Pipeline to the Physician Assistant Profession: A Look to the Future.

The current pipeline of physician assistant (PA) school applicants reflects the future workforce of the profession, which is why the admissions process with all its components and variables is so important. Many studies have shown that a workforce that represents the patients it cares for leads to improved health outcomes, especially among underrepresented minority populations. Yet, PA programs have made little progress over the past 2 decades in increasing the diversity of matriculants and graduates.

Treatment Facility: An Important Prognostic Factor for Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma Survival.

A National Cancer Database study of on survival outcomes for patients with dedifferentiated liposarcomas found that insurance status, median household income, and treatment facility were associated with differences in median survival and 5- and 10-year survival probabilities.

Lumbar Microlaminectomy vs Traditional Laminectomy.

Lumbar microlaminectomy is associated with shorter hospitalization and lower cost within the VA system.

Pheochromocytoma of the bladder.

Pheochromocytoma is a rare catecholamine-secreting tumor. Unless recognized and treated appropriately it can be lethal. Common symptoms include sustained or paroxysmal hypertension associated with headaches, sweating, or palpitations.

Diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer is the sixth most prevalent malignancy in the United States. The most common type of bladder cancer is urothelial (transitional cell) carcinoma, and cystoscopy remains the mainstay of diagnosis and surveillance. Fluorescence cystoscopy offers improvement in the detection of flat neoplastic lesions, such as carcinoma in situ.