A Case of Gastric Cancer Associated with Gastric Tuberculosis

• Published in: Nippon Shokaki Geka Gakkai zasshi Vol. 34; no. 10; pp. 1527 - 1531
• Main Authors: Setoyama, Hiroshi, Tanaka, Toshirou, Asakawa, Masami, Kaneko, Iwao, Ichinose, You, Hosaka, Naoki, Takeyari, Toyofumi, Okabe, Michio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery 2001
• Subjects: advanced gastric cancer; gastric cancer associated with gastric tuberculosis; total gastrectomy
• ISSN: 0386-9768; 1348-9372
• DOI: 10.5833/jjgs.34.1527

In a case of gastric cancer associated with gastric tuberculosis, a 74-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for dysphagia. Gastrointestinal fiberscopy revealed gastric cancer in the cardiac region with stenosis of the lower esophagus. Plain chest X-ray and chest computed tomography (CT) showed a linear high-density area in the lower left lung field. Esophageal stenting and chemotherapy were conducted preceding surgery. Lower esophagectomy and total gastrectomy with distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy were then done. Histological examination revealed tubercular lesions such as Langhans' giant cells and epithelioid granuloma in a gastric cancer lesion and regional lymph nodes. Although tubercle bacillus was not detected, the lesion was diagnosed as gastric tuberculosis basad on histopathogical findings. Pulmonary tuberculosis was inactive, so chemotherapy was not undertaken for tuberculosis. The patient is doing well without evidence of gastric cancer recurrence or of tubercular recrudescence in the 18 months since surgery. Coexistence of gastric cancer associated with gastric tuberculosis is rare, and this is only the 18th case reported in Japan to our knowledge.