The early mortality from colorectal tumours 1969 - 1972

In order to compare the mortality from colorectal tumours in Malta with that in other centres, the survival of patients with large bowel tumours from the cases recorded in the Tumour Registry between the years 1969 to 1972 was studied. It was only possible to follow up the patients till July 1973. The deaths occurring up to this period will be discussed in relation to the time in which they occurred and to their causes. It is immediately apparent that our patients are at an advanced stage of malignancy at the time of operation. Aggressive surgery in these groups of individuals is not only futile but also contributes to an earlier demise. This is only too obvious when two thirds of the deaths recorded in the survey occurred within six months of surgical treatment. The crux of the whole problem appears to be the delay between the commencement of symptoms and the surgical treatment. On this account the patients themselves may be partly to blame, minor symptoms are often ignored and not brought up for medical advice.peer-reviewe

The incidence of colorectal tumours in the Maltese islands

Colorectal neoplasm is one of the commoner forms of malignant disease; according to the Annual Report Registrar General, 1970 its incidence in England and Wales is second only to that of lung cancer. A survey of the hundred and seventy three patients documented in the Malta Tumour Registry as suffering from colorectal neoplasms between the years 1969-1972 (inclusive) was carried out. Several findings emanate from this survey such as the incidence in the younger age group, the presence of significant nausea and vomiting in fifty percent of the patients of the left hemicolon and twenty percent of cases with a tumour in the right hemicolon. Moreover, this survey has shown that there is an average delay of about six months from the time the patient first presents to his own practitioner until his hospitalization for investigation with yet further delays before surgery is attempted.peer-reviewe

A bronchogenic cyst, presenting as a retroperitoneal cystic mass

Bronchogenic cysts are mostly benign, congenital abnormalities originating from the remnants of the primitive foregut. A retroperitoneal location is rare. Due to the mostly asymptomatic behavior and the historical confusion regarding histology, an exact prevalence is not known. We present here a case report of a retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst. A literature review was performed for cases of retroperitoneal bronchogenic cysts written in English. Anatomopathological criteria for inclusion were pseudo stratified, ciliated, columnar epithelium together with the presence of at least one of the following: cartilage, smooth muscle or seromucous glands. In addition, the embryology, pathogenesis, radiological, clinical and suggested treatment modalities are reviewed. We report the surgical excision of a retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst that presented as a non-functioning left adrenal mass. Our review of literature revealed only 62 potential cases of retroperitoneal bronchogenic cysts. After applying the strict anatomopathological criteria, only 30 cases of true retroperitoneal bronchogenic cysts could be identified. Retroperitoneal location of a bronchogenic cyst is rare. Despite the rarity of this pathologic entity, bronchogenic cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal cystic lesions. Only histology can confirm definitive diagnosis. Surgery remains the recommended treatment of choice