Survival Outcome in Men with Prostate Cancer in Yazd Province, Central Iran, from 2001 to 2012

Background: Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among men in the world. This cancer has increased significantly during recent years in Iran and is the sixth most common malignancy in Iranian men. Survival rates for prostate cancer in Iran are unknown. The present study aimed to estimate survival of patients suffering from prostate cancer in Yazd, Iran. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, data were collected from 100 men with prostate cancer registered in Shohadaye Kargar and Shahid Sadoughy hospitals in Yazd during the period 2001-2012. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the survival over time and Cox regression analysis was performed to calculate the hazard ratios according to demographic and risk variables. Results: The mean age of all patients was 74.4 years. They had a mean survival time of 70.78±4.94 month. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 97%, 73%, and 54%, respectively. A statistically significant correlation was found between age, tumor grade, cancer stage, treatment and survival time of patients (p0.05). Conclusion: In this study, 5-year survival of patients with prostate cancer was poor. Screening of men for cancer diagnosis in early stages and use of advanced treatment option, it seems to improve survival outcome. Further studies are needed to monitor the survival of patients with prostate cancer in Iran

PREVALENCE OF OCCULT HEPATITIS B INFECTION IN IRANIAN CANCER PATIENTS BEFORE CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENT

ABSTRACT Background Occult hepatitis B infection is characterized by negative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and also detectable hepatitis B virus (HBV) -DNA, with or without hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc). HBV reactivation in individuals under immunosuppressive therapy is critical, occurring in occult HBV. Objective In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of occult HBV infection among hepatitis B surface antigen negative in cancer patients before receiving chemotherapy. Methods Sera from 204 cancer patients who were negative for HBsAg, were tested for anti-HBc antibodies. The samples that were negative for HBsAg but positive for anti-HBc also examined for HBV-DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results Of the 204 HBsAg negative blood samples, 11 (5.4%) samples were positive for anti-HBc antibodies. HBV-DNA was detected in 9/11 (81%) of anti-HBc positive samples. Occult HBV infection in hematological cancers was more than solid cancers, 4.8% and 4.3% respectively. There was no significant difference in HBc antibody positivity based on vaccination, previous blood transfusions, history of familial hepatitis or biochemical parameters (ALT, AST, total and direct bilirubin levels) (P>0.05). Conclusion Screening of occult HBV infection by HBsAg, HBV DNA and anti HB core antibody should be suggested as a routine investigation in cancer patients before receiving chemotherapy