Symptom Management in Pancreatic Cancer.

Despite extensive research that has identified new risk factors, genetic mutations, and therapeutic options, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma continues to be a leading cause of cancer related death. Patients with pancreatic cancer, along with their clinicians, must balance realistic hope alongside a life-threatening diagnosis. As the search for treatments to reduce the morbidity and mortality continues, symptom management and quality of life remain the focus of our efforts.

Kidney transplantation threshold in patients with hepatitis C: a decision analysis model.

Background: There are no standard guidelines for the permissible degree of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus prohibiting cadaveric renal transplantation (CRT).

Methods: A decision analysis model was constructed to compare 5-year patient survival using three strategies for patients on hemodialysis. The probabilities of pretransplant and posttransplant survival, progression of liver fibrosis, CRT, and sustained viral response were obtained from a systematic review of the literature.