• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2005

Purpose: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. GISTs are positive for the expression of c-Kit protein at immunohistochemistry, and their clinical presentations vary. This retrospective study was performed to evaluate the clincopathologic characteristics of GISTs and to define the prognostic factors. Materials and Methods: 40 patients who underwent a complete resection of a GIST during the period $1996\~2003$ at the Department of Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, were studied. We divided them into low- and high-risk. groups by using tumor size and mitotic count: 23 cases were low risk, and 17 were high risk. Clinicopathologic features, immunohistochemical findings, and prognoses were compared between the low- and the high-risk groups. Results: The mean age of the 40 patients was $61.3\pm11.1$years, and the male-to-female ratio was 1：1.1. There was no significant difference in age and sex between the groups. A comparative analysis revealed tumor size, mitotic count, clinical symptoms, preoperative pathologic diagnosis, ulceration, and necrosis to be variables that had statistically significant differences between the high- and the low-risk groups. In the univariate analysis, tumor size, mitotic count, ulceration, necrosis, and abnormal endoscopic ultrasound findings were associated with disease-free survival, but in the multivariate analysis, mitotic activity was the only independent factor associated with disease-free survival. 8 patients had recurrences during the follow-up period, and four of them were treated with STI-571 (imatinib mesylate, $Gleevec^{(R)}$). The treated patients have survived until now; however, two of non-treated patients died from disease progression. Conclusion: Based on this study, tumor size, ulceration, and necrosis are significant factors affecting survival, and mitotic activity may be a useful prognostic marker. STI-571 may be used in an adjuvant setting because the drug has shown anticancer activity in patients with recurrence or metastasis.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.120-126
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• 2005

Purpose: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a useful imaging procedure for the diagnosis of submucosal tumors in the stomach. The present study investigated the EUS features of benign and malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs) and assessed differences between the two groups. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with a GIST in the stomach were included in the study (23 benign and 7 malignant GISTs). We compared characteristic EUS findings (tumor size, location of tumor, regularity of the outer margin, echoheterogeneity, presence of cystic spaces, echogenic foci and mucosal ulceration) between benign and malignant GISTs. Results: Tumor sizes over 40 mm were observed in $85.7\%$ of the malignant and $8.7\%$ of the benign tumors (P=0.000). Intralesional cystic spaces were noted in $71.4\%$ of the malignant and $8.7\%$ of the benign tumors (P=0.003). The outer margin was irregular in $71.4\%$ of the malignant and $8.7\%$ of the benign tumors (P=0.014). $85.7\%$ of the malignant and $13.0\%$ of the benign tumors had an echo-heterogeneity in the tumor (P=0.001). The locations of tumor and the presence of echogenic foci or mucosal ulcerations were not different between the two groups. Conclusion: Tumor sizes over 40 mm, intralesional cystic spaces, irregular outer margins, and echo-heterogeneity in the tumor were significantly more frequent in malignant GISTs. EUS can provide informations in differentiating benign from malignant GISTs.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.261-264
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• 2007

A gastric adenocarcinoma is the second most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide, but there are some geographical differences in its incidence. A gastrointestinal tumor is an uncommon disease with a wide spectrum of aggressive behavior. These two tumors have a distinct pathogenesis, and synchronous occurrence of an adenocarcinoma and a GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumor) in the stomach is very rare. We report a case of synchronous occurrence of a gastric adenocarcinoma and GIST in a 64-year-old man. We performed the following tests: barium swallowing test, gastroduodenoscopy, and CT scanning. We performed a total gastrectomy, and a 9 em-sized GIST at the fundus and a small early gastric cancer at the antrum were confirmed pathologically. Some explanations for this rare case exist, but in our opinion, the synchronous occurrence is a rare but probable event that can happen in an endemic area. We describe a case of synchronous occurrence of a gastric adenocarcinoma and GIST in the stomach, with a review of the literature.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.207-213
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of computed tomography (CT) gastrography in the surgical management of a gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathologic data of 38 patients who had undergone CT gastrography from among patients who had gastric GISTS surgically resected at the Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, between January 2001 and February 2006. We compared CT gastrography data, including tumor size and location and distance from the gastroesophageal junction or pylorus with endoscopic, surgical and pathologic findings. Results: The longitudinal tumor locations on CT gastrography and endoscopy were identical to the surgical findings. For tumor sizes on CT gastrography of less than 5 cm, we performed 11 (42.3%) laparoscopic wedge resections from among 26 cases. In the 12 cases with tumor sizes of 5 cm or over, only 1 (8.3%) laparoscopic wedge resection was performed. When the tumor was located in the middle third of the stomach, a laparoscopic wedge resection was performed in 88.9% (8/9) of the cases, but when it was located in the upper or lower third, a laparoscopic wedge resection was performed in only 13.8% (4/29) of the cases. Conclusion: Three-dimensional information from CT gastrography allows the surgeon to perform preoperative planning, including accurate localization.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2005

Purpose: This study aimed to provide, as a basic material, the experiences of endoscopy in diagnosis and treatment of tumorous conditions in the upper gastrointestinal tract in children. Methods: The objects were 26 patients diagnosed as having tumorous conditions in the upper gastrointestinal tract among 1,283 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination at the Department of Pediatrics, Pusan National University Hospital, from January 1994 to July 2004 retrospectively. The characteristics of patients, the chief complaints for endoscopic examination, the sorts of tumors diagnosed, the endoscopic findings of tumors, and the treatment of tumors were analysed. Results: 1) Eleven male and fifteen female were included, whose mean age was $6.93{\pm}4.02years$. 2) The chief complaints for endoscopic examination were abdominal pain (80.7%), vomiting or nausea (30.8%), and gastrointestinal beeding (30.7%) in order. 3) Six cases of ectopic pancreas, five cases of sentinel polyp, three cases of papilloma and vallecular cyst, two cases of Brunner's gland hyperplasia and gastric submucosal tumor, one case of gastrointestinal stromal tumor, duodenal intramural hematoma, T cell lymphoma, lipoma, and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome were diagnosed by endoscopy with or without biopsy. 4) The location of tumors was in the pharynx (19.2%), esophagus (7.7%), gastro-esophageal junction (23.0%), stomach (30.7%) and duodeneum (26.9%). 5) The size of tumors was less than 10 mm in 53.8%, 10~20 mm in 26.9%, more than 20 mm 19.2%. 6) Treatments for tumors included resection by laser, surgical resection, endoscopic polypectomy with a forcep or snare, and observation 7) There was no significant complication. Conclusion: Various and not a few tumors were found in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The endoscopy was accurate, effective, and safe means for diagnosis and treatment of those lesions in children.

• 대한위암학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.15-15
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• 2005

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.50-54
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• 2001

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs) of the stomach who were treated in our hospital. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively studied 31 patients who were treated for primary gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the stomach from 1990 to 1999 at Korea University Guro Hospital. Clinical characteristics, including age, sex and tumor size were analyzed. In addition, the relation between the 5-year survival rate and tumor size, operative procedure, and malignancy were analyzed to identify the factors that predict survival. Results: The malignant GISTs were 11 cases, borderline GISTs were 2 cases, and benign GISTs were 18 cases. The overall 5-year cumulative survival rate of the patients was $84.6\%$, and the 5-year survival rates according to malignancy were $100\%$ for benign and borderline GISTs and $78.1\%$ for malignant GISTs, p=0.1119. The 5-year survival rates according to tumor size were $100\%$ for tumor sizes smaller than 5 cm and $78.4\%$ for tumor sizes larger than 5 cm, p=0.0453. The 5-year survival rate according to lymph node dissection during operative procedure of malignant GISTs was not significant statistically. Conclusions: GISTs of the stomach are infrequently encountered tumors. Tumor size was the most important factor for predicting survival in a clinical situation, and performing a complete resection of the tumor, especially tumors larger than 5 cm, will improve the outcome of treatment.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.268-271
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• 2004

Purpose: Most gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) have gain-of-function mutations of the KIT or the platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) genes, but approximately $10\%$ of the GISTs are wild types for both the KIT and the PDGFRA genes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation might be responsible for the pathogenesis of GIST. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the EGFR gene in 60 GISTs for the detection of somatic mutations by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), and DNA sequencing in exon 18, 19, and 21 encoding the kinase domain. Results: The SSCP analysis revealed no evidence of EGFR mutations in exon 18, 19, and 21 in GISTs. Conclusion: The data indicate that the EGFR gene may not be mutated in human GIST and suggest that therapies targeting the mutated EGFR gene products might not be useful in the treatment of GISTs.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.131-137
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• 2006

Small bowel tumors have been difficult to diagnose because of low incidence and absence of specific symptoms. There are no efficient and accurate tests available for diagnosis. Capsule endoscopy is an efficient diagnostic tool for small bowel disease and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. We diagnosed two cases of small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) diagnosed by capsule endoscopy that were treated by surgery. A 68 year old male presented with abdominal pain. The capsule endoscopy showed fungating ulcer mass at the jejunum. A 55 year female presented with melena. The capsule endoscopy showed an intraluminal protruding mass with a superficial ulcer at the jejunum. Two cases were diagnosed with GIST after surgery. We report these two case diagnosed by capsule endoscopy and review the medical literature.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.109-112
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• 2003

Stromal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, especially of the esophagus, are rare. We had a case of malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST) of the esophagus. A 46 years old woman was admitted for abnormal mass shadow in the chest radiograph. The mass was originated from the lower thoracic esophagus, and compressed the right lower pulmonary vein and the inferior vena cava. We removed the tumor externally without injuring of the esophageal mucosa via right posterolateral thoracotomy. The tumor was positive for CD 34 and CD 117, and diagnosed malignant CIST of the esophagus.