Thymidylate synthase genotyping is more predictive for therapy response than immunohistochemistry in patients with colon cancer.

Thymidylate synthase (TS) is a potentially valuable marker for therapy response since it is the molecular target of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). TS can be analyzed at the DNA (gene polymorphisms and amplification) and protein level (immunohistochemistry). This study investigated the predictive role of TS at the DNA and protein levels in patients with N(+) colon cancer (n = 38).

Circumferential margin involvement is the crucial prognostic factor after multimodality treatment in patients with locally advanced rectal carcinoma.

Purpose: After preoperative (radio)chemotherapy, histologic determinants for prognostication have changed. It is unclear which variables, including assessment of tumor regression, are the best indicators for local recurrence and survival.

Experimental Design: A series of 201 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (cT3/T4, M0) presenting with an involved or at least threatened circumferential margin (CRM) on preoperative imaging (<2 mm) were evaluated using standard histopathologic variables and four different histologic regression systems.

Resection of a lipomatous hypertrophic interatrial septum involving the right ventricle.

Lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum is a rare cardiac lesion that is usually limited to the interatrial septum. We report a case of an extensive lipomatous hypertrophy, which protruded into the right and the left atrium as well as the superior and the inferior vena cava and the right ventricle. A 71-year-old woman was referred to us because of a cardiac mass on a transthoracic echocardiogram, performed on a routine check-up because of a known membranous ventricular septum defect.