Primary colon cancer without gross mucosal tumor: unusual presentation of a common malignancy

Colon cancer typically arises in the colonic lumen, allowing for endoscopic detection of cancerous and premalignant lesions. In the case presented, a 73-year-old man with iron deficiency anemia had two colonoscopies showing only diverticula and internal hemorrhoids. Three years later, when the patient complained of dull, intermittent lower abdominal pain, a third colonoscopy identified diverticula, three adenomatous polyps, and no other abnormality. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen revealed a 5 cm x 6 cm pericolic fluid collection, which was later found to communicate with the sigmoid colon. The surgical specimen from a partial colectomy contained a distal sigmoid perforation with a 2.5 cm moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma in the underlying submucosal tissue. There was no gross intraluminal tumor. Histopathology, including immunohistochemistry, was consistent with colonic adenocarcinoma. Primary colon cancer grossly sparing the mucosa is an unusual presentation for this common malignancy.     

Treatment-related myelodysplastic syndrome following abdominopelvic radiotherapy for endometrial cancer

A patient with grade II endometrial adenocarcinoma underwent TAH/BSO. The tumor penetrated 50% of the myometrium. A lesion from the serosa of the sigmoid colon was removed and contained metastatic adenocarcinoma. Metastatic tumor was also found in the common iliac lymph nodes. Postoperatively the patient was treated with abdominopelvic radiotherapy to 30 Gy. The pelvis was boosted to a dose of 46.2 Gy. The vaginal apex was then treated with three applications of high-dose-rate brachytherapy to a total dose of 12 Gy. The patient was doing well with no evidence of recurrence 52 months following treatment when she was diagnosed with a myelodysplastic syndrome. Cytogenetic analysis revealed aberrations of chromosomes 5 and 7, which is highly suggestive of a treatment-related process. Myelodysplasia induced by radiotherapy alone is an unusual but recognized event.     

Carcinosarcoma of the rectosigmoid colon: report of a case

We report an unusual case of carcinosarcoma of the colon. An 80-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with lower abdominal pain. Computed tomography showed a large pelvic mass, 18cm in maximal diameter, and barium enema and colonoscopy both showed a type-2 tumor in the sigmoid colon. We performed Hartmann's procedure with resection of the ileocolic segment. Immunohistochemical stains of the resected specimen revealed that most of the tumor consisted of spindle cell sarcoma with neural and muscle differentiation, while only the superficial area of an ulcerated lesion contained adenocarcinoma positive for carcinoembryonic antigen. The patient died of a fast-growing recurrent pelvic tumor 6 months postoperatively. Our experience of this case and our review of eight other cases in the English literature indicate that wide resection provides the best chance of cure, but careful postoperative follow-up is essential.     

Antimicrobial treatment of fish tank granuloma

This case is the first reported presentation of obstructive anuria due to extrinsic ureteral compression in a patient with dermatomyositis. Further evaluation revealed disseminated sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma. Conservative treatment of ureteral obstruction by internal double-J stents achieved appropriate palliation.     

De novo tumors in adult patients with hepatic transplant

The incidence of de novo neoplasms was analyzed in 340 patients with liver transplantation who survived more than 2 months post transplantation. Sixteen (4.7%) patients developed a new tumor following transplantation. The most frequent tumor observed was a lymphoma which was detected in four patients (1.2%). In three of the four lymphomas histologic diagnosis of non Hodgkin phenotype B lymphoma was confirmed and in three patients the central nervous system was involved. The remaining tumors consisted of two cases of adenocarcinoma of the colon, papillary carcinoma of the urinary bladder and ductal breast cancer (0.6%) for each of these tumors and one case of cervical cancer, adenocarcinoma of the small intestine, Kaposi sarcoma, laryngeal carcinoma, pharyngeal carcinoma and malignant melanoma (0.3% for each tumor). None of the patients developed more than one tumor. The mean time to the appearance of the tumors was 28 months (range: 3-52 months). These results suggest that de novo neoplasms in patients with liver transplantation are relatively frequent, particularly lymphoma.     

Feasibility of photodynamic therapy using endogenous photosensitization for colon cancer

A novel approach to photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves endogenous photosensitization by the oral administration of delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a naturally occurring substance that is the precursor of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX). A 60-year-old man with adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon received ALA, 60 mg/kg by mouth. Six hours later, when the plasma level of PpIX had peaked, the tumor was exposed locally to red light at 633 nm to activate PpIX. Endoscopy and biopsy findings subsequent to this treatment showed unequivocal visible changes and necrosis. Six months later, the patient again underwent successful treatment without adverse effects. This report suggests a role for PDT using endogenous photosensitization in certain circumstances involving adenocarcinoma of the large intestine.     

Abdominoinguinal incision in adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid or cecum: report of two cases

PURPOSE: This study illustrates a technique allowing resection of a sigmoid adenocarcinoma with lateral fixation and a cecal adenocarcinoma with involvement of the psoas muscle and ureter. METHODS: The abdominoinguinal incision, an incision used in the resection of a sarcoma of the lower abdominal quadrants, was applied in the case of a sigmoid adenocarcinoma with posterolateral fixation and infiltration of the anterior abdominal wall and in a case of a cecal adenocarcinoma involving the right psoas muscle and ureter. RESULTS: In the first case, resection of the tumor mass en bloc with resection of the sigmoid and lower anterior abdominal wall muscles, including the inguinal ligament, was performed. Reconstruction of the muscular fascial defect was done with the rotation of a right rectus abdominis flap. The patient was well 12 months later. In the second case, the cecal carcinoma was resected en bloc with the right psoas and ureter; a right nephrectomy was also performed. This patient was well eight months later. CONCLUSIONS: The abdominoinguinal incision may provide the exposure needed to allow the resection of a sigmoid or a cecal adenocarcinoma with posterolateral fixation, often considered unresectable with conventional abdominal incisions.     

Identification and voluntary reduction of vancomycin use for perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis during coronary artery bypass graft surgery

A 74-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with the chief complaints of pneumaturia, fecaluria and discharge of feces and urine from vagina. Fistulography on the vaginal side showed the presence of contrast medium both in the sigmoid colon and bladder. Colonoscopy revealed multiple diverticulosis of the sigmoid colon. Under diagnosis of colo-vesico-vaginal fistula due to sigmoid colon diverticulitis, a one-stage operation removing sigmoid colon, uterus-vaginal wall and urinary bladder wall including the fistula and careful reconstruction was performed. Postoperatively, urinary leakage from vagina in large amounts continued due to the recurrence of vesico-vaginal fistula. An attempt to use human fibrin glue in the recurrent fistula was successful, and the patient was asymptomatic at 21 months of follow-up. Colovesical fistula has been reported in about 10-20% of patients undergoing surgery for complicated diverticulitis, but a combined fistula is a rare condition. Furthermore, we recommend the use of human fibrin glue for a recurrent fistula.     

Burkitt''s lymphoma: atypical localization

A case of small, borderline malignant biliary mucinous cystic tumor is presented. The patient initially presented to us 18 months earlier to undergo a sigmoid colon resection for sigmoid colon cancer. At that time, a liver cyst measuring 18 x 12 mm was detected. On a follow-up abdominal ultrasonography study for colon cancer, the liver cyst had enlarged to 21 mm in diameter and contained a fluid-fluid level 18 months after surgery. Histological examination of a needle biopsy specimen indicated possible adenocarcinoma. Lateral segmentectomy of the liver was performed. Histopathologically, the tumor was diagnosed as a mucinous cystic tumor, of border line malignancy, which had originated from a bile duct gland. It contained both mucinous and serous components, which were thought to have caused the formation of a fluid-fluid level within the cyst. In this case, the fluid-fluid level demonstrated by ultrasonography was beneficial in the early detection of a cystic tumor of the liver. This case may be the smallest reported cystadenocarcinoma of the liver yet published.     

Primary linitis plastica carcinoma of the colon: a case report

Primary linitis plastica carcinoma of the colon is rare. Most lesions are located on the left side of the colon and these tumors often involve the lymph nodes, peritoneum, and ovaries. We report a case of primary linitis plastica of the sigmoid colon in a 32-year-old Chinese woman who presented with a 7-month history of constipation and associated abdominal pain and tenesmus. Colonoscopy and barium-enema studies showed a stricture at the sigmoid colon. The patient underwent radical surgical resection and received adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy. She died 12 months after the initial diagnosis. The poor prognosis seen with this tumor is due largely to a delay in diagnosis. With increasing familiarity with this tumor, it is hoped that earlier diagnosis and curative surgery will be possible, leading to improvement in survival.     

Intra-arterial liposomal adriamycin for metastatic adenocarcinoma of the liver

A liposome-entrapped liposome form of Adriamycin (Lip-ADM) has been demonstrated to cause less myocardial and gastrointestinal toxicity than free ADM. In the present study, Lip-ADM prepared by the remote loading method was administered to 3 patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the liver via a reservoir with the catheter located in the proper hepatic artery. The primary tumor was gastric cancer in 2 patients and sigmoid colon cancer in 1. Lip-ADM was administered at doses of 10, 20 or 50 mg per time. The total ADM dose was 170, 490, and 760 mg, respectively. No severe adverse effects, such as nausea, vomiting, stomatitis, alopecia or cardiotoxicity, were observed in any of the patients. Although mild leukocytopenia (2,800/microliters) was observed in 1 patient, anemia or thrombocytopenia did not occur. The survival time was respectively 6, 15, and 17 months from the start of Lip-ADM administration. A partial response was obtained in 1 patient and stable disease in 1 patient. Administration of Lip-ADM via a reservoir appears to be a useful treatment for patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the liver, since the low toxicity of this preparation allows an increase of the total dose of ADM.     

Surgical standards in primary colon cancer

The surgical standards in the treatment of primary cancer of the colon include the radical resection of the tumor-bearing colon with truncal ligation of its vessels. Eradication of the tumor with complete dissection of the lymphatic drainage area increases the chance for cure (R0). The lymphatic dissection determines the extent of colonic resection: right hemicolectomy (ileo-transversostomy) with truncal ligation of the iliocolic and right colonic arteries for carcinomas of the cecum and ascending colon; transverse colectomy (ascendo-descendostomy) with ligation of the middle colic artery for carcinomas in the middle of the transverse colon; left hemicolectomy (transverso-rectostomy) with ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery at the aorta for cancer of the descending and sigmoid colon; extended sigmoid resection (descendo-rectostomy) with central lymphadenectomy and ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery distal to the left colic artery for cancer of the distal sigmoid colon. Carcinomas located in between two drainage areas (lateral transverse colon, hepatic or splenic flexure) are treated by extended hemicolectomies or subtotal colectomies with dissection of two lymphatic drainage areas. The monobloc no-touch isolation technique requires the ligation of vessels prior to the mobilisation of the colon. Exceptions from these standard operations (limited resections) are necessary for metastatic disease or in the acute emergency situation of perforation or obstruction. Application of these surgical principles will ensure the best possible treatment results in primary colonic cancer.     

Regeneration of sudomotor and sensory nerve fibres after digital replantation and microneurovascular toe-to-hand transfer

We analyzed the informations concerning the late postoperative evolution for 405 (60%) of 760 patients with colon cancer operated between 1968-1996 in the Surgical Clinic from Tg.-Mure? and we found a global 5-year survival rate of 35.57%. The conclusion after this study was that the most important worsening prognostic factors were the advanced stage evolution of the tumor and the occlusion. The females had a better prognosis than the males. The rural patients had a better prognosis than the urban. In our study the younger age isn't a worsening factor for survival. The patients with a longer history of the symptoms had an unexpected better survival rate than the others. Localization of the tumors at the site of the descending colon and flexures is an important negative prognostic factor. The penetrating feature of the tumor is more important than the lymphatic invasion for prognosis. Subtotal colectomy performed for stenotic tumors of the left colon, even in emergency for occlusions gave us one of the best 5-year survival rate (75%). The histopathologic type of undifferentiated carcinoma and the mucinous adenocarcinoma are associated with the poorest survival rate. The lymphoma has a better survival rate than the carcinoma. The perioperative blood transfusion, even though is associated with a low survival rate it is not an important prognostic factor.     

Genetic screening of hemochromatosis

A 62-year-old woman became progressively ill after aorto-bifemoral graft surgery. A Tc-99m hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO) leukocyte scan was performed because of fever and suspected graft infection. The anterior abdominal and pelvic views demonstrated marked uptake within the sigmoid colon. Follow-up studies, including CT scan and contrast intestinal x-rays, confirmed the presence of an abnormal sigmoid loop. Subsequent surgical resection and pathological examination of the sigmoid colon revealed ischemic changes. To our knowledge, detection of ischemic colitis using Tc-99m HMPAO labeled leukocytes has not been reported. Clinical and routine radiological findings of ischemic colitis are typically nonspecific and may result in delayed diagnosis that can lead to high mortality. Tc-99m HMPAO leukocyte scintigraphy may be helpful in the noninvasive diagnosis of ischemic injury to the colon, especially after aortic graft surgery.     

Urodynamics of the upper urinary tract

A 64 year old woman with a past history of panhysterectomy and oophorectomy for carcinoma of the body of the uterus (1950) and partial colectomy for carcinoma of the colon (1971), presented in 1972 with severe weakness of the proximal girdle muscles and histological evidence of polymyositis. A detailed search disclosed no tumor and she was treated with prednisone. Two years later, investigations for iron deficiency anemia revealed two polyps in the colon. Pathological examination of the resected colon disclosed two separate foci of adenocarcinoma and a number of adenomatous polyps. Three months later, further investigations for melena led to the discovery of a gastric carcinoma. Due to the extent of the tumor, she was subjected to gastrectomy. splenectomy, and excision of the tail of the pancreas, but died of postoperative complications. At autopsy, no residual cancer was detected, but a meningioma was found. The association of polymyositis with malignant tumors has been recognized for a long time, but only two previously reported patients have had more than one cancer. Although a causal relationship is difficult to establish, continued vigilance for neoplasms is advocated during the follow-up period.     

A prospective study of spontaneous abortion: relation to amount and source of drinking water consumed in early pregnancy

Turcot's syndrome (TS) is a rare disorder associated with the development of both brain and colon neoplasms. Because of the very low incidence of the disease, its molecular basis remains unclear. Presented is a TS case of a 30-year-old Japanese male with a histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of both brain tumor (glioblastoma multiforme) and colon tumor (well-differentiated adenocarcinoma). Germline mutations of the p53 gene, somatic mutations of the Ki-ras, p53 and APC genes, and microsatellite instability (MSI) was examined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis, followed by PCR-direct sequencing, and sequencing after subcloning. No germline mutations of the p53 gene were found. Somatic mutations of Ki-ras and APC genes were found in the colon adenocarcinoma but not in the brain tumor. No somatic mutation of the p53 gene was present in either colon or brain tumors. Microsatellite instability of both colon and brain tumors was positive in two of four loci. These results indicate that the colon tumor of the TS patient carries the Ki-ras and APC gene mutations. The finding of MSI in both the brain and the colon tumors may support the hypothesis that alterations of DNA repair genes are involved in the tumor development of the TS patient.     

Primary colorectal lymphoma

OBJECT: To analyze our experience in the treatment of primary colorectal lymphomas. PATIENTS: During the recent period from 1989 to 1995, a total number of 406 cases of malignant neoplasms of large intestine were treated at Department of Surgery, Hospital del S.A.S de Jerez de la Frontera. There were 5 cases of primary colorectal Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, constituting 1.2% of all colorectal malignancies. METHODS: Medical records of all five patients were carefully reviewed. Surgical pathology specimens were retrospectively reexamined to confirm the diagnosis, and immunohistochemistry staining methods were performed. Dawson, Cornes and Morson criteria were used to distinguish primary colonic lymphoma. For tumor staging, a modification of the Ann-Arbor system for gastrointestinal lymphoma proposed by Musshoff and Schmidt-Vollmer was used. RESULTS: All cases were Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. There were no cases of lymphoma of the rectum. There were 2 males and 3 females. Their ages ranged from 12 to 73 years, with an average age of 31 years. The cecum was the site of the lesions in 4 patients and the other was located in the sigmoid colon. Acute abdomen in three cases, undiagnosed abdominal mass in one and intussusception in the other one were the clinical presentation. Inmunohistochemical studies showed B-cell phenotype in 4 and non-B non-T Ki-1-positive phenotype in 1 patient. Chemotherapy was administered following resection in 100% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative diagnosis of lymphoma was not suspected in all cases but the malignancy was always present. The cecum is the commonest site of involvement. Both of our two patients presented with perforated lymphoma were associated with a poor short term prognosis. It is necessary to unify the staging system and the histologic classifications enabling a comparison of several studies.     

Motor responsiveness of proximal and distal human colonic muscle layers to carbachol and neurotensin

A regional heterogeneity of the responsiveness to neurohumoral agents has been demonstrated in proximal and distal colon. The aim of this study was to compare the motor responsiveness of circular and longitudinal muscles from ascending and sigmoid colon to carbachol and neurotensin. Ascending colon circular muscle was more sensitive to carbachol than sigmoid colon circular muscle (P < 0.05). Moreover, the potency for the carbachol-stimulated contraction was greater in ascending colon circular than longitudinal muscle (P < 0.05). The potency for carbachol and neurotensin stimulations was similar in longitudinal and circular muscles of both sections, respectively. However, the ascending colon circular muscle had a greater potency to neurotensin than longitudinal muscle (P < 0.03). Longitudinal muscle was more sensitive to the effects of neurotensin in sigmoid than ascending colon (P < 0.01). On a molar basis, neurotensin was approximately fivefold more potent than carbachol in producing similar contractions. These data suggest that these agents stimulate human colon smooth muscle according to region and type of muscle layer.     

Pseudomyxoma peritonei in association with primary malignant tumor of the ovary and colon

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare entity that is characterised by abundant intraperitoneal mucinous and gelatinous material associated with an intraperitoneal adenocarcinoma. We report the case of a patient who presented with PMP associated with a ruptured well-differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma of the ovary and an infiltrating moderately-differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid. Diagnosis was made by ultrasonography and CT. Due to the presence of 2 mucinous tumors with different histological grade the most likely pathogenesis was that of multifocal metaplasia. The ovarian and colonic mucinous tumors were independent primary neoplasms and PMP probably was the result of rupture of one of these tumors with peritoneal seeding of viable mucus secreting tumor cells. Aggressive surgical debulking in addition to left hemicolectomy and radical hysterectomy were performed.     

Fixed-dose combination therapy: panacea or poison?

A 42-year-old-women with sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma was found to have isolated prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT 102.5 s, normal range 24-36 s) preoperatively. Her medical history included an episode of prolonged postdelivery uterine bleeding 16 years previously. A mixed aPTT test showed immediate correction of the prolonged aPTT, indicating a coagulation factor deficiency in the intrinsic pathway. Factor assays showed factor XI was below 1% of average normal value whereas factor VIII, IX and XII activities were normal. Family screening revealed one sister among the three siblings also had isolated prolonged aPTT. The patient was transfused with four units (5mL/kg) of fresh frozen plasma the day before surgery, then with two units during surgery. The operation was uneventful with no bleeding problems. The patient recovered smoothly and is currently undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. This is the first formal report of a patient with factor XI deficiency undergoing major surgery in Taiwan. Careful monitoring of aPTT, with fresh frozen plasma transfusion, when needed, may safely overcome bleeding problems during surgery.