Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation for Rectal Cancer Achieves Satisfactory Tumour Regression and Local Recurrence - Result of a Dedicated Multi-disciplinary Approach from a South Asian Centre.

Background: Pre-operative long-course chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for rectal cancer has resulted in improvement in rates of restorative rectal resection and local recurrence by inducing tumour downstaging and downsizing. Total mesorectal excision (TME) is a standardised surgical technique of low anterior resection aimed at the prevention of local tumour recurrence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate tumour response following CRT in a standardised group of patients with rectal cancer.

Surgical Management of Small Bowel Crohn's Disease.

Crohn's disease in the small bowel could present itself as an inflammatory stricture, a fibrotic stricture as penetrating disease or a combination of both. It is pertinent to differentiate the disease process as well as its extent to effectively manage the disease. Currently, a combination of medical and surgical therapies forms part of the treatment plan while the debate of which therapy is better continues.

Complete migration of a composite mesh into small bowel incidentally found during laparotomy for colectomy in an asymptomatic patient: a case report.

Background: Composite meshes are used for incisional hernia repair because they enable intraperitoneal mesh placement due to their dorsal surface, which is made of inert material. We report, for the first time, to our knowledge, a case of composite mesh migration detected incidentally during a laparotomy for colon cancer in an asymptomatic patient.

Case Presentation: Our patient was a 71-year-old South Asian man who underwent ventral mesh repair following a postoperative complication after right hemicolectomy for colon cancer.

Transanal Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis for Ulcerative Colitis has Comparable Long-Term Functional Outcomes to Transabdominal Approach: A Multicentre Comparative Study.

Background: The transanal approach to ileal pouch-anal anastomosis [Ta-IPAA] provides better access to the lower pelvis with lower short-term morbidity in ulcerative colitis [UC]. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term functional outcomes after Ta-IPAA vs transabdominal IPAA [Abd-IPAA] in UC.

Methods: A multicentre cohort analysis was performed between March 2002 and September 2017.

Risk factors for locally advanced cancer associated with ulcerative colitis: Results of a retrospective multicentric study in the era of biologics.

Background: Patients affected by ulcerative colitis (UC) are more likely to develop colorectal cancer, and are often diagnosed with lymph node involvement (N+) at surgery.

Aim: To identify the risk factors for N+ cancer in UC patients.

Methods: Patients undergoing surgery from 2001 to 2018 in six European tertiary centres were included.

Molecular profiling of advanced breast cancer tumors is beneficial in assisting clinical treatment plans.

We used data obtained by Caris Life Sciences, to evaluate the benefits of tailoring treatments for a breast carcinoma cohort by using tumor molecular profiles to inform decisions. Data for 92 breast cancer patients from the commercial Caris Molecular Intelligence database was retrospectively divided into two groups, so that the first always followed treatment recommendations, whereas in the second group all patients received at least one drug after profiling that was predicted to lack benefit. The biomarker and drug associations were based on tests including fluorescent hybridization and DNA sequencing, although immunohistochemistry was the main test used.

Correction: Does molecular profiling of tumors using the Caris molecular intelligence platform improve outcomes for cancer patients?

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24258.

Correction: The benefit of tumor molecular profiling on predicting treatments for colorectal adenocarcinomas.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24257.

Correction: Assessing tumor molecular profiling to guide treatments for patients with advanced female genital tract malignancy.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23675.

Investigating the benefits of molecular profiling of advanced non-small cell lung cancer tumors to guide treatments.

In this study we utilized data on patient responses to guided treatments, and we evaluated their benefit for a non-small cell lung cancer cohort. The recommended therapies used were predicted using tumor molecular profiles that involved a range of biomarkers but primarily used immunohistochemistry markers. A dataset describing 91 lung non-small cell lung cancer patients was retrospectively split into two.

The benefit of tumor molecular profiling on predicting treatments for colorectal adenocarcinomas.

We evaluated the benefit of tailoring treatments for a colorectal adenocarcinoma cancer cohort according to tumor molecular profiles, by analyzing data collected on patient responses to treatments that were guided by a tumor profiling technology from Caris Life Sciences. DNA sequencing and immunohistochemistry were the main tests that predictions were based upon, but also fragment analysis, and hybridization. The status of the IHC biomarker for the thymidylate synthase receptor was a good indicator for future survival.

Does molecular profiling of tumors using the Caris molecular intelligence platform improve outcomes for cancer patients?

We evaluated the effect of tailoring treatments based on predictions informed by tumor molecular profiles across a range of cancers, using data from Caris Life Sciences. These included breast carcinoma, colorectal adenocarcinoma, female genital tract malignancy, lung non-small cell lung cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, ovarian surface epithelial carcinomas, and urinary tract cancers. Molecular profiles using mostly immunohistochemistry (IHC) and DNA sequencing for tumors from 841 patients had been previously used to recommend treatments; some physicians followed the suggestions completely while some did not.

Assessing tumor molecular profiling to guide treatments for patients with advanced female genital tract malignancy.

Tumor molecular profiling has enabled selection of targeted therapies in a host of solid tumors. Here we used a retrospective clinical cohort, to evaluate the benefit of tailoring treatments for female genital tract malignancy, using tumor molecular profiles. Clinical outcome data for 112 patients was retrospectively separated into two groups.

Overall Survival of Elderly Patients Having Surgery for Colorectal Cancer Is Comparable to Younger Patients: Results from a South Asian Population.

Introduction: There has been a continuous debate on whether elderly patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) fair worse. The aim of this study is to assess the thirty-day mortality (TDM) and overall survival (OS) of elderly patients undergoing surgery for CRC.

Method: OS between two groups (≥70 versus <70 years) having surgery for CRC was analyzed.

Single Port Laparoscopic Surgery for Complex Crohn's Disease Is Safe with a Lower Conversion Rate.

Purpose: Single port laparoscopic surgery (SPLS) is a technique which is increasing in popularity. The benefit of SPLS in complex Crohn's disease (CD), which includes a significant cohort of young patients sometimes needing multiple operations, has not been comprehensively assessed. This study analyses our early experience with this technique.

Colorectal cancer in the young, many questions, few answers.

At a time where the incidence of colorectal cancer, a disease predominantly of developed nations, is showing a decline in those 50 years of age and older, data from the West is showing a rising incidence of this cancer in young individuals. Central to this has been the 75% increase in rectal cancer incidence in the last four decades. Furthermore, predictive data based on mathematical modelling indicates a 124 percent rise in the incidence of rectal cancer by the year 2030 - a statistic that calls for collective global thought and action.

Novel use of Absorbable Modified Polymer (AMP®); EndoClot™ as an adjunct in the management of bleeding from the liver bed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Absorbable modified polymer (AMP) is a novel local haemostatic agent derived from a natural polysaccharide. Its safety and efficacy has been evaluated in upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding without reported side effects. We report the safe use of AMP as an adjunct in the management of serious bleeding during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopically detected and nonsurgically managed ileal perforation by an ingested fish bone: a case report.

Introduction: Ileal perforation due to fish bone is a rare event. The condition is difficult to diagnose due to lack of specific clinical features and low sensitivity of imaging techniques. We report a case of ileal perforation by a fish bone that was detected laparoscopically and managed nonsurgically.

Congenital hypertrophy of retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE) in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP); a polyposis registry experience.

Background: Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant condition giving rise to multiple adenomatous polyps in the colon which invariably become malignant by the fourth decade. Congenital hypertrophy of retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE) is one of its extra intestinal manifestations early in childhood seen, present in 90% of FAP population and is easy to detect.

Findings: Patients diagnosed with FAP and at risk first degree family members were screened for CHRPE using a slit lamp and indirect ophthalmoscopy.

Obstructive jaundice caused by a biliary mucinous cystadenoma in a woman: a case report.

Introduction: Mucinous cystadenoma of the liver is a rare (less than 5%) neoplasm. This condition is more common in young women and accounts for non-specific symptoms. Cyst adenomas commonly affect the intrahepatic system (90%) and are rarely found in the extrahepatic biliary system or affecting both the systems.

Total number of lymph nodes harvested is associated with better survival in stages II and III colorectal cancer.

Background: Lymph node status is important in staging colorectal cancer (CRC). Presence of metastatic nodes differentiates stage III from stage II. The role of adjuvant therapy is still unclear in stage II CRC.

Pre-operative hypoalbuminaemia predicts poor overall survival in rectal cancer: a retrospective cohort analysis.

Background: Serum albumin is a marker of nutrition and inflammation. It has recently emerged as a predictor of outcome after surgery for rectal cancer. Our aim was to evaluate if pre-operative serum albumin would predict survival after resection for rectal cancer.