Pancreatic Cancer: Rapid Evidence Review.

Pancreatic cancer is relatively uncommon and carries a poor prognosis because patients often develop signs or symptoms at a late stage of illness. Patients with a family history, especially those with genetic syndromes, are at a significantly increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Modifiable risk factors include smoking, heavy alcohol use, and obesity.

Barrett Esophagus: Rapid Evidence Review.

Barrett esophagus is a premalignant change of the esophagus; however, malignant transformation to esophageal adenocarcinoma is rare in patients without dysplasia. Barrett esophagus is estimated to affect up to 5.6% of the U.

Persistent Night Sweats: Diagnostic Evaluation.

Night sweats are a nonspecific symptom that patients commonly experience but rarely discuss with their physicians without prompting. Although many life-threatening causes such as malignancies or infections have been described, most patients who report persistent night sweats in the primary care setting do not have a serious underlying disorder. Conditions commonly associated with night sweats include menopause, mood disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hyperthyroidism, and obesity.

Head & neck cancers: What you'll see, how to proceed.

What physical findings should raise your suspicion? How are tumors treated and what follow-up care can you provide? Here's what you need to know.

Palliative Care Education in the Family Medicine Clerkship: A CERA Study.

Introduction: Inadequate training of medical students in palliative care has been identified as a barrier to its universal provision. Family medicine physicians frequently provide these services, yet the extent of palliative care training in the family medicine clerkship has been unknown. This study describes the status of palliative care training in the family medicine clerkship, as well as clerkship director perceptions of this training.

Association of 25-OH Vitamin D Status with Findings on Screening Colonoscopy.

Objectives: Greater serum levels and dietary intake of vitamin D have been inversely associated with the risk of multiple cancers including colon cancer. Most colorectal cancers are thought to arise from adenomatous polyps, which become dysplastic under the influence of numerous factors. Prospective data are needed to distinguish between association or a causative role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer.