Long-term relapse-free rurvival rate and predictive factors of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults undergoing splenectomy.

Background: Our aim is to identify the long-term relapse-free rate and predictive factors of response to splenectomy in adults with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

Methods: Between 1999 and 2005, 54 patients of ITP, who underwent splenectomy in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan were retrospectively reviewed. Various pre, intra and postoperative factors were analyzed to determine the predictive factors of response and long-term disease-free rate after splenectomy in adult patients.

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.