Cholecystectomy Is a Risk Factor for Proximal Colon Cancer That May Also Relate to its Aggressiveness.

Introduction: There are studies with mixed conclusions about the role cholecystectomy plays as a risk factor for proximal colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study where the records of patients with CRC were reviewed. Data was collected regarding affected colon subsegment (cecum, ascending, transverse, descending, sigmoid, or rectum, which were also combined into proximal or distal colon), history and time since cholecystectomy, histopathology reports (TNM classification and clinical stage), and KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF mutation analysis.

Soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 indicates SLE disease activity and specific organ involvement.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by immune complex deposits and subsequent vascular inflammation in many organs. Activated endothelial cells are a major source of VCAM-1. The levels of soluble VCAM-1 (sVCAM-1) are elevated in SLE and have been found to be associated with disease activity and damage organ especially renal involvement.