The role of HER-2 expression as a prognostic factor in gastric cancer (GC) is still controversial. The aim of the study was to asses HER-2 status, its correlations with clinicopathological parameters, and prognostic impact in GC patients. Tumor samples were collected from 78 patients who had undergone curative surgery. In order to evaluate the intensity of immunohistochemical (IHC) reactions two scales were applied: the immunoreactive score according to Remmele modified by the authors and standardised Hercep test score modified for GC by Hofmann et al. The HER-2 overexpression was detected by IHC in 23 (29.5%) tumors in Hercep test (score 2+/3+) and in 24 (30.7%) in IRS scale (IRS 4–12). The overexpression of HER-2 was associated with poorly differentiated tumors, but this correlation was not significant (P = 0.064). No relationship was found between HER-2 expression and primary tumor size and degree of spread to regional lymph nodes. Both univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that TNM stage and patient's age were the crucial negative prognostic factors. No correlation was observed between patient survival and expression of HER-2 estimated using both scales. This research did not confirm HER-2 expression (evaluated with immunohistochemistry) value as a prognostic tool in GC.

Erythroprotein-producing human hepatocellular carcinoma receptors (Eph receptors) compose a subfamily of transmembrane protein-tyrosine kinases receptors that takes part in numerous physiological and pathological processes. Eph family receptor-interacting proteins (Ephrins) are ligands for those receptors. Eph/ephrin system is responsible for the cytoskeleton activity, cell adhesion, intercellular connection, cellular shape as well as cell motility. It affects neuron development and functioning, bone and glucose homeostasis, immune system and correct function of enterocytes. Moreover Eph/ephrin system is one of the crucial ones in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. With such a wide range of impact it is clear that disturbed function of this system leads to pathology. Eph/ephrin system is involved in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Although the idea of participation of ephrin in carcinogenesis is obvious, the exact way remains unclear because of complex bi-directional signaling and cross-talks with other pathways. Further studies are necessary to find a new target for treatment.

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Pilonidal cyst is a troublesome condition affecting usually young people. It significantly influences quality of life and causes low self-esteem. Despite its known pathophysiology and numerous therapeutic methods available, pilonidal cysts still constitute a significant problem in general surgery. A large number of surgical techniques indicates the lack of a single method that ensures therapeutic success, and frequent complications cause both patient's dissatisfaction and frustration of the operator. In many cases, therapy is based on methods developed in a given healthcare center and their efficacy is usually not scientifically verified. Search for optimal strategy is also impeded by lack of an unambiguous clinical classification. In this article, we reviewed publications on various methods of managing pilonidal cyst, and we also presented surgical treatment used in our department. However, we did not manage to point out a surgical method with efficacy high enough to become standard treatment. It indicates the need for further search for new techniques that will give chances for successful treatment of pilonidal cyst.

Background This paper presents the first described case of laparoscopy-assisted prepubic urethrostomy and laparoscopic resection of a tumor of the distal part of the urethra in a female dog as a palliative treatment. Case presentation An intact, 11 -year-old, mixed breed female dog, weighing 15 kg, was admitted with signs of urinary obstruction and difficulty with catheterization. Vaginal, rectal, and endoscopic examinations revealed a firm mass in the pelvic cavity at the level of the pelvic urethra. Ultrasound and computed tomography examination showed enlargement of the urethral wall (5.5 cm width and 3 cm thick), which was significantly restricting the patency of the urethra. The lesion affected only the distal part of the urethra without the presence of local or distant metastatic changes. The affected portion of the urethra was laparoscopically removed while performing pre-pubic urethrostomy with laparoscopy. The patient regained full consciousness immediately after the end of anesthesia, without signs of urinary incontinence. Histopathological examination of the removed urethra revealed an oncological margin only from the side of the bladder. In the period of 2.5 months after the procedure, the owner did not notice any symptoms that could indicate a postoperative recurrence, which was diagnosed three months after the procedure. Conclusions Pre-pubic urethrostomy can be successfully performed with the assistance of laparoscopy. The use of minimally invasive surgery will allow, in selected cases, removal of the urethral tumor, and in inoperable cases, to perform a minimally invasive palliative pre-pubic urethrostomy.

BackgroundOne of the most important prognostic indicators in gastric cancer is the presence of metastases in lymph nodes. Even now, little is known about lymphangiogenesis in neoplastic tissue, and little is also known about the transmission of a neoplastic cell from the tumor mass into a lymphatic vessel.MethodsThis study examined the relationships between the density of lymphatic vessels (LVD) stained immunohistochemically with lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE-1) and D2-40 (podoplanin) antibodies, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C/D, selected clinical and pathomorphological factors, and the 5-year overall survival of gastric cancer patients.ResultsStatistical analysis showed no impact of increased intratumoral or peritumoral LVD on gastric cancer patient survival, irrespective of the protein used to stain lymphatic vessels. Analysis showed that the probability of overall survival was decreased in the cases with enhanced VEGF-D immunoreactivity (P = 0.0045).ConclusionThe study showed that the studied markers cannot be used to determine the required extent of the surgical procedure, as they have no statistically significant correlation with the degree of progression of the cancer, the stage of the disease assessed according to the TNM 5th classification of malignant tumors, clinicopathological features, and patient survival. VEGF-D is the only marker that can be regarded as an unfavorable prognostic indicator for patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Introduction An adequate level of nutrition is important in the period of reconvalescence in patients undergoing major surgery, in particular due to neoplastic disease. Bioelectrical impedance (BIA - Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) is a widely used technique for assessing body composition. BIA measurement is easy, fast, cheap and repeatable. Material and methods The body composition of 56 patients (25 women and 31 men) was assessed with bioelectrical impedance analysys. All patients was hospitalized and operated in the Department of General and Oncological Surgery, Wrocław Clinical University Hospital in 2017-2018. Results The average weight loss on the 4th postoperative day is 1.32%, and at discharge from hospital 4.23% of body weight in relation to body weight at admission to the ward. The percentage of fat tissue (FM-Fatt Mass) in patients admitted to the ward is above the normal range. The change in body weight composition in hospitalized patients is mainly related to the amount of adipose tissue and the amount of extra- and intracellular water (ECW-Extracellular Water, ICW-Intracellular Water). Conclusions Bioelectrical impedance can be an easy and effective method to assess body composition and its change in patients undergoing major surgery. Patients operated on due to pancreatic cancer lose the highest percentage of body weight until discharge from the ward in relation to body weight at the time of admission to the ward from the analyzed groups. Weight loss mainly occurs as fat loss (FM).

(1) Background: In the last two decades, anticancer treatment has been extensively developed based on various physical methods, including electroporation (EP). On the basis of many in vitro and in vivo studies, electroporation and further electrochemotherapy (ECT) have been established as a treatment method for cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions. In this procedure, after placing electrodes in the tumor mass and the generation of electrical pulses, a reversible or irreversible rearrangement of the cell membrane occurs. Calcium electroporation has already been applied to treat skin tumors and subcutaneous tissue tumors. Here, we demonstrate the first application of irreversible electroporation (IRE) in combination with calcium ions and chemotherapy for patients with cancer. (2) Methods: This study aimed to present and compare the findings and outcomes of patients with locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma who were qualified for the procedure. Two patients were treated with IRE with calcium ions after chemotherapy (paclitaxel + Gemcitabine (GCB) or FOLOX) or only FOLFOX (folinic acid calcium folinate, fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin). The clinicopathological data, overall survival, and the safety of the procedure were analyzed. (3) Results: Two patients were treated with calcium electroporation. One of the patients developed pancreatitis and the second developed pancreatic fistula, but both of them continued standard systemic treatment. Overall survival was 9 months in the first case and 21 months in the second case (and the patient is still alive). Calcium electroporation had a good impact on QOL (Quality of Life). (4) Conclusions: IRE accompanied chemotherapy, and intratumoral calcium ions administration might represent an additional therapy to surgery and chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC), particularly in unresectable cases. However, further studies of randomized trials should be undertaken to elucidate the role of chemotherapy in IRE protocols.