Top

Diagnostic Pathology

Published in:

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Case Report

Significance of occult neoplastic cells on tumor metastasis: a case report of gastric cancer

Authors: Shinkichi Sato, Masaya Mukai

Published in: Diagnostic Pathology | Issue 1/2010

Abstract

Background

Occult neoplastic cells (ONCs) are the tumor cells floating in the lymph node sinuses, distant from the primary tumor, and supposed to be one of most reliable marker of prognosis.

Methods

We report here the case of a 52-year-old woman with a gastric cancer associated by numerous ONCs.

Results

Postoperative examination of the stomach disclosed an advanced, poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with frequent lymph node metastases. In addition to ONCs and occasional micrometastases, focal aggregates of ONCs, one of the possible intermediate lesions between the ONCs and the usual metastases, are also observed.

Conclusions

In the present case, at least some of ONCs seem to form the microaggregates of tumor cells in lymph nodes, anchor in the sinuses, and grow up to the large tumorous lesion. Even if most of the ONCs were trapped and disappeared under the influence of tumor immunity, the detection of ONCs could be one of the reliable clues to estimate the prognosis.

Available only for authorised users

Mukai M, Ito I, Mukoyama S, Tajima T, Saito Y, Nakasaki H, Sato S, Makuuchi H: Improvement of 10-year survival by Japanese radical lymph node dissection in patients with Dukes' B and C colorectal cancer: a 17-year retrospective study. Oncol Rep. 2003, 10: 927-934.PubMed

Mukai M, Sato S, Nishida T, Komatsu N, Shiba K, Nakasaki H, Makuuchi H: Selection criteria for high-risk and low-risk groups of recurrence and metastasis in patients with primary colorectal cancer. Oncol Rep. 2003, 10: 1753-1758.PubMed

Mukai M, Sato S, Nakasaki H, Saito Y, Nishiumi N, Iwasaki M, Tokuda Y, Ogoshi K, Inoue H, Makuuchi H: Occult neoplastic cells in the lymph node sinuses and recurrence of primary breast, lung, esophageal and gastric cancer. Oncol Rep. 2004, 11: 81-84.PubMed

Mukai M, Sato S, Komatsu N, Kimura T, Ninomiya H, Nakasaki H, Ogoshi K, Makuuchi M: Accuracy of criteria for predicting the recurrence and metastasis of stage I and II gastric cancer without lymph node metastasis. Oncol Rep. 2004, 12: 59-62.PubMed

Hasegawa S, Mukai M, Sato S, Tajima T, Wakui K, Ninomiya H, Komatsu N, Nakasaki N, Makuuchi H: Long-term survival and tumor 5-FU sensitivity in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer and peritoneal dissemination. Oncol Rep. 2006, 15: 1185-1190.PubMed

Nakane PK, Pierce GB: Enzyme-labeled antibodies: preparation and application for localization of antigens. J Histochem Cytochem. 1966, 14: 929-931.CrossRefPubMed

Nakane PK, Pierce GB: Enzyme-labeled antibody for the light and electron microscopic localization of tissue antigens. J Cell Biol. 1967, 33: 307-318. 10.1083/jcb.33.2.307.PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed

Mukai M, Tajima T, Nakasaki H, Sato S, Ogoshi K, Makuuchi H: Efficacy of postoperative adjuvant oral immunochemotherapy in patients with Dukes' B colorectal cancer. Ann Cancer Res Ther. 2003, 11: 201-214.CrossRef

Mukai M, Tajima T, Nakasaki H, Sato S, Ogoshi K, Makuuchi H: Efficacy of postoperative adjuvant oral immunochemotherapy in patients with Dukes' C colorectal cancer. Ann Cancer Res Ther. 2003, 11: 215-229.CrossRef

10.

Cancer: A molecular approach. 1994, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, London, 57-76.

11.

Nicosia RF: What is the role of vascular endothelial growth factor-related molecules in tumor angiogenesis?. Am J Pathol. 1998, 153: 11-16.PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed

12.

Braun S, Pantel K, Muller P, Janni W, Hepp F, Kentenich CRM, Gastroph S, Wischnik A, Dimpfl T, Kindermann G, Riethmuller G, Schlimok G: Cytokeratin-positive cells in the bone marrow and survival of patients with stage I, II, or III breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2000, 324: 525-533. 10.1056/NEJM200002243420801.CrossRef

13.

Muller P, Schlimok G: Bone marrow 'micrometastasis' of epithelial tumors: detection and clinical relevance. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2000, 126: 607-618. 10.1007/PL00008472.CrossRefPubMed

14.

Braun S, Rosenberg R, Thorban S, Karbeck N: Implication of occult metastatic cells for systemic cancer treatment in patients with breast or gastrointestinal cancer. Semin Surg Oncol. 2001, 20: 334-346. 10.1002/ssu.1052.CrossRefPubMed

15.

Hwes D, Neville AM, Cote RJ: Detection of occult metastasis in patients with breast cancer. Semin Surg Oncol. 2001, 20: 312-318. 10.1002/ssu.1049.CrossRef

16.

Hasebe T, Sasaki S, Imoto S, Ochiai A: Significance of nodal metastatic tumor characteristics in nodal metastasis and prognosis of patients with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. Cancer Sci. 2003, 94: 181-187. 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2003.tb01416.x.CrossRefPubMed

Title: Significance of occult neoplastic cells on tumor metastasis: a case report of gastric cancer
Authors: Shinkichi Sato
Masaya Mukai
Publication date: 01-12-2010
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Diagnostic Pathology / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1746-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-1596-5-14

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Significance of occult neoplastic cells on tumor metastasis: a case report of gastric cancer

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 1/2010

Submesothelial deposition of carbon nanoparticles after toner exposition: Case report

Follicular thyroid carcinoma invades venous rather than lymphatic vessels

Differential expression of microRNAs in GH-secreting pituitary adenomas

Metastasis to the breast from an adenocarcinoma of the lung with extensive micropapillary component: a case report and review of the literature

The expression of selenium-binding protein 1 is decreased in uterine leiomyoma

Pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with concomitant heterotopic pancreatic cystic neoplasia of the stomach: a case report and review of the literature