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Background: There is limited research on whether women choose urology as a future career. Therefore, we aimed in this study to assess the influencing and challenging factors among female physicians in Saudi Arabia. Methods: We approached 552 female physicians, including 29 (5.2%) urologists and 523 (94.7%) non-urologists. A cross-sectional survey was carried out, which included five sections and 46 items to assess and compare the perspectives of (urologists and non-urologists regarding influencing factors to choose urology, challenges toward applying to urology, and challenges during and after urology residency. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software. Responses were presented as frequencies and percentages, while associations were studied using the Chi-squared test/Fisher's exact test. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 552 female physicians, 466 completed the survey. The survey items compared urologists and non-urologists among female physicians. Among both cohorts, the most influencing factors in choosing urology were the diversity of practice and urological procedures (p =0.002, p<0.001). There were no social barriers or challenges when applying for urology residency (p<0.001). Overall, the majority of female urologists reported a high level of agreement that they have more time to work at the clinic (55.2%), they are satisfied as they are currently being urologists (75.8%), satisfied with their current lifestyle (72.6%). They would choose urology again as a future career (58.6%). Non-urologist female physicians 326 (74.6%) think they are more likely to have experienced gender discrimination than urologists 15 (51.7%) (p<0.001). Female urologists were less likely to face social barriers when applying for urology residency than non-urologists (p<0.001). Conclusion: As urologists, we must understand women's struggles, such as gender discrimination, a lack of academic advancement, and a lack of mentorship. To foster women's careers in urology, we must understand their unique needs, provide adequate mentorship, exterminate gender discrimination bias, and improve mentorship.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Amidst an era of rising malignancies worldwide, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the 7th most commonly detected, owing to 144,000 cancer-related deaths annually. Demographic knowledge of such cases in Saudi Arabia is poorly portrayed. According to the 2014 Saudi Cancer Registry, RCC has rated the 10th most common malignancy among males, posing a significant disease burden. Global studies have depicted a great discrepancy of 15 folds in the incidence of RCC among different countries, which is commonly attributed to variations in each countries development. We aimed to assess the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients who underwent nephrectomy in our health-care facility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study done at a tertiary care facility of all cases of RCC as per the pathology department database for the period of 2007-2017. The OS and DFS were statistically determined using Stata/SE 15.0. RESULTS: Overall, 109 RCC patients were included in the study. Mean age at diagnosis was 53.8 (range: 24-89) years. Demographic data revealed a total of 71 (65.14%) males included in the study and 38 (34.86%) females. The OS at 2 years and 5 years was noted to be 95.3% and 92.6%, respectively. The DFS was found to be 90.8% at 2 years and 85.4% at 5 years. On multivariate analysis of the results, step-wise model was utilized to eliminate irrelevant variables affecting the OS, with a probability to eliminate variables with P > 0.2. Metastasis (M) was found to be a relevant variable (hazards ratio [HR]: 52.25 [P = 0.003]; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.75-728.88). On multivariate analysis of the DFS, variables were found to be significant which include gender (HR: 0.15 [P = 0.063]; 95% CI: 0.02-1.105), nationality (HR: 16.1 [P = 0.034]; 95% CI: 1.24-209.13), age at diagnosis (HR: 0.93 [P = 0.031]; 95% CI: 0.87-0.99), and pathological stage (T) (HR: 7.89 [P = 0.003]; 95% CI: 1.98-31.36). CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed a notable discrepancy in the 5-year OS and the 5-year DFS as compared to studies in the literature. However, our study was limited to a single center and the majority of our patients were diagnosed at a rather early stage. With the rising number of RCC cases worldwide and in Saudi, this further necessitates extensive disease surveillance for trends in all parameters.
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BACKGROUND: Significant macromastia is socially and physically debilitating. Reduction mammaplasty in these cases carries significant morbidity. METHODS: Cases of inferior pedicle reduction mammaplasty performed at the breast unit, King Fahd Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, over the last 10 years were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were cases with significant macromastia in which the distance from the supra-sternal notch to the nipple was ≥ 40 cm. RESULTS: There were 26 cases of inferior pedicle reduction mammaplasty done for significant macromastia. The average age was 34.56 years (range, 16-56 years). The average sternal notch to the nipple distance was 43.08 cm (range, 40-49 cm). The average amount of breast tissue removed from the right breast was 1,057.6 g (range, 495-2,450) and from the left breast was 959.4 g (range, 445-2,100). Postoperatively, 4/26 (15.4%) had ecchymosis, 9/26 (34.6%) developed T-junction sloughing, 2/26 (7.7%) had wound infection, and 1/26 (3.8%) had unilateral partial nipple-areola complex ischemia. In 7/26 (26.9%), scars were evident and revision was performed in 4/26 (15.4%) cases. Variable degrees of upper breast flattening and bottoming were seen in most cases; however, these variations were more profound in fatty breasts and longer pedicles. The average follow-up period was 26.04 months (range, 3-68 months). All patients were satisfied with the reduced breast heaviness, but only 19/26 (73.1%) were highly satisfied with the breast shape and scars. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of significant macromastia, inferior pedicle reduction mammaplasty is a safe procedure. Evident scars, upper breast flattening, and bottoming adversely affect the level of satisfaction.
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INTRODUCTION: Glycogen Rich Clear Cell Carcinoma (GRCC) is a rare variant of breast carcinomas and believed to be linked with a poor prognosis. CASE SUMMARY: We are presenting a 60-year-old Saudi lady with a 2cm GRCC carcinoma associated with clear cell ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and no axillary lymph node involvement. The tumor was Estrogen and Progesterone receptors (ER & PR) positive and HER 2-neu negative. She underwent mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy followed by hormonal therapy. She is alive and free of disease for 35 months. CONCLUSION: The prognosis of GRCC may not be different from other types of invasive breast cancer.