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Aggressive fibromatosis, also known as desmoid tumor (DT), is a locally aggressive myofibroblastic neoplasm originating from deep soft tissues, characterized by an infiltrative growth pattern with a tendency for local recurrence. DTs account for 0.03% of all neoplasms, and cases associated with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) account for 5–15% of DTs.
The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of DTs in patients operated on for FAP, describe the epidemiological profile, and evaluate the risk factors for tumor development, treatments performed, associated complications, and follow-up.
This retrospective study assessed the medical records of patients with FAP who underwent surgery between 1990 and 2021 and developed DTs during follow-up.
In the study period, 147 patients with FAP were operated on; of these, 97 underwent total proctocolectomy with ileal-pouch anal anastomosis, 33 underwent total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (IRA), 14 underwent total proctocolectomy with terminal ileostomy, and three underwent total colectomy with partial proctectomy and low IRA using an ileal-pouch. A total of 26 patients (17.7%) developed DT; most were female (61.5%), were White (73.1%), and had a family history (84.6%). The most frequent complications were intestinal and ureteral obstructions. Long-term follow-up showed that six patients were free of disease, 14 were stable and undergoing drug therapy, four died due to complications of the disease, and two were lost to follow-up.
The prevalence of DT tumor was relatively high and more commonly observed in patients with a family history of the tumor. The disease presented high rates of morbidity and mortality.
Artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted colonoscopy has emerged as a tool to enhance adenoma detection rates (ADRs) and improve lesion characterization. However, its performance in real-world settings, especially in developing countries, remains uncertain.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of AI on ADRs and its concordance with histopathological diagnosis.
A matched case–control study was conducted at a colorectal cancer (CRC) referral center, including 146 patients aged 45–75 years who underwent colonoscopy for CRC screening or surveillance. Patients were allocated into two groups: AI-assisted colonoscopy (n=74) and high-definition conventional colonoscopy (n=72). The primary outcome was ADR, and the secondary outcome was the agreement between AI-based lesion characterization and histopathology. Statistical analysis was performed with a significance level of p<0.05.
ADR was higher in the AI group (60%) than in the control group (50%), but this difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). AI-assisted lesion characterization showed substantial agreement with histopathology (kappa=0.692). No significant difference was found in withdrawal time (29 min vs. 27 min; p>0.05), indicating that AI did not delay the procedure
Although AI did not significantly increase ADR compared to conventional colonoscopy, it demonstrated strong histopathological concordance, supporting its reliability in lesion characterization. AI may reduce interobserver variability and optimize real-time decision-making, reinforcing its clinical utility in CRC screening.
Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas is an uncommon pancreatic tumor, which is more frequent in young adult women. Familial adenomatous polyposis is a genetic condition associated with colorectal cancer that also increases the risk of developing other tumors as well.
The aim of this study was to discuss the association of familial adenomatous polyposis with solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas, which is very rare.
We report two cases of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis who developed solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas of the pancreas and were submitted to laparoscopic pancreatic resections with splenic preservation (one male and one female).
ß-catenin and Wnt signaling pathways have been found to play an important role in the tumorigenesis of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas, and their constitutive activation due to adenomatous polyposis coli gene inactivation in familial adenomatous polyposis may explain the relationship between familial adenomatous polyposis and solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas.
Colonic resection must be prioritized, and a minimally invasive approach is preferred to minimize the risk of developing desmoid tumor. Pancreatic resection usually does not require extensive lymphadenectomy for solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas, and splenic preservation is feasible.
There are lesions that are still being missed in colonoscopy. Many of those could be superficially elevated serrated lesions or depressed ones.
The aim of this study was to compare the histopathological characteristics of these lesions and their risks for submucosal carcinoma.
This is a retrospective, cross-sectional, and observational study comparing 217 superficially elevated serrated lesions larger than 5 mm resected by colonoscopies (G1) with 558 depressed lesions (G2).
In G1, 217 lesions were found in 12,653 (1.7%) colonoscopies; in G2, 558 lesions were found in 36,174 (1.5%) colonoscopies. In G1, 63.4% were women and in G2, there was no gender predominance. The average size of G1 was 16.2 mm and G2 was 9.2 mm (p<0.001). G1 predominated on the proximal colon and G2 on the distal and rectum (p<0.001). In G1, there were 214 (98.6%) low-grade intramucosal neoplasia and 3 (1.4%) high-grade intramucosal neoplasia. Excluding 126 hyperplastic polyps and considering 91 sessile serrated adenomas in G1, we observed 88 (96.7%) low-grade intramucosal neoplasia and 3 (3.3%) high-grade intramucosal neoplasia; in G2, we observed 417 (74.7%) low-grade intramucosal neoplasia, 113 (20.3%) high-grade intramucosal neoplasia, and 28 (5.0%) submucosal adenocarcinomas (p<0.001).
Depressed lesions significantly had more high-grade intramucosal neoplasia and more invasive carcinomas in the submucosal layer than superficially elevated serrated lesions and more than superficially elevated sessile serrated adenomas.
Deaths related to colorectal cancer are generally associated with its metastases that affect the liver (50%) through the hematogenous route. Approximately 20-25% of these patients already have synchronous metastases in the liver at the time of primary tumor diagnosis. In others, liver metastases will occur during the course of the disease and are called metachronous. Metachronous metastases are believed to have a better prognosis; however, 20-25% of metastatic cases can be resected during the course of the disease. There is a lack of consensus on the diagnostic time interval for metastases to be considered metachronous in the consulted literature. Surgical treatment of metastases and lymph nodes is indicated, and extrahepatic neoplastic disease must be carefully evaluated. Liver transplantation can benefit the patient, should be evaluated, and is indicated in some special situations.
Microscopic analysis of tumor budding (TB) may be an essential predictive tool for regional lymph node metastases in colorectal cancer, especially among patients in intermediate stages, who exhibit considerable prognostic variability.
The aim of this study was to assess the predictive power of BT regarding the presence of lymph node metastases and its association with other characteristics related to colorectal carcinoma progression.
This is a cross-sectional, retrospective study with a quantitative approach, focusing on the review of medical records and histopathological reports of patients who underwent oncologic surgery for colorectal cancer.
A total of 153 patient records were examined, with a predominance of the 61-70 age group and a male majority (50.98%). Adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified was the most common histological type (60.78%), with the majority exhibiting moderate differentiation (87.58%). From the total sample, 97 cases (63.39%) exhibited TB, with 51.55% classified as a high budding score. Invasion of adipose tissue/subserosa was the most prevalent, occurring in 46.41% of cases. Regional lymph node metastases and angiolymphatic invasion were observed in 66 and 101 patients, respectively. Cross-tabulation analysis showed a statistically significant association between TB and lymph node metastasis (p<0.05).
The relationship between TB and lymph node metastasis highlights the significance of this histological factor in the risk stratification and prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer, complementing TNM staging. Therefore, the assessment of tumor budding is crucial in histopathological reports, potentially influencing additional therapeutic decisions.
The carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer is well understood. Adenomas are the precursor lesions in about 70% of cases, highlighting the importance of screening programs.
The aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of colonoscopy examinations performed in a private tertiary service by calculating the polyp detection rate (PDR) and adenoma detection rate (ADR) and comparing these rates with literature data.
This retrospective observational study evaluated colonoscopies performed at Hospital Centro Médico de Campinas between 2018 and 2020. It assessed the indications and complications of colonoscopy, sex, age group, bowel preparation, cecal intubation rate, ADR, PDR, and advanced adenoma detection rate (AADR).
During the period, 3,686 colonoscopies were performed, and 3,076 were included in the analysis. The mean patient age was 57.2 years, and most patients were female (53.5%). Complications occurred in 39 colonoscopies (1.3%), with bleeding in six cases and perforation in one case. Tubular adenoma was the most prevalent histological subtype found in 20% of tests and in 62.7% of those with positive findings. The PDR was 23% and significantly increased with advancing age (p<0.01). The ADR was 20% and also significantly increased with age (p<0.001). This rate was higher in men (27%). The AADR was 4%.
Colonoscopy is an effective polyp detection method, and the PDR was higher in men and significantly increased with age. The ADR and AADR were comparable to the literature data.
Complete removal of metastatic disease and maintenance of an adequate liver remnant remains the only treatment option with curative intent concerning colorectal liver metastases. Surgery impacts on the long-term prognosis and complications adversely affect oncological results. The actual morbidity involving this scenario is debatable and estimated to be ranging from 15% to 50%. Postoperative complications eventually lead to an increase in both mortality rates and tumor recurrence. Biliary fistula and liver failure are the leading complications following liver resection to metastatic colorectal cancer. Prophylactic drainage does not prevent fistulas or hemorrhage. Drainage along with endoscopic intervention and/or surgery may be necessary for grade B and C fistulas. Liver failure is a potentially lethal complication with few therapeutic options. Patient selection and preoperative care are crucial for its prevention.
In patients with synchronic liver colorectal metastasis, resection of the primary tumor and liver metastases is the only potentially curative strategy. In such cases, there is no consensus on whether resection of the primary tumor and metastases should be performed simultaneously or whether a staged approach should be performed (resection of the primary tumor and after, hepatectomy, or hepatectomy first). Patients with no bowel occlusion and with extensive liver disease are advised neoadjuvant oncological therapy. Similarly, various strategies such as portal vein embolization, liver deprivation, two-staged hepatectomy, and associating liver partition and portal vein ligation are available for patients who do not have a sufficient future liver remnant (generally 30-40% of the total). Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach is required for the treatment of these patients.
The relationship between thrombosis and cancer is based on evidence that cancer promotes prothrombotic changes in the host hemostatic system. The activation of blood coagulation is closely linked to tumor growth and dissemination.
To evaluate whether quantifications of plasma circulation tumor deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and thrombin-antithrombin complex could act as predictors for thrombotic events and death in patients with gastric or colorectal adenocarcinomas, while also evaluating the Karnofsky Performance Status.
Eighty-two patients were included in the study and divided into three groups: controls (n=20), gastric adenocarcinomas (n=21), and colorectal adenocarcinomas (n=41). In order to calculate the Karnofsky index, information was collected to measure the patient’s ability to perform common daily tasks. The following serum measurements were conducted: complete blood count, platelet count, extracellular deoxyribonucleic acid, and thrombin-antithrombin complex.
Ten patients (16%) experienced thrombosis during treatment. Patients with thrombin-antithrombin complex levels greater than 0.53 had a five-times higher risk of thrombosis. Lower Karnofsky Performance Status was also a risk factor for the event in this population. Neither thrombin-antithrombin complex nor plasma circulation tumor DNA were predictors of death after multivariate adjustment. Thus, Karnofsky index signaled a better overall survival prognosis for colorectal and gastric adenocarcinoma patients.
Thrombin-antithrombin complex acts as a marker for thrombosis in patients with colorectal and gastric adenocarcinomas. We recommend prophylactic anticoagulation when the Karnofsky value is low and/or the thrombin-antithrombin complex concentration is greater than 0.53 ng/ml.
Desenvolvido por Surya MKT