[A Patient with Gastric Adenosquamous Cell Carcinoma]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Gastric adenosquamous cell carcinoma is a rare subtype of gastric cancer, accounting for 0.3-0.5% of surgical cases.
• This subtype exhibits higher malignancy and poorer prognosis compared to gastric adenocarcinoma.
• Accurate classification and staging are crucial for effective treatment strategies.

Observation:

• A 73-year-old female presented with abdominal pain and diagnosed with gastric cancer (Stage IIB) and acute cholecystitis.
• Post-surgery, pathological examination revealed advanced adenosquamous cell carcinoma (Stage IIIA) with lymph node involvement.
• The patient developed multiple liver metastases despite initial adjuvant chemotherapy (SOX) and subsequent treatments (XP, DTX).

Findings:

• The patient's condition deteriorated, with reduced performance status following chemotherapy.
• Survival was limited to 10 months post-surgery due to disease progression and metastasis.
• This case underscores the aggressive nature and poor prognosis associated with gastric adenosquamous cell carcinoma.

Implications:

• Further research into novel therapeutic targets for gastric adenosquamous cell carcinoma is warranted.
• Early detection and aggressive treatment protocols may improve outcomes for this rare cancer.
• Understanding the unique biological behavior of this subtype is critical for clinical management.