Short-course preoperative radiotherapy (SC-RT) followed by total mesorectal excision (TME) is one therapeutic option for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients. Since radio-induced DNA damage may affect tumor immunogenicity, Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and T regulatory cells (Tregs) were evaluated in 13 patients undergoing SC-RT and TME for LARC. Peripheral Granulocytic-MDSCs (G-MDSC) [LIN−/HLA-DR−/CD11b+/CD14−/CD15+/CD33+], Monocytic (M-MDSC) [CD14+/HLA-DR−/lowCD11b+/CD33+] and Tregs [CD4+/CD25hi+/FOXP3+- CTLA-4/PD1] basal value was significantly higher in LARC patients compared to healthy donors (HD). Peripheral MDSC and Tregs were evaluated at time 0 (T0), after 2 and 5 weeks (T2-T5) from radiotherapy; before surgery (T8) and 6–12 months after surgery (T9, T10). G-MDSC decreased at T5 and further at T8 while M-MDSC cells decreased at T5; Tregs reached the lowest value at T5. LARC poor responder patients displayed a major decrease in M-MDSC after SC-RT and an increase of Treg-PD-1. In this pilot study MDSCs and Tregs decrease during the SC-RT treatment could represent a biomarker of response in LARC patients. Further studies are needed to confirm that the deepest M-MDSC reduction and increase in Treg-PD1 cells within 5–8 weeks from the beginning of treatment could discriminate LARC patients poor responding to SC-RT.

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In the last years a wide range of new technique offers the possibility to have R0 resection in colorectal cancer. We report our experience about Single Port Laparoscopic Surgery (SPL) for not advanced right colon cancer and about pelvectomy with cilindric Abdominal Perineal Resection (APR) for advanced rectal cancer. SPL offer mainly cosmetic advantages but also quicker recovery. No touch technique with adequate surgical margin and lymphectomy were respected. Operative time of SPL was 85-115 minutes, the incision was 5 cm long. There were no complications. Length of hospital stay was 4-6 days. With advanced pelvic cancer, pelvic exenteration with en-bloc resection is indicated. Then we propose a case of a 55 years old woman with a pelvic recurrence from a metastatic rectal cancer involving the right obturator fossa, the vaginal stump, the right ureter. Modern surgical technique give us the chance to offer the most appropriate oncologic surgical treatment.

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Colon cancer rarely combines with abscess of the abdominal wall. We here describe a case treated by extensive surgery, biological mesh abdominal wall repair and negative pressure therapy. A 58-year-old woman presented with a locally advanced right colon cancer with abdominal wall abscess and no evidence of distant metastasis. Extended right hemicolectomy was performed with en-bloc excision of the bladder dome, the right annex and full thickness removal of the anterior abdominal wall including the abscess. Abdominal wall repair was perfomed by a biological mesh (Permacol ™ Biologic Implant) and to facilitate healing the patient was then treated with Vacuum-Assisted Closure (V.A.C. ® ) Therapy. Histology showed a mucinous moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma without nodal metastases (n = 57). Surgical margins including the abdominal wall was tumor free. The postoperative clinical course was uneventful. V.A.C.® Therapy treatment reported excellent results in terms of active promotion of the granulation tissue, this allowing for a subsequent placement of a skin graft. Patient is alive and disease-free one year after surgery. The present case shows some peculiar characteristics such as the size of the initial lesion, the abdominal wall abscess and the use of innovative devices such as biological mesh and V.A.C.® Therapy. We demonstrate that extensive surgery for locally advanced colon cancer, in high-volume centers, provides favorable results in terms of survival and quality of life.

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