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Ira J Kodner

Publications and source records attributed to Ira J Kodner.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

FDG-PET/CT in the evaluation of anal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Surgical staging and treatment of anal carcinoma has been replaced by noninvasive staging studies and combined modality therapy. In this study, we compare computed tomography (CT) and physical examination to [(18)F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) in the staging of carcinoma of the anal canal, with special emphasis on determination of spread to inguinal lymph nodes. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between July 2003 and July 2005, 41 consecutive patients with biopsy-proved anal carcinoma underwent a complete staging evaluation including physical examination, CT, and 2-FDG-PET/CT. Patients ranged in age from 30 to 89 years. Nine men were HIV-positive. Treatment was with standard Nigro regimen. RESULTS: [(18)F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) detected 91% of nonexcised primary tumors, whereas CT visualized 59%. FDG-PET/CT detected abnormal uptake in pelvic nodes of 5 patients with normal pelvic CT scans. FDG-PET/CT detected abnormal nodes in 20% of groins that were normal by CT, and in 23% without abnormality on physical examination. Furthermore, 17% of groins negative by both CT and physical examination showed abnormal uptake on FDG-PET/CT. HIV-positive patients had an increased frequency of PET-positive lymph nodes. CONCLUSION: [(18)F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography detects the primary tumor more often than CT. FDG-PET/CT detects substantially more abnormal inguinal lymph nodes than are identified by standard clinical staging with CT and physical examination.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Is there any difference in recurrence rates in laparoscopic ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease compared with conventional surgery? A long-term, follow-up study.

PURPOSE: The long-term outcome of laparoscopic ileocolic resection in patients with Crohn's disease is not well defined. This study was designed to define the surgical recurrence rate after laparoscopic ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease and to compare it with that seen after open ileocolic resection. METHODS: A retrospective review of 113 records of patients who underwent index ileocolic resection for terminal ileal Crohn's disease was performed (1987-2003). Recurrence was defined as development of new preanastomotic Crohn's disease requiring surgical intervention. Details of recurrence and use of chemoprophylaxis was determined by phone interview and chart review. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients (26 males; mean age, 35.2 years) underwent laparoscopic ileocolic resection and 50 had open ileocolic resection (17 males; mean age, 37.1 years). Surgical recurrence developed in 6 of 63 patients (9.5 percent) in the laparoscopic ileocolic resection group (mean follow-up, 62.9 months) and in 12 of 50 patients (24 percent) in the open ileocolic resection group (mean follow-up, 81.8 months). Rates of chemoprophylaxis were similar between groups (laparoscopic ileocolic resection, 39 percent; open ileocolic resection, 54 percent; P = not significant). Median times to recurrence after laparoscopic ileocolic resection and open ileocolic resection were 60 (range, 36-72) months and 62 (range, 12-180) months, respectively. Fifty percent of the recurrences in the laparoscopic ileocolic resection group and 4 of 12 in the open ileocolic resection group were able to be retreated laparoscopically. Re-recurrence occurred in 4 of 12 open ileocolic resection patients (33 percent) at a mean of 63.6 months, and one patient had a third recurrence at 28 months. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the long-term outcome after laparoscopic ileocolic resection was not shown to be statistically different from that of open ileocolic resection. The relatively low recurrence rates in both groups may be explained by our aggressive use of chemoprophylaxis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Preoperative anal manometry predicts continence after perineal proctectomy for rectal prolapse.

PURPOSE: This study examines whether preoperative anal manometry and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency predict functional outcome after perineal proctectomy for rectal prolapse. METHODS: All adult patients treated by perineal proctectomy for rectal prolapse from 1995 to 2004 were identified (N = 106). Forty-five patients underwent anal manometry and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency testing before proctectomy and they form the basis for this study. RESULTS: Perineal proctectomy with levatoroplasty (anterior 88.9 percent; posterior 75.6 percent) was performed in all patients, with a mean resection length of 10.4 cm. Four patients (8.9 percent) developed recurrent prolapse during a 44-month mean follow-up. Preoperative resting and maximal squeeze pressures were 34.2 +/- 18.3 and 60.4 +/- 30.5 mmHg, respectively. Pudendal nerve terminal motor latency testing was prolonged or undetectable in 55.6 percent of patients. Grade 2 or 3 fecal incontinence was reported by 77.8 percent of patients before surgery, and one-third had obstructed defecation. The overall prevalence of incontinence (77.8 vs. 35.6 percent, P < 0.0001) and constipation (33.3 vs. 6.7 percent, P = 0.003) decreased significantly after proctectomy. Patients with preoperative squeeze pressures >60 mmHg (n = 19) had improved postoperative fecal continence relative to those with lower pressures (incontinence rate, 10 vs. 54 percent; P = 0.004), despite having similar degrees of preoperative incontinence. Abnormalities of pudendal nerve function and mean resting pressures were not predictive of postoperative incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Perineal proctectomy provides relief from rectal prolapse, with good intermediate term results. Preoperative anal manometry can predict fecal continence rates after proctectomy, because patients with maximal squeeze pressures >60 mmHg have significantly improved outcomes.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Retrorectal tumors: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

PURPOSE: Tumors occurring in the retrorectal space are heterogeneous and uncommon. The utility of newer imaging techniques has not been extensively described, and operative approach is variable. This study examined the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of retrorectal tumors at a tertiary referral center. METHODS: Patients with primary, extramucosal neoplasms occurring in the retrorectal space were identified using a prospectively maintained, procedural database of all adult colorectal surgical patients (1981-2003). Patients also were incorporated from the gynecologic oncology service. Exclusion criteria included inflammatory processes, locally advanced colorectal cancer, and metastatic malignancy. Medical records, radiology, and pathology reports were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients with retrorectal tumors were treated. Malignant tumors comprised 21 percent. Older age, male gender, and pain were predictive of malignancy (P < 0.05). Sensitivity of proctoscopy was 53 percent; this increased to 100 percent with the use of transrectal ultrasound. Accuracy of magnetic resonance vs. computed tomographic imaging for specific histologic tumor type was 28 vs. 18 percent, respectively. Surgical approach was anterior (n = 14), posterior (n = 11), and combined abdominoperineal (n = 9). Eleven patients required en bloc proctectomy. Patients undergoing posterior resection had lower blood loss and required fewer transfusions (P < 0.05). All benign tumors were resected with normal histologic margins and none recurred (median follow-up, 22 months). All patients with malignancy had recurrence/recrudescence of their disease. For these patients, median disease-free and overall survivals were 38 and 61 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Retrorectal tumors remain a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Pain, male gender, and advanced age increase the likelihood of malignancy. Various imaging modalities are useful for planning resection but cannot establish a definitive diagnosis. Whereas benign retrorectal tumors can be completely resected, curative resection of malignant retrorectal tumors remains difficult.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2005

Delayed treatment for rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Reports of the relationship between length of delay before diagnosis of rectal cancer and stage of the disease have been mixed. The present study documented the magnitude and medical ramifications of delay in diagnosing rectal cancer. METHODS: One hundred twenty patients who had been recently diagnosed with rectal cancer provided information regarding history of symptoms and initial perceptions of those symptoms. Patients also estimated the time elapsed from onset of symptoms until their first consultation with a physician, as well as time elapsed from consultation until the diagnosis of rectal cancer was made. Stage information was gathered from patient charts. RESULTS: For 106 of the patients, the first sign of rectal cancer was in the form of symptoms, and the most common first symptom was rectal bleeding. For the remaining 14 patients, their cancer was first discovered through routine examination. Over 75 percent of patients with symptoms did not initially believe that they were caused by cancer or any other serious problem, and over 50 percent attributed their symptoms to hemorrhoids. There was a clear trend, albeit statistically nonsignificant, toward worsening disease with longer delays. Median delay times in weeks were Stage I (10.0 weeks), Stage II (14.0 weeks), Stage III (18.5 weeks), and Stage IV (26.0 weeks). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed diagnosis for rectal cancer remains a significant problem, with instances of delay attributable to both patient and physician. Delayed diagnosis can result in more serious disease and, when attributable to the physician, can result in damaged trust and sometimes legal action.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer: histologic response of the primary tumor predicts nodal status.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to compare histologic T and N stages in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma undergoing various neoadjuvant radiotherapy regimens and proctectomy, in an attempt to determine if final histologic stage of the mural tumor predicts nodal status. METHODS: Data were collected from computerized databases at two institutions on 649 consecutive patients who underwent neoadjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy and proctectomy for primary adenocarcinoma of the rectum from 1990 to 2002. RESULTS: Five patients were excluded because of incomplete pathology data sets, leaving a study population of 644. Patients underwent neoadjuvant radiotherapy alone (2000 cGy in 5 fractions, n = 191; or 4500 cGy in 25 fractions, n = 259) or chemoradiation (4500 cGy in 25 fractions with concurrent 5-fluorouracil, n = 194). Histologic stage of the remaining mural tumor (ypT) correlated with nodal status (ypN). Lymph nodes harboring metastatic tumor were found in 1 of 42 (2 percent) ypT0 patients, 2 of 45 (4 percent) ypT1 patients, 43 of 186 (23 percent) ypT2 patients, 158 of 338 (47 percent) ypT3 patients, and 16 of 33 (48 percent) ypT4 patients ( P < 0.001, chi-squared test). The probability of finding ypN+ disease was 3 of 87 (3 percent) in patients with ypT0-1 residual primary tumors vs. 220 of 557 (39 percent) in patients with ypT2-4 residual primary tumors ( P < 0.0001; Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSIONS: Nodal metastases are rare in patients whose mural tumor burden shrinks to ypT0-1 after neoadjuvant radiotherapy. If transanal excision is offered to select patients with distal rectal cancer, it is reasonable to select those who have an excellent clinical response to neoadjuvant therapy for transanal excision, and then reserve proctectomy for patients proven to have residual ypT2-4 disease.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2004

Fibrin glue treatment of complex anal fistulas has low success rate.

PURPOSE: Fibrin glue has been used to treat anal fistulas in an attempt to avoid more radical surgical intervention. Reported success rates vary widely. The purpose of this study was to review the use of fibrin glue in the management of complex anal fistulas at a tertiary referral center. METHODS: This study was designed as a retrospective review of all patients treated with fibrin glue injection for complex anal fistulas in the Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine/Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Demographics, previous treatment, operative information, and early follow-up were obtained from the patients' medical records. Phone interviews were conducted to determine successful healing or recurrence of fistulas requiring further treatment. Statistical analysis was by Fisher's exact test. The institutional review board approved the study. RESULTS: A total of 42 patients (19 males; median age, 44 (range, 20-76) years) were treated between 1999 and 2002. Three patients were lost to follow-up and were excluded from the study. Etiology of fistulas were cryptoglandular (n = 22), Crohn's disease (n = 13), or coloanal and ileal pouch-anal anastomotic (n = 4). Fistulas were classified as deep transsphincteric (n = 33), superficial transsphincteric (n = 1), supralevator (n = 2), or rectovaginal (n = 3). Initially, most patients had "closure" of the fistula but recrudescence was common. Durable healing was only achieved in 31 percent (12/39). Healing rates by etiology were cryptoglandular 23 percent (5/22), Crohn's disease 31 percent (4/13), and ileal pouch-anal anastomotic 75 percent (3/4; P = 0.14). Success rates by classification were deep transsphincteric 33 percent (11/33), superficial transsphincteric 0 percent (0/1), supralevator 0 percent (0/2), and rectovaginal 33 percent (1/3; P = 1). The success rate for patients with no previous treatment was 38 percent (8/21) vs. 22 percent (4/18) in those whose fistulas had been previously treated ( P = 0.32). Eight patients underwent a second fibrin glue treatment and only one of them healed (12.5 percent). Median follow-up for successfully healed fistula was 26 months. CONCLUSIONS: Fibrin glue treatment for complex anal fistulas has a low success rate and most recrudescences occurred within three months. However, given the low morbidity and relative simplicity of the procedure, fibrin glue should still be considered as a first-line treatment for patients with complex anal fistulas.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Outcomes, risk of other malignancies, and need for formal mapping procedures in patients with perianal Bowen's disease.

PURPOSE: Local excision is standard treatment for Bowen's disease, but controversy exists over the incidence of synchronous and metachronous cancers as well as the role of a preexcision mapping procedure. METHODS: The medical records of 25 patients treated for perianal Bowen's disease between 1978 and 2001 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: There were 11 men and 14 women with a mean age at diagnosis of 47.9 +/- 14.9 years. The majority of patients (72 percent) had symptom-driven biopsies. Presentation included pruritus (56 percent), mass (28 percent), bleeding (24 percent), and anal pain (4 percent). The average duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 1.3 +/- 0.5 years. Two patients had microscopic disease discovered incidentally after hemorrhoidectomy and underwent no further treatment. Twenty-three patients underwent wide local excision, of which 19 (83 percent) had a formal mapping procedure. On final pathology, 23 patients (92 percent) had clear margins. There were three recurrences (mean time to recur 2.0 +/- 1.0 years), including the two patients who had positive margins after wide excision (1 after mapping) and one patient who had clear margins after mapping. Five patients (20 percent) had other carcinomas (1 sigmoid, 4 vulvar). At follow-up, 24 patients were alive with no evidence of Bowen's disease and 1 patient was dead secondary to sigmoid cancer with no evidence of Bowen's disease. CONCLUSIONS: Wide excision of perianal Bowen's disease results in excellent local control, although this is highly dependent on clear pathologic margins. A formal mapping procedure does not preclude recurrence. Initial screening and follow-up regimens are not uniform because of the wide range of treatment options available.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Outcome of salvage abdominoperineal resection after failed endocavitary radiation in patients with rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Endocavitary radiation is a treatment option for selected patients with rectal cancer, but concern exists for the effectiveness of salvage abdominoperineal resection. This study was designed to examine outcomes after salvage abdominoperineal resection for recurrence after endocavitary radiation. METHODS: A prospective database was used to identify patients undergoing abdominoperineal resection after endocavitary radiation from 1985 to 2001. Office records and a tumor registry were used for disease status and survival data. Survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and groups compared using the Mantel-Haenszel test. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients underwent salvage abdominoperineal resection. The mean time to recurrence after completion of endocavitary radiation was 21 +/- 27 months, with 29 percent having persistent disease, 63 percent recurrent disease, and 8 percent a second primary. At abdominoperineal resection, 47 percent had tumor transection, specimen perforation, or injury to the genitourinary or gynecologic tract. Nine patients (24 percent) had positive radial margins. The mean time to perineal wound healing was 56 +/- 74.1 days postoperatively, with 36.8 percent taking more than 60 days. Seventeen patients (45 percent) re-recurred at a mean of 21 +/- 25 months after salvage, with a local control rate of 26 percent at 45 +/- 37 months of follow-up. Median disease-specific survival from completion of endocavitary radiation was 115.5 months, with a five-year, disease-specific survival rate of 66 percent. Patients with recurrent disease after endocavitary radiation had significantly (P = 0.025) better disease-specific survival than those with persistent disease (median survival 115 vs. 25 months). CONCLUSIONS: Although technically difficult and associated with a high morbidity, abdominoperineal resection can salvage a significant fraction (55 percent) of patients failing endocavitary radiation. A high index of suspicion for recurrence and a tenacious approach to its diagnosis are essential for optimal outcomes.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

The addition of continuous infusion 5-FU to preoperative radiation therapy increases tumor response, leading to increased sphincter preservation in locally advanced rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcome from preoperative chemoradiation (CXRT) and from radiation therapy (RT) in the treatment of rectal cancer in two large, single-institutional experiences. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1978 and 1995, 403 patients with localized, nonmetastatic, clinically staged T3 or T4 rectal cancer patients were treated with preoperative RT alone at two institutions. Patients at institution 1 (n = 207) were treated with pelvic CXRT exclusively, and patients at institution 2 were treated (except for 8 given CXRT) with pelvic RT alone (n = 196). In addition, a third group (n = 61) was treated with CXRT at institution 2 between 1998 and 2000 after a policy change. Both institutions delivered 45 Gy in five fractions as a standard dose, but institution 2 used 20 Gy in five fractions in selected cases (n = 26). At both institutions, concurrent chemotherapy consisted of a continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) at a dosage of 1500 mg/m(2)/week. The end points were response, sphincter preservation (SP), relapse-free survival (RFS), pelvic disease control (PC), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Median follow-up was 63 months for all living patients at institution 1 and in the primary group of institution 2. Multivariate analysis of the patients in these groups showed that the use of concurrent chemotherapy improved tumor response (T-stage downstaging, 62% vs. 42%, p = 0.001, and pathologic complete response, 23% vs. 5% p < 0.0001), but did not significantly improve LC, RFS, or OS. Follow-up for the secondary group at institution 2 was insufficient to allow the analysis of these endpoints. In the subset of patients receiving 45 Gy who had rectal tumors < or /=6 cm from the anal verge (institution 1: n = 132; institution 2 primary: n = 79; institution 2 secondary: n = 33), there was a significant improvement in SP with the use of concurrent chemotherapy (39% at institution 1 compared with 13% in the primary group at institution 2, p < 0.0001). A logistic regression analysis of clinical prognostic factors indicated that the use of concurrent chemotherapy independently influenced SP in these low tumors (p = 0.002). This finding was supported by a 36% SP rate in the secondary group at institution 2. Thus SP increased after the addition of chemotherapy at institution 2. CONCLUSIONS: The use of concurrent 5-FU with preoperative radiation therapy for T3 and T4 rectal cancer independently increases tumor response and may contribute to increased SP in patients with low rectal cancer.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed2003

Ethics curricula in surgery: needs and approaches.

Surgeons practice an intense form of applied ethics. The growing complexity of medical and surgical interventions combined with reduced opportunity to serve as ethical role models for trainees necessitates formal ethics curricula in surgery and the development of continued ethics education for surgeons through all stages of their careers. The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the American College of Surgeons ethics curricula provide practical methods for dealing with the ethical issues that confront surgical residents each day. We can improve and expand upon curricula for surgical residents by taking into consideration the evolutionary stages of life of a surgeon: the pre-surgeon, the medical student, the beginning resident, the midlevel resident, the senior resident, the young to midlevel surgeon, and the advanced surgeon.

Curriculum↗
PubMed2002

Surgeon specialty is associated with outcome in rectal cancer treatment.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of surgeon specialty on disease-free survival and local control in patients with adenocarcinoma of the rectum. Patients underwent curative treatment with neoadjuvant external beam radiotherapy and proctectomy by colorectal surgeons and noncolorectal surgeons. METHODS: The records of 384 consecutive patients treated by colorectal surgeons (n = 251) and noncolorectal surgeons (n = 133) from 1977 to 1995 were reviewed independently by physicians in the Division of Radiation Oncology. Local recurrence was defined as pelvic recurrence occurring in the presence or absence of distant metastatic disease. RESULTS: The study population comprised 213 males, mean age 64 (range, 19-97) years. Preoperative radiotherapy was delivered as 4,500 cGy in 25 fractions six to eight weeks before surgery (n = 293) or 2,000 cGy in 5 fractions immediately before surgery (n = 91). Concurrent preoperative chemotherapy was given to 14 patients, postoperative chemotherapy to 55. Overall actuarial disease-free survival and local control rates were 74 and 90 percent, respectively, at five years. Actuarial disease-free survival and local control rates at five years were 77 and 93 percent for colorectal surgeons vs. 68 and 84 percent for noncolorectal surgeons (P < or = 0.005 for both, Tarone-Ware). Multivariate analysis revealed that pathologic stage and background of the surgeon were the only independent predictors of disease-free survival (both P < or = 0.006, Cox proportional hazards) and that pathologic stage, background of the surgeon, and proximal location of the tumor were independent predictors of local control (all P < or = 0.02, Cox proportional hazards). Radiation dose and use of chemotherapy were not significant factors. Sphincter preservation was more common by colorectal surgeons (131/251, 52 percent) than noncolorectal surgeons (40/133, 30 percent; P = 0.00004, Fisher's exact test, two-tailed). CONCLUSION: Good outcome for patients with adenocarcinoma of the rectum who undergo neoadjuvant external beam radiotherapy and proctectomy is associated with subspecialty training in colon and rectal surgery.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2002

Prospective evaluation of anesthetic technique for anorectal surgery.

PURPOSE: Deep intravenous sedation plus local anesthesia for anorectal surgery in the prone position is used frequently at our institution, but is not widely accepted because of concerns regarding airway management. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of this anesthetic technique for anorectal surgery. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively on 413 consecutive patients (mean age, 47 years; mean weight, 80 kg) undergoing anorectal surgical procedures. RESULTS: Of the 389 patients who underwent anorectal procedures in the prone position, 260 (67 percent) received intravenous sedation plus local anesthesia, 125 (32 percent) received regional anesthesia (spinal or epidural), and 4 (1 percent) received general endotracheal anesthesia. Of the 24 patients who underwent anorectal procedures in the lithotomy position, 13 (54 percent) received intravenous sedation plus local anesthesia, 2 (8 percent) received regional anesthesia, 2 (8 percent) received general endotracheal anesthesia, and 7 (29 percent) received mask inhalational anesthesia. Forty-two adverse events attributable to the anesthetic occurred in 18 patients: nausea and vomiting (n = 17), transient hypotension, bradycardia, or arrhythmia (n = 8), transient hypoxia or hypoventilation (n = 7), urinary retention (n = 6), and severe patient discomfort (n = 2). These complications occurred in 4 percent (10/273) of patients receiving intravenous sedation plus local anesthesia and in 6 percent (8/127) of patients receiving regional anesthesia. Two of 260 patients (0.8 percent) receiving intravenous sedation plus local anesthesia in the prone position were rolled supine before completing the surgical procedure. Recovery time before discharge for patients treated on an ambulatory basis was significantly shorter for those patients undergoing intravenous sedation plus local anesthesia (79 +/- 34 minutes, n = 174) than for patients undergoing regional anesthesia (161 +/- 63 minutes, n = 45; P < 0.001, t-test). CONCLUSION: Intravenous sedation plus local anesthesia in the prone position is safe and effective for anorectal surgery and offers potential cost savings by decreasing recovery room time for outpatient procedures.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Locoregional recurrence and survival after curative resection of adenocarcinoma of the colon.

BACKGROUND: There is wide variability in reported locoregional recurrence rates after curative resection of adenocarcinoma of the intraperitoneal colon, and there is no universally accepted surgical technique regarding length of the resected specimen or extent of lymphadenectomy. The aim of this study was to determine the disease-free survival, locoregional failure, and perioperative morbidity of patients undergoing curative resection of colon adenocarcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: The records of 316 consecutive patients undergoing curative resection for primary adenocarcinoma of the intraperitoneal colon between 1990 and 1995 were reviewed. Locoregional recurrence was defined as disease at the anastomosis or in the adjacent mesentery, peritoneum, retroperitoneum, or carcinomatosis. The product-limit method (Kaplan-Meier) was used to analyze survival and tumor recurrence. RESULTS: The study population comprised 167 men and 149 women, mean age 70+/-12 years (range 22 to 95 years). Median followup was 63+/-25 months. Five-year disease-free survival was 84% overall. Disease-free survival paralleled tumor stage: stage I, 99% (n = 73); stage II, 87% (n = 151); stage III, 72% (n = 92). The predominant pattern of tumor recurrence was distant failure only. Overall locoregional recurrence (locoregional and locoregional plus distant) at 5 years was 4%. Locoregional recurrence paralleled tumor stage: stage I, 0%; stage II, 2%; stage III, 10%. Of the 12 patients who suffered locoregional recurrence, 9 (75%) had T4 primary tumors, N2 nodal disease, or both. Major and minor complications occurred in 93 patients (29%) including: anastomotic leak or intraabdominal abscess (n = 4, 1%); hemorrhage (n = 8, 3%); cardiac complications (n= 17, 5%); pulmonary embolism (n=4, 10%); death (n=2, 1%). Multivariate analysis (Cox proportional hazards) revealed that the only independent predictor of disease-free survival and locoregional control was tumor stage. CONCLUSION: Longterm survival and locoregional control can be achieved for patients with colon cancer, with low morbidity. In the absence of adjacent organ invasion and N2 nodal disease, locoregional recurrence should be a rare event. Just as for rectal cancer, the technical aspects of colectomy for colon cancer deserve renewed attention.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Integrating social and ethics-based aspects of medicine into physician education.

Ethics plays an important, formative role in medical education, stimulating the transformation of a physiologist-scientist into a compassionate and competent clinician. Our clinical ethics program challenges students to observe and recognize inherent value conflicts and understand how such issues must be resolved in their day-to-day work. Advances in biomedical research that hold potential to enhance human health and treat disease are provoking controversial questions of current practices in medical ethics and spawning new, unprecedented ethical dilemmas.

Biomedical Research↗