A MLH1 polymorphism that increases cancer risk is associated with better outcome in sporadic colorectal cancer.

Germline mutations or the malfunctioning of postreplicative mismatch repair genes (MMR) are responsible of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), and are also implied in some sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) forms without any familial history of this disease. Besides germinal mutations and methylation, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) can predispose to nonfamilial CRC with low to moderate penetrance. In this case-control study, we analyzed three MLH1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (exon 5: 415G-->C, rs28930073; exon 8: 655A-->G, rs1799977 and exon 16: 1852-1853AA-->GC) in 140 sporadic colorectal cancer cases and 125 healthy individuals to evaluate the relationship among CRC risk and clinicopathologic and genetic characteristics of the tumors.

Effect of COX2 -765G>C and c.3618A>G polymorphisms on the risk and survival of sporadic colorectal cancer.

Background: The COX2 gene (also known as PTGS2) encodes one of the essential cyclooxygenases for the prostanoid synthesis, and its expression is tightly regulated at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. COX2 overexpression has been detected in up to 90% of colon carcinomas, and its downregulation inhibits polyp formation. Several polymorphisms located in both 5'- and 3'- flanking regions of COX2 have been described, but their functional significance and their use as prognostic indicators are still unclear.

Usefulness of laboratory data in the management of right iliac fossa pain in adults.

Purpose: This study examined the usefulness of inflammatory markers in the management of patients with right iliac fossa pain.

Patients And Methods: A single site, prospective observational study was conducted from October 2001 to April 2003. Patients with right iliac fossa pain referred to the surgeon were included.

Postoperative Analgesic THerapy Observational Survey (PATHOS): a practice pattern study in 7 central/southern European countries.

Surveys evaluating pain in hospitals keep on showing that postoperative pain (POP) remains undertreated. At the time when guidelines are edited and organisational changes are implemented, more recent data are necessary to check the impact of these measures on daily practice and needs for improvement. This prospective, cross-sectional, observational, multi-centre practice survey was performed in 2004-2005 in 7 European countries.

Do MSI-L sporadic colorectal tumors develop through "mild mutator pathway"?

Background: The mutator pathway implied in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by microsatellite instability (MSI). MSI tumors can be subdivided according to the level of instability: MSI-H (high), MSI-L (low) or stable MSS. MSI-H CRC displays a well described distinct phenotype, but the true biologic significance of MSI-L is still uncertain.

RIS1, a gene with trinucleotide repeats, is a target in the mutator pathway of colorectal carcinogenesis.

Microsatellite instability (MSI) due to mismatch repair system (MMR) alterations characterizes the mutator pathway implied in colorectal cancer development. In the present study, we have analyzed the gene RIS1 (Ras-induced senescence 1) in relation to loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and its frameshift mutations for an imperfect trinucleotide repeat (GCN) located at the 3'-OH end. Additionally, we have compared the status of RIS1 with a number of genetic and clinicopathological variables.

Significance of mutations in TGFBR2 and BAX in neoplastic progression and patient outcome in sporadic colorectal tumors with high-frequency microsatellite instability.

The mutator pathway implied in the development of colorectal cancer is characterized by microsatellite instability (MSI), which is determined by alterations of mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Defects in MMR genes affect repetitive DNA tracts interspersed mostly between coding sequences, and therefore it cannot be expected that they play a role during tumor progression. Genes containing repetitive sequences within their coding regions could be targets for MSI tumorigenesis, but this does not necessarily imply a causal role for the affected gene, because most are probably passenger mutations.

Simultaneous mutations in K-ras and TP53 are indicative of poor prognosis in sporadic colorectal cancer.

Despite the fact that the mutations in K-ras codon 12 and TP53 are common abnormalities in colorectal cancer, the determination of K-ras mutation combined with TP53 gene mutation, with diagnostic and prognostic purposes is still controversial. We have analyzed K-ras and TP53 mutations in 77 sporadic colorectal adenocarcinomas by means of polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. We observed a negative correlation between both K-ras and TP53 mutations.

Genetic alterations and MSI status in primary, synchronous, and metachronous tumors in a family with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC).

In colorectal cancer, different levels of microsatellite instability (MSI) have been described: high-frequency MSI, low-frequency MSI, and stable microsatellites. MSI-H characterizes a unique clinical and pathologic phenotype known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome (HNPCC). In this case, an increased incidence of synchronous and metachronous tumors has been reported, but there are few reports with standardized criteria of MSI in HNPCC-associated tumors.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and incidental carcinoma of the extrahepatic bilary tree.

Background And Objectives: Gallbladder carcinoma is found in 0.2% to 5% of patients undergoing cholecystectomy, and gallstones are found in 70% to 98% of patients with gallbladder carcinoma. Early diagnosis of carcinoma is difficult because of the absence of specific symptoms and the frequent association with chronic cholecystitis and gallstones.

Self-expandable stent before elective surgery vs. emergency surgery for the treatment of malignant colorectal obstructions: comparison of primary anastomosis and morbidity rates.

Purpose: At present there are not enough studies that demonstrate the usefulness of self-expandable stents in patients with left-sided malignant colon and rectal obstruction. We evaluated primary anastomosis and morbidity rates obtained with this method in comparison with the results of the emergency surgical treatment.

Methods: From February 1994 to November 1999, 72 consecutive patients with left-sided malignant colorectal obstruction were enrolled.