[Intra-abdomen extragastrointestinal stromal tumors: a clinicopathologic study on 30 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors in patients with intra-abdomen extragastrointestinal stromal tumors (EGISTs).

METHODS

The data of 47 patients of mesenchymal neoplasms that arose from the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneum, collected from July 1987 to June 2003 in our hospital with complete clinical and pathological data, were investigated retrospectively. EGISTs were diagnosed by reviewing the tumor slides stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Immunohistochemistry staining were performed on CD117, CD34, smooth muscle actin, Desmin and S-100 proteins. The relations of various clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes were examined.

RESULTS

Among the 47 cases, 30 tumors were confirmed to be EGISTs. Twelve cases arose from the mesentery, six from small omentum, eight from retroperitoneum and four from the abdominal cavity. The size of tumors ranged from 4 to 30 cm (median 12.5 cm) in diameter and the tumor cell components mainly included spindle cells (23 cases), epithelioid cells (4 cases), and mixed cells (3 cases). The follow-up rate was 90% and the median follow up time was 44 months. The patient survival rates at 1, 5 and 10 years were 79.7%, 59.5% and 45.4% respectively. Univariate analysis showed that tumor size >10 cm, tumor necrosis, mitoses > or =5/50HPF, obvious nuclear atypia, moderate and poor differentiated tumor cells were predictors of poor prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

EGISTs have specific clinical behaviors. The parameters used for predicting GISTs prognosis are not completely applicable for EGISTs. Tumor necrosis, obvious nuclear atypia and mitoses > or =5/50HPF help to predict aggressive behaviors in EGISTs.

[Analysis of prognostic and clinicopathologic factors in gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the stomach]

OBJECTIVE

To identify the clinical pathological characteristics and prognostic factors in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the stomach.

METHODS

The data of 98 patients of gastric stromal tumors, leiomyomas, leiomyosarcomas, leiomyoblastomas, schwannomas and neurofibromas, collected from Mar. 1983 to Dec. 2001 in our hospital with complete clinical and pathological data, were investigated retrospectively. Gastric stromal tumors were diagnosed by reviewing the tumor slides stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Two histomorphologically representative areas of each tumor slides were identified and arrayed on a tissue microarray. Immunohistochemistry staining were performed using antibodies to c-kit (CD117), CD34, smooth muscle actin (SMA), Desmin and S-100 proteins. The relations of various clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes were tested by univariate analysis and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Ninety-one patients were clearly identified as gastric stromal tumors from the 98 patients, who were diagnosed as gastric stromal tumor, leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma, leiomyoblastoma schwannoma and neurofibroma (92.9%). The follow-up rate was 91% and the median follow up time was 54 months. The patient survival rates at 1, 5 and 10 years were 88.8%, 79.6% and 63.7% respectively. Univariate analysis showed that tumor size, mitotic count, tumor necrosis, nuclear pleomorphism, cell type, cell density, surgical procedure, mucosal invasion, age and lable index of Ki-67 were associated with prognosis (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that tumor size, mitotic count, mucosal invasion and tumor necrosis were predictors of prognosis (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Tumor size of >10 cm, mitotic count of >10 mitoses per 50 high power fields, necrosis and mucosal invasion are often associated with an aggressive clinical course in gastric stromal tumors.

Surgical salvage therapy of anal canal cancer

AIM: To evaluate the results of salvage resection in the management of persistent or locally recurrent anal canal cancer.

METHODS: Details of all patients with anal canal cancer treated from 1978 to 1994 at Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) were reviewed retrospectively. Sixteen patients who presented with persistent or locally recurrent anal canal cancer received salvage surgery. Before surgery all of the patients had received radiotherapy alone as their primary treatments.

RESULTS: Of the 16 patients, 14 received salvage abdominoperineal resection (APR) and two had transanal local excision. There were no deaths attributable to operation. Delayed healing of the perineal wound occurred in eight patients. Complications unrelated to the perineal wound were found in five patients. The median follow-up time was 120 (range 5 - 245) months after salvage surgery. Nine patients died of disease progression, with a median survival time of 16 (range 5 - 27) months. Six patients had a long-term survival.

CONCLUSION: Salvage resection after radiotherapy can yield a long-time survival in selected patients with anal canal cancer. However it offers little hope to patients with T₄ and/or N_2-3 tumors.