Proof-of-principle study using for universal screening test for cancer through ultrasound-based size distinction of circulating tumor cell clusters.

Screening strategies for cancer, the second largest cause of deaths, exist, but are invasive, cumbersome, and expensive. Many cancers lack viable screening modalities all together. Circulating tumor cell clusters (CTCCs) are seen during early stages of cancer and are larger than normal blood cells.

Benign and Malignant Hematological Manifestations of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, that affects 3% of world's population, is associated with several hematological manifestations mainly benign cytopenias, coagulopathy and lymphoproliferative diseases. Immune or non-immune-mediated thrombocytopenia is a major challenge in chronic HCV infected patients especially in the setting of an advanced liver disease, with average prevalence of nearly 24%. Although several treatment modalities such as steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, splenectomy and immunosuppresants have been tried with some success, their efficacy is not impressive and can result in an increase in viral load or other thrombotic complications.