Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach: A case report

Abstract

Pure squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the stomach is rare and resembles SCC arising elsewhere in the body. The pathogenesis of SCC remains unclear and controversial. At present, <100 cases of primary SCC of the stomach have been reported. The current study presents a case of SCC of the stomach in a 61-year-old male. Total gastrectomy was performed and a 7.0×6.7×4.5-cm tumor with a superiorly located ulcer was identified in the cardia. Upon histological examination, a moderately-differentiated SCC was observed. Tumor cells extended to the serosa, and the perigastric regional lymph node was also involved. No evidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection was identified using a DNA microarray and in situ hybridization, respectively. A post-operative computed tomography scan four months after the gastrectomy revealed tumor recurrence and dissemination of the tumor to the jejunum and pancreas. The patient succumbed to the disease six months later despite the administration of low-dose adjuvant 5-fluorouracil/cisplatin chemotherapy.

Keywords: squamous cell carcinoma; stomach.

Figure 1

Computed tomography revealing a heterogeneously-enhanced lesion of the cardia.

Figure 2

Endoscopic observation revealing a large tumor located predominantly in the cardia, which did not involve the gastroesophageal junction.

Figure 3

Gross findings of the resected stomach. A definite band of normal gastric mucosa was identified between the gastroesophageal junction and the carcinoma (shown by the arrow on the inset image).

Figure 4

Microscopic observations of the tumor. (A) The tumor exhibited infiltrating tumor nests and overlying SCC in situ (stain, hematoxylin and eosin; magnification, ×20) and consisted of (B) moderately-differentiated SCC, exhibiting a keratin formation and intercellular bridges (stain, hematoxylin and eosin; magnification, ×400). SCC, squamous cell carcinoma.