OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation(RFA) combined with endoscopic resection(ER) for eradicating widespread early non-flat type esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and precancerous lesions.

METHODSRetrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 4 patients with early non-flat type ESCC and precancerous lesions in January 2010 at the Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Proportion of patients with histological complete response (CR) 3 months, 12 months to 5 years after operation and adverse events were observed.

RESULTSThese 4 patients were all male, aged from 47 to 71 (mean age 62) years, including 2 of ESCC, 1 of HGIN, 1 of MGIN confirmed by pathology. USL length was 6-12 (mean 8.5) cm. Treatment area (TA) length was 8-14 (mean 10.5) cm. Three cases were 0-II a (mean length 2 cm), and 1 case 0-II c (mean length 4 cm). Lesions of 2 cases were complete cycle, and other 2 cases occupied 3/4 circumference. Four patients completed their operations successfully. Total operation time was 42-105 (mean 66.8) min, RFA time was 3-12 (mean 8.25) min, and ER time was 6-20 (10.25) min, without bleeding and perforation. The mean hospital stay was 3 days. Pathology examination showed that 2 cases were ESCC G2 (lesion length 12, 8 cm; non-flat type lesion length 3, 4 cm), 1 was HGIN (lesion length 12 cm; non-flat type lesion length 1 cm) and 1 was MGIN (lesion length 6 cm; non-flat type lesion length 2 cm). Three cases were CR 3 months, 1 to 5 years after operation. One case had HGIN at 3-month and MGIN at 1-year and 3-year during follow up, and was CR after treatment with HALO. Postoperative esophageal stenosis occurred in 4 cases. Among them, 2 cases were mild without treatment, and 2 were severe, who were relieved by endoscopic water sac dilation for 5-8 (mean 6.5) times.

CONCLUSIONRFA combined with ER is effective and safe in the treatment of patients with early non-flat esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and precancerous lesions.

Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophageal Stenosis ; Esophagoscopy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Operative Time ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo analyze clinical and molecular characteristics of low-risk essential thrombocythemia (ET) in a large cohort of Chinese patients and to explore risk factors for major thrombosis and treatment strategies.

METHODSMedical records of patients with an initial diagnosis of ET from March 1982 to May 2012 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 604 low-risk ET patients were enrolled with a median follow-up of 49 months (range:0-338). 43(7.1%) patients experienced major thrombotic events. Cox proportional hazards regression revealed JAK2 V617F mutation (HR=2.279; P=0.035) and cardiovascular risk factors (CVF) (HR=2.541; P=0.006) to be risk factors for total thrombotic events, while only CVF (HR=2.633; P=0.008) was risk factor for arterial thrombosis. None of the evaluated factors was related to venous thrombosis. Patients with both JAK2 V617F mutation and CVF had a worse thrombosis- free survival than those with only one risk factor (P<0.05). In patients with JAK2 V617F or CVF alone, antiplatelet treatment (P=0.016) significantly decreased the risk of thrombosis, while those with both JAK2 V617F and CVF could benefit from cytoreductive agents (P=0.018).

CONCLUSIONChinese low-risk ET patients have a lower risk of thrombosis than Caucasian low-risk ET patients. JAK2 V617F mutation and CVF are the most significant risk factors for thrombosis. Existence of both risk factors further increases the thrombotic risk. Treatment strategies on low-risk ET patients should be made based on presence or absence of risk factors.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Humans ; Janus Kinase 2 ; Mutation ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Thrombocytopenia ; complications ; Thrombosis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the difference of microRNA (miRNA) expression between two groups of early stage (pT1N0) esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients who had different outcome and the prognostic significance of different miRNA in metastatic of early ESCC, and to identify useful prognostic markers in the selection of appropriate treatment for early ESCC patients.

METHODSTaqMan human miRNA arrays and bioinformatics were used to detect and analyze the expression profiles of miRNAs in the two groups, and RT-PCR was used to verify the differences in miRNA expression.

RESULTSThe miRNA arrays revealed a total of 41 markedly changed miRNAs in the survival group compared with the death group. Bioinformatics analysis, prediction and significant function analyses of targeted genes and pathway analysis identified that miR-27a, miR-143 and miR-886-5p levels were increased or decreased by seven-folds or more. The enriched target genes were GRB2, SOS1, MAPK1, EGFR, CBL, SPRY2, RPS6KA5, IGF1R, NGFR, MAPK14 and CREB1. These genes were significantly related to the following signaling pathways, i.e.Sprouty regulation of tyrosine kinase signals pathway, Erk1/Erk2 Mapk signaling pathway and transcription factor CREB and its extracellular signals.

CONCLUSIONSmiR-27a, miR-886-5p, and miR-143 may be potential prognostic markers of metastasis for early ESCC. The detection of these miRNAs plays a directive role for the treatment options of early ESCC. The regulation of targeted genes and mechanism remain to be further studied.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; surgery ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; surgery ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Signal Transduction