Biomedical subjects

D C Desai

Publications and source records attributed to D C Desai.

57 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Epidemiology of digestive tract cancers in India. V. Large and small bowel.

The large bowel is a leading site for cancers in developed countries whereas small bowel cancers are rare worldwide. The incidence rates of both large and small bowel cancer are low in India, and rectal cancer is more common than colon cancer. The incidence rates of colon cancer in eight population registries vary from 3.7 to 0.7/100,000 among men and 3 to 0.4/100,000 among women. For rectal cancer the incidence rates range from 5.5 to 1.6/100,000 among men and 2.8 to 0/100,000 among women. One intriguing observation is the occurrence of rectal cancer in young Indians. Rural incidence rates for large bowel cancers in India are approximately half of urban rates. Based on data from eight registries, we estimate that, in the year 2001, the incidence of large bowel cancer in India will be 18,427 in men and 13,092 in women. Immigrant studies reveal an increase in incidence as compared to the rates in native counterparts. Reliable time trends for India are available only from the Bombay registry. Significant increase in the incidence of colon cancer has been reported for both men and women over two decades, but the rates of rectal cancer are steady. The low incidence of large bowel cancers in Indians can be attributed to high intake of starch and the presence of natural antioxidants such as curcumin in Indian cooking. The role of hereditary factors has been evaluated in a few studies. Some studies have reported the occurrence of both FAP and HNPCC in India. There are no Indian studies on large bowel cancer prevention. The prevalence of adenomas is rare in elderly Indians undergoing colonoscopy, even in those with large bowel cancers. Small bowel cancers are extremely rare in India and no analytical studies have been published. Hospital-based data suggest that lymphomas of small bowel are more common than carcinomas. In conclusion, the incidence of large and small bowel adenomas and cancers is low in Indians. Increase in the incidence of large bowel cancers in immigrants and urban Indians compared to rural populations supports a role for environmental risk factors including diet. High rates of rectal cancers in young Indians could suggest a different etiopathogenesis, which is neither inherited nor traditional diet-related.

Colonic Neoplasms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy for long term enteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy for long term enteral nutrition is often indicated in patients with head, neck and oesophageal cancer but despite its growing popularity elsewhere, it is not widely used in India. METHODS: Between March 1990 and July 1991, we performed percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in 54 patients. The primary sites of tumour were the hypopharynx (11), oral cavity (7), tongue (7), cricopharynx (7), oesophagus (16) and other sites (6). The indications were difficulty in swallowing following treatment (22), preoperative nutritional support (7) and terminal care (21). In 49 patients, it was performed by the 'pull' technique in the endoscopy room under local anaesthesia and mild sedation. Indigenously prepared tubes and blenderised foods were used. Fifteen patients underwent dilatation of the tumour prior to the gastrostomy. RESULTS: The procedure was successful in 50 (93%) patients. Three failures were caused by obstructing tumours and one by a previous gastric resection. Feeding was started 18 to 24 hours after the procedure in 48 patients. No major complications occurred but minor complications were seen in 11 (22%) patients. Fourteen patients had their gastrostomy tube removed after 2 to 6 months of use while 15 patients undergoing therapy or with persistent dysphagia were on gastrostomy feeds for 1 to 6 months. Of the 21 terminally ill patients, 8 died, 6 were lost to follow up and 7 were on feeds for 1 to 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is a simple, safe and effective method for long term enteral feeding. Indigenous tubes and home made blenderised foods are adequate substitutes for the more expensive commercial kits and enteral formulations.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Mirizzi syndrome type II: is laparoscopic cholecystectomy justified?

Mirizzi syndrome type II is an uncommon cause of obstructive jaundice caused by an inflammatory response to an impacted gallstone in Hartmann's pouch or the cystic duct with a resultant cholecystocholedochal fistula. Two cases of Mirizzi syndrome type II are presented. Clinically only one patient had jaundice and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP) established a preoperative diagnosis of Mirizzi syndrome. The other patient's diagnosis of Mirizzi syndrome was made intraoperatively. It is important to properly identify the anatomy at the time of surgery to avoid compromising the common bile duct. Operative treatment of Mirizzi syndrome type II includes laparoscopic or open subtotal cholecystectomy; placement of a T-tube with either laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy; or creation of a hepaticojejunostomy with cholecystectomy. Although there is a report of laparoscopic treatment of this syndrome without long term follow-up, we believe that once there is any question of injury to the common bile duct, safety demands that the laparoscopic procedure be converted to an open one with implementation of appropriate therapy.

Aged↗