Publications by authors named "T Heller"

Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with germline CDH1 variants are at risk of overtreatment when precancer lesions are detected with endoscopic screening. We characterize diffuse-type gastric cancer prevalence and survival in AYA managed with prophylactic total gastrectomy (PTG) or endoscopic surveillance.

Methods: Prospective cohort study of 188 individuals aged 39 and younger enrolled from January 27, 2017, to May 1, 2023.

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Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV), also known as human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8), is the primary etiologic cause of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) and KSHV Inflammatory Cytokine Syndrome (KICS). Patients with KICS demonstrate symptoms of systemic inflammation, high KSHV viral load, elevation of inflammatory markers, and increased mortality. Management requires rapid diagnosis, treatment of underlying HIV, direct treatment of KS, and addressing the hyperimmune response.

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Background/objectives: Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a common lymphatic endothelial cancer among children with and without HIV in central and eastern Africa. Despite its clinical heterogeneity, its various clinical phenotypes are often grouped together in staging and treatment algorithms. Patients with KS tumor-associated edema, referring to hard, non-pitting lesions which often lead to chronic disability, represent a unique, understudied subgroup of children with KS.

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Background: Prophylactic total gastrectomy (PTG) is performed in carriers of CDH1 pathogenic and likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants and is becoming more frequent with broader use of germline genetic testing. There is an unmet need to standardize care and enhance outcomes among patients undergoing surgery for the prevention of gastric cancer.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 150 individuals with germline CDH1 P/LP variants who underwent PTG as part of a prospective natural history study from October 2017 to May 2023.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that progresses through different stages, and if left undiagnosed, can lead to serious health issues, including tertiary syphilis which causes unusual lesions called gummas.
  • - In a rare case involving an HIV patient, liver involvement was observed during primary syphilis, marked by elevated liver enzymes.
  • - Gummatous syphilis is not commonly reported, so healthcare providers should be aware of it as a possible diagnosis for patients showing positive syphilis tests and liver issues.
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