Harnessing the supremacy of MEG3 LncRNA to defeat gastrointestinal malignancies.

Evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a pivotal role in the carcinogenesis and progression of various human malignancies including gastrointestinal malignancies. This comprehensive review reports the functions and mechanisms of the lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) involved in gastrointestinal malignancies. It summarizes its roles in mediating the regulation of cellular proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasiveness, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and drug resistance in several gastrointestinal cancers such as colorectal cancer, gall bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumors and most importantly, hepatocellular carcinoma.

Conservative management with symptomatic treatment and delayed hormonal manipulation is justified in men with locally advanced carcinoma of the prostate.

Objective: To examine the clinical course following surveillance and symptomatic treatment, and compare the outcomes of immediate and delayed hormonal treatment in men with locally advanced prostatic cancer.

Patients And Methods: Of a consecutive series of 199 men (mean age 74 years) with T2-T4 Nx M0 prostatic cancer, 110 (55%) were followed until death and the rest had a mean follow-up of 4.2 years.

Air insufflation versus water irrigation during flexible cystoscopy: a prospective randomized study.

Objective: To compare air insufflation with water irrigation during routine diagnostic flexible cystoscopy.

Patients And Methods: A total of 200 consecutive patients scheduled for routine diagnostic flexible cystoscopy under topical anaesthesia were randomized prospectively to either air insufflation or water irrigation. Their tolerance to the procedure and post-operative symptoms were assessed from a questionnaire completed immediately after the procedure and then 1 week later.

Symptomatology of metastatic prostate cancer: prognostic significance.

Objective: To identify the various presenting symptoms in patients with metastatic prostate cancer, quantify the metastatic load for each symptom group and compare their case-specific survival.

Patients And Methods: A prospective and consecutive series of 279 men with metastatic cancer of the prostate was analysed. Based on the symptom at presentation, six different groups were identified: bladder outflow obstruction, bone pain, anaemia, weight loss, paraplegia and alteration of bowel habit.