Correlation of metastasis characteristics with prognosis in gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma: Two case reports.

RATIONALE

This article is aimed to retrospect the clinicopathological data of 2 cases of gastric MANENCs. MANEC is a rare biphasic tumor type that is coexistence of dual neuroendocrine and adenocarcinoma differentiation with each composing exceeding 30% volume. Gastric MANEC have just been reported anecdotally in the literature due to their rarity and heterogeneity. According to our study, these neoplasms have 3 different metastasis patterns: only adenocarcinomatous or neuroendocrine carcinoma and both of the 2 components. We first focus on the correlation of metastasis characteristics with prognosis in gastric MANEC, which may be potential implications for the choice of chemotherapy.

PATIENT CONCERNS

The 2 cases of patient shared several symptoms: epigastric discomfort, weight loss, hematemesis, or melena.

DIAGNOSIS

The 2 patients were diagnosis as MANEC based on the identification of histopathological analysis. In case 1, the poor differentiated adenocarcinoma accounted for 30%, the neuroendocrine part account for 70% and both of the 2 components metastasized to the lymph nodes, whereas in case 2, poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma accounted for 70%, the neuroendocrine part for 30% and only the glandular component invaded regional lymph nodes.

INTERVENTIONS

The first patient underwent laparoscopic radical gastrectomy and underwent adjuvant chemotherapy, combination of cisplatin, and etoposide successfully. The second patient received radical gastronomy, and did not receive any chemotherapy due to general weakness.

OUTCOMES

The first patient is alive with no evidence of recurrence, and the second patient died 6 months after the operation.

LESSONS

The assessment of metastatic sites should be a routine pathological practice, which is crucial for clinical decision-making and the selection of management.