Evaluation of SOD Activity in Gastric Cancer

For the purpose of clarifying the defensive capacity of the tumor-bearing host against the tumor was evaluated from the standpoint of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the peripheral blood of untreated gastric cancer patients as compared with clinicopathologic factors. There was not significant difference in SOD activity between the entire gastric cancer patients and normal subjects. In contrast, a significant difference in SOD in monocytes (MNC) and polynuclear leucocytes (PMN) was found between early and advanced gastric cancer patients. SOD activities in advanced gastric cancer patients were obviously depressed. According to the disease stage, those in Stage IV patients were also apparently reduced when compared to reduction of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in MNC was observed in patients with hepatic metastasis (p<0.05) and that in MNC and PMN was seen in patients with peritoneal dissemination (p<0.01). As for gross findings by Borrmann\u27 classification, Borrmann IV gastric cancer revealed significantly reduced SOD activity in MNC and PMN (p<0.01). It is concluded that SOD activity in the peripheral blood was depressed in accordance with advanding cancer stage. On the in vitro basic study to clarify the mechanism on SOD activity in gastric cancer patients it was certified that there was no influence of extracellular factors such as serum factor obtained from cancer-bearing patients, cultured cells, immunodepressant factor and nutrients on SOD activity. In contrast, intracellular factor of inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis induced by adriamycin, actinomycin puromycin was greatly responsible for SOD activity in cultured cells. However, the inhibition of DNA synthesis could be not entirely neglected. It is dubious in association with inhibition of DNA synthesis. It was warned that the use of chemotherrapy of adriamycin and actinomycin D contributed to reduced SOD activity for the treatment of advanced cancers such as stage IV and Borrmann IV gastric cancers

Congenital Web-like Tracheal Stenosis Cured Surgically in Adult

A 60-year-old, Japanese woman, with congenital web-like tracheal stenosis surgically treated. Successful relief from tracheal stenosis was obstained. Detection in adulthood and chance of the treatment for congenital tracheal stenosis is very rare. As far as this case is concerned, delay in detection and treatment is discussed of congenital tracheal stenosis

Early Gastric Cancer Presenting Pyloric or Prepyloric Stenosis

Out of 390 patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) who underwent gastric resection between Jan. 1968 and Jul. 1987, four patients developed pyloric stenosis and one patient developed prepyloric stenosis. Macroscopic types of EGC were II c in three cases and II c + III in two cases. Histologic types were tubular adenocarcinoma in four patients, and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in one patient. Cancer existed just right on or immediately adjacent to the pyloric ring in all patients; and extended transversely to the gastric axis in four patients, and longitudinally in one patient. An associated open ulcer and/or ulcer scar in the cancer lesion was seen in four patients, and submucosal fibrosis in three patients to a variety of degree, both of which were thought to be greatly attributed to pyloric or prepyloric stenosis. A duodenal ulcer was not present in any patients

Paratracheal Lymph Node Metastasis from Cancer of the Stomach

An unusual case of gastric cancer associated with a huge metastasis to the paratracheal lymph node is presented. The 57-year-old female patient with such a metastatic disease was managed by surgery and immunochemotherapy. Histologic examination of the stomach and involved lymph nodes showed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma

Paratracheal Lymph Node Metastasis from Cancer of the Stomach

An unusual case of gastric cancer associated with a huge metastasis to the paratracheal lymph node is presented. The 57-year-old female patient with such a metastatic disease was managed by surgery and immunochemotherapy. Histologic examination of the stomach and involved lymph nodes showed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma