Appraisal of gastric stump carcinoma and current state of affairs

Gastric stump carcinoma,also known as remnant gastric carcinoma,is a malignancy arising in the remnant stomach following gastrectomy for a benign or malignant condition.Enterogastric reflux and preexisting risk factors in a patient with gastric cancer are the major contributors to the development of gastric stump carcinoma.The occurrence of gastric stump carcinoma is time-dependent and seen earlier in patients operated on for malignant rather than benign diseases.The tumor location is predominantly at the anastomotic site towards the stomach.However,it can occur anywhere in the remnant stomach.The pattern of lymph node involvement and the type of surgery required is distinctly different compared to primary gastric cancer.Gastric stump carcinoma is traditionally considered a malignancy with a dismal outcome.However,recent advances in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies have improved outcomes.Recent advances in molecular profiling of gastric stump carcinoma have identified distinct molecular subtypes,thereby providing novel therapeutic targets.Also,reports of gastric stump carcinoma following pancreatoduodenectomy and bariatric surgery highlight the need for more research to standardize the diagnosis,staging,and treatment of these tumors.The present review aims to provide an overview of gastric stump carcinoma highlighting the differences in clinicopathological profile and management compared to primary gastric carcinoma.

The Early Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of the Gastric Stump Carcinoma

The clinical data of 30 patients with GSC after partial gastrectomy for benign gastric dis- eases were analyzed retrospectively. Eleven cases accepted radical resection, 11 cases palliative resec- tion and the remaining 8 underwent exploratory laparotomy. It was emphasized that the detection of stump cancer at a relatively early stage, mainly due to screening programmes for gastrectomised pa- tients, was important in improving its prognosis.

Diagnostic implications of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio,platelet-tolymphocyte ratio,and systemic immune-inflammatory index for gastric carcinoma

BACKGROUND The diagnosis of gastric carcinoma(GC)is essential for improving clinical outcomes.However,the biomarkers currently used for GC screening are not ideal.AIM To explore the diagnostic implications of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR),and systemic immune-inflammatory index(SII)for GC.METHODS The baseline data of 133 patients with GC and 134 patients with precancerous gastric conditions admitted between January 2022 and December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The information on peripheral blood platelet,neutrophil,and lymphocyte counts in each patient was collected,and the NLR,PLR,and SII levels of both groups were calculated.Additionally,multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted,and the diagnostic implications of NLR,PLR,and SII in differentiating patients with precancerous gastric conditions,compared with those with GC,were analyzed through receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.RESULTS The data indicated that NLR,PLR,and SII had abnormally increased levels in the patients with GC.Gender and body mass index were risk factors for the occurrence of GC.ROC data revealed that the areas under the curve of three patients with precancerous gastric conditions,who were differentiated from those with GC,were 0.824,0.787,and 0.842,respectively.CONCLUSION NLR,PLR,and SII are all abnormally expressed in GC and have diagnostic implications,especially when used as joint indicators,in distinguishing patients with precancerous gastric conditions from those with GC.

Mapping the landscape of gastric signet ring cell carcinoma:Overcoming hurdles and charting new paths for advancement

BACKGROUND In recent years,the global prevalence of gastric cancer(GC)has witnessed a progressive decrease,accompanied by a step-growth in the incidence of gastric signet ring cell carcinoma(GSRCC).As precision medicine concepts progress,GSRCC,a distinct sub-type of GC,has drawn considerable attention from researchers.However,there still persist some controversies regarding the associated research findings.AIM To summarize the current obstacles and potential future directions for research on GSRCC.METHODS To begin with,all literature related to GSRCC published from January 1,2004 to December 31,2023 was subjected to bibliometric analysis in this article.Additionally,this paper analyzed the research data using CiteSpace,GraphPad Prism v8.0.2,and VOSviewer,which was obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection database.The analysis results were visually represented.RESULTS This study provided a comprehensive overview of the statistical characteristics of the 995 English articles related to GSRCC,including cited references,authors,journals,countries,institutions,and keywords.The popular keywords and clusters contain"prognosis","survival","expression","histology",and"chemotherapy".CONCLUSION The prognosis,precise definition and classification,as well as chemoresistance of GSRCC,continue to be crucial areas of ongoing research,whose directions are closely tied to advancements in molecular biology research on GSRCC.

Development and validation of a nomogram model for predicting overall survival in patients with gastric carcinoma

BACKGROUND The prevalence and mortality rates of gastric carcinoma are disproportionately elevated in China,with the disease's intricate and varied characteristics further amplifying its health impact.Precise forecasting of overall survival(OS)is of paramount importance for the clinical management of individuals afflicted with this malignancy.AIM To develop and validate a nomogram model that provides precise gastric cancer prevention and treatment guidance and more accurate survival outcome prediction for patients with gastric carcinoma.METHODS Data analysis was conducted on samples collected from hospitalized gastric cancer patients between 2018 and 2020.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator,univariate,and multivariate Cox regression analyses were employed to identify independent prognostic factors.A nomogram model was developed to predict gastric cancer patient outcomes.The model's predictability and discriminative ability were evaluated via receiver operating characteristic curves.To evaluate the clinical utility of the model,Kaplan-Meier and decision curve analyses were performed.RESULTS A total of ten independent prognostic factors were identified,including body mass index,tumor-node-metastasis(TNM)stage,radiation,chemotherapy,surgery,albumin,globulin,neutrophil count,lactate dehydrogenase,and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio.The area under the curve(AUC)values for the 1-,3-,and 5-year survival prediction in the training set were 0.843,0.850,and 0.821,respectively.The AUC values were 0.864,0.820,and 0.786 for the 1-,3-,and 5-year survival prediction in the validation set,respectively.The model exhibited strong discriminative ability,with both the time AUC and time C-index exceeding 0.75.Compared with TNM staging,the model demonstrated superior clinical utility.Ultimately,a nomogram was developed via a web-based interface.CONCLUSION This study established and validated a novel nomogram model for predicting the OS of gastric cancer patients,which demonstrated strong predictive ability.Based on these findings,this model can aid clinicians in implementing personalized interventions for patients with gastric cancer.

Residual gastric cancer with a mixed small cell neuroendocrine and keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Despite advancements in early detection and treatment,the prognosis and his-tological types for residual gastric cancer(GC)remains poor.CASE SUMMARY This case report presents a rare occurrence of residual GC featuring a combination of small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma(SCNEC)and squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)in a 60-year-old male patient.The patient,with a history of Billroth II gas-trectomy for duodenal ulcer bleeding,presented with gastrointestinal bleeding.Preoperative computed tomography and positron emission tomography-compu-ted tomography indicated adenocarcinoma with tumor and abdominal lymph node metastasis.The patient underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy and ly-mph node dissection for residual GC.Histological examination of the resected tumor confirmed the presence of both SCNEC and SCC.Postoperatively,the patient underwent adjuvant chemotherapy four times.Two years later,the patient was found to occur esophageal cancer and was performed a small bowel stoma and radical esophagectomy.CONCLUSION In this case report,we detail a rare instance of residual GC with mixed SCNEC and SCC,emphasizing the complexity of diagnosis and treatment,and the need for ongoing research.

Unmasking gastric carcinoma: Unveiling diagnostic biomarkers and the role of critical care

We discuss the findings of Wu et al on the utility of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio,platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio,and systemic immune-inflammatory index as diagnostic markers for gastric carcinoma(GC).We commend the study's contributions to the field and suggest a prospective study to validate these markers'sensitivity and specificity for early GC detection.We also propose developing surveillance protocols that incorporate these markers with other diagnostic methods to enhance clinical decision-making.Furthermore,we highlight the need for a more diverse patient cohort to assess the generalizability of these markers across different ethnic groups and demographic factors.Our suggestions aim to refine the application of these markers in clinical practice and to understand their potential in diverse clinical scenarios.

Mixed neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gastric stump: A case report

BACKGROUND Gastric stump cancer,also known as gastric remnant cancer(GRC),is one of the main complications of postgastrectomy syndrome,which usually occurs following Billroth II reconstruction.The predominant histological subtype of GRC is adenocarcinoma,whereas neuroendocrine carcinoma is relatively rare.In particular,there are few recently reported cases of mixed neuroendocrine carcinoma(MNEC)in the English literature.Here,we present an extremely rare case of MNEC of the gastric stump.CASE SUMMARY A 59-year-old patient presented to our department owing to chronic constipation.He had undergone subtotal gastric resection 35 years prior to admission because of benign peptic ulcer.After admission,the patient underwent several tests,and gastroendoscopy showed evidence of Billroth II gastrectomy and local thickening of the gastric stump mucosa at the gastrojejunostomy site,with bile reflux;pathological biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma.He was then diagnosed with GRC and underwent total gastrectomy,D2 Lymphadenectomy,and esophagojejunal Roux-en-Y reconstruction.Histopathological examination of the specimen identified MNEC comprising MNEC(60%),adenocarcinoma(30%),and squamous cell carcinoma(10%).Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was initiated on September 17,2020.Taxol plus cisplatin was administered for only one cycle because of severe liver function damage,and the regimen was changed to etoposide plus cisplatin on October 10,2020 for five cycles.The patient recovered,with no recurrence after 6 mo of follow-up.CONCLUSION Gastric MNECs(GMNECs)is a rare type of GRC.This study presented the unusual occurrence of GMNEC in the gastric stump.This case will contribute to improvements in our understanding of the carcinogenesis,biology,pathology,and behavior of GMNEC and GRC.

Surgical resection of gastric stump cancer following proximal gastrectomy for adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction

BACKGROUND Proximal gastrectomy(PG) is performed widely as a function-preserving operation for early gastric cancer located in the upper third of the stomach and is an important function-preserving approach for esophagogastric junction(EGJ)adenocarcinoma. The incidence of gastric stump cancer(GSC) after PG is increasing. However, little is known about the GSC following PG because very few studies have been conducted on the disease.AIM To clarify clinicopathologic features, perioperative complications, and long-term survival rates after the resection of GSC following PG.METHODS Data for patients with GSC following PG for adenocarcinoma of the EGJ diagnosed between January 1998 and December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors associated with overall survival(OS). GSC was defined in accordance with the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association.RESULTS A total of 35 patients were identified. The median interval between the initial PGand resection of GSC was 4.9(range 0.7-12) years. In 21 of the 35 patients, the tumor was located in a nonanastomotic site of the gastric stump. Total gastrectomy was performed in 27 patients; the other 8 underwent partial gastrectomy. Postoperative complications occurred in 6 patients(17.1%). The tumor stage according to the depth of tumor invasion was T1 in 6 patients, T2 in3 patients, T3 in 9 patients, and T4 in 17 patients. Lymph node metastasis was observed in 18 patients. Calculated 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 86.5%, 62.3%,and 54.2%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed advanced T stage to be associated with OS.CONCLUSION This study reveals the characteristics of GSC following PG for adenocarcinoma of the EGJ and suggests that a surgical approach can lead to a satisfactory outcome.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gastric stump:A case report and literature review

We herein report a case of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gastric stump found 47 years after Billroth II gastric resection for a benign gastric ulcer. A 74-yearold man was referred to another hospital with melena. Endoscopic examination revealed a localized ulcerative lesion at the gastrojejunal anastomosis. The diagnosis by endoscopic biopsy was neuroendocrine carcinoma. A total gastrectomy of the remnant stomach with D2 lymphadenectomy was performed at our hospital. The lesion invaded the subserosa, and metastasis was found in two of nine the lymph nodes retrieved. The lesion was positive for synaptophysin and chromogranin A, and the Ki-67 labeling index was 60%. The diagnosis of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gastric stump was confirmed using World Health Organization 2010 criteria. Subsequently, the patient underwent one course of adjuvant chemotherapy with the etoposide plus cisplatin(EP) regimen; however, treatment was discontinued due to grade 3 myelosuppression. The patient showed lymph node metastasis in the region around the gastrojejunal anastomosis in the abdominal cavity 7 mo post-surgery. He then underwent radiotherapy and platinum-based combination chemotherapy; however, the disease progressed and liver recurrence was observed on follow-up computedtomography at 16 mo post-surgery. The patient then received chemotherapy with regimens used for the treatment of small cell lung cancer in first-and secondline settings. The patient died of disease progression 31 months after surgery.

Impact of Alcian blue and periodic acid Schiff expression on the prognosis of gastric signet ring cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND The Alcian blue(AB)and periodic acid Schiff(PAS)stains are representative mucus markers in gastric signet ring cell carcinoma(SRCC).They are low-cost special staining methods used to detect acidic mucus and neutral mucus,respectively.However,the clinical importance of the special combined AB and PAS stain is unclear.AIM To investigate AB expression,PAS expression and the AB-to-PAS(A/P)ratio in gastric SRCC patients and to assess patient prognosis.METHODS Paraffin-embedded sections from 83 patients with gastric SRCC were stained with AB and PAS,and signet ring cell positivity was assessed quantitatively.Immuno-histochemical staining for Ki67,protein 53(P53)and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)was performed simultaneously.The cancer-specific survival(CSS)rate was estimated via Kaplan-Meier analysis.Cox proportional hazards models were used for univariate and multivariate survival analyses.RESULTS Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that the 3-year CSS rate was significantly greater in the high-PAS-expression subgroup than in the low-PAS-expression subgroup(P<0.001).The 3-year CSS rate in the A/P≤0.5 group was significantly greater than that in the A/P>0.5 group(P=0.042).Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the factors affecting prognosis included tumor diameter,lymph node metastasis,vessel carcinoma embolus,tumor stage,the A/P ratio and the expression of Ki67,P53 and the PAS.Cox multivariate regression analysis confirmed that low PAS expression[hazard ratio(HR)=3.809,95%confidence interval(CI):1.563-9.283,P=0.003]and large tumor diameter(HR=2.761,95%CI:1.086-7.020,P=0.033)were independent risk factors for poor prognosis.CONCLUSION A/P>0.5 is potentially a risk factor for prognosis,and low PAS expression is an independent risk factor in the prognosis of gastric SRCC.PAS expression and the A/P ratio could help in predicting the clinical prognosis of patients with SRCC.

Early gastric composite tumor comprising signet-ring cell carcinoma and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Composite tumors are neoplasms comprising two distinct,yet intermingling,cell populations.This paper reports a rare phenomenon where early gastric signet-ring cell carcinoma(SRCC)and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue(MALT)lymphoma coexist within the same lesion.CASE SUMMARY A 40-year-old woman presented to the West China Hospital for examination,which revealed a whitish,shallow,and uneven mucosal lesion in the stomach.The lesion was diagnosed as a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma,including SRCC with atypical lymphoid hyperplasia associated with Helicobacter pylori infection,based on histopathological examination of the biopsy specimen.The lesion was excised using segmental gastrectomy.However,histological exami-nation of the surgical specimen confirmed that it was a poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma with features of SRCC and MALT lymphoma.These two entities were stage I and coexisted in the same lesion.CONCLUSION It is uncommon for gastric SRCC and MALT lymphoma to coexist without distinct borders.Surgical resection is effective for these lesions.

Impact of liver metastasis on immunotherapy in gastric carcinoma

The editorial discusses the impact of liver metastasis on immunotherapy efficacy in gastric cancer(GC)patients.Liver metastasis can hinder the effectiveness of immunotherapy by altering the immune microenvironment,leading to systemic loss of T-cells and reduced treatment response.Studies suggest that liver meta-stases serve as a negative baseline factor for immunotherapy efficacy,resulting in poorer progression-free survival and objective response rates.Strategies such as liver-mediated radiotherapy may help improve treatment outcomes by reshaping the liver’s immune microenvironment and reducing T-cell depletion.Understand-ing the complex interplay between liver metastasis and immunotherapy response is crucial for optimising patient care in GC.

Epidemiology and prognostic nomogram for locally advanced gastric signet ring cell carcinoma:A population-based study

BACKGROUND Gastric signet ring cell carcinoma(GSRC)represents a specific subtype of gastric cancer renowned for its contentious epidemiological features,treatment principles,and prognostic factors.AIM To investigate the epidemiology of GSRC and establish an improved model for predicting the prognosis of patients with locally advanced GSRC(LAGSRC)after surgery.METHODS The annual rates of GSRC incidence and mortality,covering the years 1975 to 2019,were extracted from the Surveillance,Epidemiology,and End Results(SEER)database to explore the temporal trends in both disease incidence and mortality rates using Joinpoint software.The clinical data of 3793 postoperative LAGSRC patients were collected from the SEER database for the analysis of survival rates.The Cox regression model was used to explore the independent prognostic factors for overall survival(OS).The risk factors extracted were used to establish a prognostic nomogram.RESULTS The overall incidence of GSRC increased dramatically between 1975 and 1998,followed by a significant downward trend in incidence after 1998.In recent years,there has been a similarly optimistic trend in GSRC mortality rates.The trend in GSRC showed discrepancies based on age and sex.Receiver operating characteristic curves,calibration curves,and decision curve analysis for 1-year,3-year,and 5-year OS demonstrated the high discriminative ability and clinical utility of this nomogram.The area under the curve indicated that the performance of the new model outperformed that of the pathological staging system.CONCLUSION The model we established can aid clinicians in the early prognostication of LAGSRC patients,resulting in improved clinical outcomes by modifying management strategies and patient health care.

Effect of cetuximab plus FOLFOX4 regimen on clinical outcomes in advanced gastric carcinoma patients receiving evidence-based care

BACKGROUND Although chemotherapy is effective for treating advanced gastric carcinoma(aGC),it may lead to an adverse prognosis.Establishing a highly effective and low-toxicity chemotherapy regimen is necessary for improving efficacy and outcomes in aGC patients.AIM To determine the efficacy and safety of cetuximab(CET)combined with the FOLFOX4 regimen(infusional fluorouracil,folinic acid,and oxaliplatin)as firstline therapy for patients with aGC,who received evidence-based care(EBC).METHODS A total of 117 aGC patients who received EBC from March 2019 to March 2022 were enrolled.Of these,60 in the research group(RG)received CET+FOLFOX4 as first-line therapy,whereas 57 in the control group(CG)received FOLFOX4.The efficacy[clinical response rate(RR)and disease control rate(DCR)],safety(liver and kidney dysfunction,leukopenia,thrombocytopenia,rash,and diarrhea),serum tumor marker expression[STMs;carbohydrate antigen(CA)19-9,CA72-4,and carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)],inflammatory indicators[interleukin(IL)-2 and IL-10],and quality of life(QOL)of the two groups were compared.RESULTS A markedly higher RR and DCR were observed in the RG compared with the CG,with an equivalent safety profile between the two groups.RG exhibited notably reduced CA19-9,CA72-4,CEA,and IL-2 levels following treatment,which were lower than the pre-treatment levels and those in the CG.Post-treatment IL-10 was statistically increased in RG,higher than the pre-treatment level and the CG.Moreover,a significantly improved QOL was evident in the RG.CONCLUSION The CET+FOLFOX4 regimen is highly effective as first-line treatment for aGC patients receiving EBC.It facilitates the suppression of STMs,ameliorates the serum inflammatory microenvironment,and enhances QOL,without increased adverse drug effects.

Combined gastroscopic and laparoscopic resection of gastric metastatic adenosquamous carcinoma from lung: A case report

BACKGROUND Primary lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide.Common metastatic sites include the brain,liver,bones,and adrenal glands.However,gastric metastases from lung cancer are rare.This case may be the first report of a combined gastroscopic and laparoscopic resection for gastric metasta-tic adenosquamous carcinoma(ASC).CASE SUMMARY We report a case of gastric metastasis from lung cancer.The patient was a 61-year-old Han Chinese female who first attended our hospital complaining of a per-sistent cough,leading to the diagnosis of advanced-stage lung adenocarcinoma.After more than four years of chemotherapy,the patient began to experience epi-gastric pain.Endoscopy was performed,and pathological examination of biopsy specimens confirmed that the gastric lesion was a metastasis from lung cancer.The lesion was successfully resected by combined gastroscopy and laparoscopy.Histopathological examination of the resected gastric specimen revealed ASC.CONCLUSION Gastric metastases from lung cancer are rare.Endoscopy,histological and immunohistochemical staining are useful for diagnosing metastatic lesions.Surgical management may provide extended survival in appropriately selected patients.

Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in gastric signet-ring cell carcinoma

Gastric signet-ring cell carcinoma(GSRCC)is a subtype of gastric cancer with distinct phenotype and high risk of peritoneal metastasis.Studies have shown that early GSRCC has a good prognosis,while advanced GSRCC is insensitive to radiotherapy,chemotherapy or immune checkpoint blockade therapy.With technological advancement of single-cell RNA sequencing analysis and cytometry by time of flight mass cytometry,more detailed atlas of tumor microenvironment(TME)in GSRCC and its association with prognosis could be investigated extensively.Recently,two single-cell RNA sequencing studies revealed that GSRCC harbored a unique TME,manifested as highly immunosuppressive,leading to high immune escape.The TME of advanced GSRCC was enriched for immunosuppressive factors,including the loss of CXCL13+-cluster of differentiation 8+-Tex cells and declined clonal crosstalk among populations of T and B cells.In addition,GSRCC was mainly infiltrated by follicular B cells.The increased proportion of SRCC was accompanied by a decrease in mucosaassociated lymphoid tissue-derived B cells and a significant increase in follicular B cells,which may be one of the reasons for the poor prognosis of GSRCC.By understanding the relationship between immunosuppressive TME and poor prognosis in GSRCC and the underlying mechanism,more effective immunotherapy strategies and improved treatment outcomes of GSRCC can be anticipated.

Remnant gastric cancer:An ordinary primary adenocarcinoma or a tumor with its own pattern?

BACKGROUND Remnant gastric cancer(RGC)is defined as a tumor that develops in the stomach after a previous gastrectomy and is generally associated with a worse prognosis.However,there little information available regarding RGCs and their prognostic factors and survival.AIM To evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of RGC after previous gastrectomy for benign disease.METHODS Patients who underwent curative resection for primary gastric cancer(GC)at our institute between 2009 and 2019 were retrospectively evaluated.All RGC resections with histological diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma were enrolled in this study.Primary proximal GC(PGC)who underwent total gastrectomy was selected as the comparison group.Clinical and pathological data were collected from a prospective medical database.RESULTS A total of 41 patients with RGC and 120 PGC were included.Older age(P=0.001),lower body mass index(P=0.006),hemoglobin level(P<0.001),and number of resected lymph nodes resected(LN)(P<0.001)were associated with the RGC group.Lauren type,pathological tumor-node-metastasis,and perioperative morbimortality were similar between RGC and PGC.There was no difference in disease-free survival(P=0.592)and overall survival(P=0.930)between groups.LN status was the only independent factor related to survival.CONCLUSION RGC had similar clinicopathological characteristics to PGC.Despite the lower number of resected LN,RGC had a similar prognosis.

Study of Sonic hedgehog signaling pathway related molecules in gastric carcinoma

AIM： To study the expression of Sonic hedgehog pathway-related molecules, Sonic hedgehog （Shh） and Glil in gastric carcinoma. METHODS： Expression of Shh in 56 gastric specimens including non-cancerous gastric tissues, gastric adenocarcinoma, gastric squamous cell carcinoma was detected by RT-PCR, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Expression of Glil was observed by in situ hybridization. RESULTS： The positive rate of Shh and Glil expression was 0.0%, 0.0% in non-cancerous gastric tissues while it was 66.7%, 57.8% respectively in gastric adenocarcinoma, and 100%, 100% respectively in gastric squamous cell carcinoma. There was a significant difference between the non-cancerous gastric tissues and gastric carcinoma （P 〈 0.05）. Elevated expression of Shh and Glil in gastric tubular adenocarcinoma was associated with poorly differentiated tumors while the expression was absent in gastric mucinous adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION： The elevated expression of Shh and Glil in gastric adenocarcinoma and gastric squamous cell carcinoma shows the involvement of activated Shh signaling in the cellular proliferation of gastric carcinogenesis. It suggests Shh signaling gene may be a new and good target gene for gastric tumor diagnosis and therapy.

Small cell carcinoma of the gastric remnant：a case report

Objective Small cell carcinoma(SCC) is mostly found in the lungs. It is extremely rare in the gastric remnant. Here, we report a case and review the literature in order to improve the diagnosis and treatment of SCC of the gastric remnant.Methods We report a case of SCC of the gastric remnant in a 71-year-old male Chinese patient who presented with epigastric pain, acid regurgitation, and belching and who underwent Billroth II gastrectomy more than 38 years ago.Results Physical examination showed no obvious abnormalities. Laboratory data were within normal limits, except for anemia. Pathology of the mass showed a protruded tumor measuring 5.0 × 5.0 × 2.5 cm at the anastomotic edge of the gastric remnant that infiltrated through the full wall of the stomach; this was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratin [CK(-)], leukocyte common antigen(LCA)(+), synaptophysin(+), CD56(+), and Ki-67(+ > 50%).Conclusion SCC of the gastric remnant is extremely rare, although the pathology, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of SCC are similar to those of gastric SCC. Although the standard treatment of SCC of the gastric remnant remains unclear, effective surgical resection and subsequent multiagent chemotherapy should be performed for long-term survival. Our case shows the efficacy of tegafurgimeracil-oteracil-potassium capsule chemotherapy. Examination of a large series is required to determine the optimal treatment strategy for SCC of the gastric remnant.