Evaluation of response to preoperative chemotherapy versus surgery alone in gastroesophageal cancer: Tumor resectability, pathologic results and post-operative complications

Gastroesophageal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. Despite significant developments in management, 5-year survival in the developing world is less than 20 percent. Due to restricted research about the impact of preoperative chemotherapy (POC) on tumor resection, pathological response and postoperative complications in Iran, we designed and implemented the present retrospective cross- sectional study on 156 patients with gastroesophageal cancer (GEc) between 2013 and 2015 at Shariati Hospital of Tehran. Two groups were included, the first group had previously received preoperative chemotherapy and the second group had only undergone surgery. All patients were followed for at least one year after the operation in terms of tumor recurrence, relapse free survival and one-year survival. The two groups were eventually compared regarding tumor resection, pathological response, postoperative complications, recurrence rate and survival. The mean age was 66.5± 7.3 years and 78 percent were male. The tumor resectability, pathological response and postoperative complications in the group which received POC were 93.5, 21.8 and 12.8, respectively, and in the surgery alone group figures for tumor resection and postoperative complications were 76 and 29.5, respectively. Also based on our study the 5-year survival in the POC group was better (79.5 vs. 66.5). Using standard neoadjuvant regimens (preoperative chemotherapy/ chemoradiotherapy) beforesurgery could increase tumor resectability, pathological response, and improve the general status of the patients. Therefore using POC may be recommended over surgery alone. © 2016, Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

The Effects of a Hydroalcoholic Extract of Terfezia boudieri on serum level of Estrogene and Progesterone in female Rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Terfezia Boudieri (TB), has flavonoids and antioxidant compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of ethanol extracts of TB on serum levels of estrogen and progesterone in adult female rat. METHODS: 35 female Wistar rats were used in this experimental study. Animals weighing 180 ± 20 g were divided into 5 groups (each group consisted of7 rats. normal control group with no treatment, sham group received normal saline and experimental groups (1,2,3groups) were injected i.p. with 110, 220 and 330 mg/kg of TB for 14 days respectively. All groups at the end of the 14th day were bled and the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone hormone levels were measured. FINDINGS: According to the results of serum levels of progesterone and estrogen, 220 mg/kg extract of TB (16±0.75), estrogen concentrations increased compared with the control group (12.2±0.98) and sham (12±1.14) (p<0.01). Also 220 mg/kg of TB (39.1±1.55) compared to controls (15±0.83) and sham (15.1±1.2) increased significantly (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that TB can increase significantly the serum levels of estrogen and progesterone