[Case of advanced colon cancer after colostomy closure].

We report a case of advanced colon cancer after closure of a colostomy. A 77-year-old man suddenly began experiencing abdominal pain and pan-peritonitis due to perforate diverticulum of the sigmoid colon. A Hartmann operation was urgently performed, and closure of the colostomy was performed 6 months later. The patient had no history of colonoscopy. Colonoscopy was performed 45 months after the closure of the colostomy to examine the colon. Advanced colon cancer was detected near the anastomotic region. In conclusion, older patients, including those with numerous disease complications such as diabetes and hypertension, should undergo early colonoscopy as a preventative measure.

Stromal myofibroblasts predict disease recurrence for colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Myofibroblasts, which are specifically differentiated fibroblasts, are thought to play a central role in the desmoplastic reaction, a dynamic stromal change closely associated with cancer development. Although fundamental studies suggest that myofibroblasts may either facilitate or inhibit cancer progression, cumulative evidence supports their role in promoting tumor progression. The aim of this study was to assess the value of myofibroblasts in the cancer stroma as an indicator of disease recurrence after colorectal cancer surgery. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Using computer-assisted image analysis, we quantified myofibroblasts in the cancer-associated stroma of 192 colorectal cancers using alpha-smooth muscle actin as a marker. RESULTS: The cancer-associated stroma contained various numbers of myofibroblasts (0.35-19.0%; mean, 5.55 +/- 3.85%). Tumors with abundant myofibroblasts were associated with shorter disease-free survival rate (P = 0.001) for stage II and III colorectal cancer. Multivariate analysis indicated that alpha-smooth muscle actin was a significant prognostic factor comparable with lymph node metastasis and superior to other tumor and stromal components, including histology of the tumor invasive front, peritumoral lymphocytic infiltration, and Crohn's-like lymphoid reaction. Moreover, colorectal cancers with synchronous liver metastasis generally displayed an active desmoplastic reaction, which was retained in the metastatic lesion to a similar extent. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the abundance of myofibroblasts in cancer-associated stroma may be a useful indicator of disease recurrence after curative colorectal cancer surgery.

A multivariate analysis of adhesion molecules expression in assessment of colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adhesion molecules are implicated in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite the evidence of association between their expression and patients' prognosis, the data have not been examined simultaneously in a same study; thus, the relative clinical value remained largely unknown. The aim of this study was to identify the adhesion factors that display the most significant prognostic value for CRC patients to guide clinical decision-making regarding appropriate treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined by immunohistochemistry, the expression of E-cadherin and its associated catenins, alpha(alpha)-catenin and beta(beta)-catenin, DCC, and CD44 and its partner, MT1-MMP in a series of 140 CRC tissues at intermediate Stage II and Stage III to determine their prognostic significance. RESULTS: Clinicopathological survey indicated an inverse relationship between E-cadherin expression and tumor differentiation, and an association between CD44 expression and venous invasion. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that loss of expression of E-cadherin and CD44 significantly correlated to poor survival, especially in Stage II. Combination studies indicated that loss of E-cadherin and loss of CD44 had the worst impact on patient prognosis, particularly in colon cancer. CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemical staining of E-cadherin and CD44 may help to identify a subgroup of high-risk patients with Stage II CRC, especially in colon cancer, who may need intensive follow-up and appropriate therapeutic strategy.

Complete response of highly advanced colon cancer with multiple lymph node metastases to irinotecan combined with UFT: report of a case.

Massive lymph node metastasis of the para-aortic region and supraclavicular lymph nodes, Virchow's lymph node metastasis due to colon cancer, is extremely rare. We herein report a case of such systemic lymph node metastasis that was successfully treated with a combination of irinotecan (CPT-11) and UFT, a combination drug of tegafur and uracil. The patient was a 57-year-old woman who had a tumor in the ascending colon, and massively swollen para-aortic and supraclavicular lymph node metastasis. She was treated with combination chemotherapy of CPT-11 and UFT. The main tumor was detected as a decompressed scar, and the supraclavicular and para-aortic lymph nodes had completely disappeared after the second cycle of treatment. A histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry with cytokeratin showed complete remission of adenocarcinoma in the tumor and para-aortic lymph nodes. She remains alive without recurrence 52 months after chemotherapy. Combination chemotherapy of CPT-11 and UFT may be of potential value in the treatment of advanced colorectal carcinoma, and both histopathological and immunohistochemical confirmation of a complete remission may indicate prolonged disease-free survival.

[Radio-frequency ablation therapy for metastatic liver tumors from colorectal carcinoma].

UNLABELLED: Radio-frequency ablation therapy (RFA) as a treatment for metastatic liver tumors from colorectal carcinoma was examined. METHODS: Ten patients with a total of 30 liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma were treated using a Cool-tip RF system from March 2003 to December 2004. RESULTS: Patients had a mean age of 69.8 years and the mean diameter of the metastatic lesions was 29.5 mm (range, 5-82). Two patients had received RFA therapy 2 times, and another 2 patients had received 3 times. Critical complications were not seen, though 5 therapies were performed using CT-guided trans-pulmonary puncture. The rate of partial recurrence was 23.1% and the average observation period was 14.8 months. The partial recurrence had occurred within the mean period of 6.2 months. Although after multimodal therapy was given, it is suggested that repeated RFA for the liver metastasis would improve survival rates. CONCLUSION: RFA is a safe and effective treatment for metastatic liver tumors from colorectal carcinoma as multimodal therapy.

Fusion image of positron emission tomography and computed tomography for the diagnosis of local recurrence of rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and therapeutic value of digital fusion image (FI) of positron emission tomography (PET) using (18)F-fluorodeoxy glucose and computed tomography (CT) in patients who were suspected of having a local recurrence of rectal cancer. METHODS: Forty-two patients (32 men and 10 women; mean age, 61.4 years, range, 40-79 years) with a suspicion of local recurrence after curative resection of rectal cancer were prospectively recruited and underwent (18)F-fluorodeoxy glucose-PET and CT. The FI was reconstructed with a commercially available digital software program, T-B Fusion. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare FI with CT alone or PET alone. RESULTS: FI yielded a correct diagnosis in 39 (93%) of 42 patients, whereas CT alone and PET alone did so in 33 (79%) and 37 (88%) patients, respectively. FI had better diagnostic accuracy than CT alone (P = .0138) and PET alone (P = .0156). Overall, FI altered patient management in 11 (26.2%) patients on the basis of additional information, including differentiation of the tumor from the postoperative scar in 6 patients, exact anatomical location in 3 patients, and both in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: FI has a potential clinical value in the treatment of suspected local recurrence of rectal cancer.

[Case report--Complete response of liver metastasis of rectal cancer after combination chemotherapy of CPT-11 + UFT-E].

A 54-year-old man underwent abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer. Adjuvant chemotherapy was not performed because of stage I cancer. Nine months after the operation, solitary liver metastasis, and elevated CEA and CA19-9, were found during the postoperative work-up. A combination chemotherapy of CPT-11 and UFT-E was performed before scheduled liver resection. 150 mg/m2 of CPT-11 was administered on days 1 and 15. 375 mg/m2/day of UFT-E was divided in half and administered on days 3-7, 10-14, 17-21, and 24-28 as one course of treatment. This regimen was repeated every 5 weeks. The patient had a grade 2 diarrhea and nentropenia during the treatment. Bowel obstruction was also observed after 5 courses of treatment, which required hospitalization. In addition, the liver metastasis had disappeared. There was no evidence of recurrence after 8 months of chemotherapy. It was suggested that CPT-11+UFT-E combination chemotherapy was effective for advanced colorectal cancer.

Immunohistochemical assessment of localization and frequency of micrometastases in lymph nodes of colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Micrometastases are often found in regional lymph nodes of colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study is to examine the extent and distribution of such lymph nodes. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We immunohistochemically assessed localization and frequency of micrometastases in 878 lymph nodes from 98 patients with CRC. The anatomical position of lymph nodes was defined as level 1 to level 3 according to distance from the main tumor. RESULTS: The frequency of micrometastasis increased through observation of the 4-microm-thick lymph node sections, from one to two to five slices. With five slices, micrometastasis was frequently and extensively present in 49.1, 35.7, and 53.3% patients of histologically node-negative patients, node-positive patients at level 1, and node-positive patients at level 2, respectively. We then assessed the value of the presence of micrometastasis in node-negative patients with regard to prognosis, but no significant impact was obtained. To examine the reproducibility of the results obtained with immunohistochemistry, serial sectioning (four consecutive slices at seven different levels) of lymph nodes was additionally performed in lymph nodes initially diagnosed as micrometastasis positive. Immunohistochemical detection revealed that the sectioning level highly affected the results. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated frequent presence of micrometastasis in lymph nodes of CRC and that micrometastasis in node-negative CRC patients did not help in predicting the outcome, in part because of the limited reproducibility with immunohistochemistry.

Clinical relevance of fusion images using (18)F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography in local recurrence of rectal cancer.

Local recurrence of rectal cancer is a critical issue. Anatomical images, such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are sometimes insufficient for preoperative evaluation. A useful modality for diagnosis of local recurrence of rectal cancer is (18)F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), but it does not give adequate information about anatomy. To utilize the advantages of these techniques, this study was done to validate the accuracy of using fused images and their usefulness in the decision making for surgical intervention of local recurrence of rectal cancer by directly comparing the fused images with resected specimens. PET and CT/MRI were performed for patients suspected of local recurrence of rectal cancer (n=4). PET image data were re-calculated to fit CT/MRI images and manually superimposed on the anatomical images. Fusion images were compared with resected specimens. Radical operation was carried out for three patients. Fusion images provided information on precise tumor location, and extent of tumor invasion as well as the diagnosis of tumor recurrence. All patients underwent curative operation with negative surgical margins, and the information provided by the fusion images was confirmed by comparison with resected specimens. In all cases, preoperative evaluation of tumor recurrence with fusion images provided more useful clinical information for the management of patients than the anatomical images alone. PET images, when combined with MRI or CT, may prove to be a useful adjunct in the management of patients being evaluated for resection of local recurrence of rectal cancer.