PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the clinicopathological characteristics of stomach and small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumors and to determine the risk factors and treatment guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 38 patients who were diagnosed with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor from August 1998 to May 2006, 29 patients at the Pundang Jesaeng General Hospital, Daejin Medical Center were evaluated. The clinicopathological characteristics of gastrointestinal stromal tumors arising from stomach and small bowel were compared. Immunohistochemical staining for CD117, CD34, smooth muscle actin, desmin, and S-100 protein was performed and classified according to NIH criteria. Prognosis between groups was analyzed according to NIH criteria. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis between gastrointestinal stromal tumors arising from the stomach and small bowel. Recurrence of the disease occurred in four (13.8%) patients. Classification of gastrointestinal stromal tumors according to NIH criteria was predictive of recurrence (P=0.030). CONCLUSION: NIH criteria were predictive of recurrence, but the location of the primary site was not predictive of recurrence. A further study involving multi center data and a long-term follow-up will be needed for formulating diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines.
Actins ; Classification ; Desmin ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors* ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; S100 Proteins ; Stomach*

PURPOSE: Thanks to hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and antiviral agents such as Lamivudine , HBV cirrhosis is no longer a contraindication of liver transplantation. Actually it is frequent indication for liver transplantation in Korea. However, to date, the most effective HBV prophylaxis regimen has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the regimen consisting of lamivudine and one-week HBIG for the hepatitis B virus (HBV) prophylaxis following liver transplantation is as effective as a long-term therapy of high dose HBIG. METHODS: From May 1996 to December 1999, 58 patients among a total of 80 cases of liver transplantation were hepatitis B surface antigen positive preoperatively. They were grouped into two protocol regimens, the HBIG group and the Lamivudine combination group, at random. 43 patients (19 patients in the HBIG group, twenty four patients in the Lamivudine combination group) who survived more than 90 days were included in this study. The recurrence was defined as the conversion of HBs-Ag from negative to positive. RESULTS: There was no statistical significance between the two groups in regards to age, sex or the preoperative positive rate of HBeAg. The mean follow-up duration was 27 months (range from 6-55). Of the 43 patients, 5 patients were converted to HBs-Ag positive in serum; two were in theHBIG group and three in the Lamivudine combination group. There was no statistical significance in HBV recurrence rate between the two groups (p=0.97). CONCLUSION: The combined therapy of lamivudine and one week HBIG has an effect equivalent to a long term therapy of high dose HBIG in HBV prophylaxis following liver transplantation.
Antiviral Agents ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Korea ; Lamivudine* ; Liver Transplantation* ; Liver* ; Recurrence*