Esophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer worldwide and the sixth most common cause of cancer-related death; however, worldwide incidence and mortality rates do not reflect the geographic variations in the occurrence of this disease. In recent years, increased attention has been focused on the high incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) throughout the eastern corridor of Africa, extending from Ethiopia to South Africa. Nascent investigations are underway at a number of sites throughout the region in an effort to improve our understanding of the etiology behind the high incidence of ESCC in this region. In 2017, these sites established the African Esophageal Cancer Consortium. Here, we summarize the priorities of this newly established consortium: to implement coordinated multisite investigations into etiology and identify targets for primary prevention; to address the impact of the clinical burden of ESCC via capacity building and shared resources in treatment and palliative care; and to heighten awareness of ESCC among physicians, at-risk populations, policy makers, and funding agencies.

In patients undergoing total knee replacement we carried out a longitudinal cohort study to determine the efficacy and safety of a postoperative autologous blood reinfusion system, as an alternative to homologous, banked blood transfusions. Fifty patients received reinfusion of unwashed, filtered, shed blood, supplemented with banked blood transfusions as required. A control group of 50 patients in whom standard suction drains were used received homologous blood transfusions as required. In the study group, the homologous blood requirement was reduced by 80%. There was no significant difference in the postoperative haemoglobin values between the two groups. None of the patients developed any adverse reactions after reinfusion.Résumé Chez des patients opérés par arthroplastie totale du genou nous avons fait une étude par cohorte longitudinale pour déterminer l'efficacité et la sécurité d'un système de réinfusion du sang de drainage postopératoire, comme une alternative aux transfusions de sang homologue. Cinquante patients ont eu une reinfusion du sang autologue filtré, complété par des transfusions de sang homologue selon les besoins. Un groupe témoin de 50 patients avec drainage standard a reçu des transfusions de sang homologue comme nécessaire. Dans le groupe de l'étude, la nécessité de sang homologue a été réduite de 80%. Il n'y avait aucune différence notable des taux postopératoires d'hémoglobine entre les deux groupes. Aucun des malades n'a présenté d'effet secondaire après reinfusion.

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