For "difficult" benign colorectal lesions referred to surgical resection a second opinion by an experienced endoscopist is mandatory: A single centre experience.

Aim: To assess how many patients with benign "difficult" colorectal lesions (DCRLs) referred to surgical resection, may be treated with endoscopic resection (ER) rather than surgical resection.

Methods: The prospectively collected colonoscopy database of our Endoscopic Unit was reviewed to identify all consecutive patients who, between July 2011 and August 2013, underwent an endoscopic re-evaluation before surgical resection due to the presence of DCRLs with a histological confirmation of benignancy on forceps biopsy. ER was attempted when the lesion did not have definite features of deeply invasive cancer.

Role of stenting in gastrointestinal benign and malignant diseases.

Advances in stents design have led to a substantial increase in the use of stents for a variety of digestive diseases. Initially developed as a non-surgical treatment for palliation of esophageal cancer, the stents now have an emerging role in the management of malignant and benign conditions as well as in all segments of the gastrointestinal tract. In this review, relevant literature search and expert opinions have been used to evaluate the key-role of stenting in gastrointestinal benign and malignant diseases.

The role of lung metastasis resection in improving outcome of colorectal cancer patients: results from a large retrospective study.

Background: The role of surgery for lung metastases (LM) secondary to colorectal cancer (CRC) remains controversial. The bulk of evidence is derived from single surgical series, hampering any definitive conclusions. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of CRC patients with LM submitted to surgery with those who were not.

Adjuvant treatment for elderly patients with colon cancer. An observational study.

Background: Adjuvant 5-fluoruracil-based chemotherapy significantly reduces mortality in patients with stage II-III colon cancer, but is less prescribed with rising age. In this study we were interested in the pattern of adjuvant treatment and possible effects on survival among elderly patients.

Patients And Methods: From January to December 2004, 63 questionnaires on the management of stage II-III resected colon cancer patients aged over 70 years, collected from 10 Italian Centres, were retrospectively examined.

Palliative treatment for elderly patients with colon cancer in ten Italian medical oncology units.

Background: Palliative chemotherapy significantly reduces mortality in patients with stage IV colon cancer, but is less prescribed with rising age. In this paper, we highlight the pattern of palliative treatment and possible effects on survival among elderly patients.

Patients And Methods: From January to December 2004, 78 files on the management of stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC) patients over 70 years, collected from 10 Italian Centres, were retrospectively examined.

Colorectal cancer treatment in elderly patients: results of a retrospective analysis addressed to the chiefs of medical oncology units in Italy.

Background: The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the differences of 1-year treatment and chemotherapy related-toxicity in elderly colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in different Italian medical oncology units.

Patients And Methods: An open questionnaire on the management of CRC patients over 70 years of age, from January to December 2004, was sent to Italian centres. One hundred and seventy-five files from 10 centres were analysed.