Tumour VEGF/non tumour VEGF protein expression ratio as a biomarker for survival in colorectal cancer patients.

AIMS: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) over-expression is frequently considered as a marker of both, a poor prognosis and of an aggressive tumour phenotype. Colorectal carcinoma is still one of the most lethal malignancies. Thus, our purpose was to study the expression of VEGF in tumour tissue (VEGF(t)) and in the tissue surrounding tumours (VEGF(nt)) and analyse its correlation with clinico-pathological features and overall survival. METHODS: The study was designed to determine the concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor in tumour (n = 87) and non-tumour tissue (n = 230) obtained form the colorectal cancer patients. Accordingly, VEGF expression was studied in tissue homogenates by a quantitative sandwich ELISA method. RESULTS: The study was performed on 317 colorectal samples from 87 colorectal cancer patients. VEGF expression was higher in the tumour than in the non-tumour area (P < 0.0005). In areas of 5-10 cm around the tumours, VEGF expression was higher than the expression obtained in proximal or distal edge of the resection. VEGF(t) expression was lower in patients with stage I than in patients with stage II, III, or IV. However, a shorter overall survival time was evident when the ratio obtained between VEGF expression in the tumour and mean VEGF expression in the non-tumour areas of the same patient (VEGF(t)/VEGF(nt) ratio) was ≤2 (P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: VEGF expression in colorectal cancer tissue was higher in tumour than in non-tumour areas. VEGF(t) expression was lower in initial clinical stages. Indeed, patients who presented a VEGF(t)/VEGF(nt) ratio >2 survived longer. This is the first report showing that the clinical outcome could be related to the VEGF(nt) over-expression in colorectal cancer patients.

[Hepatic adenoma and focal nodular hyperplasia: difficult differential diagnosis. Presentation of a case of focal nodular hyperplasia]. / Adenoma hepático e hiperplasia nodular focal: difícil diagnóstico diferencial. Presentación de un caso de hiperplasia nodular focal.

Hepatic adenoma and focal nodular hyperplasia are unfrequent benign lesions of the liver with individual histologic characteristics, but not always clinically distinguishable. The main difference is the intratumoral or intraperitoneal bleeding risk (high in adenoma and virtually zero in focal nodular hyperplasia). Surgery is the elective treatment for the first, while a more conservative attitude is allowed for the second. We present the case of a woman with an hepatic mass that clinically and radiologically seemed to be an adenoma. An atypical hepatectomy was done uneventfully. The examination of the specimen showed shaw focal nodular hyperplasia. We review the diagnostic and therapeutic controversy between these entities, because only the histologic examination of the entire surgical specimen could demonstrate the real nature of the lesion.

[Small cell anaplastic carcinoma of the colon]. / Carcinoma anaplásico de células pequeñas de localización colónica.

Small-cell anaplastic carcinoma of the colon is a very infrequent tumour (less than 1% of all colorectal neoplasms). Thirty-two cases have been described in the international literature up to 1992. A case, in a 54 year-old patient who underwent successful resection is presented. The importance of this tumour is due to its great aggressivity, and its great tendency to produce early hematogenous and lymph node metastases. It implies a bad prognosis and a survival of around 0% at one year. Because of these facts, treatment must include, beside surgical resection, an aggressive systemic protocol.

[Congenital hypertrophy of retinal pigment epithelium in familial colonic polyposis. Study of a family]. / Hipertrofia congénita del epitelio pigmentario de la retina en la poliposis colónica familiar. Estudio de una familia.

In the last years the relationship between congenital hypertrophy of retinal pigment epithelium (CHPRE) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) has been described. It has been said that ophthalmoscopy would be a good screening method for following up the relatives of patients with FAP. We present an ophthalmoscopic study of 14 member of a family with FAP. Four members with FAP were operated on in our department. Only a six years-old child, to this date without FAP, presented CHPRE. We review the relationship between FAP and CHPRE, and emphasize the importance of follow-up in FAP specially when CHPRE is present.

[Cecal hernia through the Winslow's hiatus]. / Hernia de ciego a través del hiato de Winslow.

A new case of cecal herniation through the foramen of Winslow is reported in a 67 year-old woman, preoperatively diagnosed by water-soluble contrast enema. Herniation through Winslow's foramen is an uncommon variety of internal hernias. Of 144 cases reported up to 1991 in the world literature, the cecum was involved in only 25-30%; and less than 10% of these were radiologically diagnosed before surgery.