Development of a Communication Instrument to Address Sexuality in COPD: COSY.

Introduction: Sexuality, an important aspect of quality of life, is often overlooked in COPD. Our aim was to develop an instrument that facilitates communication and counseling on sexuality in persons living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: We searched for publications on sexuality in COPD focusing on communication about sexuality and tools to support such communication.

[Sentinel lymphonodectomy in breast cancer - our own experience. Part 2].

Unlabelled: The aim of this investigation was to document the personal learning curve of the sentinel lymphonodectomy in breast surgery and to compare it with the experiences of other authors.

Results: Between July 1999 and May 2004, the authors performed 218 sentinel lymphonodectomies, 48 of them during the 24-month evaluation period with consecutive full axillary dissection. The overall detection rate was 212/218 or 97.

[Sentinel lymphonodectomy -- new surgical standard for the evaluation of the axilla:an overview. Part 1].

Complete axillary dissection is still integral component of breast cancer treatment, but significant morbidity is associated with this procedure. Sentinel lymphonodectomy can replace complete axillary dissection in selected cases and can significantly reduce morbidity. Sentinel lymphonodectomy has become a new surgical standard and should be offered to all patients with unicentric tumors of less than 3 cm in diameter.