Subject(s)
Autoimmune Diseases , Autoimmune Pancreatitis , Pancreatic Neoplasms , Pancreatitis , Humans , Autoimmune Pancreatitis/diagnosis , Autoimmune Pancreatitis/diagnostic imaging , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors , Pancreas/diagnostic imaging , Pancreatitis/diagnosis , Pancreatitis/diagnostic imaging , Diagnostic Imaging , Autoimmune Diseases/diagnosis , Autoimmune Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Diagnosis, Differential , Pancreatic Neoplasms/diagnosisABSTRACT
Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is a prevalent organism infecting almost half the global population. It is a significant concern, given its associated risk of gastric cancer, which is the third leading cause of cancer death globally. Infection can be asymptomatic or present with dyspeptic symptoms. It may also present with alarm symptoms in the case of progression to cancer. Diagnosis can be achieved non-invasively (breath tests, stool studies, or serology) or invasively (rapid urease test, biopsy, or culture). Treatment involves acid suppression and regimens containing several antibiotics and is guided by resistance rates. Eradication is essential, as it lowers the risk of complications and progression to cancer. Follow-up after eradication is similarly important, as the risk of cancer progression remains. There have been many recent advances in both diagnosis and treatment of Hp. In particular, biosensors may be effective diagnostic tools, and nanotechnology, vaccines, and potassium-competitive acid blockers may prove effective in enhancing eradication rates.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The prevalence of celiac disease (CD) among cancer patients is unknown, yet new cases of CD occur after cancer therapy exposure. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical course and endoscopic features of patients with positive celiac serology (PCS) post-cancer therapy exposure (PCTE) as compared to those with no cancer therapy exposure (NCTE). Methods: A retrospective study of adult patients with PCS at MD Anderson Cancer Center between March 2009 and May 2020. Patients with positive tTG IgA, tTG IgG, and/or EMA IgA were categorized into cases with NCTE and PCTE. Clinical course, endoscopic and histologic features, and treatments were compared between the two groups. Results: Of the 4,345 patients screened for celiac serology, 21 (0.5%) met inclusion criteria. 12 were PCTE, with a median time of 258 days (173-930 days) from initiation of the last cancer therapy. Those PCTE had a higher rate of diarrhea (75% vs 22%, p = 0.030), malnutrition and death. A gluten-free diet was initiated in 82% PCTE vs 89% NCTE, with the majority experiencing symptom resolution. There were no significant differences in endoscopic and histologic features. 17 patients met criteria for CD diagnosis. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that CD may be under-diagnosed in cancer patients. Patients with PCS after cancer therapy may present with diarrhea, nutritional deficiencies, and malnutrition, yet a gluten-free diet may be efficacious in treatment management. Therefore, CD should be considered when treating cancer patients. Given the relative proximity of PCS to cancer therapy exposure, future studies should investigate the association of cancer and cancer therapy with the development of CD.
Subject(s)
Deglutition Disorders/etiology , Deglutition , Esophageal Diseases/complications , Lichen Planus/complications , Aged, 80 and over , Barium Sulfate/administration & dosage , Biopsy , Contrast Media/administration & dosage , Deglutition Disorders/diagnosis , Deglutition Disorders/physiopathology , Esophageal Diseases/diagnosis , Esophageal Diseases/therapy , Esophagoscopy , Female , Humans , Lichen Planus/diagnosis , Lichen Planus/therapyABSTRACT
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an attractive therapeutic option in cirrhotic patients with recurrent variceal bleeding refractory to medical and endoscopic therapy. There is little known about the use of TIPS in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). We describe a patient with a durable continuous-flow LVAD and concurrent decompensated cardiac cirrhosis who underwent successful TIPS placement for recurrent variceal bleeding. The patient has had no rebleeding or encephalopathy in >12 months since TIPS placement.
