Gastric carcinoma in a 12-year-old girl: a case report and literature review / 中华胃肠外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To report the diagnosis and treatment experience of pediatric gastric cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinicopathological data of a girl with gastric carcinoma in December 2011 was analyzed retrospectively. The literatures were reviewed. The disease onset, clinical manifestations, treatment, and prognosis of the patient with gastric carcinoma were studied.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patient was a 12-year-old girl, and the tumor was located in greater curvature. The girl underwent laparoscopy-assisted radical total gastrectomy (D2). Pathological examination showed gastric ulcerative signet-ring cell cancer (pT4N0M0, stage II b). The outcome at the recent follow up was satisfactory. Literature review demonstrated 15 cases of pediatric gastric carcinoma, of whom 7 were boys and 8 girls. Their average age was 12.7 years (2.5-17.8 years). Tumor locations included cardia (n=5), gastric body (n=1), gastric antrum or stomach corner (n=4), gastric antrum and gastric body (n=1), and unknown (n=4). Histology showed signet-ring cell cancer in 4 patients, poorly differentiated in 6, moderate to poorly differentiated and moderate differentiated adenocarcinoma in 2. Operation was performed in 11 cases and perioperative chemotherapy in 8 cases. Nine patients had follow-up. Four patients died within 6 months and other 4 patients survived for 6 months to one year. The survival time of one patient who underwent radical surgery and perioperative chemotherapy was 102 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Pediatric gastric carcinoma is extremely rare. It is highly malignant and associated with poor prognosis. Radical surgery is the most important treatment. Perioperative chemotherapy may improve the prognosis.</p>