Impact of breast cancer surgery on angiogenesis circulating biomarkers: a prospective longitudinal study.

Background: Debate about the potential effects that surgery might have on cancer cells dormancy and angiogenesis prompted us to investigate the impact of breast surgery on circulating angiogenesis modulating gene transcripts and proteins.

Methods: Blood samples from 10 female patients diagnosed with breast cancer and 6 with fibroadenoma were collected before surgery and post-operatively on days 3 and 7 (breast cancer patients only). A set of 84 angiogenesis-associated transcripts were assessed using quantitative PCR arrays, and circulating protein levels (vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), IL8 and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) were measured using ELISA in the same samples.

Acute chylous peritonitis due to acute pancreatitis.

We report a case of acute chylous ascites formation presenting as peritonitis (acute chylous peritonitis) in a patient suffering from acute pancreatitis due to hypertriglyceridemia and alcohol abuse. The development of chylous ascites is usually a chronic process mostly involving malignancy, trauma or surgery, and symptoms arise as a result of progressive abdominal distention. However, when accumulation of "chyle" occurs rapidly, the patient may present with signs of peritonitis.

Symptomatic deep venous thrombosis of the lower limb.

Background: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common problem in clinical practice causing severe complications. In this retrospective study, the distribution and extent of DVT in the lower limb in symptomatic patients were evaluated. Certain risk factors were also investigated.