Endoscopic self-expanding metal stents for acute colonic obstruction.

The current study presents our experience with the introduction of self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) and assesses success rate, clinical outcomes, and complications. We conducted a historical cohort study reviewing endoscopic SEMS insertions between 2000 and 2010. Overall, 51 patients underwent stent insertion: 38 with an emergent procedure and 13 with a semielective procedure.

Diamond shaped optical fiber delivery system.

Background: Optical fibers are generally used with a flat cut end. The adaptation of a coaxial exit of a refrigerated gas near the distal tip of the optical fiber cools the tissue where the laser beam is applied and reduces the injury of thermal effects on biological tissue.

Materials And Methods: We have changed the flat end geometry of the fiber's end to a pyramidal end shape (named: Diamond tip).

The effect of neoadjuvant Imatinib therapy on outcome and survival after rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumour.

Aim: The study aimed to characterize the pathological and clinical response of rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) to neoadjuvant Imatinib.

Method: The medical records of patients with rectal GISTs who were diagnosed and treated in five medical centres in Israel between January 2002 and January 2009 were retrospectively examined. Twelve patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of nonmetastatic rectal GIST for which preoperative neoadjuvant treatment with Imatinib was considered were suitable for enrollment.

Prediction potential of IR-micro spectroscopy for colon cancer relapse.

This study aimed to determine the potential of IR-spectroscopy to diagnose abnormality in histologically normal resection margins for predicting relapse in colon cancer patients. The present study evaluates potential abnormal crypt proliferation in histologically normal resection margins. Resection margins of 10 colon cancer patients (adenocarcinoma) (27 biopsies in all), found completely normal by standard histology were re-evaluated.

A similar cell-specific pattern of HOXA methylation in normal and in cancer tissues.

HOX genes are developmental genes that determine anterior-posterior embryonic pattern and govern the process of differentiation. Inappropriate expression of HOX genes has been implicated in developmental abnormalities and hematopoietic malignancies. In addition, HOX genes silencing by DNA methylation has been reported in cancers and related to disease aggressiveness and outcome.

Mantle cell lymphoma in a tubular adenoma: unusual presentation with synchronous colonic carcinoma.

An 80-year-old man underwent sigmoidectomy for adenocarcinoma. Six months later, after a near-syncope incident, pancytopenia was detected in the absence of occult blood in the stools. A bone marrow biopsy showed malignant lymphoma, suggestive of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

Tomato lycopene extract supplementation decreases insulin-like growth factor-I levels in colon cancer patients.

Epidemiological studies have shown that high serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-I are associated with an increased risk of colon and other types of cancer. The aim of this study was to determine whether short intervention with dietary tomato lycopene extract will affect serum levels of the insulin-like growth factor system components in colon cancer patients. The study had a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled design.

Rectal bleeding and previous anticoagulant treatment in patients with colorectal cancer do not predict outcome.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether the outcome of patients with colorectal cancer who presented with bleeding and a history of anticoagulant treatment was different from those who did not have bleeding or previous anticoagulant treatment.

Methods: This was a single institution, retrospective study of patients with colorectal cancer with and without a history of rectal bleeding and treatment with anticoagulants, assessed for age, gender, tumor site, stage, recurrence rate, and survival.

Results: A total of 621 consecutive patients (309 men) with a mean age of 70 years (range, 36-94 years) diagnosed with colorectal cancer between 1998 and 2004 were studied.

Colitis cystica profunda and solitary rectal ulcer syndrome-polypoid variant: Two confusing clinical conditions.

Colitis cystica profunda and solitary rectal ulcer syndrome-polyoid variant are related chronic benign disorders with characteristic histological features. However, the clinical and endoscopic settings are confusing and misleading, suggesting other rectal conditions. We report a case of colitis cystica profunda and solitary rectal ulcer syndrome-polypoid variant that was misdiagnosed initially as an ulcerative proctitis.

Combined multimodal approach to the treatment of metastatic anal carcinoma: report of a case and review of the literature.

Background: We report on a patient with squamous cell anal carcinoma and liver metastases, who underwent multimodal treatment for cure, consisting of repeated partial hepatectomy in combination with chemoradiotherapy.

Patients And Methods: A 54-year-old woman presented with squamous cell anal carcinoma and liver metastases. She was treated with a combination of chemoradiotherapy for the primary tumor and then underwent surgery for liver metastases.

Combined treatment of basaloid anal carcinoma using cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil and resection of hepatic metastasis.

The combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy with subsequent repeated local biopsy has become the standard treatment of epidermoid carcinoma. The optimal treatment of metastatic anal carcinomas is controversial. We present the case of 54-year-old woman with a diagnosis of metastatic basaloid anal carcinoma.

Expression of D-type cyclins in colon cancer and in cell lines from colon carcinomas.

Cyclins D1, D2 and D3 play important roles in cell proliferation and differentiation. Although their abnormal expression has been linked to cancer development and progression in a number of tissues, the expression of cyclin D2 and D3 proteins in colon cancer has not yet been characterised. In this study, we examined cyclin D1, D2 and D3 protein expression by Western blot analysis in tumour and adjacent normal colon tissues of 57 patients.

Brachial plexus injury as a complication after colorectal surgery.

Peripheral neuropathy associated with anesthesia is a significant source of morbidity and the second most frequent cause of professional liability in anesthetic practice. Nerve injuries are a well-recognised complication of anesthesia. Brachial plexus neuropathy is a rare syndrome with an incidence of 1.

[Fournier's gangrene as a delayed complication of closed hemorrhoidectomy].

Background: Fournier's gangrene is recognized as a synergistic necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum and abdominal wall along with the scrotum and penis in men and the vulva in women. The major sources of Fournier's Gangrene are dermatologic, anorectal and genitourinary infections. Although anorectum is remarkably rich in bacterial flora, transanal procedures are generally free of infectious or septic complications.

Rectovaginal septal repair: case presentations and introduction of a modified reconstruction technique.

Rectovaginal fistula are a relatively rare kind of anorectal fistulas. Spontaneous healing is rare and the rectal advancement flap repair is the most popular procedure with success rates ranging between 60% and 80%. We present a new technique for repairing damage in the rectovaginal septum that consists of placing a folded polyglycolic acid mesh (Dexon) between the levator ani muscle closure area and the vaginal wall.

Chronic perineal fistula as a late failure manifestation of pseudomyxoma peritonei syndrome.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei syndrome (PMP) is a rare but fascinating entity in surgical oncology. It consists of the accumulation of mucus in the peritoneal cavity, sometimes in huge amounts, in most of the cases after rupture of an appendiceal tumor. The diagnosis and management of PMP has changed significantly in the past 15 years, with the institution of an aggressive therapeutic combination: cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal perioperative chemotherapy.

Detection of abnormal proliferation in histologically 'normal' colonic biopsies using FTIR-microspectroscopy.

Background: Abnormal crypt proliferation and development in the colon has been associated with premalignant stages of colon cancer. Conventionally, molecular markers are used to detect abnormal crypt proliferation.

Methods: In the present work, feasibility studies of FTIR-MSP to distinguish between normal and abnormal crypts from colon biopsies that show normal histopathological features have been undertaken.

Modulation of transcriptional activity by antioxidant carotenoids.

It is widely accepted that diet changes are a powerful means to prevent cancer. The possible involvement of transcriptional activity in the anticancer activity of carotenoids will be the focus of this review. Carotenoids function as potent antioxidants, and this is clearly a major mechanism of their action.

Lycopene in serum, skin and adipose tissues after tomato-oleoresin supplementation in patients undergoing haemorrhoidectomy or peri-anal fistulotomy.

Lycopene, the main carotenoid found in tomatoes and tomato-based products, has been reported to be protective against several types of cancer. Assessment of changes in plasma concentration of carotenoids following ingestion of lycopene-rich food sources does not necessarily predict changes in lycopene concentration or distribution of its isomers in other body tissues. Our aim was to determine the relationship between concentrations of lycopene and other tomato carotenoids in human serum and body tissues after tomato-oleoresin supplementation.

Diamond-shaped optical fiber delivery system.

Objective: Physicians who use laser systems are looking for new fiberoptic delivery systems with better performance. We searched for a delivery system with high power and with a tip of high durability that may be reused many times.

Summary Background Data: The delivery systems currently found on the market can burn and break easily.

Twelve-year survival after the diagnosis of locally advanced carcinoma of the pancreas: A case report.

The long-term survival rate of patients with carcinoma of the pancreas is low. Even more so, long-term survival of patients with metastatic pancreatic carcinoma is extremely rare. In this case report, we describe a patient with an unusual course of disease.

[Adjuvant therapy of colon cancer stage C MAC. Adverse effects and efficacy in the Department of Oncology, Soroka Medical Center in the years 1991-1994].

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) held a consensus conference which recommended 5-FU and levamisole as adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer MAC (Modified Astler Coller) stage C. From 1991-1994, 37 such patients diagnosed here were treated with 5-FU (intravenous dose of 450/mg/m2/d for 5 days and from day 29, once a week for 48 weeks) and oral levamisole (50 mg 3 times/d. for 3 days, every 2 weeks for a year), as suggested by NIH guidelines.