Rays
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Surgery, when feasible, rappresents the treatment of choice for lung cancer. Several problems can come to the attention of the anesthesiologist in relation to the respiratory function with implications in airway control (double-lumen tube for lung collapse required for better surgical exposure of the pulmonary tissue), mechanical and gas-exchange aspects (increase in airway pressure of the dependent lung, increased blood shunt). ⋯ Right heart failure is the major risk particularly in preexisting pulmonary hypertension Supraventricular arrytmias can often occur in case of history of cardiovascular disease, metabolic and mechanical intraoperative alterations (type and duration of surgery, pericardial and autonomic nervous system manipulations). Unusual complications are cardiac herniation and pulmonary re-expansion-edema.
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Based on a review of the literature on resectable lung cancer, pulmonary risk factors before, during and after surgery are discussed. The role of preoperative evaluation in order to determine the patient ability to withstand radical resection is considered. Spirometric indexes as forced expired volume (FEV1) and diffusing lung carbon monoxide capacity (DLCO) should be measured first. ⋯ However, if FEV1 and DLCO are <60% of predicted, further evaluation with a quantitative lung scan is required. If predicted postoperative values for FEV1 and DLCO are >40%, patients can undergo lung resection, otherwise exercise testing is necessary. If the latter shows maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) of > 15ml/Kg, surgery can be performed; if VO2max is <15 ml/Kg, patients are inoperable.
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Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3-D CRT) or intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) have been increasingly used as an alternative to radical prostatectomy in patients with localized carcinoma of the prostate and in patients at high risk, in combination with hormonal therapy. To better understand the implications of dose-time and fractionation in prostate cancer, it is important to be familiar with some laboratory investigations dealing with the cell kinetics characteristics of this tumor. Biological and clinical considerations of dose fractionation, total dose of irradiation and local tumor control, elapsed overall treatment time and sequelae of irradiation are illustrated, based on an exhaustive review of the literature.
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The university with the fragmentation of knowledge in the disciplines required by an in-depth study and by research had to reconsider over and over the doctor's curriculum in order to make professionalism able to concretely and consistently address health needs. The main points of this new process of medical education and training are presented as an analytical list illustrated in its single aspects. These subjects tackle only some of the main problems that substantiate the renewal of medical education for the development, in a harmonious sysnthesis, of cognitive competences (knowledge), psychomotor competences (know how to do) and psychoemotional competences (know how to be).