BackgroundStudies on the pathomechanism of colorectal cancer (CRC) expansion indicate a significant role of metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in the extracellular matrix. The results of the analysis of a profile of transcriptional activity of genes encoding metalloproteinases were the basis of the hypothesis indicating changes in the expression of genes encoding MMP9, MMP28, and TIMP1 as an additional diagnostic and prognostic marker of CRC.Material/MethodsThe material consisted of samples obtained from resected tumors and healthy tissue samples from 15 CRC patients (aged 46–72 years) at clinical stages (CSs) I and II–IV.Gene expression analysis was done using microarrays. Microarray data analysis was done using the GeneSpring 11.5 platform. The results were validated using the qRT-PCR technique.ResultsWe found high levels of expression of MMP9 at each CS, as well as in the tissues at the early stage of CRC. Additionally, we observed high levels of expression of TIMP1 and low levels of MMP28 genes in CS II–IV. No statistically significant differences based on the stage of CRC were observed.ConclusionsMMP9 gene profile may be a complementary diagnostic marker in CRC. The results suggest a crucial role of MMP9 at the early stage of carcinogenesis in the large intestine. The increase in MMP9 and TIMP1 mRNA concentration and the decrease in MMP28 in the large intestinal tissue may be a confirmation of cancer, but it may not indicate the advance of CRC.

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Lymphangiomas constitute a group of very rare diseases and occur with a frequency of 1/250,000 to 1/20,000 of hospitalizations. Even though they are benign lesions, their complications may turn into a life-threatening condition. They usually occur in children (90%), they are either congenital or they appear before the child's second birthday. Occassionally they are found in adults. Lymphangiomas are usually localized around neck, but also near armpits and in the groin area. Less than 1% of lymphagiomas are detected in the retroperitoneal space and intestinal mesentery. Vascular lesions derived from lymphatic vessels can be divided into ordinary ones, usually known as capillary, cavernous, and cystic. The cystic tumor (lymphangioma mesenteri) is the least common. It occurs mostly in the retroperitoneal space, mesentery of the colon, or extremely rarely in the mesentery of the small intestine. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult due to non-specific clinical symptoms and noncharacteristic image in the diagnostic tests. Lymphangioma complications, such as intestinal obstruction or perforation, and persistent pain, are the cause of exploratory laparotomy. Final diagnosis requires microscopic examination of material collected during an operation. This article presented the case of a 40-year-old female, operated due to the obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract, in whose case the lymphangioma was recognised in postoperative histopathological examination of the tumor from the jejunal mesentery. Since patients with these tumors have good chances of complete recovery -if there are no serious complications -it appears that the optimal therapeutic procedure should be early surgery, which reduces the possibility of complications.

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