Indications for and limits of conservative surgery in breast cancer.

Improvements in diagnostic techniques and, above all, breast cancer screening campaigns - essential for early diagnosis - have enabled the objectives of conservative surgery to be pursued: disease control, no or low incidence of recurrences and an excellent esthetic result. However, to reach these objectives, it is essential to ensure a careful evaluation of the medical history of every patient, a detailed clinical examination and the correct interpretation of imaging. Particular attention should be paid to all factors influencing the choice of treatment and/or possible local recurrence: age, site, tumor volume, genetic predisposition, pregnancy, previous radiotherapy, pathological features, and surgical margins.

[A case of intestinal obstructions caused by a gossypiboma].

The Authors explain a case of intestinal obstruction due to a gossypiboma. They stress the great importance of the prevention in surgical operations (count of surgical towels, exploration of the surgical site) and the role of the differential diagnosis.

[Treatment of rectal carcinoma: our experience].

Authors' experience with 53 patient operated on for adenocarcinoma of the rectum in Oncologic Surgery Department--University of Messina (Italy) was analysed. The development of mechanical devices has allowed surgeons to perform sphincter-saving in patients with medium-lower tumors of the rectum. In this experience abdominoperineal amputation was performed in cases of distal rectal tumors, local transanal excision was performed in 6 cases.

[Clinical study of residual function and recurrence in patients undergoing partial thyroidectomy for euthyroid nodular goiter].

The different surgical options for the treatment of non toxic nodular goiter led the Authors to study the residual thyroid function following conservative surgery (subtotal thyroidectomy, lobectomy and enucleation). Follow-up showed an overall recurrence rate of 49%, with a higher rate after lobectomy and enucleation than after subtotal thyroidectomy. On the other hand, subclinical hypothyroidism was higher in patients who underwent subtotal thyroidectomy.

[Approach to male breast cancer. Our experience].

Male breast cancer is a rare neoplasia and represents only 1% of all forms of breast cancer. The etiopathogenesis of breast carcinoma is still unknown in both males and females, but an altered hormonal metabolism may play a role in its genesis. The prognosis of breast cancer is slightly worse in males, especially in cases with axillary lymph node metastases.