After major abdominal surgery performed through a 20-cm incision, repeated 0.25% bupivacaine wound instillation via an electronic patient-controlled analgesia device and a double-catheter system does not decrease postoperative pain or opioid requirements.

These data demonstrate that PTs do not have to be routinely closed and the majority of cases may be safely managed without peritoneal closure. We have not observed any intra- or postoperative complications that could be attributed to peritoneal tears.

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p53 expression tends to be more frequent in PT with higher malignant potential but did not predict recurrence. Incompletely excised tumors that recurred displayed high proliferative activity in their primary tumors. Progression toward more malignant phenotype in the recurrent PT was accompanied with increase in stromal cell proliferative activity, suggesting the presence of biological continuity between benign, borderline, and malignant PT.

Telomerase plays an important role in maintaining the stability of the chromosomes. Activity of telomerase has been detected in proliferating and immortalized cell lines and in a number of malignant tumors including invasive breast cancer. The aim of the study was to examine telomerase activity in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which is considered to be a precursor lesion of infiltrating breast carcinoma, using a PCR-based telomerase activity protocol (TRAP). We examined 35 samples obtained from histologically confirmed breast biopsies, including 13 normal breast tissues, 11 infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC), nine DCIS, and two DCIS with microinvasion. Telomerase activity was demonstrated in 8/9 samples of DCIS, both samples of DCIS with microinvasion, and all but one sample of IDC. Normal breast tissue had no demonstrable telomerase activity. Our results indicate that telomerase is activated frequently in early breast carcinogenesis, although its utilization as a biomarker in DCIS is questionable.

Background and aims: Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been shown to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Animal models have shown that aspirin is also effective in reducing the density of aberrant crypt foci (ACF). The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of chronic administration of aspirin on the distribution pattern and histological characteristics of ACF in patients with CRC. Methods: Our study compared the distribution patterns and histomorphological characteristics of ACF between a group of CRC patients treated with low dose aspirin (n = 59) and a control group without aspirin (n = 135). ACF were visualised on methylene blue stained macroscopically normal mucosa, microdissected, and serially cut. Results: ACF were found in 75.8% of mucosal samples from the control group and in 36% of mucosal samples from the aspirin treated group, indicating a 47% decline in prevalence of ACF in colonic samples of patients treated with aspirin. A significant reduction from 92.5% to 40% (p,0.0001) was found in distal large bowel samples containing one or more ACF. Similarly, the aspirin treated group showed a reduction in ACF density of 64% and 82%, respectively, in both proximal and distal parts of the colon, indicating a significant reduction in ACF/cm 2 in distal colon samples (p,0.01). The aspirin treated group displayed a 52% reduction in dysplastic ACF although this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Our study has provided evidence of the effective chemopreventive action of low dose aspirin on ACF in humans.

The adrenal gland is a frequent site for metastases from lung carcinoma. We have treated five patients with a solitary symptomatic mass in the adrenal by palliative adrenalectomy with fair results. These case reports and discussion of the literature are presented.

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