Critical appraisal of bevacizumab in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. The prognosis of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer in recent years has increased from 5 months with best supportive care to nearly 2 years with chemotherapy combined with bevacizumab, an antivascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibody. New prognostic and predictive biomarkers have been identified to guide chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer, such as KRAS and BRAF oncogenes.

[Management of the thoracic drainage in the thoracic traumas. Technical mistakes and new procedures].

Objective: Thoracic trauma is positioned at the third place of occurrence in Multiple Trauma patient. The correct position of thoracic drainages are fundamental for a good resolution and restore of pulmonary function in our mechanical ventilated patients.

Methods: This retrospective analysis of a prospective database on a consecutive series of patients who had haemo-pneumothorax drained immediately or into 3 hours from trauma was conducted over a period of 24 months.

Locally advanced leiomyosarcoma of the spleen. A case report and review of the literature.

Background: Leiomyosarcomas are rare tumours, predominantly localized in the stomach, small intestine and retroperitoneum. Only one case of primary leiomyosarcoma of the spleen is described in human beings in literature.

Case Presentation: We report a case of locally advanced primary leiomyosarcoma of the spleen in a 54 year-old woman, diagnosed only after splenectomy, performed with the suspicion of splenic haematoma.

Postoperative chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer. Late results of a pilot study.

Background/aims: It has recently been proven that postoperative radiotherapy combined with fluorouracil showed an increase of survival and local control in patients with rectal cancer. However, hematological and intestinal toxicity also increased. Experimental and clinical studies showed an increased radiation effect with an acceptable toxicity by delivering drug via a continuous intravenous infusion.

Postoperative chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer. Long-term results of a pilot study.

It has recently been proven that postoperative radiotherapy combined with fluorouracil affords an increase in survival and local control in patients with rectal cancer. However, haematological and intestinal toxicity also increase. Experimental and clinical studies have shown an increased effect of radiation with an acceptable toxicity by delivering the drug via continuous intravenous infusion.

[Anastomosis dehiscence in anterior resection of the rectum with total excision of the mesorectum].

Anterior rectal resection with total mesorectal excision is currently regarded as the operation of choice in patients with neoplasms of the extraperitoneal rectum. This operation is associated with a significant incidence of anastomotic dehiscence. Some authors, therefore, advise the execution of a protective stoma.