Attaallah W, et al. Ann Coloproctol. 2014 Oct;30(5):210-215. http://dx.doi.org/10.3393/ac.2014.30.5.210

Although rectal cancer is a common malignancy and has an improved cure rate in response to oncological treatment, research on rectal-cancer survivors' sexual function remains limited. The aim of this prospective study is to assess sexual dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery. Patients undergoing curative rectal cancer surgery were included in the study. Sexual function before and 6 months after the operation was measured using the validated questionnaires. Primary outcome was to determine the rates of Sexual dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery. Furthermore, the factors which can have an impact on sexual function after radical treatment have been assessed. A total of 187 patients [117 (63%) men and 70 (37%) women] with rectal cancer who underwent radical resection were included in the study. Sexual function has significantly decreased after surgery. Among male patients, sexual dysfunction increased from the baseline 4% (n = 5) up to 41% (n = 48) after the operation. Among female patients, sexual dysfunction increased from the baseline 53% (n = 37) up to 77% (n = 54) after the operation. A significant lower rate of laparoscopic surgery has been found in both males and females who reported sexual dysfunction after surgery. The patients who have locally advanced disease and those who received postoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy have higher rates of sexual dysfunction. This study, showed that sexual dysfunction is common in patients with rectal cancer after radical treatment. However, patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery have lower rates of sexual dysfunction than those who underwent open surgery.

Attaallah W, et al. Ann Coloproctol. 2013 Jun;29(3):100-105. http://dx.doi.org/10.3393/ac.2013.29.3.100

Tumor perforation is accepted as an important prognostic factor along with tumor size and mitotic index in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). The prognosis is worse in patients with tumor perforation or rupture. A few case reports of small bowel GIST presenting with rupture have been published in the medical literature. We report an unusual case of a 7.5 cm GIST of the jejunum that presented with spontaneous rupture. A previously healthy 46-year-old male patient presented with sudden abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed overt peritonitis, and computed tomography showed a heterogeneous solid mass measuring approximately 6 cm × 5.5 cm arising from the jejunum and massive fluid in the peritoneum. The mass was diagnosed as a GIST originating from the gastrointestinal tract. Emergency laparotomy was performed and intraoperative findings showed massive hemoperitoneum and an outgrowing mass at the jejunum, 50 cm distal to the Treitz ligament. The tumor had ruptured near the wall of the small intestine and it was actively bleeding. Surgical resection of the tumor was performed and the patient was discharged home uneventfully on the third postoperative day. The immunohistochemical characteristics of the tumor revealed it to be a GIST.