Combining Artificial Intelligence and Simplified Image Processing for the Automatic Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Acid-fast Stain : A Cross-institute Training and Validation Study.

Tuberculosis (TB) poses a significant health threat in Taiwan, necessitating efficient detection methods. Traditional screening for acid-fast positive bacilli in acid-fast stain is time-consuming and prone to human error due to staining artifacts. To address this, we present an automated TB detection platform leveraging deep learning and image processing.

Colorectal neuroendocrine carcinoma and mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm: Prognostic factors and PD-L1 expression.

Colorectal neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) and mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm (MiNEN) are rare malignancies with unclear boundaries and poor prognoses. Our study aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of these diseases, identify prognostic factors, and explore potential therapeutic targets. We collected and analyzed clinicopathological data of NEC and MiNEN in our hospital from 2011 to 2020.

Assessment of Elastic Laminal Invasion Contributes to an Objective pT3 Subclassification in Colon Cancer.

The extent of tumor spread influences on the clinical outcome, and which determine T stage of colorectal cancer. However, pathologic discrimination between pT3 and pT4a in the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)-TNM stage is subjective, and more objective discrimination method for deeply invasive advanced colon cancer is mandatory for standardized patient management. Peritoneal elastic laminal invasion (ELI) detected using elastic staining may increase the objective discrimination of deeply invasive advanced colon cancer.

Surgical strategy for colorectal cancer with synchronous liver and extrahepatic metastases: A scoring system and decision tree model.

Background: The role of hepatectomy in a specific group of patients with synchronous colorectal cancer with liver metastases (SCRLM) and synchronous extrahepatic disease (SEHD) is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of liver surgery and define the selection criteria for surgical candidates in patients with SCRLM + SEHD.

Methods: Between July 2007 and October 2018, 475 patients with colorectal cancer with liver metastases (CRLM) who underwent liver resection were retrospectively reviewed.

Perianal Paget's Disease: The 17-Year-Experience of a Single Institution in Taiwan.

Aim: To determine the incidence, prognosis, and immunophenotypes (CK7, CK20, CDX2, and GCDFP-15) of primary or secondary perianal Paget's diseases (PPDs).

Methods: Twenty-three PPD patients were recruited, including 10 primary and 13 secondary PPDs. Immunophenotypes of PPD were analyzed.

Staging of colorectal cancers based on elastic lamina invasion.

Peritoneal involvement in colorectal cancer (CRC) has prognostic significance and is an important parameter in pathologic tumor staging. Restaging of tumors based on peritoneal elastic lamina invasion (ELI) has prognostic significance in CRCs classified as pathologic stage 3 tumors without regional lymph node metastasis (pT3N0). However, limited data on the significance of ELI in patients with node-positive disease are available.

Mutation spectra of RAS gene family in colorectal cancer.

Background: The clinicopathologic features and frequency of KRAS mutations in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients have been reported; however, the characteristics and impact of NRAS and HRAS mutations on the survival of CRC patients have seldom been addressed.

Methods: Under institutional review board approval, 1,519 CRC patients who underwent surgery were enrolled. Mutation status of RAS was determined by polymerase chain reaction and mass spectrophotometry.

Elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation of the ascending colon: a case report.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common form of cancer and the third leading cause of death in Taiwan. Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has been extensively used as a biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and yolk sac tumors.

Case Presentation: This case report presents a 90-year-old woman with right abdominal pain and poor appetite for 1 week.

Comparison of the Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Benign and Malignant Eyelid Tumors: An Analysis of 4521 Eyelid Tumors in a Tertiary Medical Center.

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical features and outcome of benign and malignant eyelid tumors from 1995 to 2015 in a tertiary medical center. Among 4,521 histologically confirmed eyelid tumors, 4,294 (95.0%) were benign tumors and 227 (5.

Immunohistochemical detection of the BRAF V600E mutant protein in colorectal cancers in Taiwan is highly concordant with the molecular test.

Aims: The aims of this study were to investigate the incidence of BRAF mutations in colorectal cancers (CRCs) in Taiwan and the sensitivity and specificity of VE1 immunohistochemistry in detecting the BRAF(V) (600E) mutation.

Methods And Results: A total of 425 resected colorectal adenocarcinoma specimens were recruited into this study. Direct Sanger sequencing of exon 15 of the BRAF gene was performed for all cases.

The Number of Risk Factors Determines the Outcome Of Stage II Colorectal Cancer Patients.

Background/aims: We evaluated the prognostic significance of clinicopathologic features recommended by the majority of guidelines for identifying high-risk stage it colon cancer patients.

Methodology: We enrolled 665 stage II colorectal cancer patients at Taipei Veterans General Hospital in 2002-2006. Patients who received preoperative or postoperative chemotherapy were excluded (124).

Integrating a Web-Based Whole-Slide Imaging System and Online Questionnaires in a National Cytopathology Peer Comparison Educational Program in Taiwan.

Objective: In a peer comparison educational program, transferring glass slides between laboratories and collecting responses are time- and cost-consuming. Integrating a web-based whole-slide imaging (WSI) system and online questionnaires may serve as a promising solution.

Study Design: Five gynecologic Papanicolaou-stained smears and 5 nongynecologic slides were selected.

Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Esophagus and Esophagogastric Junction: Clinical Manifestations and Treatment Outcomes.

Background/aims: The aim of this study is to understand the clinicopathological manifestations, treatment, and prognostic factors of adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction, a rare malignancy.

Methods: From 1981 to 2011, 26 out of 4704 patients (23 males, 3 females; mean age: 65.8 years) with ASC of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction who received surgical resection were analyzed.

Impact of KRAS mutation on outcome of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Background/aims: KRAS mutation is present in 30%-50% of colorectal cancers and is associated with the inefficacy of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy, while the impact of KRAS on survival is seldom discussed. The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of KRAS status on the survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Methodology: Two hundred and one patients with metastatic colorectal cancer were enrolled.

Clinicopathological analysis of colorectal carcinoid tumors and patient outcomes.

Background: Colorectal carcinoid tumors are often described as being low-grade malignant. The objective of the current study was to address the clinicopathological features and outcomes of patients with colorectal carcinoid tumors.

Methods: A total of 63 patients with colorectal carcinoid tumors were identified and evaluated using surgical pathology files and medical records between January 2000 and June 2012 at the Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Morphology and natural history of familial adenomatous polyposis-associated dysplastic fundic gland polyps.

Aims: Most patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) develop gastric fundic gland polyps, with many displaying low-grade dysplasia. This study evaluates the natural history and morphological phenotype of dysplasia in FAP-associated fundic gland polyps.

Methods And Results: Patients with FAP and dysplastic fundic gland polyps (n = 24) were identified.

Assessment of the value of carcinoembryonic antigen reduction ratio as a prognosis factor in rectal cancer.

Background: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is the most widely used tumor marker for colorectal cancer. This study aimed to investigate the role of CEA reduction ratio after preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

Methods: We enrolled 284 patients who underwent preoperative CRT followed by radical surgical resection.

Mutational and clinical predictors of pathologic complete response in the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer.

Purpose: Preoperative chemoradiation (CRT) for locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma achieves pathologic complete response (pCR) in 8-20% of patients. Mutations in critical cancer genes may contribute to lack of pCR. We retrospectively evaluated our institutional experience to determine potential mutational and clinical predictors of pCR in patients treated with CRT.

Circumferential margin plays an independent impact on the outcome of rectal cancer patients receiving curative total mesorectal excision.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the circumferential resection margin on the outcomes of patients with rectal cancer undergoing total mesorectal excision.

Methods: Medical records from July 2004 to June 2008 were prospectively reviewed, and 348 patients who underwent potentially curative surgery for rectal cancer were identified. The influence of the circumferential resection margin on local recurrence, distant metastasis, and 5-year cancer-specific survival was assessed.

Retrospective evaluation of elastic stain in the assessment of serosal invasion of pT3N0 colorectal cancers.

Peritoneal involvement is an important adverse prognostic factor in colorectal cancer (CRC) and determines a shift in the pathologic tumor node metastasis stage. Because peritoneal involvement is difficult to identify, use of special stains highlighting the peritoneal elastic lamina and mesothelial surface has been proposed. This study aims to determine whether use of elastic stain or CK7 immunohistochemistry on a single tissue section can refine the level of tumor invasion and determine whether restaging based on this assessment has prognostic significance in pT3N0 CRCs.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, CEA ratio, and treatment outcome of rectal cancer patients receiving pre-operative chemoradiation and surgery.

Background: To investigate serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as a prognostic factor for rectal cancer patients receiving pre-operative chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

Methods: Between 2000 and 2009, 138 patients with advanced rectal cancer receiving CRT before surgery at our hospital were retrospectively classified into 3 groups: pre-CRT CEA <6 ng/ml (group L; n = 87); pre-CRT CEA ≥ 6 ng/ml and post-CRT CEA <6 ng/ml (group H-L; n = 32); and both pre- and post-CRT CEA ≥ 6 ng/ml (group H-H; n = 19). CEA ratio (defined as post-CRT CEA divided by pre-CRT CEA), post-CRT CEA level and other factors were reviewed for prediction of pathologic complete response (pCR).

Analysis of the seventh edition of American Joint Committee on colon cancer staging.

Purpose: The seventh edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system has new substages for colon cancer. We used survival data from a single medical center to analyze this new AJCC edition.

Methods: The colon cancer database of Taipei Veterans General Hospital provided 1,865 patient records covering from 1999 to 2005.

Clinicopathologic features and prognostic analysis of MSI-high colon cancer.

Purpose: The objectives of the study were to estimate the incidence and clarify the clinicopathologic feature of sporadic microsatellite instability (MSI)-high (MSI-H) colon cancer. Furthermore, the role of MSI in colon cancer prognosis was also investigated.

Methods: Microsatellite status was identified by genotyping.