Sphincter saving and abdomino-perineal resections following neoadjuvant chemoradiation in locally advanced low rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The improvement in surgical techniques alongside neoadjuvant chemoradiation enabled more patients with low rectal cancer to have sphincter preservation. STUDY AIM: To compare the oncologic and functional outcome in patients with locally advanced low rectal cancer treated by neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by sphincter saving resection (SSR) against those who underwent abdomino-perineal resection (APR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 111 patients with low rectal cancer were included in the study. Sixty-one consented patients who prospectively underwent SSR, from Jan 2008 to Jan 2013, and a retrospective group, formed of 50 patients, selected from cases seen at NCI, with comparable demographic, clinical and pathologic criteria, who underwent APR from Jan 2003 to Jan 2008. All lesions were <5 cm from anal verge. All 111 patients received preoperative chemoradiation and total mesorectal excision. RESULTS: All tumors were located at a median of 3.6 cm (range 2.5-4.5 cm) for the SSR group, and 3.5 cm (range 2.5-4.6 cm) for the APR group, from the anal verge. The median follow-up was 34 months (range 1-60 months) for both groups. The difference in disease recurrence and OS between the APR and SSR groups were both statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: In low rectal cancer, the sphincter preservation appears to have nearly the same oncologic outcome compared to APR, this might be attributed to the small sample size and short follow up period. However, patients with sphincter preservation have certainly demonstrated an indisputable better functional outcome, in terms of stoma avoidance and adequate continence.

Outcome of different oncoplastic surgical (OPs) techniques for centrally located breast cancer (CLBC).

BACKGROUND: Oncoplastic breast surgery is a standard treatment of early breast cancer, offering a balance between good cosmetic outcome and limited risk of locoregional recurrence, by enabling proper resection margins. AIM OF STUDY: To present multiple techniques of partial breast reconstruction following the resection of centrally located breast cancer (CLBC) resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2011 to August 2014, 21 patients underwent central quadrantectomy for carcinoma of the central region of the breast. Excisions included the nipple/areola complex, in most of the cases, down to the pectoralis fascia with a wide safety margin, and proper axillary management. Oncoplastic approaches included latissimus dorsi flap, inferior pedicle flap, Melon slice, Grisotti and round block techniques. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 49.5±10.61 years. Tumor size ranged from 1.5 to 4.5 cm. Postoperative pathology revealed a tumor mean safety margin of 2.5±0.83 cm, with positive axillary lymph nodes in 15 (75.0%) patients. Nineteen (95.0%) patients received postoperative breast radiotherapy, while 9/20 (45.0%) and 3/20 (15.0%) received adjuvant chemotherapy or hormonal therapy, respectively, and only 8/20 (40.0%) patients received both therapies. During a median follow-up period of 14.89 months, neither local nor distant metastasis, were detected. The postoperative cosmetic result evaluated by the patients was excellent in 6/20 patients (30.0%), good in 11/20 patients (55.0%), fair in 3/20 (15.0%) with neither poor nor bad results, with an overall mean of 4.0±0.5 equivalent to 80% satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Multiple oncoplastic breast surgery techniques can be used for the resection of CLBC with satisfying cosmetic outcomes.

Evaluation of the frequency and pattern of local recurrence following intersphincteric resection for ultra-low rectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Abdomino-perineal resection has been the standard treatment for rectal tumors located ≤5cm from the anal verge. Recently, intersphincteric resection became a valid option which preserves the bowel continuity with better functional outcome. AIM: Is to evaluate the oncological and functional outcome alongside the associated surgical morbidity in patients with T1-3 rectal cancer, who underwent intersphincteric resection (ISR). PATIENTS & METHODS: Between the years 2006 and 2011, 55 patients with invasive rectal adenocarcinoma, T1-3 lesions, located 2-5cm from the anal verge underwent ISR with total mesorectal excision. When inevitable, complete. ISR was performed, otherwise partial ISR was done. All T3 patients underwent total meso-rectal excision (TME) while some had lateral lymph node dissection (LND) with concomitant pelvic autonomic nerve preservation (PANP). RESULTS: Among the 55 patients, 21 (38.1%) patients were T1-2 and 34 (61.9%) patients were T3. The tumor location range was 0-5cm from the anal verge (median 2.3cm). Partial or complete ISR was done for 35 (63.6%) and 20 (36.4%), respectively. Patients were followed for a median of 1.5 years (range 1-4.6 years). The 3 year local recurrence and distant metastasis free rates were 85.2% and 85.6%, respectively. All the 3 local recurrences occurred in T3 patients group, and had positive circumferential resection margins. Overall 3-year disease-free survival was 82.6%; while the overall 3-year survival was 88.7%. CONCLUSION: Intersphincteric resection with TME does not affect the local recurrence or overall survival rate in early rectal cancer T1-2 & 3, with preservation of bowel continuity and better life quality.

Neobladder long term follow-up.

UNLABELLED: One of the commonest forms of orthotopic bladder substitution for bladder cancer survivors, used in our institute, is the use of ileocecal segment. Sometimes, the need for Indiana pouch heterotropic continent diversion arises. AIM: To compare the long-term effect of orthotopic ileocecal bladder and heterotropic Indiana pouch following radical cystectomy in bladder cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2008 and December 2011, 91 patients underwent radical cystectomy/anterior pelvic exentration and orthotopic ileocecal bladder reconstruction (61 patients) and Indiana pouch (30 patients), when orthotopic diversion could not be technically or oncologically feasible. RESULTS: Convalescence was uneventful in most patients. All minor and major urinary leakage cases, in both diversions groups, where successfully conservatively treated. Only one patient in the ileocecal group with major urinary leak required re-exploration with successful revision of uretro-colonic anastomosis. Only one patient in the Indiana pouch group had accidentally discovered sub-centimetric stone, which was simply expelled. The overall survival proportion of ileocecal group was 100% compared to 80% in the Indiana pouch group (p<0.001). The disease free survival proportion of ileocecal group was 90.8% compared to 80% in the Indiana pouch group (p=0.076). Effective comparative daytime and nighttime urinary continence as well as renal function deterioration were not statistically significant between both reconstruction types. CONCLUSION: Both ileocecal bladder and Indiana pouch are safe procedures in regard to long-term effects over kidney function following radical cystectomy.

Pedicled dermoglandular flap reconstruction following breast conserving surgery.

UNLABELLED: Breast conserving therapy is the gold standard treatment of early breast cancer. However, a balance between good cosmetic outcome and limiting the risk of locoregional recurrence remains the key of success. The aim of this work was to evaluate the outcome of partial breast reconstruction using pedicled dermo-glandular flap from the upper outer quadrant, for central quadrantectomy BCS. PATIENTS & METHODS: Thirty patients underwent wide excision of carcinoma of retroareolar or periareolar regions of the breast, from July 2008 to August 2011. Excisions included the nipple/areola complex down to the pectoralis fascia with a wide safety margin, and complete axillary dissection. Breast reconstruction was done by means of pedicled dermoglandular flap. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 51.86 years (range from 30 to 70 years). Tumor size ranged from 1 to 4.2 cm. Postoperative pathological results came out with 21 (70.0%) patients mean (range) of the tumor safety margin 2.01 (0.5-2.8). Seventeen (56.7%) patients had positive axillary lymph nodes. All patients received postoperative radiation therapy to the breast, while 17/30 (56.67%) and 6/30 (20%) received endocrine therapy or adjuvant chemotherapy, respectively, and only 7/30 (23.34%) patients received both therapies. During a median follow-up period of 24 months, neither local nor distant metastasis, were detected. The postoperative cosmetic result was excellent in 80% patients, good in 13.3% patients, acceptable in 6.7% with no poor result. CONCLUSION: Following central quadrantectomy BCS for small centrally located breast cancer, a pedicled dermoglandular flap from the upper outer quadrant is a good reconstructive option.

Chemical diversity in opisthobranch molluscs from scarcely investigated Indo-Pacific areas.

Opisthobranch molluscs with both a rich variety of secondary metabolites and great biomedical potential represent the most intensively studied group of molluscs in natural product chemistry. We review here the chemical investigations into secondary metabolites of "sea slugs" from less-studied Indian, Chinese and Egyptian coasts, giving an overview of their most relevant biological activities. In addition to the biomedical interest of the metabolites, in which both structures and organisms often lose their own importance, this chapter emphasizes the phyletic and geographic distribution of the compounds in order to provide a further informational base for chemotaxonomical generalizations.

Some toxicological aspects of methamidophos exposure in mice.

Cholinesterase activity in the brain, RBC and plasma of Swiss mice was determined following different routes of administration of methamidophos. Continuous feeding with the insecticide caused a progressive inhibition of both plasma- and erythrocyte enzymes. The effect of methamidophos was more pronounced when applied in diet than when administered dermally or intraperitoneally. Following a single injection (i.p.) of methamidophos, the brain enzyme showed maximum inhibition 24 hr following treatment. At the appearance of tremors, the plasma and RBC-enzymes showed considerable inhibition, the former being more inhibited. The plasma enzyme appears to be the most sensitive enzyme and may be taken as a suitable index for exposure to methamidophos.