Gastroesophageal cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The 2 most common histologies are squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, which has seen an increase in incidence correlating with an increase in obesity in developed countries. Gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma has a preponderance to metastasize early, making it a highly lethal cancer with a low 5-year survival rate of ∼15-25%.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBACKGROUND Hypothenar hammer syndrome is a relatively rare disease process caused by repetitive stress or injury to the hypothenar eminence leading to chronic injury to the ulnar artery. This chronic stress (usually as a result of occupational or sport activities) may result in arterial constriction or thickening, which may lead to thrombosis or aneurysm formation. A review of current literature revealed that reports related to management of hypothenar hammer syndrome are limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMelanoma is a disease process which has been increasing in incidence over the past three decades and metastatic melanoma carries a poor prognosis. Through genetic studies of this disease, it has been determined that the BRAF V600 mutation plays a major role in the pathophysiology of the disease and this has led to the utilization of targeted therapy (BRAF and MEK inhibitors) in its treatment. Other BRAF mutations (non-V600 mutations) are rare in melanoma and targeted therapy is not indicated for patients with these mutations due to reduced response rates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA 50-year-old man with a history of vasospastic angina diagnosed 3 months prior presented with recurrent episodes of substernal chest pain. His chest pain was characterised as 'squeezing', lasting 10 min and typically occurred on awakening. Medications included isosorbide, nitroglycerin and ranolazine; however, due to lack of insurance he was unable to obtain these medications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFColorectal cancer is a common disease, representing the third and second most common cause of cancer death in the United States in women and men, respectively. [Ahnen et al.: Mayo Clin Proc 2014;89: 216-224; Siegel et al.
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