The syndrome of gastric carcinoid and hyperparathyroidism: a family study and literature review

Neuroendocrine proliferations of the stomach: a pragmatic approach for the perplexed pathologist

The classifications of neuroendocrine proliferations that lead from enterochromaffin-like cell hyperplasia to neuroendocrine tumors in the stomach are complicated and relatively inaccessible to nonspecialists. Consequently, these lesions tend to remain widely underdiagnosed until they progress to easily recognizable neuroendocrine tumors. This review provides simple, yet rigorous guidelines on how to recognize, classify, and diagnose the neuroendocrine proliferations found in the stomach, emphasizing the most common background in which they arise, atrophic gastritis. After a succinct outline of the types and distribution of the neuroendocrine cells in the normal gastric mucosa we discuss the most common situations in which the pathologist needs to think about gastric neuroendocrine cells. In general practice gastric biopsy specimens are often numerically and topographically inadequate for the evaluation of atrophic gastritis; therefore, we have included an algorithm to address specifically the steps that should be taken when confronted with suboptimal sampling. Finally, we illustrate the suggested diagnostic process with 4 cases that are fairly representative of the type of situations encountered in everyday practice. The pathologist who follows our simple steps will be better aware of this neglected area of gastric pathology and will learn to suspect, recognize, and accurately diagnose the most common abnormalities of the neuroendocrine system in the stomach.

Chronic autoimmune atrophic gastritis associated with primary hyperparathyroidism: a transversal prospective study

DESIGN

The coexistence of chronic autoimmune atrophic gastritis (CAAG) and primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) has been described previously, even if its extent and underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We therefore prospectively evaluated this association in two series of patients, one with CAAG and the other with sporadic PHPT.

METHODS

From January 2005 to March 2012, 107 histologically confirmed CAAG patients and 149 PHPT patients were consecutively enrolled. Routine laboratory assays included serum calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), plasma gastrin and chromogranin A (CgA). In CAAG patients with high PTH levels, ionized calcium and 25(OH)-vitamin D were evaluated. All CAAG and hypergastrinemic PHPT patients received an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Exclusion criteria were familial PHPT, MEN1 syndrome, treatment with proton pump inhibitor drugs, Helicobacter pylori infection and renal failure.

RESULTS

Of the 107 CAAG patients, nine (8.4%) had PHPT and 13 (12.1%) had secondary hyperparathyroidism stemming from vitamin D deficiency. Among the 149 PHPT patients, 11 (7.4%) had CAAG. Gastrin and CgA levels were similar in the CAAG patients with vs those without hyperparathyroidism (either primary or secondary), and calcium and PTH levels were similar in the PHPT patients with vs those without CAAG.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms a non-casual association between PHPT and CAAG. The prevalence of PHPT in CAAG patients is threefold that of the general population (8.4 vs 1-3%), and the prevalence of CAAG in PHPT patients is fourfold that of the general population (7.4 vs 2%). The mechanisms underlying this association remain unknown, but a potential role for autoimmunity is suggested.

Genetics and molecular pathology of gastric malignancy: Development of targeted therapies in the era of personalized medicine

Gastric malignancy constitutes a major cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Despite recent advances in surgical techniques combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy approaches, patients with advanced disease still have poor outcomes. An emerging understanding of the molecular pathways that characterize cell growth, cell cycle, apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis has provided novel targets in gastric cancer therapy. In this review, recent advances in the understanding of molecular tumorigenesis for common gastric malignancies are discussed. We also briefly review the current targeted therapies in the treatment of gastric malignancies. Practical insights are highlighted including HER2 testing and target therapy in gastric adenocarcinoma, morphologic features and molecular signatures of imatinib-resistance GISTs, and recent investigations aimed at tumor-specific therapy for neuroendocrine tumors.

Recent results of basic and clinical research in MEN1: opportunities to improve early detection and treatment

Due to the variable expression of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), it is difficult to predict the course of the disease. However, knowledge about the normal function of the MEN1 gene product, together with the effects of cellular derangement by subsequent genetic events, has increased considerably. At first, the possible existence of a genotype-phenotype correlation is discussed. Thus, mild- and late-onset phenotypes may be distinguished from more malignant phenotypes depending on the character of the primary MEN1 disease gene mutation. Subsequently, tumor-promoting factors such as gender, additional genetic mutations and ecogenetic factors may contribute to the course of the disease. New developments in management are based on the knowledge and experience of the multidisciplinary teams involved. Finally, the metabolic effects of MEN1 mutations in aged patients are discussed. Early identification of predisposition to the disease, together with knowledge about the natural history of specific mutations, risks of additional mutations and periodic clinical monitoring, allow early treatment and may improve life expectancy and quality of life.