Prognostic implications of BAX protein expression and microsatellite instability in all non-metastatic stages of primary colon cancer treated by surgery alone.

Purpose: This study examined whether the apoptosis-related protein, BAX, or the microsatellite-instability phenotype provide prognostic information in patients with resected colon cancer.

Methods: A total of 371 stage I-III patients that previously underwent radical surgery were included (mean follow-up 51.8 months).

Studies on p53, BAX and Bcl-2 protein expression and microsatellite instability in stage III (UICC) colon cancer treated by adjuvant chemotherapy: major prognostic impact of proapoptotic BAX.

We evaluated the expression patterns of proapoptotic BAX, antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and p53, the proposed upstream effector of these molecules, as potential prognostic markers in UICC stage III colon cancer by immunohistochemical staining. To identify high-frequency microsatellite instability (MSI+) individuals, we performed single-strand conformation polymorphism-based analysis for BAT26. A total of 188 patients who had received 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based adjuvant chemotherapy (5-FU/folinic acid or 5-FU/levamisole) were enrolled.

Low BAX protein expression correlates with disease recurrence in preoperatively irradiated rectal carcinoma.

Purpose: To determine the prognostic impact of BAX in correlation to its upstream effector p53 as well as clinicopathologic variables and patient outcome in preoperatively irradiated rectal carcinoma.

Methods And Materials: We investigated 92 rectal carcinoma patients treated by preoperative radiotherapy to a total dose of 30 Gy followed by surgery. Median follow-up was 71 months.

Molecular lesions in colorectal cancer: impact on prognosis? Original data and review of the literature.

Background: In the Dukes' B and C stages of colorectal carcinoma there are considerable variations in the observed courses of the disease. Since post-operative chemotherapy in patients with Dukes' C (node-positive) colon carcinoma has been demonstrated to be effective in improving overall-survival, a more exact prognosis assessment gains additional significance and therapeutic relevance.

Discussion: One also hopes to derive improved prognostic factors from the clarification of the molecular pathogenesis.

The prognostic value of S-phase fraction in preoperative radiotherapy of rectal cancer.

The aim of this study was to analyze the flow cytometric S-phase fraction (SPF) in rectal tumors before and after preoperative radiotherapy (15x2 Gy) and to compare the findings to the clinical outcome. Archival specimens from 84 cases, treated from 1980 to 1988 with S-phase data and complete follow-up were reviewed. There was no significant correlation between SPF and clinicopathological factors.

Alteration of DNA ploidy status and cell proliferation induced by preoperative radiotherapy is a prognostic factor in rectal cancer.

To identify predictors of prognosis after preoperative radiotherapy, DNA ploidy and cell proliferation were investigated in 116 patients with rectal cancer. For flow cytometry, a nuclear suspension was prepared by pepsin digestion of paraffin samples of biopsies taken before preoperative radiotherapy (15 x 2 Gy) and also of the resected rectal tumors after radiotherapy. The median follow-up period was 6 years.

Influence of p53 status on prognosis in preoperatively irradiated rectal carcinoma.

Background: Even when they are analogous in microscopic and macroscopic appearance, tumors vary in their response rates to radiotherapy. Cell culture and xenograft experiments with colorectal cell lines have demonstrated that wild-type p53 increases radiosensitivity. Hence, the authors investigated, in a well-defined population of patients treated at the same institution, whether p53 status was a prognostic factor in preoperatively irradiated rectal carcinoma patients.

[Collaboration in tumor after care with the established physician].

The organization of cancer followup, the investigations and subsequent treatment are the responsibility of only those doctors directly involved. The followup work consists of three types: diagnostic after curative treatment, therapeutic with adjuvant chemotherapy and palliative. The cooperation of hospital doctors and practitioners has proved effective.

[Concepts in the prevention and treatment of liver metastases of colorectal cancer by regional chemotherapy].

Three different treatments of regional chemotherapy in colo-rectal malignancies and their results are presented. 1. Prophylactic chemotherapy with 5-FU--via the recanalized umbilical vein in patients without liver metastases (randomized study since 10/1980).

[Stress tolerance following blunt abdominal trauma and its significance for operational indications and tactics].

Abdominal trauma in combination with other injuries continues to be a life-threatening risk. In spite of intensive care multiple organ failure can result in death several days postoperatively. The initial respiratory therapy of the injured patients is of outstanding importance to ameliorate the unsatisfying results.

Experimental anastomosis between the parenchyma of spleen and kidney.

The procedure described using UV-irradiation and surgical removement of the renal capsule leads to the development of anastomoses between the spleen and the kidney. The collaterals are able to divert blood from the portal system to the surface of the kidney and then to the renal vein and the iliac veins systems. The procedure is easily performed and well tolerated.

Splenoperitoneal anastomoses after application of collagenase to the splenic capsule of rats.

In 200 Wistar rats the spleen was transposed into a pouch between the muscle layers of the left abdominal wall. Collagenase powder was applied to the spleen surface. After 12 to 24 hours an acute haemorrhagic inflammation was seen.

[The diagnosis of hepatic metastases (author's transl)].

The report deals with 404 patients suffering from hepatic metastases. Average age is 62,2 years. The primary tumour was situated in the stomach in 43,8%, followed by extrahepatic bile ducts or the gallbladder, rectum, pancreas and colon.

Histological findings of hypersplenism after experimental intraperitoneal injection of methyl cellulose and ligature of the splenic artery in rats.

The intraperitoneal injection of methyl cellulose in rats causes splenomegaly and hypersplenism. Clusters of foam cells in form of granulomas develop. They are containing methyl cellulose.