The MAHA clue - A case report

Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), is one of the causes of extra vascular hemolysis. It is seen in settings with pathologically altered small blood vessels. Disseminated carcinomas may rarely present as MAHA. A case of a 28 year old female with carcinoma stomach, who presented with MAHA as a first manifestation is reported. Acute onset of MAHA, may be the first manifestation of malignancy. In the absence of relatively common causes like disseminated intravascular coagulation,/Hemolytic uremic syndrome/thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, MAHA warrants extensive rapid investigations including bone marrow aspiration for possible metastatic deposits

Ethics in medical curriculum; Ethics by the teachers for students and society

There are many ethical issues involved in the practice of modern medicine. It can be a simple one-on-one issue with complex ramifications. The training of medical ethics should be a continuous process. The ideal time to introduce ethics is a subject of many debates. Though it has to be introduced during the undergraduate curriculum, it requires reinforcing during specialty training also. The teaching of medical ethics can utilize various methodologies. There should be a proper evaluation of the ethical aspects learned

Basal Cell Carcinoma : Evaluation Of Clinical And Histologic Variables

A retrospective review of 32 patients with basal cell carcinoma was performed with aims to characterize the demographic profile and to analyze the clinical and histological parameters influencing the treatment of basal cell carcinoma. The maximum number occurred in the sixth decade with an unusual female preponderance. Hisologically, the classic type predominated while the other types included pigmented, morphoea, metatypical, adenoid, eccrine, firoepihelioma and superficial spreading type. All patients had excision of the tumour with involvement of surgical margin in three of them. None of the three patients belonged to aggressive histological types, such as morphoea or metatypical type. Two year follow-up showed no recurrence. Size of the tumor less than 2 cm, absence of ulceration and a good inflammatory response were probably other reasons for non-recurrence

Do plasma D-dimer levels correlate with disease stage in colonic carcinoma?

Background: Hemostasis is deeply involved in tumour growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. Patients with cancer may harbor many alterations of hemostasis and these are multifaceted. The hemostatic changes have been correlated with bulk of tumour and overall patient survival. Aim: To assess the role of plasma D-dimer levels in correlating with the stage of the disease in patients with colonic carcinoma. Setting and Design : This study was a prospective study. Materials and Methods : Sixty-six cases with biopsy-proven diagnosis of adenocarcinoma colon over a period of two years were included. The baseline coagulation tests like platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and plasma D-dimer levels were measured preoperatively in all cases. Results: The percentage of cases with increased D-dimer and fibrin degradation products (FDP) values were higher in the advanced disease when compared to limited disease. Statistical Analysis: Chi square test showed statistically significant difference when the results of D-dimer and FDP were compared across the four stages. When the results were compared between limited and advanced disease by the chi square and the Mann Whitney U test, they were found to be statistically significant. ( P < 0.05) Conclusion: This study shows that a direct correlation exists between D-dimer levels and disease stage in colorectal cancer and therefore D-dimer may provide useful supplementary information to the disease stage in colonic carcinoma

Pigmented Lesions Of Nonmelanocytic Origin A Pathological Perspective

Many Pigmented lesions of nonmelanocytic origin can mimic clinically melanocytic lesions including malignant melanoma. A histological interpretation by pathology is helpful in the diagnosis and management of these lesions. The cases during a two year period from January 1999 to December 2000 were reviewed to assess the prevalence of lesions with pigmented variants where histopathological examination helped to confirm/refute the clinical diagnosis. The most common lesion presented with such diagnostic difficulty clinically was seborrhoeic keratosis. Other lesions observed in the study included basal cell carcinoma (12), actinic keratosis (3) and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (3). The total number of cases studied was 26. Adherence to strict diagnostic criteria helped towards the correct diagnosis. As 50&#x0025; of the lesions had pigmentation and 30&#x0025; had a clinical diagnosis of melanoma, histopathologic evolution was crucial to avoid overdiagnosis of melanoma and to provide reassurance in benign lesions

Cervical Cancer Screening

Of rapidly applied tests Or examination in an ap*rentb,' healthy individuor and this is fundamental aspect of Fyevention of disease. Thus the objective Of screening for is to reduce rate) and to improve the qualib,' Of life, Carcinoma Of the cervix is the most common cancer Of woman in India a the second most Common cancer of women throughout the world'. Approximately new cases develop each year many Of Which ore (see fable ) 2. Prevention Of this large number of cases and premature deaths is on urgent consideration. Cancer Of the cervix is considered o preventable condition as if is preceded by a pre•invasive curable stage known as dysplgsio\cervicol intraepithelial neoplasia This progresses slowly over a period Of O

Do plasma D-dimer levels correlate with disease stage in colonic carcinoma?

Background: Hemostasis is deeply involved in tumour growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. Patients with cancer may harbor many alterations of hemostasis and these are multifaceted. The hemostatic changes have been correlated with bulk of tumour and overall patient survival. Aim: To assess the role of plasma D-dimer levels in correlating with the stage of the disease in patients with colonic carcinoma. Setting and Design : This study was a prospective study. Materials and Methods : Sixty-six cases with biopsy-proven diagnosis of adenocarcinoma colon over a period of two years were included. The baseline coagulation tests like platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and plasma D-dimer levels were measured preoperatively in all cases. Results: The percentage of cases with increased D-dimer and fibrin degradation products (FDP) values were higher in the advanced disease when compared to limited disease. Statistical Analysis: Chi square test showed statistically significant difference when the results of D-dimer and FDP were compared across the four stages. When the results were compared between limited and advanced disease by the chi square and the Mann Whitney U test, they were found to be statistically significant. ( P &lt; 0.05) Conclusion: This study shows that a direct correlation exists between D-dimer levels and disease stage in colorectal cancer and therefore D-dimer may provide useful supplementary information to the disease stage in colonic carcinoma

Indian National Conference on Hemoglobinopathies, 17-18 May 2013, Bangalore - India

This abstract book contains some abstracts presented at the Indian National Conference on Hemoglobinopathies, 17-18 May 2013, Bangalore - IndiaOrganized by Departments of Clinical Pathology, Paediatrics &amp; Haematology St. John&rsquo;s National Academy of Health Sciences Bangalore - India</p