Virus clearance reduces bone fracture in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and chronic liver disease caused by hepatitis C virus.

Osteoporosis is often present in postmenopausal women. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the cumulative incidence and predictive factors for bone fracture after cessation of interferon (IFN) in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and chronic liver disease caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV). A total of 420 postmenopausal women treated with IFN monotherapy were enrolled.

In vivo observation of living cancer cells in the esophagus, stomach, and colon using catheter-type contact endoscope, "Endo-Cytoscopy system".

A catheter-type endomicroscope has been developed with a maximum magnifying power of 1100 times. Living cancer cells in the esophagus, stomach, and colon were successfully observed in high-resolution images. The "Endo-Cytoscopy system" (prototype,Olympus Optical, Co.

[Review of endoscopic surgery for esophageal cancer].

Our treatment strategy for esophageal cancer is as follows; mucosal cancer with the minimal risk of lymph node metastasis is treated by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). Submucosal cancer and more invasive lesions are surgically treated by thoraco- and aparoscopy-assisted esophagectomy. In May 1997, the first case received totally endoscopic esophagectomy, and which is survival with no tumor recurrence.