The prognostic role of apoptosis mediators in rectal adenocarcinoma.

Background/aims: Genes included in apoptosis may be involved in tumor biology and identify specific groups of patients with individual therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of some apoptosis markers in conjunction with pathological factors in operable rectal cancer patients.

Methodology: Tumor samples from 87 patients with rectal adenocarcinoma were analyzed retrospectively.

Feasibility of a high intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis without thoracic access after laparoscopic-assisted transhiatal esophagectomy: a pilot experimental study.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of a technique that uses solely the transhiatal approach to create a high intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis after laparoscopic transhiatal resection of the distal esophagus.

Method: Using a laparoscopic approach, the esophagi of 10 midsized pigs were dissected and transected as high as possible in the thorax, and the anvil of a circular stapler was introduced perorally into the esophageal stump. Through a midline short laparotomy, the circular stapler was inserted into the gastric tube and advanced through the hiatus to be connected with the anvil and create the anastomosis.

Urgent surgery for complicated colonic diverticula.

Unlabelled: The AIM of this retrospective study was to evaluate the emergency surgical treatment of life-threatening complications of colonic diverticula.

Material And Method: In the last 11 years, 22 of 101 patients with colonic diverticula (22.1%) underwent urgent surgery for acute complications: perforated gangrenous diverticulitis with generalized peritonitis (n=8) or pericolic abscess (n=8), acute bowel obstruction (n=4) and severe diverticular bleeding (n=2).

Quality of life in patients with esophagojejunal anastomosis after total gastrectomy for cancer.

Objective: To analyze the influence of the esophagojejunostomy type (Roux-en-Y end-to-end or end-to-side, omega, manual or mechanic), of the associated resections and postoperative complications, on patients' Quality of Life (QoL) after total gastrectomy for cancer.

Methods: From 1997 to 2004 63 patients underwent a total gastrectomy for cancer. Patients were invited to fill a questionnaire with 14 treatment-specific related symptoms at 3 and respectively 12 months postoperatively.

Molecular prognostic factors in rectal cancer.

The prognosis of patients with rectal cancer can be assessed mainly on the basis of clinical and pathological factors among which the pTNM stage is the most valuable indicator. Recently, different combinations of molecular markers, which have prognostic significance, have been identified in an attempt to establish a "molecular staging" that would permit - along with the histopathological staging - taking optimum therapeutic decisions in colorectal cancer. An example in this respect is the attempt to classify patients with rectal cancer stage II (N-) with a view to administering adjuvant treatment to the risk subgroup.