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A cohort of individuals (n = 136) with lesions as severe as atrophic chronic gastritis (ACG) was cross-sectionally evaluated for the validity assessment of pepsinogen I (PGI) and pepsinogen II (PGII) serum levels for the diagnosis of intestinal metaplasia (IM) and gastric dysplasia. PGI/PGII ratio [median (range)] was 4 (0.5-7.5) in patients with ACG (n = 35); 4.6 (1.9-6.8) in type I IM (n = 18); 4.2 (1.4-5.9) in type II or type III IM limited to the antrum and incisura (n = 20); 2.4 (0.4-5.6) in extensive incomplete IM (n = 38); and 1.3 (0.4-6.4) in low-grade dysplasia (n = 23) (P = .002). Using histopathologic data as a reference test, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (CI 95%) was 0.73 (0.64-0.82) for extensive IM, 0.72 (0.58-0.85) for the diagnosis of dysplasia, and 0.81 (0.66-0.95) for the diagnosis of high-grade dysplasia. Using a PGI/PGII ratio of < or =3 as the cutoff for dysplasia diagnosis, the sensitivity was 70% (62-78%), the specificity was 65% (57-73%), and the negative predictive value estimates were over 90%. No differences in PG levels according to age or gender were observed. Helicobacter pylori did not significantly influence validity measurement estimates. PGI/PGII serum level ratio can be used even in the management of patients with a high a priori probability for a positive test. It may be useful for the exclusion of more advanced lesions (extensive IM and neoplastic lesions).

Goal: To determine the prevalence of associated primary tumors in patients with gastric cancer., Study: Retrospective study of 2,668 patients with gastric cancer observed at our department between July 1974 and December 1999. Associated tumors were diagnosed using Warren and Gates criteria, and included tumors that were not considered to be a metastasis, invasion, or recurrence of gastric cancer., Results: Of all, 3.4% (n = 78) had primary tumors other than gastric cancer, 27% of which were synchronous (n = 21) and 73%, metachronous (n = 57). The mean follow-up time was 4 years (range, 1-13 years), and the male-to-female ratio was 1:1. The median age at diagnosis of gastric cancer was 67 years (range, 37-84 years), 69 years for patients with synchronous tumors versus 60 years for those with metachronous (p = 0.050). For at least half the patients the median time interval to metachronous cancer was 3 years (range, 1-22 years). Seventy-eight percent (n = 61) had two cancers; most were colonic (19%), uterine and ovarian (16%), and breast tumors (13%). Seventeen percent (n = 13) had three tumors: colon (46%), breast (23%), and skin (23%). Four percent (n = 3) had four tumors. One case with seven tumors was also observed [colon, breast (two tumors), uterus, skin, and stomach (two tumors)]. No statistically significant differences were found between synchronous and metachronous with regard to sex, gastric cancer location, and staging (TNM). Sixty-three percent (n = 49) died while under observation., Conclusions: We found associated tumors in 3.4% of patients with gastric cancer. The most frequent associated tumors were breast and colon cancer. Surveillance for these tumors would be appropriate, at least in first years, after diagnosis of gastric cancer.

Background: Radiation-induced proctosigmoiditis is a serious complication of pelvic radiation therapy. Rectal bleeding occurs among 6% to 8% of these patients and is extremely difficult to manage. Pharmacotherapy is generally ineffective, whereas surgical treatment is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Argon plasma coagulation is a new method of noncontact electrocoagulation well suited for hemostasis of large bleeding areas., Methods: From December 1996 through March 1998, we used argon plasma coagulation to treat 28 patients with hemorrhagic radiation-induced proctosigmoiditis. Indications for treatment were anemia (n = 18) and persistent bleeding despite pharmacotherapy (n = 10). Argon flow and electrical power were set at 1.5 L/min and 50 W. The severity of rectal bleeding was graded from 0 to 4 (highest), and hemoglobin levels were recorded before and after treatment., Results: Eighty-two therapeutic sessions were performed (median 2.9 sessions per patient). The severity score for rectal bleeding dropped at least 1 point for all but 2 patients, and the mean value decreased from 2.96 to 0.68. Average hemoglobin level increased 1.2 gm/dL (1.9 gm/dL among anemic patients). No serious complications were observed., Conclusions: Argon plasma coagulation appears to be a simple, safe, and effective technique in the management of hemorrhagic radiation-induced proctosigmoiditis.