CD44v6 and Nm23-H1 protein expression related to clinico pathological parameters in colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Nm23-H1 and CD44v6 expression has been shown to be correlated with the metastatic potential of colorectal cancer (CRC) in some studies but not in others. The present study was undertaken to evaluate immunohistochemically the expression of these markers and to correlate them with clinicopathological variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Archival tissues of 41 non metastatic colorectal cancers were histopathologically evaluated and stained with monoclonal antibodies versus Nm23-H1 and CD44v6. RESULTS: Expression of Nm23-H1 was detected in 73% (n = 30) of all CRC, and CD44v6 in 37% (n = 15) of all CRC. CD44v6 was found to be statistically associated with tumour grading differentiation (p < 0.03), but no correlation emerged between Nm23-H1 and CD44v6 and Dukes stage, site, peritumoral lymphocytic infiltration, venous infiltrating, perineural infiltrating, tumour budding, pushing and infiltrating tumour growth. CONCLUSION: Even if the results are not statistically significant, the authors noticed that the expression of Nm23-H1 was correlated with those histopathological parameters that indicate local disease progression and metastases.

Ischemic colitis with chronic stenotic evolution.

The authors describes a case of ischemic chronic stenosis of colon after aneurysmectomy. They consider eziopatogenesis, clinical aspects and differential diagnosis with other causes of large bowel stenosis. They illustrate on therapeutic sequence after examination of recent literature.

Preservation and peeling of the inferior mesenteric artery in the anterior resection for complicated diverticular disease.

The authors, on the basis of 3 cases of complicated diverticular disease, discuss the indications to surgery, considering the advantages and disadvantages of the various surgical techniques and examining in particular the rules for a correct operation with resection and primary or secondary anastomosis. As they performed a rectosigmoidectomy with primary high colorectal anastomosis, they report the reasons why they adopted the preservation and peeling of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA).

[Chronic periaortitis]. / La periaortite cronica.

The authors, o the basis of a retrospective analysis of a series of 13 cases of chronic periaortitis, after a review of the literature about the subject, discuss about the most recent theories about pathogenesis, pathological anatomy, diagnosis and treatment of this condition. At first the authors stress the importance of adopting the term chronic periaortitis to describe any idiopathic fibrotic retroperitoneal process, as a consequence of the well established relationship between the atherosclerotic abdominal aorta an the development of this condition. Histological, immunohistochemical and immunological studies, consented to clarify the pathogenesis o the lesion. CT or MRI currently makes the diagnosis but histological confirmation is desiderable. Surgical therapy plays still a fundamental role in the management of chronic periaortitis, but the use of immunosuppressive drugs is to be considered extremely promising.

[Nephrogenic metaplasia. A particular clinical and anatomopathologic entity]. / La metaplasia nefrogenica. Una particolare entità clinica ed anatomopatologica.

Two cases of nephrogenic adenoma are presented. The authors consider nephrogenic metaplasia as a reaction to inflammatory agents and point out the importance of differential diagnosis with nephrogenic adenocarcinoma, in which a different surgical procedure is requested.

[Role of total thyroidectomy in benign multinodular benign goiter]. / Il ruolo della tiroidectomia totale nella tireopatia nodulare plurifocale benigna.

The Authors report a review of the Literature and their personal series to evaluate the role of total thyroidectomy in the surgical management of non-toxic multinodular goiter. On the basis of the data obtained, the Authors consider total thyroidectomy the therapy of choice for this pathology.

[Renal microcarcinomas: a particular clinical entity]. / I microcarcinomi renali. Una particolare entità clinica.

According to the possibility of an early diagnosis, related to diagnostic imaging and predictive indexes such as DNA and vascular permeability, in the presence of a low grade-low stage tumor, and with the support of the Literature, the Authors hypothesize an increasing applicability of conservative surgery in the management of small renal carcinomas.

[Gardner syndrome: diagnostic, clinical and genetic questions in the light of 2 case reports]. / Sindrome di Gardner: problematiche diagnostiche, cliniche e genetiche alla luce di due casi clinici.

The authors on the base of two cases of Gardner's syndrome recently observed, proceed to a wide review of literature on this subject so as to stress the peculiar aspects of this syndrome, so complex and uncommon. The greatest emphasis is given to the role of genetics as regarding to diagnosis and screening programs, as well as to the more recent acquisitions about diagnosis, therapy and follow up of risk lesions, such as colorectal and duodenal adenomas, as well as of intrabdominal desmoid tumours, which, although not histologically malignant, may often influence prognosis negatively, because of their remarkable local invasiveness and tendency to recurrence.

[Subtotal colectomy with ceco-rectal anastomosis]. / La colectomia subtotale con ciecorettoanastomosi.

A case of subtotal colectomy cecoproctostomy for multiple lesions of the colon is introduced. This procedure has advantages over ileoproctostomy because it spares the terminal ileum, ileocecal junction and cecum. Due to the high incidence of bowel movements after the ileoproctostomy operation, the authors recommend cecoproctostomy as a valid choice in a selectioned group of patients with multiple or extended lesions that spares cecum and rectum.

[Perianal Paget's disease: clinical observation and review of the literature]. / Malattia di Paget perianale: osservazione clinica e rassegna della letteratura.

The authors present a case of PPD, stressing the importance to distinguish "true" PPD from pagetoid spread, for correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment. This distinction is possible by using immunohistochemical stains, with particular regarding Ab-GCDFP-15, considered specific marker for Paget's cell.

[Anorectal neuroendocrine carcinoma: observations on a case and review of the literature]. / I carcinomi neuroendocrini anorettali: osservazione di un caso e rassegna della letteratura.

Carcinoid tumours of the anorectum are rare (0.7% of malignant rectal tumours). Because of this rarity several aspects of the management of these tumours remain controversial. Diagnosis may be delayed because of failure to recognize their morphological characteristics and histological appearance may not reflect their biological behaviour. Immunocytochemistry for neuroendocrine-cells are essential to identify different types of carcinoid tumours and to do differential diagnosis from other malignant tumours. All that allow an exact therapeutic approach to these tumours. The tumours less than cm 1 in diameter can be safely treated by local excision; the tumours more than cm 1 in diameter are treated by radical surgery (AAP).

[Squamous carcinoma of the anal canal and its variations. Personal experience and review of the literature]. / Il carcinoma squamoso del canale anale e sue varianti. Esperienza personale e rassegna della letteratura.

Six cases of anal canal squamous carcinoma are presented. The authors precise the present view about pathological, epidemiological, clinical and therapeutical aspects of these lesions. They stress, also, the primary role of embryology and anatomy in the oncogenesis of such tumours; the importance to single out specific population at risk, absolutely different from the typical one for rectal adenocarcinoma and the role of chemoradiation therapy as treatment of choice of these neoplasms. Particular importance is given to modern histologic and histogenetic classification of these tumours, stressing the difficulties to distinguish the various histologic types.

[Ovarian endometriosis involving the intestine with "ab ++estrinseco" stenosis of the sigmoid]. / Endometriosi ovarica a sviluppo intestinale con stenosi "Ab estrinseco" del sigma.

The Authors report a case of ovarian endometriosis causing an "Ab extrinseco" sigmoid stenosis. The histogenesis as well as different possibilities of treatment, i.e. medical and surgical, are discussed.

[A case of renal infarction: clinical and anatomic contribution]. / Un caso di infarto renale: contributo clinico ed anatomico.

A case of renal infarction presenting with acute abdomen is reported. Due to the extended renal damage nephrectomy was performed. Macroscopic appearance of the kidney (prevalent cortical vascular infarction) and of the surrounding tissues (retroperitoneal edema and abdominal ascites) suggested a comparison with epidemic haemorrhagic fever. Vascular supply to the kidney, in such cases, depends on the perforating arteries which may increase in number and size.

[Extracorporeal lithotripsy and endoscopy in the treatment of pancreatic lithiasis]. / La litotrissia extracorporea e l'endoscopia nel trattamento della litiasi pancreatica.

The decompression of the pancreatic duct with the extraction of stones by endoscopy is now recognized as an effective method for the treatment of some forms of chronic pancreatitis. The limits of this methodology are strictly linked to the morphology of the pancreatic duct and/or to the size, morphology and number of stones. The association of endoscopy with the ESWL often allows to overcome these limits. A case of lithiasis of the Wirsung in a patient affected by C.P. successfully treated associating endoscopy to ESWL is reported.

[The colorectal adenoma-carcinoma sequence: the limits between polypectomy and intestinal resection]. / Sequenza adenoma-carcinoma rettocolico: limiti tra polipectomia e resezione intestinale.

According to a clinic case, the authors pointed out the role of histological diagnosis in the therapeutic approach of large intestinal adenomas. In order to identify those lesions which can metastasize, having exceeded the muscularis mucosae and having invaded the submucosa, rigorous histological standards must be performed. Intestinal resection versus polypectomy is determined only according to the involvement or not of the muscularis mucosae.

[Bilateral carcinoma of the breast: treatment and prevention, Review of the literature]. / Il carcinoma bilaterale della mammella: trattamento e profilassi. Revisione della letteratura.

Authors analyze 256 patients admitted in III Clinica Chirurgica of University of Rome "La Sapienza" for breast cancer, from 1982 to 1992; 16 of them had later developed another neoplasm in the opposite breast. After a retrospective study of the clinical history of all patients they came to the conclusion that bilateral neoplasm frequency is similar to that reported in world literature (1-18%) (23, 9, 2). Moreover, are analyzed the primary risk factors for a bilateral carcinoma, and they consider the utility of the prophylactic surgical treatment of the opposite breast.