Conservative Management of Gestational Hypercalcemia Due to Primary Hyperparathyroidism with Lack of Complications.

Introduction: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is rare in pregnancy. PHPT and hypercalcemia are associated with negative maternofetal outcomes. Therefore, an early diagnosis and adequate treatment are essential.

Gastric GIST and prognostic models. Which is the best to predict survival after surgery?

Background: Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours (GIST) are the most frequent mesenchymal tumour of the alimentary tract. Their prognosis is largely variable as are their size, mitotic rate and site, the stomach being mostly affected. Several risk classifications have been proposed: two developed by the NIH, one proposed by the AFIP and one presented by the AJCC in 2010.

Turbulence-Driven Ion Beams in the Magnetospheric Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability.

The description of the local turbulent energy transfer and the high-resolution ion distributions measured by the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission together provide a formidable tool to explore the cross-scale connection between the fluid-scale energy cascade and plasma processes at subion scales. When the small-scale energy transfer is dominated by Alfvénic, correlated velocity, and magnetic field fluctuations, beams of accelerated particles are more likely observed. Here, for the first time, we report observations suggesting the nonlinear wave-particle interaction as one possible mechanism for the energy dissipation in space plasmas.

Molecular-targeted therapy for elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related mortality in men and women. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents close to 90% of all lung cancers. When diagnosed, >50% of patients are >65 years old.

Managing the incidentally detected gallbladder cancer: algorithms and controversies.

Introduction: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the fifth most common neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract and the most common cancer of the biliary tract. GBC is suspected preoperatively in only 30-40% of patients. The other 60-70% are discovered incidentally (IGBC) by the pathologist on a gallbladder specimen following cholecystectomy for benign diseases such as polyps, gallstones, and cholecystitis.

Is there still a role for mitomycin-based combination chemotherapy in treating patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer? A single institution experience.

Background: Mitomycin and irinotecan are widely used in the treatment of colorectal cancer, furthermore both of these drugs are active agents against nonsmall cell lung cancer and their combination has shown synergism in preclinical studies. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mitomycin- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy combination in patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer progressing after previous antineoplastic therapies.

Methods: Thirty-one consecutive patients suffering from nonsmall cell lung cancer, who underwent mitomycin- plus irinotecan-based chemotherapy as salvage treatment after failure of at least two previous systemic treatments, were retrospectively identified in our database.

Incidental gallbladder cancer during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: managing an unexpected finding.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of incidental gallbladder cancer on surgical experience.

Methods: Between 1998 and 2008 all cases of cholecystectomy at two divisions of general surgery, one university based and one at a public hospital, were retrospectively reviewed. Gallbladder pathology was diagnosed by history, physical examination, and laboratory and imaging studies [ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT)].

Initial experience with hepatic intraarterial fotemustine and interferon alpha 2b combination for treatment of liver tumors.

Background: Locoregional treatments represent a good option for patients suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) not eligible for resection or transplantation. Locoregional approaches include a wide spectrum of therapeutic methods and hepatic intra-arterial drug infusion is also considered. Fotemustine is a chemotherapy drug usually administered intravenously according to standard administration schedules.

Hepatic intra-arterial interferon alpha 2b-based immunotherapy combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based systemic chemotherapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) not responsive and/or not eligible for conventional treatments: a pilot study.

Background: Surgery (partial hepatic resection or orthotopic liver transplantation) remains the mainstay for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, most patients have HCC that cannot be removed either as a result of its size, multiple tumors, location, proximity to major vessels or ducts within the liver, and comorbidity, such as a not well-compensated cirrhosis. For patients who cannot be treated surgically, systemic chemotherapy is frequently limited by unacceptable toxicity, poor response and low survival rates, so that locoregional approaches may be considered as alternatives.