Gastric cancer is the fourth most common malignant neoplasm and the second leading cause of death for cancer in Western countries with more than 20000 new cases yearly diagnosed in the United States. Surgery represent...Gastric cancer is the fourth most common malignant neoplasm and the second leading cause of death for cancer in Western countries with more than 20000 new cases yearly diagnosed in the United States. Surgery represents the main approach for this disease but, notwithstanding the advances in surgical techniques, we observed a minimal improvement in terms of overall survival with a significant increasing of relapsing disease rates. Despite the development of new drugs has significantly improved the effectiveness of chemotherapy, the prognosis of patients with unresectable or metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma remains poor. Recently, several molecular target agents have been investigated; in particular, trastuzumab represents the first target molecule showing improvements in overall survival in human epithelial growth factor 2-positive gastric cancer patients. New molecules targeting vascular epithelial growth factor, mammalian target of rapamycin, and anti hepatocyte growth factor-c-Met pathway are also under investigation, with interesting results. Anyway, it seems necessary to select more accurately the population to treat with new agents by the identification of new biomarkers in order to optimize the results. In this paper we review the actual “scenario” of targeted treatments, also focusing on the new agents in development for gastric cancer and gastro-esophageal carcinoma, discussing their efficacy and potential applications in clinical practice.展开更多
BACKGROUND Retroperitoneal liposarcoma(RLPS)is a rare malignant tumor of the connective tissue and usually grows to a large size,undetected.Diagnosis is currently based on collective findings from clinical examination...BACKGROUND Retroperitoneal liposarcoma(RLPS)is a rare malignant tumor of the connective tissue and usually grows to a large size,undetected.Diagnosis is currently based on collective findings from clinical examinations and computed tomography(CT)and magnetic resonance imaging,the latter of which show a fat density mass and possible surrounding organ involvement.Surgical resection is the main therapeutic strategy.The efficacy and safety of further therapeutic choices,such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy,are still controversial.CASE SUMMARY A 61-year-old man presented with complaint of a large left inguinal mass that had appeared suddenly,after a slight exertion.Ultrasonography revealed an omental inguinal hernia.During further clinical examination,an enormous palpable abdominal mass,continuing from the left inguinal location,was observed.CT revealed a giant RLPS,with remarkable mass effect and wide visceral dislocation.After multidisciplinary consultation,surgical intervention was performed.Subsequent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy were precluded by the mass’large size and retroperitoneal localization,features typically associated with non-response to these types of treatment.Instead,the patient underwent conservative treatment via radical surgical excision.After 1 year,his clinical condition remained good,with no radiological signs of recurrence.CONCLUSION Conservative treatment via surgery resulted in a successful outcome for a large RLPS.展开更多
BACKGROUND Mallory-Weiss syndrome(MWS),representing a linear mucosal laceration at the gastroesophageal junction,is a quite frequent cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding,usually induced by habitual vomiting.The su...BACKGROUND Mallory-Weiss syndrome(MWS),representing a linear mucosal laceration at the gastroesophageal junction,is a quite frequent cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding,usually induced by habitual vomiting.The subsequent cardiac ulceration in this condition is likely due to the concomitance of increased intragastric pressure and inappropriate closure of the gastroesophageal sphincter,collectively inducing ischemic mucosal damage.Usually,MWS is associated with all vomiting conditions,but it has also been described as a complication of prolonged endoscopic procedures or ingested foreign bodies.CASE SUMMARY We described herein a case of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in a 16-year-old girl with MWS and chronic psychiatric distress,the latter of which deteriorated following her parents’divorce.The patient,who was residing on a small island during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic lockdown period,presented with a 2-mo history of habitual vomiting,hematemesis,and a slight depressive mood.Ultimately,a huge intragastric obstructive trichobezoar was detected and discovered to be due to a hidden habit of continuously eating her own hair;this habit had persisted for the past 5 years until a drastic reduction in food intake and corresponding weight loss occurred.The relative isolation in her living status without school attendance had worsened her compulsory habit.The hair agglomeration had reached such enormous dimensions and its firmness was so hard that its potential for endoscopic treatment was judged to be impossible.The patient underwent surgical intervention instead,which culminated in complete removal of the mass.CONCLUSION According to our knowledge,this is the first-ever described case of MWS due to an excessively large trichobezoar.展开更多
文摘Gastric cancer is the fourth most common malignant neoplasm and the second leading cause of death for cancer in Western countries with more than 20000 new cases yearly diagnosed in the United States. Surgery represents the main approach for this disease but, notwithstanding the advances in surgical techniques, we observed a minimal improvement in terms of overall survival with a significant increasing of relapsing disease rates. Despite the development of new drugs has significantly improved the effectiveness of chemotherapy, the prognosis of patients with unresectable or metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma remains poor. Recently, several molecular target agents have been investigated; in particular, trastuzumab represents the first target molecule showing improvements in overall survival in human epithelial growth factor 2-positive gastric cancer patients. New molecules targeting vascular epithelial growth factor, mammalian target of rapamycin, and anti hepatocyte growth factor-c-Met pathway are also under investigation, with interesting results. Anyway, it seems necessary to select more accurately the population to treat with new agents by the identification of new biomarkers in order to optimize the results. In this paper we review the actual “scenario” of targeted treatments, also focusing on the new agents in development for gastric cancer and gastro-esophageal carcinoma, discussing their efficacy and potential applications in clinical practice.
文摘BACKGROUND Retroperitoneal liposarcoma(RLPS)is a rare malignant tumor of the connective tissue and usually grows to a large size,undetected.Diagnosis is currently based on collective findings from clinical examinations and computed tomography(CT)and magnetic resonance imaging,the latter of which show a fat density mass and possible surrounding organ involvement.Surgical resection is the main therapeutic strategy.The efficacy and safety of further therapeutic choices,such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy,are still controversial.CASE SUMMARY A 61-year-old man presented with complaint of a large left inguinal mass that had appeared suddenly,after a slight exertion.Ultrasonography revealed an omental inguinal hernia.During further clinical examination,an enormous palpable abdominal mass,continuing from the left inguinal location,was observed.CT revealed a giant RLPS,with remarkable mass effect and wide visceral dislocation.After multidisciplinary consultation,surgical intervention was performed.Subsequent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy were precluded by the mass’large size and retroperitoneal localization,features typically associated with non-response to these types of treatment.Instead,the patient underwent conservative treatment via radical surgical excision.After 1 year,his clinical condition remained good,with no radiological signs of recurrence.CONCLUSION Conservative treatment via surgery resulted in a successful outcome for a large RLPS.
文摘BACKGROUND Mallory-Weiss syndrome(MWS),representing a linear mucosal laceration at the gastroesophageal junction,is a quite frequent cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding,usually induced by habitual vomiting.The subsequent cardiac ulceration in this condition is likely due to the concomitance of increased intragastric pressure and inappropriate closure of the gastroesophageal sphincter,collectively inducing ischemic mucosal damage.Usually,MWS is associated with all vomiting conditions,but it has also been described as a complication of prolonged endoscopic procedures or ingested foreign bodies.CASE SUMMARY We described herein a case of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in a 16-year-old girl with MWS and chronic psychiatric distress,the latter of which deteriorated following her parents’divorce.The patient,who was residing on a small island during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic lockdown period,presented with a 2-mo history of habitual vomiting,hematemesis,and a slight depressive mood.Ultimately,a huge intragastric obstructive trichobezoar was detected and discovered to be due to a hidden habit of continuously eating her own hair;this habit had persisted for the past 5 years until a drastic reduction in food intake and corresponding weight loss occurred.The relative isolation in her living status without school attendance had worsened her compulsory habit.The hair agglomeration had reached such enormous dimensions and its firmness was so hard that its potential for endoscopic treatment was judged to be impossible.The patient underwent surgical intervention instead,which culminated in complete removal of the mass.CONCLUSION According to our knowledge,this is the first-ever described case of MWS due to an excessively large trichobezoar.
