[A case of AFP and PIVKA-II producing gastric carcinoma].

A 71-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with edema of the ambilateral crura and liver dysfunction. Serum levels of AFP and PIVKA-II were both abnormally high. An abdominal CT revealed many low density masses in both lobes of the liver.

DNA methylation changes in gastrointestinal disease.

DNA methylation of the 5' region of genes is often associated with gene silencing in X-chromosome inactivation and imprinting. Recent studies have indicated that altered DNA methylation plays a role in the inactivation of multiple tumor suppressor genes and DNA repair genes such as p16INK4A and hMLH1. Colorectal adenomas have a relatively high frequency of methylation, and aberrant methylation is an early event during tumorigenesis.

[Leukemic meningitis in B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia].

An 84-year-old woman was admitted because of anemia and marked leukocytosis. The white cell count was 237,660/microliter, with 93% abnormal lymphoid cells. The cells had abundant cytoplasm and prominent nucleoli.