Coexistence of gastrointestinal stromal tumors and gastric adenocarcinomas

Synchronous occurrence of gastric cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumor: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the clinicopathological features and prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) occurring synchronously with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).

CASE SUMMARY

We report 19 patients with concurrent GC and GIST (17 male and 2 female, median age 62 years). GC was most often located in the lower third of the stomach. GIST was diagnosed preoperatively in four patients. GIST was most often located in the gastric body (n = 8, 42%). The most common growth pattern in GIST was extraluminal (n = 12, 63%). The positive expression rates of CD117 and CD34 in GIST were 100% and 95%, respectively. Most patients with GIST (n = 17, 89%) were very low or low risk. There was no recurrence of GIST during follow-up. The 3-year cumulative survival rate was 73.9%, and the 5-year cumulative survival rate was 59.2%. The combined analysis of this study and literature reports (47 reports, 157 patients) found that GC and GIST were usually located in the lower third (42%) and middle third (51%) of the stomach. GC was usually early (stage I: 42%), poorly differentiated (42%) intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (51%). GISTs were primarily small in diameter (median: 1.2 cm) and very low or low risk (89%).

CONCLUSION

Synchronous GC and GIST may not be rare. They have specific clinicopathological characteristics, and may have mutual inhibition in pathogenesis and progression.

Giant esophageal liposarcoma with squamous cell carcinoma resected via the cervical approach: a case report

Background

Liposarcoma is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas, but is extremely rarely found in the esophagus. There have been no reports of esophageal liposarcoma together with superficial carcinoma of the esophagus. Here, we report a patient who underwent complete resection of esophageal liposarcoma with carcinoma via a cervical approach.

Case presentation

A 66-year-old man was diagnosed with an esophageal tumor 11 years ago, but he left it untreated. He presented to our hospital with progressive dysphagia and appetite loss since the previous year. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) showed a large pedunculated submucosal tumor (SMT) originating at the esophageal entrance, extending to the gastroesophageal junction. Additionally, there was a superficial carcinoma on the surface of the SMT, 30 cm from the incisor teeth. Three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) showed a giant elongated intraluminal tumor extending downwards from the cervical esophagus. We diagnosed a giant esophageal polyp accompanied by a superficial carcinoma and performed tumor resection via a cervical approach. The excised specimen consisted of a 23.0 × 8.5 cm polypoid mass. The final diagnosis by histopathological and immunohistochemical examination was well-differentiated liposarcoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. He was discharged on postoperative day 14 with drastic improvement in his swallowing ability.

Conclusion

We reported an extremely rare case of esophageal liposarcoma together with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma that was successfully resected through a small cervical incision.

Preoperatively diagnosed gastric collision tumor with mixed adenocarcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor: a case report and literature review

Reports of gastric collision tumors, comprising adenocarcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor, are extremely rare. Here, we report the case of a 68-year-old male who was diagnosed with a lower-body, moderately differentiated, tubular-type adenocarcinoma and submucosal tumor and underwent an elective D2 distal gastrectomy. The tumor cells of the gastrointestinal stromal tumor were positive for H-caldesmon and CD117, weakly positive for smooth muscle actin and DOG-1, and negative for desmin, S-100 protein, CD31, and AE1/AE3. The tumor had grown into a mixed form of adenocarcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Thus, we report the first case of a preoperatively diagnosed collision tumor in the stomach consisting of adenocarcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

Cross-testing of major molecular markers indicates distinct pathways of tumorigenesis in gastric adenocarcinomas and synchronous gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Small subtype of the gastrointestinal stromal tumor (micro-GIST, MG) is usually asymptomatic and is frequently found incidentally in association with gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC). The background of this coincidence is still an open question. This study comprehensively characterized nine MGs and GACs present in the same surgical specimen by cross-testing the markers of the major pathogenetic pathways of both tumor types. All of the MGs were immunohistochemically positive for CD117/KIT, CD34, and DOG1. DOG1 was also detected in four GACs. Four MGs carried mutations in c-KIT (exons 9, 11, and 13) and two cases in PDGFRα (exon 18). None of the GACs carried activating mutations in c-KIT or PDGFRα. MMR immunopanel identified one GAC as microsatellite unstable tumor. No EBV-positive tumor was found. According to the TCGA molecular classification, one GAC was categorized in the MSI subgroup, three GACs in the genomically stable subgroup, and the rest into the chromosomal instability subgroup. Although a common carcinogenic effect cannot be ruled out, our data suggest a distinct molecular background in the evolvement of the synchronous MGs and GACs. The presence of a MG in gastric resection specimens may be indicative of the development of synchronous malignant tumors in or outside the stomach.

A case of synchronous association of a jejunal stromal tumor and a colic adenocarcinoma

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. They are generally considered as solitary tumors. Here we report the case of a 66-year-old man with familial history of digestive cancers, admitted after a 2-months history of gastrointestinal bleeding. Colonoscopy showed a circumferential ulcerated tumor of the sigmoid which was a well differentiated adenocarcinoma on biopsy. Computerized tomography showed only the lesion of the sigmoid. The patient underwent a left colectomy followed by immediate end-to-end anastomosis. Per-operatively, jejunal mass was discovered and a jejunal segmentectomy was performed. Pathologic examination revealed a colic adenocarcinoma pT2N0M0 associated with a low risk stromal tumor of the jejunum CD117+ and DOG-1+. No adjuvant therapy was given. After 64 months of follow-up, the patient showed no evidence of recurrence. Clinicians should be aware of the coexistence of malignancies and carry careful investigations for accurate diagnosis and better patients' prognosis.

Multiscale network analysis reveals molecular mechanisms and key regulators of the tumor microenvironment in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer deaths and the fourth most prevalent malignancy worldwide. The high incidence and mortality rates of gastric cancer result from multiple factors such as ineffective screening, diagnosis, and limited treatment options. In our study, we sought to systematically identify predictive molecular networks and key regulators to elucidate complex interacting signaling pathways in GC. We performed an integrative network analysis of the transcriptomic data in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) gastric cancer cohort and then comprehensively characterized the predictive subnetworks and key regulators by the matched genetic and epigenetic data. We identified 221 gene subnetworks (modules) in GC. The most prognostic subnetworks captured multiple aspects of the tumor microenvironment in GC involving interactions among stromal, epithelial and immune cells. We revealed the genetic and epigenetic underpinnings of those subnetworks and their key transcriptional regulators. We computationally predicted and experimentally validated specific mechanisms of anticancer effects of GKN2 in gastric cancer proliferation and invasion in vitro. The network models and the key regulators of the tumor microenvironment in GC identified here pave a way for developing novel therapeutic strategies for GC.

What's new?

Gene signatures have been identified for diagnosis and classification of gastric cancer (GC) as well as prediction of therapeutic response. However, key molecular mechanisms underlying prognosis remain to be revealed. Our study systematically identifies and characterizes predictive molecular networks and key regulators. The most prognostic subnetworks capture multiple aspects of the tumor microenvironment in GC involving interactions among stromal, epithelial, and immune cells. The authors computationally predicted and experimentally validated specific mechanisms of anti‐cancer effects of GKN2 in GC proliferation and invasion in vitro. These network models and key regulators pave the way for developing novel therapeutic strategies for GC.

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Gastric-phenotype Adenoma on the Surface of Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor

We herein report a rare case of a gastric adenoma overlying a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) that was removed by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). A 78-year-old woman was referred to our hospital. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed an elevated lesion of 15 mm in diameter overlying a submucosal mass in the gastric cardia. ESD was performed for the epithelial neoplasm, and biopsy specimens were obtained directly from the exposed surface of the submucosal tumor. The epithelial tumor was a tubular adenoma with focal severe atypia and a gastric phenotype. Biopsy specimens revealed a GIST, which was resected by laparoscopic intragastric surgery afterward.

Additional malignancies in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST): incidence, pathology and prognosis according to a time of occurrence-based classification

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study is to clarify if a classification based on the time of occurrence of associated malignancies in GIST patients can help in the understanding of the clinical controversies observed in these patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all the patients diagnosed with GIST tumors between January 1999 and October 2016. They were divided into GIST patients associated with other tumors (A-GIST) and those not associated (NA-GIST). A-GIST patients were also divided into four types according to the proposed classification.

RESULTS

Of 104 GIST patients, 32 (30.7%) (A-GIST group) had at least one additional primary malignancy. The most frequent location of the associated malignancy was the GI tract (26%). Compared to NA-GIST, A-GIST were more often asymptomatic with a lower risk of recurrence. The main cause of death in NAGIST was GIST itself, being associated tumors the main cause of death in A-GIST group. No differences were found in DFS and OS between A-GIST and NA-GIST.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of the proposed classification classifies GIST patients with associated malignancies in different subtypes that differ substantially in terms of incidence, type of neoplasms associated, cause of the association and prognosis.

Clinicopathological features and prognosis of coexistence of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor and gastric cancer

The coexistence of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and gastric cancer is relatively high, and its prognosis is controversial due to the complex and variant kinds of presentation. Thus, the present study aimed to explore the clinicopathological features and prognostic factors of gastric GIST with synchronous gastric cancer.From May 2010 to November 2015, a total of 241 gastric GIST patients were retrospectively enrolled in the present study. The patients with coexistence of gastric GIST and gastric cancer were recorded. The clinicopathological features and prognoses of patients were analyzed.Among 241 patients, 24 patients had synchronous gastric cancer (synchronous group) and 217 patients did not (no-synchronous group). The synchronous group presented a higher percentage of elders (66.7% vs 39.6%, P = 0.001) and males (87.5% vs 48.4%, P < 0.001) than the no-synchronous group. The tumor diameter, mitotic index, and National Institutes of Health degree were also significantly different between the 2 groups (all P < 0.05). The 5-year disease-free survival and disease-specific survival rates of synchronous group were significantly lower than those of no-synchronous group (54.9% vs 93.5%, P < 0.001; 37.9% vs 89.9%, P < 0.001, respectively). However, the 5-year overall survival rates between synchronous and gastric cancer groups were comparable (37.9% vs 57.6%, P = 0.474).The coexistence of gastric GIST and gastric cancer was common in elder male patients. The synchronous GIST was common in low-risk category. The prognosis of gastric GIST with synchronous gastric cancer was worse than that of primary-single gastric GIST, but was comparable with primary-single gastric cancer.

[Additional primary malignancies in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Proposal for a new classification]

Additional primary malignancies in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is not only common but of growing interest in the scientific literature. This association is of great importance in terms of clinical challenge, diagnosis and therapy as well as for the prognosis impact it implies. In the published series there is a tendency to group these patients to determine the specific and distinguishable characteristics of GIST associated with other malignancies. On the other hand, there is no general consensus or unified classification. This classification would be of great interest, as it would unify criteria, agree groups to compare different series and demonstrate whether the aetiology underlying both tumours and the GIST's own characteristics really vary according to the type in question. We undertook a medical literature review and proposed a new classification for patients with GIST associated with other tumours.

Synchronous occurrence of gastrointestinal stromal tumors and other digestive tract malignancies in the elderly

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Elderly patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) synchronous with other digestive tract malignancies have been rarely reported. In this study, clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated among elderly patients with GISTs with or without coexisting digestive tract malignancies.

METHODS

A total of 161 patients (≥65 years) were retrospectively reviewed at the West China Hospital, Sichuan University from January 2009 to June 2014.

RESULTS

Sixty-one patients were diagnosed with synchronous digestive tract malignancies (synchronous group), whereas 100 patients were diagnosed with no synchronous condition (no-synchronous group). The synchronous group exhibited a higher percentage of males (70.49% vs. 53.00%, P = 0.028) and poorer Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status than the no-synchronous group (P = 0.029). The three-year overall survival (OS) rate was significantly lower among patients with synchronous digestive tract malignancies than that among patients without synchronous condition (64.5% vs. 84.0%, P = 0.003). Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of synchronous digestive tract malignancies (P = 0.002), co-morbidity (P = 0.004), and mitotic count ≥10 mitoses/50 high power fields (P = 0.012) were associated with poor OS.

CONCLUSIONS

A synchronous condition with other digestive tract malignancies is common in elderly patients with GISTs. OS primarily depends on synchronous digestive tract malignancies, mitotic count, and co-morbidity.

Prognostic analysis of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor with synchronous gastric cancer

Background

Many patients with gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and synchronous gastric cancer have been described, most in single case studies. We retrospectively investigated the clinicopathologic features and prognostic effects of gastric GIST in patients with synchronous gastric cancer.

Methods

The study enrolled 170 patients with gastric GIST, who had undergone complete surgical resection (R0) from January 2000 to December 2011. Forty-two patients had synchronous gastric cancer (CA Group), whereas 128 did not (Non-CA Group). The clinicopathologic features and potential prognostic factors in the two groups were compared.

Results

Patients in the CA Group had more obvious symptoms, but a lower rate of preoperative diagnosis of gastric GIST (P <0.05). The two groups differed significantly in gender, age, greatest tumor diameter, risk stratification, tumor-associated ulcers, and CD117 and CD34 expression (P <0.05 each). Univariate analysis showed that age, risk stratification, postoperative oral imatinib and synchronous gastric cancer were predictive factors of survival (P <0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that risk stratification, postoperative oral imatinib and synchronous gastric cancer were independent predictors of survival (P <0.05). Stratified analysis showed that the 5-year overall survival rate was lower in patients with synchronous gastric cancer than in those without synchronous gastric cancer.

Conclusions

Gastric GIST with synchronous gastric cancer had a lower rate of preoperative diagnosis, with correct diagnosis often missed. Survival, however, depended primarily on the gastric cancer.