Endorectal ultrasonography performance in staging rectal cancer before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

Aim: To evaluate accuracy of endorectal ultrasonography (ERUS) both in staging and restaging rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy treatment.

Methods: In a group of 80 patients with rectal cancer, we retrospectively selected 67 patients and divided in two groups: 41 patients affected by a stage I were investigated with a single preoperative endorectal sonography; 26 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (stage II or more) were restaged after neoadjuvant treatment, which consisted of 5,040 cGy in 28 daily fractions associated with continuous infusion of 5-Fluorouracil. All patients underwent surgery and ERUS findings were subsequently compared with histological findings.

Number of mediastinal lymph nodes as a prognostic factor in PN2 non small cell lung cancer: a single centre experience and review of the literature.

Currently the most important prognostic factor in lung cancer is the stage. In the current lung TNM classification system, N category is defined exclusively by anatomic nodal location though, in other type of tumours, number of lymph nodes is confirmed to be a fundamental prognostic factor. Therefore we evaluated the number of mediastinal lymph nodes as a prognostic factor in locally advanced NSCLC after multimodality treatment, observing a significant effect of the number of lymph nodes in terms of OS (p<0.

Multiple bone metastases from glioblastoma multiforme without local brain relapse: a case report and review of the literature.

Extracranial metastases from glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are a very rare event, even if an increasing incidence has been documented. We report the case of a young woman with primary GBM who developed bone metastases without local brain relapse. Because of persistent headache and visual disturbances, in March 2011 the patient underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidencing a temporoparietal mass, which was surgically resected.

Buschke-Löwenstein tumor with squamous cell carcinoma treated with chemo-radiation therapy and local surgical excision: report of three cases.

Treatment of anorectal Buschke-Löwenstein tumor (BLT) with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) transformation is not univocal given the rarity of the disease. BLT is characterized by its large size and tendency to infiltrate into underlying tissues. Malignant transformation can occur and it is important to identify the presence of neoplastic foci to decide the proper treatment.

Neoadjuvant-intensified treatment for rectal cancer: time to change?

Aim: To investigate whether neoadjuvant-intensified radiochemotherapy improved overall and disease-free survival in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Methods: Between January 2007 and December 2011, 80 patients with histologically confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma were enrolled. Tumors were clinically classified as either T3 or T4 and by the N stage based on the presence or absence of positive regional lymph nodes.