Seung-guk Son

PURPOSE: The preoperative assessment of rectal cancer wall invasion and regional lymph node metastasis is essential for the planning of optimal therapy. This study was done to determine the accuracy and clinical usefulness of transrectal ultrasonography, pelvic computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging in preoperative staging. METHODS: A total of 89 patients with rectal cancer were examined with transrectal ultrasonography (n = 89), pelvic computed tomography (n = 69), and magnetic res

PURPOSE: Total mesorectal excision with pelvic autonomic nerve preservation has been reported to be an optimal surgery for rectal cancer. It minimizes local recurrence and sexual and urinary dysfunction. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of total mesorectal excision with pelvic autonomic nerve preservation in terms of voiding and sexual function in males with rectal cancer. METHODS: We performed urine flowmetry using Urodyn and a standard questionnaire using the International Index

Pathologic complete remission showed excellent oncologic outcomes, and the pathologic N stage was the most important factor for oncologic outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) have been used as a bridge to surgery in patients with obstruction by colorectal cancer, but the oncologic safety of this technique has not yet been established. The aim of the present study was to compare the outcomes of bridge to surgery after SEMS insertion and nonobstructing elective surgery. METHODS: Between October 1999 and July 2007, 35 patients who had left-sided colon malignancy obstruction and underwent surgical resection after SEMS ins

ERUS and CT may allow good prediction of node-negative rectal cancers, although they are inaccurate modalities for predicting treatment response on the rectal wall. New methods of interpretation and diagnostic criteria for ERUS and CT are essential for increasing the accuracy of cancer prediction in at-risk patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Isolated paraaortic lymph-node recurrence (IPLR) after curative surgery for colorectal carcinoma is rare and no previous report has specifically addressed this type of recurrence. We investigated the clinical features of IPLR and analyzed prognostic factors. METHODS: Of 2,916 patients who underwent curative surgery for colorectal carcinoma, IPLR was identified in 38 patients (1.3%). The clinical features and prognostic factors of these patients were analyzed. RESULTS:

Our data suggest that elevated pre-CRT serum CEA levels are associated with poor tumor response to CRT. Therefore, pre-CRT serum CEA levels provide useful information about tumor response to preoperative CRT in rectal cancer patients.

In Brief Objective: This study was designed to determine whether the number of lymph nodes retrieved influence staging and survival in patients with stage II and III rectal cancer that undergo tumor-specific mesorectal excision. Summary Background Data: The prognostic impact of the retrieved nodes has been emphasized in patients with colorectal cancer, but few studies have focused on patients with rectal cancer. Methods: A total of 900 patients who underwent tumor-specific mesorectal excision wi