Surgical site infections following short-term radiotherapy and total mesorectal excision: results of a randomized study examining the role of gentamicin collagen implant in rectal cancer surgery.

Background: Despite the findings of several randomized clinical studies, the role of gentamicin collagen implant (GCI) in rectal cancer surgery is unclear. Local pelvic application of GCI following preoperative radiotherapy and total mesorectal excision (TME) was evaluated to determine the risk of surgical site infections (SSI).

Methods: In this single-center trial, 176 patients with rectal cancer after preoperative, short-term radiotherapy (5 × 5 Gy) were randomized either to the study group in which GCI was used or in the control group without GCI.

Risk of permanent stoma after resection of rectal cancer depending on the distance between the tumour lower edge and anal verge.

The distance between the anal verge and lower edge of rectal cancer is one of the most important factors affecting the feasibility of sphincter-preserving resection.The aim of the study was to assess the risk of permanent stoma after resection of rectal tumour depending on the distance between the tumour and the anal verge.Material and methods.

Acceptance of a 5-mm distal bowel resection margin for rectal cancer: is it safe?

Aim: Acceptance of a short distal bowel margin results in a higher rate of anterior resection but may compromise oncological safety. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of a 5-mm distal margin.

Method: A retrospective analysis was carried out of 412 consecutive patients with rectal cancer treated with anterior resection with a negative circumferential resection margin.

Tumour regression grading in patients with residual rectal cancer after preoperative chemoradiation.

Background And Purpose: To explore the utility of tumour regression grading (TRG, the amount of residual tumour cells in relation to extension of fibrosis) after chemoradiation of rectal cancer.

Materials And Methods: Of 131 patients who received preoperative chemoradiation in the frame of the randomized trial, pathological complete response (pCR, TRG0), good regression (TRG1), moderate regression (TRG2), and poor regression (TRG3) were recorded in 17%, 31%, 31%, and 22% of patients, respectively.

Results: The rates of ypN-positive category for TRG0, TRG1, TRG2, and TRG3 groups were 5%, 23%, 45%, and 46%, respectively, p=0.

Clinical significance of serum cytokine measurements in untreated colorectal cancer patients: soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type I--an independent prognostic factor.

The aim of this study was to exploit the potential clinical use of circulating cytokine measurements in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. The levels of cytokines and cytokine receptors were assessed by ELISA in the sera of 50 healthy volunteers and 157 patients with previously untreated CRC and then related to clinicopathological features and prognosis. All tumors were verified histologically as colorectal adenocarcinomas and staged according to TNM classification.