Preoperative evaluation of colorectal cancer.

Surgery is a primary modality for the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer. Before any surgical therapy, patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer require an evaluation. This preoperative evaluation can be used to assess the patient's risk associated with surgery, plan the surgical resection, and stage the patient's cancer. Staging of the cancer preoperatively is primarily of concern in rectal cancer patients. This article focuses on the elective surgical setting and the recommended preoperative evaluation of patients who have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Screening methods for high-grade dysplasia in patients with anal condyloma.

UNLABELLED: Human papilloma virus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. HPV infection can cause anal condylomas and is a risk factor for dysplasia. High-grade dysplasia may progress to squamous cell carcinoma. Currently, biopsy and histological examination are required to grade dysplasia. The purpose of this study is to determine whether anal cytology, morphological characteristics, and/or the presence of high-risk oncogenic HPV-types are effective noninvasive methods to detect high-risk anal condylomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From November 2003 to June 2004, all patients with anal condyloma were prospectively evaluated for anal cytology, high-risk oncogenic HPV-types, and tissue biopsies. The Bethesda classification system was used to classify cytologic findings and histological examination, which were grouped as high-risk (HRL) and low-risk (LRL) lesions. Histology results served as true disease for all comparisons. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients with anal condyloma were studied; 43 (91.5%) were men, and the mean age was 39 +/- 11 years. Histology showed 19 (40.5%) patients with HRL, and 28 (59.5%) patients with LRL. Cytology correctly identified 8 patients with HRL and 27 patients with LRL (sensitivity 42% and specificity 96%). High-risk oncogenic HPV-types were found in 84.2% of HRL and 39.3% of LRL (P = 0.0029). Combining cytology with oncogenic HPV-testing, the sensitivity of detecting HRL increased to 89%, and specificity decreased to 42%. CONCLUSION: Anal cytology alone is not accurate for detecting HRL in patients with anal condylomas. Combining oncogenic HPV-testing with cytology is more sensitive in detecting HRL in patients with anal condyloma, and therefore, a more effective screening tool.

The current status of the Acticon Neosphincter.

Severe fecal incontinence is a very debilitating condition with a tremendous impact on an individual's life. In the past if a patient was not amenable to a tissue repair or failed a tissue repair, a colostomy was his or her only surgical option. New innovations have emerged giving patients more options to regain continence. The Acticon Neosphincter, which is an artificial bowel sphincter, is one of those newer options. The device is reserved for patients with severe fecal incontinence that is not amenable to lesser forms of therapy. Because it is an artificial device, the risk of infection is of particular concern. With experience, however, the infection rate has declined and the artificial bowel sphincter has become a good option for patients with severe fecal incontinence. The results are quite impressive with a significant number of patients obtaining complete continence.

Outcome of HIV-infected patients with invasive squamous-cell carcinoma of the anal canal in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

PURPOSE: Before the development of highly active antiretroviral therapy for the treatment of HIV infection, HIV patients diagnosed with invasive squamous-cell carcinoma of the anal canal carried a very poor prognosis. This study was designed to determine the outcome in a similar group of patients in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: HIV-positive patients treated for invasive squamous-cell carcinoma of the anal canal at the University of Texas Medical Center affiliated hospitals from 1980 to 2001 were identified from operative data and cancer registries. We reviewed these records and collected data regarding age, CD4 count, highly active antiretroviral therapy, cancer treatment, complications, and survival. The patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of highly active antiretroviral therapy and compared using a Kaplan-Meier approach. RESULTS: Fourteen patients with HIV and invasive squamous-cell carcinoma of the anal canal were identified. Six were in the prehighly active antiretroviral therapy group and eight in the highly active antiretroviral therapy group. All were considered for treatment with chemotherapy and radiation. In the prehighly active antiretroviral therapy group, one patient refused therapy and three were unable to complete the squamous-cell carcinoma therapy as planned because of complications. Four of eight highly active antiretroviral therapy patients were unable to complete the squamous-cell carcinoma therapy as planned. The prehighly active antiretroviral therapy patients had a mean age of 40 years and a mean CD4 count of 190 at the time of diagnosis. The highly active antiretroviral therapy patients had a mean age of 44 years and a mean CD4 count of 255 at the time of diagnosis. The 24-month survival was 17 percent in the prehighly active antiretroviral therapy group and 67 percent in the highly active antiretroviral therapy group (P = 0.0524). All six patients in the prehighly active antiretroviral therapy group died with active squamous-cell carcinoma vs. two in the highly active antiretroviral therapy group. Four of the remaining six patients had no evidence of active squamous-cell carcinoma at the last follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS: A review of patients with HIV and invasive squamous-cell carcinoma of the anal canal suggests a trend toward a higher CD4 count at the time of diagnosis and improved survival in patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy. In this new era, HIV-positive patients should be on highly active antiretroviral therapy. If not, highly active antiretroviral therapy should be initiated, and standard multimodality therapies for invasive squamous-cell carcinoma of the anal canal are recommended.