Middle East Journal of Cancer
Volume:5 Issue: 1, Jan 2014

Magnetic resonance imaging of the breast is becoming a useful adjunct to mammography and sonography for the detection of breast lesions. However, it is not yet accepted as a routine examination for all breast cancer patients due to the lack of data regarding whether breast magnetic resonance imaging impacts recurrence or survival. This trial examines the use of magnetic resonance imaging for detection of additional lesions in patients with dense breasts and its effect on surgical treatment. Between November 2011 and November 2012, 51 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer and dense breasts underwent bilateral breast magnetic resonance imaging. Cases were reviewed to determine if the breast magnetic resonance imaging detected additional masses, changed the preoperative clinical staging, the operation plan, or prompted additional testing.Magnetic resonance imaging detected 37 additional masses in 19 patients that were not detected by mammography. Cancer occult to mammography was detected by magnetic resonance imaging in one woman. Breast magnetic resonance imaging upstaged the cancer in 7 (13.72%) out of 51 patients. Magnetic resonance imaging impacted surgical treatment in 4(7.84%) out of 51 patients. Magnetic resonance imaging is effective in the identification of additional masses in dense breasts that are not visualized on mammography. Of the 51 patients, 4 (7.84%) who underwent magnetic resonance imaging altered their surgical management due to the magnetic resonance imaging findings. Further studies should be undertaken to show that breast magnetic resonance imaging can change local recurrence and survival.

Angiogenesis is essential for the growth, invasion and metastasis of solid tumors. Research on related factors such as microvessel density can be helpful in predicting a tumor''s behavior. CD105 has been introduced as a marker of angiogenesis which stains vessels that are in the proliferating stage. There are some controversies about the relation of microvessel density and clinicopathological features of oral squamous cell carcinoma. The aim of this study is to determine the CD105 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its relation to the clinicopathological features of this disease. We studied a total of 42 patients who had oral squamous cell carcinoma. The control group consisted of 15 cases with normal oral epithelium. CD105 immunostaining was performed on 4 μm thick tissue sections. Intratumoral and peritumoral microvessel density in ten areas of the sections were recorded by two pathologists. There was a significantly higher CD105 microvessel density value in the tumoral tissues compared with normal tissues. In addition, there was more expression of this marker in the invasive front area. The CD105 microvessel density value had a positive relation with lymph node metastasis. There was an association between tumor size and CD105 microvessel density in the invasive front region. A negative association between tumor grade and CD105 microvessel density value in the intratumoral region was observed. In both areas, CD105 expression was higher in cases with advanced clinical stage. There was no association between this marker and patients'' ages or gender. CD105 microvessel density can be a useful factor for predicting the course of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Performance of a health system is of great importance since it is the major means for improving health. Until now, various methods have been proposed for assessing the performance of the health system. The method proposed by World Health Organization is based on three major goals of the health system: health improvement, accountability, and equity in financial contribution. Equity of a household''s financial contribution in the health system can be determined through the measurement of catastrophic health expenditures. Therefore, the present study aims to determine the percentage of households with cancer patients that face catastrophic health expenditures. This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in a cross-sectional manner. The statistical community of this research included all households with cancer patients who referred to the chemotherapy and radiotherapy wards of Namazi Hospital, Shiraz, Iran. The study participants were selected by simple random sampling. We used the expenditure part of World Health Organization''s Health Survey Questionnaire to gather data related to the 245 study participants. Data analysis was conducted by SPSS statistical software and the chi-square test. According to the results, 67.9% of households with cancer patients faced catastrophic health expenditures. There was a significant relationship between facing these costs and type of insurance, residence, use of outpatient services, type of treatment and other family members who refrained from using healthcare services. The high percentage of households with cancer patients who face catastrophic health expenditures can direct policy makers to develop support policies for these patients and, at the same time, aim at reducing their treatment expenses. Paying special attention to cancer patients, considering cancer as a specific disease, revising the country’s insurance system, and reconsidering the provided services can be the priorities of the health system.

Physical and psychological stresses produced by diagnosis and treatment of cancer can lead to positive psychological changes or posttraumatic growth. The aim of current study is to assess posttraumatic growth and its dimensions in Iranian patients with cancer, and the impact of demographic characteristics on posttraumatic growth. This was a descriptive study on 452 patients with cancer who referred to the oncology wards of two main hospitals in Tehran, Iran. The instruments were the Demographic Characteristics Scale and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. SPSS version 15 was used to analyze the data. The mean age of participants was 46. 2±14. 2 years, 59% were female and 39% had metastatic cancer. The mean PTGI score of the participants was 68. 6±14. 6. The most acquired percentage of score was for «spiritual changes» and «communication with others». Age, educational status, income, and type of cancer had significant correlation with posttraumatic growth score. The findings of the current study indicated that the score of posttraumatic growth in Iranian patients with cancer was higher than in patients of Western societies. The most improvement was seen in the «spiritual changes» dimension.

There is an increasing incidence of colorectal cancer in Malaysia. The aim of this study is to evaluate sociodemographic data, knowledge, awareness, practice level, and quality of life in colorectal cancer patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2011 to June 2012 that involved 105 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer at four chosen tertiary government hospitals. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaire was used to measure quality of life and consisted of global health status, five functional scales, six single items and three symptoms scores. A novel knowledge, awareness and practice questionnaire toward colorectal cancer contained three sections of 36 closed-ended questions on knowledge, and ten questions on awareness and practice. The mean age of the respondents was 58.30±12.64 years. Most respondents were diagnosed with Dukes’ D (46.7%) stage. Patients’ age showed significant association (Spearman Correlation test) with emotional (P=0.048) and social functioning (P=0.036). Indians showed significant association with global health status (P=0.007), emotional functioning (P=0.039) and pain (P=0.009). There was a significant association between females with nausea and vomiting (P=0.015) and lower household income with diarrhea (P=0.042). Cancer stage showed the most significant association with patients’ quality of life with cognitive functioning (P=0.030), social functioning (P=0.006), pain (P=0.044) and financial impact (P=0.047). Although the mean scores for knowledge (24.53±2.36), awareness (29.72±2.09) and practice (24.05±3.65)were high, they were not associated with quality of life. Our research showed that patients with advanced age and disease have lower quality of life. Raising awareness by educating the public and implementing a nationwide screening program would allow early detection and treatment of colorectal cancer, thus avoiding deterioration of quality of life.

Complementary and alternative medicine is popular among cancer patients worldwide. Among these, herbal medicines have a substantial place in cancer treatment and palliation. Cancer patients in the Western world use complementary and alternative medicine in conjunction with conventional care. However, the situation in a developing country such as India that has some highest cancer rates worldwide is alarming. Lack of early screening and treatment facilities coupled with high cost of treatment often compels patients to seek alternative measures for treatment. We discuss two cancer patients with advanced disease who tried an alternative poly herbal therapy (HUMA). This herbal formulation was derived from various important Ayurvedic herbs viz. Azadirachta indica, Curcuma longa, Embelica officinalis, Ocimum sanctum, Semecarpus anacardium, and Tinospora cordifolia, among others. A male patient 59 years of age with disseminated malignant disease of either pseudomyxoma peritonei or metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma showed immense benefit by this therapy with complete regression of his malignancy. The patient completed five years of disease-free survival after cessation of therapy. The second case, a 33-year old male patient diagnosed with rectal carcinoma and multiple metastatic lesions in his liver underwent HUMA therapy with stabilization in his disease progression for an 11-month period. In this case, treatment with HUMA was helpful in palliative care. No adverse effects were noted in either patient.

MNTI is a rare neoplasm of neural crest origin which usaully affects infants during the first year of life.It ocurrs most commonly in the maxilla but mandible,skull,brian and epididymis can also be involved.Despite its rapid local growth MNTI is considered as a benign neoplasm. High recurrence rate and malignant transformation potential has been reported so early diagnosis by learning its distinctive cliniopathological and imaging feateures is mandatrory as more and more cases are reported.