History of negative colorectal endoscopy and risk of rectosigmoid neoplasms at screening flexible sigmoidoscopy.

Background And Aims: Screening sigmoidoscopy can reduce incidence of colorectal cancer and mortality. The optimal re-screening interval has not yet been defined. This study is aimed at estimating the risk of distal advanced adenomas (diameter >/=10 mm, villous component >20%, high-grade dysplasia) and cancer at screening flexible sigmoidoscopy in subjects aged 55-64 years who reported pre-screening negative colorectal endoscopy.

Exocrine pancreatic cancer, cigarette smoking, and diabetes mellitus: a case-control study in northern Italy.

The role of cigarette smoking and diabetes mellitus as risk factors for exocrine pancreatic cancer (PC) was investigated in a hospital based case-control study. Current smokers were at increased risk for PC (OR = 2.36, 95% CI 1.

Baseline findings of the Italian multicenter randomized controlled trial of "once-only sigmoidoscopy"--SCORE.

Background: A single sigmoidoscopy examination at around age 60 years has been proposed as a cost-effective strategy to prevent colorectal cancer. A multicenter randomized controlled trial, the SCORE trial, is in progress in Italy to estimate the impact of this strategy on colorectal cancer incidence and mortality and the duration of the protective effect. We present the baseline screening outcomes.

Risk factors for Barrett's esophagus: a case-control study.

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is an acquired disorder due to chronic gastroesophageal reflux. Environmental factors seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of BE, especially in Western society. A multicenter case-control study was carried out between February 1995 and April 1999 in 8 Italian Departments of Gastroenterology gathered in a study group (GOSPE), in order to analyze the influence of some individual characteristics and life-style habits on the occurrence of BE.

Pancreatic intraductal sampling during ERCP in patients with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer: cytologic studies and k-ras-2 codon 12 molecular analysis in 47 cases.

Background: A preoperative tissue diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is desirable but difficult to obtain.

Methods: Pancreatic brush cytology, salvage cytology, and collection of pancreatic juice were attempted prospectively during ERCP in 34 patients with pancreatic cancer and 11 with chronic pancreatitis. K-ras-2 codon 12 was analyzed for presence and type of point mutations.