Pancreatic resections after chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced ductal adenocarcinoma: analysis of perioperative outcome and survival.

Background: The most accepted treatment for locally advanced pancreatic cancer is chemoradiotherapy. However, indications to and results of pancreatic resections after chemoradiation are not yet defined.

Methods: From June 1999 to December 2003, 28 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (group 1) were enrolled for institutional trials of gemcitabine-based chemoradiotherapy.

Phase II trial of primary radiation therapy and concurrent chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Objectives: Primary chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) may improve local control, curative resection rate and long-term survival. We performed a phase II study to evaluate toxicity and activity of primary radiation therapy and concurrent chemotherapy with gemcitabine (GEM) twice weekly in patients (pts) with LAPC.

Methods: From 6/1999 to 6/2003, 23 LAPC pts received GEM 100 mg/m2 twice weekly in the first 15 pts and 50 mg/m2 in the last 8 pts, concurrently with radiotherapy (1.

Laparoscopy as a prognostic factor in curative resection for node positive colorectal cancer: results for a single-institution nonrandomized prospective trial.

Background: Several studies reporting preliminary long-term survival data after laparoscopic resections for colonic adenocarcinoma did not show any detrimental effect in comparison with historic studies of laparotomies. A previous randomized study has reported an unforeseen better long-term survival for node-positive patients treated by laparoscopic colectomy.

Methods: A single-institution prospective nonrandomized trial compared short- and long-term results of laparoscopic and open curative resection for adenocarcinoma of the left colon or rectum in 255 consecutive patients from January 1996 to December 2000.

Extended lymphadenectomy and vein resection for pancreatic head cancer: outcomes and implications for therapy.

Hypothesis: An aggressive strategy that includes extended lymphadenectomy and vein resection may improve the results of surgical treatment of pancreatic head cancer.

Design: Nonrandomized control trial.

Setting: Tertiary care referral center.

A case of bleeding gastric lipoma: US, CT and MR findings.

We report a case of gastric lipoma which manifested with an episode of acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Preoperative diagnosis was based on the US, CT, and MRI findings, as the results of gastrointestinal endoscopy were inconclusive. The role of current imaging methods, and particularly of MRI, is discussed.