【Abstract】ObjectiveTo detect the spreading scope of rectal cancer to mesorectum by RT-PCR using carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) mRNA as a marker and to investigate the excision scope of mesorectum in resection of rectal cancer. MethodsForty specimens from 40 rectal cancer patients who underwent curative operation was employed to detect the metastatic deposits scattered in the mesorectum by RT-PCR using CEA as a marker. ResultsNine of 40 (22.5%) specimens contained metastatic deposits scattered in the mesorectum. The metastasis was just within the range of 4cm mesorectum under the verge of tumor. The tumor spreading to mesorectum is correlated with Dukes stages，the infiltrated depth of bowel wall, tumor differentiation and tumor type(P＜0.05), and is not correlated with the size of tumor and the level of CEA(Pgt;0.05). ConclusionThe excision of mesorectum should be within the range of 5cm under the verge of tumor in surgical management of rectal cancer.
Objective To assess the effectiveness of large-calibre (7.5#) transanal tube drainage and decompression on prevention from anastomotic leakage following anterior resection for rectal cancer. Methods Clinical data of 346 consecutive patients (M/F=1.39, age range 32-84 years, median age 58.5 years) undergone anterior resection for rectal cancer in this institute from January 2006 to December 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. Results The anastomotic leakage rate was 0 (0/185) and 5.59%(9/161) in patients with or without receiving large-calibre transanal tube drainage respectively. The anastomotic leakage rate was significantly decreased by large-calibre transanal tube drainage after anterior resection for rectal cancer (χ2=8.526, P=0.004). Eight cases of anastomotic leakage were treated conservatively and the other one required further surgical interventions. No perioperative death occurred in this series. Conclusion In this study, the large-calibre transanal tube drainage and decompression is effective in protecting rectal anastomosis and decreasing the rate of anastomotic leakage.
Objective To observe the expressions of P53 and CD34 in rectal cancer and distal mucosa and to explore the safe distal margin of radical surgery for rectal cancer at molecular pathologic level. Methods Forty-five cases of rectal cancer were marked before operation， and then the cases were detected by PET/CT. P53 and CD34 expressions in rectal tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry technique. Results P53 expression and microvessel density (MVD) in rectal cancer were significantly higher than those in distal mucosa， which in distal mucosa were decreased along the anal direction. P53 and CD34 were still found in the normal rectal tissue. P53 expression and MVD were not significantly different between in more than 1.5 cm distal rectal mucosa and in normal rectal tissue. Besides MVD was related to size of tumor in rectal cancer and distal 0.5 cm rectal mucosa tissue, P53 and CD34 in rectal cancer and distal mucosa rectal tissue were not associated with tumor diameter, stage and differentiation of rectal cancer. Conclusion From the molecular pathologic view, the resection of 2.0 cm rectal distal tissue should be safe for excision of rectal cancer.