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Introduction. Benign tumors of the liver are rare. Liver angiomyolipoma is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor that usually occurs in adult female patients. There are four types of hepatic angiomyolipoma: (I) hybrid; (II) myoma type; (III) lipoma type; and (IV) hemangioma type. Case outline. We present a 44-year-old female without symptoms, admitted to the Department of Surgery due to the lesion of the third segment of the liver, measuring 35 × 30 × 15 mm. Tumor was totally excised, and the margins of resection were clean. The differential diagnosis based on radiological findings might be difficult. There are many liver disorders with fatty components, both benign and malignant, e.g., hepatic steatosis, adenoma, lipoma, hepatocellular carcinoma or liposarcoma. Conclusion. Its prognosis is good and the recommended treatment is surgical resection.

Introduction/Objective. In Poland, cancers are the second most common cause of death. One in four Poles will have cancer in their life, and one in five will die from it. The purpose of the study was to assess the acceptance of illness and its impact on the quality of life in surgically treated cancer patients. Methods. The study included 123 cancer patients who had undergone surgical treatment between April and May of 2017. The most common were colon (33.3%) and breast cancer (31.7%). Sixty-five percent of the patients were only treated surgically. The Acceptance of Illness Scale, the WHOQOL-BREF quality of life questionnaire, and an original survey were used. Results. Sixty-two patients (50.4%) presented high illness acceptance levels. More than half of the patients rated their quality of life as good (41.5%) or very good (13%). A positive correlation was found between the acceptance of illness and the quality of life scores in the physical health (R = 0.351, p < 0.001), psychological (R = 0.422, p < 0.001), social relationships (R = 0.525, p < 0.001), and environment (R = 0.533, p < 0.001) domains. In the physical and psychological domains, the correlation had moderate strength, while correlations with the social relationships and environment domains were strong. Conclusion. Higher illness acceptance levels were associated with higher quality of life. Acceptance of illness was not associated with patient age, type of treatment, or repeated surgery. Patients who lived alone had significantly lower quality of life and significantly lower acceptance of illness. Patients who had undergone their first surgery perceived their quality of life in the environment domain significantly lower.

Background/Aim. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and portal vein embolizations (PVE) are established methods of treatment of patients with hepatic tumors. The aim of the study was to present our experience in the treatment of liver tumors with embolization as a preliminary treatment for surgery or a part of palliative treatment. Methods. The analysis included 29 patients who had undergone 34 embolizations. Results. TACE was performed in 26 cases with hemangiomas in the unfavorable location, or mass effect and inoperable malignant tumors both primary and metastatic. PVE was performed in 8 cases with primary liver tumors and colon liver metastases.All included patients presented inoperable hepatic tumors. TACE was carried out in the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 1), cholangiocarcinoma (n = 1), metastatic tumor (n = 8), and hemangioma (n = 16), while PVE in the patients with cholangiocarcinoma (n = 2), metastatic tumor (n = 5) and neuroendocrine tumor (n = 1). The embolization was followed by surgery in the 5 PVE patients and 6 TACE patients. The postembolization syndrome was observed in 7 subjects. Death due to cancer progression occurred in the 4 PVE patients and 7 TACE patients. One patient died during TACE due to hemorrhagic shock. Conclusions. Right PVE and selective TACE are efficient for preliminary preparation of patients with healthy hepatic parenchyma for major liver resections, but the patients with liver cirrhosis require careful assessment. In the patients with hemangioma, embolization allows to avoid surgical treatment by reducing the lesion mass, or the extent of hepatic resection. The preliminary results of arterial embolizations with bleomycin, leading to tumor reduction in cases of giant liver hemangiomas are promising.

Introduction. According to the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula, a postoperative pancreatic fistula is defined as every case of fluid leak on the third (or later) postoperative day, in which the level of amylase in the collected fluid is at least three times higher than the serum amylase level. Depending on the stage and the designated management, pancreatic fistulas are divided into the following three categories: A (mild), B, and C (severe). Regardless of favorable conditions, exocrine pancreatic secretion is the key factor in fistula formation. The decrease in pancreatic secretion caused by somatostatin and its analogues combined with parenteral nutrition is a well-established treatment method in pancreatic fistula management. Case outline. The case of a 69-year-old patient who had undergone a resection of a duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor located directly above the major duodenal papilla is presented. Excessive drainage of amylase-rich fluid was observed in the postoperative period. Treatment comprised continuous infusion of somatostatin and parenteral nutrition. Fistula closure was accomplished on postoperative day 14, confirmed by a radical decrease in the volume of drainage and low amylase levels in the collected fluid. The patient remained in a good clinical state and was discharged from hospital on postoperative day 20. Conclusion. This is an example of the early diagnosis of a postoperative pancreatic fistula, treated conservatively with the use of somatostatin. Post-surgery clinical awareness of the importance of direct contact between the stromal tumor and pancreatic tissues, in connection with routine amylase level assessment, led to a quick diagnosis of pancreatic fistula and the therapy led to an uneventful outcome.

Introduction. Operation site infection after carotid endarterectomy is a rare, but potentially fatal complication. The aim of this paper was to present two cases of using CorMatrix ECMR patch for reconstruction of a damaged artery in the course of an operation site infection. Outline of cases. There was an infection and pseudoaneurysm formation in these patients after carotid endarterectomy; one of them ruptured, causing massive hemorrhage. In both cases, carotid artery was reconstructed using CorMatrix ECMR patch resulting in resolution of infection and postoperative wounds healing with maintained complete patency of carotid arteries. Conclusion. The vascular patch of the extracellular matrix CorMatrix ECMR enables successful and safe angioplasty of an artery.

Introduction. Lymphangiomas, also known as cystic hygromas or cystic lymphangiomas, are cystic abnormalities of the lymph vessels and they are rare benign tumors. Tracheal bronchus (Bronchus suis or “pig bronchus”) is a very rare congenital anomaly. The aim of this work is to present а very rare case of а lymphangioma with tracheal bronchus. Case outline. The article presents the rare case of a 35-year-old otherwise healthy man, who was admitted to our thoracic surgery department with a mediastinal tumor. On performing bronchoscopy a tracheal bronchus was found. A thoracic CT scan revealed a well-circumscribed mass in the superior and anterior mediastinum measuring 37 x 39 x 59 mm. First a Carlens mediastinoscopy, and then a right parasternal Chamberlain mediastinotomy were performed. The final pathological diagnosis of lymphangioma was made. In this case, surgery was not performed because the patient was asymptomatic and the tumor did not grow larger during follow-up. Conclusion. The lymphangioma of the mediastinum in an adult is a rare and benign condition with a good prognosis, but it should be considered in a differential diagnosis of mediastinal tumors. We recommend only a minimally invasive diagnostic approach (parasternal mediastinotomy) when the patient is asymptomatic.

Introduction. Meckel’s diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastro intestinal tract, present in about 2% of population. Case Outline. The article presents the case of a 44-year-old otherwise healthy man with anemia, who was diagnosed lower gastrointestinal bleeding. An abdominal CT scan revealed a clearly demarcated solid tumor in hypogastric region, measuring 65 Ч 45 mm. A laparotomy through lower midline incision was performed. A surgical resection of a lesion of a Meckel’s diverticulum was carried out and a final diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor was made. The patient made an uneventful recovery. Conclusion. The preoperative diagnosis of a complicated Meckel’s diverticulum may be challenging. CT is usually an adequate method to diagnose tumors arising from Meckel’s diverticulum.

Introduction. Lipomas are the most common benign mesenchymal tumors, which account for almost 50% of all soft-tissue tumors. Case Outline. The case of a 75-year-old patient with a slow growing lesion of para- and retropharyngeal space was reported. The patient was suffering from progressive dysphagia, respiratory obstruction and sleep apnea. Conclusion. An external surgical approach is the treatment of choice. Etiology, differential diagnosis and therapy of head and neck lipomas has been discussed.

This review provides an overview of cannabis-based phytocannabinoids, focusing on their mechanisms of action, therapeutic applications, and production processes, along with the environmental factors that affect their quality and efficacy. Phytocannabinoids such as THC (∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (cannabidiol), CBG (cannabigerol), CBN (cannabinol), and CBC (cannabichromene) exhibit significant therapeutic potential in treating various physical and mental health conditions, including chronic pain, epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, skin disorders, and anxiety. The cultivation of cannabis plays a crucial role in determining cannabinoid profiles, with indoor cultivation offering more control and consistency than outdoor methods. Environmental factors such as light, water, temperature, humidity, nutrient management, CO2, and the drying method used are key to optimizing cannabinoid content in inflorescences. This review outlines the need for broader data transfer between the health industry and technological production, especially in terms of what concentration and cannabinoid ratios are effective in treatment. Such data transfer would provide cultivators with information on what environmental parameters should be manipulated to obtain the required final product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Due to the increasing number of cases and the levels of mortality, colorectal cancer is still a major health problem. Therefore, the growing interest in the quality of life of patients and the assessment of the quality of life of patients with colorectal cancer seems to be particularly important. The aim of the study was to investigate and determine factors that have a significant impact on the QoL of patients who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer that was surgically treated in the Surgical Department of the 4th Military Clinical Hospital in Wroclaw. Methods: 102 respondents were enrolled into the study. The QLQ-C30, QLQ-CR29 as well as an original questionnaire regarding the socioeconomic factors were used for the assessment. The information was supplemented with patients' clinical data. Results: According to the QLQ-C30 questionnaire the average QoL of the respondents was 55%. Factors such as male gender, younger age, higher BMI, no significant weight loss, living with family, lower level of education and being professionally active have significant positive impact on QoL. In contrary, patients with more advanced and malignant cancer with tumor located in the right half of the colon had worse QoL. The particular domains of QoL influenced by these factors were also identified. Determining these factors will allow for more effective treatment, for the shortening of the hospitalization and finally for the reduction of the costs. Conclusion: The better QoL of the patients with colorectal cancer treated surgically showed younger men, living with family and with the support from close people, professionally active, with primary level of education, and without significant weight loss, ie less than 5% of body weight in the last 6 months. Moreover, patients with cancer located in the left colon, at a lower stage, with a lower grading demonstrated a better QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases characterized by progressive and irreversible damage to the optic nerve. The aim of the study was to examine the impact of sociodemographic and psychological factors on adherence to glaucoma therapy. Methods: The study was carried out among 190 adults treated for glaucoma at the Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinic of the University Teaching Hospital in Wroclaw between January 2019 and September 2019. Treatment adherence was measured using the Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale (ARMS). We used the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT–R) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Results: 58.9% patients reported low treatment adherence. Educated females aged 68 or under living in cities had higher adherence. The regression analysis showed an association between dispositional optimism and glaucoma treatment adherence. The higher the level of dispositional optimism, the better the adherence. Higher dispositional optimism is directly associated with a sense of self-esteem and self-efficacy and a feeling of internal control. Patients reporting a high level of illness acceptance were found to have 2.5 times higher odds of adhering to glaucoma therapy. Illness acceptance is an indicator of the degree of adaptation to an illness and is positively correlated with a sense of self-esteem and self-efficacy and engagement in healthy behavior. Conclusion: More than half of patients with glaucoma have low adherence. Sociodemographic characteristics (female gender, age 68 or under, tertiary education and living in an urban area) and psychological characteristics (high level of illness acceptance, dispositional optimism and satisfaction with life) are significant predictors of high adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The impact of medical intervention on a patient's quality of life (QoL) is more and more important. Treatment success is defined not only in terms of the success of the procedure performed but also with regard to its impact on different areas of the patient's life. The aim of the study was to assess the QoL of patients after cataract surgery and identify factors that affect it. Methods: Between January and March 2018, a survey was carried out among 100 patients who had undergone cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation at the 'Spektrum' Clinical Ophthalmology Centre in Wrocław. The World Health Organization Quality of Life—BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire and Illness Acceptance Scale (AIS) were used. Results: Most respondents (67%) rated their overall health as very good. The median score on the AIS was 34 (31.5–39), indicating a high level of illness acceptance. There was no statistically significant relationship (p > 0.05) between sex and QoL nor between the level of illness acceptance and QoL. We found no statistically significant relationships between place of residence and QoL (p > 0.05) nor between place of residence and AIS. Conclusions: The respondents reported the highest QoL scores for the environment domain and the lowest QoL scores for the social relationships domain. QoL had a positive impact on illness acceptance among the study patients. Younger patients (aged 50 or under) reported significantly higher scores for all the domains of QoL. Being employed was found to be associated with better QoL and greater illness acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most prevalent and lethal malignancies. Lipidomic investigations have revealed numerous disruptions in lipid profiles across various cancers. Studies on CRC exhibit potential for identifying novel diagnostic or prognostic indicators through lipidomic signatures. This review examines recent literature regarding lipidomic markers for CRC. PubMed database was searched for eligible articles concerning lipidomic biomarkers of CRC. After selection, 36 articles were included in the review. Several studies endeavor to establish sets of lipid biomarkers that demonstrate promising potential to diagnose CRC based on blood samples. Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, ceramides, and triacylglycerols (TAGs) appear to offer the highest diagnostic accuracy. In tissues, lysophospholipids, ceramides, and TAGs were among the most altered lipids, while unsaturated fatty acids also emerged as potential biomarkers. In-depth analysis requires both cell culture and animal studies. CRC involves multiple lipid metabolism alterations. Although numerous lipid species have been suggested as potential diagnostic markers, the establishment of standardized methods and the conduct of large-scale studies are necessary to facilitate their clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the sequence of the CYP1B1 gene, more than 50 polymorphisms, resulting from single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), have been described. Some of them play an important role as specific genetic markers in the process of carcinogenesis and for therapeutic purposes. In this publication, we present methods we have developed that enable the specific and unambiguous identification of four polymorphisms that result in amino acid changes: c. 142C > G, c. 355G > T, c. 1294C > G, and c. 1358A > G. Our studies are based on cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPSs) and artificially created restriction site (ACRS) PCR techniques; therefore, they require only basic laboratory equipment and low financial outlays. Utilizing the described methods allows for the reduction of research time and cost, and the minimization of errors. Their effectiveness and efficiency depend on the careful design of appropriate primers and the precise selection of suitable restriction enzymes. As a result, further confirmation by sequencing is not necessary. Using the developed method, we examined 63 patients diagnosed with lung cancer and observed a 1.5 to 2.1 times higher frequency of the analyzed single-nucleotide polymorphisms compared to the frequency in the European population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]