The potential role of fecal carbonic anhydrase II in screening for colorectal cancer.

Several studies have demonstrated a relationship between mucosal carbonic anhydrase (CA) isoenzymes, particularly CA II, and cancer of the large intestine. Recent work has suggested the potential usefulness of fecal CA assay for colorectal cancer screening. This clinical study examined the accuracy of fecal CA II as a marker of adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum.

Long-term results of curative resection of "minimally invasive" colorectal cancer.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the long-term outcome after curative resection of colorectal cancers that extend only into the submucosa ("minimally invasive") and to evaluate potential histologic predictors of lymph node metastases.

Methods: Seventy-nine patients who underwent curative resection of minimally invasive colorectal cancer and were followed for at least five years were studied retrospectively.

Results: The series was comprised of 53 men and 26 women, with a mean age of 61 years.

Prognostic value of tumor "budding" in patients with colorectal cancer.

From 1970 to 1985, 663 patients underwent curative resection of colon and rectal adenocarcinomas. All surgical specimens were examined for tumor "budding," defined as small clusters of undifferentiated cancer cells ahead of the invasive front of the lesion. Patients were divided into two groups according to degree of budding: none or mild (BD-1) and moderate or severe (BD-2).