Tertiary Lymphoid Structures in Colorectal Cancers and Their Prognostic Value.

BACKGROUND: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in tumour stroma are considered to be involved in the elimination of malignant cells and prevention of metastasis formation. TIL consist of T lymphocytes including cytotoxic lymphocytes that are a constituent part of the effector mechanism of anti-tumour immunity and B lymphocytes that can form tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS). TLS has been described in several solid tumours and colorectal carcinoma (CRC), and the influence on the local and systemic anti-cancer response. AIM: This study aimed to quantify the presence of TLS in CRC patients and to determine their role in tumour progression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 103 patients with CRC who underwent surgery at the University Clinic of Digestive Surgery in Skopje, whose operative material was analysed at the Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty in Skopje. The density of TLS was determined and correlated with the neoplasm status of local growth (T), positive lymph nodes, lymphatic invasion, and stage of the disease and tumour grade. RESULTS: The density of TLS was significantly higher in patients with higher stage, lower T status, and negative lymph nodes, in patients with no lymphatic invasion and with better-differentiated tumours. CONCLUSION: The density of TLS plays an important role in controlling the tumour growth, and it can be a parameter for neoplasm progression in CRC patients. The density of TLS influences the control of tumour progression.

Tumour Lymphocytic Infiltration, Its Structure and Influence in Colorectal Cancer Progression.

BACKGROUND: The role of the immune system in the control of tumour progression has been stressed, recently. Many studies indicate the fact that the immune system can prevent tumour progression in several types of human malignant neoplasms including colorectal cancer. According to some authors, a higher density of "tumour-associated lymphocytes" (TAL), in malignant neoplasms, correlate with prolonged survival of patients. AIM: This study aims to determine the structure and the influence of the immune cells, TAL, in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 103 patients with CRC operated at the University Clinic of Digestive Surgery in Skopje, whose operative material was analysed at the Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty in Skopje. The structure of tumor-associated cells and their density were determined and were correlated with neoplasm's grade, local growth (T), positive lymph nodes, lymphatic invasion and stage of the disease. RESULTS: CD4+, CD8+ and CD20+ lymphocytes (Ly) were found in TAL. The density of TAL was significantly different in neoplasms with different T status, lymphatic invasion, patients with and without nodal metastasis and patients with a different stage of the disease. The density of CD4+, CD8+, and CD20+ cells were significantly different in neoplasms with different T. The density of CD8+ and CD20+ lymphocytes was lower in patients with nodal metastasis and higher stage. CONCLUSION: The density of tumor-associated lymphocytes can anticipate the disease progression in patients with colorectal cancer, and the density of TAL influences the control of tumour progression.

Extremely Locally Advanced Ovarian Malignant Mixed Mullerian Tumor in 37-Years-Old Female.

Ovarian carcinosarcomas, rare variant of ovarian carcinoma, composed of both carcinomatous and mesenchymal components, solid and/or cystic, fleshy and hemorrhagic, frequently spreading beyond the ovary, are treated with surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy according to the treatment principles of ovarian carcinomas due to the small number of reported cases and lack of randomized studies. We report a case of a 37-year-old woman with clinical signs of extremely locally advanced tumor of ovarian origin, infiltrating the lower left quadrant of the abdominal wall with necrosis of the covering skin. Prior biopsy of the left ovary and omentum confirmed poorly differentiated serous adenocarcinoma. Bulky tumor the size of a child's head, originating from the left ovary and infiltrating into the lower left quadrant abdominal wall was debulked with wide excision of the abdominal wall and creation of wide defect of the lower left part of abdominal wall covered with Dexon mesh. After the recovery, the medial part of the defect with exposed mesh was closed with pedicled tensor fasciae latae fasciomyocutaneous flap, while the lateral part of the defect was covered with split thickness skin graft. Optimal surgical cytoreduction and adjuvant chemotherapy in case of extremely locally advanced ovarian malignant Müllerian tumor provide satisfactory recurrence-free survival period.

Effect of Adding Dexamethasone as a Ropivacaine Adjuvant in Ultrasound-Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Inguinal Hernia Repair.

BACKGROUND: The transverses abdominals plane block (TAP) is a regional anesthesia technique that provided analgesia to the parietal peritoneum, skin and muscles of the anterior abdominal wall. The aim of this randomized double-blind study was to evaluate postoperative analgesia on patients undergoing open inguinal hernia repair under general anesthesia (GA), (GA + TAP) block preformed with ropivacaine and (GA + TAP-D) block preformed with ropivacaine and 4 mg dexamethasone. METHODS: 90 (ASA I-II) adult patients for unilateral open inguinal hernia repair were included in this study. In group I (n = 30) patents received only general anesthesia (GA). Patients in group II (n = 30) received GA and unilateral TAP block with 25 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine and the patients in group III (n = 30) received GA and unilateral TAP-D block with 25 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine + 4 mg Dexamethadsone. In this study we assessed the pain score - VAS at rest at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 hours after the operation and the total analgesic consumption of morphine over 24 hours. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in the VAS scores between group I, group II and group III at all postoperative time points - 2(hr), 4(hr), 6(hr), 12(hr) and 24(hr). (p < 0.00001). The cumulative 24 hours morphine consumption after the operation was significantly lower in group III (5.53 1.21 mg) than in group II (6.16 2.41 mg) and group I (9.26 2.41 mg). This difference is statistically significant (p < 0.00001). CONCLUSION: Concerning the inguinal hernia repair we found better postoperative pain scores and 24 hours reduction of the morphine consumption in group III (GA and TAP-D block) compared with group I (GA) and group II (GA + TAP block).