[Parametric monitoring of the quality of total mesorectal excision and surgical treatment of rectal carcinoma results of a multicenter study]. / Parametrické sledování kvality totální mezorektální excize a chirurgické lécby karcinomu rekta výsledky multicentrické studie.

INTRODUCTION: Tumour size and the quality of its complete surgical removal are the main prognostic factors in rectal cancer treatment. The number of postoperative local recurrences depends on whether the mesorectum has been completely removed - total mesorectal excision (TME) - and whether tumour-free resection margins have been achieved. The surgery itself and its quality depend on the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis and detection of risk areas in the rectum and mesorectum, on the surgeons skills, and finally on pathological assessment evaluating whether complete tumour excision has been accomplished including circumferential margins of the tumour, and whether mesorectal excision is complete. The aim of our study was to implement and standardize a new method of evaluation of the quality of the surgical procedure - TME - in rectal cancer treatment using an assessment of its circumferential margins (CRO) and completeness of the excision. METHODS: The study consisted of two parts. The first, multi-centre retrospective phase with 288 patients analysed individual partial parameters of the diagnosis, operations and histological examinations of the rectal cancer. Critical points were identified and a unified follow-up protocol was prepared. In the second, prospective part of this study 600 patients were monitored parametrically focusing on the quality of the TME and its effect on the oncological treatment results. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with restaging following neoadjuvant therapy increased from 60.0% to 81.7% based on preoperative diagnosis. The number of specimens missing an assessment of the mesorectal excision quality decreased from 52.9% in the retrospective part of to the study to 22.8% in the prospective part. The proportion of actually complete TMEs rose from 22.6% to 26.0%, and that of nearly complete TMEs from 10.1% to 24.0%. CONCLUSION: The introduction of parametric monitoring into routine clinical practice improved the quality of pre-treatment and preoperative diagnosis, examination of the tissue specimen, and consequently improved quality of the surgical procedure was achieved. KEY WORDS: rectal cancer TME - parametric monitoring - quality control.

Small carcinomas involving less than one-quarter of the rectal circumference: local excision is still associated with a high risk of nodal positivity.

AIM: A study was carried out to determine the relationship between mesorectal lymph nodal involvement and T stage in a group of patients with a rectal cancer involving less than one-quarter of the rectal circumference, such as might be selected for local excision. METHOD: The data of patients having rectal resection between 2010 and 2014 were prospectively entered in a rectal carcinoma registry. A model for describing tumours involving less than one quadrant of the rectal circumference was created to facilitate the evaluation process. RESULTS: In all, 304 patients were included in the study. In 68 (22.4%) a small tumour (< 1 quadrant involved) was found. Of these, 26.5% had positive mesorectal lymph nodes (N+). In lesions of Stage ypT0 cancer 12.5% patients were node positive, in Stage Tis and T1 tumours there was no case of node positivity, but in Stage T2 and Stage T3 cancers the incidence of node positivity was 27.5% and 64%. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that, even for small tumours involving only one rectal quadrant, the risk of lymph nodal involvement was about 25%. Had the patients undergone local excision the treatment would have been incomplete.

[Predicting pN positivity in T3 rectal cancer]. / Moznosti predikce pN pozitivity u T3 nádoru rekta.

INTRODUCTION: Stage pN+ is a factor which determines the strategy for treatment of T3 rectal cancer. The sensitivity of preoperative imaging examinations revealing N+ is not entirely satisfactory. Risk factors that are associated with pT3pN+ stage and that are detectable by preoperative examination have not been reliably identified. The aim of the study is to analyze the predictive factors determining lymph node involvement in T3 rectal cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with rectal resection for (y)pT3 rectal cancer were analysed. All of the surgical interventions were performed at the Department of Surgery, University Hospital in Hradec Kralove, from 1 January 2011 to 28 February 2014. Data were prospectively collected and saved in the Rectal Cancer Oncologic Register. The parameters studied were age, gender, tumour localisation and its circumferential topography, preoperative chemoradiotherapy, absolute number of harvested lymph nodes and the number of positive lymph nodes in each specimen, tumour grading, presence of lymphovascular invasion and perineural invasion, and the depth of tumour penetration. RESULTS: After selection, 89 patients with T3 rectal cancer were included into the study. Resection for cancer of the upper rectum was performed in 22 (24.7%) patients, middle rectum in 37 (41.6 %) and lower rectum in 30 (33.7%) patients. 38 (42.7%) patients underwent primary operation, 41 (46.1%) patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, and radiation therapy was administered to only 10 (11.2%) patients. Stage pN+ was found in 51 (57.3%) patients. Statistical analysis was used to identify the risk factors for pN+: lymphovascular invasion (p0.001), angioinvasion (p=0.030) and perineural invasion (p=0.010). On the border of statistical significance for pN+, low grading of the tumour (p=0.084) was found. The depth of penetration of the tumour into the mesorectum was not statistically significant (p=0.230). CONCLUSION: Our study has shown that pN positivity is associated with lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion and low grading of the tumour. Accurate identification of these factors before treatment, however, remains very difficult.

[Evaluation of safe resection margins in rectal carcinoma]. / Problematika stanovení bezpecných resekcních okraju u karcinomu rekta.

The fact that surgically well performed total mesorectal excision with negative circumferential resection margin represents one of the most important prognostic factors in colorectal carcinoma is already well known. These parameters significantly affect the incidence of local tumour recurrence as well as distant metastasis, and are thus related to the duration of patient survival. The surgeons task is to perform mesorectal excision as completely as possible, i.e., to remove the rectum with an intact cylinder of mesorectal fat. The approach of the pathologist to evaluation of total mesorectal excision specimens differs greatly from that of resection specimens from other parts of the large bowel. Besides evaluation of the usual parameters for colon cancer staging, it is essential to assess certain additional factors specific to rectal carcinomas, namely tumour distance from circumferential (radial) resection margins and the quality of the mesorectal excision. In order to accurately evaluate these parameters, knowledge of a wide range of clinical data is indispensable (results of preoperative imaging, intraoperative findings). For objective evaluation of these parameters it is necessary to introduce standardized procedures for resection specimen processing and macro and microscopic examination. This approach is based mainly on standardized macroscopic photo-documentation of the integrity of the mesorectal surface. Parallel transverse sections of the resection specimens are made with targeted tissue sampling for histological examination. It is essential to have close cooperation between surgeons and pathologists within a multidisciplinary team enabling mutual feedback.

[GIST: current knowledge and treatment modalities]. / GIST: Novodobé poznatky a lécebné modality.

GISTs represent a specific group of mesenchymal tumors with unpredictable biological features. Approximately 30% of newly diagnosed GIST tumors are malignant or have a high potential for malignancy. Currently, GISTs are routinely identified using histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic assays. However, clinical diagnosis, particularly of small or intramural GISTs, might be difficult. Endoscopic examinations and fused PET/CT imaging are the most useful techniques for imaging and monitoring the disease progression. Surgical treatment is the first-line treatment and the only method that might lead to full remission in patients with primary GISTs. At the present time, there is no consensus on the issues whether to perform resections in patients with positive margins and resections of metastases. Biological therapy with imatinib mesylate is recommended in patients with newly diagnosed, locally advanced, inoperable, or metastasizing gastrointestinal GISTs that express the c-KIT protein. Treatment may reduce a primary tumor to a size small enough for surgical excision. Current research is focused on the development of new therapies for the treatment of advanced disease and/or disease prophylaxis.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: review on morphology, molecular pathology, diagnostics, prognosis and treatment options.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common non-epithelial mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. GISTs represent a specific group of mesenchymal tumors with uncertain biological behaviors. These tumors are assumed to originate from progenitor cells, usually unable to self-regenerate, which differentiate towards Cajal cells. Apart from common GISTs that occur predominantly in adulthood, a heterogeneous group of tumors has been described that are morphologically identical with GIST, but have a specific clinical presentation and biological properties. Approximately 30% of newly diagnosed GISTs are malignant or have a high potential for malignancy. Currently, GISTs are routinely identified with histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic assays. However, clinical diagnoses, particularly of small or intramural GISTs, might be difficult. The most useful techniques for imaging and monitoring disease progression are endoscopic examinations and fused PET/CT imaging. Surgical treatment is the first-line treatment and the only method that might lead to full remission in patients with a primary GIST. There is currently no consensus on the issues of whether to perform resections in patients with positive margins or resections of metastases. Endoscopic resection could represent a relatively simple and less aggressive alternative as compared to traditional surgery in the treatment of small sized GISTs. Biological therapy with imatinib mesylate is recommended for patients with newly diagnosed, locally advanced, inoperable, or metastasizing gastrointestinal GISTs that express the c-KIT protein. Treatment may reduce a primary tumor to a size small enough for surgical excision. Current research is focusing on the development of new therapies for the treatment of advanced disease and/or disease prophylaxis.

[Neovascularisation as a cause of recurrence after varicose veins operation]. / Neovaskularizace jako prícina recidivy po operaci varixu dolních koncetin.

AIMS: Following surgical therapy, new varicose veins may develop, in particular at the site of the previous saphenofemoral junction. The objective of this study is the appreciation of the causes of the bad results of surgical procedures in the treatment of varicose veins and the proposal of the possibilities of their prevention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of the group of 404 patients (573 procedures) with the diagnosis of the recurrence after previous radical surgery was performed. After exclusion of perforator refluxes, the most frequently, the great saphenous vein territory was affected (86%), followed by the small saphenous vein territory (14%). The group of 30 consecutive patients (35 limbs) with saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal recurrence was selected for this study. Based on preoperative ultrasound and per-operative morphological findings, in 12 patients (14 limbs) - 8 women and 4 men, meticulous histopathological examination of the venous tissue block from the saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal region, VEGF (Vascular endothelial growth factor) and protein S-100 investigation were performed. RESULTS: In 14 limbs with sonographic and clinical suspition for neovascularisation, this entity was confirmed in 11 of them (79%) which represents 31.42% of the whole group. CONCLUSIONS: The varicose veins recurrences can be observed not only after technically or tactically imperfect primary procedure (which is surely the most common cause of the varicose veins recurrence), but also after the operations performed by the experienced venous surgeon in the perfect way. Neovascularisation explains a certain number of postoperative recurrences despite correctly conducted disconnection of the saphenous termination. The endovascular procedures (endovenous laser or radiofrequency saphenous obliteration) without open groin access can minimise the possibility of this complication.

[Intraperitoneal placement of composite implants--polyester mesh coated with polyurethane in experimental study]. / Intraperitoneální aplikace kompozitního implantátu - polyesterové sít'ky potazené polyuretanem v experimentu.

INTRODUCTION: Polyester and polypropylene are currently the most frequently materials for repair of abdominal wall hernias. Most of the mesh materials used intraperitoneally in repair of hernias lead to considerable adhesion formation, as well as the resultant bowel obstruction and intestinal fistula formation. Some newer composite products can reduce risk of adhesion formation. The aim of this experimental study is testing properties of patch, composite structure, characterised by the association of a non-woven textile structure made from polyester multifilaments, and a fine coat of polyurethane on one side, placed intraperitoneally in rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiment was carried out with 21 laboratory rats. Laboratory animals were divided into 3 groups - 7 animals in a group. In the first group the check-up laparotomy was realized the 7th day, in the second group the 14th day and in the third group the 28th day after the intraperitoneal implantation of a composite mesh. All animals were sacrificed and adhesion scoring and histological evaluation of tissue specimens with implanted mesh were done. RESULTS: A macroporous polyester mesh component supported an early and huge fibrous proliferation with a good adhesion onto the abdomen wall. On the other hand, a microporous polyurethane layer led to the creation of a fibrous pocket. During the check-up laparotomy, the larger adhesion of omentum to the fibrous layer, covering the polyurethane side of implanted mesh, were located in most laboratory rats - in all the groups. CONCLUSION: We can presume that the protective polyurethane layer does not eliminate risk of adhesion formation in rat.

[Mesenchymal extraperitoneal tumors in the elderly]. / Mezenchymální extraperitoneální nádory u senioru.

Incidence rates of solid tumors increase with age in our population. Epithelial tumors are the most frequent tumors of the old age. On the contrary, extraperitoneal mesenchymal tumors are rare. Surgical treatment remains the most important and the most effective therapeutic modality to manage solid tumors. The risk level of the surgical treatment in the elderly is influenced by many factors, which may often be substancially reduced. Therefore, the elderly should not be excluded from curative surgical procedures on their calendary age basis.

Complete response of multiple melanoma brain metastases after treatment with temozolomide.

BACKGROUND: Inoperable melanoma brain metastases are usually uniformly fatal, and complete response after cytotoxic therapy is rare. CASE REPORT: A patient with multiple inoperable melanoma brain metastases was treated with 6 cycles of oral temozolomide (300 mg once daily over 5 days every 28 days). A complete response was documented by magnetic resonance. CONCLUSIONS: The present observation suggests that temozolomide may be an active and well tolerated treatment for malignant melanoma brain metastases.

[Heterotopic pancreatic tissue in the wall of the gallbladder]. / Heterotopie pankreatické tkáne ve stene zlucníku.

A 48-year-old woman with complaints referable to the biliary tract was treated by cholecystectomy. Morphological examination revealed a focus of the heterotopic pancreatic tissue (7 x 4 x 3 mm) situated within the gallbladder body wall. Microscopically, all the normal structures were found, i.e., secretory acini, ducts and scattered endocrine cells.