General Aspects of Primary Cancer Prevention.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide next to cardiovascular diseases. Despite the advancement in screening, early diagnosis, and development in treatment technology in last several decades, cancer incidence overall, particularly that of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, is far from being controlled, and is expected to increase worldwide. SUMMARY: Although numerous preclinical and population-based clinical studies have already made important progress in restraining the overall cancer incidence and mortality, the full potential of preventive strategy is still far from being realized, and remains at an early stage. There are several major challenges regarding this issue, and one of the crucial challenges is to maintain the balance between risks and benefits. As a result of past investments, primary prevention nowadays include the integration of various activities such as lifestyle changes to reduce risk, screening to detect early lesions, vaccines and preventive therapies aimed to actively interrupt the carcinogenic pathway. Long-term aspirin use seems to have the largest potential effect on the general population on cancer incidence and mortality overall, especially GI cancers. Helicobacter pylori eradication reduces the risk for gastric cancer and is advocated regardless of the symptoms and stage of disease. Metformin and statins are promising in cancer prevention in patients with type 2 diabetes. Vitamin D supplementation is promising in the prevention of colorectal adenoma recurrence. Key Message: However, additional studies are warranted to establish the potential of various agents and to identify more specific and highly targeted new agents for chemoprevention in digestive oncology.

Plasma homocysteine levels in patients with liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Homocysteine (2-amino-4-mercaptobutyric acid) is an amino acid that may be found in small quantities in all cells, and is quantitatively the major methionine metabolite. The most prevalent form is protein-bound homocysteine (about 80%), mostly to albumins. If catabolism of homocysteine is impaired either due to enzyme defect or deficiency of required intracellular cofactors, homocysteine accumulates in cells and reaches the circulation. The aim of our study was to determine homocysteine values and factors affecting homocysteine metabolism in patients with liver cirrhosis. METHODS: The prospective study included 35 patients with liver cirrhosis and 30 age and sex matched healthy controls. All the examinations were based on: medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests including serum homocysteine levels and liver biopsy. The degree of liver failure was assessed according to the Child-Pugh classification. RESULTS: The mean plasma homocysteine levels were much higher in the patients with liver cirrhosis than in the healthy controls (t-test, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the plasma homocysteine concentration and etiology of liver cirrhosis (ANOVA, p > 0.05). Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the homocysteine and creatinine concentrations and between the serum albumin and homocysteine values, (Pearson's correlation, p < 0.01, and p < 0.05 respectively). CONCLUSION: In liver cirrhosis, the genesis of homocysteinemia is multifactorial, influenced significantly by impaired catabolic liver function, renal failure and hypoalbuminemia.

Gastric adenomyoma.

BACKGROUND: Gastric adenomyoma is a rare, hamartomatous tumor localized most frequently in the gastric antrum. Review of the available literature shows only sporadic reports or smaller series. CASE REPORTS: We presented a 72-year-old woman admitted due to epigastric pain with dyspeptic difficulties. Biochemical parameters and tumor markers were within the referential limits. Diagnostic procedures (upper endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasonography and computerized tomography) revealed an intramural tumor prominence with intact mucosa on the posterior wall of gastric antrum, not accessible for biopsy. Surgical treatment was performed with total extirpation of the tumor. Histopathological examination verified adenomyoma with focal low grade epithelial dysplasia. Cytologic immunophenotype was consistent with smooth muscle stromal and epithelial tumor (CK7 and CK20 ++ immunophenotype). Stromal component revealed low proliferative index (Ki-67 protein immunoexpression level 3%), and p53 less than 0.1% in both epithelial and stromal components. Following the operation, the patient remained in good condition. CONCLUSION: Uncertain malignant potential of the gastric adenomyoma in the presented case indicates that timely diagnostics with adequate surgical treatment is crucial for an adequate treatment.

Nutritional status in patients with active inflammatory bowel disease: prevalence of malnutrition and methods for routine nutritional assessment.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Malnutrition is a common feature of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There are numerous methods for the assessment of nutritional status, but the gold standard has not yet been established. The aims of the study were to estimate the prevalence of undernutrition and to evaluate methods for routine nutritional assessment of active IBD patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients with active Crohn disease, 53 patients with active ulcerative colitis and 30 controls were included in the study. The nutritional status was assessed by extensive anthropometric measurements, percentage of weight loss in the past 1-6 months and biochemical markers of nutrition. RESULTS: All investigated nutritional parameters were significantly different in IBD patients compared to control subjects, except MCV, tryglicerides and serum total protein level. Serum albumin level and body mass index (BMI) were the most predictive parameters of malnutrition. According to different assessment methods the prevalence of undernutrition and severe undernutrition in patients with active IBD were 25.0%-69.7% and 1.3%-31.6%, respectively, while in the control subjects no abnormalities have been detected. There was no statistically significant difference of nutritional parameters between UC and CD patients except lower mid-arm muscle circumference in UC group. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition is common in IBD patients. BMI and serum albumin are simple and convenient methods for the assessment of the nutritional status in IBD patients. Further studies with larger group of patients are necessary to elucidate the prevalence of malnutrition and the most accurate assessment methods in IBD patients.

Spleen cystic echinococcosis: clinical manifestations and treatment.

AIM: The aim of our study was to demonstrate clinical manifestations and diagnostic methods of splenic echinococcosis and suggest surgical approach. METHODS: The study involved 20 patients of previously diagnosed spleen echinococcosis. A diagnosis was made for each patient, based on medical history, biochemical and serological tests, physical examination and abdominal ultrasonography. All the patients received a CT scan of the abdomen. These patients had undergone the following surgery procedures: total splenectomy 13 (60%), and spleen-preserving surgery 7 (35%) patients. Histological examination confirmed the spleen echinoccocosis in all the patients. RESULTS: Nonspecific left upper abdominal pain was present in 10 (50%) cases, while 5 (25%) patients presented with the right upper abdominal pain with dyspepsia and five patients (25%) were asymptomatic. Postoperative complications developed in 2/13 (15.4 %) patients who underwent total splenectomy, while there were no complications after spleen-preserving surgery. CONCLUSION: Spleen-preserving surgery should be undertaken if possible in patients with spleen echinococcosis, and total splenectomy is reserved for the patients with large cysts located centrally or near the hilus.

Liver actinomycosis mimicking liver tumour.

BACKGROUND: The liver actinomycosis is a rare disease associated with complex differentiation from the liver metastases or hepatocellular carcinoma. CASE REPORT: A 50-year-old immunocompetent female patient was admitted to the Surgical Department in an exhausted condition, with dyspnea, significant weight loss and intermittent fever in the recent two months. Diagnostic procedures that followed, including abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography led us to the diagnosis of metastatic liver disease of unknown etiology with pleural and pericardial effusion. Intraoperatively, the presence of liver pseudotumor without malignancy in the liver was confirmed. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of liver actinomycosis. Prolonged treatment with high dose penicillin was performed and all signs and symptoms resolved completely without further problems. The control abdominal ultrasond finding was normal. CONCLUSION: Liver actinomycosis has a nonspecific presentation, often mimicking liver tumor. A timely diagnosis as well as a combined surgical and antibiotic therapy is necessary in the treatment of patients with primary disease and prevention of complications.

A study of pulmonary embolism after abdominal surgery in patients undergoing prophylaxis.

AIM: To determine risk factors for pulmonary embolism and estimate effects and benefits of prophylaxis. METHODS: We included 78 patients who died subsequently to a pulmonary embolism after major abdominal surgery from 1985 to 2003. A first, retrospective analysis involved 41 patients who underwent elective surgery between 1985 and 1990 without receiving any prophylaxis. In the prospectively evaluated subgroup, 37 patients undergoing major surgery between 1991 and 2003 were enrolled: all of them had received a prophylaxis consisting in low-molecular weight heparin, given subcutaneously at a dose of 2850 IU AXa/0.3 mL (body weight < 50 kg) or 5700 IU AXa/0.6 mL (body weight > or = 50 kg). RESULTS: A higher incidence of thromboembolism (43.9% and 46.34% in the two groups, respectively) was found in older patients (> 60 years). The incidence of pulmonary embolism after major abdominal surgery in patients who had received the prophylaxis was significantly lower compared to the subjects with the same condition who had not received any prophylaxis (P < 0.001, OR = 2.825; 95% CI, 1.811-4.408). Furthermore, the incidence of pulmonary embolism after colorectal cancer surgery was significantly higher compared to incidence of pulmonary embolism after other abdominal surgical procedures. Finally, the incidence of pulmonary embolism after colorectal cancer surgery among the patients who had received the prophylaxis (11/4316, 0.26%) was significantly lower compared to subjects undergoing a surgical procedure for the same indication but without prophylaxis (10/1562, 0.64%) (P < 0.05, OR = 2.522; 95% CI, 1.069-5.949). CONCLUSION: Prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin is highly recommended during the preoperative period in patients with diagnosis of colorectal cancer due to high risk of pulmonary embolism after elective surgery.