title: [A case of gastric endocrine cell carcinoma which was significantly reduced in size by radiotherapy].
abstract: In 2010, the World Health Organization classified gastric neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) into three types: NET grade (G) 1, NET G2 and neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC). NECs are associated with a very poor prognosis. The patient was an 84-year-old female who was initially diagnosed by gastrointestinal endoscope with type 3 advanced gastric cancer with stenosis of the gastric cardia. Her overall status and performance status did not allow for operations or intensive chemotherapy. Palliative radiotherapy was performed and resulted in a significant reduction in the size of the tumor as well as the improvement of the obstructive symptoms. She died 9 months after radiotherapy. An autopsy provided a definitive diagnosis of gastric endocrine cell carcinoma, and the effectiveness of radiotherapy was pathologically-confirmed. Palliative radiotherapy may be a useful treatment option for providing symptom relief, especially for old patients with unresectable advanced gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology, Sankoukai Miyazaki Hospital.
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Azakami
authors.forename: Kouji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishida
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanikawa
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018278:Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed