Identification and Validation of Biomarkers to Predict Early Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Its Progression to Colorectal Cancer.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has become a common global health problem as prevalence continues to rise. It is often associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) development. Limitations in current IBD biomarker-based diagnosis hinder the accuracy of early detection of CRC progression.

Burn-injured patients - the preferably unheard.

Background: Data on colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis to treatment interval (DTI), an index of quality assurance in high-income countries (HICs) is lacking in South Africa. This study aimed to determine DTIs and their impact on CRC survival in a South African cohort.

Methods: Participants ( = 289) from the Colorectal Cancer in South Africa (CRCSA) cohort were identified for inclusion.

The association between lifestyle-related risk factors and survival in patients with colorectal cancer in an urban South African cohort.

Background: Lifestyle-related factors have been linked with risk for colorectal cancer. Data describing the relationship between lifestyle factors of South African patients who present with colorectal cancer and their survival is sparse.

Objectives: The objectives were to describe the profile of patients with colorectal cancer; to determine the association between lifestyle-related factors and survival, and to compare results of patients in the private and public sectors.

Use of Machine Learning and Statistical Algorithms to Predict Hospital Length of Stay Following Colorectal Cancer Resection: A South African Pilot Study.

The aim of this pilot study was to develop logistic regression (LR) and support vector machine (SVM) models that differentiate low from high risk for prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS) in a South African cohort of 383 colorectal cancer patients who underwent surgical resection with curative intent. Additionally, the impact of 10-fold cross-validation (CV), Monte Carlo CV, and bootstrap internal validation methods on the performance of the two models was evaluated. The median LOS was 9 days, and prolonged LOS was defined as greater than 9 days post-operation.

Racial Differences in the Phenotype of Colorectal Cancer: A Prospective Comparison Between Nigeria and South Africa.

Introduction: There are significant differences in the phenotype of CRC by race in the U.S. A similar CRC phenotype-race relationship also appears to exist in South Africa (SA).

Preoperative physical activity and functional performance levels are predictors of acute postoperative outcomes in a private South African colorectal cancer cohort.

Background: For patients with colorectal cancer, surgical resection of the primary tumour remains the best treatment option. Surgery for colorectal cancer is being performed on patients who would previously not have been considered as suitable candidates. It remains to be seen which factors influence hospital length of stay (LOS) and the development of acute postoperative complications in South African patients.

Predicting Colorectal Cancer Recurrence and Patient Survival Using Supervised Machine Learning Approach: A South African Population-Based Study.

South Africa (SA) has the highest incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, there is limited research on CRC recurrence and survival in SA. CRC recurrence and overall survival are highly variable across studies.

Men and Those With a History of Smoking Are Associated With the Development of Postoperative Ileus Following Elective Colorectal Cancer Resection at a Private Academic Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

A scarcity of local published data on colorectal cancer (CRC) postoperative complications, including postoperative ileus (POI), exists. POI is a temporary gastrointestinal (GI) state of absent or reduced gastric motility shown to increase patient morbidity, prolong length-of-stay (LOS), and intensify the healthcare resource burden. The pathogenesis of POI involves a neurogenic and inflammatory phase plus a pharmacological component.

It's contrary - comorbidity does not affect survival of South Africans with colorectal cancer: An analysis from the Colorectal Cancer in South Africa cohort.

Background: The Colorectal Cancer South Africa (CRCSA) study is an observational cohort of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) in Johannesburg, South Africa (SA). We found that the mean age at the time of CRC diagnosis was 56.6 years, consistent with studies from SA and sub-Saharan Africa.

Use of the OVESCO OTSC Proctology Clip for closure of fistula-in-ano at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre - a single centre experience.

Background: Definitive closure of fistula-in-ano poses an ongoing surgical challenge. The OVESCO OTSC Proctology Clip (proctology clip) purports to offer improved preservation of the anal sphincter whilst at the same time curing the fistula by closure.

Methods: A retrospective record review was conducted for patients who received the proctology clip as part of the management of fistula-in-ano in the Colorectal Unit at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (WDGMC).

A one year audit of the Colorectal Unit at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre: 2016-2017.

Background: Colorectal surgery has developed into an established surgical subspecialty in South Africa, however there is a paucity of data regarding the epidemiology and surgical outcomes of patients with colorectal disease in this country. The objective is to present the findings of a one-year audit of the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (WDGMC) Colorectal Unit with specific reference to indications, surgical procedures and patient outcomes.

Method: Patient files from December 2016 to November 2017 were included in a retrospective analysis.

Design and methodology of a study on colorectal cancer in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Background And Aim: Cancer is one of the foremost causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most diagnosed and fourth most important cause of cancer death. A total of 70% of all CRC-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.

Efficacy of porcine dermal collagen (PermacolTM) injection for passive faecal incontinence in a dedicated Colorectal Unit at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre.

Background: Passive faecal incontinence (FI) due to a defect of the internal anal sphincter is a distressing condition and can be difficult to manage medically and surgically. The use of a trans-anally injected bulking agent to improve continence has been published internationally with contradictory results.

Method: Patients with passive FI due to confirmed internal anal sphincter deficits that had been treated with PermacolTM injections were followed up.

Concepts in malignant transformation.

The precise biochemical nature of malignant transformation remains elusive. This article reviews some of the current theories of oncogenesis and aims to synthesize these concepts into a possible schema for the origins of malignant transformation, using a cell-programmed origin for neoplastic progression. It is proposed that cell transformation in malignancy is initiated by injury but finds ultimate promulgation through cellular, self-determined, epigenetic events.

Evolving concepts in the management of colonic injury.

Purpose: The management of colonic injury has changed in recent years. This study sought to evaluate current surgical management of injuries to the colon in a busy urban trauma centre, in the light of our increasing confidence in primary repair and evolving understanding of the concepts and practice of damage control surgery.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was made of consecutive patients presenting with colonic injury from January 1 to December 31 1998.