The role of double-strand break repair, translesion synthesis, and interstrand crosslinks in colorectal cancer progression-clinicopathological data and survival.

Background And Objectives: DNA repair is a new and important pathway that explains colorectal carcinogenesis. This study will evaluate the prognostic value of molecular modulation of double-strand break repair (XRCC2 and XRCC5); DNA damage tolerance/translesion synthesis (POLH, POLK, and POLQ), and interstrand crosslink repair (DCLRE1A) in sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: Tumor specimens and matched healthy mucosal tissues from 47 patients with CRC who underwent surgery were assessed for gene expression of XRCC2, XRCC5, POLH, POLK, POLQ, and DCLRE1A; protein expression of Polk, Ku80, p53, Ki67, and mismatch repair MLH1 and MSH2 components; CpG island promoter methylation of XRCC5, POLH, POLK, POLQ, and DCLRE1A was performed.

Prognostic impact of changes in base excision repair machinery in sporadic colorectal cancer.

Objective: to evaluate the prognostic value of base excision repair proteins in sporadic colorectal cancer.

Methods: Pre-treatment tumor samples from 72 patients with sporadic colorectal adenocarcinoma were assessed for APC, MPG, Polβ, XRCC1 and Fen1 expression by immunohistochemistry. The associations of molecular data were analyzed in relation to clinical features and TNM staging as a prognosis predictor and disease-free survival.

Base excision repair imbalance in colorectal cancer has prognostic value and modulates response to chemotherapy.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is prevalent worldwide, and treatment often involves surgery and genotoxic chemotherapy. DNA repair mechanisms, such as base excision repair (BER) and mismatch repair (MMR), may not only influence tumour characteristics and prognosis but also dictate chemotherapy response. Defective MMR contributes to chemoresistance in colorectal cancer.

Is there a role for sigmoidoscopy in symptomatic patients? Analysis of a study correlating distal and proximal colonic neoplasias detected by colonoscopy in a symptomatic population.

Background: Colonoscopy is the gold standard exam to investigate patients with colonic complaints. However, its availability is limited in developing countries. Sigmoidoscopy has been advocated as a first procedure in colorectal cancer screening strategies, in order to select those who need colonoscopy.

A case of retroperitoneal lymphoma presenting as pancreatic tumor.

We describe a case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma arising in the peripancreatic retroperitoneal lymph node and extending into the pancreatic parenchyma. Abdominal ultrasonogram and computed tomography of the abdomen showed an mass in the head of pancreas with absence of extrapancreatic disease and no direct tumor extension to the portal vein or superior mesenteric artery. Laparotomy demonstrated a large pancreatic mass with no obstruction of common bile duct or encasement of portal vein and superior mesenteric artery and a pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed.