Perioperative blood transfusion and recurrence and death after resection for cancer of the colon and rectum.

Several reports have claimed that perioperative blood transfusion promotes recurrence and death after cancer surgery. We studied the effect of transfusion in 315 patients who had radical resection for carcinoma of the colon and rectum. The disease recurred in 113 (42%) of 268 transfused patients, versus in 15 (32%) in 47 non-transfused patients (P = 0.2). Of the transfused patients 102 (38%) died of colon cancer, versus 13 patients (28%) in the non-transfused group (P = 0.2). The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 0.59 in the transfused patients and 0.72 in the non-transfused group (P = 0.10). When differences in confounding background variables were accounted for by Cox multiple regression analysis, the significance of transfusion was even less. The study does not support the hypothesis that perioperative blood transfusion promotes recurrence after operation for colorectal cancer.

[A prospective evaluation of transvaginal ultrasonic scanning in the initial assessment of suspected pelvic masses]. / Prospektiv evaluering af transvaginal ultralydskanning ved den initiale vurdering af mistaenkt gynaekologisk udfyldning.

Eighty-six patients with suspected pelvic masses were evaluated with transvaginal sonography in connection with pelvic examination. The scans were performed by gynecologists with a limited experience in sonography. Sixty-nine cases could be verified by operation, laparoscopy, autopsy or by clinical follow-up. The predictive value of positive and negative findings were 97.6 and 87.5%, respectively. In 73% of the positive cases, a correct pathoanatomical diagnosis was made. The procedure was readily accepted by the patients. It is concluded that transvaginal sonography may easily be introduced in a gynecological department as a rapid and accurate aid in the evaluation of patients with suspected pelvic masses.

[Can chlorophyll reduce fecal odor in colostomy patients?]. / Nedsaetter klorofyl kolostomiopererede patienters lugtgener?

The effect of 75 mg chlorophyll tablets thrice daily was studied in 28 colostomy patients. The investigation was carried out as a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study. The effect of chlorophyll did not differ from that of a placebo in the patients' subjective assessment of the unpleasant odour.