The embryonic Brachyury transcription factor is a novel biomarker of GIST aggressiveness and poor survival.

Background: The T-box transcription factor Brachyury was recently reported to be upregulated and associated with prognosis in solid tumors. Here, we proposed to evaluate the potential use of Brachyury protein expression as a new prognostic biomarker in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

Methods: Brachyury protein expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in a cohort of 63 bona fide GIST patients.

Comparison of laparoscopic total gastrectomy and laparotomic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Background: The use of laparoscopy for the treatment of gastric cancer suffered some resistance among surgeons around the world, gaining strength in the past decade. However, its oncological safety and technical feasibility remain controversial.

Aim: To describe the results from the clinical and anatomopathological point of view in the comparative evaluation between the surgical videolaparoscopic and laparotomic treatments of total gastrectomy with linphadenectomy at D2, resection R0.

Low frequency of TERT promoter mutations in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).

Somatic mutations in the promoter region of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene, mainly at positions c.-124 and c.-146 bp, are frequent in several human cancers; yet its presence in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) has not been reported to date.

[Boerhaave's syndrome: case report].

Spontaneous esophageal rupture carries high morbidity and mortality. The main prognostic factor is early diagnosis, before 12 hours, and appropriate treatment. This is a case report of a 41-years-old man with late esophageal rupture diagnosis treated successfully with transmediatinal esophagectomy and esophageal-gastric tube cervical anastomosis.

Full laparoscopic total pancreatectomy with and without spleen and pylorus preservation: a feasibility report.

Background/purpose: Laparoscopic pancreatic surgery is gaining acceptance and clear advantages have been demonstrated in distal resection. Total pancreaticoduodenectomy (TPD) combines the operative steps of distal pancreatectomy and pancreaticoduodenectomy, but facilitates reconstruction and lowers the risk of common complications by avoiding the need for a pancreatic anastomosis. The aim of this report is to analyse the feasibility of laparoscopic total pancreaticoduodenectomy, with and without spleen and pylorus preservation.

Bypass laparoscopic procedure for palliation of esophageal cancer.

Esophageal cancer is a devastating disease with rapidly increasing incidence in Western countries. Dysphagia is the most common complication, causing severe malnutrition and reduced quality of life. A 69-year-old male with persistent esophageal cancer after radiation therapy was subjected to palliative by-pass surgery using a laparoscopic approach.

Biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) owe their development to the activating mutations in mast/stem cell growth factor receptor (KIT) or platelet-derived growth factor receptor A (PDGFRA) oncogenes. Both these KIT and PDGFRA oncogenes are members of the type III transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase family that stimulates intracellular signaling pathways controlling cell proliferation, adhesion, apoptosis, survival, and differentiation. The presence and type of KIT/PDGFRA mutations help to predict the imatinib mesylate therapy, a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Co-expression of monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) and its chaperone (CD147) is associated with low survival in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).

Monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) have been described to play an important role in cancer, but to date there are no reports on the significance of MCT expression in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). The aim of the present work was to assess the value of MCT expression, as well as co-expression with the MCT chaperone CD147 in GISTs and evaluate their clinical-pathological significance. We analyzed the immunohistochemical expression of MCT1, MCT2, MCT4 and CD147 in a series of 64 GISTs molecularly characterized for KIT, PDGFRA and BRAF mutations.

Lymphangiogenic VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 expression in genetically characterised gastrointestinal stromal tumours.

This study aimed to assess the distribution of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 expression in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs), and to analyse the value of lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in a tumour that is believed to preferentially metastasize through blood vessel conduits. A panel of immunohistochemical antibodies was used to evaluate 51 cases of genetically characterised GISTs: VEGF-C, VEGFR-3, D2-40 (for LVD assessment) and CD31 (for blood vessel density--BDV--assessment). The results were correlated with the clinical-pathological data.

Prognostic and risk factors in patients with locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the trunk and extremities.

55 patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) of the trunk and extremities were studied. A Tissue Microarray was constructed using immunohistochemistry to quantify expression of the HER family, E-cadherins, and podoplanin. Clinical and histopathological factors related to lymph node metastasis and prognosis were also established.

MET Is highly expressed in advanced stages of colorectal cancer and indicates worse prognosis and mortality.

Unlabelled: The aim of the present study was to evaluate by immunohistochemistry the prognostic meaning of the tumor marker MET (hepatocyte growth factor) in patients submitted to surgical resection due to primary colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective study was carried out that included 286 consecutive patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma, submitted to surgical resection at Barretos Cancer Hospital, from 1993 to 2002. The histopathological expression of the MET tumor marker was evaluated using an anti-protein monoclonal antibody against MET by the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase technique.