Self-expandable metallic stents for palliation of patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction caused by stomach cancer

AIM: To ascertain clinical outcome and complications of self-expandable metal stents for endoscopic palliation of patients with malignant obstruction of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed throughout August 2000 to June 2005 of 53 patients with gastric outlet obstruction caused by stomach cancer. All patients had symptomatic obstruction including nausea, vomiting, and decreased oral intake. All received self-expandable metallic stents. RESULTS: Stent implantation was successful in all 53 (100%) patients. Relief of obstructive symptoms was achieved in 43 (81.1%) patients. No immediate stent-related complications were noted. Seventeen patients had recurrent obstruction (tumor ingrowth in 14 patients, tumor overgrowth in 1 patient, and partial distal stent migration in 2 patients). The mean survival was 145 d. Median stent patency time was 187 d. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic placement of self-expandable metallic stents is a safe and effective treatment for the palliation of patients with inoperable malignant gastric outlet obstruction caused by stomach cancer.

Is it possible to differentiate gastric GISTs from gastric leiomyomas by EUS?

AIM: To evaluate the ultrasonog raphy (EUS) features of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) as compared with gastric leiomyomas and then to determine the EUS features that could predict malignant GISTs.METHODS: We evaluated the endoscopic EUS features in 53 patients with gastric mesenchymal tumors conf irmed by histopathologic diagnosis. The GISTs were classif ied into benign and malignant groups according to the histological risk classif ication.RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analyses demon-strated 7 leiomyomas and 46 GISTs. Inhomogenicity, hyperechogenic spots, a marginal halo and higher echogenicity as compared with the surrounding muscle layer appeared more frequently in the GISTs than in the leiomyomas (P < 0.05). The presence of at least two of these four features had a sensitivity of 89.1% and a specifi city of 85.7% for predicting GISTs. Except for tumor size and irregularity of the border, most of the EUS features were not helpful for predicting the malignant potential of GISTs. On multivariate analysis, only the maximal diameter of the GISTs was an independent predictor. The optimal size for predicting malignant GISTs was 35 mm. The sensitivity and specificity using this value were 92.3% and 78.8%, respectively.CONCLUSION: EUS may help to differentiate gastric GISTs from gastric leiomyomas. Once GISTs are suspected, surgery should be considered if the size is greater than 3.5 cm.

Effects of ciglitazone and troglitazone on the proliferation of human stomach cancer cells

AIM:To determine the cytological and molecular effects of peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor(PPAR)-γ and PPAR-γ agonists on stomach cancer cells.METHODS:To determine the proliferation-suppressive effects of troglitazone and ciglitazone,SNU-216 and SNU-668 stomach cancer cells were plated in media containing 40 μmol/L troglitazone and ciglitazone at a density of 1 × 104 cells/well.After 3,5 and 7 d,the cells were counted with a hemocytometer.To assess the appearance of PPAR-γ,a reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed.On day 7,Western blotting was used to determine the effects of troglitazone and ciglitazone on the expression of p21 and phosphorylated-ERK(pERK) genes.Flow cytometry analysis was used to determine which portion of the cell cycle was delayed when troglitazone was used to suppress cell proliferation.In order to clarify the mechanism underlying the activity of troglitazone,microarray analysis was conducted.RESULTS:PPAR-γ was manifested in both SNU-216 and SNU-668 cells.Ciglitazone and troglitazone suppressed cell growth,and troglitazone was a stronger suppressor of stomach cancer cells than ciglitazone,an inducer of cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase.SNU-668 cells were also determined to be more sensitive to ciglitazone and troglitazone than SNU-216 cells.When troglitazone and ciglitazone were administered to stomach cancer cells,levels of p21 expression were increased,but ERK phosphorylation levels were reduced.When GW9662,an antagonist of PPAR-γ,was applied in conjunction with ciglitazone and troglitazone,the cell growth suppression effect was unaffected.The gene transcription program revealed a variety of alterations as the consequence of troglitazone treatment,and multiple troglitazone-associated pathways were detected.The genes whose expression was increased by troglitazone treatment were associated with cell development,differentiation,signal transmission between cells,and cell adhesion,and were also associated with reductions in cell proliferation,the cell cycle,nuclear metabolism,and phosphorylation.CONCLUSION:Troglitazone and ciglitazone suppress the proliferation of stomach cancer cells via a PPAR-γ-independent pathway.

Intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy using the double stapling technique after laparoscopic total gastrectomy:A retrospective case-series study

AIM:To introduce a simple and safe anvil insertion technique to esophagus during laparoscopic total gastrectomy(LTG).METHODS:Between July 2010 and December 2012,58 consecutive patients with early gastric cancer underwent LTG were enrolled.We performed a simple and safe Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy using the double stapling technique to all patients.Then patients’characteristics,perioperative outcome and histopathologic data were analyzed retrospectively.RESULTS:The mean age and body mass index were59.3±9.7 years and 22.7±2.6 kg/m2.The mean operation,reconstruction and anvil insertion times(from gastric incision to linear stapling)were 251.8±57.0,43.1±2.8 and 4.2±1.9 min,respectively.Intraoperative blood loss was 204.6±156.3 m L and there was no open conversion.The postoperative complications were in 8 cases(delayed gastric emptying in 4 cases,pulmonary complication in 2cases,pancreatitis in 1 case,anastomotic stricture in 1case).Anastomotic stricture occurred after discharge and was recovered by endoscopic intervention.The patients were discharged at a mean of 9.6±2.0 d after surgery.Neither leakage nor bleeding from the esophagojejunostomy occurred postoperatively.The mean proximal margin of specimen was 2.7±2.8 cm CONCLUSION:Roux-en Y esophagojejunostomy usingthe double stapling technique is simple and rapid,and it may offer a solid,alternative reconstruction method for LTG or proximal gastrectomy.

Solitary Peutz-Jeghers-type appendiceal hamartomatous polyp growing into the terminal ileum

Solitary Peutz-Jeghers type hamartomatous polyp is rare.It is considered to be related to a variant PeutzJeghers syndrome(PJS)and may be a separate disease entity.A 50-year-old man was referred to our hospital with a diagnosis of intussusception in the terminal ileum and underwent segmental ileal resection with appendectomy.We identified a 3.5-cm diameter polyp arising from the appendix with ingrowth into the terminal ileum.The polyp was confirmed to be a hamartomatous polyp of Peutz-Jeghers-type,histologically.However,the patient had no characteristic manifestations of PJS such as mucocutaneous pigmentation and family history.There are few reports of appendiceal hamartomatous polyp in PJS patients and solitary appendiceal hamartomatous polyp is even rarer.Also,rather than telescoping,ours is the first reported intussuscepted lesion,to the best of our knowledge.