Pseudomembranous colitis is frequently associated with antibiotics and more rarely with chemotherapeutic agents such as 5-fluorouracil. The objective of this study is to show that it is possible to confuse this infection with chemotherapy associated toxicity. We present a 54 year old woman who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer and in the first cycle of chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil developed pseudomembranous colitis. We detected the toxin B of Clostridium difficile in stools and we began early antibiotic treatment. Thus, in patients with post chemotherapy neutropenia and diarrhoea that develop negatively, we have to rule out this infection.

In the last 2 decades, clinical genetics on hereditary colorectal syndromes has shifted from just a molecular characterization of the different syndromes to the estimation of the individual risk of cancer and appropriate risk reduction strategies. In the last years, new specific therapies for some subgroups of patients have emerged as very effective alternatives. At the same time, germline multigene panel testing by next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology has become the new gold standard for molecular genetics.

The breast cancer screening programmes (BCSP) are very controversial at the present time. They are evaluated by different socio-economic sectors, each with its own particular point of view. Large numbers of breast cancer cases are concentrated in the Oncology Services, which are, therefore, sensitive to the changes that these programmes could bring about. All patients attending the medical oncology and radiotherapy services of the Reina Sofia University Hospital, Cordoba from January 1994 until January 2003 were reviewed. Of 1785 patients, 829 went to these services after the start of the BCSP introduced in March 1999 and 956 before it. The variables analysed were age, presentation form, stage and treatment received. In conclusion, the BCSP has produced favourable changes with respect to stage (increasing the percentage of early breast cancer) and therapeutic management (increasing conservative surgery and decreasing the number of adjuvant treatments (radiotherapy and chemotherapy)). These changes are more outstanding in the population group covered by the BCSP.

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