Tomislav Petrovic

Highly aggressive Buschke-löwenstein tumor of the perineal region with fatal outcome

Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology | September-October 2012 | Vol 78 | Issue 5 648 shows fibroblastic proliferation with variable vascularity and lack of inflammatory infiltrate, as seen in this patient. Whether the proliferation is spontaneous or reactive is not clear. Among the imaging techniques, ultrasonography (USG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are both useful for diagnosis. Delineation of the soft-tissue and local invasion is better seen with MRI than USG, but USG is preferred because of widespread availability and low cost. However, it did not reveal any significant softtissue thickening in this case.

The results of the surgical treatment of rectal cancer

Methods: From 2006 to 2008, we included 100 rectal cancer patients in the study, 46 women and 54 men aged form 29 to 80 years. They were all surgically treated at the Oncology Institute of Vojvodina, Clinic for surgical oncology and their medical reports served as our data source. Results: We found locally advanced carcinoma T3 in 62% of patients and T2 in 24% of patients. Lymph nodes were positive in 74% of patients and distant metastases were found in 16% of diseased. Stage III was the most common (31%). The most frequently performed surgical treatment was low anterior resection of the rectum (52%) and Miles’ operation. Palliative surgery was done in 13% of patients. Survival rate after radical operations was the highest in patients with stage I of the disease (100%) and the lowest in patients with stage IV of the disease (31.25%).

The importance of training and education in performing total mesorectal excision in rectal cancer surgery

Introduction: In the last two decades there has been a significant progress in rectal cancer surgery. Preoperative radiotherapy, the introduction of staplers and largely improved surgical techniques have greatly contributed to better treatment outcomes, primarily by reducing the frequency of early surgical complications and the rate of local recurrence. The aim of this study was to compare operative and postoperative results in the treatment of rectal cancer between the two groups of surgeons - those who are closely engaged in colorectal surgery and those who deal with these issues sporadically. Material and Methods: A retrospective study on 146 patients who underwent rectal cancer surgery at the Institute of Oncology in the period from 01.01.2008. to 31.12.2010. Patients were divided into two groups. The first group (N1 = 101) consisted of patients operated by trained colorectal surgeons, and in the second (N2 = 45) there were patients who were operated on by surgeons without training in TME. Results: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy was received by 49 (33.56%) patients. Statistically significant difference between the two groups was noted in the duration of surgery and the need for blood transfusion during surgery. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 3 patients from N1 and in 10 patients from group N2. Seven patients (4.79%) developed local recurrence after surgical treatment. Significant differences exist in local recurrence rate and anastomotic leakage rate between compared groups. Conclusion: It is necessary to continue education and training in surgery for rectal cancer to master new technologies and surgical techniques and to improve the results of surgical treatment.