Solitary fibrous tumor of the pancreas: Case report and review of the literature.

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a mesenchymal tumor typically located in the pleura, but can also be found as an asymptomatic mass in other areas, including the liver, peritoneum, kidney and salivary glands. However, SFT rarely locates in the pancreas. We present such a case of pancreatic SFT, along with a review of all reported cases.

Intraperitoneal application of phospholipids for the prevention of postoperative adhesions: a possible role of myofibroblasts.

Background: Peritoneal adhesions, organized as fibrous bands after abdominal surgery, are related with considerable morbidity and repeated hospitalization. Phospholipids, natural constituents of the peritoneal fluid, seem to display excellent antiadhesive properties. The aim of this study was to investigate whether intraperitoneal application of phospholipids is capable of reducing postoperative adhesions and the possible underlying mechanisms.

Randomized phase III clinical trial comparing the combination of capecitabine and oxaliplatin (CAPOX) with the combination of 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin (modified FOLFOX6) as adjuvant therapy in patients with operated high-risk stage II or stage III colorectal cancer.

Background: The aim of the trial was to compare two active adjuvant chemotherapy regimens in patients with early stage colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: Patients were assigned to oxaliplatin, leucovorin and 5-FU for 12 cycles (group A, FOLFOX6) or oxaliplatin and capecitabine for eight cycles (group B, CAPOX). Primary endpoint was disease-free survival (DFS).

A Four-Probiotics Regimen Reduces Postoperative Complications After Colorectal Surgery: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Background: Heterogeneous results of published studies led to conduct a randomized clinical trial to assess the efficacy of a new formulation of four probiotics as prophylaxis for complications after colorectal surgery.

Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized study was conducted enrolling patients undergoing colorectal surgery for cancer. Capsules of placebo or of a formulation containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, L.

Prognostic markers in early-stage colorectal cancer: significance of TYMS mRNA expression.

Background: Several studies have recently indicated the prognostic or predictive role of several biomarkers in colorectal cancer. We sought to investigate the prognostic value of prostaglandin synthase 2 (PTGS2), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), thymidylate synthetase (TYMS), thymidine phosphorylase (TYMP), dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD) and topoisomerase I (TOPO1) in colorectal cancer patients treated with 5-FU-based regimens, such as De Gramont and FOLFOX in the adjuvant setting.

Materials And Methods: In total, 96 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded and 30 fresh-frozen tumor tissue samples were evaluated using immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and microarray gene expression profiling, respectively.

A study of gene expression markers for predictive significance for bevacizumab benefit in patients with metastatic colon cancer: a translational research study of the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group (HeCOG).

Background: Bevacizumab, an antibody neutralizing Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), is licensed for the management of patients with advanced colon cancer. However, tumor biomarkers identifying the molecular tumor subsets most amenable to angiogenesis modulation are lacking.

Methods: We profiled expession of 24526 genes by means of whole genome 24 K DASL (c-DNA-mediated, Annealing, Selection and Ligation) arrays, (Illumina, CA) in 16 bevacizumab-treated patients with advanced colon cancer (Test set).

Toll-like receptors in the inflammatory response during open and laparoscopic colectomy for colorectal cancer.

Background: Surgical interventions activate a cascade of reactions that result in an aseptic inflammatory reaction. This inflammatory response initiates the organism's innate immunity. Laparoscopic surgery reduces the trauma, and patients benefit from diminished surgical trauma and maintained immune function.

Α-defensin expression of inflammatory response in open and laparoscopic colectomy for colorectal cancer.

Background: Surgical procedures are related to the activation of the inflammatory reaction. This is called surgical stress. It is believed that diminished surgical trauma reduces surgical stress.

Cecal obstruction due to primary intestinal tuberculosis: a case series.

Introduction: Primary intestinal tuberculosis is a rare variant of tuberculosis. The preferred treatment is usually pharmaceutical, but surgery may be required for complicated cases.

Case Presentation: We report two cases of primary intestinal tuberculosis where the initial diagnosis was wrong, with colonic cancer suggested in the first case and a Crohn's disease complication in the second.

Myofibroblasts and colonic anastomosis healing in Wistar rats.

Background: The myofibroblasts play a central role in wound healing throughout the body. The process of wound healing in the colon was evaluated with emphasis on the role of myofibroblasts.

Methods: One hundred male Wistar rats weighing 274 ± 9.

A randomized phase III trial of adjuvant chemotherapy with irinotecan, leucovorin and fluorouracil versus leucovorin and fluorouracil for stage II and III colon cancer: a Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group study.

Background: Colon cancer is a public health problem worldwide. Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgical resection for stage III colon cancer has been shown to improve both progression-free and overall survival, and is currently recommended as standard therapy. However, its value for patients with stage II disease remains controversial.

Pancreatitis complicating mucin-hypersecreting common bile duct adenoma.

Villous adenomas of the bile ducts are extremely uncommon. We describe a 58-year-old man presenting with clinical signs and laboratory findings of acute pancreatitis and obstructive jaundice. Preoperative investigation demonstrated a dilated papillary orifice with mucus exiting (fish-mouth sign) and a filling defect in the distal common bile duct.

Irinotecan and oxaliplatin combination, as second-line treatment, in fluoropyrimidine-pretreated advanced colorectal cancer. A phase II study by the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group (HeCOG).

Background: The management of patients with fluoropyrimidine-resistant advanced colorectal cancer remains Investigational. Irinotecan and oxaliplatin have proved effective in first-line treatment in combination with 5-fluorouracil.

Study Design: From February 1998 to September 2002, 34 patients with 5-fluorouracil-pretreated advanced colorectal cancer were enrolled in the study.

Prognostic factors in patients with colorectal cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy: a pooled analysis of two randomized studies.

Background: Although the TNM system is useful in predicting survival in resected colorectal cancer, heterogeneity within the same stages regarding prognosis exists. We are presenting a pooled analysis of prognostic factors from two randomized studies of adjuvant treatment conducted by the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group.

Patients And Methods: Patients with stage II or III colon (n = 279) or rectal (n = 220) cancer were included in this analysis.