Laparoscopic-Guided Ropivacaine Trocar-Site Infiltration Can Improve Post-Operative Pain Control after Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus on pain control in patients undergoing laparoscopy; nowadays, conventional therapy may be improved by transversus abdominis plane block. The aim of this evaluation is to investigate the role of laparoscopic-assisted trocar-site ropivacaine infiltration during adrenalectomy in pain control. METHODS: This is a retrospective evaluation of a prospectively maintained database including patients undergoing adrenalectomy. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Group A patients received laparoscopic-assisted trocar-site infiltration of 7.5 mg/mL ropivacaine and Group B patients did not receive any infiltration. All patients received a 24-hour infusion of 20 mg morphine; pain was checked at 6, 24, and 48 hours after surgery by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score. A rescue analgesia by was given if VAS score was > 4 or on patient request. RESULTS: No differences in operative time, complications, and post-operative stay and no complications related to trocar-site infiltration were found. 6-hour and 48-hour VAS scores were not found to be significantly different between groups, even if a slight decrease in VAS score in Group A was reported. Group A showed significant reduction in VAS score at 24 hours (2.44 +/- .41 vs 3.01 +/- .78, P < .005) and in the number of patients requiring further analgesic drugs administration (40.6% vs 57.8%, P < .005). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic-guided trocar-site ropivacaine infiltration can be considered safe and effective in the management of post-operative pain and in the reduction of analgesic need in patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy. The retrospective nature of the study and the lack of a consistent series of patients require further evaluations.

Palliative Surgery or Metallic Stent Positioning for Advanced Gastric Cancer: Differences in QOL.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Twenty percent of the patients affected with stage IV antropyloric stomach cancer are hospitalized with a gastric outlet obstruction syndrome (GOOS) requiring its resolution to improve the quality of life (QoL). We present our preliminary short- and mid-term results regarding the influence of endoscopic placement of self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) or open stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy in QoL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective randomized longitudinal cohort trial, we randomly assigned 27 patients affected with stage IV antropyloric stomach cancer into two groups: Group 1 (13 patients) who underwent SEMS positioning and Group 2 (14 patients) in whom open stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy was performed. The Karnofsky performance scale and QoL assessment using the EQ-5D-5L™ questionnaire was administered before treatment and thereafter at 1, 3, and 6 months. Results: At 1-month, index values showed a statistically significant deterioration of the QoL in patients of Group 2 when compared to those of Group 1 (p = 0.004; CI: 0.04 to 0.21). No differences among the groups were recorded at 3-month; whereas, at 6-month, the index values showed a statistically significant deterioration of the QoL in patients of Group 1 (p = 0.009; CI: -0.25 to -0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Early QoL of patients affected with stage IV antropyloric cancer and symptoms of GOOS is significantly better in patients treated with SEMS positioning but at 6-month the QoL significantly decrease in this group of patients. We explained the reasons of this fluctuation with the higher risk of re-hospital admission in the SEMS group.

Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: Treatment Approach in Elderly Patients.

Independently of age, evidence-based guidelines recommend a multidisciplinary treatment approach in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). But actually, elderly patients are grossly underrepresented in clinical trials, accounting < 10% of enrolled cases. Therefore, LARC management in elderly patients remains a crucial issue in daily practice, especially due to their frailty. Multiple clinical factors, including general health status, cognitive status, co-morbidity, disability, and life expectancy should be considered to understand the complexities of geriatric assessment and then define therapy. We use a patient-centered approach in order to tailor the optimal treatment strategy. We treat fit elderly patients as younger patients, including neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT), surgery, and adjuvant chemotherapy. Whereas, in vulnerable and frail patients, we propose standard CRT (vulnerable patients) or radiotherapy alone (frail patients).

Nicotine increases colon cancer cell migration and invasion through epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT): COX-2 involvement.

Cigarette smoking is a recognized risk factor for colon cancer and nicotine, the principal active component of tobacco, plays a pivotal role in increasing colon cancer cell growth and survival. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of nicotine on cellular Caco-2 and HCT-8 migration and invasion, focusing on epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) induction, and COX-2 pathway involvement. In both these cell lines, treatment with nicotine increased COX-2 expression and the release of its enzymatic product PGE2 . Moreover, nicotine-stimulated cells showed increased migratory and invasive behavior, mesenchymal markers up-regulation and epithelial markers down-regulation, nuclear translocation of the ß-catenin, increase of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity, and enhanced NF-κB expression. Noticeably, all these effects are largely mediated by COX-2 activity, as simultaneous treatment of both cell lines with nicotine and NS-398, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, greatly reduced the number of migrating and invading cells and reverted nicotine-induced EMT. These findings emphasize that nicotine triggers EMT, leading hence to increased migration and invasiveness of colon cancer cells. Thereby, the use of COX-2 inhibitor drugs might likely counteract nicotine-mediated EMT effects on colon cancer development and progression.

Italian Society of Surgery and Association of Stoma Care Nurses Joint Position Statement on Preoperative Stoma Siting.

Drawing on the existing position statements approved by the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Society in collaboration with the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons and the American Urological Association, the Italian Association of Stoma care Nurses and the Italian Society of Surgery jointly developed and approved this document on July 27, 2013. Its purpose was to provide a formal recommendation for preoperative stoma siting and associated counseling for all patients undergoing enterostomy or urostomy surgery, with the goals of preventing complications, enhancing health-related quality of life, improving care, achieving better health outcomes, and reducing health care costs.

Ultrasound-guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Block is Effective as Laparoscopic Trocar site infiltration in Postoperative Pain Management in Patients Undergoing Adrenal Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Pain management in patients undergoing laparoscopy is still a matter of debate as several techniques have been proposed to reduce postoperative analgesic consumption and improve recovery. Among these, transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is considered as safe, effective, and easy to perform under ultrasound guidance; even so, recently laparoscopically guided trocar site anesthetic infiltration has been proposed as a "surgeon-dependent alternative to TAP block." The aim of this evaluation is to compare these analgesic techniques in the setting of laparoscopic adrenalectomy. METHODS: This is a retrospective evaluation of a prospectively maintained database. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A patients received laparoscopic-assisted trocar site infiltration of ropivacaine; Group B patients received bilateral ultrasound-guided TAP block with ropivacaine. All patients received 24 h infusion of 20 mg morphine postoperatively; pain was checked at 6, 24 and 48 h after surgery. A rescue analgesia was given if numerical rating scale (NRS) score was > 4 or on patient request. RESULTS: One hundred and three patients were enrolled in the evaluation (57 in group A and 46 in group B). There were no differences in operative time, complications and postoperative stay, and no complications related to trocar site infiltration. There were no differences in NRS at 6, 24, and 48 hours as well as in patients requiring further analgesic administration. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic-guided trocar site ropivacaine infiltration has similar pain outcomes compared to ultrasound-guided TAP block in the management of postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Since there is no difference among these techniques, the decision can be based on surgeon or anesthesiologist preference.

Adrenocortical carcinoma: effect of hospital volume on patient outcome.

PURPOSE: Optimal management of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) involves a detailed diagnostic workup, radical surgery, and appropriate adjuvant therapy. However, due to the rarity of this disease, adequate expertise is necessary to ensure optimal patient care. We evaluated if the experience of a treating center influences the outcome of ACC. METHODS: Two hundred sixty-three patients who underwent adrenalectomy for ACC were included in a multi-institutional surgical survey and divided into 2 groups: "high-volume center" (HVC) (≥10 adrenalectomies for ACC) and "low-volume center" (LVC) (<10 adrenalectomies for ACC). A comparative analysis was performed. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-two patients underwent adrenalectomy at HVC and 91 at LVC. The two groups were homogeneous for age, sex, clinical presentation, and stage. The mean lesions size of ACC was higher in HVC than in LVC (104.1 ± 54.6 vs 82.8 ± 41.3 mm; P < 0.001). A significantly higher rate of lymph node dissection (P < 0.01) and of multiorgan resection (P < 0.01) was accomplished in HVC. The number of patients who underwent adjuvant therapy was significantly higher in HVC (P < 0.001). Local recurrence rate was lower in patients treated at HVC (6% vs 18.5%; P = NS). Mean time to recurrence was significantly longer in HVC than in LVC (25.2 ± 28.1 vs 10.1 ± 7.5; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The expertise of dedicated centers had a positive impact on the outcome of patients with ACC, resulting in a lower recurrence rate and improved mean time to recurrence. The improved patient outcome could be related not only to the appropriateness of the surgical procedure, but also to a more adequate multidisciplinary approach.

Total thyroidectomy with ultrasonic dissector for cancer: multicentric experience.

BACKGROUND: We conducted an observational multicentric clinical study on a cohort of patients undergoing thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of the use of ultrasonic dissector (UAS) vs. the use of a conventional technique (vessel clamp and tie) in patients undergoing thyroid surgery for cancer. METHODS: From June 2009 to May 2010 we evaluated 321 consecutive patients electively admitted to undergo total thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma. The first 201 patients (89 males, 112 females) presenting to our Department underwent thyroidectomy with the use of UAS while the following 120 patients (54 males, 66 females) underwent thyroidectomy performed with a conventional technique (CT): vessel clamp and tie. RESULTS: The operative time (mean: 75 min in UAS vs. 113 min in CT, range: 54 to 120 min in UAS vs. 68 to 173 min in CT) was much shorter in the group of thyroidectomies performed with UAS. The incidence of transient laryngeal nerve palsy (UAS 3/201 patients (1.49%); CT 1/120 patients (0.83%)) was higher in the group of UAS; the incidence of permanent laryngeal nerve palsy was similar in the two groups (UAS 2/201 patients (0.99%) vs. CT 2/120 patients (1.66%)). The incidence of transient hypocalcaemia (UAS 17/201 patients (8.4%) vs. CT 9/120 patients (7.5%)) was higher in the UAS group; no relevant differences were reported in the incidence of permanent hypocalcaemia in the two groups (UAS 5/201 patients (2.48%) vs. 2/120 patients (1.66%)). Also the average postoperative length of stay was similar in two groups (2 days). CONCLUSION: The only significant advantage proved by this study is represented by the cost-effectiveness (reduction of the usage of operating room) for patients treated with UAS, secondary to the significant reduction of the operative time. The analysis failed to show any advantages in terms of postoperative transient complications in the group of patients treated with ultrasonic dissector: transient laryngeal nerve palsy (1.49% in UAS vs. 0.83% in CT) and transient hypocalcaemia (8.4% in UAS vs. 7.5%in CT). No significant differences in the incidence of permanent laryngeal nerve palsy (0.8% in UAS vs. 1.04% in CT) and permanent hypocalcaemia (2.6% in UAS vs. 2.04% in CT) were demonstrated. The level of surgeons' expertise is a central factor, which can influence the complications rate; the use of UAS can only help surgical action but cannot replace the experience of the operator.

Lumbar hernia: a short historical survey.

Lumbar hernia is a rare form of abdominal hernia, which has been recognized later along the early development of the modern surgery. it has been, on many occasions, the object of heavy debate regarding its anatomical background and as well its etiology. The authors reports the historical aspects of this rare pathology, focusing on the earliest descriptions of hernia arising in lumbar regions, on the first reports of surgical repair, and on the anatomical description of the lumbar weakness areas, that are currently named Petit's triangle and Grynfeltt and Lesshaft's triangle.

Analysis of variables predictive of severity in biliary peritonitis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze clinical and laboratory findings in order to find variables predictive of severity of Biliary Peritonitis (BP). METHODS: Physical findings, course of illness, imaging and laboratory data were evaluated in 22 patients with BP, and statistically analysed to assess their prognostic significance. RESULTS: Serious illness and worse outcome were associated with: age > 60 years (P= 0.034), long time between onset of symptoms and treatment (P= 0.025), fever > 38°C (P= 0.009), WBC count > 17.000 cell/mm3 (P=0.043), diffuse abdominal pain (P= 0.034), and infected bile (P= 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients become severely ill due to supervening infection, while early bile drainage avoids serious complications. In addition, abdominal pain, fever and WBC count are also predictive of severity of BP.

Mapping complications in thyroid surgery: statistical data are useful for medico-legal management of a recurrent safety issue.

Quality of care assessment is a crucial tool for patient safety implementation. Litigation relating to thyroid surgery is one of the most represented sectors also due to the continuous increase in the number of thyroid interventions. Given the incidence of the problem, the present study aims to outline an operational methodology for risk mapping and litigation management in thyroid surgery. The study was conducted through the analysis of data collected at Umberto I General Hospital in Rome from 2007 to 2018. All thyroid surgery claims were included and, subsequently, a descriptive statistical analysis of the categorical variables was performed with the representation of frequencies in absolute terms and as a percentage. The results obtained show that in 94% of cases (44 cases) the reported event consists of incorrect treatment. The most frequent adverse events were identified in unilateral or bilateral recurrent nerve lesions (31; 70%); incomplete removal of the thyroid gland (6; 14%), post-surgical hypoparathyroidism (4; 9%), aesthetic damage secondary to surgical scars (2; 5%), dental avulsion during intubation maneuvers (1; 2%). The experience derived from the risk mapping through management of thyroid claims proved it to be a reactive tool of considerable importance in clinical governance. The promotion of measures aimed at improving the satisfaction of some critical parameters identified in the litigation management activity such as adherence to the indications for surgery, the preoperative diagnostic path, and the adequacy of the surgical report allows to further implement the quality of care in the surgical treatment of thyroid pathology.

Analysis of the miRNA expression from the adipose tissue surrounding the adrenal neoplasia.

Background: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is characterized by several metabolic changes such as insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and adipose tissue (AT) inflammation. Mi(cro)RNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding small RNA molecules known to be critical regulators in several cellular processes associated with AT dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of some miRNAs in visceral and subcutaneous AT in patients undergoing adrenalectomy for aldosterone-secreting adrenal adenoma (APA) compared to the samples of AT obtained in patients undergoing adrenalectomy for non-functioning adrenal mass (NFA). Methods: The quantitative expression of selected miRNA using real-time PCR was analyzed in surrounding adrenal neoplasia, peri-renal, and subcutaneous AT samples of 16 patients with adrenalectomy (11 patients with APA and 5 patients with NFA). Results: Real-time PCR cycles for miRNA-132, miRNA-143, and miRNA-221 in fat surrounding adrenal neoplasia and in peri-adrenal AT were significantly higher in APA than in patients with NFA. Unlike patients with NFA, miRNA-132, miRNA-143, miRNA-221, and miRNA-26b were less expressed in surrounding adrenal neoplasia AT compared to subcutaneous AT in patients with APA. Conclusion: This study, conducted on tissue expression of miRNAs, highlights the possible pathophysiological role of some miRNAs in determining the metabolic alterations in patients with PA.

Intensified Total Neoadjuvant Therapy Versus Intensified Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To compare clinical outcomes following intensified total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) and intensified neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of the 79 patients with LARC admitted to our department, 51 received intensified neoadjuvant CRT (CRT group) and 28 received intensified TNT (TNT group). Intensified TNT was defined as multi-agent chemotherapy, including FOLFOXIRI regimen plus bevacizumab (mutated Ras-BRAF) or panitumumab/cetuximab (wild-type Ras-BRAF) followed by oxaliplatin-5-fluorouracil-based CRT and surgery. Kaplan-Meier and Log rank test were used for survival analysis. Survival rates of the two groups were compared using propensity score matching. RESULTS: Data from 28 TNT patients and 28 CRT patients were analyzed after a 1:1 propensity matching with replacement. Kaplan-Meier curve showed that overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates with TNT were comparable to those with CRT. The 5-year DMFS rates for TNT and CRT were 61.5% versus 63.0% (p=0.82), respectively. In the TNT group, 32.1% patients (n=9) achieved pathological complete response (pCR), whereas 21.4% patients (n=6) achieved pCR with CRT (p=0.37). CONCLUSION: Intensified TNT and CRT resulted in similar survival outcomes, while intensified TNT led to higher pCR, albeit not statistically significant.

Does mediastinal extension of the goiter increase morbidity of total thyroidectomy? A multicenter study of 19,662 patients.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcome in patients with cervical goiters and cervicomediastinal goiters (CMGs) undergoing total thyroidectomy using the cervical or extracervical approach. METHODS: This was a retrospective study conducted at six academic departments of general surgery and one endocrine-surgical unit in Italy. The study population consisted of 19,662 patients undergoing total thyroidectomy between 1999 and 2008, of whom 18,607 had cervical goiter (group A) and 1055 had CMG treated using a cervical approach (group B, n = 986) or manubriotomy (group C, n = 69). The main parameters of interest were symptoms, gender, age, operative time, duration of drain, length of hospital stay, malignancy and outcome. RESULTS: A split-sternal approach was required in 6.5% of cases of CMG. Malignancy was significantly more frequent in group B (22.4%) and group C (36.2%) versus group A (10.4%; both P < .001), and in group C versus group B (P = .009). Overall morbidity was significantly higher in groups B + C (35%), B (34.4%) and C (53.5%) versus group A (23.7%; P < .001). Statistically significant increases for group B + C versus group A were observed for transient hypocalcemia, permanent hypocalcemia, transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsies, permanent RLN palsies, phrenic nerve palsy, seroma/hematoma, and complications classified as other. With the exception of transient bilateral RLN palsy, all of these significant differences between group B + C versus group A were also observed for group B versus group A. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms, malignancy, overall morbidity, hypoparathyroidism, RLN palsy and hematoma are increased in cases of substernal goiter.

Usefulness of harmonic focus during axillary lymph node dissection: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Axillary node dissection (ALND) is affected by various complications, (hematoma, seroma, lymphocele, infections). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Harmonic Focus (HF) in reducing these complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 92 patients requiring ALND, were divided into two group: Group A (HF) (33 women, 14 men), and Group B (control) (28 women, 17 men). RESULTS: Operating time was lower in Group A than in Group B. The amount of drain volume was lower in Group A than in Group B, the drain was removed earlier in Group A than in Group B. Seroma incidence was lower in Group A than in Group B. CONCLUSIONS: The use of HF during ALND is effective in reducing operating time, drain volume and complications.

An unusual case of genital filariasis of the testicular tunics in an Italian patient.

At least 27 million men present with urogenital manifestations of genital filariasis (GF). Although there is a large burden of GF in residents in endemic regions, infection in short-term travellers and in non-endemic areas is rare. We report the case of a 75-year-old Italian man referred to our institution for a testicular discomfort. Clinical examination and ultrasound detected a mass of 40×18 mm in the scrotum without signs of varicocele, hydrocele and testicular or epididymal abnormalities. After ineffective medical treatment, the patient underwent surgical excision. Histology demonstrated filarial granuloma with thick cuticles pathognomonic of an adult worm in the testicular tunics. Surgery has a fundamental role in localized cases of GF to remove nematodes from the fibrotic nodules. The present manuscript describes a singular case of GF observed in Italy in a non-immigrant patient with evidence of remnants of an adult worm in the testicular tunics. SIMILAR CASES PUBLISHED: 11.

Surgical Management of Adrenocortical Carcinoma: Current Highlights.

INTRODUCTION: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare tumor, often discovered at an advanced stage and associated with poor prognosis. Treatment is guided by staging according to the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors (ENSAT) classification. Surgery is the treatment of choice for ACC. The aim of this review is to provide a complete overview on surgical approaches and management of adrenocortical carcinoma. METHODS: This comprehensive review has been carried out according to the PRISMA statement. The literature sources were the databases PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library. The search thread was: ((surgery) OR (adrenalectomy)) AND (adrenocortical carcinoma). RESULTS: Among all studies identified, 17 were selected for the review. All of them were retrospective. A total of 2498 patients were included in the studies, of whom 734 were treated by mini-invasive approaches and 1764 patients were treated by open surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery is the treatment of choice for ACC. Open adrenalectomy (OA) is defined as the gold standard. In recent years laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) has gained more popularity. No significant differences were reported for overall recurrence rate, time to recurrence, and cancer-specific mortality between LA and OA, in particular for Stage I-II. Robotic adrenalectomy (RA) has several advantages compared to LA, but there is still a lack of specific documentation on RA use in ACC.

Surgical treatment and management of syndromic paraganglioma. The experience of a referral center.

BACKGROUND: Paragangliomas (PGL) are neuroendocrine tumors arising from neural crest-derived chromaffin cells in the parasympathetic ganglia or in sympathetic ganglia located in the adrenal glands (Pheochromocytoma, PHEO), or extra-adrenal location and around 30-40% of PGL can be hereditary (MEN2, Von Hippel Lindau syndrome, von Reklingausen syndrome and Pheochromocytoma-Paraganglioma syndrome). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluate 127 patients with PHEO/PGL treated at our Institution from 1992 to 2018 and report our experience, focusing on different surgical treatment based on hereditary syndrome. Genetic analysis was performed in patients with features suspected for hereditary syndrome to search genetic mutations of RET, VHL, SDHD and SDHB. RESULTS: Hereditary syndrome was diagnosed in 30 patients (7 patients affected by MEN2A, 6 VHL, 9 NF1, 2 PGL- 1, and 6 PGL-4). 17 patients with monolateral PHEO underwent adrenalectomy (laparoscopic approach since 1998); 8 patients with bilateral adrenal lesions underwent bilateral adrenalectomy with cortical-sparing approach of almost one gland. CONCLUSIONS: Syndromic PGLs are rare conditions; surgery is the treatment of choice. Adrenal PGL requires laparoscopic adrenalectomy with transperitoneal lateral approach as gold standard. For genetic syndrome such as MEN2 and VHL, laparoscopic cortical sparing adrenalectomy of at least one gland should be considered. KEY WORDS: Adrenalectomy, Endocrine Surgery, Hereditary Syndromes, Paraganglioma, Pheochromocytoma.

Colon or Rectal Stent Positioning for Advanced Cancer Influences Quality of Life: A Critical Point of View.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Endoluminal self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) may overcome the risk of mortality and morbidity of acute intestinal obstruction because of stage IV colon (CC) or rectal (RC) cancer. We evaluated the QoL in these groups of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-eight patients were enrolled in a prospective longitudinal cohort single-center trial to undergo SEMS positioning. Twenty-five patients had a CC and 23 RC. Karnofsky performance scale, Visual Analogue Scale and the EQ-5D- 5L™ questionnaire were administered before treatment and at 1, 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: Harmonized to the Italian population, the index values showed a statistically significant deterioration of the QoL in patients with RC when compared to those with CC at 1-, 3- and 6-months (1 month: p=0.001; 3- month: p=0.001; 6-month: p=0.045). Similarly, Visual Analogue Scale showed variations at 1- (p=0.008), 3- (p=0.001) and 6-months (p=0.020). Rectal stent deployment was the only independent predictor for a worse QoL in all domains (p<0.017; OR=0.196; 95%CI=0.51-0.749). CONCLUSION: Patients affected with stage IV CC had a better QoL after SEMS placement when compared to those affected with RC. The persistency of the primary tumor at the rectal level, even if irradiated, might negatively affect QoL.

Role of growth factors on human parathyroid adenoma cell proliferation.

INTRODUCTION: Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is caused by a single monoclonal adenoma in more than 80% of patients. Biomolecular mechanisms causing pHPT are still not completely known, even if a great amount of studies have been developed recently, mainly regarding angiogenesis and growth factors. Among the latter, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) and their effects have been extensively evaluated in different kinds of endocrine disease. METHODS: Parathyroid cell cultures were prepared from six human adenomatous parathyroid glands that were surgically removed. After 7 days of culture, the cells were refed with DMEM supplemented with 2% FCS alone (control group), or containing hrTGFbeta1, or hrIGF-I, or hrbFGF, or hrVEGF. Then, after 48-hour incubation, cell count was performed by a particle count and size analyzer, and prevalence of cell cycle was analyzed by using a flow cytometer. RESULTS: Cell count (x10000) in the control group was 3.73 +/- 0.32. Low-dose TGF-beta1 stimulation resulted in 5.25 +/- 0.38 cells, and high-dose TGF-beta1 stimulation resulted in 2.35 +/- 0.37 cells. IGF-1 stimulation resulted in 5.4 +/- 0.65 cells, bFGF stimulation in 5.68 +/- 0.86 cells, and VEGF stimulation resulted in 6.03 +/- 1.03 cells. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the control group compared with the growth factor-stimulated groups. Cytometry showed different results in the percentage of cells in S-phase, in particular 22.65 +/- 4.98% of IGF-1-stimulated cells were found in S-phase compared with 7.55 +/- 3.2% of control group cells (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Growth factors seem to play an important role in parathyroid adenoma cell proliferation; IGF-1, bFGF, VEGF, and low-dose TGF-beta1 promote cell proliferation, whereas high-dose TGF-beta1 inhibits these phenomena.