Significance of Follow-up in Detection of Pulmonary Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of conventional chest radiography, carcinoembrionic antigen (CEA) level and abdominal computed tomography (CT) or chest CT for early detection of pulmonary metastasis after a curative resection of colorectal cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 84 cases of pulmonary metastasis from a group of colorectal cancer patients who had a curative surgical resection from 2000 to 2006 at the Korea University Medical Center. RESULTS: Stage I tumors were detected in 4 patients, stage II tumors in 18, stage III tumors in 43 and stage IV tumors in 19. The detection rates for pulmonary metastasis were 28.5% by conventional chest radiography, 40.5% by increased CEA level and 28.5% by abdominal CT or chest CT. Among them, fourteen patients underwent a radical pneumonectomy. After detection of pulmonary metastasis, the survival outcome for the patients who underwent a resection of the lung was superior to the survival outcome of the patients who did not undergo a resection of the lung (43.7 months vs. 17.4 months, P = 0.001). For patients who underwent resections of the lung, pulmonary metastasis was detected by conventional chest radiography in 2 (14%) patients, by elevated CEA level in 6 (42%) patients, and by abdominal CT or chest CT in 6 (42%) patients. CONCLUSION: Conventional chest radiography is no more useful in detecting early pulmonary metastasis after a curative colorectal surgery than a routine chest CT. Thus, we propose the use of routine chest CT for screening for lung metastasis.

Laparoscopic Extraperitoneal Resection of Urachal Cyst

Remnant urachal cyst is a rare anomaly with an incidence of 1:5,000 and the majority are benign. The treatment of urachal cyst is complete surgical resection, and the cases of laparoscopic surgery for the resection have been reported since 1993. Most of the reports were about transabdominal laparoscopic approach, and it has been revealed that multiple skin incisions and trocar placements on upper abdomen were ineludible. With this condition, we are able to describe an extraperitoneal approach modified from total extraperitoneal herniorrhaphy, and to report a case of successful management of a urachal cyst by total extraperitoneal laparoscopic excision.

Safety of Early Chemotherapy after a Laparoscopic Colorectal Cancer Resection: A Case-Control Study

PURPOSE: Since micrometastasis is generally inhibited by primary cancer, surgical ablation of the tumor may stimulate the growth of residual cancer cells, if they exist. This supports the importance of early administration of postoperative chemotherapy. METHODS: We reviewed the cases of patients who underwent a laparoscopic resection and then received chemotherapy (5 fluorouracil+leucovorin or FOLFOX4) between September 2006 and May 2008. The chemotherapy was scheduled on the 7th or the 8th postoperative day, but was postponed when a final pathologic report was delayed or patients were discharged early. The safety of chemotherapy was evaluated in two ways. Early safety, such as the presence of surgical complications and medical toxicity, was prospectively assessed just before the beginning of the second cycle of chemotherapy. Late safety, such as medical toxicity, was retrospectively estimated from the 2nd to the last cycle. These safeties were compared between the two groups: the early chemotherapy group (n=50) for which chemotherapy started on the 7th or 8th postoperative day as scheduled and the delayed chemotherapy group (n=31) for which chemotherapy started after the 14th postoperative day. RESULTS: Patient demographics were not different between the two groups. With regards to early safety, no differences in surgical complications existed between the two groups. In medical toxicities, there were no differences, except for a higher rate of nausea in the early chemotherapy group (20 percent vs. 10 percent, P=0.01). With regards to late safety, the two groups were not different in the development of medical toxicities. CONCLUSION: Because nausea is an easily controllable toxicity, we conclude that chemotherapy is safely started on the 7th or the 8th day after a laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection.

The Impact of Bowel Preparation on Anastomotic Complications after Laparoscopic Colorectal Resection: A Prospective Comparative Study between Oral Polyethylene Glycol and Phosphate Enema

PURPOSE: Although most randomized trials demonstrated no advantage of mechanical bowel preparation for colorectal resection, an oral solution is still widely used. The aims of this study were to evaluate whether a single phosphate enema is as effective as oral polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution in preventing anastomotic complications after laparoscopic colorectal surgery and to examine the clinical courses of anastomotic complications. METHODS: Between September 2006 and December 2007, 309 patients underwent laparoscopic colorectal resection with primary anastomosis. The bowel preparation used was PEG solution during initial period (PEG group), but since February 2007, a single phosphate enema (enema group) was utilized. Postoperative data were prospectively recorded. In patients with anastomotic complications, the clinical course was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were 150 patients in the PEG group and 159 patients in the enema group. Demographics did not differ between the two groups. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 3.3 percent of the patients in the PEG group and 5.7 percent of the patients in the enema group (P=0.326). The rates of anastomotic bleeding were 2.0 and 2.5 percent, respectively (P=0.761). The hospital stays for patients with anastomotic complication were not different between the two groups (P=0.137), but patients in the PEG group (80%) needed reoperation more frequently than those in the enema group (11.1%) (P=0.023). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that laparoscopic colorectal surgery may be safely performed with a single phosphate enema instead of oral polyethylene glycol.

Anastomotic Leakage after Laparoscopic versus Open Resection for Rectal Cancer: A Retrospective Study

PURPOSE: This study is to compare the rate and pattern of anastomotic leakage (AL) for rectal cancer after laparoscopic vs. conventional open surgery at high and low rectal anastomosis and to evaluate whether the number of linear staples used for distal rectal resection is related to AL in laparoscopic group. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-seven patients who underwent a curative resection for rectal cancer between March 2002 and February 2006 were studied retrospectively (107 laparoscopic, 90 open). The proportions of patients with anastomosis above vs. below 5 cm from AV were not different between the laparoscopic and the open groups; (above/below: 54/53 and 41/49, respectively, P=0.57). The protective stoma rate, the overall rate of AL, the rate of AL according to the height of the anastomosis, and the number of distal linear staples were evaluated for both groups. RESULTS: Clinical AL occurred in 11 of 107 patients (10.3%) for the laparoscopic group and in 5 of 90 patients (5.6%) for the open group. The rates of AL in patients without protective stoma were not significantly different for high rectal anastomosis (6.0% for laparoscopic vs. 2.6% for open, P= 0.63) and for low rectal anastomosis (25.8% for laparoscopic vs. 12.1% for open, P=0.21). The risk of AL was 4.9 times higher when 3 linear staples were used than when 2 linear staples were used in the laparoscopic group. CONCLUSIONS: There was no statistical difference in AL between the laparoscopic group and the open group. The rate of AL could be reduced by using fewer linear staples for distal rectal resection in the laparoscopic group.

Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor on the Buttock

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) usually arise in the brain and central nervous system, but rarely occur outside of the brain, such as in the limbs, pelvis, paravertebral region or chest wall. Herein, a case of PNET on the buttocks is reported. A 24-year-old female was admitted for evaluation of a mass on her left buttock. An incisional biopsy revealed a primitive neuroectodermal tumor, with focal neural differentiation histologically. Preoperative MRI demonstrated the tumor was located in the subcutaneous layer of the left perineum, and extended to the ischiorectal fossa. The lesion showed an irregular, but well defined border; however, the differentiation from the left posterior wall of anus was focally obliterated. On operation, the tumor was not adhered to the surrounding structure, except for the external anal sphincter. The mass was completely resected. The tumor was about 8 x 9 x 5.8 cm in size, and the pathological evaluation confirmed a PNET, with a free anal sphincter margin. Therefore, chemoradiation therapy was planned, but the tumor recurred two months later. It was recommended the patient undergo a re-resection, but was lost before the procedure could be undertaken.

Mesenteric Castleman's Disease

We report here a rare case of mesenteric Castleman's disease presenting as a mesenteric mass. A 13-year-old female child was admitted to our hospital complaining of intermittent vague abdominal pain. She had hypochromic anemia, thrombocytosis and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Ultrasonography and computed tomography indicated an intra- abdominal mass might represent a lymphoma or gastrointestinal stromal tumor or leiomyoma, but the definitive preoperative diagnosis couldn't be confirmed. The surgical resection of the mass revealed the mesenteric hyaline vascular- type Castleman's disease.

Necrotizing Fasciitis of Perineum after Surgery and Radiation Therapy for Rectal Cancer

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare disease characterized by rapidly progressive soft tissue infection primarily involving the superficial fascia and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Necrotizing fasciitis of the genitalia and the perineum, also known as Fournier's gangrene, usually occurs after local trauma, perirectal or perineal infections, and complicated surgery, such as circumcision and herniorraphy. The lack of initial external clinical signs, because the process begins in the deep subcutaneous tissue, make early diagnosis and adequate surgical management difficult. The progression of the disease is often fulminant, and the prognosis hinges on accurate diagnosis and immediate surgical debridement. The present case report documents the rare development of fulminant necrotizing fasciitis associated with a rectal cancer surgery and radiation therapy.

The First Case of Primary Retroperitoneal Mucinous Cystadenoma in Korea: A Case Report

Primary mucinous cystic cystadenomas of the retroperitoneum are very rarely encountered, and there have been only about 30 cases reported in the literature. The histogenesis of primary mucinous cystadenomas is unclear. Most authors suggested that it develops through mucinous metaplasia in a pre-existing mesothelium-lined cyst. Complete surgical excision is the only treatment and it is required for the final diagnosis and cure. We present here a case report of a 38-year-old Korean woman with primary retroperitoneal cystadenoma. It was a thin-walled, multilocular cyst with a dominant loculus that measured 10.0 X 7.5 X 5.5 cm3 in size, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first such case to be reported in in Korea.

c-Met Expression in Colorectal Carcinoma and Adenomas: Correlation with Clinicopathologic Parameters

PURPOSE: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) stimulates proliferation, migration, and morphogenesis of epithelial cells by specifically binding to its receptor c-met. Abnomalities of the c-met oncogene have been studied in cancers of many organs including thyroid, lung, pancreas, and stomach. However, little is known about the clinical significance of c-met oncogene abnormalities in colorectal carcinomas. In this study, we investigated over- expression of the c-met protein in colorectal adenomas and adenocarcinomas, and analyzed the clinicopathologic significance of this over-expression. METHODS: Expression of the c-met protein localized in colorectal adenoma and adenocarcinoma tissues was analyzed by using immunohistochemistry. The results were compared with clinicopathologic parameters to find clinical correlation. RESULTS: c-met protein was detected in 42.5% (17/40) of colorectal cancers and in 10.0% (4/40) of colorectal adenomas (P= 0.001). In colorectal cancer, the proportion of expression of c-met protein was 0% (0/40) in stage I, 47.6% (10/40) in stage II, 53.8% (7/40) in stage III and, 0% (0/40) in stage IV. c-met protein expression was 18.8% (3/40) in tumors with invasion into the muscularis propria (MP), and 58.3% (14/40) in tumors with invasion beyond the MP. The depth of tumor invasion was a statistically significant factor (P=0.022) for c-met expression. CONCLUSIONS: The c-met protein expression was related to the depth of invasion of colorectal cancer and showed a significant difference in its rate of expression between adenoma and adenocarcinomas.

Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Originated from Colon Cancer: Reports of Two Cases

Pseudomyxoma peritonei in which gelatinoid material deposits onto the peritoneum, accompanied by large amounts of mucinous ascites is a relatively infrequent disease, occurring with a 2 to 3-fold incidence in females. Among diverse benign and malignant tumors causing this condition, appendiceal and ovarian tumors are proved to be the most common. Yet on debate is whether these two tumors are simultaneously primary, while recent studies endorse the theory that the latter is secondary to the former. Removal of every inspected lesion should be performed in the treatment of pseudomyxoma peritonei. Laser photodynamic therapy after surgery is offered but still needs more clinical studies before utilization. Intraperitoneal or intravenous chemotherapy as intra- or postoperative adjuvant therapy is actively being studied for improvement of survival. The modality for treatment spotlighted recently is heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy, based on the fact that chemoagents are more cytotoxic at a higher temperature of about 44 degrees C than at the usual body temperature and that pseudomyxoma peritonei rarely metastasizes via blood or lymph circulations. Many different clinical studies report many different results as to recurrence and survival rates. Tendency is that patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei which has originated from highly malignant tumors yield higher rate of operative complications and disease recurrence, and low survival rate on the other hand, which warrants ample studies and proper determination before any surgical procedure. We report with reviews of relavant literature two cases of pseudomyxoma peritonei we have experienced.

A Case of Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding from the Appendix / 대한소화기내시경학회지

In spite of the recent advances in diagnostic technology in clinical gastroenterology, identifying the cause of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding is still a challenging task. Hematochezia from the appendiceal bleeding is rare and associated diseases are appendiceal endometriosis, angiodysplasia, arteriovenous malformation, Crohn's disease, appendicitis, carcinoid, lymphoma, diverticulosis, and intussusception of the appendix. We experienced a 31-year-old male with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding from the appendix. Colonoscopy could demonstrate an active hemorrhage from the orifice of the appendix. Mesenteric arteriography revealed active bleeding from the appendix, which was managed with gelfoam embolization. Next day, appendectomy was done because of recurrent bleeding. Surgically removed appendix could not dislose any abnormal lesion except a small mucosal break.

Analysis of Colonic Synchronous Lesions in Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of synchronous colonic lesions and to identify the impact of an incomplete preoperative colonoscopy in colorectal cancer patients. METHODS: We studied 187 patients with colorectal cancer who received colonoscopic examinations pre or postoperatively in our hospital from January 2000 to March 2002. The pre and postoperative colonoscopic findings were reviewed. Most post-operative colonoscopies were performed 12 months after the operation, but in cases of incomplete pre-operative examination, they were performed at 6 months. We analyzed the incidence of synchronous lesions of the colon and the rectum and then compared the findings for complete and incomplete pre-operative examinations. RESULTS: Complete pre-operative colonoscopic examinations were performed in 152 patients, but in 35 patients, the colonoscopy was performed incompletely. Twenty-two of these 35 patients had obstructive colorectal cancer. In the complete examination group, 23 patients had synchronous lesions preoperatively; 20 cases were benign, and 3 cases were malignant. By postoperative colonoscopic examination, 27 patients had synchronous polyps. In 19 of the 27, the polyps had not been detected preoperatively. The incidence of synchronous lesions in the complete examination group was 27.6% (42/152), and the incidence of synchronous cancer was 2.0% (3/152). In the incomplete examination group, the incidence of synchronous lesions was 37.1% (13/35), and the incidence of malignancy was 2.9% (1/35). The incidence of synchronous lesions in the preoperative incomplete examination group was higher than it was in the complete examination group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.161). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the incidence of synchronous lesions with colorectal cancer patients was 29.4%, and the incidence of malignancy was 2.1%, these are similar to figures in others reports. Patients with an incomplete preoperative entire-colon examinations should have immediate postoperative colonoscopy.

The Value of Follow-up after Curative Resection for Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: This study was aimed at determining whether a regular follow-up of patients with colorectal cancer can lead to improved re-resectability, and which test is useful for detecting a resectable recurrence. METHODS: The medical records of 397 consecutive patients, who underwent a curative resection for colorectal cancer between January 1996 and December 2000, with a mean follow-up of 36 months, were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: The overall recurrence rate was 19.6%, with 22.5% and 7.8% in the regular and irregular follow-up groups (P=0.002), respectively. There was a significant difference in the asymptomatic recurrence detection rate (68.1 vs. 16.7%; P=0.021), but a curative intent reoperation was possible in 21 (29.1%) of those patients with a cancer recurrence in the regular follow-up group, and in 1 (16.7%) inform the irregular follow-up group, which was not significantly different (P= 0.454). Careful history taking and a physical examination were beneficial in the detection of a resectable recurrence. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen determination and endoscopy were useful for detecting a recurrence (14 cases and 5 cases, respectively), and of these 4 (28.6%) and 5 cases (100%) could be treated with a curative intent reoperation, respectively. Abdominal CT, or MRI, and a chest radiography were also useful for detecting a recurrence (22 cases and 8 cases, respectively), but the curative intent reoperation rates were slightly low (3 cases (13.6%) and 1 case (12.5%), respectively). CONCLUSION: A regular follow-up after a curative resection for colorectal cancer, although facilitating detection of recurrence before symptoms developed, was unlikely to succeed in increasing the rate of a curative reoperation.

The Prognostic Significance of Intratumoral Natural Killer Cells in Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: Natural killer (NK) cells have a spontaneous cytotoxic capacity against tumor cells. NK cell infiltration is known to be related to the prognosis of colorectal cancer, but their prognostic significance has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic importance of NK cell infiltration in colorectal cancer. METHODS: Ninety-one patients, diagnosed with colorectal cancer, between Jan. 1994 to Dec. 1995, and consequently operated on at the Department of surgery, Korea University college of medicine, were retrospectively reviewed. Immunohistochemical stains were performed for NK cells using the monoclonal antibody CD57 (IOT-10; 1: 50 diluted; Chemicon, Temccula, U.S.A.). The intratumoral CD57 expressions were divided into 4 grades. Intensity 0 was defined as a total absence of CD57 expression in the tumor cells, Intensities 1+, 2+ and 3+ were defined as less than 25, 25~50 and more than 50% expression, respectively. Consecutively, intensities 0, 1+ and 2+ were regarded as low CD57 expression, with 3 regarded as high CD57 expression. The clinical characteristics, 5-year survival rates and recurrence rates by stage, according to the CD57 expression, were then analyzed. RESULTS: Patients with high CD57 expression showed better survival rates and lower recurrence rates than those with low CD57 expressions (77.8 versus 53.4% and 14.8 versus 25.0%, respectively, P=0.0856). According to stage, the patient with high CD57 expressions showed better survival rates than those with low CD57 expressions in stages II and III (76.4 versus 69.9% [P=0.6802] and 66.7 versus 40.0% [P=0.4496], respectively). CONCLUSION: Although there was not statistical significance, these data suggest that high intratumoral infiltration of NK cells, as determined by the CD57 expression, seems to be a favorable prognostic factor in colorectal cancer, although further study will be needed.

Clinical Analysis of Stercoral Perforation of Colon

PURPOSE: Stercoral perforation of colon is a rare disease with poor prognosis. But according to recent reports, the incidence of stercoral perforation in the colon seemed to have been underestimated. The reason might be the lack of recognition and overlook by surgeons. The purposes of this study were to represent the definition of stercoral perforation, and to help the diagnosis and treatment of stercoral perforation. METHODS: Among the patients who underwent emergency operation for colon perforation at the Department of Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, from January 1992 to December 2001, 9 patients were diagnosed as stercoral perforation and their medical records were reviewed retrospectively regarding the clinical characteristics, managements and mortality. RESULTS: The age distribution of the patients was from 32 to 76 years. Male to female ratio was 1.3:1. All patients had history of chronic constipation. Six cases (33.3%) had free air, and 5 cases (55.6%) had fecaloma at preoperative simple X-ray. The site of perforation were sigmoid colon (8 cases) and descending colon (1 case). The size of perforation ranged from 1 cm to 6.5 cm (mean: 3.1 2.7 cm). The methods of operation were Hartmann's procedure (8 cases), primary repair and sigmoid loop colostomy (1 case). There were two deaths for sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: The stercoral perforation is not rare as commonly thought. If elderly patients who had history of chronic constipation and symptoms of panperitonitis visit hospital, surgeon should be aware of the possibility of this fatal disease and do early surgical intervention with the aggressive therapy for reducing the mortality.

Significance of Thymidylate Synthase Expression in Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: Thymidylate synthase (TS) is the target enzyme for 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). It is known that TS is related to response, and resistance, following chemotherapy due to colorectal cancer. The object of this study was to identify the clinical significance of TS as a prognostic factor, and its influence on 5-FU based chemotherapy in colorectal cancer. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study on 105 consecutive patients who were operated on, at the Department of Surgery, Korea University, College of Medicine, for colorectal cancer between Jan. 1994 and Dec. 1995. We used formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissues of resected specimens for our study. For the semi-quantitative study, the specific monoclonal antibody, TS106, was used for immunohistochemical staining. Interpretation of the immunohistochemical staining, for intratumoral TS expression, was divided into 4 grades: intensity 0, 1 , 2 , 3 were defined as, a total absence of TS immuno staining, less than 25%, 25~50% and more than 50%, of tumor staining positive, respectively. Grades 0, 1 , and 2 were regarded as low TS expression groups and 3 regarded as a high TS expression group. We then analyzed 5-year survival rates, according to Dukes' stage, and whether systemic chemotherapy was performed, or not, according to TS expression. RESULTS: Of the 105 patients, 91 (86.7%) showed TS expression, 21 (20%) with high TS expression and 84 (80%) were low TS expression. As Dukes' stage advanced, the incidence of high expression of TS increased (P=0.048). In Dukes' stage B2, 5-year survival rates for the low TS expressed group was better than for the high TS expressed group (P=0.0052). In patients who received postoperative chemotherapy, 5-year survival rates for the low TS expressed group were better than for the high TS expressed group (P=0.049). CONCLUSION: These data suggest the expression of intratumoral TS, studied by immunohistochemical staining, is relevant to the prognosis of colorectal cancer, especially Dukes' stage B2. It is also related to the response rate of 5-FU based systemic chemotherapy in colorectal cancer.

Laparoscopic Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer: an Analysis of Early Experiences

PURPOSE: Regarding laparoscopic colon cancer resection, the surgical society is currently waiting for the long-term oncologic result of multi-center randomized trials with over thousands patients. For rectal cancer surgery, however, laparoscopic approach is in much debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic anterior resection for rectal cancer, based on the early results of our initial experiences. METHODS: Nineteen patients (M:F=10:9, median age 55 years) underwent laparoscopic anterior resection for rectal cancer among the 71 malignant neoplasms of the colon and rectum resected laparoscopically between October 1997 and February 2001. All clinical data were prospectively collected. During the initial period, rectosigmoid lesion was the only indication. With the development of a new roticulating stapler for distal rectal transection, the indication was extended to the lesions of the upper and middle third of the rectum. The operation parameters (operation time, blood loss), tumor parameters (stage, resection margins, and number of resected lymph nodes), and postoperative clinical course (bowel function recovery, hospital stay, and complication) were evaluated. RESULTS: The tumors located in the rectosigmoid (n=13), upper third of the rectum (n=4), and the middle third of the rectum (n=2). Four cases were converted to an open procedure. The reasons for conversion were bladder invasion (1), tumor located too low (1), inappropriate distal resection margin (1), and tumor fixation to the sacrum (1). Median operation time was 210 minutes. Median blood loss was 400 ml. Median times to passage of flatus and oral feeding were 2 days and 3 days after surgery, respectively. Median length of the distal resection margin was 3 cm. Median number of harvested lymph nodes were 22. TNM stages were as follows; 0:I:II:III:IV=1:2:6:9:1. Two anastomotic leaks occurred in the converted patients. There were no major postoperative complications in other patients. There was no operative mortality. Median time to hospital discharge was 13 days. During a median follow-up period of 15 months, one patient developed distant metastases. There were no local/port sites recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic anterior resection is a safe alternative to conventional surgery for rectal cancer. Long- term follow-up is mandatory to evaluate the oncologic safety.

Laparoscopic-assisted resection of ileal lipoma causing ileo-ileo-colic intussusception

Adult intussusception is rare, and the majority of cases has an underlying cause that requires surgical resection. We report a case of a 39 yr-old man with ileo-ileo-colic intussusception caused by ileal lipoma that was successfully managed by a laparoscopic-assisted surgical maneuver. Using a three-cannula technique, ileo-colic intussusception was reduced laparoscopically. Then, through a 4-cm transverse incision in the right lower quadrant abdomen, ileo-ileal intussusception was reduced manually, and a resection of the tumor-bearing ileal segment and end-to-end anastomosis was performed extracorporeally. Although the role of laparoscopy in managing intussusception is not clearly defined, laparoscopy may be an alternative approach to the surgical treatment of adult intussusception in selected cases.

Clinical Significance of Expression of DCC Protein in Colorectal Carcinoma

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to discover the clinical importance of the DCC protein as a genetic factor that takes part in the metastatic process of colorectal cancer. METHODS: We performed clinical study among 113 patients who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and consequently operated, on Korea University Guro Hospital from Jan. 1994 to Dec. 1995. At the immunohistochemical staining, 106 patients, were analyzed according to their recurrence and survival. RESULTS: From 106 patients 23 (21.7%) showed recurrences and distant metastases during follow up period. There was no difference in local recurrence and distant metastasis between the positive and negative groups. The stages did not contribute to making difference between positive and negative groups, except Dukes' C2, where the recurrence rate in the DCC protein negative group was higher than positive group, and it was of clinical significance. The relationship between survival rate and DCC protein expression was not clinically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of DCC protein is relevant to the recurrence, distant metastasis, and prognosis of colorectal cancer in many reports. However, in our study, there was no correlation between the expression of DCC protein and recurrence and survival rate, except Dukes' C2 stage. More cases are needed to confirm our result.