[Diseases associated with bloodstream infections caused by the new species included in the old Streptococcus bovis group]

OBJECTIVE

We sought to identify possible diseases associated with bloodstream infections caused by new species of S. bovis group isolated in blood cultures and by studying patient records

METHODS

Forty-four consecutive blood culture isolates initially designated S. bovis were further characterised using phenotypic methods Patient records were examined.

RESULTS

We identified 15 Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus, 24 Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus, and 5 Streptococcus infantarius isolates in 44 BSI episodes.

CONCLUSIONS

The association between S. bovis bacteraemia and endocarditis and/or colon carcinoma is highly dependent on the causative species. Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus is a surrogate for endocarditis and/or bowel disease, whereas Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus is a surrogate for hepato-biliary disease.

Is metabolic syndrome a risk factor for colorectal adenoma?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Epidemiologic studies provide evidence for a link between obesity or diabetes and the risk for colorectal cancer. However, there is a lack of information about the relationship between metabolic syndrome and colorectal adenoma. Therefore, we investigated whether metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for colorectal adenoma.

METHODS

We did a study for consecutive subjects who underwent colonoscopy as a screening exam at the Center for Health Promotion, Samsung Medical Center, from March 2004 to December 2005. According to the modified ATP III criteria, metabolic syndrome was diagnosed. We classified a total of 2,531 subjects into the adenoma group (n = 731) and the control group (n = 1,800), including normal colonoscopic finding, nonpolyp benign lesions, or histologically confirmed hyperplastic polyp.

RESULTS

The prevalence for metabolic syndrome was 17% in the adenoma group and 11% in the control group. On the multiple logistic regression analyses, metabolic syndrome was found to be associated with an increased risk of colorectal adenoma (odds ratio, 1.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-1.93). Also, waist circumference among the individual components of metabolic syndrome was an independent risk factor for colorectal adenoma. An increased risk for metabolic syndrome was more evident for proximal than distal colon, for multiple (>/=3), and for advanced adenoma in the adenoma group.

CONCLUSION

Metabolic syndrome was associated with colorectal adenoma. Abdominal obesity of the individual components of metabolic syndrome was an important risk factor for colorectal adenoma.

Incidence of advanced adenomas at surveillance colonoscopy in patients with a personal history of colon adenomas: a meta-analysis and systematic review

BACKGROUND

Current guidelines stratify patients with a personal history of adenomas as low risk (ie, 1-2 small [<10 mm] adenomas at index colonoscopy) or high risk (> or =3 small adenomas or advanced adenoma at index colonoscopy) for recurrent advanced adenomas. Guidelines recommend longer intervals between surveillance colonoscopies for low-risk patients, but physicians frequently perform surveillance colonoscopy at shorter intervals for these patients.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to perform a meta-analysis about the incidence of advanced adenomas at 3-year surveillance colonoscopy among high- and low-risk patients.

METHODS

Computer searches of MEDLINE, PREMEDLINE, and EMBASE were performed to identify appropriate studies. Study selection criteria were (1) study design--prospective or registry-based study, (2) study population--patients with a personal history of adenomas, and (3) intervention--completion of surveillance colonoscopy at an interval of > or =2 years. Data were extracted on (1) incidence of advanced adenomas at surveillance colonoscopy, (2) interval between colonoscopies, and (3) risk factors associated with recurrent adenomas. After the validity of study design was assessed and independent, duplicate data extraction was performed from selected trials, summary relative risks (RR) for the incidence of advanced adenomas at 3-year colonoscopy were calculated.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies met study selection criteria, but only 5 studies stratified surveillance colonoscopy results according to findings at the index colonoscopy. Patients with > or =3 adenomas at index colonoscopy were more likely to have recurrent advanced adenomas than were patients with 1 to 2 adenomas: RR 2.52, 95% CI 1.07-5.97. Patients with adenomas with high-grade dysplasia at index colonoscopy were also at increased risk for recurrent advanced adenomas: RR 1.84, 95% CI 1.06-3.19. In the individual studies, increasing size of adenomas and increasing number of adenomas at index colonoscopy were the most commonly reported risk factors associated with recurrent advanced adenomas. No studies stratified surveillance colonoscopy results according to the definitions of low risk and high risk used in current guidelines.

CONCLUSION

Few published studies stratify the incidence of advanced adenomas at surveillance colonoscopy according to index colonoscopy findings. In the future, large prospective studies or studies using pooled data from existing randomized controlled trial databases or polyp registries should be used to better define which patients are at low risk for advanced adenoma recurrence.

[Results of coloscopy screening in 2005--an Internet-based documentation]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

In October 2002 screening coloscopy was introduced into the National Cancer Prevention Programme in Germany. The results of an online registry are presented here.

METHODS

Data from consecutive screening colonoscopies in the practices of the 280 participating gastroenterologists, performed in asymptomatic subjects, were collected in an online registry. Number and histology of colorectal polyps and carcinomas, complication rates of colonoscopy and polypectomy were registered. Advanced adenoma was defined as an adenoma >10 mm in diameter, with villous or tubulovillous histology, or presence of high-grade dysplasia.

RESULTS

A total of 109989 colonoscopies (43% in males) were evaluated from October 2003 to July 2005. Tubular and villous adenomas were found in 16.2% and 3.8%, respectively, whereas invasive cancers were diagnosed in 0.7%. Advanced adenomas amounted to 6.1%.The majority of carcinomas were detected in early stages (UICC stages I and II in 48 and 22 %, respectively). -In most of the polyps immediate polypectomy was carried out. The complication rate was low and no deaths were observed: cardiopulmonary complications occurred in 0.10% of the colonoscopies, bleeding in 0.79% of polypectomies most of which were managed endoscopically (surgery in 0.04% of polypectomies). Perforation occurred in 0.02% of the colonoscopies and 0.10% of polypectomies.

CONCLUSIONS

Neoplasias of the colon were detected in about 20% of persons who had taken part in a colonoscopy screening programme: most of the lesions were immediately removed by polypectomy. The high rate of early stages of colorectal cancers detected by screening colonoscopy is an indirect indicator of mortality reduction. In Germany screening colonoscopy has a low risk.

Simultaneous Laparoscopic Treatment for Diseases of the Gallbladder, Stomach, and Colon

We describe a successful simultaneous laparoscopic treatment of a gallstone and gastric and colonic neoplasms. The patient was a 72-year-old man with epigastric discomfort. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a gallstone 2 cm in diameter. Gastroscopy revealed a 3-cm protruding submucosal tumor in the gastric fundus and colonoscopy revealed a 2-cm sessile lesion in the sigmoid colon. He underwent simultaneous laparoscopic treatment of the 3 organs because of the high risk of perforation or bleeding after gastric or colonic resection. This required the use of 5 ports, and a 3.5-cm incision was made in the left lower quadrant to access the 3 organs. The laparoscopic procedures consisted of cholecystectomy, partial stapled resection of the gastric fundus, and partial resection of the sigmoid colon. The histopathologic diagnoses were chronic cholecystitis, leiomyoma of the stomach, and tubulovillous adenoma with severe dysplasia of the colon. The operation took 183 minutes and blood loss was minimal. The patient started oral intake from the second postoperative day and was discharged uneventfully. He had from no postoperative complications or abdominal symptoms during a 15-month follow-up period. To our knowledge, this is a first successful clinical report of simultaneous laparoscopic treatment of 3 organ disorders.

Villous adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum: a clinicopathologic study of 36 cases

Some colorectal adenocarcinomas show villous architecture with morphologic similarities to tubulovillous or villous adenomas. We reviewed 420 consecutive colorectal adenocarcinoma resection specimens and found that 95 tumors (23%) showed areas of villous architecture. Thirty-six tumors (8.6%) in 35 patients showed more than 50% villous architecture and were designated villous adenocarcinomas. Only 42% of the villous adenocarcinomas showed severe atypia and only 44% of the available pre-resection biopsies of these tumors were diagnosed as adenocarcinoma. Epithelial islands in desmoplastic stroma (EIDS) may be helpful in the diagnosis of these tumors. EIDS were found in 97% of the resection specimens for villous adenocarcinomas and none of 62 resection specimens for tubulovillous or villous adenomas. The presence of EIDS showed a 67% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and 100% predictive value in the diagnosis of villous adenocarcinoma in a blinded review of villous tumors. On review of the pre-resection biopsies of villous adenocarcinoma without a final diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, 40% showed EIDS. Clinical follow-up of the 35 patients with villous adenocarcinoma showed that only one died of colorectal adenocarcinoma (median follow-up, 46 months). This sole patient dying of colorectal adenocarcinoma showed a synchronous advanced stage of nonvillous adenocarcinoma at the time of diagnosis. Villous adenocarcinoma is a diagnostically challenging subset of colorectal adenocarcinoma, which appears to be associated with a favorable prognosis. Classifying these tumors as a special type of colorectal cancer may facilitate the development of diagnostic adjuncts and optimal treatment protocols.

Prospective evaluation of screening colonoscopy: who is being screened?

BACKGROUND

Universal access to medical procedures is deemed an advantage of the Canadian health care system. The purposes of this prospective study were to determine the degree to which the practice of colon cancer screening by colonoscopy differed among socioeconomic classes and to assess adherence to screening guidelines.

METHODS

Consecutive patients scheduled to undergo colonoscopy at a single center between August 2000 and August 2002 completed a questionnaire that determined patient characteristics and indications for the procedure. The patients were divided into two groups: screening patients, defined as individuals who indicated they were undergoing colonoscopy for screening purposes and were asymptomatic, and a control group, which comprised patients undergoing colonoscopy because of symptoms. Statistical analysis was performed to determine if patients in the screening group had different characteristics with respect to socioeconomic class, compared with the control group.

RESULTS

A total of 1088 patients completed the questionnaire: 707 (65%) had colonoscopy because of symptoms, compared with 381 (35%) who underwent a screening examination. Mean age and marital status were similar in both groups. Of all colonoscopy procedures, there was a significantly greater proportion of men undergoing colonoscopy for screening purposes: 199 (52.2%) vs. 294 (41.6%) in the symptomatic group ( p = 0.001). Based on the Cochran-Armitage test, patients in the screening group had significantly higher education levels ( p = 0.004) and household incomes ( p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Income and education level, two indices of socioeconomic status, are statistically significantly higher in patients undergoing screening colonoscopy compared with those having colonoscopy for any other reason.

High frequency of colorectal adenoma in patients with duodenal adenoma but without familial adenomatous polyposis

BACKGROUND

Duodenal adenomas are extremely common in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. However, it is uncertain whether patients with duodenal adenomas without familial adenomatous polyposis are at greater risk for colorectal neoplasia and, therefore, should routinely undergo surveillance colonoscopy. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a correlation between non-papillary duodenal adenoma without familial adenomatous polyposis and colorectal adenoma.

METHODS

Twenty-five patients with non-papillary duodenal adenomas without familial adenomatous polyposis, seen from January 1990 to April 2003, were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

Non-papillary duodenal polyps were diagnosed by endoscopy in the 25 patients. Of these, 21 underwent colonoscopy and one underwent proctoscopy. The mean age of these 22 patients (12 women, 10 men) was 69 years (range 50-83 years). Sixteen of the 22 patients (72.7%) with duodenal adenomas had associated colorectal adenomas. A total of 38 adenomas and one colorectal cancer were detected. The mean size of the polyps was 6.2 mm (range 3-15 mm). The adenomas were removed by snare excision or with a biopsy forceps.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results of this uncontrolled, retrospective study, the frequency of colorectal adenomas in patients with duodenal polyps without familial adenomatous polyposis appears to be increased compared with the general population. All patients with duodenal polyps should undergo surveillance colonoscopy for colorectal adenomas. A prospective study to definitively establish the frequency of colorectal adenomas in these patients is warranted.

Screening colonoscopy in the asymptomatic 50- to 59-year-old population

BACKGROUND

In an effort to decrease the death rate from colorectal cancer, a multitude of medical societies and task forces recommend routine screening for colorectal cancer beginning at age 50. Yet, there is no consensus as to the best and most cost-effective screening method. Medicare now pays for screening colonoscopies for its average risk beneficiaries [3]. Many insurance companies, however, will not cover this test in younger patients. We therefore reviewed our institution's colonoscopy experience with asymptomatic 50- to 59-year-olds, with negative fecal occult blood tests and negative family histories.

METHODS

Between January 1999 and January 2002, 4779 colonoscopies were performed at our institution. The charts for 619 persons 50-59 years of age were retrospectively reviewed, with 91 patients meeting the strict requirements of this study. We defined polyps with high-grade neoplasias as those with villous or tubulovillous components, and cancerous lesions included those with carcinoma in situ. The distal colon was defined as the rectum and sigmoid colon.

RESULTS

There was a 58% incidence of neoplastic polyps in this younger asymptomatic population. More than 4% of our subjects had high-grade neoplasias or cancerous lesions. In the absence of any distal findings, flexible sigmoidoscopy would have missed up to 38% of these polyps.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings generally support the recommendations by the American College of Gastroenterology for average-risk patients to preferentially undergo a screening colonoscopy at age 50 in lieu of other methods.

Colon neoplasia co-existing with coeliac disease in older patients: coincidental, probably; important, certainly

BACKGROUND

Coeliac disease and colorectal neoplasia are both common, present most often in patients over 40 and cause similar symptoms. Greater awareness and early use of serological tests have improved the diagnosis of coeliac disease, but raise the concern that co-existing colorectal neoplasia may be missed. This study assessed the prevalence of colorectal neoplasia among patients with coeliac disease diagnosed after the age of 40 who presented with altered bowel habit or iron deficiency.

METHODS

All patients meeting the above criteria underwent colonoscopy unless this or barium enema had been performed shortly before.

RESULTS

Of 69 patients with coeliac disease undergoing colonoscopy, 7 (10%) had colon neoplasia: 5 had tubulovillous polyps, and 2 had carcinoma. The prevalence figures for coeliac patients undergoing colonoscopy with iron deficiency and altered bowel habit alone were 11% (5 of 47) and 10% (2 of 22), respectively None of a further 13 who had undergone previous colon investigation (all by barium enema) had neoplasia, although these were probably a selected population. The seven patients with colorectal neoplasia had not reported rectal bleeding. The prevalence of colorectal neoplasia was not significantly higher than in two series of non-coeliac patients undergoing colonoscopy for investigation of iron deficiency (12%) or altered bowel habit (8%).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high prevalence of colorectal neoplasia among older patients with coeliac disease who present with iron deficiency or altered bowel habit, though this is no higher than for non-coeliac patients with these presentations. The possibility of dual pathology should be considered and excluded by colon investigation.

Colorectal carcinoma in ulcerative colitis is decreasing in Scandinavian countries

A total of 31 cases with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and colorectal carcinoma were retrieved from the files of the Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm between 1951 and 1998. Sections from 16 colectomy specimens (operable cases) and 15 biopsies obtained at laparotomy (inoperable cases), were available for the study. Of the 31 patients reported here, 22 (71%) were 49 years of age or younger at the time of surgery for carcinoma. In comparison only 47 (5.5 %) of the 855 colorectal carcinomas without UC reported in the Stockholm area in 1990 were 49years of age oryounger. When this hospital was a referral Center (1951 through 1969) 18 cases of carcinoma in UC were operated between 1951 and 1960 (1.8 patients/year), but only 4 between 1961 and 1969 (0.44 patients/year). During the surveillance period of 29 years (1970 to March 1998) only 9 patients (0.31 cases/year) were found to have carcinoma complicating UC. Notably, 8 of the 9 patients were operated on between 1970 and December 1989 (0.42 patients/year), but only one case between January 1990 and March 1998 (0.11 patients/year). The data presented indicate that the frequency of carcinoma cases in pancolitics has decreased at this hospital, not only during the referral period, from 1.8 patients/year during the 50's to 0.40 patients/year during the 60's, but also during the surveillance period (from 0.44 patients/year/during the 70's and 80's to 0.11 patients/year between 1990 and March 1998). This, despite the incidence of UC in the Stockholm County remained stable for the past 40 years (4.2 to 5 patients/10(5) inhabitants) and that the population in the Stockholm County has steady increased since 1950. A review of the present literature indicated that the ris for colorectal carcinoma in pancolitics is presently decreasing, not only in Sweden but also in other Scandinavian countries.

Villous tumors of the duodenum: reappraisal of local vs. extended resection

Benign villous tumors of the duodenum are often managed by transduodenal local excision. Risk of local recurrence, coupled with improving safety of radical pancreaticoduodenectomy, has prompted reexamination of the roles of conservative and radical operations. The aim of this study was to determine long-term outcome after local and extended resection in order to identify factors to consider in planning operative strategy. Eighty-six patients (mean age 64 years) with villous tumors of the duodenum managed surgically from 1980 to 1997 were reviewed. Histologic findings, size, presence of polyposis syndromes, and extent of resection were correlated with outcome. Villous tumors were benign adenomas in 64 patients (74%), contained carcinoma in situ in three (4%), and invasive carcinoma in 19 (22%). The presence of cancer was not known preoperatively in 9 (47%) of the 19 with invasive carcinoma. Operative treatment included transduodenal local excision in 53 patients, pancreaticoduodenectomy in 20, pancreas-sparing duodenectomy in five, full-thickness excision in four, and other in six. Among the 50 patients with benign tumors managed by local excision, 17 had a recurrence with actuarial rates of 32% at 5 years and 43% at 10 years; four of the recurrences (24%) were adenocarcinomas. The recurrence rate was influenced by the presence of a polyposis syndrome but not by tumor size. Recurrence of benign villous tumors after local excision is common and may be malignant. Pancreaticoduodenectomy is appropriate for villous tumors containing cancer and may be considered an alternative for select patients with benign villous tumors of the duodenum. If local excision is performed, regular postoperative endoscopic surveillance is mandatory.

Treatment options for villous adenoma of the ampulla of Vater

INTRODUCTION

Duodenal villous adenoma arising from the ampulla of Vater has a high risk of malignant development. Excluding associated malignant disease prior to resection of an adenoma of the ampulla is not always possible. Therefore, the surgical procedure of choice to treat this rare tumour is still controversial.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate retrospectively results of treatment of villous adenoma arising from ampulla of Vater with dysplasia or associated carcinoma limited to the ampulla.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1985 to 1996, eight patients have been diagnosed with ampullary villous adenoma suitable for resection. We have reviewed treatment, morbidity, mortality, follow-up and final outcome.

RESULTS

Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) was performed in 4 patients. Transduodenal ampullectomy and endoscopic resection was performed in 2 patients each. There was no perioperative mortality. None of the patients had biliary, pancreatic or intestinal leakage but two patients who underwent PD had minor postoperative complications. The mean follow-up was 44 (range: 6-132) months. Villous adenoma was associated with adenocarcinoma in 50% of the cases (4/8 patients). During the follow-up both patients who underwent transduodenal ampullectomy developed recurrent disease. All patients initially treated by PD are alive without evidence of recurrent disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of villous adenoma of the ampulla must be individualized within certain limits. In our series, PD achieve good results and it appears to be the procedure of choice in order to treat villous adenomas with proved presence of carcinoma, carcinoma in situ or severe dysplasia. Endoscopic or local resection may be appropriate for small benign tumours in high risk patients.

Adenoma of the papillae of Vater. Report of eleven cases

Eleven patients with a preoperative diagnosis of adenoma of the papillae of Vater were followed up during the fifteen-year period from 1984 till 1998 in the Oulu University Hospital. Seven patients were treated primarily by transduodenal excision without any recurrences so far. One of these seven patients was found to have adenocarcinoma in a histological examination. Active surgery for adenoma of the papillae of Vater is recommended because of the precancerous nature of the lesion, and because malignancy cannot always be detected by endoscopic biopsies. Transduodenal excision could be recommend for patients at high operative risk, especially in cases with small adenomas and low-grade dysplasia, where histologically free resection margins can be achieved, but pancreaticoduodenectomy should still be performed on patients at low operative risk.

Frequency of advanced neoplasia in the proximal colon without an index polyp in the rectosigmoid

PURPOSE

Screening endoscopy has the potential to reduce colorectal cancer mortality. However, the efficacy of screening flexible sigmoidoscopy compared with colonoscopy strongly depends on the frequency of advanced proximal neoplasms without an index polyp in the rectosigmoid. We have therefore determined this frequency in our endoscopy population.

METHODS

Endoscopic and histologic data were analyzed from all patients on whom integral colonoscopy was performed between 1980 and 1995. Advanced neoplasia was defined as cancer or adenomas >10 mm in diameter, adenomas with a villous component, or severe dysplasia. Patients with polyposis syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease were excluded.

RESULTS

Colonoscopy was performed on 11,760 patients. 2,272 (19.3 percent) had at least one colorectal neoplasm, of which 39 percent had the neoplasm above the rectosigmoid. Twenty-two percent of all patients with neoplasia had no index polyp in the rectosigmoid and 16 percent of these had no index polyp, but at least one advanced proximal neoplasm.

CONCLUSIONS

Although 39 percent of patients had neoplasms above the rectosigmoid, only 16 percent had an advanced proximal neoplasm without an index polyp in the rectosigmoid. This gives a figure on which to base the evaluation of screening sigmoidoscopy programs against those of screening colonoscopy.

Follow-up of patients with hyperplastic polyps of the large bowel

BACKGROUND

Adenomatous colonic polyps are accepted as premalignant lesions. There is controversy regarding the significance of the hyperplastic polyp. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of further polyps in patients with only hyperplastic polyps on a first colonoscopy in comparison with patients without polyps and with adenomatous polyps.

METHODS

Ninety patients had only hyperplastic polyps (group I). These patients were paired according to age and sex with subjects having no polyps (group II) and with patients having adenomas (group III).

RESULTS

Fifty-six patients in group I had at least one follow-up examination. New polyps were found in 46.4% in group I versus 15.5% in group II (p < 0.001) and 50% in group III (NS). In group I, 30.7% of new polyps were hyperplastic and 69.3% were adenomas. In fact, 32.2% of group I patients developed further adenomas (mean 1.5 +/- 0.8 adenomas). These adenomas occurred 1 to 4 years after the first polypectomy (mean 2.4 +/- 0.8 years). Most of these adenomas were small and tubular, but 16.6% were villous or had severe dysplasia.

CONCLUSION

Patients with hyperplastic polyps were 2.4 times more likely to have further adenomas than were those without polyps.

Characteristics of rectosigmoid adenomas as predictors of synchronous advanced proximal colon neoplasms

BACKGROUND/AIM

Colonoscopy is recommended to every patient with adenoma in rectosigmoid to disclose synchronous proximal neoplasms. The aim of this study was to determine whether characteristics of rectosigmoid adenomas are associated with proximal advanced neoplasms.

PATIENTS/METHODS

One hundred consecutive symptomatic patients who underwent total colonoscopy and had rectosigmoid adenomas were included in the study. Patients with iron-deficiency anemia were excluded. All polyps were removed endoscopically. An adenoma was considered advanced if it had a diameter > 1 cm and/or villous and/or severe dysplasia histology were present.

RESULTS

Advanced rectosigmoid adenomas were found in 55 of the 100 patients. Proximal neoplasms were found in 26 (26%) patients. In particular, nonadvanced adenomas were found in 15 (15%), advanced adenomas in eight (8%), and cancer in three (3%) patients. The presence of proximal neoplasms was related to neither sex, age, or presenting symptoms nor to any of the characteristics of rectosigmoid adenomas. On the contrary, the presence of advanced proximal neoplasms (advanced adenoma or cancer) was significantly correlated with the presence of advanced rectosigmoid adenomas, which were detected in 11 (20%) of the 55 patients with advanced and in none of the 45 patients with nonadvanced, rectosigmoid adenomas (odds ratio: 23.5, p = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of advanced rectosigmoid adenoma was the main predictor of advanced proximal neoplasms (beta: 1.34, p < 10(-6)).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with rectosigmoid adenomas, 1) proximal advanced neoplasms appear to exist only in those with advanced adenomas and 2) baseline colonoscopy does not seem necessary in those without advanced adenomas.

A randomized surveillance study of patients with pedunculated and small sessile tubular and tubulovillous adenomas. The Funen Adenoma Follow-up Study

BACKGROUND

We wanted to assess the influence of various surveillance intervals on the risk of new neoplasia after removal of pedunculated and small sessile tubular and tubulovillous adenomas.

METHODS

After initial colonoscopic polypectomy patients were randomized to surveillance with either 2 years (group A) or 4 years (group B) between colorectal examinations.

RESULTS

The cumulated risk of a patient having new adenomas was 35.0% (28.7-41.4%) in group A and 35.5% (28.4-42.7%) in group B after 48 months. The risk increased to 44.9% (36.0-53.9%) and 60.1% (48.5-71.7%), respectively, after 96 months. The risk of significant neoplasia (carcinoma or adenoma with villous structure, severe dysplasia, or diameter > 10 mm) was 5.2% (2.3-8.1%) and 8.6% (3.8-13.3%) after 48 months and 8.6% (4.2-13.0%) and 17.4% (7.6-27.2%) after 96 months. More than one adenoma at first examination was associated with higher risk of new adenomas. Furthermore, we found a tendency for age above 60 years and male gender to be associated with higher risk of new adenomas. More than two adenomas at first examination was the only factor found to be associated with a higher risk of new significant neoplasia. One patient in group A and two patients in group B developed cancer, which is not significantly different from the number expected (3.43) in the average Danish population (RR = 0.9, 0.2-2.6).

CONCLUSION

After colonoscopy with removal of all polyps, colorectal examination at 4 years resulted in a similar risk of new adenomas compared with examinations at 2 and 4 years. However, new significant neoplasia tended to be more frequent when first surveillance was at 4 years. Extending the surveillance to 8 years also tended to increase the risk more in the group being examined every 4 years, but reduction of the number of surveillance examinations by more than 50% and a probable reduction of complications from surveillance examinations themselves may justify a recommendation for the longest interval.

Frequency, location, and age and sex distribution of various types of gastric polyp

Data on the frequency and location of the various types of gastric polyps are highly inconsistent. In a retrospective analysis of 5515 gastric polyps obtained from 4852 patients in the period between 1969 and 1989, including reexamination of 197 surgical, 1572 polypectomy, and 3746 biopsy specimens, the most frequent types found were Elster's glandular cysts (fundic gland polyps) (47.0%), followed by hyperplasiogenous polyp (28.3%), tubular adenoma (9.0%), adenocarcinoma (7.2%), inflammatory fibroid polyp (3.1%), carcinoid tumor (1.7%), Brunner's gland heterotopia (1.2%), and tubulopapillary adenoma (1.0%). Peutz-Jeghers polyps, juvenile polyps, and pancreatic heterotopia were found in younger patients (mean ages: 33.39 and 45 years, respectively), whereas the age of most patients (66%) with glandular cysts was between 40 and 69 years. Patients with any of the other types of gastric polyps were mostly (55-100%) over 60 years of age at the time of diagnosis. Glandular cysts, hyperplasiogenous polyps, inflammatory fibroid polyps, and carcinoid tumors were significantly more common in women, while all the other polyps were more or less equally distributed between the sexes. Glandular cysts and carcinoid tumors were relatively small (mean diameter 8 mm), and were mostly located in the corpus (100% and 83%, respectively). Medium-sized pancreatic heterotopias, Brunner's gland heterotopias, and inflammatory fibroid polyps (mean sizes 7-10 mm) were usually located in the antrum (100%, 81%, 80%, respectively), while the other polyps had an average size of between 10 and 16 mm and were distributed equally throughout the stomach.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Incidence and pathogenesis of villous tumors of the gallbladder, and their relation to cancer

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and pathogenesis of villous tumors of the gallbladder, and their relation to cancer. Five hundred and thirty-three cases of cholecystectomy and 1300 randomly selected autopsy cases, mainly elderly individuals, were investigated. Gallbladders were fixed in 10% formalin after operation or at autopsy, followed by macroscopic study. In cases of villous tumors, the entire gallbladder was cut into 5-mm-thick serial sections, embedded in paraffin, cut to 4-microns, stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and histologically studied. To investigate cancer-associated antigens, i.e., carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9, deparaffinized sections were examined by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) immunohistochemical technique with anti-CEA and anti-CA 19-9 antibodies. Villous tumor was found in two resected cases (0.38%) and in one autopsy case (0.08%). Histologically, one of the villous tumors consisted mainly of a proliferation of lining epithelia; the other two consisted mainly of a proliferation of glands. In all three cases, the patients had had accompanying chronic or acute inflammation and two were accompanied by cholecystolithiasis, which made us aware of the importance of inflammation or trauma from stones in the pathogenesis of such neoplasms. Although no apparent cancerous epithelium was observed in any of these tumors by studying H&E specimens, moderate structural and cellular atypism was found in one of them. The atypical epithelium in this case was positively stained for CEA and CA 19-9. It was concluded that villous tumor should be considered to be a premalignant lesion.

[Colonic polyps. Experience at a clinical center in Caracas]

After six years experience in the anatomopathological study and having checked 33.452 histological cases 772 corresponded to colon tumoral pathology. It was then decided to proceed with the epidemiological analysis of the polyps, it's anatomical distribution according to sex and age, it's histolopathological characteristics and the possible relationship with malignant transformation. We found a clear predominance mainly of adenomatosic neoplasic polyps, followed by hyperplasic polyps. 65% of the patients were male and more than half of the cases were between the ages of 50 and 70. Coincitentally, 86% of the atypical polyps were found within this age group.

Primary appendiceal neoplasms

A retrospective review of the files of 1,740 appendectomies performed during a 10-year period disclosed 13 patients (0.7%) with primary appendiceal tumors. Adenocarcinoma of the appendix was diagnosed in 6 patients (0.3%), which is a two- to four-fold higher incidence than reported in the literature. The other seven patients had benign tumors and only appendectomy was performed. The female to male ratio of adenocarcinoma was 5:1. All six adenocarcinoma patients, classified histologically as Dukes' B stage, underwent right hemicolectomy, and were disease free following a mean follow-up of 35 months. The results of our policy, also recommended by others, confirmed the benefit of right hemicolectomy in all patients with confirmed primary appendiceal carcinomas.