A Rare Spontaneous Gastrobiliary Fistula.

We report the case of a 69-year-old man with a spontaneous gastrobiliary fistula. Internal biliary fistulas are usually the result of longstanding, untreated choledocholithiasis, cholecystolithiasis, peptic ulcers or rarely neoplasia. This patient's unspecific clinical picture led to a late diagnosis, which was made during surgery.

Double tract reconstruction (DTR) - an alternative type of digestive tract reconstructive procedure after total gastrectomy - own experience.

Unlabelled: The only proven, effective therapy in case of the gastric cancers is surgery.

The Aim Of The Study: The most common procedure which is made in such a situation is total resection of the stomach. In our publication we would like to present and to recommend a very rare made type of the reconstructive procedures after total gastrectomy, which is called "double tract reconstruction" (DTR).

The diagnostic value of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1) determination in the sera of colorectal adenoma and cancer patients.

Purpose: Tumor cells, including colorectal cancer (CRC), are able to produce and release matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) which is involved in tumor invasion and metastasis. Natural tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) regulate activity of MMPs and stimulate tumor growth and malignant transformation. The aim of the present study was to compare the clinical significance of serum MMP-9 with TIMP-1 in the diagnosis of CRC patients and in the differentiation between colorectal adenoma (CA) and cancer.

Serum macrophage-colony stimulating factor levels in colorectal cancer patients correlate with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis.

Background: Elevated serum concentrations of macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) have been found in a variety of malignant diseases. The aim of our study was to assess correlations between serum levels of M-CSF and clinicopathological features and survival rates in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Patients/methods: M-CSF and the established tumor markers (carcinoembryonic antigen - CEA and carbohydrate antigen - CA 19-9) were investigated in the sera of 116 colorectal cancer patients and correlated with the clinical parameters of the disease and with the survival of patients.

Pretreatment serum levels of hematopoietic cytokines in patients with colorectal adenomas and cancer.

Background And Aim: Hematopoietic cytokines (HCs) regulate the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells, and it was proved that HCs can promote cancer growth. The aim of this study is to determine whether HCs might be useful in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

Materials And Methods: We compared the serum levels of stem cell factor (SCF), interleukin 3 (IL-3), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) in 97 colorectal cancer patients with those in 35 patients with colorectal adenomas and 65 healthy subjects (control group).

Stem cell factor (SCF) and interleukin 3 (IL-3) in the sera of patients with colorectal cancer.

For a long time markers that can detect a malignant cell transformation as early as possible have been sought. Substances which have been discovered are known as tumor markers. Stem cell factor (SCF) and interleukin 3 (IL-3) are members of a group of glycoprotein growth factors called hematopoietic cytokines (HCs).

[Selected hematopoietic cytokines in patients with colorectal cancer].

We have investigated the serum level of selected hematopoietic cytokines, such as interleukin 3, granulocyte-macrophage--colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granulocyte--colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and macrophage--colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) in colorectal cancer patients. Also correlations between their concentrations and stages were made. The study was done on group consisted of 30 diagnosed colorectal cancer patients.

Hematopoietic growth factors in colorectal cancer patients.

Hematopoietic growth factors (HGFs) are involved in the regulation of growth and spread of cancer. Therefore, in the present study, we have investigated in colorectal cancer patients the serum levels of selected HGFs, such as stem cell factor (SCF), interleukin 3 (IL-3), granulocyte-macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and M-CSF in relation to controls and to the classical tumor markers, such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) in colorectal cancer. Additionally, we have compared the serum levels of cytokines with tumor site and stage and other clinical characteristics such as age and sex.

Evaluation of K-RAS gene in colorectal cancer.

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of K-RAS gene mutations in colorectal cancer and their role in diagnosis and prognosis. The study involved 36 patients with colorectal cancer at different stages of the disease progression and with different histopathologic grading. Mutations of codon 12 of K-RAS gene investigated using PCR-RFLP technique were found in 15 patients (41.

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and macrophagecolony stimulating factor (M-CSF) in colorectal cancer patients.

We have investigated the serum level of granulocytecolony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and macrophagecolony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and the commonly accepted tumor markers, such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) in colorectal cancer. Additionally, we have defined the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve for G-CSF and M-CSF. The serum levels of cytokines were measured in 49 patients with colorectal cancer and in 40 healthy subjects.