Neoadjuvant volumetric modulated arc therapy in rectal cancer and the correlation of pathological response with diffusion-weighted MRI and apoptotic markers.

Purpose: In this prospective observational study, we aimed to report the applicability and tolerability of neoadjuvant volumetric modulated arc therapy with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB-VMAT) and concurrent chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), and to evaluate the correlation of pathological response with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) and apoptotic markers.

Methods: The study enrolled 30 patients with T3 to T4 and/or N+ rectal cancer who preoperatively received SIB-VMAT and concurrent chemotherapy. Before and after the neoadjuvant treatment, apoptotic markers including the nucleosomes and cell-free DNA fragments in the serum samples were examined; DNA integrity was assessed by amplifying the ACTB gene; and the ADC measurements on the DW-MRI were analyzed.

Clinical significance of serum interleukin-17 levels in colorectal cancer patients.

Purpose: The proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin-17 (IL-17) plays a potent role in T-cell mediated angiogenesis and promotes tumorigenicity. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical outcomes of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in relation to serum IL-17 levels.

Methods: Ninety-six CRC patients were enrolled in this study.

Benefit of Bevacizumab-Based Frontline Therapy in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC): a Turkish Oncology Group Study.

Background: Several chemotherapy regimens using bevacizumab have been developed. Our goal was to investigate regimens that have demonstrated significant clinical activity in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Materials And Methods: Six hundred and sixty six patients with mCRC who received first-line chemotherapy combination with bevacizumab were studied.

Can complementary 68Ga-DOTATATE and 18F-FDG PET/CT establish the missing link between histopathology and therapeutic approach in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors?

Unlabelled: Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEPNETs) are indolent neoplasms presenting unpredictable and unusual biologic behavior that causes many clinical challenges. Tumor size, existence of metastasis, and histopathologic classification remain incapable in terms of treatment decision and prognosis estimation. This study aimed to compare (68)Ga-DOTATATE and (18)F-FDG PET/CT in GEPNETs and to investigate the relation between the complementary PET/CT results and histopathologic findings in the management of therapy, particularly in intermediate-grade patients.

Synuclein-gamma predicts poor clinical outcome in esophageal cancer patients.

The synuclein gamma (SNCG) protein, a member of neuronal protein family synuclein, has been considered as a promising potential biomarker as an indicator of cancer stage and survival in patients with cancer. The present study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic value of SNCG in patients with esophageal carcinoma (EC). SNCG levels were assessed immunohistochemically in cancer tissues from 73 EC patients.

Effect of increased body mass index (BMI) on time to tumour progression (TTP) in unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients treated with bevacizumab-based therapy.

High BMI is a well-known risk factor for the development and recurrence of several solid tumours, including CRC. Obesity is associated with increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Bevacizumab is the main targeted therapy for inhibiting tumour angiogenesis by blocking the VEGF/VEGF receptor pathway.

Comparison of two different adjuvant treatment modalities for pN3 gastric cancer patients after D2 lymph node dissection: can we avoid radiotherapy in a subgroup of patients?

Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard of care for gastric cancer patients in the USA. However, in countries where D2 lymph node dissection is performed, the effect of radiotherapy on locoregional recurrence is controversial. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes in pN3 gastric cancer patients following two adjuvant treatment modalities: chemotherapy (CT) and CRT after D2 lymph node dissection.

A pilot study evaluating the safety and toxicity of epirubicin, cisplatin, and UFT (ECU regimen) in advanced gastric carcinoma.

Background: Best response rates have been achieved with three-drug regimens containing 5-FU in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) and oral fluoropyrimidines are the best alternatives as substitutes for infusional 5-FU. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and toxicity of epirubicin, cisplatin, and UFT (ECU regimen) regimens in AGC outpatients.

Materials And Methods: Forty-one patients with AGC received epirubicin, cisplatin, and oral UFT plus leucovorin.

Message-adjusted network (MAN) hypothesis in gastro-entero-pancreatic (GEP) endocrine system.

Several types of communication coordinate body functions to maintain homeostasis. Clarifying intercellular communication systems is as important as intracellular signal mechanisms. In this study, we propose an intercellular network model to establish novel targets in GEP-endocrine system, based on up-to-date information from medical publications.

Penile metastasis of cutaneous malignant melanoma: a true hematogenous spread?: Case report and review of the literature.

Penile involvement has been implicated as a metastatic site in several tumors; approximately 300 cases have been reported. Of these, only two cases showed cutaneous melanoma as the primary site. Our patient presented with a painless mass on the penile shaft together with other distant metastases.

Prognostic features and survival of inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma in Turkish patients with cirrhosis.

Background: Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is common in Turkey and its prognosis is poor. In the current study the authors analyzed the prognostic factors and survival in Turkish patients with inoperable HCC with cirrhosis.

Methods: Clinical and demographic data of 91 patients consecutively admitted to the authors' institute from 1988 to 2000 were reviewed.

Timing of death from tumor recurrence after curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

In Western literature, there are few studies investigating the predictors of early versus late recurrence after curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The current study analyzed (1) patients who died of recurrent gastric cancer and (2) prognostic factors, which can be applied to timing of death from tumor recurrence. Of 492 patients who underwent curative resection (R0) for gastric cancer in the Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty of Istanbul between 1994 and 2000, 142 patients who died of recurrence were included into study.

Colorectal cancer in young patients: characteristics and outcome.

Colorectal cancer is predominantly a disease of the elderly population, but this disease is unusual in patients 40 years of age or under, and controversy persists as to prognosis in this subset of patients. The aim of this study was to determine the clinicopathologic features and their impact on patients survival of colorectal cancer in patients aged 40 years or younger, and to compare them with those of older patients. The records of 466 patients with non-metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma who were referred between 1991 and 1999 to the University of Istanbul, Institute of Oncology, following curative surgery were retrospectively analysed.

Adjuvant intraperitoneal chemotherapy with cisplatinum, mitoxantrone, 5-fluorouracil, and calcium folinate in patients with gastric cancer: a phase II study.

Gastric carcinoma remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in the world. Clinical studies have revealed that approximately two thirds of the patients seek treatment for early recurrence within the abdominal cavity. The aim of this phase II study was to evaluate the toxicity, feasibility, and efficacy of adjuvant intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPCT) with cisplatin, mitoxantrone, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and folinic acid in patients with stage II-III gastric cancer.

Measurement of serum CA 19-9 may be more valuable than CEA in prediction of recurrence in patients with gastric cancer.

In 35 patients with recurrent gastric cancer who had undergone curative gastrectomy, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA 19-9 (carbohydrate antigen) tumor marker levels were investigated. At least one tumor marker was elevated in 24 (68.6%) patients.