[Classification and staging systems for hilar cholangio-carcinoma (Klatskin tumors): clinical application and practical relevance]. / Sisteme de clasificare si stadializare pentru colangio- carcinomul hilar (tumora Klatskin): aplicatie clinica si relevanta practica.

Hilar cholangiocarcinomas or Klatskin tumors have been classified in 1975 by French surgeons Henri Bismuth and Marvin B. Corlette and this remains largely used in clinical practice. The authors present the TNM classification and the changes introduced by the sixth and seventh edition of Union for International Cancer Control regarding the tumors of the proximal bile duct and describe Blumgart classification for tumors of this site. The usefulness of these systems is assessed considering the last six years experience of the service.

Combined modality treatment for locally advanced breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To assess the value of aggressive loco-regional surgery in desperate situations with locally advanced breast cancer. METHODS: In this study there were considered 31 patients with locally advanced breast cancer who underwent surgery in a 5-year period. 10 of them received 3 cycles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy before surgical intervention; the rest of the 21 patients had systemic or local contra-indications for neo-adjuvant therapy. We describe clinical aspects and technical difficulties. Surgical intervention focused on tumour removal and lymph node dissection. Skin defect was covered with flaps according to the Mortimer-Show technique. Postoperatively, the outcome was influenced in a favourable way by the use of Detralex, a micronized flavonoid; all but 2 patients received chemotherapy and locoregional radiotherapy. RESULTS: 25 patients survived free of disease; from 6 patients who suffered recurrence, 2 are still living and 4 have died. CONCLUSIONS: In some forms of locally advanced breast cancer, aggressive surgery offers improvement in the quality of life and increases survival.

[A case of stromal gastric tumor-uncommon clinical and pathological entity]. / Un caz de tumora stromala gastrica--raritate clinica si histopatologica.

Stromal gastric tumors represents an uncommon entity with difficult diagnosis, both preoperative and pathological. We present the case of a patient admitted for abdominal pain, with palpable tumor in epigastrium and right hypochondrium; abdominal echography, barium enema and abdominal CT-scan were not able to precise the involved organ. Operative exploration found at the level of horizontal portion of the stomach a solid tumor, which was resected, with good subsequent evolution. Pathologic diagnosis was stromal gastric tumor. We present latest news concerning diagnosis, prognostic and treatment for this type of tumor.

Thoracoscopic sympathectomy for upper limb ischemic disease.

We treated in 2001 in our clinic two patients with upper limb ischemic disease. Both patients had chronic pain and cyanosis of the fingers, with trophic disorders and partial amputations of distal phalanges. They were previously submitted to medical treatment with no result. We present the technique used, resectional thoracoscopic sympathectomy including T2 and T3 ganglia. First of the patients was operated on bilaterally in two successive operations, the second one only on the right side. There was an uneventful postoperative evolution with good immediate and short term results.

[Thyroid cancer and chronic granulocytic leukemia in the same patient: Cernobyl or coincidence?]. / Cancer tiroidian si leucemie granulocitara cronica la acelasi pacient: cernobâl sau coincidenta?

We present a case of thyroidian cancer and chronic granulocytic leukemia simultaneously found in a 28 years old patient. Initial surgical management consisted in total thyroidectomy and removal of the lymph nodes; local recurrence after 6 months required excision of the tumoral block by radical neck dissection. Hematological disease was controlled with Hydroxiureea, associated, when needed, with Busulphan and Cytosar. The patient is in acceptable general condition and free of any local recurrence or apparent metastases 2.5 years after the diagnosis.