A case-control study of the lipid profile of women with breast cancer

Purpose: Neoplastic diseases remain the second most common cause of death, behind cardiovascular diseases, and breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women worldwide. Increased incidence of neoplastic diseases is also known to be accompanied by lipid metabolism disorders.Method: Blood samples for lipid profile testing were taken from the two studied groups, which comprised 110 women with breast cancer and 70 healthy women. Lipid profile testing was conducted on venous blood samples collected among both groups of women on an empty stomach. Statistical analyses were performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 20 software package.Results: A statistically significant (p<0.05) majority of women with breast cancer had abnormal TC results (67.3%). A statistically significant (p<0.05) majority of control group women (90.0%) had normal HDL-C results. More women with breast cancer (87.3%) had abnormal LDL-C results than healthy women (62.9%), which represented a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). Conclussions: Abnormal lipid profile significantly impacts breast cancer incidence. At the same time it is under influence of abnormal eating habits and low physical activity. Community and oncology nurses, having considerable knowledge about health and lifestyle of their patients, should be more involved in basic education to decrease cancer risk, especially by women with alarming LDL-C level

Fournier's gangrene – a clinical case report

Fournier’s gangrene is an acute, rapidly progressive, necrotizing infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues surrounding the genitals and perineum. Necrotizing fasciitis of the genital area is a rare disease entity. Although it concerns mostly males, can also occur in females and adolescents. In this syndrome, bacteria produce gases which accumulate in the infected tissue. The damage may also comprise tissue of the penis and scrotum. The infection is caused by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Usually the Fournier’s gangrene is caused by Staphylococci, Streptococci and Enteric bacteria. Bacterial infection can accompany the fungal infection. The high mortality rate is associated with bacterial contagion of the skin, fat, fascia and blood vessels. Harmful enzymes, produced by micro-organisms, induce numerous blood clots. They can lead to ischemia, which contribute to the development of necrosis. Fournier’s syndrome is a disease with a high mortality rate. Immunodeficiency, diabetes and chronic alcohol abuse favor the development of gangrene. Abrasion, burn or surgery complication may be the route of infection for microorganisms. Clinical symptoms appear within few days. Diagnostic process is based on the clinical picture. It is crucial to start treatment as soon as possible. Delay of the wide spectral intravenous antibiotic therapy and surgical removal of the necrotic tissue may result in death of the patient

Aspekty radiologiczno-kliniczne raka oskrzelikowo-pęcherzykowego na podstawie wybranych przypadków własnych i danych z piśmiennictwa

The objective of the study was to define characteristic radiological changes during bronchioloalveolar carcinoma in correlation with its various histological forms. Nine cases of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma were diagnosed and treated in the Specialistic Complex of Tuberculosis and Pulmonary Diseases in Rzeszów in the years 2000-2005. The material of the study was analyzed in order to determine characteristic radiological patterns and clinical data. Three patient groups were separated based on different features of radiological images (X ray film and CT) of the chest (infiltrative, tubercular and diffuse forms). Correlation between appearance of characteristic radiological pattern and histological type of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma and clinical symptoms was observed. Study data were compared with data from literature; our study showed that the infiltrative form of CT patterns of the bronchioloalveolar carcinoma is dominant (55,5%) and that it is more frequent in females (67%). It was also confirmed that the bronchioloalveolar carcinoma has no connection with nicotinism. In conclusion, the possibility of diagnosing an infiltrative form of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma in the CT examination with the support of characteristic radiological patterns and clinical data was stressed

The need for social support for patients suffering from brain tumour

Introduction. Central nervous system tumours establish a group of benign and malignant tumours stemming from various nervous system cells [1]. In every stage of cancer the patient needs help and support compensating the deficits in psychophysical health. The term “social support” is used interchangeably with the following expressions: help, relationships, bonds, social relationships, connections [5,6]. Objective. The aim of the study was to assess the need for social support for patients suffering from brain tumour. Results. For patients suffering from brain tumour the most needed form of support is emotional. Conclusions. There is a relationship between certain sociodemographic data (marital status, family type) and the need for a certain kind of social support (personal or professional/formal support)

Using the benefits of primary health care (PHC) through women cured for breast cancer

Admission. The treatment of patients with breast cancer over the years has changed significantly. In view of the above, these patients are more and more often long-term patients, not only oncological but also PHC. Aim: To present opinions of women being treated for breast cancer on the use of PHC services. Material and methods: The study was conducted on a group of 95 patients of oncological counseling. The research tool was the original questionnaire, GSES - Scale of Generalized Own Efficiency. The results from the obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Older patients treated more often with PHC are treated for additional disease, apart from cancer, with a low level of their own effectiveness, with basic or vocational education. However, the services of PHC nurses are more often used by people with higher education. Patients of the oncological counseling center assess lowly the healthcare providers for oncology education. Conclusions: A small share of PHC employees in education of patients treated for breast cancer causes that oncologic outpatient clinic patients for PHC apply mainly for: obtaining a prescription, ruling or performing diagnostic tests

Antitumor Potential of Extracellular Vesicles Released by Genetically Modified Murine Colon Carcinoma Cells With Overexpression of Interleukin-12 and shRNA for TGF-β1

Recent developments demonstrate that tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) could become a highly effective tool for delivery of antitumor factors. The main objective of the study was to determine whether EVs secreted by MC38 colon carcinoma cells genetically engineered for overproduction of interleukin (IL-)12 and/or shRNA targeting TGF-β1 are effectively loaded with these molecules and whether the obtained EVs could be an efficient tool for antitumor therapy. Fractions of EVs released by genetically modified MC38 cells [both modified tumor-derived exosomes (mTEx) and modified microvesicles (mTMv)] and those released by unmodified, wild-type MC38 cells were characterized in terms of loading efficacy, using real-time PCR and ELISA, as well as their antitumor potential. In order to examine the therapeutic potential of mTEx, they were applied in the form of sole treatment as well as in combination with dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines stimulated with mTMv in the therapy of mice with subcutaneously growing MC38 tumors. The results demonstrated that genetic modification of wild-type MC38 tumor cells is an effective method of loading the molecules of interest into extracellular vesicles secreted by the cells (both TEx and TMv). The results also showed that mTEx secreted by cells engineered for overproduction of IL-12 and/or shRNA for TGF-β1 are able to induce tumor growth inhibition as opposed to TEx from unmodified MC38 cells. Additionally, antitumor therapy composed of mTEx (especially those deprived of TGF-β1) and DC-based vaccines allowed for regeneration of antitumor immunity and induction of the systemic Th1 response responsible for the sustained effect of the therapy. In conclusion, tumor-derived exosomes loaded with IL-12 and/or deprived of TGF-β1 could become an efficient adjuvant supporting induction of a specific antitumor response in both immuno- and chemotherapeutic schemes of treatment

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