Giant malignant phyllodes tumor with distant metastases: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Phyllodes tumors (PTs) represent a rare type of breast tumor and are classified into benign, borderline, and malignant. Giant PTs, meaning those sized more than ten cm, are even rarer, most commonly malignant, and usually have a dismal prognosis due to the high metastatic potential. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 55-year-old woman who underwent modified radical mastectomy and left axillary lymphadenectomy for a rapidly growing, giant, ulcerated mass of the left breast. Histopathologic examination revealed a malignant phyllodes tumor (MPT). Over one year after the initial surgery, the patient was found to have extensive thoracic and retroperitoneal metastases. CONCLUSION: Although giant PTs are uncommon, clinical suspicion should be high in rapidly growing breast mass patients. A comprehensive review of all metastatic giant MPT cases reported in the English literature emphasizes the lack of consensus regarding appropriate treatment. In the case of metastatic foci, pathologists need to be aware of the previous history to make a definitive diagnosis. Also, a comparative histopathologic study of the primary and metastatic tumors is sometimes necessary. HIPPOKRATIA 2022, 26 (1):41-45.

The effect of intraoperative lavage with short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) on rectal anastomosis of rats receiving corticosteroids.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic failure is one of the most frequent complications in rectal surgery. The present study aims to elucidate the effect of intraoperative lavage with short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) on rectal anastomosis of rats receiving corticosteroids. METHODS: Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. Group A (control group, without lavage and medication), group B (lavage with saline solution and no medication), group C (lavage with SCFAs and no medication), group D (lavage with saline solution and injection of 30mg/kg methylprednisolone 7 days pre-operatively and 4 days post-operatively), group E (lavage with a SCFAs and methylprednisolone). On the 4(th) postoperative day the animals were sacrificed and bursting pressure of the anastomosis, CRP, IL-6 and TNF-a were measured. RESULTS: Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis showed statistically significant differences between the groups (p<0.001). The bursting pressure of the anastomosis was lower in groups B and D, while it was higher in group C. TNF-a values displayed differences between group D and groups A, C, E. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative lavage with SCFAs increases anastomotic strength by increasing the bursting pressure of anastomosis in rats receiving corticosteroid, while lavage with saline solution decreases it. Rectal irrigation with short-chain fatty acids may improve anastomotic healing, especially in patients receiving corticosteroids.

Rectal endometriosis: a case report.

We present the case of a 45-year-old female patient who was admitted with a history of pelvic pain, constipation, and dysmenorrhea. CT scan and u/s images revealed cholelithiasis, benign nodular hyperplasia of segment IV of the liver and uterine fibromyoma. During laparotomy, firm adhesions between the posterior wall of the uterus and the rectum were found and the incisional biopsy reveals an undifferentiated adenocarcinoma. Then, total resection of the uterus was performed with en block resection of the adherent part of the rectum and part of the posterior wall of the vagina. The final histopathological report showed the presence of uterine fibromyoma, nodular hyperplasia of the liver and rectal endometriosis without any sign of malignancy. The patient after 5 years of follow up remains healthy. Rectal endometriosis represents an uncommon localization of pelvic endometriosis where the symptoms and clinical findings are non-specific making the definitive preoperative diagnosis difficult. Endometriosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain in combination with defecation disorders in female patients of reproductive age.

Changes in treatment of rectal cancer: increased use of low anterior resection.

PURPOSE: The most common surgical procedures for patients with rectal cancer are low anterior resection (LAR) or abdominoperineal excision (APE). The aim of the present study is to evaluate and report the changes in the incidence of LAR and APE in the surgical treatment of rectal cancer over the last 15 years in a single surgical department. METHODS: The patient sample consisted of 251 consecutive patients (mean age 65.17; age range 22-87) that underwent surgical treatment for rectal cancer in a single center from 1996 to 2010. This time frame was divided into three 5-year periods (1996-2000, 2001-2005 and 2006-2010). Patients were classified into one of the aforementioned groups, depending on the date of their treatment. RESULTS: In the first period (1996-2000), 71 patients were treated for rectal cancer. Among them, 32.4% (n = 23) underwent an abdominoperineal excision (APE) while 56.3% (n = 40) were treated with LAR. In the second period (2001-2005), included 102 patients, from which 29.4% (n = 30) received an APE and 60.8% (n = 62) underwent a LAR for their disease. In the final period (2006-2010), from the 78 patients, only 12.8% (n = 10) of them underwent APE, while 74.3% (n = 58) were treated with LAR. There was a statistically significant (chi-square test, P = 0.005) difference between the 3 periods of time concerning the performance of LAR and APE. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of the present study, the rates of APE seem to decrease during the last 15 years, while LAR is more widely used in the surgical treatment of rectal cancer.

Colonic cancer in a patient with intestinal malrotation: a case report.

We present a case of a 76-year-old patient with intestinal malrotation, with incomplete rotation of the small intestine and abnormal positioning of the duodenum and superior mesenteric vessels over the transverse colon. Furthermore, the patient suffered of a concomitant cancer of the ascending colon.

Enhancement of colonic anastomotic strength in rats by short-chain fatty acids.

BACKGROUND: The present study is aiming at elucidating the effect of intraoperative lavage with short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) on colonic anastomosis in rats. METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups (10 rats each). After resection of a segment of transverse colon, an end-to-end anastomosis was performed. In the 1st group, no intraoperative large bowel lavage was performed; in the 2nd, a lavage with normal saline solution; in the 3rd, the animals received a diet rich in SCFAs pre- and postoperatively, and a lavage with normal saline was performed; and in the 4th group, an intraoperative lavage with SCFAs was carried out. On the 4th postoperative day, the animals were sacrificed. Septic complications, adhesions and anastomoses were graded macroscopically and histologically, and bursting pressure of the anastomoses, CRP, IL-6 and TNF-a was measured. RESULTS: Fewer septic complications (abscesses and minimal ruptures) and adhesions were observed in the 4th group with the intraoperative lavage with SCFAs. The bursting pressure also, in the same group, was higher (73.3 mmHg), followed by the 1st group (67.1 mmHg). CONCLUSION: Intraoperative lavage with SCFAs increases the bursting pressure of colonic anastomoses, while lavage with saline solution decreases it, in comparison to the group without lavage.

Early-onset hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy.

The clinical onset of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy (HNPP) in childhood is rarely reported. On the basis of a 5-year-old affected patient, we reviewed the cases reported in the literature to evaluate the clinical and genetic characteristics of patients with an early onset (<10 years) of HNPP.

Prognostic significance of mucinous component in colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Many factors influence survival in colorectal cancer patients, one of them is the mucinous component of the tumour. Mucinous adenocarcinoma is characterized by the extracellular mucin of more than 50% of the tumour volume. METHODS: From 1970 to 1999, 1160 patients were admitted to our clinic for colorectal cancer. They were divided into four groups according to mucinous character of the tumour, in two time periods of 15 years. RESULTS: There was an increase in the incidence of mucinous tumours from 20.8 to 30.5% in the second period. These tumours were more advanced (Dukes' C) and especially right sided (34.5% vs. 17.9%). Five-year survival was increased during the second period but was of a lesser degree in the mucinous group (51.5% vs. 65.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Colorectal mucinous carcinomas present at a more advanced stage, predominantly in men, with higher right colon location rate, and a worse overall 5-year survival rate than the non-mucinous colorectal cancers.

Metastatic breast adenocarcinoma masquerading as colonic primary. Report of two cases.

BACKGROUND: Common sites of metastasis for the breast cancer are bones, lungs, the central nervous system and liver. The colon is the rarest site of metastasis for the breast carcinoma. PATIENTS AND RESULTS: We report our recent experience of two female patients, 55 and 57 years old respectively, who presented breast metastasis at the proximal transverse colon. They were operated for breast carcinoma followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, four and ten years before the metastasis was diagnosed. The symptoms were anaemia and bowel obstruction. Diagnosis was made by double contrast barium enema and colonoscopy. Postoperatively, both patients received systemic chemotherapy. At the follow-up, two and three years after, there is no evidence of recurrence or metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with history of breast cancer presenting with anaemia and/or bowel obstruction should be examined for possible metastasis to colon and should be treated surgically followed by systemic chemotherapy.

Colorectal gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumours. Report of a stromal case of the rectum (GIST) and a leiomyosarcoma of the transverse colon.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract. They are positive to C-kit (CD 117), more common in the older males, and mostly in the stomach, less in the colon and rectum and oesophagus. Benign tumours are more common than the malignant ones. Classification of GISTs is based on morphology and immunochemistry. METHODS: We report two cases of colorectal gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumours, one on the transverse colon which was found to be immunohistochemically leiomyosarcoma and the other on the rectum which met the GIST criteria. The patients underwent transversectomy and abdominal perineal resection, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: They did not receive Imanitib postoperatively and two years after there is no evidence of recurrence. Surgery is the treatment of choice for resectable GISTs, and other mesenchymal tumours benign or malignant.