Expanding the spectrum of germline variants in cancer.

Our ability to identify germline variants in hereditary cancer cases remains challenged by the incomplete cataloging of relevant genes and lack of consensus on who should be tested. We designed a panel [hereditary oncogenesis predisposition evaluation (HOPE)] that encompasses most of the genes known to be associated with cancer development and tested its yield on more than 1300 samples of cancer patients. Pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in high and intermediate risk genes were identified in 16, 23.

Disseminated (miliary) abdominal tuberculosis after laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery.

The development of disseminated (miliary) abdominal tuberculosis (TB) in patients following operations which affect their immunity, such as laparoscopic gastric bypass, is rare. The authors report the case of middle aged woman, who a few months after undergoing laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity (body mass index 49), presented with generalised fatigability and abnormal liver function. A CT scan of the abdomen was suggestive of miliary TB.

Hurthle cell neoplasm of the thyroid gland.

Background: A clinicopathological analysis and long-term follow up of 32 patients with Hurthle cell neoplasm (HCN) was undertaken to contrast the clinical and histological features between benign versus malignant HCN of thyroid and to examine the effect of treatment on the outcome.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of 32 patients with HCN who were identified out of an archival clinical/pathological/imaging database of 3752 thyroid cancer patients seen between 1976 and June 2006. All patients underwent thyroid surgery.

Laparoscopic vs. open adrenalectomy: experience at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh.

Background: The laparoscopic approach for adrenalectomy is now widely accepted and preferred over the conventional open approach. We describe our experience of adreanalectomy and compare the results of open and laparoscopic approach.

Patients And Methods: From March 1999 to March 2002, we performed 23 adrenalectomies.

Surgical management of breast cancer in Saudi Arabia before and after outreach activities.

We collected management information from the 1996 referral documents of 100 consecutive patients who came to us for continued treatment of breast cancer. Major deficiencies were noted with regard to clinical assessment, surgery, and pathology. Since 1997 we have intensified our personnel contacts with referring surgeons, and we have performed outreach visits.