[Thyroid cancers derived from follicular epithelial cells are histologically classified as papillary, follicular and anaplastic. Cancers that originate from parafollicular, or C-cells, are termed medullary carcinomas. Their annual incidence is fairly low; 3 to 7 cases per 100 000 people. After the Chernobyl disaster, however, thyroid cancers have received much attention. They often occur at young age, and frequently and early give metastases. They typically grow slowly and have a good prognosis even in the metastatic stage. The main prognostic factors include age, tumour size and extent, the completeness of surgical removal, distant metastases and tumour grade. Based on these parameters, they are classified into high-risk and low-risk groups. There are no prospective randomized studies available on the optimal treatment of thyroid cancers. Their biological aggressiveness differs according to geographic location, which explaines why the management of thyroid carcinomas has not been standardized internationally. Contrary to America and Australia, in Europe there are several endemic goitre regions, and background radiation is higher. It is generally accepted that here the standard therapy of choice is total thyreoidectomy with adequate lymph node dissection followed by postoperative radioiodine ablation. It is a reasonable demand to minimize the higher morbidity associated with radical surgery (e.g., recurrent nerve palsy, postoperative hypoparathyroidism) below 1%. It is recommended that such operations are performed by experienced thyroid surgeons in centres with multidisciplinary endocrine teams.]

[INTRODUCTION - Primary neoplasm of the great blood vessels is rarely reported. The tumour most commonly presents in the inferior vena cava. In general, the prognosis is very poor, since intimal sarcomas metastasise early, and mural sarcomas grow silently and remain hidden for a long time. Also, because this type of tumour is so uncommon, it is often not considered for diagnosis. CASE REPORT - We report on the case of a 77- year-old woman with progressive symmetric oedema of the lower limbs. The investigations revealed a tumour thrombus that obliterated the inferior vena cava in its entire length. No surgery was possible because of the advanced stage of the disease. Later, Budd-Chiari syndrome developed and the patient died of progressive hepatic failure. The tumour was initially thought to be that of extravascular origin breaking into the vein. However, autopsy revealed a primary tumour of vascular origin, which histologically proved to be a leiomyosarcoma. CONCLUSION - Today, the recognition of the insidiously growing vascular mural sarcomas is assisted by an entire diagnostic arsenal. It is important, however, that the possibility of this rare disease is considered in time to permit surgical removal, the only treatment that can prolong survival. The authors would like to contribute to this by presenting this rare clinical case.]

[During pregnancy, metabolic changes occur physiologically, which are enhanced by the presence of gestational or praegestational diabetes. The basis of these changes is the increasing insulin resistance throughout pregnancy, which in diabetics may result in hyperglycaemia with undesirable clinical consequences and complications. These complications can be prevented in diabetic pregnant women by maintaining the physiological metabolic state typical of healthy pregnant women. Thus the aim of the treatment is to achieve a normoglycaemic state throughout pregnancy. In most cases this is only possible by the use of insulin, along with appropriate dietary measures. Intensive insulin regimes are successfully used in the metabolic control of pregnant diabetic women, and the use of insulin analogues and insulin pump may also be considered.]