فهرست مطالب

Middle East Journal of Cancer
Volume:1 Issue: 2, Apr 2010

  • تاریخ انتشار: 1389/04/01
  • تعداد عناوین: 8
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  • Zahra Mojtahedi, Sharareh Solati Dalaki, Alamtaj Samsami Dehaghani, Minoo Robati, Ahmad Monabati, Mohammad Javad Fattahi, Abbas Ghaderi Page 65
    Introduction
    The proto-oncogene HER2 plays a key role in the control ofcellular proliferation. Its overexpression has been reported to be associated with apoor prognosis in cancer, particularly in breast cancer.
    Materials And Methods
    In the present study, serum HER2 levels wereinvestigated in patients diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer. Serum HER2levels were detected by an ELISAcommercial kit in 51 patients and 33 healthyindividuals.
    Results
    The mean serum HER2 level was found to be significantly higher inpatients than healthy controls (P=0.005). In 29% of patients, serum HER2 levels werehigher than the cut-off value. HER2 serum level was not associated with tumor stageat diagnosis.
    Conclusion
    Elevation of HER2 in a high proportion of patients with epithelialovarian cancer further strengthens the importance of this molecule in the pathogenesisof ovarian cancer.
  • Ahmad Mosalaei, Hamid Nasrolahi, Amin Shafizad, Niloofar Ahmadloo, Mansour Ansari, Mohammad Amin Mosleh-Shirazi, Shapour Omidvari, Mohammad Mohammadianpanah Page 69
    Introduction
    Mucositis is a disturbing side effect of radiotherapy treatment forhead and neck cancer. To date, no effective modality for its prophylaxis and treatmenthas been found. We performed this study to evaluate the efficacy of oral zincsulphate in delaying the onset of oral and pharyngeal mucositis and decreasing theirseverity.
    Materials And Methods
    A total of 58 patients who were treated for head andneck squamous cell carcinoma with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy wererandomly assigned to receive oral zinc sulphate (220 mg) or an oral placebo 3 timesa day during their radiotherapy course. Total radiation dose was 6000 cGy to 7000cGy by conventional radiotherapy. Seventy nine percent of the patients also receivedconcurrent chemotherapy. Oral and pharyngeal mucositis were scored according toan RTOG protocol.
    Results
    Time to onset of mucositis did not vary between the two groups.However, oral mucositis scores were less severe in the zinc group in weeks 4 to 6.The difference was statistically significant and the Pvalues for weeks 4, 5 and 6 were0.02, 0.007, and 0.012, respectively. Treatment interruptions in both groups were thesame (four cases each) and all were due to dysphagia (pharyngeal mucositis).
    Conclusion
    Our results suggest that zinc is effective in reducing the severity oforal mucositis but not pharyngeal mucositis. Treatment interruptions were morefrequently caused by pharyngeal mucositis which presented as dysphagia, rather thanoral pain that was a manifestation of oral mucositis
  • Azadeh Andisheh Tadbir, Mohmmad Javad Fattahi, Bijan Khademi, Sarapourshahidi, Hooman Ebrahimi, Yasaman Sardari, Zahra Fattah Page 77
    Introduction
    Galectin-3, a member of the family of Beta-galactoside-bindinganimal lectins, has been implicated in tumor invasion and metastasis.
    Materials And Methods
    Using an ELISAkit, we assessed the circulating levelsof galectin-3 in sera from 40 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients and from43 healthy controls.
    Results
    Serum galectin-3 levels in OSCC patients were significantly higher(5.1±2.5 ng/ml) when compared with healthy controls (2.6±3.07 ng/ml, P<0.0005).There was no apparent correlation between serum galectin-3 concentration andclinico_pathological features such as stage, tumor size, nodal status, distant metastasisand histological grade.
    Conclusion
    This result suggests that, in addition to other tests, measurement ofserum galectin-3 concentrations can be utilized as an adjuvant test for establishinga diagnosis of OSCC.
  • Majid Reza Farrokhi, Zeinab Ansari Page 83
    Background
    Meningiomas are common benign tumors of the central nervoussystem. Patients with meningiomas achieve postoperative optimal functional recovery,but there is a probability of tumor recurrence months or years after surgical resection.This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of recurrent meningioma and thecorrelation between tumor recurrence and certain factors.
    Materials And Methods
    We performed a retrospective descriptive-analytical studyof patients with meningiomas who underwent surgical treatment in hospitals affiliatedwith Shiraz University of Medical Sciences during a 20-year period (1988 to 2008).Factors including sex, age, bone changes, peritumoral edema, histological subtypes,tumor size, shape, location and resection degree, and recurrence time were evaluatedin each patient.
    Results
    The recurrence rate of intracranial meningioma in a total of 644 patientsincluded in the study was 10%. Statistical analysis of data showed a correlation betweenedema, bone changes, tumor size and shape, and histological subtypes. No relationshipwas found between age, sex and tumor location. This study has shown a statisticalcorrelation between radiotherapy and a reduced probability of tumor recurrence or growthafter surgical resection.
    Conclusion
    Although the majority of meningiomas are benign, they can havemalignant presentations. Recurrence occurs after a shorter period of time in patientswith malignant and atypical meningiomas than in patients with benign meningiomas.Edema, bone changes, large size, special tumor shape and malignant histologicalsubtypes are important prognostic factors that predict the probability of tumorrecurrence or growth. Findings show a statistical correlation between the degree oftumor resection and its recurrence. This study recommends a more complete tumorresection along with adjuvant therapy and closer follow-up to decrease the risk oftumor recurrence.
  • Masood Jawaid, Beenish Qamar, Zubia Masood, Shaukat Ali Jawaid Page 89
    Objective
    To ascertain cancer patient's views regarding disclosure of diagnosisin the Pakistani population, anxiety levels after disclosure of the diagnosis, interestin knowing all the treatment options and desire to inform their families. Patients and
    Methods
    In this cross-sectional study, 147 cancer patients fromdifferent hospitals in Pakistan were asked questions to determine their opinionsregarding whether the diagnosis of cancer should be disclosed to patients and theirrelatives or not. Anxiety after diagnosis disclosure and who should disclose thisinformation were also asked. Patients were also asked about their views regardingwhether their families should be informed about the cancer diagnosis withoutpatient's prior consent.
    Results
    A total of 147 cancer patients completed the questionnaire. Of these, 112(76.2%) wanted to know about their cancer diagnosis while only 28 (19.0%) patientsrefused. Anxiety levels were increased in 59 (40.1%) patients, remained the same in61 (41.5%) and decreased in 27 (18.4%). One hundred and twenty three patients(83.7%), wanted to know the diagnosis from their physicians. Eighty-four (57.1%)patients were interested in all treatment options, while 102 (69.4%) patients wantedto be actively involved in decision making about their treatment. Only 37 (25.2%)patients answered affirmatively to the question which asked if their families wereinformed about the patient's disease without patient's prior knowledge, while 82(55.8%) disagreed.
    Conclusion
    The majority of cancer patients wanted disclosure of their diseaseby their doctor. The results of this study provide important implications for Pakistanidoctors concerning the practice of diagnostic cancer disclosure to the patients.
  • Farhad Emadi, Afshin Borhanihaghighi Page 95
    This report describes the case of a 56 year-old man with a history of diplopia. His brain imaging showed multiple lesions with a metastatic appearance, however all investigations to determine the primary source of malignancy were negative. The patient underwent a brain biopsy, which was positive for anaplastic astrocytoma, a rare tumor that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of secondary brain tumors.
  • Morteza Mehdizadeh, Masoomeh Eghtedari, Mohammad Reza Khalili Page 99
    Herein, we report the clinical, pathologic and photographic findings of a 16 year-old girl who presented with gradual enlargement of a vascularized, hemorrhagic peripapillary mass that eventually led to vitreous hemorrhage and rubeosis iridis. Histopathological findings after enucleation were positive for retinoblastoma. The patient did not have any metastasis during her 20 months of follow up.