Liver resection for hepatocellular and fibrolamellar carcinoma in a South African tertiary referral centre - an observational cohort analysis.

Background: More than 80% of global hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) occur in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and South- East Asia. Compared with the rest of the world, HCC in SSA has the lowest resection and survival rates. This study assessed outcome following liver resection for HCC and fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) at a tertiary referral centre in South Africa.

Screening colonoscopy in the initial workup of bariatric surgery patients: guidelines are needed.

Background: Cancer is one of the most common causes of death among morbidly obese individuals. Obese individuals have a well-documented increased risk of colon cancer. No guidelines are available for the workup of bariatric surgery patients in relation to colon cancer.

Microsatellite polymorphism of the human leptin gene and risk of obesity.

Background: Leptin is a hormone mainly produced by adipose tissue. It acts on both energy intake and expenditure to maintain relative stability of body weight and energy storage over long period of time. Variation in size of the tetranucleotide repeat located at the 3' end of leptin gene (LEP3'HVR) can influence leptin expression.