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Histological categorisation of the desmoplastic reaction is a predictor of patient prognosis in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma Aims: Histological categorisation of the desmoplastic reaction (DR) is an independent prognostic factor in colorectal cancer. However, it is unknown whether DR categorisation is predictive of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of DR categorisation in OSCC patients. Methods and results: Data were collected from 118 patients with OSCC who underwent a curative oesophagectomy with T2 or deeper wall invasion. The DR in each tumour was classified as mature, intermediate or immature based on the presence or absence of keloid-like collagen and myxoid stroma. We identified 49 mature DR tumours, 41 intermediate DR tumours and 28 immature DR tumours. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was highest in the mature DR group (42.8%), followed by the intermediate DR group (25.0%) and the immature DR group (19.9%) (P = 0.022, log-rank test; P = 0.006, log-rank trend test). The 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rate was also highest in the mature DR group (48.5%), followed by the intermediate DR group (30.8%) and the immature DR group (26.8%) (P = 0.031, log-rank test; P = 0.010, log-rank trend test, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that an immature DR was an independent poor prognostic factor of OS and DSS (P = 0.002 and P = 0.004). Conclusions: DR categorisation of OSCC stroma following oesophagectomy is a useful diagnostic tool and an independent prognostic marker.

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A gastric glomus tumor (GGT) is a rare gastric submucosal tumor that can become malignant. A preoperative diagnosis would allow for a more informed decision regarding the treatment strategy. We present the case of an asymptomatic man with a GGT that was diagnosed during a preoperative examination. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed in a 64-yearold man and revealed a submucosal tumor at the lesser curvature of the antrum of the stomach. Endoscopic ultrasonography showed a 12-mm-sized hypoechoic tumor in the second and third layers of the stomach wall. A histologic diagnosis of GGT was made using endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography was performed, but the identification of the tumor was difficult owing to poor enhancement. The gradual growth of the tumor made it necessary to perform an operation. Laparoscopy and endoscopy cooperative surgery was performed without any complications. The tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin, h-caldesmon, and collagen type IV but were negative for desmin, discovered on GIST-1, S-100 protein, cluster of differentiation 34, epithelial membrane antigen, and cytokeratin AE1/AE3. The final diagnosis was identical to the preoperative diagnosis made using EUS-FNA. EUS-FNA is a useful method for the preoperative diagnosis of small submucosal tumors, including GGTs.

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