Colon and rectal cancer in the elderly. High incidence of asymptomatic disease, less surgical emergencies, and a favorable short-term outcome.

BACKGROUND: This is a retrospective study aimed to report short-term outcome among patients age > or =70 years surgically treated for colorectal cancer. METHODS: All patients with the discharge diagnosis of colon and rectal cancer at St. Louis University Hospital from 1992 to 2002 were reviewed. Patients were assessed as to demographics, presenting symptoms, therapy, surgical morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-one patients age > or =70 years with colorectal cancer were identified. The mean age was 78 years; 107/181 (59%) were females. Rectal bleeding and change in bowel habits were the most common presenting symptoms. Fifty-four out of 181 (30%) were asymptomatic at diagnosis. The diagnosis was made by colonoscopy in 75% of the patients. One hundred forty-three out of 181 (79%) had colon cancer; 38/181 (21%) had rectal cancer. Fourteen out of 181 (8%) did not undergo surgery. Twenty-two out of 181 (12%) were operated on as a surgical emergency. ASA classification was I-II in 52%, III in 34%, and IV-V in 14%. Nineteen out of 38 (50%) with rectal cancer underwent a sphincter-preserving procedure. Overall, there was a 29% major morbidity from surgery. Thirty-day mortality was 11% (21 deaths). Only the development of a postoperative complication predicted mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients tolerate surgery well for colon and rectal cancer in the short-term. Many patients are asymptomatic at diagnosis. Surgical emergencies are few and patients have a favorable stage of disease. This data supports aggressive detection of colorectal cancer in asymptomatic elderly patients who may harbor occult colorectal cancer.

Ischemic colitis: spectrum of disease and outcome.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors, clinical characteristics, and outcome of patients with colon ischemia. METHODS: A 10-year (1992-2002) retrospective study was undertaken. Patients were identified from computerized hospital discharge information. Patient variables were entered into a computerized database and analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-nine patients were identified. The mean age was 66 years (range, 29-98 years); 47% were male. Forty-three patients (33%) had chronic renal failure; 73 patients (57%) were receiving vasoactive drugs, and 72 patients (56%) had atherosclerosis. Fifty-four of 129 patients (42%) had ischemic colitis in-hospital. Fifty-six of 129 patients (43%) had melena; 49 of 56 patients (88%) survived. Forty-three of 129 patients (33%) had an acute abdomen; 22 of 43 patients (51%) died. Seventy of 129 patients (54%) were treated nonoperatively initially; the condition of 17 of 70 patients (24%) required surgery. Of 76 patients who were treated operatively, 31 patients (41%) died. Eleven patients at operation had ischemia without colon infarction or perforation; 5 of these patients (45%) died. The overall mortality rate was 29% (37/129 patients). CONCLUSION: Ischemic colitis is associated with chronic renal failure and atherosclerosis. Patients commonly have an acute abdomen. The absence of colonic infarction does not ensure a favorable outcome. Patients who are felt to be candidates for nonoperative therapy have significant mortality rates. Mortality rates remain high, despite treatment.

Patterns of disease and surgical treatment among United States veterans more than 50 years of age with ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a clinical entity that predominantly affects young adults yet large series of middle age or elderly patients with UC are infrequently reported. The aim of this study is to identify patterns of disease, indications for operation, surgical treatment, and outcome of patients more than 50 years of age who required surgery for UC in Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Medical Centers. METHODS: A population-based study on all patients in 159 hospitals of the DVA from 1997 to 2001 was carried out. Data were compiled from several national computerized VA data sets. Supplementary information including demographic information, discharge summaries, operative reports and pathology reports were obtained from local medical records. Patient variables were entered into a computerized database and analyzed using the Pearson chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. Statistical significance is designated as P < 0.05. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-eight patients were evaluable. The mean age was 59 years (range 51-81); 99% were male. The mean duration of UC was 23 years (range 2 to 50). One hundred of the 158 patients had proctocolitis; 58 had either left-sided colitis or proctosigmoiditis. The mean dose of prednisone prior to surgery was 20 mg; the mean duration of steroid use was 8 years. The indications for elective surgery were intractability (59%), mass or stricture (27%), and dysplasia (14%). Twenty of the 158 patients (12%) were operated on emergently for either toxic colitis, perforation, or hemorrhage. One hundred three of the 158 underwent proctocolectomy and permanent ileostomy, 55 underwent a restorative proctocolectomy, and underwent a segmental colectomy. Twenty of the 158 patients were found to have dysplasia in their colectomy specimens; an additional 10 (7%) were found to have invasive cancer. Surgical morbidity was 22%. Overall mortality was 4% (7 of 158); all but 1 death occurred after emergent surgery. Mean hospitalization was 36 days (range 2 to 297). CONCLUSIONS: Restorative proctocolectomy was performed in 36% of veterans more than 50 years of age requiring surgery for UC. The majority required surgery for intractable symptoms. Dysplasia and invasive cancer was found in 18% of patients. Mortality after surgery for acute surgical emergencies remains high.

Fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis in a patient with spinal cord injury: case report.

BACKGROUND: In certain patients with Clostridium difficile colitis (CDC), a life-threatening systemic toxicity may develop despite appropriate and timely medical therapy. DESIGN: Literature search and case report. FINDINGS: A 39-year-old man with T10 paraplegia presented with a distended, quiet abdomen following recent treatment with antibiotics for pneumonia. Diarrhea was not present. Complete blood counts demonstrated a marked leukocytosis. A CT scan of the abdomen demonstrated a state of diffuse pancolonic inflammation with peritoneal fluid. The patient was taken to the operating room and underwent total abdominal colectomy with oversewing of the rectal stump and end ileostomy for treatment of the fulminant CDC. CONCLUSION: Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) often receive antibiotics for infections of the aerodigestive tree and urinary tract and for problems with skin integrity. A heightened awareness of the development of fulminant CDC remains essential in the care of patients with SCI. Any unexplained abdominal illness after recent antibiotic administration should alert the physician to CDC and its potential as a fulminant, potentially fatal illness.

Outcome after colectomy for Clostridium difficile colitis.

PURPOSE: Clostridium difficile colitis is a relatively common entity, yet large series of patients with fulminant C. difficile colitis are infrequently reported. This study was designed to identify risk factors, clinical characteristics, and outcome of patients who required colectomy for fulminant C. difficile colitis. METHODS: A population-based study on all patients in 159 hospitals of the Department of Veterans Affairs from 1997 to 2001 was performed. Data were compiled from several national computerized Department of Veterans Affairs data sets. Supplementary information including demographic information, discharge summaries, operative reports, and pathology reports were obtained from local medical records. Patient variables were entered into a computerized database and analyzed using the Pearson chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests. Statistical significance was designated as P < 0.05. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients (mean age, 69 (range, 40-86) years; 99 percent males) were identified. All 67 patients had C. difficile verified in the colectomy specimens. Thirty-six of 67 patients (54 percent) developed C. difficile colitis during a hospitalization for an unrelated illness, and 30 of 36 patients (87 percent) after a surgical procedure. Thirty-one of 67 (46 percent) developed C. difficile colitis at home. There was no history of diarrhea in 25 of 67 patients (37 percent). Thirty of 67 patients (45 percent) presented in shock (blood pressure, <90 mmHg). Forty-three of 67 patients (64 percent) presented with an acute surgical abdomen. Mean white blood cell count was 27.2; mean percent bands was 12. Twelve of 67 patients (18 percent) had a negative C difficile colitis stool assay. Abdominal computed tomography correctly diagnosed 45 of 46 patients (98 percent) who were imaged. Twenty-six of 67 patients (39 percent) underwent colonoscopy; all 26 were found to have severe inflammation or pseudomembranes. Fifty-three of 67 patients (80 percent) underwent total colectomy; 14 of 67 underwent segmental colonic resection. Perforation and infarction were found in 59 of 67 patients (58 percent) at surgery. Overall mortality was 48 percent (32/67). Mean hospitalization was 36 (range, 2-297) days. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with fulminant C. difficile colitis often present with an unexplained abdominal illness with a marked leukocytosis that rapidly progresses to shock and peritonitis. Although frequently developed during a hospitalization and often after a surgical procedure, it may develop outside of a hospital setting. Diarrhea may be absent and stool cytology may be negative for C. difficile toxin. Perforation and infarction are frequently found at surgery. In those patients who survive, a prolonged hospitalization is common. Mortality from fulminant C. difficile colitis remains high despite surgical intervention.