PURPOSE: To investigate the safety and the efficacy of intravesical gemcitabine therapy, we prospectively studied intravesical gemcitabine instillation followed by Bacillus Calmette-Guerin(BCG) instillation for treating the patients who suffer from superficial bladder cancer, and the above method was then compared with conventional BCG instillation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2005 and April 2007, a total of 84 patients were divided into Group I: the patients were treated with a 2-week course of gemcitabine(1,000mg/50ml, 2,000mg/50ml) followed by a conventional 6-week course of BCG, and Group II: the patients were treated by BCG instillation only. Gemcitabine was instilled immediately within 6 hours after complete trans-urethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) and then this was repeated one week later. BCG instillation was started 2 weeks after TURBT. The complications, recurrence rates, progression rates and recurrence-free period(RFP) were analyzed in both groups. RESULTS: The treatment was well tolerated in all the patients. Most of the complications were self-limiting, and there was no significant difference between the two groups(p=0.379). The recurrence rates of the two groups were 25.6% and 26.7%, respectively(p=0.899). Yet the recurrence-free period(RFP) was significantly longer in Group I(p=0.021). The progression rates of the two groups were 2.6% and 6.7%, respectively(p=0.620). CONCLUSIONS: Intravesical gemcitabine instillation showed the effect to prolong the recurrence-free period for patients with superficial bladder cancer. Further long-term study will be needed.
Administration, Intravesical ; Bacillus ; Deoxycytidine ; Humans ; Mycobacterium bovis ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

Metastatic tumors of the tunica vaginalis testis from gastric cancer are extremely rare. We report here on a case of a 48-year-old man who had undergone total gastrectomy due to advanced gastric cancer 23 months previously, and he presented with right painless scrotal swelling. A hard mass was palpated along the right spermatic cord and there was an associated hydrocele around the mass. Ultrasonography showed homegenous hypoechoic lesions in the spermatic cord and anechoic lesion superior to the right testis, which was suggestive of hydrocele of the testis. Exploration was performed via inguinal incision. Multiple hemorrhagic small nodules were noted on the surface of the tunica vaginalis. Also, a tumor in the spermatic cord was present beyond the inner inguinal ring. On microscopic examination, adenocarcinoma cell nests, which were consistent with primary gastric cancer, were found in the tunica vaginalis testis, spermatic cord and peritesticular soft tissue, but not within the parenchyme of the testis or epididymis.
Adenocarcinoma ; Epididymis ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Inguinal Canal ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Spermatic Cord ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Testicular Hydrocele ; Testis* ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study compared the therapeutic efficacy of endoscopic band ligation (EBL) with that of electrocoagulation for treating non-variceal, non-ulcer (NVNU) upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding. METHODS: This study included 89 patients who underwent EBL and 56 patients in whom monopolar electrocoagulation was performed for NVNU UGI bleeding. The lesions treated were Mallory-Weiss tear in 91 patients, Dieulafoy's lesion in 42 patients and angiodysplasia in 12 patients. RESULTS: The initial hemostatic rate was 97% in the EBL group and 91% in the electrocoagulation group, but this was not statistically different. Rebleeding occurred in 5 of 89 patients (5.6%) in the EBL group and in 8 of 56 patients (14.3%) in the electrocoagulation group (p=0.07). Thrombocytopenia or prothrombin time prolongation was confirmed to be a significant risk factor for rebleeding. The rebleeding rate in the high risk group was significantly lower than in the EBL group (9% vs. 30%, respectively, p=0.03). The median procedure time was significantly shorter in the EBL group compared with that in the electrocoagulation group (median 5.6 minutes vs. 8.3 minutes, respectively, p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: EBL and electrocoagulation are both effective for treating NVNU UGI bleeding, and EBL is especially safe and effective for the cases with a high risk for rebleeding.
Risk Factors

Gangliocytic paraganglioma is a rare and benign gastrointestinal tumor that usually arises in the second portion of the duodenum. Histogenesis of this tumor is yet unclear. It is incidentally found during radiographic examinations or during endoscopy looking for the cause of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, which usually manifests as mucosal ulcerations. To our knowledge, there was only one case of duodenal gangliocytic paraganglioma presenting with melena in Korea. We experienced a case of gangliocytic paraganglioma arising from the ampulla of Vater, presenting as obstructive jaundice, which was subsequently removed surgically. Thus, we report this case with a review of literatures.
Ampulla of Vater* ; Duodenum ; Endoscopy ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Jaundice* ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; Korea ; Melena ; Paraganglioma* ; Ulcer

Duodenal intramural hematoma is mostly caused by blunt abdominal trauma. Spontaneous duodenal intramural hematoma has been reported in the literature in patients with over-anticoagulation and coagulation disorders. The presentation of patients can vary from mild and vague abdominal pain to intestinal tract obstruction and an acute abdomen. The diagnosis is evident by gastroduodenal endoscopy, EUS and abdominal CT scan. We report a case of spontaneous duodenal intramural hematoma without the history of abdominal trauma and coagulation disorders in 54-year-old male patient. After conservative treatment, the patient was discharged without any complications.
Abdomen, Acute ; Abdominal Pain ; Diagnosis ; Duodenum ; Endoscopy ; Hematoma* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gelatinase (matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -2 and 9) has an important role in the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we evaluated the relationship of gelatinase to chronic liver disease. METHODS: Four groups of subjects were examined; healthy control (10 cases), chronic hepatitis (18 cases), LC (15 cases), and HCC (28 cases). The plasma of each subject was obtained, and the equal quantification of plasma protein was done. The plasma activities of MMP-2 and 9 were measured by zymography. RESULTS: The activities of plasma MMP-2 in patients with LC were significantly higher than those in controls (p=0.009) and in patients with chronic hepatitis (p=0.011), but not different from those in patients with HCC. The activities of plasma MMP-9 in patients with LC were significantly higher than those in controls, but not different from those in patients with chronic hepatitis or HCC. In patients with LC (regardless of having HCC), the activities of MMP-2 correlated with total bilirubin (r=0.323, p=0.048) and Child-Pugh score (r=0.414, p=0.012). The activities of MMP-2 and 9 were higher in patients with LC (regardless of having HCC) caused by alcohol than caused by HBV (p=0.009 and 0.002 for each one). CONCLUSIONS: The plasma activity of MMP-2 may be a useful marker for the diagnosis and determination of the severity of LC. The plasma activity of MMP-9 was not useful for HCC, but may be a marker for alcoholic LC. Further study is needed to determine why the plasma activity of gelatinase was higher in patients with LC caused by alcohol than by HBV.
Adult ; Aged ; Biological Markers/blood ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*diagnosis ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/diagnosis ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis/*diagnosis/etiology ; Liver Neoplasms/*diagnosis ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2/*blood ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/*blood ; Middle Aged

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the Caspase 3 and p21 expression level and to understand the correlation between Caspase 3 expression and the clinical factors in renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two patients with renal cell carcinoma were enrolled in this study. Immunohistochemical staining of Caspase 3 and p21 was performed in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections using rabbit polyclonal antibody (Caspase 3) and mouse antibody (p21). The Caspase 3 and p21 expression levels were compared with the TNM stage, Fuhrman grade, pathological type and survival rates. RESULTS: The Caspase 3 expression level correlated only with the Fuhrman grade (p=0.017). There was no significant correlation between the Caspase 3 and p21 expression level. The prognostic values did not correlate with the Caspase 3 and p21 expression level. CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic value of the Caspase 3 expression level in renal cell carcinoma was insufficient. The relationship between Caspase 3 and p21 was not proven in renal cell carcinoma, and new factors may be implicated with Caspase 3.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Caspase 3* ; Humans ; Mice ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the prognostic differences in invasive cancer that progressed from a superficial transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) compared to an already invasive TCC at the time of the initial presentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-one patients who had a radical cystectomy performed for an invasive TCC were enrolled in this study. They were divided into two groups. In the first group, the patients were diagnosed as a superficial TCC at initially, which progressed to an invasive tumor. The second group consisted of patients who were diagnosed with invasive TCC at the time of the initial diagnosis. Two groups were compared with regard to the TNM stage, Ash grade, presence of accompanying carcinoma in-situ and survival rate. RESULTS: The group with invasive cancer at the time of the initial presentation had a significantly higher grade than the progressed group. The five-year survival rate was lower in the progressed group. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed it was statistically significant (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The grade was higher and the five-year survival rate was lower in the group with invasive cancer at the time of the initial presentation. Therefore, the invasive TCC at the initial diagnosis might take a more aggressive nature than the progressed group.
Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; Cystectomy ; Diagnosis* ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* ; Urinary Bladder*

To evaluate the activity and safety of a combination chemotherapy with epirubicin, cisplatin, and a protracted venous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (ECF) in unresectable or metastatic gastric cancer, a phase II study was performed. Thirty-five chemotherapy-naive patients were given ECF. Epirubicin (50 mg/m2 intravenous, IV) and cisplatin (60 mg/m2 IV) were administered every three weeks during a continuous intravenous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (250 mg/m2 /day) using infusion pump. One complete response and 19 partial responses (response rate=62%) were achieved. Eight patients remained stable, whereas in four patients the disease progressed. The median duration of response was 22 weeks (95% confidence interval, 18-27 weeks). The median survival for all patients was 10 months (95% confidence interval, 6-14 months), with a 1-yr survival rate of 40%. A total of 184 cycles of chemotherapy were administered. Grade 3 or 4 emesis occurred in 3%, mucositis in 2%, anemia in 10%, and leukopenia in 3% of the cycles. Central venous catheter complications that required line removal occurred in 37% (n=13) of the patients. No patient died of toxicity. Overall, the ECF regimen showed high anti-tumor activity with a tolerable toxicity pattern.
Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/*administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Cisplatin/*administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Epirubicin/*administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Female ; Fluorouracil/*administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Humans ; Infusion Pumps ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stomach Neoplasms/*drug therapy/mortality/secondary ; Survival Analysis

A patient experienced a silent gallstone accompanied by acute severe pancreatitis during interferon theraphy for renal cell carcinoma. Although the gallstone was highly suspected to be the cause of the pancreatits, there were no duodenoscopic or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographic findings suggesting gallstone pancreatitis such as papillitis, impacted papillary and common bile duct stones, and/or a wider cystic or pancreatic duct, respectively. It is believed that the acute pancreatitis in the presenting case was probably caused by interferon because 1) sludge nor biliary crystal was not detected by light microscopic examination, 2) no tumors, anomalies, nor any obstructing ductal lesions in the pancreas were found, 3) this patient had no other potential causes of acute pancreatitis, and 4) there was no use of potential drugs which could be responsible for the acute pancreatitis other than interferon. In addition, trials of endoscopic drainage of complicated pancreatic abscesses were discussed.
Abscess* ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Common Bile Duct ; Drainage ; Gallstones ; Humans ; Interferons* ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Pancreatitis* ; Papilledema ; Sewage