Intermediate neoadjuvant radiotherapy for T3 low/middle rectal cancer: postoperative outcomes of a non-controlled clinical trial.

Background: The benefits of adjuvant radiotherapy in rectal carcinoma are well known. However, there is still considerable uncertainty about the optimal radiation treatment. There is an ongoing debate about the choice between very short treatments immediately followed by surgical resection and prolonged treatments with delayed surgery.

Effectiveness of neoadjuvant radiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer: a single-center experience in 263 patients.

Aim: To determine the frequency of local recurrence (LR) and distant recurrence (DR) with 5-year survival analysis.

Methods: Patients with T3-T4 rectal cancer located within 10 cm from the anal verge. Radiotherapy protocol: 36 Gy, delivered in 12 daily doses of 3 Gy each for 5 days/week, followed by surgery after a 2-week break.

Splenic abscess secondary to penetrating gastric ulcer.

Splenic abscess is a rare disease whose diagnosis is difficult, though the use of modern imaging methods has increased diagnosed cases in recent years. We report a case of splenic abscess whose aetiology is unusual, namely, a gastric ulcer penetrating into the splenic artery and causing arterial thrombosis and septic embolism. Ultrasonography and ultrasound-guided puncture resolved any diagnostic doubt, and subsequent surgery confirmed the diagnosis.

Randomized trial of intraportal and/or systemic adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with colon carcinoma.

Background: 5-fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy after surgical resection of colon cancer is standard treatment. However, the choice of best delivery route--that is, systemic (i.e.

Randomized controlled trial of botulinum toxin versus laparoscopic heller myotomy for esophageal achalasia.

Objective: To compare laparoscopic cardia myotomy and fundoplication with botulinum toxin (BoTx) injection in patients with esophageal achalasia.

Summary Background Data: Although myotomy is thought to offer better results, recent studies have reported 80% success rates after 2 BoTx injections a month apart. No randomized controlled trials comparing the 2 treatments have been published so far.