Does stress-related hormonal suppression of natural killer activity show menstrual cycle variations : implications for timing of surgery for breast cancer?
This study supports the role of menstrual cycle-induced alterations in NK cells as a putative mediator of improved survival when surgery for breast cancer is carried out in the follicular phase. However there is no evidence of the cyclical sensitivity of NK cells to the principal surgical stress hormones.
Routine bilateral lower-extremity venous duplex studies are not necessary in outpatients presenting with unilateral symptoms. In many outpatients, a single-limb study will suffice. If a patient is found to have a DVT on the symptomatic side, then we believe that a bilateral study is indicated. We do believe that routine bilateral scanning of inpatients remains justified. This algorithm may save technician time and increase vascular laboratory efficiency.