Family History as a Risk for Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer: A Case Control Study

Abstract Background: Although, family history of cancer is an important risk factor for upper gastrointestinal cancers development, but limited information is available on the upper gastrointestinal cancers associated with family history in Iran. The purpose of this study was to define upper gastrointestinal cancers risk associated with family history of cancer

Clinical and pathological characteristics of colorectal polyps in Iranian population

Background & Aim: Colon polyps are important lesions and a concern because of the potential for colorectal cancer. Colorectal carcinoma is one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths in Iranian population. The distribution of polyps in the colon may affect the efficacy of a screening modality. The aim of this study was to determine clinical & pathology characteristics of colorectal polyps in Iranian population.Material & Methods: In this study is cross sectional survey that 856 polypectomies were done in 716 patients. Anatomical distribution, size and histopathology of polyps were described in 2004 – 2008 in the educational hospital of Taleghani in Tehran.Results: polyps were observed in 437 males and 279 females and gastroenterologists did colonoscopic polypectomy. 3.12 percent of polyps were located in the rectum, 19.6 percent in sigmoid, 24.4 percent in descending colon, 13.9 percent in transverse colon, 29.6 percent were in cecum and ascending colon..77(9%) polyps were non-neoplastic and 779(91%) were neoplastic. Adenomas were present in 727 (85%) cases, of these 411 (56% of adenomas) were left-sided and 316(44% of adenomas) were right-sided. Carcinoma was observed in 52 cases, of these 18(34.5%) were left sided and 34(65.5% of carcinomas) were right sided. Of them 354 were advance polyp (> 1cm, villous type, high grade dysplasia). 87(34%) of Advance polyps were in under 50 year patients and 149 (58.6 %) were right sided.Conclusion: This study has shown that a significant number of adenomas and carcinomas lie proximal to the splenic flexure. Thus, in the absence of left-sided lesions, it is expected that examination of the colon limited to the splenic flexure would miss 44% of such lesions. The increasing right-sided prevalence of these lesions with age suggests that evaluation of the proximal bowel is particularly important in older people. In addition there were higher stages of dysplasia and malignancy in larger polyps

E-Mail and Photographs: A Case Report of a Patient-Initiated Diagnostic Tool in the Era of Electronic Communication

This case report reviews some of the clinical aspects of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor-induced rash, and, more importantly, it describes a specific case in which the diagnosis of such a rash occurred by means of a patient-initiated photographic electronic communication. The fact that this electronic communication was patient-initiated suggests that health care providers will likely be asked to make clinical decisions based on this type of communication soon and that this type of seemingly low-cost approach will likely become an important aspect of cancer symptom control and palliative care in the future

Risk of colorectal cancer in relatives: A case control study

Background: In around 10 to 15% of all colorectal cancer (CRC) cases, a positive family history of colorectal cancer is observed . Although increased risk of colorectal cancer in individuals with a family history of the disease has been observed consistently in the past studies, limited information is available on colorectal cancer associated with family history in Iran. Aims : The purpose of this study is to define the risk of colorectal cancer associated with a family history of cancer. Setting and Design: The present study was designed as an unmatched case control study. The cases were 393 patients with histologically confirmed colorectal carcinomas and there were 393 controls, randomly selected from among the healthy participants in a health survey. Methods : The family history was extracted from a standard history form completed by the patient or from the record created by a health care provider. Statistical Analysis: Mantel-Heanszel Odds Ratio was computed for removing the confounding effect of age and sex. Results : A positive family history of cancer was reported by 36.4 and 24.4% among the cases and controls, respectively. Colorectal cancer risk increased two-fold in subjects who reported having first degree relatives with cancer. The adjusted odds ratio was 4.76, indicating that having a positive family history of colorectal cancer among relatives increased one\u2032s risk of colorectal cancer about 4.5-fold. Conclusion: According to our findings, a family history of cancer increased the risk of CRC. Due to this fact that there is no current colorectal cancer screening program in Iran, it is recommended that first degree relatives of patients with colorectal cancer should be considered as a priority group for screening programs

Detecting of Beta-lactamase Genes in Clinical Isolates of Escherichia Coli Isolated From Baqiyatallah Hospital of Bashagard and Evaluating Their Antibiotic Resistance and Biofilm Formation

Biofilm formation has been observed in different species of bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The formation of biofilms in the airways of pneumonia patients and chronic lung patients is one of the important factors in prolonging the treatment period, exacerbating clinical symptoms and even death of patients. The present study aimed to investigate beta-lactamase genes in clinical isolates of Escherichia coli isolated from Baqiyatallah Bashagard Hospital and to evaluate their antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation. In the present study, 60 isolates from fecal samples of patients with symptoms of diarrhea and suspected Escherichia coli infection were collected and selected from Baqiyatallah Hospital of Bashagard. After confirmation of Escherichia coli strains using microbial culture and biochemical tests, the presence of three beta-lactamase genes in these isolates was examined. The ability of isolates to form biofilms and their resistance to two different antibiotics were also measured. A phenotypic study of isolates based on optical absorbance measurements showed that among the clinical Escherichia coli isolated from Baqiyatallah Hospital of Bashagard, only 10 isolates could form a strong biofilm in the microtiter plate.&nbsp