1/28. Molecular relationships of helicobacter pylori strains in a family with gastroduodenal disease.OBJECTIVE: Few studies have examined the genetic relationships of helicobacter pylori strains affecting family members. Our aim was to do so. methods: We characterized H. pylori isolates obtained from members of a single family presenting with various gastroduodenal diseases to examine H. pylori bacterial genetic similarity. Endoscopic evaluation with gastric mapping was performed on each individual to establish clinical and histological disease. Genomic dna extracted from each H. pylori isolate was used to generate dna fingerprints for each strain by REP-PCR. vacA genotypes and cagA presence were established by PCR. RESULTS: gastrointestinal diseases among the five members of this family included gastric adenocarcinoma in a 52-yr-old man (index patient), gastric MALT-lymphoma in the 73-yr-old mother; intestinal metaplasia (IV) and atrophic gastritis in the 48-yr-old brother; intestinal metaplasia (I-III) in the 47-yr-old brother, and a duodenal ulcer scar in the 42-yr-old sister. REP-PCR dna fingerprints of H. pylori isolates from the index patient, his mother, and both of his brothers were identical or highly similar. By contrast, the H. pylori dna fingerprint from the sister was markedly different from the H. pylori dna fingerprints from the other family members. All isolates had the genotype cagA-positive and vacA slb/ml mosaic genotype. CONCLUSIONS: The dna fingerprints of H. pylori strains obtained from members of this family with malignancy or premalignant histological disease were identical or highly similar and markedly different from the H. pylori dna fingerprint from the sibling with duodenal ulcer disease. All H. pylori isolates within the family possessed genetic markers of enhanced virulence (presence of the cagA gene and vacA sl/ml mosaicism). In addition to host genetics and environmental factors, these findings suggest that infection with genetically similar H. pylori strains is a significant factor in determining the clinical outcome of an infection with H. pylori.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/28. tobacco and public health.OBJECTIVES: An interactive program for physicians and surgeons was used to focus their attention on current issues of lung cancer in the united states. The issues examined were the risks for the development of lung cancer in smokers, spouses of smokers, recipients of second-hand or sidestream smoke, and the appropriate workup and treatment of patients with lung cancer. DESIGN: Case presentation with interactive questions and answers. patients: Six patients are presented whose cases demonstrate issues that are relevant and timely to the practice of thoracic surgery and oncology Interventions: Treatment for the five case presentations is used for interactive teaching purposes. CONCLUSIONS: lung cancer is epidemic in the united states, particularly among women at the present time. Physician awareness of the environmental and other factors contributing to the disease should stay current with the population variables that we are seeing in clinical practice.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/28. Metastasis to the forearm skeletal muscle from an adenocarcinoma of the colon: report of a case.While the liver and lung are primary targets for distant metastasis from colorectal carcinoma, metastasis in other distant sites is rarely found. We report herein an unusual case of metastasis to the skeletal muscle of the right forearm from an adenocarcinoma of the transverse colon. A 60-year-old man was originally admitted to our hospital for surgical treatment of an intestinal obstruction caused by a transverse colon carcinoma. Transverse colon resection along with lymph node dissection was performed and no evidence of distant metastatic foci was found. angiography-enhanced computed tomography scanning done 14 months after the first operation revealed multiple hepatic metastases which were resected. A metastasis was subsequently detected in the right extensor carpi ulnaris muscle 2 years after the primary resection, and a major part of the right extensor carpi ulnaris and the extensor digiti minimi muscle were resected, warranting a sufficient margin of 5 cm of normal tissue from the tumor. Reattachment of the residual muscles into the ulna was performed. Metastases to bone and/or soft tissues from colorectal carcinomas are extremely rare and to our knowledge, only eight other cases have been reported in the world literature. This low incidence may be related to the anatomical characteristics and/or the biochemical environment of the skeletal muscle, but it is also possible that the true incidence is underestimated. Recent improvements in interventional radiological procedures may facilitate a diagnosis of skeletal muscle metastasis being made more frequently.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/28. helicobacter pylori and risk for gastric adenocarcinoma.Gastric cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the world. helicobacter pylori infection is now a well-accepted cause of this malignancy; in some parts of the world, up to eighty percent of all gastric cancers are at least in part caused by H. pylori infection. H. pylori infection typically starts in childhood as an inflammatory process in the stomach. The changes in the gastric microenvironment facilitate gastric cancer over time. Among infected individuals, genotype of H. pylori, coincident environmental exposures, and genetic factors of host seem to play roles in determining who will get gastric cancer and who will not. Unfortunately, it remains unknown whether treatment of H. pylori prevents gastric cancer. Thus, screening for H. pylori to prevent cancer is not yet widely recommended. Some consensus groups, however, have recommended screening for and treating H. pylori infection in individuals with family histories of gastric malignancy. In high-risk countries, screening programs for early gastric cancer itself may improve therapeutic outcome for this highly lethal disease.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/28. Isolated splenic metastasis of sigmoid colon cancer: a case report.We report the case of a 62-year-old man who developed isolated splenic metastasis of sigmoid colon cancer. The patient underwent left hemicolectomy for Dukes C sigmoid colon cancer in February 1997. In March 1999, an abdominal CT scan revealed a tumor 3 cm in size at the inferior pole of the spleen. The tumor was hyperechoic on ultrasonography. The serum carcinoembryonic antigen level was normal. Since no other site of recurrence was identified, a splenectomy was performed with a curative intent. At laparotomy, neither hepatic metastasis, peritoneal dissemination, lymph node metastasis nor local recurrence was detected. Histological findings of the splenic tumor were compatible with metastasis of the previously resected sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma. The patient has been disease-free for 19 postoperative months. Immunohistochemical staining for urokinase-type plasminogen activator was positive in primary sigmoid colon cancer and splenic metastasis, but negative in lymph node metastasis; results that possibly reflect the difference in progenitor cells between splenic metastasis and lymph node metastasis or the difference in the microenvironment of cancer cells between the spleen and lymph nodes. Based on the present case, we recommend that clinicians pay close attention to the spleen for the early diagnosis of isolated splenic metastasis when routinely evaluating abdominal CT scans and abdominal ultrasonography following curative resection of primary colorectal cancer.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/28. aquaporins and the surgeon: cautionary tales.Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) presents an uncommon but formidable clinical challenge in the surgical patient. Two recent cases of NDI with differing aetiology are presented. These cases and a review of the literature illustrate well the diagnosis, fluid and electrolyte imbalances seen and the strategy of treatment required in the post-operative setting. The central role of the recently discovered aquaporin channels in this condition is briefly outlined. Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus has a diverse aetiology and many of the hazards of the condition are peculiar to the surgical setting. The importance of management in a high dependency environment is highlighted.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/28. Familial carcinoma of the pancreas.A sibship is reported in which four brothers died of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas in the seventh or eighth decade of life. None of the patients had a history of pancreatitis, other malignant neoplasms, or exposure to a known pancreatic carcinogen. This family seems to exhibit a genetic predisposition to pancreatic carcinoma late in life, but the mode of inheritance and the relative importance of genetic and environmental factors in the development of these tumors are unclear.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/28. adenocarcinoma and dysplasia in an ileal neobladder after ileocystoplasty for interstitial cystitis.We report a 54-year-old woman with an adenocarcinoma of an ileal neobladder arising upon a background of ileal mucosal dysplasia. We believe that no case study or report has previously documented neobladder ileal mucosal dysplasia adjacent to an ileal neobladder adenocarcinoma. This observation supports the current hypothesis that ileal neobladders are dynamic environments for potential malignancy, and moreover, suggests a sequence of morphologic and molecular derangements similar to that seen in colorectal carcinoma. Those patients status post ileal neobladder are at risk for glandular dysplasia and malignancy and should be followed closely.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/28. Cancer of the gall bladder: a report of three cases and a review of the literature.BACKGROUND: Cancer of the gall bladder is an uncommon but highly lethal disease associated with cholelithiasis and chronic cholecystitis in occurrence. methods: A report of three cases seen over six years at the University of Maiduguri teaching Hospital (UMTH) is presented together with a review of the literature. RESULTS: Three cases were seen over a period of 6 years. There were two females and one male. The patients were aged 80, 50 and 65 years respectively. The 80 year old man and 50 year old female presented with right hypochondrial mass and pain. The third presented with features of multiple metastases involving the liver and omentum. The first two cases had cholecystectomy and limited resection of adjacent liver tissue. The third case had unresectable cancer with gross involvement of the liver, peritoneum and omentum; she died three weeks after exploratory laparotomy. CONCLUSION: Cancer of the gall bladder is rare in this environment. A high index of suspicion in addition to ultrasound and computerized tomography helps in making an early diagnosis. This may improve the outcome of management.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/28. The importance of re-evaluation in patients with cystitis glandularis associated with pelvic lipomatosis: a case report.Pelvic lipomatosis is a rare, proliferative disease involving an overgrowth of normal fat in the pelvic retroperitoneal space. Cystitis glandularis, cystitis cystica, or cystitis follicularis can be observed in 75% of patients with pelvic lipomatosis. We describe a 58-yr-old man with pelvic lipomatosis in whom adenocarcinoma of the bladder was diagnosed in the second transurethral resection of the bladder 1 month after the first operation. This proliferative disease can cause obstruction of the bladder drainage leading to a proliferative cystitis because of an altered environment rich in protein fluid. Because the association of this proliferative disease with adenocarcinoma of the bladder is frequent, we recommend close follow-up of these patients to detect the associated adenocarcinoma of the bladder.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
| | Next -> |