Current practices in rectal cancer surgery: a survey of Thai colorectal surgeons.

Objective: Surgical techniques and management of rectal cancer have been rapidly evolving. The aim of the present study was to assess current practices in rectal cancer surgery among Thai colorectal surgeons.

Material And Method: Descriptive study was set between July and September 2008, a questionnaire was distributed to members (board-certified colorectal surgeons) of the Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Thailand regarding their current practices in rectal cancer including pre-operative management, surgical techniques, and postoperative surveillance protocol.

Colorectal cancer screening and surveillance: a survey among Thai general surgeons.

Purpose: A significant reduction in colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality is attributed to CRC screening and surveillance. However, there is no national consensus on CRC screening and surveillance in Thailand. The aim of this study was to assess current practice in CRC screening and surveillance among Thai general surgeons.

A multicenter prospective study of immunochemical fecal occult blood testing for colorectal cancer detection.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening by guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) can reduce the mortality of CRC. The new immunochemical fecal occult blood test (iFOBT) has possibly improved sensitivity and specificity without any dietary restriction.

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of iFOBT for CRC detection compared to the colonoscopic and pathologic findings in known CRC cases.

Preoperative capecitabine with pelvic radiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer (phase I trial).

Objective: Phase I multicenter study defined the maximal tolerated dose (MTD), dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and safety profile of capecitabine in combination with preoperative radiation for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC).

Material And Method: Patients were treated with oral capecitabine (700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100 and 1200 mg/m2 twice daily continuously) plus preoperative whole pelvic irradiation (45-46 Gy in 23-25 fractions over 5-6 weeks). Surgery was performed at the median of 42 days after chemoradiation treatment.

Characterization of circulating monocytes expressing HLA-DR or CD71 and related soluble factors for 2 weeks after severe, non-thermal injury.

Background: Severe injury is associated with changes in monocytes that may contribute to poor outcomes. Longitudinal characterization of monocyte response patterns after trauma may provide added insight into these immunological alterations.

Methods: Venous blood obtained seven times during post-injury days 1 through 13 from 61 patients with an injury severity score >20 was assessed by flow cytometry for monocytes (CD14+) expressing HLA-DR or CD71 (transferrin receptor) and for circulating levels of interleukin (IL) 1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, soluble CD14 (sCD14), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), thromboxane B(2) (TXB(2)), and endotoxin.