Wang Shi-jie

Expressions of p16 and FHIT proteins during esophageal carcinomatous development in high incidence area of esophageal carcinoma

ObjectiveTo detect the changes of p16 and FHIT and investigate their relationship in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma development by measuring their expression levels in normal squamous epithelium tissue, mild, moderate, severe dysplasia lesions, carcinoma in situ and invasive squamous cell carcinomas.MethodsExpressions of p16 protein and FHIT protein were detected and analyzed in 17 cases of normal squamous epithelium, 16 cases of mild dysplasia, 16 cases of moderate dysplasia, 17 cases of severe dysplasia, 10 cases of carcinoma in situ, and 18 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by immunohistochemical method.ResultsWith increasing histopathologic grades, the expressions of p16 and FHIT became gradually lower. There was no remarkable difference of p16 and FHIT expressions between the normal and mild dysplasia group (P>0.05), but the differences between the normal and other groups were all significant (P<0.05). There was no remarkable difference among the squamous cell carcinoma group, the moderate and severe dysplasia groups, and the carcinoma in situ group (P>0.05), but significant differences existed in the expressions of p16 and FHIT proteins between the squamous cell carcinoma and the normal groups, and between the squamous cell carcinoma and the mild dysplasia groups (P<0.05). There was an association of descending trend between p16 and FHIT protein expressions.ConclusionReduced expressions of p16 and/or FHIT proteins possible play an important role in the early occurrence of esophageal cancer. There was a positive correlation between the expressions of p16 and FHIT proteins.

Epidemic strength of cardia and distant stomach cancer in the high risk region of esophageal cancer and their implication to edoscopic screening

ObjectiveTo discuss the epidemic strength of cardia and distant stomach cancers in the high risk region of esophageal cancer along the south Taihang mountain such as in Shexian, Linxian, and Cixian Counties, and to clarify the tasks for the control of upper gastrointestinal tract cancer as a whole in the region.MethodsComparisons of incidence and mortality rates of esophageal, cardia and stomach cancers were made between Cixian, Linxian and Shexian Counties with reference to detection rates of cancer in situ and precancerous lesions of the three upper gastrointestinal cancers by endoscopic screening. The screening was performed from 1999 through 2004 in the three adjacent counties including a total of 6233 local residents aged 40 to 69 years old.ResultsThe incidence rates for cardia cancer for the male and female from 2000 through 2004 were 69.9 and 41.5, and the mortality rates were 54.3 and 33.2 respectively in Shexian County. Esophageal, cardia, and stomach cancers constitute about 70∼80 percent of all malignant disease by incidence or mortality rates. Endoscopic survey with iodine staining can effectively detect squamous cell precancerous lesions in the esophagus, but the method is inadequate for the detection of adeno precancerous lesions of the cardia and stomach.ConclusionThe south Taihang mountain region is a high risk area not only for esophagus cancer, but also for cardia and stomach cancers. To control upper gastrointestinal tract cancers as a whole in the region, special attention should be paid to the control of cardia and stomach cancers. Presently, to find effective screening methods for detecting cardia and stomach precancerous lesions is especially important.