International Journal of Colorectal Disease 

About: International Journal of Colorectal Disease is an academic journal published by Springer Science+Business Media. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Colorectal cancer & Medicine. It has an ISSN identifier of 0179-1958. Over the lifetime, 5507 publications have been published receiving 129657 citations. The journal is also known as: Colorectal disease (Print) & Colorectal disease (Internet).

Pathological features of rectal cancer after preoperative radiochemotherapy

Abstract: The standard therapy for rectal carcinoma is surgical, however, preoperative radiochemotherapy will play an increasing role especially in locally advanced disease. To estimate the prognosis and the effect of radiochemotherapy the postradiochemotherapeutical pathological features are important to assess. We examined the surgical specimens of 17 patients after preoperative radiochemotherapy to estimate and grade the histological reactions. A proposal for a grading system for tumor regression (not yet available in the literature) has also been described. All but one of the carcinomas showed different degrees of tumor regression. A total regression was not observed after standardised pathological work up. In only one case a locally curative resection was not possible. We think that preoperative radiochemotherapy is able to reduce tumor mass thus achieving operability in non-curatively operable cases. We recommend standards of pathological work up and regression grading for further studies comparing surgery and radiochemotherapy of rectal carcinoma.

Single port access laparoscopic right hemicolectomy

Abstract: Background Single port access (SPA) surgery is a rapidly evolving field as it combines some of the cosmetic advantage of the Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) and allows performing surgical procedure with standard surgical instruments. We report in this paper a new technique of umbilical SPA right hemicolectomy with conventional surgical oncologic principle and technique of minimally invasive colectomy.

Evaluation of an inflammation-based prognostic score (GPS) in patients undergoing resection for colon and rectal cancer.

Abstract: Background/aims The aim of the study was to examine the value of the combination of an elevated C-reactive protein and hypoalbuminaemia (GPS) in predicting cancer-specific survival after resection for colon and rectal cancer.

Pathological features of rectal cancer after preoperative radiochemotherapy

Abstract: We appreciated very much the paper by Dworak et al. [1] and feel flattered that their classification of rectal cancer regression after preoperative radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CT) is quite similar to that which we reported [2] 2 years ago in this journal for rectal cancer patients receiving preoperative RT. This system was adopted by our pathologist (S.A.) strictly following Mandard’s [3] proposal for staging the response of the esophageal carcinoma to the preoperative therapy. To date we have treated 53 patients, with the following results: (a) a complete pathological disappearance of the tumor in 3 patients (6%) and (b) a regression greater than 50% in an other 36 patients. These results are in agreement with data in the literature [4–8] which report a complete response rate in 9% of patients (range 5–14%) receiving preoperative RT. However, the main questions that we are now faced with differ from those of Dr. Dworak. We think that it is important to demonstrate whether: (a) preoperative RT and CT are able to decrease local recurrence and distant metastases compared to a control group, (b) tumor regression after preoperative therapy is associated with a more favorable outcome, and (c) it is possible to predict in some way (e.g., by biological markers) the response to therapy prior to initiating it. We cannot overemphasize the regression of the tumor mass per se if the tumor was already considered suitable for surgical resection at the clinical presentation (T2 or T3, not fixed to adjacent structures). We think that the potential benefit is in achieving sufficient tumor regression to be able to perform a sphincter-saving operation. This appears to be true even if it is difficult to demonstrate it. In fact, whereas in our historical control, patients with cancer of the low-middle rectum, had a sphincter-saving procedure in 40% of cases [9], in our recent experience with preoperative RT ± CT a conservative procedure was possible in about 80%, with a local recurrence rate (as single failure) of 4% after 3 years. Our study protocol is now addressed particularly to analyzing the impact of RT±CT on lymph node status in the awareness that metastatic nodes are one of the most important indicators of a an adverse prognosis, and that removal of metastatic perirectal nodes is perhaps better than leaving them [10]. In this regard, we have noted that in our institute the mean number of lymph nodes detected in surgical specimens was 16.8 after preoperative RT+CT, 22 after RT only, and 42.3 in surgical patients without prior therapy (unpublished data).

Patient characteristics and symptoms in chronic pilonidal sinus disease.

Abstract: Three hundred and twenty two patients with pilonidal sinus disease were studied to determine factors for the development and maintenance of the disease. A calculated incidence of the disease of 26 per 100000 inhabitants was found. It occurred 2.2 times more often in men than in women. Age at presentation was 21 years for men and 19 for women. Patients had two years (median) disease history before being referred for treatment. A family history could be found in 38% of the patients. 50% had normal body weight, and 37% were overweight. Local trauma or irritation preceded the condition in 34%, and a sedentary occupation was reported by 44%. Male sex, adolescence or youth, and a familial disposition seem to be associated with the development of pilonidal sinus. Local trauma and overweight are the most important conditioning factors for development of symptomatic pilonidal sinus disease.