EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS-ASSOCIATED GASTRIC CARCINOMA: RELIABLE DIAGNOSIS AND APPROPRIATE TREATMENT

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma (EBV-associated GC) is a type of gastric cancer that accounts for approximately 10% of all gastric cancers. It often occurs in the upper part of the gastric body or a remnant stomach. The pathology often shows a characteristic image called carcinoma with lymphoid stroma (CLS) or a lace pattern. Definitive diagnosis is made by confirming a positive nucleus finding through in situ hybridization (ISH) targeting EBV encoded small RNA1 (EBER1) (EBER-ISH method). The prognosis of EBV-associated GC is known to be better than that of other gastric cancers. Because the incidence of lymph node metastasis is low even in submucosal invasive EBV-associated GC, the criteria for ESD could be possibly expanded in early-stage EBV-associated GC. Establishment of a reliable and simple diagnostic method for EBV-associated GC is a future challenge.