Hisao Nakazaki

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the rectum

Poorly differentiated small cell neuroendocrine (NE) carcinoma of the colon and rectum is a rare primaty epithelial malignancy at this location. A case of a highly aggressive NE tumor of small cell type, combined with non‐invasive well‐differentiated papillary adenocarcinoma in villous adenoma is reported. The patient died rapidly with massive and progressive liver metastasis. The tumor cells were argyrophilic and diffusely immunoreactive for neuron‐specific enolase and synaptophysin. Ultrastructural analysis disclosed NE‐type cored granules in most of the small tumor cells. NE tumors of the colon and rectum are briefly reviewed.

Treatment of So-Called Early Esophageal Carcinoma

Recently, in Japan, progress has been made in the diagnosis of esophageal carcinoma. Increasing numbers of superficial and early stage lesions are being detected. A preoperative diagnosis defines so-called early esophageal carcinoma as being a lesion having pT1, pNO, and pMO [1]. Based on our study of 32 cases in the past 10 years, we will discuss the different therapeutic modalities and their results. We will also provide an overview of the current status of the therapeutic approach for superficial esophageal carcinoma in Japan.