Neoadjuvant therapy of bevacizumab in combination with oxaliplatin and capecitabine (XELOX) for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer with unresectable liver metastases: a phase II, open-label, single-arm, noncomparative trial.

Aim: This phase II, open-label study evaluated the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant therapy with bevacizumab plus XELOX (capecitabine and oxaliplatin) for untreated metastatic colorectal cancer with unresectable liver metastases and assessed conversion of unresectable to resectable metastases after neoadjuvant treatment.

Methods: Patients received bevacizumab 5 mg/kg and oxaliplatin 85 mg/m on day 1, and capecitabine 1000 mg/m twice daily on days 1-5 followed by 2 days of rest in a 14-day cycle for 12 cycles; bevacizumab was excluded in cycles 6 and 7. Patients were later divided into resected and unresected groups, depending upon whether they underwent curative resection after chemotherapy.

S100P, a calcium-binding protein, is preferentially associated with the growth of polypoid tumors in colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a genetically heterogeneous disease with distinct morphological patterns. It has been shown that polypoid and ulcerative CRC displays different genetic alterations. In the present study, we aimed to investigate genes with differential expression patterns between ulcerative and polypoid CRC.

Role of body mass index in colon cancer patients in Taiwan.

Aim: To determine the effect of body mass index (BMI) on the characteristics and overall outcome of colon cancer in Taiwan.

Methods: From January 1995 to July 2003, 2138 patients with colon cancer were enrolled in this study. BMI categories (in kg/m²) were established according to the classification of the Department of Health of Taiwan.

Anorectal melanoma: review of 22 consecutive cases.

Background/aims: To evaluate outcome and prognostic factors of patients with anorectal melanoma.

Methodology: Twenty-two consecutive patients with anorectal melanoma received operation from 1993 through 2011 were reviewed. The definitions of stage I, II and III are local disease, locoregional lymphadenopathy and metastatic disease, respectively.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of locally recurrent rectal cancer.

Background/aims: Long course concurrent chemoradiotherapy provides potential tumor downstaging. When local recurrent rectal cancer without distant metastases is diagnosed, a potentially curative resection can be performed. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in treating isolated local recurrent rectal cancer.

Can neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predict the survival of colorectal cancer patients who have received curative surgery electively?

Purpose: We evaluated the effect of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on disease-free survival in patients with stages I to III colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: There were 3857 patients identified from our database. We used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to identify the best cutoff value of NLR.

Risk factors for lymph node metastasis in pT1 and pT2 rectal cancer: a single-institute experience in 943 patients and literature review.

Background: Local excision has become an alternative for radical resection in rectal cancer for selected patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinicopathologic factors determining lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with T1-2 rectal cancer.

Methods: Between January 1995 and December 2009, a total of 943 patients with pT1 or pT2 rectal adenocarcinoma received radical resection at a single institution.

Impact of chemotherapy-related prognostic factors on long-term survival in patients with stage III colorectal cancer after curative resection.

Background: This retrospective study evaluated the prognostic factors of chemotherapy in stage III colorectal cancer after curative resection.

Methods: From 1996 to 2001, 1,054 patients with primary single colorectal cancer underwent curative resection. Seven hundred sixteen patients received various 5-fluorouracil (FU)-based adjuvant chemotherapy regimens, including oral and intravenous treatments.

Immunohistochemical study of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrilysin (MMP-7) in T1 adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum to predict lymph node metastases or distant metastases.

Background/aims: Predicting the lymph node metastatic or distant metastatic potential of T1 adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum remains a major challenge. We investigated the role of the expressions of tumor matrilysin (MMP-7), VEGF-C and VEGF-A in predicting these metastatic potentials.

Methodology: Single T1 adenocarcinomas were examined and pathological tumor factors were reviewed.

Long-term survival benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy by decreasing incidence of tumor recurrence without delaying relapse in stage III colorectal cancer.

Backgrounds And Aims: To elucidate the survival benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy by decreasing incidence or by delaying time of tumor recurrence, we reported the long-term results of a nonrandomized prospective study comparing the adjuvant chemotherapy to no chemotherapy in stage III colorectal cancer.

Patients: From 1991 to 1995, 463 patients with stage III colorectal cancer were divided to three groups which were no chemotherapy, weekly chemotherapy, and monthly chemotherapy (5-FU plus levamisole).

Results: The recurrent incidence was significantly decreased in patients with chemotherapy (47.

Effect of preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio on the surgical outcomes of stage II colon cancer patients who do not receive adjuvant chemotherapy.

Background And Aims: Selection of appropriate stage II colon cancer patients for adjuvant chemotherapy is critical for improving survival outcome. With the aim of identifying more high risk factors for stage II colon cancer, this study aimed to determine whether the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a predictor of surgical outcomes in patients with stage II colon cancer who do not receive adjuvant chemotherapy.

Materials And Methods: We enrolled 1,040 stage II colon cancer patients who had undergone colectomy at a single institution between January 1995 and December 2005 and did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy.

Surgical resection of locally advanced primary transverse colon cancer--not a worse outcome in stage II tumor.

Background And Aims: In locally advanced primary transverse colon cancer, a tumor may cause perforation or invade adjacent organs. Extensive resection is the best choice of treatment, but such procedures must be weighed against the potential survival benefits. This study was performed to identify the clinicopathological features and treatment outcomes of such tumors.

Pathological examination of 12 regional lymph nodes and long-term survival in stages I-III colon cancer patients: an analysis of 2,056 consecutive patients in two branches of same institution.

Purpose: Pathologic examination of at least 12 lymph nodes (LNs) is widely accepted as a standard for colon cancer surgery. We sought to address its association with patient source, other clinicopathological factors, and survival by comparing information from two branches in a large single institution.

Methods: Patients with stages I-III adenocarcinoma of the colon between 1998 and 2003 were identified from the Chang Gung Colorectal Tumor Registry in two branches (Linkou and Kaohsiung branches) of same institution.

Clinical outcome of signet ring cell carcinoma and mucinous adenocarcinoma of the colon.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathologic features and prognosis of signet ring cell carcinoma (SCC) and non-SCC mucinous adenocarcinoma (MC) and to compare them with those of nonmucinous adenocarcinoma (NMC) of the colon.

Methods: From January 1995 to December 2003, 45 patients with SCC and 332 with MC were identified from prospectively collected medical records. The clinical data and outcomes were compared with those of 2984 consecutive patients with NMC in the same period.

Lead time of carcinoembryonic antigen elevation in the postoperative follow-up of colorectal cancer did not affect the survival rate after recurrence.

Background And Aims: The role of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the early detection of recurrence during the postoperative follow-up of colorectal cancer remains unclear. We hypothesize that the tumor with longer lead time of CEA elevation to the definite recurrence may have a better prognosis because of its slower growth rate and closer observation.

Materials And Methods: From 1995 to 2003, 4,841 consecutive patients who received curative resection of localized colorectal adenocarcinoma were enrolled from a prospective database.

Carcinoma obstruction of the proximal colon cancer and long-term prognosis--obstruction is a predictor of worse outcome in TNM stage II tumor.

Purpose: Colon obstruction is suggested to be a predictor of poor outcome in colon cancer. However, the effect of obstruction on outcome in patients with different tumor-nodes-metastases (TNM) stage cancer has not been fully addressed. The aim of this study is to determine whether colon obstruction predicts surgical and long-term oncologic outcomes in patients with proximal colon cancer.

Serum p53 antibody as tumor marker for follow-up of colorectal cancer after curative resection.

Background: No large-scale studies have examined the use of serial measurements of serum p53 antibodies (s-p53Abs) combined with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) measurements during the follow-up of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients after curative resection.

Methods: A highly specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to analyze s-p53Abs levels in 305 CRC patients before and after curative resection at a single institution. Agreement between recurrence and serial s-p53Ab and CEA measurements was evaluated by diagnostic accuracy odds ratio (DOR), kappa, and area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Effect of body mass index on the outcome of patients with rectal cancer receiving curative anterior resection: disparity between the upper and lower rectum.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on local recurrence of primary rectal cancer after open curative sphincter-saving resection.

Background: Increasing BMI was reported to be associated with a higher likelihood of local recurrence in male patients with rectal cancer. However, it remained unclear whether BMI exerts the same effects on local recurrence of rectal cancer in the upper and lower rectum.

Postoperative fever and survival in patients after open resection for colorectal cancer: a long-term follow-up study of 2,311 prospectively enrolled patients.

Purpose: Two reports on the impact of postoperative fever on survival after surgery in patients with colorectal cancer yielded contradictory results. Our study examined possible associations between postoperative fever and long-term survival of patients who underwent resection of colorectal cancer.

Methods: We investigated 2,311 consecutive patients who underwent elective open colorectal resection for primary colorectal cancer at a single institution between 1995 and 1998.

The oncologic benefit of high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery in the surgical treatment of rectal or sigmoid colon cancer.

Purpose: It remains controversial as to whether high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) should be performed during surgical treatment for sigmoid colon or rectal cancer. The purpose of this study is to attempt to clarify the extent of the oncologic benefit of high ligation of the IMA.

Materials And Methods: From January 1995 to July 2001, a total of 1,389 patients underwent high ligation of the IMA; 387 patients featured non-disseminated sigmoid colon cancer and 1,002 patients had rectal cancer.

Postoperative urinary retention after primary colorectal cancer resection via laparotomy: a prospective study of 2,355 consecutive patients.

Purpose: The risk factors for postoperative urinary retention after colorectal carcinoma surgery can be clearly defined. This study was designed to determine risk factors for postoperative urinary retention after colorectal cancer surgery.

Methods: A total of 2,355 consecutive patients with colorectal cancer who underwent open resection for colorectal cancer during a four-year period were included.

Inverse effects of mucin on survival of matched hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer and sporadic colorectal cancer patients.

Purpose: To compare survival and histologic features of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC; Lynch syndrome) cases to well-matched sporadic colon cancers from the same patient population.

Experimental Design: Between January 1995 and March 2002, a total of 5,138 consecutive patients underwent resection of primary colorectal adenocarcinoma in a single institution. According to the Amsterdam criteria, 56 HNPCC patients were matched to 147 sporadic colorectal cancer (SCRC) with no family history of cancer and with the same gender, tumor location, and age within 3 years.

Preoperative plasma vascular endothelial growth factor but not nitrite is a useful complementary tumor marker in patients with colorectal cancer.

Purpose: Vascular endothelial growth factor and nitric oxide are both related to tumor progression. This study was designed to measure preoperative plasma vascular endothelial growth factor and nitrite levels in patients with colorectal cancer to evaluate their clinical applications as tumor markers.

Methods: In total, 279 patients with primary colorectal cancer and 20 patients with hemorrhoids (as a control) were included in this study.

Impact of the cyclin D1 A870G polymorphism on susceptibility to sporadic colorectal cancer in Taiwan.

Purpose: Cyclin D1 is a regulatory protein involved in the cell cycle of both normal and neoplastic cells. Polymorphism of this gene at codon 242 in exon 4 has impacts on risk of the early-age onset in several malignant neoplasms, including colorectal cancer. This investigation was designed to evaluate the effect of cyclin D1 gene polymorphism on the risk of colorectal cancer in Chinese migrants of the Taiwanese population.

Massive hematochezia from acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcer in patients with severe comorbid illness: rapid control of bleeding by per anal suturing of bleeder using anoretractor.

Purpose: Massive hematochezia from acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcer can arise in patients with severe comorbid illness who are bedridden for long periods. If the bleeder is not found and treated immediately, the bleeding will cause deterioration of health and even threaten life. The results of the current study show how quickly and safely per anal suturing can treat acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcer.