microinvasive gastric cancer

Microinvasive gastric cancer, also known as early gastric cancer, is an invasive adenocarcinoma confined to the mucosa or mucosa and submucosa of the gastric wall [1][2]. This type of cancer may or may not involve the regional lymph nodes [3].

It usually occurs in the lesser curvature of the stomach [4][5]. The 5-year survival rate following resection is between 80 percent and 95 percent, and remains high even when lymph node metastases are present [6][7].

Microinvasive gastric cancer is a type of surface gastric cancer or early gastric cancer, which is characterized by its limited invasion into the stomach wall [8]. It is distinct from more advanced forms of gastric cancer that have invaded deeper layers of the stomach.

References: [1] Context result 2: Microinvasive gastric cancer Definition: An invasive adenocarcinoma confined to the mucosa or mucosa and submucosa of the gastric wall. [2] Context result 3: Microinvasive gastric cancer Definition: An invasive adenocarcinoma confined to the mucosa or mucosa and submucosa of the gastric wall. [3] Context result 4: The regional lymph nodes may or may not be involved. [4] Context result 10: It usually occurs in the lesser curvature. [5] Context result 11: It usually occurs in the lesser curvature. [6] Context result 10: The 5-year survival rate following resection is between 80 percent and 95 percent, and remains high even when lymph node metastases are present. [7] Context result 11: The 5-year survival rate following resection is between 80 percent and 95 percent, and remains high even when lymph node metastases are present. [8] Context result 5: microinvasive gastric cancer. Disease Ontology Definition:n_a. Synonyms: Surface gastric cancer, early gastric cancer, early gastric cancer (disorder).

Early Warning Signs

Microinvasive gastric cancer, also known as early-stage stomach cancer, rarely causes symptoms in its initial stages. However, when present, the signs and symptoms can be subtle and easily overlooked.

• Poor appetite: A decrease in appetite is one of the earliest warning signs of microinvasive gastric cancer [5].
• Indigestion and nausea: Some people may experience indigestion or nausea, which can be mistaken for other common conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, or peptic ulcers [6].
• Difficulty swallowing: As the cancer progresses, difficulty swallowing food or liquids may become apparent [9].

Later Stage Symptoms

In more advanced stages of microinvasive gastric cancer, symptoms can worsen and include:

• Belly pain: Pain in the upper abdomen or belly area can occur as the cancer grows [7].
• Feeling full after eating small amounts: A feeling of fullness or bloating after consuming small meals is another possible symptom [9].
• Weight loss: Unintended weight loss, often accompanied by a decrease in appetite, can be a sign of advanced microinvasive gastric cancer [8].

Other Possible Symptoms

In some cases, microinvasive gastric cancer may present with additional symptoms, such as:

• Jaundice: A yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) can occur if the cancer spreads to the liver or bile ducts [8].
• Stomach lump: A palpable mass in the stomach area may be felt during a physical examination [8].

Important Note

It's essential to note that many symptoms associated with microinvasive gastric cancer are non-specific and can mimic those of other conditions. If you're experiencing any unusual or persistent symptoms, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and diagnosis.

References:

[5] - Context result 5 [6] - Context result 6 [7] - Context result 7 [8] - Context result 8 [9] - Context result 9

Diagnostic Tests for Microinvasive Gastric Cancer

Microinvasive gastric cancer, also known as early-stage gastric cancer, requires accurate and timely diagnosis to improve patient outcomes. Several diagnostic tests can help identify this condition.

• Endoscopy: A thorough physical examination, careful history, and basic investigations such as endoscopy, biopsy or sonography are essential in staging gastric cancer [1]. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a modality that combines endoscopy with ultrasound imaging to assess the depth of invasion and lymph node involvement [3].
• Endoscopic Ultrasonography (EUS): EUS is a valuable tool for staging gastric cancer, including microinvasive lesions. It can accurately determine the tumor's depth of invasion and assess lymph node metastasis [4]. A study by Kida et al. in 1998 demonstrated the effectiveness of EUS in staging gastric cancer with endoscopic mucosal resection [3].
• Cytokeratin Immunostaining: Cytokeratin immunostaining is a useful method for detecting micrometastasis and microinvasion in submucosal gastric cancer [7]. This technique can help identify early-stage gastric cancer.
• Serum miRNA Panels: Recent research has developed serum miRNA panels capable of detecting early-stage lung and gastric cancers, including microinvasive lesions [9].

These diagnostic tests are essential for accurate staging and treatment planning in patients with microinvasive gastric cancer.

References: [1] Siewert JR. Staging in gastric cancer extends beyond exact physical examination, careful history and basic investigations such as endoscopy, biopsy or sonography. (2001) [3] Kida M. Staging of gastric cancer with endoscopic ultrasonography and endoscopic mucosal resection. (1998) [4] Nagahama T. Evaluation of endoscopic ultrasound image quality is necessary in endosonographic assessment of early gastric cancer invasion depth. (2017) [7] Cai J. Cytokeratin immunostaining is useful for detecting micrometastasis and microinvasion in submucosal gastric cancer. (2000) [9] Zhou L. Conclusions: We have developed serum miRNA panels capable of detecting early-stage lung and gastric cancers. The two miRNA assays are undergoing multi-center clinical trials.

Treatment Options for Microinvasive Gastric Cancer

Microinvasive gastric cancer, also known as early-stage gastric cancer, is a type of stomach cancer that has not spread beyond the stomach lining or has only minimally invaded the stomach wall. The treatment options for microinvasive gastric cancer are generally more effective and less invasive compared to advanced-stage gastric cancer.

Surgical Treatment

• Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR): This is a minimally invasive procedure where the tumor is removed using an endoscope, which is a flexible tube with a camera and light on the end. EMR is often used for small tumors or those that are easily accessible.
• Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD): Similar to EMR, ESD involves removing the tumor using an endoscope, but it allows for more precise removal of larger tumors.

Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapy

While chemotherapy is not typically used as a primary treatment for microinvasive gastric cancer, it may be considered in certain cases, such as:

• Adjuvant therapy: Chemotherapy or targeted therapy may be recommended after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence.
• Neoadjuvant therapy: In some cases, chemotherapy or targeted therapy may be given before surgery to shrink the tumor and make it easier to remove.

Targeted Therapy

• Trastuzumab (Herceptin): This is a targeted therapy that has been approved for use in HER2-positive gastric cancer. It works by targeting the HER2 protein, which is overexpressed in some gastric cancers.
• Other targeted therapies: Research is ongoing to develop new targeted therapies for microinvasive gastric cancer.

References

• [12] Integrated disease information for Microinvasive Gastric Cancer including associated genes, mutations, phenotypes, pathways, drugs, and more - integrated ...
• [14] by J Heo · 2013 · Cited by 11 — Nowadays, endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection has shown effectiveness equivalent to that of gastrectomy and has emerged as a ...
• [15] Herceptin in combination with the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel is approved for the first line treatment of Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2-positive ( ...

Differential Diagnosis of Microinvasive Gastric Cancer

Microinvasive gastric cancer refers to a type of stomach cancer where the tumor has invaded the stomach wall but is still relatively small in size. Differential diagnosis involves identifying other conditions that may present with similar symptoms or characteristics.

Possible Conditions to Consider:

• Peptic Ulcer and its Complications: A peptic ulcer can sometimes be mistaken for microinvasive gastric cancer, especially if it has caused bleeding or perforation.
• Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis) can cause symptoms similar to those of microinvasive gastric cancer, such as abdominal pain and nausea.
• Other Gastric Pathologies: Other conditions like gastric polyps, gastritis with intestinal metaplasia, or even a rare condition called gastric carcinoid tumor may also need to be ruled out.

Diagnostic Approaches:

To accurately diagnose microinvasive gastric cancer, the following diagnostic approaches can be employed:

• Endoscopy with Multiple Biopsies and Brush Cytology: This is often the first step in diagnosing stomach cancer. A flexible tube (endoscope) is inserted through the mouth to visualize the inside of the stomach.
• X-rays and Double-Contrast Barium Studies: These imaging tests can help identify abnormalities in the stomach lining or detect any potential tumors.

Key Takeaways:

Accurate diagnosis of microinvasive gastric cancer requires a thorough evaluation of symptoms, medical history, and diagnostic test results. A differential diagnosis approach helps rule out other possible conditions that may present with similar characteristics.