Vol 48, No 1 (2010)
Original paper
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2010-06-10
Morphological changes in the enteric nervous system caused by carcinoma of the human large intestine.
Janusz Godlewski
DOI: 10.2478/v10042-010-0029-8
·
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2010;48(1):157-162.
Vol 48, No 1 (2010)
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2010-06-10
Abstract
The innervations of the large intestine is responsible for it peristalsis and contractibility. Investigations of the enteric nervous system in many colon diseases have revealed changes in this structure. No study has been carried out on morphological changes of the enteric nervous system in the human large intestine with carcinoma. The aim of this study was to investigate potential changes in the structure of the enteric neurons in patients with sigmoid and rectal cancer. Material for the study was obtained from patients undergoing operations due to carcinoma of the sigmoid colon and rectum. Microscopic observation of the cancerous tumor of the human large intestine revealed changes in the enteric nervous system innervating this part of the gastrointestinal tract. In the region of the enteric plexuses located close to the tumour, disruption of their correct placement and structure was observed. The changes also consisted of the disappearance of neurons and nerve fibers forming these plexuses. In the solid cancerous tumour, elements of the enteric nervous system were not present. Destruction of the enteric nervous system in the course of carcinoma of the large intestine may cause disruption of proper intestinal function and may be responsible for part of symptoms which the patients suffer.
Abstract
The innervations of the large intestine is responsible for it peristalsis and contractibility. Investigations of the enteric nervous system in many colon diseases have revealed changes in this structure. No study has been carried out on morphological changes of the enteric nervous system in the human large intestine with carcinoma. The aim of this study was to investigate potential changes in the structure of the enteric neurons in patients with sigmoid and rectal cancer. Material for the study was obtained from patients undergoing operations due to carcinoma of the sigmoid colon and rectum. Microscopic observation of the cancerous tumor of the human large intestine revealed changes in the enteric nervous system innervating this part of the gastrointestinal tract. In the region of the enteric plexuses located close to the tumour, disruption of their correct placement and structure was observed. The changes also consisted of the disappearance of neurons and nerve fibers forming these plexuses. In the solid cancerous tumour, elements of the enteric nervous system were not present. Destruction of the enteric nervous system in the course of carcinoma of the large intestine may cause disruption of proper intestinal function and may be responsible for part of symptoms which the patients suffer.
Title
Morphological changes in the enteric nervous system caused by carcinoma of the human large intestine.
Journal
Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica
Issue
Vol 48, No 1 (2010)
Article type
Original paper
Pages
157-162
Published online
2010-06-10
Page views
2151
Article views/downloads
2332
DOI
10.2478/v10042-010-0029-8
Bibliographic record
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2010;48(1):157-162.