The role of transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy in the postoperative follow-up of patients with rectal cancer.

Background: The value of endorectal ultrasound (EUS) in the diagnosis of recurrent rectal cancer is limited by the inability to differentiate between malignant and benign lesions. We have prospectively investigated the role of EUS with transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy in the postoperative follow-up of rectal cancer.

Methods: Since 1995, patients who had undergone a sphincter-saving operation for rectal cancer (n = 312) were followed-up by a standard program including rectal palpation, carcinoembryonic antigen monitoring, computed tomography, and EUS.

Cholangiocellular carcinoma associated with segmental Caroli's disease.

This case report describes the association of cholangiocarcinoma arising in a liver segment with Caroli's disease. We demonstrate the diagnostic difficulties in recognizing the pathogenetic background and outline the indication for surgical treatment.

[Surgical and multimodal therapy of pseudomyxoma peritonei].

The rarity of Pseudomyxoma peritonei, its complex biology and the remaining inconsistencies in terminology all contribute to rendering therapeutic recommendations a difficult task. In principle, a multimodal concept combining cytoreductive surgery with peri- and postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy constitutes the preferable treatment. Initially, surgical peritonectomy aims to achieve the complete removal of tumor cells at the macroscopic level.