The British journal of surgery
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Thyroid function has been associated with breast cancer risk, and breast cancer cell growth and proliferation. It is not clear whether thyroid function affects prognosis following breast cancer but, if so, this could have an important clinical impact. The present study analysed prospectively collected measurements of free tri-iodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) in relation to breast cancer survival. ⋯ In the present study, there was a positive association between free T4 levels and improved breast cancer survival.
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Reconstructive alternatives should be discussed with women facing mastectomy for breast cancer. These include immediate and delayed reconstruction, which both have inherent advantages and disadvantages. Immediate reconstruction rates vary considerably in Swedish healthcare regions, and the aim of the study was to analyse reasons for this disparity. ⋯ Significant regional differences in immediate reconstruction rates were not explained by differences in tumour characteristics, but by disparities in patient information, availability of plastic surgery services and involvement in decision-making.
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Neoadjuvant radiation therapy for locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma decreases lymph node yield. This study investigated the association between survival and number of lymph nodes evaluated in patients with pathologically negative nodes after neoadjuvant therapy. ⋯ Overall and cancer-specific survival were worse where fewer than nine lymph nodes were identified after neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer.
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Observational Study
Cardiovascular risk prevention and all-cause mortality in primary care patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Perioperative mortality is low for patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, but long-term survival remains poor. Although patients diagnosed with AAA have a significant burden of cardiovascular disease and associated risk factors, there is limited understanding of the contribution of cardiovascular risk management to long-term survival. ⋯ Appropriate risk factor modification could significantly reduce long-term mortality in patients with AAA. In the UK, up to 30 per cent of patients are not currently receiving these medications.