Metformin is one of the most popular antidiabetic drugs. It is usually well-tolerated and widely used as a first line treatment in type II diabetes. However, there is more to metformin than meets the eye. The world of science held its breath when in 2010 the American Diabetes Association and American Cancer Society agreed, that taking metformin is clearly associated with a lower risk of cancer (1). For the last years various tests have been performed to warrant the theory. Does metformin prevent cancer in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients? Can the biguanide help those who already suffer from cancer? What are the possible mechanisms explaining the beneficial effects of metformin? We can find all the answers in a thorough review prepared by Bost et al., published in the January volume of “Current opinion in oncology” (2). Read full text »

German scientists came up with the discovery of a new biomarker which could be controlled to assess a response to chemotherapy of colorectal cancer. Indication of methylation of transcription factor AP-2 epsilon (TFAP2E) gens can be useful medical examination, helping to determine a chemotherapy resistance. (1,2) Read full text »

The bones of the skull form a natural shield for the delicate structures of the brain. Unfortunately sometimes part of the cranial bones have to be removed due to cancer or injury. Large defects of the skull structures are a major functional and aesthetic issue. First attempts of supplementing the loss of bone structures with the use of gold alloys took place already around 3000 years b.c. Since that time filling the defects in the cranial structures evolved from the primitive metal plates through the tantalum plate, to the modern plastics and biomaterials. Meanwhile the new CAD/CAM technology increasingly gains interest of surgeons, as it enables the production of individual prostheses of perfectly matched shape and dimentions. Read full text »

Stress, problems at work, difficult life situation are almost indispensable elements of the modern world. The constant rush additionally increases the tension and makes it difficult or even impossible to relax or rest. For many people the food is the way to deal with this type of emotions. It improves mood because it stimulates production of endorphins (called hormones of happiness), in the body. It is natural and one of the easiest ways to improve mood. But sometimes improving mood by food gets out of control and becomes an obsession. Read full text »

Walking corpse syndrome, the delusion of death is one of the names of the state manifested by the patient’s belief to be deceased. The aetiology of affliction is read into stressful way of life and severe depressive state. People diagnosed with Cotard syndrome, which is the correct name of this disease, are convinced that they are dead and therefore claim that they cannot die again. Read full text »

The European Union through the 7th Framework Programme is funding the project ODHIN designed to increase the activity of the family physicians in the delivery of health care interventions for the hazardous and harmful alcohol drinking patients. The project began in January 2011, it will end in December 2014. Nineteen partners from 9 European countries are taking part in the project. Poland is represented by 3 institutions. Read full text »

Treatment of cancer has become a challenge for contemporary medicine. The doctor owns a powerful weapon – scientifically tested methods of proven clinical efficiency (tumor resection, irradiation, chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, etc.). In most cases, when changes are detected too late (in advanced stage), the conventional therapy is not as effective as it is expected. A patient who suffers from cancer with bad prognosis (only a few months of life) falls into despair and in spite of costs tries to find a solution that will give him/her (in theory) a chance of recovery. One of the above mentioned is amygdalin, Vitamin B17. On the Internet it was called a ‘panacea for cancer’. Read full text »