Da Hyun Jung

Signet ring cell mixed histology may show more aggressive behavior than other histologies in early gastric cancer

Signet ring cell carcinoma (SRC) of the stomach is known to have different microscopic and biologic characteristics compared to non‐SRC. The pathologic report has documented partly SRC component with main histologies. However, the clinical significance of SRC mixture has not been reported. Aim was to investigate clinicopathologic features of mixed‐SRC histology in early gastric cancer (EGC).

Helicobacter pylori Eradication Prevents Metachronous Gastric Neoplasms after Endoscopic Resection of Gastric Dysplasia.

Purpose There is insufficient data about the role of eradication of H. pylori after endoscopic resection (ER) for gastric dysplasia. The aim was to investigate the benefit of H. pylori eradication after ER in patients with gastric dysplasia to prevent metachronous gastric neoplasms. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed 1872 patients who underwent ER of gastric dysplasia. We excluded patients with a follow-up period of <2 years or who had not undergone tests for active H. pylori infection. A total of 282 patients were enrolled. The patients were categorized into those without active H. pylori infection (H. pylori-negative group, n = 124), those who successfully underwent H. pylori eradication (eradicated group, n = 122), and those who failed or did not undergo H. pylori eradication (persistent group, n = 36). Results Metachronous recurrence was diagnosed in 36 patients, including 19 in the H. pylori-negative group, 10 in the eradicated group, and 7 in the persistent group. The cumulative incidence of metachronous recurrence was significantly lower in the H. pylori-eradicated group in comparison with either of the H. pylori-persistent (non-eradicated or failed) groups (p = 0.039). Similarly, the incidence of metachronous recurrence was significantly lower in the H. pylori-eradicated group compared with the H. pylori-negative group (p = 0.041). Conclusion Successful H. pylori eradication may reduce the development of metachronous gastric neoplasms after ER in patients with gastric dysplasia.

Helicobacter pylori eradication on the prevention of metachronous lesions after endoscopic resection of gastric neoplasm: A meta-analysis

Background There is controversy about the effect of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication on the prevention of metachronous gastric cancer after endoscopic resection (ER). Aims The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the effect of H. pylori eradication on the prevention of metachronous gastric lesions after ER of gastric neoplasms. Methods We performed a systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and MEDLINE that encompassed studies through April 2014. Our meta-analysis consisted of 10 studies, which included 5881 patients who underwent ER of gastric neoplasms. Results When we compared the incidence of metachronous lesions between H. pylori-eradicated and non-eradicated groups, H. pylori eradication significantly lowered the risk of metachronous lesions after ER of gastric neoplasms (five studies, OR = 0.392, 95% CI 0.259 – 0.593, P < 0.001). When we compared H. pylori-eradicated and persistent groups, again, H. pylori eradication significantly lowered the incidence of metachronous lesions after ER of gastric neoplasms (six studies, OR = 0.468, 95% CI 0.326 – 0.673, P < 0.001). There was no obvious heterogeneity across the analyzed studies. Conclusions This meta-analysis suggests a preventive role for H. pylori eradication for metachronous gastric lesions after ER of gastric neoplasms. Thus, H. pylori eradication should be considered if H. pylori infection is confirmed during ER.

The optimal serum pepsinogen cut-off value for predicting histologically confirmed atrophic gastritis

BACKGROUND Although serum pepsinogen tests are useful for predicting the presence of atrophic gastritis, the optimal cut-off values have not been fully evaluated. AIM To determine the optimal serum pepsinogen cut-off value for predicting atrophic gastritis. METHODS Patients scheduled for upper endoscopy at Severance Hospital, Korea, between August 2012 and October 2013, were recruited prospectively. Endoscopic biopsies for atrophic gastritis were obtained and histologically graded, based on the updated Sydney system. RESULTS Ninety-five patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 57.7±12.1 years, and 44.2% of the patients were male. Serum pepsinogen I/II ratios were lower in patients with atrophic gastritis than in those without it (antrum, 4.2±1.7 vs. 5.2±2.1, P=0.040; corpus, 3.3±1.9 vs. 5.4±1.9, P<0.001). Serum pepsinogen I/II ratios were significantly correlated with histologic atrophic gastritis (antrum, P=0.030; corpus, P<0.001). Using a cut-off value of 4.9, the sensitivity and specificity of the serum pepsinogen I/II ratio for predicting atrophic gastritis in the antrum were 68.2% and 60.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION The optimal serum pepsinogen I/II ratio cut-off values for atrophic gastritis of the antrum and for the corpus were 4.9 and 3.5, respectively. Serum pepsinogen I/II ratios, with these cut-off values, are useful for screening patients for the presence of atrophic gastritis.

Factors influencing development of pain after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is widely used for local treatment of gastric neoplasms. Although ESD-related complications such as bleeding and perforation have been reported, data are currently lacking on the development of pain, which is one of the most common adverse events after ESD. The aim of the current study was to investigate the incidence and clinicopathologic risk factors of pain after ESD. PATIENTS AND METHODS A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted to evaluate 156 patients with gastric neoplasms treated by ESD at Gangnam Severance Hospital between April 2011 and August 2013. All patients were randomly assigned to treatment with intravenous proton pump inhibitor (PPI) either before or after ESD. Acid infusion tests were performed in a subgroup of 21 patients to investigate the mechanism of pain after ESD. RESULTS The incidence of moderate-to-severe pain after ESD was significantly lower in the group that received preprocedure PPI (44.9%) compared to those who did not (62.8%). Female sex, tumors of the distal stomach (I.e. lower third), baseline dyspeptic symptoms, and positive acid infusion testing were variables that correlated significantly with the development of pain after ESD, although female sex was not significant in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS Patients with tumors of the distal stomach and baseline dyspeptic symptoms were more likely to develop pain after gastric ESD. Hypersensitivity to acid was one mechanism fueling post-ESD pain. Prophylactic PPI treatment was effective at reducing post-ESD pain.Trial registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02254889).

Clinicopathologic Analysis of Proton Pump Inhibitor-Responsive Esophageal Eosinophilia in Korean Patients

Background/Aims Proton pump inhibitor-responsive esophageal eosinophilia (PPI-REE) is a newly recognized form of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) that responds to PPI therapy. It remains unclear whether PPI-REE represents a subphenotype of gastroesophageal reflux disease, a subphenotype of EoE, or its own distinct entity. The aim was to evaluate the clinicopathologic features of PPI-REE. Methods Six patients were diagnosed with PPI-REE based on symptoms, endoscopic abnormalities, esophageal eosinophilia with ≥15 eosinophils/high-power field, and a response to PPI treatment. Symptoms and endoscopic and pathological findings were evaluated. Results The median follow-up duration was 12 months. Presenting symptoms included dysphagia, heartburn, chest pain, foreign body sensation, acid reflux, and sore throat. All patients had typical endoscopic findings of EoE such as esophageal rings, linear furrows, nodularity, and whitish plaques. Three patients had a concomitant allergic disorder, and one had reflux esophagitis. Four patients exhibited elevated serum IgE, and five had positive skin prick tests. All patients experienced symptomatic resolution within 4 weeks and histologic resolution within 8 weeks after starting PPI therapy. There was no symptomatic recurrence. Conclusions PPI therapy induced rapid resolution of symptoms and eosinophil counts in patients with PPI-REE. Large-scale studies with long-term follow-up are warranted.

Early Attempts to Eradicate Helicobacter pylori after Endoscopic Resection of Gastric Neoplasm Significantly Improve Eradication Success Rates

Purpose After endoscopic resection (ER) of gastric tumors, eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is advised to reduce metachronous recurrence. Optimal timing of such therapy (yet to be established) was investigated herein, examining early active and late scarring stages of post-ER iatrogenic ulcers. Materials and Methods Analysis included 514 patients who received proton-pump inhibitor (PPI)-based triple therapy for H. pylori eradication after ER for gastric neoplasms between January 2008 and June 2015. Clinicopathologic characteristics, particularly the timing of triple therapy, were used to compare eradication rates, assigning patients to early- (≤2 weeks), intermediate- (2–8 weeks), and late-phase (≥8 weeks) treatment groups. Results H. pylori eradication rates differed significantly by timing of triple therapy after ER (early, 90.0%; intermediate, 76.2%, late, 72.4%; p <.001). However, eradication success rates were not significantly affected by age, smoking, alcohol consumption, preexisting comorbidity, method of ER, size and location of iatrogenic ulcer, and duration of therapeutic regimen. Early initiation of H. pylori eradication was also identified as a significant independent predictor of eradication success in multivariate analysis (Odds ratio = 3.67, 95% CI 2.18–6.16; p <.001). Conclusion In patients undergoing ER of gastric tumors, early post-ER attempts at eradication of H. pylori offer the best chance of eradication success.

Clinicopathologic features of gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma in early gastric cancer

Gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma (GCLS) is a rare variant of gastric cancer. The aims of this study were to investigate the clinicopathologic features of GCLS in early gastric cancer (EGC).

Helicobacter pylori Eradication Reduces the Metachronous Recurrence of Gastric Neoplasms by Attenuating the Precancerous Process

Purpose The importance of Helicobacter pylori eradication after endoscopic resection (ER) of gastric neoplasms remains controversial. In this study, we clarified the importance of H. pylori eradication for metachronous lesions after ER. Materials and Methods This study included 3,882 patients with gastric neoplasms who underwent ER. We included patients infected with H. pylori who received eradication therapy. Among them, 34 patients with metachronous lesions after ER and 102 age- and sex-matched patients (nonmetachronous group) were enrolled. Background mucosal pathologies such as atrophy and intestinal metaplasia (IM) were evaluated endoscopically. The expression levels of CDX1, CDX2, Sonic hedgehog (SHH), and SOX2 were evaluated based on H. pylori eradication and the development of metachronous lesions. Results The eradication failure rate was higher in the metachronous group than in the nonmetachronous group (P=0.036). Open-type atrophy (P=0.003) and moderate-to-severe IM (P=0.001) occurred more frequently in the metachronous group. In patients with an initial diagnosis of dysplasia, the eradication failure rate was higher in the metachronous group than in the nonmetachronous group (P=0.002). In addition, open-type atrophy was more frequent in the metachronous group (P=0.047). In patients with an initial diagnosis of carcinoma, moderate-to-severe IM occurred more frequently in the metachronous group (P=0.003); however, the eradication failure rate was not significantly different between the two groups. SHH and SOX2 expression was increased, and CDX2 expression was decreased in the nonmetachronous group after eradication (P<0.05). Conclusions Open-type atrophy, moderate-to-severe IM, and H. pylori eradication failure were significantly associated with metachronous lesions. However, eradication failure was significantly associated with dysplasia, but not carcinoma, in the metachronous group. Thus, H. pylori eradication may play an important role in preventing metachronous lesions after ER for precancerous lesions before carcinomatous transformation.

Is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Achalasia Coincident or Not

Achalasia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are on opposite ends of the spectrum of lower esophageal sphincter dysfunction. Heartburn is the main symptom of GERD. However, heartburn and regurgitation are frequently observed in patients who have achalasia. The diagnosis of achalasia might be delayed because these symptoms are misinterpreted as gastroesophageal reflux. Here, we reviewed the clinical characteristics of patients with the erroneous diagnosis of GERD who actually had untreated achalasia.