Changes in the microvascular structure of mucosal squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus and their significance in tumor progression.

Background: To identify the clinical T stage by endoscopy is a major diagnostic goal for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The completion of a microvascular morphological study of mucosal lesions is necessary to optimize therapy.

Materials And Methods: Images of 197 intra-papillary capillary loops (IPCLs) captured by magnified endoscopy from 15 esophagectomy specimens were studied for their morphological features and IPCL dimensions.

Osteoplastic bone metastasis in esophageal squamous cell cancer: report of a case.

This report presents a case of esophageal squamous cell cancer with osteoplastic bone metastasis. A 58-year-old male patient underwent multimodality treatment for esophageal cancer. Sclerotic changes resembling bone metastasis from prostate cancer were detected in the 4th thoracic and the 5th lumber vertebral body soon after the adjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

[Usefulness of induction chemotherapy followed by chemo-radiotherapy for patients with advanced cervical esophageal cancer].

To obtain a good prognosis and preserve laryngeal function is one of the most important issues for patients with advanced cervical esophageal cancer. It is reported that induction chemotherapy (ICT) followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is useful. We treated 8 consecutive patients with advanced cervical esophageal cancer by ICT and following CRT between 2003 and 2006.

Metachronous Carcinomas of the Biliary Tract in a Patient Treated Three Times with Curative Surgery.

We here report on a case of metachronous multicentric carcinomas of the biliary tract treated 3 times with curative surgery over 23 years. A 28-year-old woman underwent cholecystectomy because of papillary carcinoma of the gallbladder. After 17 years, 3 carcinomas developed in the biliary tract: intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma of the left liver, common bile duct carcinoma, and remnant cystic duct carcinoma.

A pilot trial of docetaxel and nedaplatin in cisplatin-pretreated relapsed or refractory esophageal squamous cell cancer.

Background/aims: This study documents the clinical efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel and nedaplatin in cisplatin-pretreated relapsed or refractory esophageal squamous cell cancer.

Methodology: From February 2002 to February 2007, 20 patients with metastatic or locally recurrent or residual disease previously treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy were included. The median age was 66.

[Successful management of the recurrent esophageal cancer following esophagectomy at a different time with combined local treatment of chemoradiotherapy and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy].

A 63-year-old man who underwent radical resection for esophageal cancer (cStage III)was diagnosed with metastasis of the paraaortic lymph node 5 months after the surgery. He was treated with concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CRT)with low-dose FP(5-FU, CDDP)and 60 Gy of irradiation. The effect of CRT was a complete response.

[Esophageal carcinoma - from the viewpoint of surgery].

Therapeutic performance of the esophageal cancer has improved rapidly. Now in the decision of therapeutic strategy not only life prognosis but also treatments-related morbidity and late term quality of life should be considered. The most important factor of the improvement of esophageal cancer treatment is a progress in early detection of esophageal cancers and active use of treatment methods such as endoscopic mucosal resection.

[Thymic carcinoid accompanied by elevation of serum gastrin-releasing peptide precursor; report of a case].

A 74-year-old male was admitted with an abnormal mediastinal shadow. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thorax showed an anterior mediastinal mass without invasion to the ascending aorta and pulmonary artery. In addition, serum gastrin-releasing peptide precursor (Pro GRP) was increased (60.

Early breast cancer.

Breast cancer remains a common disease throughout the world. Here we review new knowledge about early breast cancer obtained during the past 5 years. The prognosis of early breast cancer is generally favorable.

Enhancement of the caspase-independent apoptotic sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells by DHMEQ, an NF-kappaB inhibitor.

The effects of the nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB inhibitor, dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin (DHMEQ), combined with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were evaluated in PK-8 pancreatic cancer cells. NF-kappaB was activated by TNF-alpha; however, the administration of DHMEQ abrogated its transcriptional activity. The addition of DHMEQ to TNF-alpha markedly induced apoptosis in PK-8 cells with down-regulation of anti-apoptotic c-FLIP and survivin.