Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
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Genital elephantiasis is a severe form of lymphedema of the groin. It is characterized by progressive enlargement and distortion of the genitals, presenting significant physical, psychological, and social challenges to the affected individuals. ⋯ We also discuss how a combination approach of ablation, soft tissue coverage, and lymphatic reconstruction is viable for treating genital elephantiasis. By examining the literature, we hope to provide insights into how surgery plays a role in the holistic management of genital elephantiasis.
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Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, and treatment options include surgery, systemic therapies, and radiotherapy (RT). While postoperative RT plays an important role in reducing local recurrence rates and improving survival outcomes, its exact impact on patients with pathological stage IIB breast cancers remains unidentified. ⋯ Our findings demonstrated that postoperative RT had no significant effect on overall survival, locoregional recurrence, event-free survival, or distant metastasis rates in patients with pathological stage IIB breast cancer. However, anthracycline- and taxane-based chemotherapies were associated with improved outcomes. These findings demonstrated the complexities of treating such patient populations with multimodal therapies. Further research is needed to ensure optimal postoperative RT in patients with pathological stage IIB breast cancer. Clinicians must consider individual patient characteristics and incorporate comprehensive treatment approaches to ensure successful outcomes in this population.
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This study aimed to explore the impact of diabetes on overactive bladder (OAB) presentations and related predictors of healthcare-seeking behavior among adults aged ≥ 40 years in China, Taiwan, and South Korea. ⋯ The proportion of diabetic participants with OAB was 2.5-fold higher than those without diabetes. Diabetes, urinary frequency, nocturia, and urgent incontinence are predictors of medical treatment-seeking behavior, but the key symptom of OAB-urgency is not a predictor of treatment-seeking behavior. It is important for clinicians to recognize the interplay between diabetes and OAB and to early identify various bothersome urinary symptoms for better health outcomes in daily practice.
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Performance status (PS) is associated with the severity of liver cirrhosis and is also an important survival determinant in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade and easy (EZ)-ALBI grade have been proposed to evaluate liver dysfunction in HCC, but their role in patients with different PS is unclear. We aimed to investigate the prognostic role of ALBI and EZ-ALBI grade in a large HCC cohort with variable PS. ⋯ Patients with good PS have better long-term survival compared with those with poor PS. ALBI and EZ-ALBI grade can discriminate long-term outcome in the entire cohort as well as in patients with different PS. ALBI and EZ-ALBI are objective and feasible prognostic models to evaluate liver dysfunction in HCC patients independent of PS.
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Multiple pretreatment systemic inflammatory markers (SIMs) have been reported as predictors of pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) in patients with breast cancer (BC). However, the most significant SIM remains to be conclusively identified, and variations among different molecular subtypes remain unknown. The objective of the study was to identify the most significant SIM in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive BC, to construct a pCR-predictive nomogram combining it with other clinicopathologic factors, and to evaluate its prognostic value on survival. ⋯ Pretreatment SIRI <1.27 is predictive of pCR, DFS, and OS in HER2-positive BC. Our nomogram could efficiently predict pCR and facilitate clinical decision-making before neoadjuvant treatment.