Can we extend the indication for sentinel node biopsy in vulvar cancer? A nationwide feasibility study from Sweden.

Background: In squamous cell vulvar cancer, sentinel node biopsy is accepted as standard treatment in well-defined patient groups and has reduced surgical morbidity considerably. Currently, due to the lack of evidence, it cannot be offered to patients with tumors of 4 cm diameter or greater or with multifocal tumors, or in local recurrences.

Primary Objective: This study is primarily a pilot and feasibility trial, aiming to evaluate if the prerequisites concerning detection rate and negative predictive value are satisfactory before the implementation of a multinational trial.

Robot-assisted approach to cervical cancer (RACC): an international multi-center, open-label randomized controlled trial.

Background: Radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy represents the standard treatment for early-stage cervical cancer. Results from a recent randomized controlled trial demonstrate that minimally invasive surgery is inferior to laparotomy with regards to disease-free and overall survival.

Primary Objective: To investigate the oncologic safety of robot-assisted surgery for early-stage cervical cancer as compared with standard laparotomy.

[Patient-initiated diagnostics - a challenge for laboratory medicine].

Citizens can now order their own laboratory investigations. Self-testing is in line with increasing patient empowerment and in conflict with existing routines in medicine where all tests are ordered by the physician. Several challenges have to be faced by laboratory medicine to secure the quality and increase the medical benefits of patient-initiated diagnostics.

[Not Available].

Falsely elevated plasma creatinine due to monoclonal gammopathy Analytical interference may give rise to falsely elevated as well as reduced clinical biochemical results. Hemolysis, icterus and lipemia in patient samples are well-known causes of analytical interference. Laboratories usually automatically check for these interferences and take them into account.

[Age- and gender-specific reference intervals are pivotal to ensure appropriate interpretation of plasma alkaline phosphatase activities in the lower range].

Age- and gender-specific reference intervals are pivotal to ensure appropriate interpretation of plasma alkaline phosphatase activities in the lower range Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is an inborn error of metabolism caused by loss-of-function mutations of the ALPL gene that mainly express alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in bone and liver. The clinical expression of HPP is highly variable and is classified into six different forms mainly affecting bone and tooth mineralization. The prognosis for each of these HPP forms depends upon the severity of the skeletal disease which reflects the age at presentation.

[Opioid prescription changes in Sweden 2000–2015].

Opioid prescription changes in Sweden 2000-2015 In contrast to the well-established »opioid epidemic« in the US, very little is known about how the prescription of opioids in Sweden has developed during the last decade. Aggregated data from the open Statistical database of the Swedish Board of Health and Welfare were analyzed descriptively. The yearly prevalence of opioid prescription did not change 2006-2015, but there were dramatic shifts in the choice of opioids.