Unusual recurrent rectal carcinoma: a cancer field theory viewpoint.

Aim: The rate of rectal cancer locoregional recurrence following radical surgery varies from 4% to 33%. Though the causes are unclear, likely factors include microscopic tumor residues in the lymphatics, positive resection margins and exfoliation of tumor cells and their subsequent intraluminar spread during operation. Other significant factors include type and technique of surgical procedure.

Analysis of Snail-1, E-cadherin and claudin-1 expression in colorectal adenomas and carcinomas.

We report the expression of Snail-1, E-cadherin and claudin-1 by indirect immunohistochemistry in colonic neoplasia. Snail-1 is a zinc finger transcription factor expressed in cells that already have undergone almost complete epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and have already evaded from the tumor. The main mechanism by which Snail induces EMT is downregulation of E-cadherin, of which expression was shown to be frequently downregulated in many different types of tumors, where it accompanies the invasiveness and metastatic behavior of malignant cells.

[Fibroblasts--known or unknown cells].

Fibroblasts form the main component of the cell tissue microenvironment, and their basic function is to maintain cell integrity and tissue homeostasis. Fibroblasts essentially participate in wound repair. Recently, increased interest has been focused on the role of fibroblasts in cancers, where they are involved in the ransformation of a tumour stroma, and via production of numbers of cytokines and growth factors participate in tumour progression.

[Persisting symptoms, diastolic dysfunction and decreased coronary flow reserve after succesful correction of aortic recoarctation].

We present a case of a 53-year-old woman undergoing successful surgical treatment ofcoarcation restenosis after patch grafting in childhood. Despite the optimal result of the operation, normal left ventricle systolic function and coronary angiogram, majority of symptoms, such as angina and dyspnea, persist 16 months after the intervention. In further investigation, pathological values of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP = 30 mm Hg) and coronary flow reserve (CFR = 1.