Association of fecal occult blood tests results with colonoscopic findings in a general hospital and validation of the screening test / Achados colonoscópicos em pacientes submetidos a exame de sangue oculto nas fezes e validacão deste teste de triagem

ABSTRACT Globally, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death among men and the second among women, corresponding to about 10% of all cancers. The Brazilian Ministry of Health and National Cancer Institute recommend the screening of colorectal cancer for people over 50 years-old with Fecal Occult Blood Test. Endoscopy is limited to patients with positive screening results. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of malignant or premalignant lesions diagnosed by endoscopy in patients with positive or negative Fecal Occult Blood Test and assess the efficacy of Fecal Occult Blood Test to predict the finding of a malignant colorectal lesion. We carried out a cross-sectional study among patients with a Fecal Occult Blood Test result that were submitted to colonoscopy, in the same hospital, from March 2016 to July 2017. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of Fecal Occult Blood Test compared to colonoscopy neoplastic findings was calculated. The total of 92 patients were enrolled, 52 (56.5%) were female, Fecal Occult Blood Test was positive in 42.4% of them and in 41 (44.6%) the colonoscopy showed abnormal findings. Polyps were the most frequent alteration, found in 20 patients (21.7%). Among the patients with polyps, 15 (16.3%) had neoplastic and 5 (5.4%) presented non-neoplastic polyps. The Fecal Occult Blood Test sensitivity for detection of neoplastic polyps was 66.7%, specificity 62.3%, positive predictive value 11% and negative predictive value was 94.2%. Considering the need for a screening method, Fecal Occult Blood Test showed to be an effective and reliable screening test that can be applied in public health programs to detect and prevent colorectal cancer.

RESUMO Globalmente, o carcinoma colorretal é a terceira principal causa de morte por neoplasia entre homens e a segunda entre mulheres, correspondendo a 10% de todas as neoplasias. O Ministério da Saúde Brasileiro e o Instituto Nacional do Câncer recomendam a triagem do câncer colorretal para indivíduos acima de 50 anos, utilizando a Pesquisa de Sangue Oculto nas fezes. A endoscopia é reservada para aqueles com Pesquisa de Sangue Oculto nas fezes positiva. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a incidência de lesões malignas/pré-malignas diagnósticas na colonoscopia e correlacionar com os resultados prévios da Pesquisa de Sangue Oculto e verificar a eficácia da Pesquisa de Sangue Oculto para predizer uma lesão colorretal maligna. Realizamos um estudo transversal em pacientes que apresentavam resultados positivos ou negativos de Pesquisa de Sangue Oculto nas fezes e foram submetidos à colonoscopia, na mesma instituição, entre março de 2016 e julho de 2017. Dos 92 participantes; 52 (56,5%) eram do sexo feminino, a Pesquisa de Sangue Oculto nas fezes foi positiva em 42,4%; e em 41 (44,6%) a colonoscopia mostrou alterações. Em 20 pacientes (21,7%) havia pólipos; 15 (16,3%) eram neoplásicos e 5 (5,4%) não neoplásicos. A sensibilidade da Pesquisa de Sangue Oculto nas fezes para detecção de pólipos neoplásicos foi 66,7%; a especificidade 62,3%; o valor preditivo positivo 11% e o valor preditivo negativo 94,2%. Considerando a necessidade de um método de triagem, a Pesquisa de Sangue Oculto nas fezes mostrou ser um exame de triagem eficaz e confiável para ser aplicado em programas de saúde pública com o objetivo de detectar e prevenir o carcinoma colorretal.

Crohn's disease versus Yersinia enterocolitica infection - case report - a difficult differential diagnosis / Doença de Crohn's × Yersinia enterocolitica - um difícil diagnóstico diferencial - relato de caso

ABSTRACT The aim of this report is to present an unusual case of Crohn's disease affecting the terminal ileum; whose principal differential diagnosis was Yersinia enterolocolitica infection, as the histological features of the resected ileum was common to both diseases. We also describe how the infectious etiology was discarded and the implications for the patient follow-up.

RESUMO O objetivo desse relato é analisar um caso incomum de doença de Crohn, cujo diagnóstico diferencial, com possível infecção por Yersinia enterocilítica, foi dificultado pela presença de alterações histológicas das duas doenças. Descrevemos como foi realizada a exclusão de causas infecciosas e as implicações no acompanhamento do paciente.

Locally advanced colorectal cancer: results of surgical treatment and prognostic factors.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence surgical results and prognostic factors of locally advanced colorectal cancer. METHODS: Cohort study including 679 colorectal cancer patients treated from 1997 to 2007. Clinical, surgical and histological data were analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety patients (females 61%; median age 59 years) were treated for locally advanced carcinomas (13.2%), either in the colon (66%) or rectum (34%). Extended resections most commonly involved the small bowel (19.8%), bladder (16.4%), uterus (12.9%) and ovaries (11.2%). Postoperative morbidity and mortality occurred in 23 (25.6%) and 3 (3.3%) patients, respectively. Survival and recurrence analysis among 76 R0 (84.4%) procedures revealed a 60% 5-year survival and 34% local recurrence rates. Survival curves demonstrated reduced rates for rectal location (45% vs 65%), tumor depth (50% for T4 vs 75% for T3), vascular/ lymphatic/perineural invasion (35% vs 80%) and lymph node metastasis (35% vs 80%). CONCLUSIONS: Locally advanced carcinomas were found in 13.2% of patients. Survival rates were negatively affected by rectal location and adverse histological features. Number of involved organs and neoplastic adhesions did not influenced chances of survival. A radical R0 extended resection was achieved in a high proportion of cases, resulting in a 60% cancer-free survival under acceptable operative risks.

Locally advanced colorectal cancer: results of surgical treatment and prognostic factors / Câncer colorretal localmente avançado: resultados do tratamento cirúrgico e fatores prognósticos

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence surgical results and prognostic factors of locally advanced colorectal cancer. METHODS: Cohort study including 679 colorectal cancer patients treated from 1997 to 2007. Clinical, surgical and histological data were analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety patients (females 61 percent; median age 59 years) were treated for locally advanced carcinomas (13.2 percent), either in the colon (66 percent) or rectum (34 percent). Extended resections most commonly involved the small bowel (19.8 percent), bladder (16.4 percent), uterus (12.9 percent) and ovaries (11.2 percent). Postoperative morbidity and mortality occurred in 23 (25.6 percent) and 3 (3.3 percent) patients, respectively. Survival and recurrence analysis among 76 R0 (84.4 percent) procedures revealed a 60 percent 5-year survival and 34 percent local recurrence rates. Survival curves demonstrated reduced rates for rectal location (45 percent vs 65 percent), tumor depth (50 percent for T4 vs 75 percent for T3), vascular/ lymphatic/perineural invasion (35 percent vs 80 percent) and lymph node metastasis (35 percent vs 80 percent). CONCLUSIONS: Locally advanced carcinomas were found in 13.2 percent of patients. Survival rates were negatively affected by rectal location and adverse histological features. Number of involved organs and neoplastic adhesions did not influenced chances of survival. A radical R0 extended resection was achieved in a high proportion of cases, resulting in a 60 percent cancer-free survival under acceptable operative risks.

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a incidência, os resultados operatórios e os fatores prognósticos relacionados aos tumores colorretais localmente avançados. MÉTODOS: A população deste estudo foi constituída por 679 pacientes com câncer colorretal tratados entre 1997 e 2007. Dados clínicos, cirúrgicos e histológicos foram analisados. RESULTADOS: Noventa pacientes (mulheres 61 por cento; idade media 59 anos) foram tratados por câncer colorretal localmente avançados (13.2 por cento) no cólon (66 por cento) ou no reto (34 por cento). As ressecções alargadas mais frequentemente envolveram o intestino delgado (19.8 por cento), bexiga (16.4 por cento), útero (12.9 por cento) e ovários (11.2 por cento). Houve morbidade e mortalidade pós-operatórias em 23 (25.6 por cento) e 3 (3.3 por cento) pacientes, respectivamente. Análise de sobrevida e recidiva entre 76 ressecções R0 (84.4 por cento) mostraram sobrevida de 5 anos em 60 por cento e índice de recidiva local em 34 por cento. As curvas de sobrevida demonstraram índices menores para localização retal do tumor (45 por cento vs 65 por cento), grau de penetração (50 por cento para T4 vs 75 por cento para T3), invasão vascular, linfática ou perineural (35 por cento vs 80 por cento) e metástases linfonodais (35 por cento vs 80 por cento). CONCLUSÕES: Carcinomas localmente avançados foram diagnosticados em 13.2 por cento dos pacientes. Os índices de sobrevida foram negativamente afetados pela localização retal e fatores histológicos adversos. O número de órgãos envolvidos e aderências neoplásicas não influenciaram as chances de cura. Foi possível realizar ressecções alargadas R0 em grande proporção de casos, resultando em sobrevida livre de doença em 60 por cento dos doentes, em condições de risco cirúrgico aceitável.

Quality of life in the late follow-up of ulcerative colitis patients submitted to restorative proctocolectomy with sphincter preservation over ten years ago.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, by means of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ), the quality of life of ulcerative colitis patients submitted to proctocolectomy with sphincter preservation using J-pouch reconstruction over ten years ago. METHODS: The study consisted of 36 patients interviewed using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire. The score scale, resulting from the addition of each answer, ranged from 32 to 224, where the highest score indicates the best quality of life. The chi square test was used to verify the existence of meaningful differences between the results of the questionnaire and age, and gender proportion. For each section, as well as for all of them combined, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to verify if there were differences in the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire scores among the groups in relation to the proportions. RESULTS: After applying the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire, it was determined that quality of life was considered excellent for 9 (25%), good for 11 (30.6%), regular for 13 (36.1%), and bad for 3 (8.3%) patients. In our study, we determined that 85% of the patients were pleased with and thankful for the surgery that they underwent. CONCLUSION: We can conclude that the possibility of sphincter preservation should always be taken into account, since patients remain clinically stable and have a high quality of life even after long periods.

Interação da gestação na atividade da doença inflamatória intestinal e sua influência sobre o prognóstico gestacional e na fecundidade / Interaction of pregnancy on inflammatory bowel disease activity and its influence on pregnancy outcome and fecundity

INTRODUÇÃO: A maioria das mulheres que desenvolvem doença inflamatória intestinal (DII) encontra-se em idade fértil, despertando preocupação dos médicos e mulheres no entendimento desta interação. Avaliamos a influência da DII sobre a fecundidade e gestação e vice- versa. MÉTODOS: Os protocolos de pacientes com doença de Crohn (DC) e retocolite ulcerativa (RC), de 1984 a 2006, em idade fértil, cadastrados no ambulatório de DII, foram revisados. Pacientes foram entrevistados para preenchimento de dados não encontrados nos protocolos. Outros tipos de colites, investigação incompleta, pacientes que não estavam em idade fértil ou sem capacidade cognitiva foram excluídos. Prematuridade, baixo peso ao nascer, anomalias congênitas, natimortalidade, abortamentos, tipos de partos, localização da doença na gestante e uso de medicamentos durante a gestação foram investigados. O método estatístico adotado foi o teste de qui- quadrado e Fisher, com nível de significância de 5 por cento. Nenhum paciente se recusou a participar desta pesquisa. RESULTADOS: 140 gestações em 104 pacientes com DII foram avaliados (RC em 63 gestações e DC em 77). Houve redução da fecundidade após o início dos sintomas relacionados à DII em 41,6 por cento, com influência da doença sobre a opção de não ter filhos em 20,6 por cento (10,3 por cento dos pacientes por medo da doença; 6,5 por cento por orientação médica e 2,2 por cento por más condições clínicas), sem diferenças entre DC e RC. A grande maioria não quis engravidar por já ter filhos, por ser solteira ou estar ter baixa idade (53,3 por cento). A atividade da RC não foi alterada durante a gestação na maioria das pacientes (77,8 por cento; p>0,003). A atividade da doença melhorou durante a gestação mais nas gestantes com DC do que nas com RC (p>0.0007). A incidência de prematuros, baixo peso ao nascer e natimortos foi maior quando todo o cólon estava acometido na RC (p< 0.037). A proporção estimada de prematuros e baixos...

INTRODUCTION: Most of women that develops inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are in fertile age, concerning doctors and patients to understand this interaction. We evaluated the influence of IBD on fecundity and pregnancy and vice-versa. METHODS: the protocols of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), from 1984 and 2006, in fertile age, followed at the outpatient clinic were reviewed. Patients were interviewed by the research medical doctor, to complete missing data not found in their protocols. Patients with others colitis, incomplete investigation, not in fertile age or without cognitive capacity were excluded from this study. Preterm delivery, low birth weight, congenital anomalies, stillbirth, miscarriages, types of delivery, disease topography in pregnant patients and drug administration during pregnancy were investigated. The statistic method adopted was the chi-square and Fisher test, with significance level of 5 percent. No patient refused to participate in this study. RESULTS: 140 pregnancies in 104 patients with IBD were evaluated (UC in 63 and CD in 77 pregnancies). : a reduction of 41.6 percent in fecundity was observed after beginning of symptoms related to IBD, with influence of the disease in 20.6 percent (10.3 percent of patients did not want to have children because of fear related to disease; 6.5 percent because of medical orientation and 2.2 percent for poor medical conditions). There was no difference between CD and UC. Most of patients did not want to become pregnant because they already had children, were "underage" or "alone" (53.3 percent) Most of pregnancies did not altered clinic conditions in UC patients (77.8 percent / p=0.003). Clinical conditions improved during pregnancies more in CD patients than UC patients (p=0.0007). The incidence of preterm delivery, low birth weight and stillbirth was higher when the whole colon was affected in UC (p < 0.037). The estimated rate of preterm delivery...

The role of carcinoembriogenic antigen in predicting response and survival to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for distal rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Carcinoembriogenic antigen (CEA) is the most frequently used tumor marker in rectal cancer. A decrease in carcinoembriogenic antigen after radical surgery is associated with survival in these patients. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy may lead to significant primary tumor downstaging, including complete tumor regression in selected patients. Therefore, we hypothesized that a decrease in CEA after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy could reflect tumor response to chemoradiotherapy, affecting final disease stage and ultimately survival. METHODS: Patients with distal rectal cancer managed by neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and available pretreatment and postchemoradiotherapy levels of CEA were eligible for the study. Outcomes studied included final disease stage, relapse, and survival, and these were compared according to initial CEA level, post-chemoradiotherapy CEA level, and the reduction in CEA. RESULTS: Overall 170 patients were included. Post-chemoradiotherapy CEA levels <5 ng/ml were associated with increased rates of complete clinical response and pathologic response. Additionally, postchemoradiotherapy CEA levels <5 ng/ml were associated with increased overall and disease-free survival (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03). There was no correlation between initial CEA level or reduction in CEA and complete response or survival. CONCLUSION: A postchemoradiotherapy CEA level <5 ng/ml is a favorable prognostic factor for rectal cancer and is associated with increased rates of earlier disease staging and complete tumor regression. Postchemoradiotherapy CEA levels may be useful in decision making for patients who may be candidates for alterative treatment strategies.

Lymph node size in rectal cancer following neoadjuvant chemoradiation--can we rely on radiologic nodal staging after chemoradiation?

OBJECTIVES: Local excision is currently being considered as an alternative strategy for ypT0-2 rectal cancer. However, patient selection is crucial to rule out nodal disease and is performed by radiologic studies that consider size as a surrogate marker for positive nodes. The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in size between metastatic and nonmetastatic nodes and the critical lymph node size after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. METHODS: The 201 lymph nodes available from 31 patients with ypT0-2 rectal cancer were reviewed and measured. Lymph nodes were compared according to the presence of metastases and size. RESULTS: There was a mean of 6.5 lymph nodes per patient and 12 positive nodes of the 201 recovered (6%). Ninety-five percent of all lymph nodes were <5 mm, whereas 50% of positive lymph nodes were <3 mm. Metastatic lymph nodes were significantly greater in size (5.0 vs. 2.5mm; P = 0.02). Lymph nodes >4.5 mm had a greater risk of harboring metastases (P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ypT0-2 rectal cancer following neoadjuvant chemoradiation have very small perirectal nodes. Individual metastatic lymph nodes are significantly larger. However, a significant number of lymph nodes after neoadjuvant chemoradiation (negative and positive) are <3 mm. Individual lymph node size is not a good predictor of nodal metastases and may lead to inaccurate radiologic staging.

Anal incontinence improvement after silicone injection may be related to restoration of sphincter asymmetry.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate manometric parameters that may explain improvement in anal incontinence using a silicone bulking agent. METHODS: Incontinent patients having internal sphincter defects were prospectively selected and injected with a silicone bulking agent. Manometry and endoanal ultrasound were performed before and 3 months after injections. Twenty continent healthy volunteers were used only for manometric comparison. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients (28 females; mean age 60.3 years) and 20 controls entered this study. Patients had lower resting and squeeze pressures compared with controls (P < .05). Length of the high-pressure zone increased from 1 to 1.7 cm postinjection (P = .002). Asymmetry index showed a significant change postinjection (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Despite considerable clinical improvement, no significant increase in manometric pressures was noted posttreatment. There was significant improvement in both high-pressure zone and asymmetry index, and these findings may explain the mechanism of action of the bulking agent injected.

Rectal and pouch recurrences after surgical treatment for familial adenomatous polyposis.

BACKGROUND: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a genetic disease characterized by multiple adenomatous colorectal polyps and different extracolonic manifestations (ECM). The present work is aimed to analyze the outcome after surgical treatment regarding complications and cancer recurrence. METHODS: Charts from patients treated between 1977 and 2006 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical and endoscopic data, results of treatment, pathological reports and information about recurrence were collected. RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients (41 men [46.6%] and 47 women [53.4%]) were assisted. At diagnosis, associated colorectal cancer (CRC) was detected in 53 patients (60.2%), whose average age was higher than those without CRC (40.0 vs. 29.5 years). At colonoscopy, polyposis was classified as attenuated in 12 patients (14.3%). Surgical treatment consisted in total proctocolectomy with ileostomy (PCI, 15 [17.4%]), restorative proctocolectomy (RPC, 27 [31.4%]), total colectomy with ileal-rectum anastomosis (IRA, 42 [48.8%]), palliative segmental resection (1 [1.2%]) and internal bypass (1 [1.2%]). Two patients were not operated on due to religious reasons and advanced disease. Complications occurred in 25 patients (29.0%), more commonly after RPC (48.1%). There was no operative mortality. Local or distant metastases were detected in six (11.3%) patients with CRC treated to cure. During the follow-up of 36 IRA, cancer developed in the rectal cuff in six patients (16.6%), whose average age was higher than in patients without rectal recurrence (45.8 vs. 36.6 years). Five of them have had colonic cancer in the resected specimen. Among the 26 patients followed after RPC, cancer in the ileal pouch developed in 1 (3.8%). CONCLUSIONS: (1) Within the present series, FAP patients presented a high incidence of associated CRC and diagnosis was generally established after the third decade of life; (2) operative complications occurred in about one third of the patients, being more frequent after the confection of an ileal reservoir; (3) rectal cancer after IRA was detected in 16.6% of patients and it was associated with greater age and previous colonic carcinoma; (4) both continuous and long-term surveillance of the rectal stump and ileal pouch are necessary during follow-up.

Quality of life in the late follow-up of ulcerative colitis patients submitted to restorative proctocolectomy with sphincter preservation over ten years ago

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, by means of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ), the quality of life of ulcerative colitis patients submitted to proctocolectomy with sphincter preservation using J-pouch reconstruction over ten years ago. METHODS: The study consisted of 36 patients interviewed using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire. The score scale, resulting from the addition of each answer, ranged from 32 to 224, where the highest score indicates the best quality of life. The chi square test was used to verify the existence of meaningful differences between the results of the questionnaire and age, and gender proportion. For each section, as well as for all of them combined, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to verify if there were differences in the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire scores among the groups in relation to the proportions. RESULTS: After applying the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire, it was determined that quality of life was considered excellent for 9 (25 percent), good for 11 (30.6 percent), regular for 13 (36.1 percent), and bad for 3 (8.3 percent) patients. In our study, we determined that 85 percent of the patients were pleased with and thankful for the surgery that they underwent. CONCLUSION: We can conclude that the possibility of sphincter preservation should always be taken into account, since patients remain clinically stable and have a high quality of life even after long periods.

Videocirurgia colorretal com assistência robótica: o próximo passo? / Robotic assisted colorrectal surgery

O desenvolvimento de técnicas minimamente invasivas é um dos mais importantes avanços da cirurgia colorretal. A assistência robótica integra o arsenal de técnicas em cirurgia minimamente invasiva, e vem sendo aplicado em cirurgia colorretal por um restrito grupo de cirurgiões em alguns centros ao redor do mundo com resultados iniciais que merecem atenção. O objetivo do presente estudo é analisar os resultados do emprego da assistência robótica em videocirurgia colorretal. Dentre as vantagens associadas ao emprego de robôs em videocirurgia colorretal, figuram o incremento na precisão dos movimentos e a visão tridimensional. A experiência clínica é ainda pequena, e advém de uma série de casos e estudos comparativos com a videocirurgia colorretal sem assistência robótica com ainda pequeno número de casos. A dissecção pélvica com incremento da preservação autonômica parece ser a maior vantagem associada à assistência robótica em videocirurgia colorretal. Somente através do treinamento de um número mais representativo de cirurgiões colorretais, bem como com a expansão da experiência clínica será possível prever com maior precisão o papel da assistência robótica em videocirurgia colorretal.

The development of minimally invasive surgical techniques represents an important aspect of modern surgical research. Robot-assisted minimally invasive colorectal surgery represents a way of assisting laparoscopic colorectal procedures. Robotic technology overcomes some of these limitations by successfully providing intuitive motion and enhanced precision and accuracy, in an environment that is much more ergonomic. A restrict number of surgeons in specialized centers around the world have been applying robotics. In this review, current evidence about different technologies and its place in colorectal surgery is evaluated. The feasibility of performing robot-assisted colorectal operations has been demonstrated though case series and small case-controlled trials. The potential for enhancing autonomic nerve preservation during proctectomy may be the most remarkable advantage associated to robotic assistance during laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Colorectal surgeons should seize the opportunity to begin to use surgical robotic systems. Only through widespread surgeon training and increasing clinical experience with these systems, further technological developments, and continuous research, robotic technology will be routinely incorporated into surgical procedures on the colon and rectum.

Resultado do tratamento das fístulas enterovesicais para doença de Crohn / The result of treatment enterovesical fistulas for Crohn's disease

A fístula enterovesical na doença de Crohn é relativamente incomum. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar sua incidência e o resultado do seu tratamento em doentes de Crohn no ambulatório de Doenças Inflamatórias Intestinais do Serviço de Cólon e Reto do Departamento de Gastroenterologia do HCFMUSP. MÉTODOS:Dos 647 pacientes com doença de Crohn , quatorze apresentaram fístula enterovesical no período de 1984 a 2006, tendo sido todos tratados cirurgicamente. RESULTADOS: Dos quatorze pacientes, doze são homens sendo a média de idade do início da doença de Crohn de 28,8 anos. O tempo médio de evolução da doença até o diagnóstico da fístula enterovesical foi de 155,1 meses. Em relação à extensão da doença, sete pacientes tinham Crohn em intestino delgado, cólon e região perianal; cinco apenas no intestino delgado; um em cólon e região perianal e outro com acometimento de intestino delgado e perianal. No total treze pacientes tinham doença de Crohn em intestino delgado. O trajeto da fístula enterovesical mais comum foi de intestino delgado (seis pacientes). Os demais pacientes apresentaram fístula enterovesical em: cólon sigmóide (quatro pacientes), entero-colo-vesical (dois pacientes), colo-vesico-cutânea (um paciente) e outra entero-reto-vesical (um paciente). Todos foram tratados cirurgicamente com ressecção da porção intestinal acometida e sutura da lesão da bexiga, e em um doente foi feito cistectomia parcial. No pós-operatório imediato tivemos duas recorrências da fistula enterovesical, um paciente permanece em tratamento clínico e o outro foi a óbito. No acompanhamento dos demais doentes, observou-se que: oito pacientes apresentam-se sem sintomas e com medicação, três assintomáticos e sem medicação; um paciente com medicação e com sintomas relacionados à doença de Crohn (mas sem queixas ou recorrência de fístula enterovesical). CONCLUSÃO: O índice de fístula enterovesical em doentes com Crohn neste estudo foi de 2,1 por cento. O tratamento...

Enterovesical fistula is relatively uncommon in Crohn's disease. The objective of this study is to analyze the incidence and the result of the treatment of patients with Crohn's disease at the Inflammatory Bowel Clinic of Service of Colon and Rectum of Gastroenterology Department (HCFMUSP). METHODS: 14 out of 647 patients with Crohn's disease presented enterovesical fistula between 1984 and 2006, in which all of them were treated with surgical intervention. RESULTS: 12 out of 14 patients were male and the Crohn's symptoms started with a mean age of 28,8 years. The mean age of evolution of Crohn's disease before discovering the enterovesical fistula was 155,1 months. In regard to Crohn's disease extension, there were seven patients with Crohn's disease in the small intestine, colon and perianal region; five with manifestation only in the small intestine; one had colon and perianal disease and other had small intestine and perianal disease. 13 out of 14 patients studied had Crohn's disease in small intestine. The most commonly encountered type of fistula was in the small intestine (six patients). The others patients presented enterovesical fistula in: sigmoid (four patients), entero-colo-vesical (two patients), colo-vesico-cutaneous (one patient) and entero-reto-vesical (one patient). All the patients were treated with surgical intervention involving resection of the affected bowel and closure of the bladder defect and one patient needed partial cystectomy. In the postoperative period there were two enterovesical fistula recurrences: one patient is still being treated with medical therapy and the other died. In the clinical follow-up of the other patients, eight of them are without symptoms and taking medications, three patients are asymptomatic and under no medications, and one patient is taking medications for Crohn's disease but without enterovesical fistula. CONCLUSIONS: the rate of enterovesical fistula of the Crohn's patients was...

Mucinous colorectal adenocarcinoma: influence of mucin expression (Muc1, 2 and 5) on clinico-pathological features and prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Mucinous component is associated with distinct clinical and pathological features and poor survival in colorectal cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in outcomes of patients with mucinous colorectal adenocarcinoma according to the type of mucin expressed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was performed in all tumors of patients who underwent radical surgery between 1998 and 2003 with mucinous colorectal cancer using antibodies against MUC1, 2, and 5. Correlation between immunoexpression and clinical, pathological features and survival was performed. RESULTS: Of the 418 patients treated in this period, only 35 had a mucinous adenocarcinoma. Of these, 25 were positive for 1 or more mucin expression. MUC2 expression correlated with tumor site and depth of penetration, while MUC5 expression correlated to tumor site. Overall survival was significantly worse for patients with MUC2 expression, and disease-free survival was significantly worse for patients with MUC1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Mucin expression may have significant correlation to specific clinical-pathological features and survival of patients with mucinous-type colorectal adenocarcinoma. These differences may reflect distinct molecular mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis of mucinous colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Intestinal mucosa-associated microflora in ulcerative colitis patients before and after restorative proctocolectomy with an ileoanal pouch.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to identify the mucosa-associated microflora in patients with severe ulcerative colitis before and after restorative proctocolectomy with ileoanal pouch construction in comparison with historic controls. METHODS: Ten patients with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis were evaluated. Mucus was collected during colonoscopy from all segments of the colon and terminal ileum before surgery, and from the ileal pouch two and eight months after ileostomy closure. The prevalence and mean concentration of the mucosa-associated microflora were compared over time and with historic controls. RESULTS: Veillonella sp was the most prevalent bacterium in patients and controls. Klebsiella sp was significantly more prevalent in the ileum of controls, was not found in patients with ulcerative colitis, and after proctocolectomy returned to values found in controls. Some bacteria such as Enterobacter sp, Staphylococcus sp (coag-), Bacteroides sp (npg), Lactobacillus sp, and Veillonella sp had higher mean concentrations in the ileal pouch of patients after surgery than in controls. CONCLUSION: No bacterium was identified that could be exclusively responsible for the maintenance of the inflammatory process. The mucosa-associated microflora of patients with ulcerative colitis underwent significant changes after proctocolectomy with ileal pouch construction and returned to almost normal values for some bacteria.

Early rectal cancer: local excision or radical surgery?

BACKGROUND: Sphincter preservation, disease control, and long-term survival are the main goals in the treatment of rectal cancer. Although transanal local excision is attractive because it is a sphincter sparing procedure, some contradictory data exist in the literature about its ability to locally control disease and provide overall survival comparable with radical procedures, even for patients with early stage tumor. PURPOSE: To compare transanal local excision and radical surgery treatment results based on the appropriate data in literature. METHODS: We reviewed the literature to identify the current recurrence and survival rates of both techniques as well as the salvage surgery success. A PubMed search of the last 10 years was performed, and a total of 10 nonrandomized studies were identified; only 1 study was prospective, 5 were comparative, and 5 were case reports. RESULTS: Five-year overall survival rate varied from 69% to 83% in the local excision group versus 82% to 90% for the radical excision group. Local recurrence rates ranged from 9% to 20% for local excision and from 2% to 9% for radical surgery. Systemic recurrence rates ranged from 6% to 21% for local excision and from 2% to 9% for radical surgery. CONCLUSION: Radical surgery is the more definitive cancer treatment; however, it does not eliminate local excision as a reasonable choice for many patients, who will have lesser procedure-related morbidity and will accept an increased risk of tumor recurrence, a prolonged period of postoperative cancer surveillance, and a decreased success rate by salvage surgery.

Vesico-appendiceal fistula in a mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix / Fístula vésico-apendicular em adenocarcinoma mucinoso do apêndice

BACKGOUND: A rare case of vesicoappendiceal fistula secondary to mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix is presented. CASE REPORT: A 62-year-old man with a one year history of recurrent urinary tract infections. After two months he developed pneumaturia and fecaluria. An abdominal and pelvic computed tomography demonstrated a trans-mural mass in the posterior wall of the bladder with a vesicoenteric fistula leading to the terminal ileum. Laparotomy revealed a tumor arising from the appendix contiguous with the bladder posterior wall. The bladder was opened and a large fistula and tumor on the posterior bladder wall near the trigone was identified. Frozen pathological analysis showed a mucinous adenocarcinoma. En-bloc right hemicolectomy and partial cystectomy, preserving bladder trigone was performed. After manipulating the tumor, grossly leakage of mucinous materials occurred into the pelvic cavity. A peritoneal washing with a mytomicin solution at 42º C was then performed, to prevent peritoneal seeding. The patient had a prolonged postoperative ileus and was discharged at the 15th day. Five months after the procedure the patient was recieving chemotherapy with 5-fluoracil and leucovorin and there was no signs of recurrent disease. CONCLUSION: The presentation with vesico-appendiceal fistula is extremely rare with only a few cases reported in the literature. Knowledge of different types of neoplasm and appropriate treatment allows the surgeon to provide patients optimal care referring to specialized centers whenever appropriate.

INTRODUÇÃO: Apresenta-se raro caso de fístula vésico-apendicular secundária a adenocarcinoma mucinoso do apêndice. RELATO DE CASO: Paciente masculino de 62 anos com história de um ano de infecções urinárias de repetição. Após dois meses desenvolveu pneumatúria e fecalúria, sendo indicada tomografia computadorizada de abdômen que mostrou massa trans-mural na parede da bexiga, com fistula vésico-entérica para região do íleo terminal. A laparotomia revelou tumoração surgindo do apêndice cecal, em continuidade com a parede posterior da bexiga. A mesma foi aberta, sendo identificada grande fistula e material tumoral até próximo ao trígono vesical. A biópsia de congelação identificou adenocarcinoma mucinoso. Realizada hemicolectomia associada à cistectomia parcial em bloco, com preservação do trígono vesical. Houve extravasamento de mucina para a cavidade pélvica pela manipulação. Optado por lavagem peritoneal com solução de mitomicina a 42º C para prevenir disseminação peritoneal. O paciente evoluiu com íleo prolongado pós-operatório, tendo alta hospitalar no15º dia. Cinco meses após o procedimento encontrava-se em quimioterapia com 5-fluouracil e leucovorin, sem sinais de doença recidivante. CONCLUSÃO: A presença de fístula vésico-apendicecal é extremamente rara, tendo poucos casos relatados na literatura. O conhecimento dos diferentes tipos de neoplasias e seus tratamentos adequados permite ao cirurgião oferecer melhor cuidado ao paciente.

Interval between surgery and neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy for distal rectal cancer: does delayed surgery have an impact on outcome?

BACKGROUND: The optimal interval between neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT) and surgery in the treatment of patients with distal rectal cancer is controversial. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether this interval has an impact on survival. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients who underwent surgery after CRT were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with a sustained complete clinical response (cCR) 1 year after CRT were excluded from this study. Clinical and pathologic characteristics and overall and disease-free survival were compared between patients undergoing surgery 12 weeks or less from CRT and patients undergoing surgery longer than 12 weeks from CRT completion and between patients with a surgery delay caused by a suspected cCR and those with a delay for other reasons. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty patients underwent surgery, and 48.4% had CRT-to-surgery intervals of 12 weeks or less. There were no statistical differences in overall survival (86% vs. 81.6%) or disease-free survival rates (56.5% and 58.9%) between patients according to interval (< or =12 vs. >12 weeks). Patients with intervals of 12 weeks or less had significantly higher rates of Stage III disease (34% vs. 20%; p = 0.009). The delay in surgery was caused by a suspected cCR in 23 patients (interval, 48 +/- 10.3 weeks). Five-year overall and disease-free survival rates for this subset were 84.9% and 51.6%, not significantly different compared with the remaining group (84%; p = 0.96 and 57.8%; p = 0.76, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Delay in surgery for the evaluation of tumor response after neoadjuvant CRT is safe and does not negatively affect survival. These results support the hypothesis that shorter intervals may interrupt ongoing tumor necrosis.

Absence of lymph nodes in the resected specimen after radical surgery for distal rectal cancer and neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy: what does it mean?

PURPOSE: The number of retrieved lymph nodes during radical surgery has been considered of great importance to ensure adequate staging and radical resection. However, this finding may not be applicable after neoadjuvant therapy in which, not only is there a decrease in lymph nodes recovered, but also a subgroup of patients with absence of lymph nodes in the resected specimen. METHODS: Patients with absence of lymph nodes were compared with patients with ypN0 disease and patients with ypN+ disease. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (11 percent) had absence of lymph nodes, 171 patients (61 percent) had ypN0 disease, and 78 patients (28 percent) had ypN+ disease. Patients with absence of lymph nodes had significantly lower ypT status (ypT0-1, 40 vs. 13 percent; P<0.001) and decreased risk of perineural invasion (6 vs. 21 percent; P=0.04) compared with ypN0 patients. Five-year disease-free survival (74 percent) was similar to patients with ypN0 (59 percent; P=0.2), and both were significantly better than patients with ypN+ disease (30 percent; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Absence of lymph nodes retrieved from the resected specimen is associated with favorable pathologic features (ypT and perineural invasion status) and good disease-free survival rates. In this setting, absence of retrieved lymph nodes may reflect improved response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy rather than inappropriate or suboptimal oncologic radicality.