The changing distribution and survival of colorectal carcinoma: an epidemiological study in an area of northern Italy.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyses the inter-relations of anatomical tumour location, gender, age and incidence rates for colorectal cancer from 1978 to 1999 in an area of northern Italy: the Parma district. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Parma Cancer Registry. Age-adjusted incidence rates were analysed by gender, age and colorectal cancer subsites. In addition, 5 year observed survival rates were determined. RESULTS: In the Parma area, the incidence of colorectal cancer is rising. We have observed a true increase in the rate of the age standardized incidence of right colon cancer, linked to an increased incidence of left colon cancer, while the incidence of rectal cancer has remained constant. The frequency of right-sided colon cancer was higher in aged patients, and in women. Age-standardized relative survival of patients after diagnosis of colorectal cancer between 1992 and 1996 was found to be significantly higher than age-standardized relative survival after diagnosis between 1978 and 1982. CONCLUSIONS: In the Parma area there has been an increased incidence of right colon cancer, linked to an increased incidence of left colon cancer, while the incidence of rectal cancer has remained constant. We feel that this shift, whatever the reason for it, has important implications for the choice of screening techniques.

Giant fibroma of the lesser omentum: report of a rare case.

UNLABELLED: We report a case of a 43 years old male that presented to emergency room for epigastric and mesogastric pain associated with a palpable abdominal mass. Explorative laparotomy showed a well capsulated tumour of the lesser omentum, sized 20 x 16 x 10 cm. Histologically the mass was charaterized by thick fibrous capsula, with areas of moderate cellularity alternated to areas of sclerosis, spots of hemorragies and infartual necrosis, spindle-shaped cells within collagen bundles that did not present mitotic activity or atipies and showed a low proliferation index with Ki 67 and histochemical positivity for CD 34 and negativity for C-Kit, anti-smooth cell and S100 antigen. FINAL DIAGNOSIS: solitary fibroma of the lesser omentum. To our knowledge only one case of lesser omentum fibroma has been reported in litterature.

[Diagnostic and therapeutic management of choledocholithiasis associated with gallstone disease: nine years' experience]. / Il percorso diagnostico- terapeutico nella coledocolitiasi associata a calcolosi della colecisti: nove anni di esperienza.

Different approaches are described in the literature for the detection and treatment of common bile duct stones in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (pre-, intra- or postoperative treatment; combined endoscopic and laparoscopic or total laparoscopic management). No particular "gold standard" treatment can be identified, since too many variables and too many techniques need to be compared. Since it is impossible to establish any single protocol, the reviewing of different large experiences is useful to identify the pros and cons of each procedure. We present the evolution of our own experience over the period 1991-2000 in 1741 patients treated by laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallbladder stones. We have chosen to assess and treat patients with symptomatic common bile duct stones preoperatively, whereas in the asymptomatic cases we have adopted a protocol that has been modified over the years, consisting first in routine intravenous cholangiography and then in the use of a scoring system which, with the aid of ultrasound data, has allowed us to assess the risk of choledocholithiasis and to administer selective preoperative treatment for common bile duct stones.

The rationale for cecorectal anastomosis for slow transit constipation.

The most usual reconstruction after subtotal colectomy is ileo-rectal anastomosis, which requires the removal of the caecum. We propose the treatment of chronic slow-transit constipation with subtotal colectomy and antiperistaltic caecoproctostomy. The sparing of the caecum, the ileo-caecal valve and the distal ileal loop, leaving a physiologic reservoir, allowing the presence of colic bacterial flora which metabolizes the undigested starch and produces short chain fatty acids, should guarantee a normal stool consistency, normal absorption of water, sodium and vitamin B12 and the prevention of renal and gallbladder lithiasis. In 1992, we started a study on the outcome of 19 patients who had undergone subtotal colectomy and antiperistaltic caeco-rectal anastomosis for slow-transit constipation. The surgical procedure was carried out without any serious complications and without mortality. The mean clinical follow-up was 64 months (range 5-132). Six months after surgery, 13 patients reported normal bowel movements with solid stool consistency, 5 reported diarrhoea and the need for antidiarrhoeal agents, and one reported constipation easily controlled with laxatives. Fifteen patients considered their quality of life as having improved compared with that before surgery. Selection of patients justify such very satisfying results. It is well known that colic resection is effective only in the case of slow transit constipation, and thus a careful physiologic assessment is needed to rule out other causes of constipation, such as outlet obstruction syndrome.