Preoperative evaluation of local invasion and metastatic lymph nodes of colorectal cancer and mesenteric vascular variations using multidetector-row computed tomography before laparoscopic surgery.

Objective: To evaluate local invasion and lymph nodes metastasis of colorectal cancer and mesenteric vascular variations using multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) before laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Methods: Fifty-one patients with colorectal cancer underwent MDCT. The evaluation items were as follows: (1) local invasion; (2) detected lymph nodes evaluated by short-axis diameter, long-axis diameter, short/long axis diameter ratio, and computed tomography (CT) attenuation; and (3) visualization of mesenteric artery and vein by 3-dimensional-CT angiography.

The diagnostic values of measuring the liver volume in detecting occult hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.

Background/aims: Some studies have shown the reduction of portal blood flow in patients with occult hepatic metastases, which may lead to a decrease in the liver volume. The aim of this study was to assess volumetric changes of the liver with occult colorectal metastases.

Methodology: Sixty-three consecutive patients with colorectal cancer who underwent curative resection were studied retrospectively.

Diagnostic value of measuring liver volume for detecting occult hepatic metastases from colorectal or gastric cancer.

Some studies have shown reduced portal blood flow in patients with occult hepatic metastases, which may lead to decreased liver volume. A retrospective study was conducted in patients undergoing curative resection for colorectal (n = 63) or gastric (n = 52) cancer. The ratio of the preoperative computed tomography (CT)-estimated liver volume to the standard liver volume (CV/SV ratio) was calculated.

Correlation between transcriptional expression of survivin isoforms and clinicopathological findings in human colorectal carcinomas.

Survivin, a novel member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family, has been markedly overexpressed in most types of human carcinoma, and recognized as a potential target in anticancer therapy. In addition, two splice variants of survivin, survivin-2B and survivin-deltaEx3, have recently been identified. However, expression analysis on its splice variants has not been reported in colorectal carcinomas.

Adenoviral infection of survivin antisense sensitizes prostate cancer cells to etoposide in vivo.

Background: We aimed to investigate whether use of a survivin antisense fragment carried by an adenovirus vector (Ad.survivin-AS) could enhance the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy for androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Methods: We used Ad.

[Development of a novel gene therapy using survivin antisense expressing adenoviral vectors].

Background: Survivin, a novel inhibitor of apoptosis, is undetectable in normal adult tissues but becomes notably expressed in the most common human cancers, and is recognized as a potential target in anticancer therapy.

Methods: In this study we evaluated a survivin antisense expressing replication-incompetent adenoviral vector under the control of the cytomegalovirus promoter (pAd.CMV-SAS) for cytoreductive effects in human HT-29 colon cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Downregulation of survivin expression by induction of the effector cell protease receptor-1 reduces tumor growth potential and results in an increased sensitivity to anticancer agents in human colon cancer.

Survivin, a novel inhibitor of apoptosis, is expressed in cancer cells and not in normal adult tissues, and is recognised as a potential target in anticancer therapy. The induction of a natural antisense of survivin, effector cell protease receptor-1 (EPR-1), in a human colon cancer cell line resulted in a downregulation of survivin expression, with a similar decrease in cell proliferation, an increase in apoptosis and an increase in the sensitivity to anticancer agents. In addition, subcutaneous (s.

Regular finger dilation for preventing anastomotic stenosis after low anterior resection.

Purpose: This study evaluated the usefulness of performing regular finger dilation (RFD) of the anastomosis to prevent stenosis after low anterior resection (LAR).

Methods: Defecatory function was assessed in 22 patients who had undergone LAR more than 6 months earlier. The patients were divided into an RFD group, comprising 15 patients who had undergone regular RFD, and a non-RFD group, comprising 7 patients who had dropped out of our follow-up with RFD.

New predictor for the defecatory function after sphincter-preserving operation: lumen score.

Few studies on sphincter-preserving surgery have analyzed the colon used for the anastomotic segment. We evaluated the usefulness of measuring the square of the diameter of the sigmoid colon (cm(2)) (lumen score, LS) as a predictor of defecatory function after very low anterior resection (VLAR) for rectal cancer. Measurements were done by radiography with semiliquid barium, and the LS was calculated.