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The ultimate function of the appendix still remains a mystery; however, increasing evidence suggests it has a role in many intestinal diseases. This viewpoint examines the controversy surrounding the role of the appendix in the etiology of inflammatory bowel disease.
Almost 30% of patients with pancreatic cancer present with large, locally advanced tumors in the absence of distant metastases. Because surgical resection is often contraindicated by vascular invasion, this disease has a dismal prognosis. This Review summarizes the status of aggressive surgical resection and neoadjuvant chemoradiation for locally advanced pancreatic cancer and suggests a treatment algorithm based on published clinical evidence.
The indications for self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) now include relief of luminal obstruction of the upper gastrointestinal tract, colon or rectum, in which case they are referred to as enteral SEMS. The authors of this Review discuss data on the efficacy, complications, and cost effectiveness of enteral SEMS, and consider future directions for enteral stenting technology.
