Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Y Hama.
Low-dose induction radiotherapy was performed in 4 patients with massive gastric lymphoma in order to treat the disease without gastrectomy. Following the radiotherapy, gastric lesions had shrunk considerably without any complications. Standard chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy could then be performed safely, and stomach conservation could be achieved in all 4 patients.
The authors describe a case of small cell carcinoma of the esophagus that was treated by concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Both the esophageal tumor and the regional lymph node metastases disappeared after this treatment. The patient is alive and disease free after more than five years. Primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus is a rare and aggressive neoplasm with a very poor prognosis, and the treatment modality is controversial. This case illustrates the possibility of treating this tumor type with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.
Portal vein gas is a rare but potentially lethal condition commonly caused by mucosal damage, bowel distention and sepsis. However, the association between portal vein gas and concurrent chemoradiotherapy has not been documented. We present the case of a 56-year old woman with portal vein gas revealed on computed tomography (CT) after concurrent chemoradiotherapy for advanced oesophageal carcinoma. The portal vein gas totally disappeared 10 days later without any specific treatment. This case demonstrates that the option of close observation for portal vein gas after concurrent chemoradiotherapy is appropriate for consideration. If physical examination, CT findings and laboratory data are unremarkable, it is essential that the patient undergoes close observation and repeated follow-up CT.