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The increased incidence of colon cancer patients requiring emergency surgery should raise more interest in its complete morphopathological characterization. We performed a retrospective analysis of all colon cancer patients admitted through the emergency setting and operated in our Institution during the last 5 years. Special emphasis was put on the morphological features of the cases, such as histopathologic type, grading, TNM staging, tumoral inflammatory infiltrate, perineural and vascular invasion. We identified 104 patients that underwent radical colon cancer surgery in the emergency setting between 2017 and 2021. Most cases were located on the sigmoid colon and were diagnosed as either locally advanced (92%) or metastatic disease (19%). Vascular invasion was identified in 29% of specimens, while perineural invasion was found in 38% of cases. Colon cancer patients undergoing emergency radical surgery display independent risk factors for the postoperative and the overall oncologic outcomes, such as comedo-necrosis, high lymph node involvement, locally advanced or metastatic disease, and perineural and vascular invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite incessant research, colorectal cancer (CRC) is still one of the most common causes of fatality in both men and women worldwide. Over time, advancements in medical treatments have notably enhanced the survival rates of patients with colorectal cancer. Managing metastatic CRC involves a complex tradeoff between the potential benefits and adverse effects of treatment, considering factors like disease progression, treatment toxicity, drug resistance, and the overall impact on the patient's quality of life. An increasing body of evidence highlights the significance of the cancer stem cell (CSC) concept, proposing that CSCs occupy a central role in triggering cancer. CSCs have been a focal point of extensive research in a variety of cancer types, including CRC. Colorectal cancer stem cells (CCSCs) play a crucial role in tumor initiation, metastasis, and therapy resistance, making them potential treatment targets. Various methods exist for isolating CCSCs, and understanding the mechanisms of drug resistance associated with them is crucial. This paper offers an overview of the current body of research pertaining to the comprehension of CSCs in colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nursing care for patients with intestinal stomas is essential for ensuring their comfort, to prevent complications and promote their overall well-being. The quality of life of the patients with stomas can vary widely depending on their ability to adapt to the new physical and emotional state, but also to social changes that came with it. Health care professionals specializing in ostomy care can provide valuable guidance and support throughout the process. This study aims to identify and to summarize methods of nursing care for patients with an intestinal stoma and how these impact the perceived quality of life for those patients. Preoperative evaluation by an entero-stomal therapist and stoma site marking has been proved to reduce postoperative complications. Many of the peristomal skin complications can be prevented entirely by meticulous skin care. Follow-up is essential for the patient with a newly acquired intestinal ostomy to detect and provide treatment for ostomy-related complications that may occur. Regular monitoring and early intervention can help manage parastomal hernias effectively and improve the patient's quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schwannoma is a tumor that originates from the Schwann cells that surround a neuron's axon. This tumor is very rare in the gastrointestinal tract and develops submucosally from intestinal nerve plexuses. The most common location for gastrointestinal schwannomas is the stomach, where they account for only 0.2% of gastric tumors. We present the case of a 56-year-old asymptomatic patient who was diagnosed, following a routine ultrasound examination, with an abdominal tumor. An abdominal MRI confirmed the gastric origin of the tumor. Although a subsequent upper-digestive endoscopic ultrasound was performed, a definitive diagnosis could not be established. Thus, a laparoscopic wedge resection of the stomach was performed. The immunohistochemical examination of the tumor established the diagnosis of benign schwannoma. Despite the availability of advanced endoscopy and imaging techniques, the diagnosis of gastric schwannoma is very rarely preoperative. The immunohistochemical identification of S-100 on the surgical specimen confirmed the diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) emerged as a new alternative method in minimally invasive techniques. Although a very small number of studies have compared the physiologic response in NOTES to laparoscopy, the results remain controversial. Aim: This experimental animal study aims to evaluate the intraoperative cardiovascular and respiratory effects of pure transluminal natural orifice surgery and conventional laparoscopy. Materials and Methods: Twenty female pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) equally divided into two study groups were assigned to either pure natural orifice transluminal endoscopic techniques (Group 1) or conventional laparoscopic surgery (Group 2) and monitored intraoperatively in terms of heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and O2 saturation (SpO2) for 1 h. Both groups underwent simple surgical procedures such as gastrojejunostomy, oophorectomy and adnexectomy. Results: All procedures were successfully completed. The findings indicated statistically significant differences between SBP (P = 0.0065) and SpO2 (P = 0.027) in the two groups at the beginning of the interventions. HR showed significant differences during the last 20 min of the interventions (min 40 and 45; P < 0.001). For the whole procedure (from the beginning of the intervention to 60 min interval), HR, SBP and SpO2 values showed no statistical difference. Conclusions: Although significant differences in terms of HR, mean blood pressure and SpO2 were noted at specific intervals during surgery, no real variance of the cardiovascular parameters was observed when considering the entire procedure. Therefore, NOTES seems to be a safe approach with minimally intraoperative cardiovascular and respiratory implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]