Treatment and outcomes for indigenous and non-indigenous lung cancer patients in the Top End of the Northern Territory.

Background: Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related mortality for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, and the death rate of lung cancer in Indigenous Australians is increasing.

Aims: To provide a comprehensive description of patterns of lung cancer presentation, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes in Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in the Top End of the Northern Territory.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of adult patients with a new diagnosis of lung cancer in the Top End between January 2010 and December 2014.

Pulmonary cryptococcal infection presenting with multiple lung nodules.

Pulmonary infections from the environmental fungus () are notable for cryptococcomas, which are usually solitary and can be very large. As with infections with patients can have concomitant cryptococcal meningitis; however, unlike for infections with often occur in immunocompetent patients. The highest published incidence of infection has been in the Indigenous Australian population of Arnhem Land in the tropical north of the country.

The global burden of respiratory infections in indigenous children and adults: A review.

This review article focuses on common lower respiratory infections (LRIs) in indigenous populations in both developed and developing countries, where data is available. Indigenous populations across the world share some commonalities including poorer health and socio-economic disadvantage compared with their non-indigenous counterparts. Generally, acute and chronic respiratory infections are more frequent and more severe in both indigenous children and adults, often resulting in substantial consequences including higher rates of bronchiectasis and poorer outcomes for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Rapid diagnostic tests for defining the cause of community-acquired pneumonia.

Purpose Of Review: We review the potential new diagnostic tools for determining the cause of pneumonia in the setting of community-acquired infection after outlining the limitation of currently available tests.

Recent Findings: A number of new tools are on the horizon with the potential to overcome the problems of existing tests. These tools include new nucleic acid amplification platforms, real-time computer-assisted microscopy, next-generation sequencing and high-throughput mass spectrometry.