaccinations. Three patients have shown stabilization of the disease after vaccinations. In conclusion, our results clearly demonstrated that our vaccination protocol was safe and might develop a CEA-specific CTL response in cancer patients.