Biallelic inactivation of the SDHC gene in renal carcinoma associated with paraganglioma syndrome type 3.

The etiology and pathogenesis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are only partially understood. Key findings in hereditary RCC, which may be site specific or a component of a syndrome, have contributed to our current understanding. Important heritable syndromes of RCC are those associated with pheochromocytoma, especially von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) associated with germline VHL mutations, and pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma syndrome (PGL) associated with mutations in one of the four genes (SDHA-D) encoding succinate dehydrogenase.

Treatment of Barrett's esophagus with argon plasma coagulation and antireflux surgery. A retrospective analysis.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and the results of ablation of Barrett'esophagus by endoscopic argon plasma coagulation (APC) followed by fundoplication.

Methodology: Between January 1999 and December 2004, 21 patients with histological proven, short BE and scheduled for fundoplication, were treated by APC. Treatment was repeated until histological confirmation of complete ablation was obtained.

Thymidylate synthase expression in resectable and unresectable pancreatic cancer: role as predictive or prognostic marker?

Background And Aims: Thymidylate synthase (TS) is an important enzyme for DNA synthesis and the target for 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Its expression may determine the outcome of patients with gastrointestinal cancers. We examined the prognostic and predictive value of TS-protein expression in patients with ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.

An unusual case of early fulminant post-traumatic fat embolism syndrome.

A multiple-injured patient developed a very early onset fulminant fat embolism syndrome that was partially masked by haemorrhagic shock. Despite early diagnosis by transoesophageal echocardiography and aggressive symptomatic treatment, there was a rapid evolution to death. Post mortem examination revealed the presence of both pulmonary and systemic fat emboli.

Pre-clinical evaluation of the activity of irinotecan as a basis for regional chemotherapy.

Background: Irinotecan alone and in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) displays potent activity in advanced colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to estimate the potential efficacy of irinotecan for hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy.

Materials And Methods: We investigated the anti-proliferative effects of irinotecan alone and in combination with 5-FU in HT29 and NMG64/84 colon and COLO-357, MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cell lines and in fresh tumors from patients with primary colon cancer (n=2) and colorectal liver metastases (n=11) in vitro, using the MTT growth assay and the human tumor colony-forming assay (HTCA), mimicking conditions which are achievable during HAI.