Clinical outcome of gastric cancer patients with bone marrow metastases

Mechanism and clinical progression of solid tumors bone marrow metastasis

The rich blood supply of the bone marrow provides favorable conditions for tumor cell proliferation and growth. In the disease's early stages, circulating tumor cells can escape to the bone marrow and form imperceptible micro metastases. These tumor cells may be reactivated to regain the ability to grow aggressively and eventually develop into visible metastases. Symptomatic bone marrow metastases with abnormal hematopoiesis solid tumor metastases are rare and have poor prognoses. Treatment options are carefully chosen because of the suppression of bone marrow function. In this review, we summarized the mechanisms involved in developing bone marrow metastases from tumor cells and the clinical features, treatment options, and prognosis of patients with symptomatic bone marrow metastases from different solid tumors reported in the literature.

Comprehensive review of solid tumor bone marrow metastasis

Bone marrow metastasis (BMM) of solid tumors refers to a group of diseases that originate from non-hematopoietic malignant tumor cells invading the bone marrow (BM) through complex metastatic patterns. If BMM identification is delayed, the disease will rapidly develop into disseminated carcinogenesis of the BM, which manifests as a series of hematological disorders and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, leading to serious life-threatening conditions. Although the study of solid tumor BMM is receiving increasing attention, study remains limited, and most descriptions are derived from case reports. Currently, clinicians have insufficient understanding of BMM, and BMM occurrence is often not recognized early or treated effectively, resulting in high mortality rates. In this article, we review the epidemiology, molecular mechanisms, clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of solid tumor BMM.

Cytomorphological evaluation of non-haematopoietic malignancies metastasizing to the bone marrow

Bone marrow (BM) is one of the rare but important site of metastasis of solid tumors. The key steps of metastasis include invasion, intravasation, circulation, extravasation, and colonization. Tumor cells may express some adhesion molecules that promote the transmigration to the marrow space and link them to the marrow stroma with subsequent engraftment. It is important to detect the bone marrow metastasis for initial clinical staging, therapeutic selection, prognostic risk stratification, assessment of response to therapy and predicting relapse. Prognosis of non-hematopoietic malignancies with BM metastasis is dismal. Due to occulting and atypical clinical manifestations, bone marrow metastases can be easily missed or misdiagnosed, leading to higher mortality rates. The important factors on which the prognosis of patients with bone marrow metastases depends are primary tumor site, performance status, platelet count, and therapeutic regimens (systemic chemotherapy or palliative/supportive care). Further, in cases with BM metastasis with unknown primary sites, misdiagnosis can lead to delayed initiation of therapy and increased mortality. BM metastasis is seen in less than 10% of patients with metastatic cancer and is common in lung, breast or prostate carcinoma. Bone marrow metastasis can be presented as the initial presentation with hematological changes and may be misdiagnosed as a primary haematopoietic disorder. Leucoerythoblastic blood picture is the most common peripheral blood smear finding indicating BM metastasis, may be an indicator of associated BM fibrosis. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy with immunohistochemistry (IHC) is an easy, cost effective and gold standard method of detection of BM metastasis. BM biopsy is superior to bone marrow aspirate for detection of metastasis. Morphology of metastatic cells is as per the primary site of tumor. Immunohistochemistry is a useful adjunct to morphology in reaching a definitive diagnosis even in case with carcinoma unknown primary (CUP) and also in diagnosing case of unsuspected malignancies. Though bone marrow is not among the most common site of involvement in CUP, which are liver, bone, lymph nodes and lung. But BM, if involved, the site of origin is determined using the immunohistochemistry panel applied to the metastatic deposits based on the morphology The aim of the review is to discuss the hematological findings of non-haematopoietic malignancies metastasizing to the bone marrow, emphasizing on histomorphology with IHC and its significance in establishing primary diagnosis in clinically unsuspected cases.

The influence of serum sodium concentration on prognosis in patients with urothelial carcinoma treated by radical cystectomy

Serum sodium concentration has been found to be associated with poor survival in many solid tumors. This study investigated the effect of basal serum sodium concentration on prognostic in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) undergoing radical cystectomy (RC). MIBC patients with histologically proven urothelial carcinoma treated by RC were retrospectively reviewed. According to the optimal cutoff value, we divided the patients into 2 groups: high-serum sodium concentration group (≥140 mmol/L, n = 39) and low-serum sodium concentration group (<140 mmol/L, n = 32). Overall survival (OS) was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method and the significance was examined by the log-rank test. Multivariable Cox regression for OS was performed for lymphatic metastasis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and tumor size. A total of 71 MIBC patients (60 males and 11 females) were included who underwent cystectomy between 2014 and 2018. The patients' ages at the time of operation ranged from 44 to 86 years (mean, 66.66 years). Patients' serum sodium concentration <140 mmol/L had shorter median OS (1224 days (HR: 2.454 [95% CI, 1.083-5.561; P = .031]). In multivariate analysis, lower serum sodium concentration was significantly associated with worse OS after adjusted (adjusted HR: 2.422 [95% CI, 1.055-5.561; P = .037]). Serum sodium concentration <140 mmol/L was independently associated with a poorer prognosis in patients with MIBC used who underwent RC.

Docetaxel and fluorouracil as first-line therapy for gastric cancer with bone marrow metastasis and disseminated intravascular coagulation

Gastric cancer with bone marrow metastasis and disseminated intravascular coagulation constitutes a highly aggressive gastric cancer subtype which presents a peculiar biological behavior and very poor prognosis. Retrospective studies have shown chemotherapy could prolong survival, but a prospective trial is still unavailable. This study is the first prospective clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer patients with bone marrow metastasis.

Gastric Cancer With Multiple Bone Metastases: An Uncommon Primary Presentation

Gastric cancer (GC) is a worldwide health condition of major concern, with gastric carcinoma with signet ring cell features being increasingly reported. A 61-year-old woman was admitted to the Emergency department with back pain, gastrointestinal complaints, and weight loss. A lumbar and hip computed tomography (CT) was performed and revealed multiple suspicious secondary bone lesions. Laboratory test results reported anemia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated alkaline phosphatase. On thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT, multiple bone lesions suggestive of metastases were visible on the vertebral spine, ribs, pelvic bones, and proximal femurs, but no identifiable primary or visceral lesions were described. Upper endoscopy identified a gastric adenocarcinoma, and both gastric and bone lesions, especially bone lesions, contained a relevant amount of signet ring cells. The patient was referred to the Medical Oncology department, however, her condition evolved unfavorably. GC with restricted bone metastasis is rare at presentation and has a poor prognosis. Despite its infrequency, clinicians should consider GC involvement when evaluating secondary suspicious bone lesions.

Case Report: Prompt Response to Savolitinib in a Case of Advanced Gastric Cancer With Bone Marrow Invasion and MET Abnormalities

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors and patients show a short survival, those combined with bone marrow invasion have a median survival of only 37 days. Here we reported the treatment of a 47-year-old male with advanced gastric cancer and complicated with bone marrow invasion and extensive metastases, who did not tolerate chemotherapy, under monotherapy with savolitinib, a MET receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Before treatment, the patient was in severe pain and presented with thrombocytopenia and hemorrhagic anemia. Savolitinib was given based on amplification and rearrangement of the MET gene in his tumor. After savolitinib treatment, the patient’s condition promptly improved, efficacy evaluation indicated partial remission, and the patient was alive and remained progression-free at 15 weeks at the time of reporting. No obvious adverse reactions occurred. Besides, another case of a female gastric cancer patient with MET amplification who received savolitinib monotherapy as a third-line treatment that remained progression-free at 12 weeks was also reported. This report provides a new reference for understanding MET abnormalities in gastric cancer and offers a possibility for future application of MET tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the therapy of gastric cancer with MET abnormalities. Also, it suggests that sequencing of MET can be considered a routine target in advanced gastric cancer patients.

Bone Metastasis From Gastric Adenocarcinoma-What Are the Risk Factors and Associated Survival? A Large Comprehensive Population-Based Cohort Study

Background

While bone metastasis is not common in gastric adenocarcinoma (GaC), it can have important impacts on prognosis. This large cohort study aimed at exploring factors associated with bone metastasis in GaC and investigating the time-dependent cumulative mortalities and prognostic factors in GaC patients with bone metastasis at the population level.

Methods

Data on patients with GaC diagnosed in 2010–2016 were retrieved from a large population-based database. We explored factors associated with bone metastasis using the multivariable-adjusted logistic model. We then calculated the time-dependent cancer-specific mortalities in GaC patients with bone metastasis using the cumulative incidence function and compared mortalities across subgroups using Gray’s test. We further assessed factors associated with mortality using the multivariable-adjusted Fine–Gray subdistribution hazard model.

Results

Together 11,072 eligible patients with metastatic GaC were enrolled, which comprised 1,511 (14%) people with bone metastasis and 9,561 (86%) with other metastasis, encompassing 6,999 person-years of follow-up. Bone metastasis was more frequently detected in 2014 or later, in younger patients, in patients with gastric cardia cancers, in people with signet-ring cell carcinoma, and in those with poorly differentiated/undifferentiated cancers; it was less commonly observed in black patients. Bone metastasis was associated with more frequent brain and lung metastases. The median survival of patients with bone metastasis was 4 months; the 6-month and 3-year cancer-specific cumulative mortalities were 56% and 85%, respectively. In patients receiving chemotherapy, American Indians/Alaskan Natives, patients with gastric antrum/pylorus cancers, and those with positive lymph nodes had higher mortality risks, while those undergoing resection had lower mortality hazards.

Conclusion

In GaC patients, bone metastasis was associated with various clinicopathologic factors including age, ethnicity, tumor location, histology, differentiation, and metastasis to other sites. Patients with bone metastasis had poor prognosis which was associated with ethnicity, tumor location, lymph node involvement, and treatment. Our findings provide important hints for tailed patient management and for further mechanistic investigations.

Disseminated Bone Marrow Carcinomatosis Due to Malignant Melanoma of Unknown Primary Origin

An 80-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital due to appetite loss and vomiting. A blood examination showed liver disorder with disseminated intravascular coagulation. All tumor markers and hepatitis virus markers were negative. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography did not show tumor lesions, bone lesions, lymphadenopathies, or thrombosis. A bone marrow biopsy revealed large, atypical cells with brown pigmentation and positive immunostaining for HMB-45, S100 proteins, and CD79a without myeloid or lymphoid markers. We experienced a case of disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow due to malignant melanoma of unknown primary origin.

Survival Outcomes and Treatment Decision by Human Papillomavirus Status Among Patients With Stage IVC Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose

To investigate the influence of human papillomavirus (HPV) status on survival outcomes and treatment decisions for patients with de novo stage IV head and neck squamous cell cancers (HNSCC).

Methods

Patients initially diagnosed with de novo stage IVC HNSCC between 2010 and 2015 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Cox multivariable analyses were performed to determine prognostic factors associated with head and neck cancers specific survival (HNCSS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

We identified 303 patients who received chemotherapy in this study, including 52.5% of them had HPV-positive disease. HPV-positive HNSCC had better HNCSS (P < 0.001) and OS (P < 0.001) compared to those with HPV-negative disease. The results of Cox multivariable analyses showed that HPV-negative status (P = 0.007), N3 stage (P = 0.004), bone metastases (P < 0.001), and lung metastases (P = 0.003) were associated with worse HNCSS. Similar results were found regarding the OS. The sensitivity analyses indicated that HPV-positive HNSCC patients who were treated with radiotherapy had better survival outcomes. However, no survival benefits were found in those with HPV-positive disease receiving surgery. For HPV-negative patients, no survival benefit was observed among those treated with radiotherapy or surgery.

Conclusions

Approximately half of the stage IVC HNSCC patients are HPV-related. The presence of HPV infection appears to be strongly associated with the survival outcome in patients with de novo stage IV HNSCC. Determination of HPV status may help guide clinicians in prognostic assessment and treatment decision-making in this population.

Access to Palliative Care Services and Clinical Outcomes of Patients With Solid Malignancy-Associated Myelophthisis in a Resource-Limited Setting

BACKGROUND

Myelophthisis (MPT) has been associated with a dreadful prognosis. Patients' access to palliative care (PC) and factors influencing its clinical outcomes are poorly described. Our aim was to analyze the impact of patient- and disease-specific characteristics on survival of patients with MPT and describe their use of PC in a resource-limited setting.

METHODS

Retrospective study including patients with solid tumor MPT, diagnosed between 1996 and 2018.

RESULTS

Seventy patients (median 58 years) were included. 58% were synchronously diagnosed with MPT at time of primary tumor diagnosis. Most common oncologic diagnoses were prostate (25.7%), gastrointestinal (20%), and breast (18.6%) neoplasms. Median overall survival (OS) was 1.9 months. Primaries other than prostate, breast, and lung (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.15 - 1.8; p = 0.02) and transfusion requirements (HR 2.8, 95% CI 1.01 - 7.9; p = 0.04) were independently associated with decreased OS. Administration of multiple systemic therapeutic interventions (HR 0.15, 95% CI 0.06 - 0.39; p = 0.01) was the sole factor improving OS. Assessment by PC was pursued in 51.4% of patients. The median number of consults per patient was two, with no difference in assessment rate or consult number across different primaries (P = 0.96). Four cases of palliative sedation were reported, all performed by the primary care team.

CONCLUSION

MPT is highly heterogeneous and risk stratification to optimize the use of therapeutic interventions in unison with palliative interventions is needed to maximize efforts toward improving patient quality of life. There is an alarming need of PC services in the multidisciplinary management of patients within developing regions.

Weighing the prognostic role of hyponatremia in hospitalized patients with metastatic solid tumors: the HYPNOSIS study

Previous works linked low sodium concentration with mortality risk in cancer. We aimed at weighing the prognostic impact of hyponatremia in all consecutive patients with metastatic solid tumors admitted in a two-years period at our medical oncology department. Patients were included in two cohorts based on serum sodium concentration on admission. A total of 1025 patients were included, of whom 279 (27.2%) were found to be hyponatremic. The highest prevalence of hyponatremia was observed in biliary tract (51%), prostate (45%) and small-cell lung cancer (38.9%). With a median follow-up of 26.9 months, median OS was 2 months and 13.2 months for the hyponatremia versus control cohort, respectively (HR, 2.65; P < 0.001). In the multivariable model, hyponatremia was independently associated with poorer OS (HR, 1.66; P < 0.001). According to the multivariable model, a nomogram system was developed and validated in an external set of patients. We weighed over time the influence of hyponatremia on survival of patients with metastatic solid tumors and pointed out the possibility to exploit serum sodium assessment to design integrated prognostic tools. Our study also highlights the need for a deeper characterization of the biological role of extracellular sodium levels in tumor development and progression.

Signet-ring cells in the bone marrow as an indication of cryptic metastasis of breast carcinoma: A case report

RATIONALE

Signet-ring cell is a rare morphological finding in bone marrow, which usually indicates metastatic carcinoma from either the gastrointestinal tract or a primary hematolymphoid neoplasm. Here, we present a very unusual case of lobular breast carcinoma with metastasis to the bone marrow.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 67-year-old female with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive lobular breast carcinoma was staged as T3N3M0, and treated with modified radical mastectomy followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. One year after treatment, she was noted to have moderate thrombocytopenia on complete blood count with the remainder of the parameters within normal limits. Radiographic examination revealed no evidence of recurrent disease.

DIAGNOSIS

Bone marrow biopsy was performed to exclude therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), which demonstrated hypercellularity with "hyperplastic" hematopoiesis. Upon closer inspection, a few signet-ring cells were identified which morphologically resembled histiocytes. These formed an interstitial infiltrate among the predominantly hematopoietic elements, and could have been easily overlooked. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that these signet-ring cells were positive for pancytokeratin as well as ER which confirmed metastatic lobular breast carcinoma. On retrospective review of the aspirate smear, rare signet-ring cells were identified.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient was treated with additional chemotherapy.

OUTCOMES

The patient eventually succumbed to overt dissemination after 14 months.

LESSONS

Due to the relative discohesiveness of lobular breast carcinoma, the cells frequently assume single-cell infiltration in bone marrow. This attribute, along with small cell size, bland cytologic features and paucity of tissue response, contributes to its escaping from identification on hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) sections. In this case, the signet-ring cells were hidden in apparently hyperplastic hematopoiesis. Careful inspection raised the possibility of occult metastasis which was readily detected and confirmed with immunohistochemistry.

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma with Bone Marrow Metastases

A 64-year-old man with the bone marrow metastasis due to malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) was diagnosed with anemia, leukoerythroblastosis, thrombocytopenia, and lower back pain. A bone marrow biopsy demonstrated infiltrative malignant mesothelioma lesions in the bone marrow. The patient died within 15 days of the detection of the bone marrow involvement. Physicians should consider performing a bone marrow biopsy to diagnose bone marrow metastasis and treat patients with palliative chemotherapy at an earlier phase of the disease. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an MPM patient having bone marrow metastasis with anemia, leukoerythroblastosis, and thrombocytopenia.

Clinical Outcomes of Endoscopic Hemostasis for Bleeding in Patients with Unresectable Advanced Gastric Cancer

Purpose

Bleeding is one of the most serious complications of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) and is associated with a poor prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of endoscopic hemostasis for bleeding in patients with unresectable AGC.

Materials and Methods

This study included 106 patients with bleeding associated with gastric cancer who had undergone endoscopic hemostasis between January 2010 and December 2013. Clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes, including rates of successful endoscopic hemostasis and rebleeding, risk factors for rebleeding, and overall survival (OS) were investigated.

Results

Successful initial hemostasis was achieved in 83% of patients. Rebleeding occurred in 28.3% of patients within 30 days. The median OS after initial hemostasis was lower in patients with rebleeding than in those without rebleeding (2.7 and 3.9 months, respectively, P=0.02). There were no significant differences in disease status and rebleeding rates among patients with partial response or stable disease (n=4), progressive disease (n=64), and first diagnosis of disease (n=38). Univariate and multivariate analyses (P=0.038 and 0.034, respectively) revealed that transfusion of ≥5 units of RBCs was a significant risk factor for rebleeding.

Conclusions

Despite favorable success rates of endoscopic hemostasis for bleeding associated with gastric cancer, the 30-day rebleeding rate was 28.3% and the median OS was significantly lower in patients with rebleeding than in those without rebleeding. Massive transfusion (≥5 units of RBCs) was the only significant risk factor for rebleeding. Patients with bleeding associated with AGC who have undergone massive transfusion should be observed closely following endoscopic hemostasis. Further research on approaches to reduce rebleeding rate and prevent death is needed.

Recurrent gastric cancer metastasizing to the bone marrow: A case report of a rare presentation

INTRODUCTION

Gastric cancer notoriously recurs post curative surgical resection. While there may be visceral metastasis to peritoneal surfaces, bone marrow involvement may also occur although with rarity. We present a case report of recurrent gastric cancer with bone marrow metastasis in a patient with no evidence of systemic disease on follow-up for two years post surgical resection. This case demonstrates the need of heightened clinical suspicion in these patients.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of a patient who presented with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma to the bone marrow two years post R0 subtotal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy without evidence of systemic disease on follow up for two years.

RESULTS

Laboratory and imaging studies of the patient on presentation two years post R0 subtotal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy is as follows; elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of 472 U/L, CT chest/abdomen/pelvis that showed multiple new sclerotic lesions throughout osseous structures suspicious for metastasis, PET/CT that showed many sclerotic lesions throughout the axial and appendicular skeleton, some FDG-avid and suspicious for active osseous metastasis. Bone marrow biopsy showed metastatic poorly differentiated carcinoma consisted with known history of gastric cancer.

CONCLUSION

Gastric cancer has a high rate of recurrence post curative surgery. Despite the rarity of bone marrow metastasis, a high level of suspicion should be maintained in patients presenting with elevated ALP and evidence of pancytopenia post curative surgery.

Bicytopenia and leukoerythroblastosis: a rare initial presentation of signet ring cell gastric adenocarcinoma

Gastric adenocarcinoma is a common neoplasia and is responsible for up to 30% of the overall deaths due to cancer. Advanced disease is mostly characterized by peritoneum, liver, and lung involvement. The spread of the disease to the bone is rare, and bone marrow dissemination is even rarer. In this setting, leukoerythroblastosis may be the initial manifestation of the disease. The authors report the case of a 64-year-old Caucasian man who sought medical care complaining of back pain, weakness, and weight loss. The physical examination revealed pallor, and the laboratory work-up depicted severe anemia and thrombocytopenia; the peripheral blood smear was consistent with leukoerythroblastosis. The ongoing investigation through a bone marrow biopsy showed massive involvement of the bone marrow by a signet ring cell adenocarcinoma. During hospitalization, the patient presented melena, and an upper digestive endoscopy depicted an ulcerated and infiltrative lesion in the cardia, upon which the histological examination revealed a signet ring cell adenocarcinoma. This case highlights the bone marrow invasion represented by bicytopenia and leukoerythroblastosis as the initial manifestation of this histological type of gastric cancer. Although treatment attempts were made with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the patient died early on, showing the aggressive behavior of this form of tumoral presentation.

Generalized high bone mineral density on bone density scanning: a case of gastric carcinoma with bone metastasis

Generalized high bone mineral density (BMD) on Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning most commonly reflects metabolic bone disease. However, some malignancies could also stimulate the underlying processes. We reported that a 41-year-old female was referred for lumbago. She did not complain of any symptoms in the digestive system. DXA revealed high BMD in the lumbar vertebras. Marked increase in bone mass was observed in an X-ray of chest compared with one conducted 6 months previously. Additionally, an X-ray of the axial skeleton showed diffuse sclerotic change. Laboratory data revealed hypocalcemia and high osteoblastic activity. A bone biopsy of the pelvis confirmed metastatic undifferentiated adenocarcinoma. Further research for the primary site revealed gastric signet ring cell carcinoma via endoscopic biopsy. The patient refused treatment and died 2 months after the diagnosis. In clinical practice, high BMD could be the initial feature of gastric cancer. Due to its poor prognosis, adequate clinical management is of paramount value.

Pathological findings in a case of bone marrow carcinosis due to gastric cancer complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation and thrombotic microangiopathy

An 80-year-old man was diagnosed with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) associated with mucin-producing gastric cancer with bone marrow metastasis. He died suddenly on the third day of hospitalization before chemotherapy. Microscopic autopsy findings revealed fibrin thrombi by phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin (PTAH) staining of the renal glomeruli, and platelet thrombi by von Willebrand Factor (Factor VIII Antigen) staining of the microvessels of the bleeding intestine. Tumor cells were negative for both stains. Staining of endothelial cells (EC) of the small vessels with thrombomodulin (TM) stain revealed destruction of EC structure. This patient was thought to have had systemic dissemination of solid tumor cells associated with DIC and TMA, the clinical course of which is extremely aggressive. Different types of thrombi were observed in different organs, such as the kidneys and small intestine, which supported the co-occurrence of DIC and TMA by microscopic pathological findings. These findings provide pathological evidence for the pathology of the concurrent development of DIC and TMA and show differences in the types of thrombi according to the blood vessel localization. Furthermore, the findings were highly suggestive of the mechanisms causing organ dysfunction, such as renal dysfunction, and gastrointestinal bleeding.

A case of disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow originating from gastric cancer 3 years after intraperitoneal chemotherapy against peritoneal carcinomatosis

BACKGROUND

Clinical studies of intraperitoneal chemotherapy with paclitaxel in patients of gastric cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis is well tolerated and effective, and rare cases of metastasis and recurrence have experienced during the treatment. Disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow is highly rare in gastric cancer and associated with a poor prognosis.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 59-year-old woman of gastric cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis received five courses of chemotherapy with intraperitoneal administration of paclitaxel, and laparoscopy showed disappearance of the peritoneal carcinomatosis. She subsequently underwent total gastrectomy, and the histopathological findings showed a complete response to the chemotherapy. Postoperatively, chemotherapy with intraperitoneal administration of paclitaxel was continued for 30 months, without apparent recurrence. However, the gastric cancer recurred as disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow with disseminated intravascular coagulation, and we hence changed the chemotherapy regimen to weekly irinotecan. Remission was achieved, and she did not experience any major symptoms; however, she died 6 months after the diagnosis of disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow.

CONCLUSIONS

Since intraperitoneal paclitaxel administration can strongly suppress peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastric cancer, careful attention should be paid not only to peritoneal recurrence but also for rare site metastases, such as bone marrow metastases.

Development and Validation of a Prognostic Score to Predict Survival in Adult Patients With Solid Tumors and Bone Marrow Metastases

Bone marrow metastasis (BMM) in patients with solid cancers is indicative of advanced-stage disease with a poor prognosis. The clinical features and outcomes remain unclear. We aimed to develop a scoring system to predict survival in these patients to help with clinical decision making. A total of 165 adult patients diagnosed with solid cancers and BMM between 2000 and 2014 were selected as the derivation cohort. A risk model was developed using multivariate logistic regression from the derivation cohort and a marrow metastases prognostic score (MMPS) was generated. An independent cohort of 156 patients from 3 other hospitals was selected using the same recruiting criteria to validate the MMPS as a predictor of survival. The MMPS was calculated based on 4 independent prognostic variables: the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance scale, site of cancer, platelet count, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. Patients in both the derivation and validation cohorts were stratified into good, intermediate, and poor prognostic groups based on their MMPS. The median survival in each risk group of the derivation cohort was 241, 58, and 11 days for the good, intermediate, and poor prognostic groups, respectively, and 305, 65, and 9 days, respectively, in the validation cohort. The c-statistic values for prediction of mortality at 3, 6, and 12 months were significantly higher for the MMPS than for the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance scale in both cohorts. We developed a risk model that accurately predicted survival in adult patients with solid cancers and BMM. This scoring system may help patients and clinicians with treatment decisions.

Endoscopic management of tumor bleeding from inoperable gastric cancer

Tumor bleeding is not a rare complication in patients with inoperable gastric cancer. Endoscopy has important roles in the diagnosis and primary treatment of tumor bleeding, similar to its roles in other non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding cases. Although limited studies have been performed, endoscopic therapy has been highly successful in achieving initial hemostasis. One or a combination of endoscopic therapy modalities, such as injection therapy, mechanical therapy, or ablative therapy, can be used for hemostasis in patients with endoscopic stigmata of recent hemorrhage. However, rebleeding after successful hemostasis with endoscopic therapy frequently occurs. Endoscopic therapy may be a treatment option for successfully controlling this rebleeding. Transarterial embolization or palliative surgery should be considered when endoscopic therapy fails. For primary and secondary prevention of tumor bleeding, proton pump inhibitors can be prescribed, although their effectiveness to prevent bleeding remains to be investigated.

Methylated TIMP-3 DNA in body fluids is an independent prognostic factor for gastric cancer

CONTEXT

Fluid methylated DNA may be a suitable biomarker for cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether circulating methylated tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP-3) DNA in body fluids is a useful prognostic biomarker in gastric cancer (GC).

DESIGN

TIMP-3 methylation was detected by real-time methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction in tumor tissues, paired preoperative peritoneal washes (PPWs), and paired serum samples from 92 GC patients.

RESULTS

The frequency of TIMP-3 methylation was significantly elevated in GC tissues (63.04%; 58 of 92) compared with that in paired adjacent normal tissue (4.3%; 4 of 92) (P < .001). TIMP-3 methylation correlated closely with peritoneal metastasis and TNM stage (all P < .001). The frequency of TIMP-3 methylation in preoperative peritoneal washes and serum samples was 53.3% (49 of 92) and 58.7% (54 of 92), respectively. The Aζ values of the receiver operator characteristic curve for methylated TIMP-3 were 0.966 and 0.922 for serum and preoperative peritoneal washes, respectively, compared with those in GC tissues. The patients with elevated methylated TIMP-3 levels in body fluids had poorer disease-free survival rates than those without (all P < .001). Cox regression analysis showed that detection of methylated TIMP-3 DNA in body fluids was an independent risk factor for GC patients, with a remarkable decrease in disease-free survival 30 months after surgical resection of the gastric tumor.

CONCLUSION

Presence of methylated TIMP-3 DNA in body fluids is a useful biomarker for predicting the progression and prognosis of GC patients.

Prognostic factors in adult patients with solid cancers and bone marrow metastases

BACKGROUND

Solid cancers with bone marrow metastases are rare but lethal. This study aimed to identify clinical factors predictive of survival in adult patients with solid cancers and bone marrow metastases.

METHODS

A total of 83 patients were enrolled consecutively between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2012. Bone marrow metastases were confirmed by biopsies. Patient clinical features and laboratory data were analyzed for associations.

RESULTS

The median age of the patients was 54 years (range, 23-88 years), and 58% were male. The 3 most common primary tumor locations were the stomach (32 patients, 39%), prostate (16 patients, 19%), and lungs (12 patients, 15%). The median overall survival was 49 days (range, 3-1423 days). Patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 1, cancers of prostate origin, platelet counts over 50,000/ml, and undergoing antitumor therapies had a significantly better prognosis in the multivariate analysis. The median survival times were 173 and 33 days for patients with 2-3 more favorable parameters (n=24) and those with 0-1 (n=69), respectively (hazard ratio 0.30; 95% CI 0.17-0.52, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Solid cancers with bone marrow metastases are dismal and incurable diseases. Understanding prognostic factors to these diseases helps medical personnel to provide appropriate treatments and better inform patients about outcomes. Antitumor therapies may improve outcomes in selected patient cohorts.

Gastric cancer with initial bone metastasis: a distinct group of diseases with poor prognosis

BACKGROUND

Bone metastasis (BM) is reported as a poor prognostic factor in gastric cancer. However, the clinicopathologic characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with BM compared with patients without BM have not been well described.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The medical records of all metastatic or recurrent gastric cancer (MRGC) patients who visited our institution were reviewed. A total of 137 evaluable patients with BM were analysed together with historical control without BM (N=111).

RESULTS

Of 1342 MRGC patients, 141 (10.5%) had BM. Patients with BM could be divided into initial BM (BM present at initial diagnosis of MRGC; N=90) and late BM (N=47) groups. The median survival after the diagnosis of BM in all patients was 4.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.69-5.11). However, overall survival after the diagnosis of MRGC was significantly shorter in the initial BM group (5.0 versus 12.2 months, p<0.001). Compared with historical controls, patients with initial BM showed distinct clinicopathologic characteristics. Independent predictors of initial BM were a younger age, signet ring cell histology, primary tumour involving ⩾two-thirds of the stomach, pleural metastasis, thrombocytopenia and elevated alkaline phosphatase. According to a Cox proportional hazard model including both patients with BM and historical controls, initial BM, poor performance status, peritoneal metastasis, hypercalcemia and high carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were identified as poor prognostic factors, whereas chemotherapy was identified as a favourable factor (hazard ratio [HR] 0.33, 95% CI 0.22-0.49).

CONCLUSION

MRGC with initial BM is a distinct group of diseases with specific clinicopathologic characteristics and poor prognosis. Chemotherapy may improve survival in these patients.

Her-2 positive gastric cancer presented with thrombocytopenia and skin involvement: a case report

Gastric cancer is the 5th most frequent cancer around the world and the 3rd most frequent reason of deaths due to cancer. Every year, about 1 million new cases are taking place, with varying geographical distribution. Gastric cancer is often metastatic to liver, lungs, and bones in hematogenous way, to peripheral lymph nodes in lymphogenous way, and to peripheral tissues in adjacency way, yet bone marrow (BM) and cutaneous metastasis are quite seldom. Pancytopenia is a more frequent finding identified in BM metastasis of solid organ cancers, and isolated thrombocytopenia is less often. The human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER-2) is positive in gastric cancer at a rate of 7–34%. Here, we have presented our HER-2 positive gastric cancer incident which presented with BM and cutaneous metastasis, and has no 18F-fluoro-2-deoxi-D-glucose (FDG) involvement except bone metastases.

Gastric carcinoma with bone marrow metastasis: a case series

Gastric cancer is a major cause of cancer-related mortality. At the time of diagnosis, majority of the patients usually have unresectable or metastatic disease. The most common sites of metastases are the liver and the peritoneum, but in the advanced stages, there may be metastases to any region of the body. Bone marrow is an important metastatic site for solid tumors, and the prognosis in such cases is poor. In gastric cancer cases, bone marrow metastasis is usually observed in younger patients and in those with poorly differentiated tumors. Prognosis is worsened owing to the poor histomorphology as well as the occurrence of pancytopenia. The effect of standard chemotherapy is unknown, as survival is limited to a few weeks. This report aimed to evaluate 5 gastric cancer patients with bone marrow metastases to emphasize the importance of this condition.