Gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the rectum: report of five cases.

We report on five patients (three males and two females), with a median age of 66.2 years (range, 58-73 years) who were admitted in our department from April 1998 until January 2004 with the diagnosis of rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Their main symptoms were rectal bleeding, constipation and abdominal discomfort.

Small cell carcinoma arising in Barrett's esophagus: a case report and review of the literature.

Introduction: Gastrointestinal tract small cell carcinoma is an infrequent and aggressive neoplasm that represents 0.1-1% of gastrointestinal malignancies. Very few cases of small cell esophageal carcinoma arising in Barrett's esophagus have been reported in the literature.

Endoscopic management of a relapsing hepatic hydatid cyst with intrabiliary rupture: a case report and review of the literature.

Hydatid disease, although endemic mostly in sheep-farming countries, remains a public health issue worldwide, involving mainly the liver. Intrabiliary rupture is the most frequent complication of the hepatic hydatid cyst. Endoscopy is advocated, preoperatively, to alleviate obstructive jaundice caused by intracystic materials after a frank rupture and is also a useful and well-established adjunct in locating postoperative biliary fistulas.

Pretreatment tumor lysis syndrome associated with bulky retroperitoneal tumors. Recognition is the mainstay of therapy.

Acute pretreatment tumor lysis syndrome is a rare complication of cancer. Early recognition and aggressive management are mandatory for prevention of the adverse sequelae of the syndrome. Here we present 2 cases of pretreatment tumor lysis syndrome, concluding that this clinical entity should be in the differential diagnosis of acute renal failure associated with malignancy, as early recognition is in fact the mainstay of treatment.