Cardiac neoplasms, whether primary or secondary, are more and more easily diagnosed in the present era. For the primary heart tumors, myxomas and sarcomas constitute the most common neoplasms, whereas for the secondary ones, lung cancer constitutes the most common primary location. Cardiac neoplasms may involve the endocardium, the myocardium, the epicardium, the valves or any combination of these. Their clinical manifestations are not specific and depend on their anatomic location and size. Diagnosis of cardiac neoplasms has become more feasible with the use of echocardiography and other imaging techniques (computed tomography and magnetic resonance). The major problem, however, still remains that most diagnoses are late, especially for malignant tumors. For resectable tumors, surgery remains the mainstay of treatment, whereas for metastatic disease palliative treatment remains the only therapeutic option. This paper reviews the types of heart tumors, their clinical symptoms, the diagnostic approaches and the therapeutic tools used by physicians.

This paper reviews the negative impact of diabetes mellitus or hypothyroidism on wound healing, both in experimental and clinical settings. Since both are metabolic disorders of great clinical importance, special attention is given, not only to their pathophysiology, but also to their biochemical and histological effects on tissue integrity and regeneration. Also, special focus is awarded on wound healing of the gastrointestinal tract, i.e. in intestinal anastomosis, and how these disorders can lead to wound dehiscence. Since diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism can coexist in clinical settings, more research must be directed on their influence on wound healing, considering them as one clinical entity.

Concomitant therapy led to statistically significant higher eradication rates over sequential therapy. Both therapies showed excellent compliance and an acceptable safety profile. The 10-day quadruple concomitant scheme should be the adopted for first-line H. pylori eradication in Greece.

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