Prognostic Importance of Ki-67 Labeling Index in Grade II Glial Tumors

In our opinion, Ki-67 LI is an important prognostic factor for grade II gliomas, hut it cannot be used as a diagnostic measure alone. It must be used in combination with the other prognostic factors

Radioprotective Effect of Amifostine (WR 2721) and Vitamin E on Whole-Body-Irradiated Rat Liver

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether amifostine with/or without vitamin E could protect the normal liver from the effects of ionizing radiation. Material and Methods: Six groups were included in the study, each consisting ten, healthy, male, Wistar rats. The first group (control group) did not receive any radiation, amifostine (WR 2721) or vitamin E (proportional to tocopherol acetate). The second group received an intraperitoneal (i.p.) infusion of 200 mg/kg amifostine (WR 2721) and subcutaneous (s.c.) infusion of 100 IU/kg vitamin E (proportional to tocopherol acetate). The third group received only 8 Gy total body irradiation (TBI). The fourth group received irradiation and an intraperitoneal (i.p.) infusion of 200 mg/kg amifostine, administered half an hour prior to the irradiation. The fifth group received irradiation and subcutaneous (s.c.) infusion of 100 IU/kg vitamin E (proportional to tocopherol acetate), administered one hour prior to the irradiation. The last (sixth) group received irradiation and amifostine and vitamin E infusion under the same conditions. We measured thiol and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in plasma and MDA levels in liver tissue. Results: Plasma MDA levels were not different in the control and the irradiated groups. Plasma thiol level was lowest in the third [irradiation alone (R)] group, and it was significantly different from the first (C) group (p Objective:&nbsp;The aim of this study was to assess whether amifostine with/or without vitamin E could protect the normal liver from the effects of ionizing radiation.&nbsp;Material and Methods:&nbsp;Six groups were included in the study, each consisting ten, healthy, male, Wistar rats. The first group (control group) did not receive any radiation, amifostine (WR 2721), or vitamin E (&prop; tocopherol acetate). The second group received an intraperitoneal (i.p.) infusion of 200 mg/kg amifostine (WR 2721) and subcutaneous (s.c.) infusion of 100 IU/kg vitamin E (&prop; tocopherol acetate). The third group received only 8 Gy total body irradiation (TBI). The fourth group received irradiation and an intraperitoneal (i.p.) infusion of 200 mg/kg amifostine, administered half an hour prior to the irradiation. The fifth group received irradiation and subcutaneous (s.c.) infusion of 100 IU/kg vitamin E (&prop; tocopherol acetate), administered one hour prior to the irradiation. The last (sixth) group received irradiation and amifostine and vitamin E infusion under the same conditions. We measured thiol and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in plasma and MDA levels in liver tissue.&nbsp;Results:&nbsp;Plasma MDA levels were not different in the control and the irradiated groups. Plasma thiol level was lowest in the third [irradiation alone (R)] group, and it was significantly different from the first (C) group (p&lt; 0.001). Plasma thiol level of the fifth (irradiation plus vitamin E [R + V - E]) group was lower than the level in the first (C) group and the difference was significant (p= 0.019). The comparison of the plasma thiol level of the third (R) group with the fourth (R + A) and the sixth (R + A + V - E) groups revealed much higher levels in the fourth (R + A) and the sixth (R + A + V - E) groups than in the third (R) group; this difference was significant (p&lt; 0.001). The highest liver MDA level was in the third (R) group and the difference compared with the first (C) group was significant (p&lt; 0.001). In the third (R) group, the level of liver MDA was significantly higher than in the fourth (R + A) and sixth (R + A + V - E) (p= 0.001 and p= 0.003 respectively) groups.&nbsp;Conclusion:&nbsp;Amifostine and vitamin E are effective in protecting the liver against the damage induced by irradiation.</p

Prognostic factors for survival in adult patients with grade II glial tumors

Aim: To investigate survival results of patients with low grade gliomas (LGGs) and to evaluate the predictive role of clinico-pathologic prognostic factors on survival.Material and Methods: Between 2003 and 2014, the adult patients with Grade II glial tumors were evaluated retrospectively. Several variables were investigated to find prognostic factors related with the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).Results: This study involved in 124 patients with median 40 months follow up. The average OS for the all patients was 7.8 years. 2-, 5- and 10- year OS ratios were 91%, 73% and 55%, respectively. Patients with low pignatti risk score had a longer OS than high pignatti risk score (p=0.01). Patients with seizure had a better OS (p=0.03). Patients with biopsy/partial resection had a poorer OS (p=0.02). Patients with residue after initial surgery had a worse OS (p=0.03). If the patients had recurrence or progression, the patients had poorer OS (p=0.01). Tumor with malignant transformation (p=0.01) and glioblastoma subtype after second surgery (p=0.003) had a poorer OS. The Pignatti risk score and seizure were the independent prognostic factors for PFS.Conclusion: The extent of surgery and recurrence or progression of Grade II glioma were the independent prognostic factors for OS. The Pignatti risk score and seizure were the independent prognostic factors for PFS.Aim: To investigate survival results of patients with low grade gliomas (LGGs) and to evaluate the predictive role of clinico-pathologic prognostic factors on survival.Material and Methods: Between 2003 and 2014, the adult patients with Grade II glial tumors were evaluated retrospectively. Several variables were investigated to find prognostic factors related with the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).Results: This study involved in 124 patients with median 40 months follow up. The average OS for the all patients was 7.8 years. 2-, 5- and 10- year OS ratios were 91%, 73% and 55%, respectively. Patients with low pignatti risk score had a longer OS than high pignatti risk score (p=0.01). Patients with seizure had a better OS (p=0.03). Patients with biopsy/partial resection had a poorer OS (p=0.02). Patients with residue after initial surgery had a worse OS (p=0.03). If the patients had recurrence or progression, the patients had poorer OS (p=0.01). Tumor with malignant transformation (p=0.01) and glioblastoma subtype after second surgery (p=0.003) had a poorer OS. The Pignatti risk score and seizure were the independent prognostic factors for PFS.Conclusion: The extent of surgery and recurrence or progression of Grade II glioma were the independent prognostic factors for OS. The Pignatti risk score and seizure were the independent prognostic factors for PFS

Adjuvant radiotherapy for Stage I seminoma: A Single-institutional experience.

There is no consensus regarding the management of Stage 1 seminomas following inguinal orchiectomy. In this study, we evaluated the treatment results and treatment-related toxicity for patients with Stage 1 seminomas treated with adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) at a single institution

Determination Of Parameters Affecting The Use Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine In Cancer Patients And Detection Of Prevalence Of Use

This study was conducted to find out the frequency of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use that could lead to troubles in patient health and in applied standard therapy protocols when used improperly, which method is used, the reasons for use and from which resources the information about this topic were obtained. A questionnaire consisting of 28 questions was applied to 195 patients with cancer diagnosis by a face-to-face interview. The obtained data were assessed with SPSS 11.5 program. Out of 195 cancer patients, 100 (51.3%) were using CAM and 48.7% (n=95) were not. The most commonly used agent was nettle (72%). This was followed by herbal teas (21%), grape molasses (20%) and black seed (20%). The frequency of CAM use was found higher in those under age 50, in literate people, in those working during the diagnosis stage and having disease at the later stage. While CAM was commonly recommended by friends and relatives of the patients (73%), this ratio was only 5% for health professionals. While 51.3% of all patients were gathering information about CAM, 75% of those actually using CAM gathered information about it. Whilst information was gathered mostly from the relatives of patients and tamperers (47%), it can be gathered from physicians only with a ratio of 10%. Cancer patients use CAM and they gather information mainly from unreliable sources rather than physicians. Although the primary information source should be physicians, the ratio for this was very low (10%). We suggest that physicians should spend more time in gathering correct information and sharing them with their patients for a better guidance

Solitary plasmacytoma: Experiences from Central Anatolia

Background Solitary plasmacytoma localised to bone or soft tissue without myeloma

Determination of Parameters Affecting the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Cancer Patients and Detection of Prevalence of Use

This study was conducted to find out the frequency of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use that could lead to troubles in patient health and in applied standard therapy protocols when used improperly, which method is used, the reasons for use and from which resources the information about this topic were obtained. A questionnaire consisting of 28 questions was applied to 195 patients with cancer diagnosis by a face-to-face interview. The obtained data were assessed with SPSS 11.5 program. Out of 195 cancer patients, 100 (51.3%) were using CAM and 48.7% (n=95) were not. The most commonly used agent was nettle (72%). This was followed by herbal teas (21%), grape molasses (20%) and black seed (20%). The frequency of CAM use was found higher in those under age 50, in literate people, in those working during the diagnosis stage and having disease at the later stage. While CAM was commonly recommended by friends and relatives of the patients (73%), this ratio was only 5% for health professionals. While 51.3% of all patients were gathering information about CAM, 75% of those actually using CAM gathered information about it. Whilst information was gathered mostly from the relatives of patients and tamperers (47%), it can be gathered from physicians only with a ratio of 10%. Cancer patients use CAM and they gather information mainly from unreliable sources rather than physicians. Although the primary information source should be physicians, the ratio for this was very low (10%). We suggest that physicians should spend more time in gathering correct information and sharing them with their patients for a better guidance

Adjuvant radiotherapy for Stage I seminoma: A Single-institutional experience

Objectives: There is no consensus regarding the management of Stage 1 seminomas following inguinal orchiectomy. In this study, we evaluated the treatment results and treatment-related toxicity for patients with Stage 1 seminomas treated with adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) at a single institution. Methods: Sixty-five patients who underwent adjuvant RT following orchiectomy for Stage 1 seminomas between January 1996 and December 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. The age, tumor location, histopathological type, stage, tumor size, RT field, and radiation dose were recorded for all patients. Results: The patients' ages ranged from 17 to 61 years (median, 37 years). Sixty-three patients (97\%) were diagnosed with classical seminoma and the remaining two patients (3\%) had spermatocytic seminoma. After orchiectomy, 37 patients (57\%) received para-aortic RT and 28 patients (43\%) received dog-leg field RT. RT was applied with 1.8u2 Gy/day fractionation and the median RT dose was 26 Gy (range, 20u38). Follow-up ranged from 0.3 to 18 years (median, 9.5 years). Local control had been achieved in all patients and all of them were alive with no evidence of disease. Fifty-one patients (77\%) had at least 5 years of follow-up and 27 patients (41\%) had at least 10 years of follow-up. Overall survival at 10 years was 100\%. Conclusion: Although retrospective in nature, this single-institutional study provides useful information about the outcomes and toxicities associated with adjuvant RT in patients with Stage 1 seminomas reporting excellent disease control and survival rates at the expense of acceptable toxicity

Estimating radiation therapy toxicity and tolerability with comprehensive assessment parameters in geriatric cancer patients.

Cancer prevalance and incidence is increasing with aging of populations and age is a critical factor in decision-making for anti-cancer treatment. However it is believed that chronological age is not enough to guide management in elderly cancer patients. Multidisciplinary evaluation and comprehensive geriatric assessment has gained importance regarding the treatment selection especially for definitive anti-cancer therapy recently. We here aimed to analyse the effect of the comprehensive geriatric assessment parameters on radiotherapy toxicity and tolerability in a series of geriatric cancer patients in Turkey

THE TREATMENT RESULTS OF MALIGN PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA. PATIENTS: A SINGLE CENTRE EXPERIENCE

Objective: The aim of this study is to asses the treatment results of our malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) patients