Number of Intratumoral T Lymphocytes Is Associated With Lymph Node Size, Lymph Node Harvest, and Outcome in Node-Negative Colon Cancer.

Objectives: We postulated that lymph node (LN) harvest and LN size are influenced by immunologic effects.

Methods: To investigate this hypothesis, we performed a retrospective analysis of 170 node-negative colon cancer cases to evaluate the density of intratumoral T lymphocytes (ITLs). CD3- and CD8-positive T cells were counted using a digital system.

A very unusual thyroid tumor: a nodule with mature fat papillary hyperplasia and focal atypia.

Fat-containing lesions of the thyroid are rare, encompassing several clinical-pathological conditions such adenolipomas, thyrolipomatosis and lipomotous tissue in case of amyloidosis. Furthermore, cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma have been identified in association with thyrolipomatosis. We report a case of 51 years old man referred to surgery for a multinodular goiter, showing multiple cystic and hemorrhagic nodules of up to 3 cm.

Methylene blue-assisted lymph node dissection technique is not associated with an increased detection of lymph node metastases in colorectal cancer.

Lymph node staging is of paramount importance for prognosis estimation and therapy stratification in colorectal cancer. A high number of harvested lymph nodes is associated with an improved outcome. Methylene blue-assisted lymph node dissection effectively improves the lymph node harvest and ensures sufficient staging.

The clinical significance of lymph node size in colon cancer.

To date, the clinical value of lymph node size in colon cancer has been investigated only in a few studies. Only in radiological diagnosis is lymph node size routinely recognized, and nodes ≥10 mm in diameter are considered pathologic. However, the few studies regarding this topic suggest that lymph node size is not a reliable indicator of metastatic disease.

Prognostic significance of tumor budding in gastrointestinal tumors.

Tumor budding describes the presence of single tumor cells or small tumor cell clusters at the invasion front of carcinomas. It is currently thought to be the result of epithelial-mesenchymal transformation. Tumor budding can be appreciated histologically during routine evaluation of malignant polyps or surgical specimens of malignant tumors.

Combination of ex vivo sentinel lymph node mapping and methylene blue-assisted lymph node dissection in gastric cancer: a prospective and randomized study.

Background: Exact lymph node (LN) staging is crucial for prognosis estimation and treatment stratification in gastric cancer. Recently, a new concept for improving LN harvest and the accuracy of LN staging was introduced. It combines methylene blue-assisted lymph node dissection (MBLND) with a new ex vivo sentinel lymph node (evSLN) mapping technique.

Shift from cytoplasmic to nuclear maspin expression correlates with shorter overall survival in node-negative colorectal cancer.

Maspin has been characterized as a potent tumor suppressor in many in vitro and in vivo studies. In contrast, in stage III colon cancer, an association with shorter overall survival as well as sensitivity to chemotherapy was found for cases with nuclear maspin expression. Because 20% of node-negative colorectal cancer cases show a fatal clinical course, we hypothesized that immunohistochemical maspin expression could be of help to identify higher-risk cases.

A new concept for the role of ex vivo sentinel lymph nodes in node-negative colorectal cancer.

Background: We recently introduced ex vivo, intra-arterial methylene blue injection as a simple method to improve the lymph node (LN) harvest in gastrointestinal cancer. We now combined it with a novel ex vivo sentinel lymph node (evSLN) mapping technique.

Methods: evSLN mapping was performed by subserosal (n = 20) or submucosal (n = 30) India ink injection.

Shape is not associated with the origin of pericolonic tumor deposits.

Pericolonic tumor deposits (PTDs) are associated with an adverse outcome in colorectal cancer. According to the International Union Against Cancer they are classified as N1 or V1/V2 depending on their shape. This recommendation, however, is not well supported by the literature.

Sentinel lymph node mapping as a side-effect of colonoscopic tattooing.

Background: Correct tumor localization is crucial for proper surgical therapy in colorectal cancer. Intraoperative visualization of the lesion is facilitated by preoperative colonoscopic tattooing, regardless of whether an open or laparoscopic approach is employed.

Objective: This pilot study tests the hypothesis that colonoscopic tattooing can serve the additional role of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping.

Methylene blue-assisted lymph node dissection in combination with ex vivo sentinel lymph node mapping in gastric cancer.

Aims: Lymph node (LN) stage is still the strongest prognostic marker in potentially curable gastric cancer. Accuracy of histopathological lymph node assessment depends on the number of investigated LNs and detection rate of metastases and micrometastases. The aim was to perform a feasibility study employing intra-arterial methylene blue injection - a novel method to improve LN harvest - and ex vivo sentinel LN mapping.

Methylene blue-assisted lymph node dissection in colon specimens: a prospective, randomized study.

Recently, we introduced ex vivo intra-arterial methylene blue injection into the inferior mesenteric artery as a novel method to improve lymph node (LN) harvest in rectal cancer. We have now adapted this method to the other segments of the colon. A total of 60 cases were enrolled.

Elastosis of the colon and the ileum as polyp causing lesions: a study of six cases and review of the literature.

Benign lesions in the gastrointestinal tract characterized by an increase of elastic fibers in the submucosal and mucosal layer are termed elastoma, elastosis, elastofibroma or elastofibromatous change, and present mostly as polyps. Twenty-seven such cases are published in the English and French literature. Some lesions are similar to alterations which are well-known from elastofibroma dorsi of the scapular region.

Methylene blue injection into the rectal artery as a simple method to improve lymph node harvest in rectal cancer.

Adequate lymph node assessment in colorectal cancer is crucial for prognosis estimation and further therapy stratification. However, there is still an ongoing debate on required minimum lymph node numbers and the necessity of advanced techniques such as immunohistochemistry or PCR. It has been proven in several studies that lymph node harvest is often inadequate under routine analysis.