Queries 5

September 21, 2009 · Posted in Uncategorized · Comments Off 

Acute Pancreatitis


40 ACUTE PANCREATITIS
Clay Cothren M.D., Jon M. Burch M.D.

1. What are the common causes of acute pancreatitis?

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Gallstones (45%), alcohol (35%), and other (20%).

2. What are the uncommon causes?

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Hyperlipidemia, hypercalcemia (hyperparathyroidism, multiple myeloma), iatrogenic factors (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), drugs (didanosine, thiazide diuretics, H2 blockers, tetracycline, azathioprine), infections (mumps, coxsackievirus), pancreas divisum, and scorpion bites (favorite pimp question on rounds). Approximately 10% of cases are considered truly idiopathic.

Melanoma


64 MELANOMA
Mark D. Walsh Jr. M.D., William R. Nelson M.D., Joyesh K. Raj M.D.

1. What is melanoma?

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The term melanoma implies a malignant tumor; malignant melanoma is redundant. The most malignant of all skin cancers, melanoma usually forms from a preexisting nevus or mole but may develop de novo.


What Is Cancer


63 WHAT IS CANCER?
John A. Ridge M.D., Ph.D.

1. What is a neoplasm?

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A neoplasm is a new growth of tissue (tumor) in which cells grow progressively under conditions that do not prompt the growth of normal cells. A malignant neoplasm (cancer) is composed of cells that invade other tissues and spread.

2. What kinds of cancers are there?

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Malignant tumors of epithelial (surface tissue) cells are carcinomas. Malignant tumors of mesenchymal (connective tissue) cells are sarcomas. Carcinomas and sarcomas are solid tumors. Hematologic malignancies, such as leukemia, are liquid tumors of mesenchymal origin.

3. What about skin cancers?