Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection for neoplasms in the pyloric ring of the stomach: Four case reports

BACKGROUND Tumors located in the pylorus are technically more complex to resect by endoscopic resection,as the anatomical characteristics of this region can affect the adequate assessment of margins and performance of the procedure.We reported the results of underwater endoscopic mucosal resection(UEMR)of benign mucosal neoplasms located in the pyloric ring.CASE SUMMARY This case series describes 4 patients with 4 mucosal neoplasms located in the pyloric ring.The diameter of each neoplasm was less than 15 mm.We performed UEMR for the lesions.Water immersion enabled slight floating of the lesions,resulting in easy identification.We achieved en bloc resection with a snare and electrosurgical unit.All procedure were performed within 3 min without adverse events.Pathologic examination showed low-grade dysplasia with clear resection margins in one case and hyperplastic polyps in three cases.CONCLUSION UEMR can be an effective and safe treatment method for neoplasms in the gastric pyloric ring.

Experimental study on effect of recombinant human growth hormone combined with chemotherapy on stomach neoplasms implanted in nude mice

Objective: To investigate the effect of different doses of recombined growth hormone (rhGH) on stomach neo- plasms implanted in nude mice, and its efficacy in combining with chemotherapy (flurouracil, 5-FU). Methods: Human stom- ach neoplasms model was established in nude mice. The nude mice were divided into control group, moderate-dose of rhGH group, low-dose rhGH group, 5-FU group, moderate-dose rhGH/5-FU group, and low-dose rhGH/5-FU group. The results of each group were observed after ten days. Results: After therapy, the body mass of rhGH groups was significantly increased compared with control group (P<0.05), the body mass of rhGH/5-FU groups was significantly increased compared with 5-FU group (P<0.05), but it was no significant difference between rhGH/5-FU groups and control group (P>0.05). The average tumor mass and volume of rhGH groups were not significantly increased compared with control group (P>0.05), but they were significantly reduced in 5-FU group and rhGH/5-FU groups (P<0.05). They were no significant difference between rhGH/5- FU groups and 5-FU group (P>0.05). After treatment, the percentages of S, G0/G1 and G2/M phases and proliferation index (PI) were not significantly changed in rhGH groups compared with control group (P>0.05), and the same with rhGH/5-FU groups compared with 5-FU group (P>0.05). The difference caused by dose of rhGH was not significant. Conclusion: rhGH enhances body mass, does not stimulate tumor growth, and has no adverse effects on tumor bearing nude mice. Combined with flurouracil, rhGH does not influence the efficacy of chemotherapy, and has no effect on tumor cell cycle kinetics.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal neoplasms

Endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) is currently accepted as the major treatment modality for superficial neoplasms in the gastrointestinal tract including the esophagus.An important advantage of ESD is its effectiveness in resecting lesions regardless of their size and severity of fibrosis.Based on excellent outcomes for esophageal neoplasms with a small likelihood of lymph node metastasis,the number of ESD candidates has increased.On the other hand,ESD still requires highly skilled endoscopists due to technical difficulties.To avoid unnecessary complications including perforation and postoperative stricture,the indications for ESD require careful consideration and a full understanding of this modality.This article,in the highlight topic series,provides detailed information on the indication,procedure,outcome,complications and their prevention in ESD of superficial esophageal neoplasms.

Non-robotic minimally invasive gastrectomy as an independent risk factor for postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications: A single-center, retrospective and propensity score-matched analysis

BACKGROUND Minimally invasive surgery for gastric cancer(GC) has gained widespread use as a safe curative procedure especially for early GC.AIM To determine risk factors for postoperative complications after minimally invasive gastrectomy for GC.METHODS Between January 2009 and June 2019, 1716 consecutive patients were referred to our division for primary GC. Among them, 1401 patients who were diagnosed with both clinical and pathological Stage Ⅲ or lower GC and underwent robotic gastrectomy(RG) or laparoscopic gastrectomy(LG) were enrolled. Retrospective chart review and multivariate analysis were performed for identifying risk factors for postoperative morbidity.RESULTS Morbidity following minimally invasive gastrectomy was observed in 7.5% of the patients. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that non-robotic minimally invasive surgery, male gender, and an operative time of ≥ 360 min were significant independent risk factors for morbidity. Therefore, morbidity was compared between RG and LG. Accordingly, propensity-matched cohort analysis revealed that the RG group had significantly fewer intra-abdominal infectious complications than the LG group(2.5% vs 5.9%, respectively;P = 0.038), while no significant differences were noted for other local or systemic complications.Multivariate analyses of the propensity-matched cohort revealed that non-robotic minimally invasive surgery [odds ratio = 2.463(1.070–5.682);P = 0.034] was a significant independent risk factor for intra-abdominal infectious complications.CONCLUSION The findings showed that robotic surgery might improve short-term outcomes following minimally invasive radical gastrectomy by reducing intra-abdominal infectious complications.

Treatment efficacy of radiof requency ablation of 338 patients with hepatic malignant tumor and the relevant complications

AIM： To investigate the treatment efficacy of radiofrequency ablation （RFA） of hepatic malignant tumor and the relevant complications. METHODS： A total of 338 patients with 763 hepatic tumors underwent ultrasound-guided RFA （565 procedures）. There were 204 cases of hepatic cellular carcinoma （HCC） with 430 tumors, the mean largest diameter was 4.0 cm. Of them, 48 patients （23.5%） were in stages Ⅰ-Ⅱ （UICC Systems） and 156 （76.5%） in stages Ⅲ-Ⅳ There were 134 cases of metastatic liver carcinoma （MLC）, with 333 metastases in the liver, the mean diameter was 4.1 cm, the liver metastases of 96 patients （71.6%） came from gastrointestinal tract. Ninety-three percent of the 338 patients were treated using the relatively standard protocol. Crucial attention must be paid to monitor the abnormal changes in ultrasound images as well as the vital signs of the patients to find the possible hemorrhage and peripheral structures injury in time. The tumors were considered as ablated completely, if no viability was found on enhanced CT within 24 h or at 1 mo after RFA. These patients were followed up for 3-57 too. RESULTS： The ablation success rate was 93.3% （401/430 tumors） for HCC and was 96.7% （322/333 tumors） for MLC. The local recurrence rate for HCC and MLC was 7.9% （34/430 tumors） and 10.5% （351333 tumors）, respectively. A total of 137 patients （40.5%） underwent 2-11 times of repeated ablations because of tumor recurrence or metastasis. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year survival rate was 84.6%, 66.6%, and 63.1%, respectively; the survival rate from 48 patients of I-II stage HCC was 93.7%, 80.4%, and 80.4%, respectively. The major complication rate in this study was 2.5% （14 of 565 procedures）, which consisted of 5 hemorrhages, i colon perforation, 5 injuries of adjacent structures, 2 bile leakages, and 1 skin burn. CONCLUSION： RFA, as a minimally invasive local treatment, has become an effective and relatively safe alternativefor the patients of hepatic malignant tumor, even of advanced liver tumor, tumor recurrence, and liver metastases. Knowledge about possible complications and their control may increase the treatment efficacy and help to promote the use of RFA technique.

Does testosterone prevent early postoperative complications after gastrointestinal surgery?

AIM:To investigate the role of sex hormones in the early postoperative complications of gastrointestinal diseases. METHODS:A total of 65 patients who underwent operations for gastric and colorectal diseases(mainly malignant diseases)were included in the study. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected at different times for analysis of estradiol,testosterone and progesterone.The only study endpoint was analysis of postoperative complications. RESULTS:Patients of both sexes were uniform but postoperative complication rate was significantly higher in female patients(P=0.027).There was no significant association of estradiol and progesterone with postoperative complications.Testosterone levels in complicated patients were significantly lower than in uncomplicated patients(P<0.05).Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve showed that a lower value of testosterone was a predictor for higher complication rate(P<0.05),and a lower value oftestosterone at later times after surgery was a better predictor of complications. CONCLUSION:Patients with low testosterone level were prone to higher postoperative complications,which was evident in both sexes.However,further studies are necessary to support this result.

Neurological complications of hematopoietic cell transplantation in children and adults

Hematopoietic cell transplantation（HCT） is widely performed for neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases. HCT involves intravenous infusion of hematopoietic progenitor cells from human leukocyte antigen（HLA）-matched donor（allogeneic） or from the patient（autologous）. Before HCT, the patient is prepared with high dose chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy to destroy residual malignant cells and to reduce immunologic resistance. After HCT, chemotherapy is used to prevent graft rejection and graft versus host disease（Gv HD）. Neurological complications are related to the type of HCT, underlying disease, toxicity of the conditioning regimens, immunosuppression caused by conditioning regimens, vascular complications generated by thrombocytopenia and/or coagulopathy, Gv HD and inappropriate immune response. In this review, neurological complications are presented according to time of onset after HCT：（1） early complications（in the first month）-related to harvesting of stem cells, during conditioning（drug toxicity, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome）, related to pancytopenia,（2） intermediate phase complications（second to sixth month）-central nervous system infections caused by prolonged neutropenia and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy due to JC virus,（3） late phase complications（after sixth month）-neurological complications of Gv HD, second neoplasms and relapses of the original disease.

Postoperative complications after robotic resection of colorectal cancer:An analysis based on 5-year experience at a large-scale center

BACKGROUND As a common gastrointestinal malignancy,colorectal cancer(CRC)poses a serious health threat globally.Robotic surgery is one of the future trends in surgical treatment of CRC.Robotic surgery has several technical advantages over laparoscopic surgery,including 3D visualization,elimination of the fulcrum effect,and better ergonomic positioning,which together lead to better surgical outcomes and faster recovery.However,analysis of independent factors of postoperative complications after robotic surgery is still insufficient.AIM To analyze the incidence and risk factors for postoperative complications after robotic surgery in patients with CRC.METHODS In total,1040 patients who had undergone robotic surgical resection for CRC between May 2015 and May 2020 were analyzed retrospectively.Postoperative complications were categorized according to the Clavien-Dindo(C-D)classification,and possible risk factors were evaluated.RESULTS Among 1040 patients who had undergone robotic surgery for CRC,the overall,severe,local,and systemic complication rates were 12.2%,2.4%,8.8%,and 3.5%,respectively.Multivariate analysis revealed that multiple organ resection(P<0.001)and level III American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA)score(P=0.006)were independent risk factors for overall complications.Multivariate analysis identified multiple organ resection(P<0.001)and comorbidities(P=0.029)as independent risk factors for severe complications(C-D grade III or higher).Regarding local complications,multiple organ resection(P=0.002)and multiple bowel resection(P=0.027)were independent risk factors.Multiple organ resection(P<0.001)and level III ASA score(P=0.007)were independent risk factors for systemic complications.Additionally,sigmoid colectomy had a lower incidence of overall complications(6.4%;P=0.006)and local complications(4.7%;P=0.028)than other types of colorectal surgery.CONCLUSION Multiple organ resection,level III ASA score,comorbidities,and multiple bowel resection were risk factors for postoperative complications,with multiple organ resection being the most likely.

Nomogram for predicting early complications after distal gastrectomy

BACKGROUND Reducing or preventing postoperative morbidity in patients with gastric cancer(GC)is particularly important in perioperative treatment plans.AIM To identify risk factors for early postoperative complications of GC post-distal gastrectomy and to establish a nomogram prediction model.METHODS This retrospective study included 131 patients with GC who underwent distal gastrectomy at the Second Hospital of Shandong University between January 2019 and February 2023.The factors influencing the development of complications after distal gastrectomy in these patients were evaluated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Based on the results obtained,a predictive nomogram was established.The nomogram was validated using internal and external(n=45)datasets.Its sensitivity and specificity were established by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.Decision curve(DCA)analysis was used to determine its clinical benefit and ten-fold overfitting was used to establish its accuracy and stability.RESULTS Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension,diabetes,history of abdominal surgery,and perioperative blood transfusion were independent predictors of postoperative complications of distal gastrectomy.The modeling and validation sets showed that the area under the curve was 0.843[95%confidence interval(CI):0.746-0.940]and 0.877(95%CI:0.719-1.000),the sensitivity was 0.762 and 0.778,respectively,and the specificity was 0.809 and 0.944,respectively,indicating that the model had good sensitivity and specificity.The C-indexes of the modeling and validation datasets were 0.843(95%CI:0.746-0.940)and 0.877(95%CI:0.719-1.000),respectively.The calibration curve(Hosmer Lemeshow test:χ^(2)=7.33)showed that the model had good consistency.The results of the DCA analysis indicated that this model offered good clinical benefits.The accuracy of 10-fold cross-validation was 0.878,indicating that the model had good accuracy and stability.CONCLUSION The nomogram prediction model based on independent risk factors related to postoperative complications of distal gastrectomy can facilitate perioperative intervention for high-risk populations and reduce the incidence of postoperative complications.

Proton pump inhibitors and stomach neoplasm

This study aimed to explore the relationship between proton pump inhibitors(PPIs)and gastric tumors and determine the reasons behind these connections.We reviewed studies on PPIs and stomach tumors.We explored the relationship between PPIs and different types of gastric neoplasms according to the classification of gastric neoplasms.Long-term use of PPIs is associated with stomach infection,high gastrin levels,and rebound acid hypersecretion,which are directly or indirectly related to the development of gastric neoplasms.PPIs can increase the risk of gastric fundal polyps.Further evidence is needed to prove that it can increase the risk of gastric cancer.

Metastatic stomach lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy:A case report

BACKGROUND Pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma(PLELC)is a rare type of nonsmall-cell lung cancer.Stomach lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma(LELC)metastasis secondary to PLELC has not been reported recently.CASE SUMMARY A 64-year-old female was admitted to our hospital for a regular gastroscopy examination with a 6-year history of surgical resection for left PLELC.Positron emission tomography/computed tomography suggested high accumulation of 18F-fludeoxyglucose in the gastric cardia region.Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy confirmed a large mass at the stomach fundus.Immunohistochemistry(IHC)of the biopsy suggested metastatic stomach LELC.Proximal gastrectomy showed that this 6.5 cm×5.0 cm mass was located in the stomach fundus near the cardia.Histopathological examination showed a poorly differentiated carcinoma with prominent lymphoplasmacytic infiltration.IHC demonstrated that the tumor was positive for CK(AE1/AE3),p63,p40,p53,Ki-67(70%),and EGFR(3+)and negative for CK7,CK20,Her2,and CD10.In situ hybridization analysis showed positive staining Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA.Tumor programmed cell death ligand 1(PD-L1)expression score was 98%,and the combined positive score was 100,with no evidence of microsatellite instability.Thus,the patient was unequivocally diagnosed with metastatic stomach LELC secondary to pulmonary LELC.After discharge,this patient underwent PD-1 inhibitor treatment(toripalimab,240 mg)every 3 wk for ten cycles,and she has had no tumor recurrence.CONCLUSION For gastric LELC metastasis,PD-1 inhibitor therapy could become a new therapeutic approach,though there is still no evidence from large data sets to support this.

Gastric leiomyoma presenting as an endophytic growth of cardia of the stomach: A case report

Gastric leiomyomas are rare submucosal neoplasms arising from smooth muscle cells.It accounts for approximately 2.5%of all gastric tumours,is slow growing and rarely causes symptoms such as upper abdominal discomfort and dyspepsia.1 On imaging,they appear similar to gastrointestinal stromal tumours(GISTs)and can be intraluminal or extraluminal.Diagnosis is mostly confirmed by histopathological examination of the tumour.Surgical resection of the tumour is the main treatment option.Here,we present a case of laparoscopic resection of an endophytic gastric tumour that turned out to be a leiomyoma.

lncRNA-BBOX1-2通过调控成纤维细胞生长因子受体1促进胃癌的发生和发展

目的探讨长链非编码RNA(long non-coding RNA,lncRNA)BBOX1-2通过调控成纤维细胞生长因子受体1(fibroblast growth factor receptor 1,FGFR1)对胃癌的发生发展机制的影响。方法回顾性选取2017年4月至2019年1月于上海交通大学医学院附属瑞金医院卢湾分院接受胃癌根治术30例病人肿瘤组织及癌旁相应正常组织作为研究对象,采用实时定量PCT(real-time PCR,RT-PCR)检测lncRNA-BBOX1-2和FGFR1表达;si-linc-BBOX1-2转染SGC-7901细胞后,通过蛋白质印迹法/细胞存活率分析(MTT)、细胞迁移和侵袭(Transwell)实验、细胞划痕、平板克隆一系列生物学功能实验,检测肿瘤细胞生物学功能及FGFR1表达的变化。结果胃癌组织中的lncRNA-BBOX1-2(3.68±0.58比1.15±0.11)和FGFR1(4.26±0.71比1.19±0.18)表达显著高于癌旁正常组织(P<0.05);si-linc-BBOX1-2转染SGC-7901细胞后,FGFR1表达下调,细胞活力、迁移、侵袭和生存能力明显下降。结论LincRNA-BBOX1-2可通过调控FGFR1的表达介导胃癌细胞的增殖、凋亡、迁移和侵袭,可能为胃癌的治疗提供了新的靶点和潜在的生物学标志物。

Inhibitory effects of RRR-α-tocopheryl succinate on benzo (a) pyrene (B (a) P)-induced forestomach carcinogenesis in female mice

AIM To study the inhibitory effects of VES( RRR-α-tocopheryl Succinate, VES ), aderivative of natural Vitamin E, on benzo (a)pyrene (B (a) P)-induced forestomach tumor infemale mice.METHODS The model of B (a)P-inducedforestomach tumor was established according tothe methods of Wattenberg with slightmodifications. One hundred and eighty femalemice (6 weeks old) were divided into six groupsequally; negative control (Succinic acid),vehicle control ( Succinate + B (a) P), positivecontrol(B(a) P), high VES(2.5g/kg. b. w + B(a)P), Iow VES(1 .25 g/kg. b. w + B(a) P) ig as wellas VES by ip (20 mg/kg, b. w + B(a) P). Exceptthe negative control group, the mice wereadministrated with B(a)P ig. and correspondingtreatments for 4 weeks to study the anti-carcinogenetic effect of VES during the initiationperiod. The experiment lasted 29 weeks, inwhich the inhibitory effects of VES both ontumor incidence and tumor size were tested.RESULTS The models of B (a)P-inducedforestomach tumor in female mice wereestablished successfully. Some werecauliflower-like, others looked like papilla, evena few were formed into the ulcer cavities. VES at1.25 g/kg. b. w, 2.5 g/kg. b.w. by ig and 20 mg/kg. b. w. via ip could decrease the number oftumors per mouse (1.7 ± 0. 41, 1.6 ± 0.34 and 1.1±0.43), being lower than that of B(a)P group(5.4 ± 0.32, P＜0.05). The tumor incidence wasinhibited by 18.2%, 23.1% and 50.0%. VES at1.25g/kg.b.w., 2.5 g/ kg.b.w. by ig and20 mg/kg. b.w. via ip reduced the total volumeof tumors per mouse (54.8 ± 8.84, 28.4 ± 8.32and 23.9± 16.05), being significantly lower thanthat of B(a)P group (150.2±20.93, P＜0.01).The inhibitory rates were 63.5%, 81.1% and84.1%, respectively.CONCLUSION VES has inhibitory effects on B(a) P-induced forestomach carcinogenesis infemale mice, especially by ip and it may be apotential anti-cancer agent in vivo.

Annual cost of illness of stomach and esophageal cancer patientsin urban and rural areas in China： A multi-center study

Objective： Stomach and esophageal cancer are imposing huge threats to the health of Chinese people whereasthere were few studies on the financial burden of the two cancers.Methods： Costs per hospitalization of all patients with stomach or esophageal cancer discharged betweenSeptember 2015 and August 2016 in seven cities/counties in China were collected, together with their demographicinformation and clinical details. Former patients in the same hospitals were sampled to collect information onannual direct non-medical cost, indirect costs and annual number of hospitalization. Annual direct medical cost wasobtained by multiplying cost per hospitalization by annual number of hospitalization. Annual cost of illness （ACI）was obtained by adding the average value of annual direct medical cost, direct non-medical cost and indirect cost,stratified by sex, age, clinical stage, therapy and pathologic type in urban and rural areas. Costs per hospitalizationwere itemized into eight parts to calculate the proportion of each part. All costs were converted to 2016 US dollars（1 USD：6.6423 RMB）.Results： Totally 19,986 cases were included, predominately male. Mean ages of stomach cancer and urbanpatients were lower than that of esophageal cancer and rural patients. ACI of stomach and esophageal cancerpatients were $10,449 and $13,029 in urban areas, and $2,927 and $3,504 in rural areas, respectively. Greater ACIwas associated with male, non-elderly patients as well as those who were in stage I and underwent surgeries.Western medicine fee took the largest proportion of cost per hospitalization.Conclusions： The ACI of stomach and esophageal cancer was tremendous and varied substantially among thepopulation in China. Preferential policies of medical insurance should be designed to tackle with this burden andfurther reduce the health care inequalities.

Current gene therapy for stomach carcinoma

Gastric cancer is common in China [1-42],and its early diagnosis and treatment in advanced stage are difficult [31-50].In recent years ,gene study in cancer is a hotspot ,and great progress has been achieved [41-80] .Cancer gene therapy has shifted from the imagination into the laboratory and clinical trials.

Prognostic value of postoperative complication for early recurrence after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Postoperative complications may adversely affect oncological outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of postoperative complications on early-phase recurrence after curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods: We included 145 HCC patients who underwent initial and curative resection between January2004 and December 2013. Postoperative complications of grade III or higher based on Clavien–Dindo classification were defined as clinically relevant postoperative complications. Recurrence within two years after hepatectomy was defined as early-phase recurrence.Results: Thirty-eight patients(26%) developed postoperative complications. The only predictive factor for postoperative complication was longer operative duration(P = 0.037). The disease-specific survival rate of patients with complication was lower than that of patients without complications(P = 0.015). Earlyphase recurrence was observed in 20/38(53%) patients who suffered postoperative complications and36/107(34%) patients with no complications, which was statistically significant(P = 0.039). Multivariate analysis identified four factors contributing to early-phase recurrence: high serum AFP level(P = 0.042),multiple tumors(P < 0.001), poor differentiation(P = 0.036) and presence of postoperative complication(P = 0.039).Conclusions: Postoperative complication is an independent prognostic factor for early-phase recurrence after curative resection of HCC. Close observation of patients with postoperative complications may be a necessary treatment strategy for HCC.

Intensify standardized therapy for esophageal and stomach cancer in tumor hospitals

INTRODUCTIONCancer treatment situation in tumor hospitals inChina has its own unique characteristics which arenot found in other parts of the world. Because ofthe huge population and high incidence rates ofesophageal and stomach cancer[1-5], the number ofcancer patients waiting for admission isinconceivably large.

Exophytic inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the stomach in an adult woman:A rare cause of hemoperitoneum

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor （INT） of the stomach in adults is extremely rare, with unpredictable prognosis. We present a 55-year-old woman with a gastric IMT. She experienced sudden abdominal pain 4 d previously. Physical examination showed mild abdominal tenderness in the hypogastrium, but no palpable abnormal abdominal mass. Abdominal CT showed a mass of approximately 8 cm in the gastrocolic ligament. On laparoscopic exploration, unexpected hemoperitoneum of approximately 1.5 L of blood was found, and an exophytic gastric mass of approximately 10 cm, appeared from the anterior wall of the gastric body along the greater curvature. Laparoscopy further showed that non- clotting blood in the abdominal cavity seemed to be from the gastric tumor. After conversion to open surgery for more precise evaluation of the cause of hemoperitoneum and the large friable tumor, gastric wedge resection, including the tumor, was conducted. The final diagnosis was consistent with IMT that originated from the gastric wall.

Extremely well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of the stomach: Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features

AIM： Minimal deviation carcinoma of the uterine cervix, otherwise known as extremely well-differentiated adenocarcinoma （EWDA）, is characterized by its benign microscopic appearance in contrast to its aggressive behavior. In order to elucidate the clinicopathological features and biological behavior of the gastric counterpart of EWDA, we, using immunohistochemistry, analyzed nine lesions for the phenotypic expression, proliferative activity, and the expression of oncogene-associated products. METHODS： Clinicopathological features, including preoperative biopsy diagnosis, were reviewed. Using immunohitstochemistry, Ki-67 labeling index and expression of p53 and c-erbB-2 protein in the gastric lesions were detected.RESULT： Locations in the middle or upper third of the stomach and polypoid macroscopic features are characteristic of EWDA of the stomach. Although 4 of the 9 lesions showed only focal lymphatic or venous invasion, lymph node metastasis was not present and none of the patients died of the lesions （mean follow-up period, 56 too）. All 9 cases of EWDA could be classified into gastric phenotype （5 lesions） and intestinal phenotype （4 lesions）. The former resembled gastric foveolar epithelium, mucous neck cells or pyloric glands, but their papillary structures were frequently elongated and the tumor cellsand their nuclei were slightly larger and more hyperchromatic compared to normal epithelium. The latter resembled intestinal metaplasia with minimal nulcear atypia and irregular glands; two of these lesions demonstrated complete intestinal phenotype, while two demonstrated incomplete intestinal phenotype. Ki-67 labeling index was low and none of the cases revealed over-expression of p53 and c-erbB-2 protein. CONCLUSION： Unlike minimal deviation carcinoma of the cervix, these findings suggest that EWDA of the stomach is a lesion of low-grade malignancy. This favorable biological behavior is supported by the data of a low Ki-67 labeling index and a lack of p53 or c-erbB-2 protein over-expression. Because of its resemblance to normal gastric mucosa or mucosa with intestinal metaplasia, EWDA is often misdiagnosed. To prevent the misdiagnosis of such lesions, the clinical and pathologic characteristics should be taken into consideration.