Markers of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Mucinous Histology Are Significant Predictors of Disease Severity and Tumor Characteristics in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer.

Approximately 20% of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) are diagnosed with a mucinous subtype of this tumor, have a worse prognosis, and often show resistance to available therapies. Molecules from the mucin family are involved in the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which significantly determines the cancer aggressiveness. This study aimed to examine the diagnostic and prognostic significance of mucinous histology and EMT markers in patients with early-onset CRC and their association with disease severity and tumor characteristics.

Insights into treatment of complex Crohn's perianal fistulas.

Complex perianal fistula is a common complication of Crohn's disease (CD) which leads to negative impact on patient's quality of life. Successful management of the disease requires a multidisciplinary approach, including a gastroenterologist and a colorectal surgeon, applying combined surgical and medical therapy. One of frequently practiced surgical procedures is seton placement in the fistula tract, which is used to control perianal sepsis and drain the fistula, while preventing recurrent abscess formation.

Analysis of the Prognostic Potential of Schlafen 11, Programmed Death Ligand 1, and Redox Status in Colorectal Cancer Patients.

The Schlafen 11 (SLFN11) protein has recently emerged as pivotal in DNA damage conditions, with predictive potential for tumor response to cytotoxic chemotherapies. Recent discoveries also showed that the programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) protein can be found on malignant cells, providing an immune evasion mechanism exploited by different tumors. Additionally, excessive generation of free radicals, redox imbalance, and consequential DNA damage can affect intestinal cell homeostasis and lead to neoplastic transformation.

MRI Tumor Regression Grade Combined with T2-Weighted Volumetry May Predict Histopathological Response in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer following Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy-A New Scoring System Proposal.

Modern studies focus on the discovery of innovative methods to improve the value of post-treatment magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the prediction of pathological responses to preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) The aim of this study was to assess the potential benefits of combining magnetic resonance tumor regression grade (mrTRG) with T2-weighted volumetry in the prediction of pathological responses to nCRT in LARC. This was a cohort study conducted on patients with histopathologically confirmed LARC in a period from 2020 to 2022. After histopathological verification, all patients underwent initial MRI studies, while the follow-up MRI was performed after nCRT.

Application of nanofat for treatment of traumatic faecal incontinence after sphincteroplasty - A pilot study.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the application of nanofat containing stem cells improves continence in women who had previously undergone anal sphincteroplasty with unsatisfactory long-term outcomes.

Method: This prospective pilot study included nine women with various degrees of anal incontinence who had previously undergone anal sphincteroplasty due to obstetric trauma. In all patients, the Wexner Incontinence Score (WS) and Faecal Incontinence Quality of Life Score (FIQLS), as well as anal manometry and endoanal ultrasound measurements, were performed before the procedure and during follow-up.

A novel method for treatment of chronic anal fissure: adipose-derived regenerative cells - a pilot study.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and feasibility of autologous adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRC) in the treatment of chronic anal fissure.

Method: A prospective pilot study was conducted in six patients with chronic anal fissures at the First Surgical Clinic, Clinical Center of Serbia and at the BelPrime Clinic, Belgrade, Serbia. All patients were candidates for surgical treatment.

Current trends in clinical genetics of colorectal cancer.

Recent innovations in molecular biology and colorectal cancer (CRC) genetics have facilitated the understanding of the pathogenesis of sporadic and hereditary CRC syndromes. The development of technology has enabled data collection for a number of genetic factors, which lead to understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying CRC. The incidence and the nature of CRC is a mixture of genetic and environmental factors.

Organized colorectal cancer screening in Serbia - the first round within 2013-2014.

Background/aim: The National Organized Colorectal Cancer Screening Program was conducted in the Republic of Serbia during 2013-2014 covering the population of both genders, aged 50 to 74 years, in 28 municipalities out of 180, with the target population of 651,445 people. This organized colorectal cancer screening aims to reduce mortality from colorectal cancer in the target population. The aim of this study was to show the results of organized screening for colorectal cancer during the first biannual round in Serbia.

The sentinel lymph node (SLN) significance in colorectal cancer: methods and results. General report.

Colorectal cancer appears to be one of the most important malignancies in the world, with a survival rate depending on the TNM stage. The presence of lymph nodes metastasis indicates the necessity of adjuvant chemotherapy but exact classification of the N stage requires at least 12 lymph nodes to be pathologically examined. The sentinel lymph node (SLN) is considered to be the closest lymph node to the tumor, bearing the highest risk of malignant cells colonization.

Comparison of functional outcome of colonic J-pouch and latero-terminal anastomosis in low anterior resection for rectal cancer.

Introduction: Functional results after low anterior resection for rectal cancer are an issue of increasing attention among colorectal surgeons and others interested in this subject. The consensus on ideal reconstruction type has not been achieved to date, although the number of papers on this subject has been published in recent years.

Objective: We conducted a prospective, parallel group study comparing latero-terminal with colonic J-pouch anastomosis in terms of defecatory function in patients undergoing stapled low colorectal/ coloanal anastomosis.

Adynamic and dynamic muscle transposition techniques for anal incontinence.

Gracilis muscle transposition is well established in general surgery and has been the main muscle transposition technique for anal incontinence. Dynamization, through a schedule of continuous electrical stimulation, converts the fatigue-prone muscle fibres to a tonic fatigue-resistant morphology with acceptable results in those cases where there is limited sphincter muscle mass. The differences between gluteoplasty and graciloplasty, as well as the techniques and complications of both procedures, are outlined in this review.

Use of vacuum-assisted closure device in a disastrous form of abdominal sepsis and stoma site infection: systematic review and report of a case.

Use of Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) for treatment of open abdomen has been established predominantly in cases of severe abdominal trauma, resulting with high percentage of primary fascial closure. The role of VAC technique in cases of severe diffuse peritonitis is not definitely incorrigible. However, in cases of severe complicated abdominal sepsis VAC come up as a last resort.

Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder after long-term duodeno-renal and colovesical fistula--case report.

Primary adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder is a rare neoplasm. It accounts for 1-2% of all bladder carcinomas and sometimes may be found in the bladder diverticula. Fistula between duodenum and renal pelvis is another rarity while colovesical fistula is not so uncommon.

Sacral schwannoma found incidentally--report of a case.

Sacral schwannoma is a rare retrorectal tumor in adults. Postoperative sacral neurological deficit is difficult to avoid. Currently, there is no established consensus regarding best treatment options.

Primary repair of colon injuries: clinical study of nonselective approach.

Background: This study was designed to determine the role of primary repair and to investigate the possibility of expanding indications for primary repair of colon injuries using nonselective approach.

Methods: Two groups of patients were analyzed. Retrospective (RS) group included 30 patients managed by primary repair or two stage surgical procedure according to criteria published by Stone (S/F) and Flint (Fl).

Function after intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer and its influence on quality of life.

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate function and quality of life after different types of intersphincteric resection (ISR).

Method: Between January 2006 and February 2008, 45 patients (34 men and 11 women) with distal third rectal cancer underwent curative ISR. Function was evaluated using the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center bowel function questionnaire and Wexner score, anal manometry and measurements of rectal capacity were also performed.

Isolated splenic metastases of colorectal carcinoma--case report and review of literature.

It is very rare situation when surgeon can virtually expect a curative operation after revealing distal metastases of colorectal carcinoma. In case of isolated splenic metastases, splenectomy can result with good five year survival rate. There are no more than 15 cases of isolated splenic metastases publish in English speaking literature.

Influence of long-term radiotherapy on symptoms and signs of locally advanced primary rectal cancer of distant localisation.

This study is a part of a clinical trial in preoperative radiotherapy of low rectal cancer, conducted as a prospective and partly retrospective clinical study. It was designed to estimate the influence of long-term radiotherapy on symptoms of locally advanced rectal cancer. We included 49 patients with T3/4 stage adenocarcinoma (diagnosis confirmed by clinical, pathological and CT examinations) of the lower two thirds of the rectum, who were treated with long-term radiotherapy (45 Gy in 20-25 fractions) and questioned for the presentation of symptoms before and after the treatment.

Left-sided gallbladder associated with congenital liver cyst.

Background: A left-sided gallbladder is a rare congenital anomaly defined as a gallbladder attached to the lower surface of the left lateral segment of the liver, i.e. to the left of the interlobar fissure and round ligament.

Allantoic remnants presenting as a giant retroperitoneal cyst.

Urachal anomalies are usually found in early childhood or just after birth. These usually involve patent ductus urachus, urachal cyst, umbilical-urachal sinus or vesicourachal diverticulum. Very rarely are urachal anomalies found in adults, usully as an infected urachal cyst.

Endoanal ultrasonography in establishing the diagnosis of fecal incontinence.

Visualisation of the rectum, rectoanal junction and adjacent structures is very demanding and challenging both with technical and medical side. Local staging of rectal and anal tumor and perianal neoplasm by conventional and sibgle slice CT or by barium enema study is not so valuable. These methods can not visualise fistulous communication in inflamatory bowel diseases and have not any role in evaluation of fecal incontinence.

Lipomatosis of the ileocecal valve treated with right hemicolectomy as the consequence of an incomplete diagnostic procedure.

Lipomatosis is an excessive local or general accumulation of fat in the body. It is usually asymptomatic, but depending on localization and size it can cause the patient to experience various difficulties. It can occur within digestive system as a benign mass.

Endoanal ultrasound evaluation of anorectal diseases and disorders: technique, indications, results and limitations.

Imaging of the rectum, anorectal junction and surrounding tissues is both difficult and technically challenging. CT and conventional barium studies offer limited information in local staging of rectal and perirectal neoplasms, anal carcinomas and extension perianal fistulas in patients with inflamamatory bowel disease, or in evaluating patients with fecal incontinence. During past decade, sonography and MR imaging have resulted in significant improvement in the imaging of rectal and perirectal and anal and perianal disease.

Salvage rectal surgery--overview.

Recurrence of the disease represents the major problem in patients who undergo "curative" resection for rectal cancer, with published rate ranging from 3 to 50%. Most relapses occur within first two years of follow-up. Depending on the site of the recurrence, it can be local or distant.

Endorectal ultrasound (ERUS) in pelvic disorders.

Endorectal ultrasound (ERUS) imaging is a complex process using electronic devices to control ultrasound waves and produce images of anatomic structures. It is a simple, cheep and well-tolerated procedure that provides excellent images of rectal and anal canal wall and pelvic floor muscles together with surrounding organs and tissues. The direct imaging of anal canal and pelvic floor muscles with surrounding tissues allows one to identify sphincter defects, anorectal abscesses and fistulas as well as great variety of benign and malignant pathology of the pelvis.