Volume 124  ·  Issue 08  ·  2011

Many ocular diseases can cause the visual system damages and functional loss, which lead to blindness and low vision.That will not only affect patients' daily life and working abilities, but also have an adverse consequence to the society and economy development.Nowadays, the visual impairment has already become a public health problem worldwide.The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that there were approximately 161 million visually impaired people all over the world, and among them 37 million were blind.Over 90% blind people lived in developing countries.1 China has a large population, and the blind and low vision problem can not be ignored.In 2006, China national survey on disability showed that there were 12330000 visually disabled people in China, which accounted for 14.86% of overall disabilities.2Understanding the prevalence and main causes of blindness and low vision and looking for effective treatment methods is essential for the prevention of visual impairment。

Abstract：Background Ahmed glaucoma valves (AGV) has been used for decades, but there is no detailed report about the efficacy of AGV in Chinese glaucoma patients. This study aimed to compare the intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering efficacy and side effects of S-2 polypropylene and PF-7 silicone AGV implantation in Chinese refractory glaucoma patients.Methods Patients were divided into S-2 model AGV group and FP-7 model AGV group. The complete and qualified surgical success rate, change of IOP, number of anti-glaucoma medications used and postoperative complications were recorded and analyzed.Results Average follow-up time was comparable between two groups. IOP was reduced from (37.9±12.7) mmHg preoperatively to (17.3±5.3) mmHg at the last follow-up in S-2 group and reduced from (39.9±14.4) mmHg to (17.7±4.9)mmHg in FP-7 group. Anti-glaucoma medications were reduced from 3.8±0.2 to 1.5±0.2 in S-2 group, and 3.5±0.2 to 0.7±0.2 in FP-7 groups. The cumulative success rates were comparable in two groups, which were 61.2% and 72.1% in S-2 group and FP-7 group respectively. When IOP reduction criteria was used, complete success rates were 30.6% and 51.2% for S-2 and FP-7 groups, and qualified success rates were 86.1% and 92.7% separately. In both groups, the major complication was hypotony, and the previous trabeculectomy of patients was the major risk factor for surgery failure.Conclusions In this short-term retrospective study, S-2 AGV is showed at least as effective as FP-7 AGV in IOP reduction, but associated with higher rate of complications. Previous trabeculectomy is a principle risk factor for AGV implantation failure. These clinical outcomes are important for converting use of the FP-7 silicon AGV in Chinese refractory glaucoma patients。

Abstract：Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is the most severe intraocular complication that results in total retinal destruction and loss of visual acuity in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This study aimed to investigate the fundus characteristics, systemic manifestations and therapeutic outcomes of CMV retinitis associated with AIDS.Methods It was a retrospective case series. CMV retinitis was present in 39 eyes (25 patients). Best corrected visual acuities, anterior segment, fundus features, fundus fluorescence angiography (FFA) and CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts of the patients with CMV retinitis associated with AIDS were analyzed. Intravitreal injections of ganciclovir (400 μg) were performed in 4 eyes (2 patients).Results Retinal vasculitis, dense, full-thickness, yellow-white lesions along vascular distribution with irregular granules at the border, and hemorrhage on the retinal surface were present in 28 eyes. The vitreous was clear or mildly opaque.Late stage of the retinopathy was demonstrated in 8 eyes characterized as atrophic retina, sclerotic and attenuated vessels, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy, and optic nerve atrophy. Retinal detachment was found in 3 eyes. The average CD4+ T-lymphocyte count in peripheral blood of the patients with CMV retinitis was (30.6±25.3) ×106/L (range,(0-85) × 106/L). After intravitreal injections of ganciclovir, visual acuity was improved and fundus lesions regressed.Conclusions CMV retinitis is the most severe and the most common intraocular complication in patients with AIDS. For the patients with yellow-white retinal lesions, hemorrhage and retinal vasculitis without clear cause, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serology should be performed. Routine eye examination is also indicated in HIV positive patients。

Abstract：Background Adenosine receptors (ADORs) have been reported to play a role in experimental myopia. This study aimed to determine the distribution of ADORs in human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells cultured in vitro.Methods Human RPE cells (cell line D407) were cultured in vitro. ADOR mRNA in RPE was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. ADOR protein expression in RPE was confirmed by Western blotting analysis of cell lysates. Confocal fluorescence microscopy was used to study the subcellular distribution of ADORs.Results All four subtypes of ADORs mRNA and protein were expressed in human RPE. This was confirmed by Western blotting analysis. The ADOR subtypes were differently distributed within the cells. ADORA1 was expressed in nucleus, perinucleus and cytoplasm of RPE. ADORA2A was concentrated mainly in one side of the perinucleus and cytoplasm of RPE. ADORA2B was strongly expressed in the nucleus, perinucleus and the cytoplasm, and ADORA3 was expressed weakly in the cytoplasm of RPE.Conclusions ADORs are expressed in human RPE. The different distribution at the subcellular level suggests different functions of ADOR subtypes。

Abstract：Background Hypoxemic respiratory failure (HRF) is one of the most common causes for neonatal infants requiring aggressive respiratory support. Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) has been established routinely as an adjunct to conventional respiratory support in developed countries. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of iNO in neonates with HRF in resource limited condition with no or limited use of surfactant, high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.Methods A non-randomized, open, controlled study of efficacy of iNO was conducted over 18 months. Eligible term and near-term neonates from 28 hospitals with HRF (oxygenation index ＞15) were enrolled prospectively into two groups as either iNO or control. Oxygenation improvement and mortality as primary endpoint were determined in relation with dosing and timing of iNO, severity of underlying diseases, complications and burden. Intention-to-treat principle was adopted for outcome assessment. Response to iNO at 10 or 20 parts per million (ppm) was determined by oxygenation in reference to the control (between-group) and the baseline (within-group).Results Compared to 93 controls, initial dose of iNO at 10 ppm in 107 treated infants significantly improved oxygenation from first hour (P=0.046), with more partial- and non-responders improved oxygenation with subsequent 20ppm NO (P=0.018). This effect persisted on days 1 and 3, and resulted in relatively lower mortalities (11.2% vs. 15%)whereas fewer were treated with surfactant (10% vs. 27%),HFOV (＜5%) or postnatal corticosteroids (＜10%) in both groups. The overall outcomes at 28 days of postnatal life in the iNO-treated was not related to perinatal asphyxia,underlying diseases, severity of hypoxemia, or complications,but to the early use of iNO. The cost of hospital stay was not significantly different in both groups.Conclusions With relatively limited use of surfactant and/or HFOV in neonatal HRF, significantly more responders were found in the iNO-treated patients as reflected by improved oxygenation in the first three days over the baseline level. It warrants a randomized, controlled trial for assessment of appropriate timing and long-term outcome of iNO。

Abstract：Background Almost all reported fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) kits for prenatal diagnosis use probes from foreign (non-Chinese) countries. The aim of this study was to analyze the reliability of domestic (Chinese) FISH probe sets to detect aneuploidies of chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X, and Y related to prenatal diagnosis in 4210 cases.Methods Cytogenetic karyotyping was carded out as a standard prenatal diagnostic test, and amniotic fluid cell interphase FISH analysis was performed using two sets of probes (centromeric probes for chromosomes 18, X, and Y,and locus-specific probes for chromosomes 13 and 21) provided by GP Medical Technologies, Beijing, China. Then we compared the two results and found the performance characteristics for informative FISH results of aneuploidies by the domestic kit probes.Results In 4210 cases, 4126 cases generated karyotype results and 133 abnormal karyotypes (including 97 aneuploidies) were found. The FISH results of 98 cases (among them, 31 cases gave normal cytogenetic results) were uninformative. The rate of abnormal cases was 3.2% (133/4126). For the abnormal karyotypes, the rate of aneuploidy was 72.9% (97/133). Among the 97 aneuploidies, there were 58 cases of trisomy 21 (58/97, 59.8%), four cases of trisomy 13, 23 cases of trisomy 18, and 12 cases of sex chromosomal aneuploidies. The total concordance of the two methods was 97.9% (95/97; two cases were mosaics that had a low percentage of abnormal cells), and the concordance of trisomy 21, 13, and 18 by the two methods was 100%.Conclusions The two sets of the domestic FISH kit probes are reliable for prenatal diagnosis. The results demonstrate that FISH is a rapid and accurate clinical method for prenatal identification of chromosome aneuploidies。

Abstract：Background In patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO) and multivessel coronary artery disease, the comparison of surgical and the percutaneous revascularization strategies has rarely been conducted. The aim of this study was to compare long term clinical outcomes of drug eluting stent (DES) implantation with coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG)in the patients with CTO and multivessel disease.Methods From a prospective registry of 6000 patients in our institution, we included patients with CTO and multivessel coronary artery disease who underwent either CABG (n=679) or DES (n=267) treatment. Their propensity risk score was used for adjusting baseline differences.Results At a median follow-up of three years, propensity score adjusted Cox regression analysis showed that the rate of major adverse cardiac cerebrovascular events (MACCE) was lower in CABG group (12.7% vs. 24.3%, hazard ratio (HR) 1.969, 95% Cl 1.219-3.179, P=0.006) mainly due to lower rate of target vessel revascularization in CABG group than in DES group (3.1% vs. 17.2%, HR 16.14, 95% CI 5.739-45.391, P ＜0.001). The incidence of cardiac death or myocardial infarction (composite end point) was not significantly different between these two groups. On multivariate analysis, the significant predictors of MACCE were only the type of revascularization. Age, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and complete revascularization were identified as significant predictors of composite end points.Conclusions Our study shows that in patients with CTO and multivessel coronary disease, DES can offer comparable long term outcomes in cardiac death and myocardial infraction free survival in comparison with CABG. However, there is an increased rate of MACCE which results from more repeat revascularizations. Obtaining a complete revascularization is crucial for decreasing adverse cardiac events。

Abstract：Background High anatomic location, fragility, and generous blood supply of the spleen makes laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) difficult to master, and few patients need splenectomy for benign disorders. The aim of this research was to assess operative outcomes and hematological results of a large series of patients treated with LS for chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and to determine which clinical variables predict favorable hematological outcome.Methods LS was successfully performed for 154 patients with chronic ITP from September 1999 to April 2009 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Operative outcomes were assessed retrospectively. Long-term follow-up data were obtained from outpatient medical records and phone interviews. Clinical and laboratory variables (including gender, age, disease duration before surgery, previous response to steroids, preoperative platelet count, and postoperative peak platelet count) were evaluated by univariate analysis to identify potential predictors of hematological outcome. Multivariate Logistic regression model was used to determine independent predictors of hematological outcome.Results One patient died from subphrenic abscess and postoperative sepsis. The overall major morbidity rate was 8.4%. None of the patients required a second surgery for complications. Of the 127 patients available for a mean follow-up of 43.6 months (range 9-114 months), the overall initial response (i.e., at two months after LS) and long-term response to LS were achieved in 89.0% and 80.3%, respectively. Five patients (3.9%) developed pneumonia 3-35 months after LS. Univariate analysis showed a significant difference in mean age between responders (29.1 years) and nonresponders (38.8 years; P ＜0.05). Patients who responded to steroid therapy had better hematological outcome than those who did not respond (P ＜0.05). Compared to nonresponders, responders to LS had a significantly higher postoperative peak platelet count (404x109/L versus 213×109/L, P ＜0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis identified postoperative peak platelet count as the only independent predictor of favorable response to LS (P＜0.001).Conclusiona LS is a safe and effective treatment for chronic ITP. Postoperative peak platelet count may serve as a major predictor of long-term response。

Abstract：Background In the past decades, the one-year graft survival of cadaveric renal allografts has been markedly improved,but their long-term survival has not kept pace. The attrition rate of renal allografts surviving after one year remains almost unchanged. The causes for late graft loss are multiple. The aim of this study was to analyze the predictive factors that impact long-term survival of grafts after kidney transplantation.Methods We retrospectively analyzed 524 kidney transplantation patients who were treated in our hospital between January 1991 and January 2000, including 254 patients who had lived more than 10 years with normal graft function (long survival group), and 270 cases whose renal graft had survived less than 10 years (control group). Specifically, we analyzed 10 factors that may potentially affect graft survival by both univariate and Logistic model multivariate analyses to pinpoint the independent risk factors.Results Univariate analyses showed that no significant differences existed in the age or gender of recipients, dialysis time, lymphotoxin levels, or cold ischemia time between the two groups. However, the ratio of delayed graft function and acute rejection, and the uric acid levels of patients in the long survival group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P ＜0.01). Furthermore, we found that the concentration of cyclosporin A at one year after transplantation and the histocompatibility antigen match of donor-recipients for patients within the long survival group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P ＜0.01 ). Furthermore, multivariate analyses showed that these four factors were independent risk factors that impact patient survival.Conclusions The ratios of delayed graft function and acute rejection, the concentration of cyclosporin A at one year after transplantation, and serum uric acid levels are very important factors that affect the long-term survival of renal grafts。

Abstract：Background Although heart transplantation has become a standard therapy for end-stage heart disease, there are few published studies regarding the use of transplant organs from marginal donors. Here we describe the clinical outcome we have obtained using marginal donor hearts.Methods We analyzed 21 cases of orthotropic heart transplantation for end-stage heart disease performed in our department between September 2008 and July 2010. Of these patients, six received hearts from marginal donors and the remainder received standard-donor hearts. The two groups were compared in terms of both mortality and the incidence of perioperative complications such as infection, acute rejection, and right heart insufficiency.Results The 1-year survival rate of both groups was 100%. Only one death was recorded in standard-donor group during follow-up. Patients who received marginal donor hearts (83%) experienced more early complications than did the standard-donor-heart group (13%), but the mortality of the two groups was the same. The duration of post-ICU stay was greater in the marginal donor group than in the standard-donor group, (35.5±17.4) days and (21.7±2.6) days, respectively (P ＜0.05).Conclusions The use of marginal donor hearts increases the number of patients who can receive and benefit from transplants. However, it may introduce an increased risk of early complications, thus care should be taken both in the choice of patients who will receive marginal donor hearts and in the perioperative treatment of those for whom the procedure is performed。

Abstract：Background Studies indicated that Mer might be the main contributor to the specific internalization of photoreceptor outer segments (POS) in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). It is very important to understand the mechanism of POS phagocytosis under the pathway of Mer and its ligands. The objective of this study was to identify changes in gene expression profiles caused by Mergene knockout (Mer-/-) during phagocytosis of POS in RPE.Methods RPE from both Mer-/- and wild-type (WT) mice were isolated and cultured to the 3rd passage. POS were subjected to culture medium with 20 nmol/L Gas6 and protein S to activate specific mer-mediated phagocytosis. RPE phagocytosis was evaluated by phagocytosis assays and differential gene expression identified by microarray at 3 and 12 hours; the 0-hour time point served as the control. Three independent samples for each Mer-/- or WT RPE were subjected to the same protocol of microarray. Five genes were confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR (QPCR).Results The Mer-/- RPE had less internalized POS than WT RPE after both 3 and 12 hours in phagocytosis assay.Compared to WT RPE and the 0-hour control, 38 and 45 different known genes were increased and 68 and 59 known genes were decreased in Mer-/- RPE after 3 and 12 hours, respectively. Abnormal POS phagocytosis in Mer-/- RPE was associated with significant gene expression changes in, for example, signal transduction (WNT, MAPK), phagocytosis (Vav3, Hsd11b1), cytoskeleton components (Myo7a), and metabolism, in a time-specific manner. QPCR results showed Vav3, Hsd11b1, Myo7a, Rtn2 and Itga8 in those independent samples were consistent with microarray.Conclusion Gene expression profiles modulated in a time-specific manner in Mer-/- RPE indicate a possible internalization mechanism for abnormal POS phagocytosis, which gives insight into the mechanism of retinitis pigmentosa caused by the mutation of MerTK in humans。

Abstract：Background The morbidity and mortality of prostate cancer have been increasing rapidly in recent China. There were few studies investigating prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values ranges in the healthy Chinese population. We performed this study to determine the distribution of serum PSA in a large healthy Chinese population.Methods From January 2001 to May 2008, 11 150 healthy Chinese men aged 30-79 years came to our hospital for routine health check-up. All subjects without a previous diagnosis of prostate cancer, a history of prostate surgery, or urogenital tract infection were proposed to undergo systematic serum PSA measurement and digital rectal examination (DRE). Men with normal DRE and PSA ≤4.0 ng/ml and those PSA ＞4.0 ng/ml or abnormal DRE but without adverse findings on prostate biopsy were included (n=9358). Age and serum PSA concentration were recorded and correlated through Logistic regression analysis.Results The 95th percentile serum PSA concentration was 1.89 ng/ml for men aged 30 to 39 years, 2.19 ng/ml for men aged 40 to 49 years, 2.88 ng/ml for men aged 50 to 59 years, 4.42 rng/ml for men aged 60 to 69 years, and 6.52 ng/ml for men aged 70 to 79 years. The serum PSA concentration correlated with age (P ＜0.0001) with an annual increase of 0.97% for men in 40 years, 1.58% for men in 50 years, 3.04% for men in 60 years, and 3.99% for men in 70 years.Conclusions The serum PSA level correlates directly with age in Chinese men older than 40 years, not in Chinese men younger than 40 years old. Chinese men have lower PSA level compared with white men above 60 years of age, not in those under 60 years of age。

Abstract：Background The coagulation function in carcinoma patients is abnormal, but in renal cell carcinoma the extent and relationships of coagulation function remain unclear. This study retrospectively investigated the relationships between coagulation function, clinical stage and metastasis in patients with renal cell carcinoma.Methods A total of 350 consecutive patients admitted to our Urology Department from 2004 to 2010 were diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma by histolopathologic examination and were included in this study. A total of 231 cases of renal benign tumors were considered as the control group. Fibrinogen, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and international normalized ratio were evaluated in all subjects. Tumor size, clinical stage, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis were evaluated using radiologic imaging, intraoperative findings, and histological studies.Results The preoperative plasma fibrinogen levels of patients with renal cell carcinoma ((383.9±146.7) mg/dl) were significantly higher than those of the control group ((316.7±62.0) mg/dl) (P ＜0.01). We divided the renal cell carcinoma group into stages la, lb, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ. The fibrinogen values were (315.6±64.6) mg/dl, (358.3±91.1) mg/dl, (465.6±164.7)mg/dl, (500.0±202.1) mg/dl, and (585.8±179.7) mg/dl, respectively. There were no significant differences in fibrinogen values between stage la and control groups. However, results of other stages showed significant differences when compared to control group values (P ＜0.01). Using the cutoff value of 440 mg/dl, which defines hyperfibrinogenemia,plasma fibrinogen levels had a positive predictive value of 39.8% and a negative predictive value of 93.3% for predicting distant metastasis, with a sensitivity of 64.7% and specificity of 83.3%.Concluslons Preoperative plasma fibrinogen levels are elevated in patients with renal cell carcinoma with distant metastasis or lymph node metastasis. Potential metastasis is more likely if the tumor size larger than 4 cm. Increased preoperative plasma fibrinogen levels, especially hyperfibrinogenemia, may be an indicator of metastasis。

Abstract：Background Previous neuroimaging studies primarily focused on the spatial distribution of acupuncture needling stimulation. However, a salient feature of acupuncture was its long-lasting effect. This study attempted to detect the spatial-temporal neural responses evoked by acupuncture at an analgesia acupoint ST36 by using magnetoencephalography. To further verify its functional specificity, we also adopted acupuncture at Pericardium 6 and nonacupoint as separated controls.Methods Forty-two college students, all right-handed and acupuncture naive, participated in this study. Every participant received only one acupoint stimulation, resulting in 14 subjects in one group. Both magnetoencephalography data (151-channel whole-head system) and structural functional magnetic resonance imaging data (3D sequence with a voxel size of 1 mm3 for anatomical localization) were collected for each subject. All processing procedures were performed in BrainStorm Toolbox.Results Acupuncture at ST36 showed a significantly time-varied brain activities with different onset time. Our results presented that acupuncture at different acupoints (or comparing with nonacupoint) can specifically induce neural responses in different brain areas-acupuncture at ST36 can specifically induce the neural responses of pain-inhibition areas, while acupuncture at PC6 can specifically induce the activities of the insula and amygdala.Conclusions In the present study, we attempted to detect the temporal neural responses underlying the functional specificity of acupuncture at ST36, using acupoint belonging to different meridians and non-acupoint with efficacy-irreverent as separate controls. The specific neural substrates involving acupuncture at different acupoints may be related to its functional specificity in clinical settings。

Abstract：Background Evidence-based medicine has come into its second decade. How prepared clinicians are in practicing it in particular in developing countries remains unclear. Thus we conducted this survey of physicians in urban hospitals in China to determine the size of the gap between research evidence and physicians' knowledge and practice regarding antihypertensive drugs for primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases in China.Methods A cross sectional survey by a face-to-face interview was conducted in 20 tertiary general hospitals in China in 2005. A total of 444 physicians (mostly cardiologists) in internal medicine who had treated at least one hypertensive patient in the past 12 months were invited for the interview on their perception of the cardiovascular risk of hypertension,the magnitude of the benefit of antihypertensive drugs, knowledge on the overall risk approach, first-line drugs used, the risk above which drug treatment is recommended, and knowledge on evidence-based medicine.Results A total of 444 of the 468 eligible physicians were successfully interviewed with a response rate of 94.9%. They estimated that a hypertensive man with an actual 5-year cardiovascular risk of 8.4% would have a 5-year cardiovascular risk of 40% (95% CI: 38% to 42%) if not treated, and have an absolute risk reduction and relative risk reduction from drug treatment by 20% (95% CI. 18% to 22%) and 39% (95% CI: 37% to 42%) respectively, as compared to 3.3% and 33%respectively shown in research evidence. On average, the physicians would recommend drug treatment at a number needed to treat (NNT) of 368 or smaller, as compared to the actual NNT of 50 for drug treatment in an average hypertensive Chinese. Fifty-five percent (95% CI: 50% to 59%) of them had never intently used the national hypertension guidelines. The majority still prescribed drugs primarily based on blood pressure alone by ignoring other risk factors or the overall risk and 78% (95 % C/. 76% to 83%) used new expensive drugs such as calcium channel blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors as first-line treatment. Only 13% (95% CI:9% to 18%) could correctly interpret the NNT. Forty-three percent (95% CI: 39% to 48%) did not know the randomized controlled trial was scientifically the most rigorous among other study designs for evaluating the effectiveness of anti-hypertensive drugs.Ninety-two percent (95% CI: 90% to 94%) did not know they could start by searching systematic reviews when looking for evidence on the effectiveness of anti-hypertensive drugs as opposed to trials. Ninety-six percent (95% CI: 94% to 98%)did not know the Cochrane Library was an important source of systematic reviews.Conclusions The surveyed physicians significantly over-estimated the cardiovascular risk of hypertension and the benefit of drug treatment, and had insufficient knowledge on the overall risk approach. They recommended drug treatment at a cardiovascular risk which was even much lower than the cutoff suggested for western populations, which would make many more people eligible for drug treatment. They also tended to prescribe new expensive drugs although the older cheaper ones may be more appropriate in many patients. They showed inappropriate knowledge on the basics of evidence-based medicine。

Abstract：The occurrence of foreign body is uncommon in youths and adults. We report here a case of 16-year-old boy who inhaled a foreign body which was overlooked for 6 months. The patient suffered productive cough and received antibiotic treatment for 10 days. But the symptoms did not improve. Chest radiography and CT scan revealed a 1-cm-long needle-like foreign object in the right inferior lobar bronchus. Wedge resection of lung was finally performed because of severe hemorrhage caused by prior bronchoscopy。

Abstract：Multiple primary malignant neoplasms (MPMNs) are rarely reported and it is important to give early diagnosis and proper therapy for these patients. Here reported a case of 62-year-old man with concomitant three early stage cancer lesions in upper gastrointestinal tract, all of which were detected by endoscopy. The first one was an llc-type lesion at angular part of stomach under endoscopy, which was histologically confirmed to be a mucosal well-differentiated adenocarcinoma.The patient underwent a standard radical gastrectomy for the lesion after the failure of endoscopic treatment. The other two neoplasms were observed during follow-up and were indicated as early stage lesions by synthesizing information from endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasonography, computed tomography and biopsy. One displayed as a hyperemic patch (3cm×4 cm in size) located at the part of esophagus 27 cm away from the incisor teeth and was proved to be moderately differentiated squamous cancer by histopathological examination. The other was an llc-type lesion (3.0 cm×3.5 cm in size) located at the part of esophagus 36 cm away from the incisor teeth, and the biopsy result showed a poorly differentiated squamous carcinoma. Both the two lesions were treated with radical radiation because the patient refused surgery management. No recurrence of former lesions or occurrence of novel lesions were observed during post-treatment follow-up, suggesting radical radiation might be effective for this patient。