Clin Med
-
The past decade has seen the development of a network of specialist teenage and young adult cancer centres across the UK. These provide expertise in treatment across the spectrum of malignancies that occur in young adults, supported by multi-disciplinary teams that are able to provide the psycho-social support so necessary for this age group, and in a hospital environment that encourages social interaction while delivering expert medical care. The development of teenage and young adult (TYA) cancer as a specialty gained establishment backing in 2005, through NICE guidance which mandated that all 16- to 24-year-olds should be referred to specialist TYA cancer centres. The foundation of this achievement was set by a handful of committed individuals and the Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity that has acted as patient advocate and political pressure group, and that has brought to public attention the need for change while providing support for specialist staff and hospitals.
-
One percent of laboratory samples are rejected as 'unsuitable for analysis’. Although this may be due to incorrect handling, a proportion are attributable to underlying pathology affecting serum, contamination or artefact. In this Lesson of the month we present two case reports. ⋯ In both cases, the laboratory comments had important diagnostic implications. Early identification of lipaemic serum from hypertriglyceridaemic pancreatitis in the first case allowed directed therapy with insulin, and hyperviscous serum from lymphoma in the second allowed directed therapy with plasma exchange and chemotherapy. Other causes of analyser artefact are tabulated to serve as a useful template for hospital doctors in considering underlying causes and practical solutions.