Asymptomatic gastric band migration.

Gastric band migration, for which abscess of the subcutaneous port is an alarm signal, can in some cases be asymptomatic. Therapeutic options for withdrawal of the migrated band include colonoscopy (if the band is located at the level of the ileo-caecal valve), laparoscopy and mini-laparotomy.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus-an opportunistic cancer in HIV-positive male homosexuals.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) is a common cancer in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected population, and its incidence continues to increase in male homosexuals. Combined chemoradiation with mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil was poorly tolerated by severely immunocompromised patients in the early 1990s. In the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), however, recent data indicate that: (1) most HIV patients with anal cancer can tolerate standard chemotherapy regimens; and (2) this approach is associated with survival rates similar to those of HIV-negative patients. However, HIV-positive patients with SCCA are much younger, more likely to develop local tumor recurrence, and ultimately die from anal cancer than immune competent patients. Taken together, these findings suggest that anal cancer is an often fatal neoplasia in middle-aged HIV-positive male homosexuals. In this population, SCCA is an opportunistic disease resulting in patients with suboptimal immune function from persistent infection and prolonged exposition to oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Large-scale cancer-prevention strategies (routine anuscopy and anal papanicolaou testing) should be implemented in this population. In addition, definitive eradication of oncogenic HPVs within the anogenital mucosa of high-risk individuals might require a proactive approach with repeated vaccination.

Long-term results of surgical treatment of Vater's ampulla neoplasms.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Vater's ampulla neoplasms account for 30% of resected bilio-pancreatic confluent tumors. Study aim was to review long-term results of surgical treatment for ampullary neoplasms. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective review from 1993 to 2002 identified 55 patients admitted for Vater's ampulla neoplasm in our institution. Follow-up was complete for all cases with a median follow-up of 24 (range 2-180) months. RESULTS: Among the ampullary neoplasms, 10 were adenomas (median age 71) and 45 adenocarcinomas (median age 69). Of the adenomas 60% were treated surgically with excellent long-term results. The resectability rate of ampullary carcinomas was 84%. 34 patients had pancreaticoduodenectomy and 4 ampullectomy. Importantly, the rate of false-negative preoperative biopsies was 45%. Seven patients were treated by stenting or derivation due to poor condition. Actuarial five-year survival rate after pancreatoduodenectomy was 68% (median follow-up 24 months), compared to 0% for other approaches (p < 0.01). After pancreatoduodenectomy, the lymph node status influenced survival, while disease-free survival at 5 years was 85% for NO and 27% for N1 (p < 0.001). Among the pancreatoduodenectomies, 55% consisted of pylorus-preserving procedure which did not influence prognosis compared to absence of pylorus preservation. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatoduodenectomy remains the gold standard for Vater's ampulla neoplasms resection due to the low sensitivity of diagnostic biopsies for carcinoma detection. Vater's ampulla neoplasms resection by pancreatoduodenectomy is associated with good long-term results; however survival after curative resection is influenced by lymph node status.