Evaluation Of Quality Of Life In Turkish Patients With Head And Neck Cancer

Background: In this study, our aim was to investigate the effect of factors, such as radiotherapy, the dose of radiotherapy, the region of radiotherapy, the age of the patient, performance, co-morbidity, the stage of the disease and the therapy modalities on the quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer. Materials and Methods: Eighty-two patients who were treated by either chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy, at the Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, between February 2007 and September 2010, for head and neck cancer were included. The quality of life European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Questionnaire module to be used in Quality of Life assessments in Head and Neck Cancer (EORTC QLQ-H&N35) questionnaire was conducted in all patients before starting the radiotherapy, in the middle, at the end, at 1 month and at 6 months after the treatment. Results: According to the questionnaires at the end and at the 6th month after the radiotherapy, it was found that the age of the patient, co-morbidity, ECOG performance state, localization, type of treatment, the stage of the disease, the dose and the region of radiotherapy affect some of the symptom scales for quality of life. Conclusions: Quality of life was affected negatively during and after the radiotherapy. However, in the 6th month after the therapy, a significant improvement was observed in most symptoms.WoSScopu

A Case Of Multifocal Skin Metastases From Lung Cancer Presenting With Vasculitic-Type Cutaneous Nodule

Although cutaneous metastasis occurs usually at the terminal stage of the disease, it may be rarely concurrent with the diagnosis and may also present as the first sign of the illness. A 55-year-old male patient presented with vasculitic-type cutaneous nodular lesions and a necrotic distal phalangeal lesion developed over the last month. He was a tradesman and smoked 40 packets year. On physical examination, he was found to have multiple cutaneous lesions on the skin of the face, limbs, neck, scalp, dorsal side, fingers, subungual side, right leg, and feet. A skin lesion punch biopsy was performed and squamous cell carcinoma metastasis was detected. He was diagnosed as having squamous cell lung cancer with bronchoscopic biopsy. Although it is very rare, cutaneous metastases that is concurrent with the diagnosis of lung cancer may be the first sign of the disease. In patients with suspicious skin lesions, the patient's age, smoking history, and other symptoms should be evaluated and a biopsy should be performed.PubMe

The role of selenoprotein P and selenium in the etiopathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus: Association with selenoprotein P1 gene (rs3877899) polymorphism

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of selenoprotein P (SeP) and selenium in the etiopathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their association with a common selenoprotein P1 (rs3877899) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in pregnant women with GDM. Materials and methods: Eighty-six pregnant women with GDM and 90 healthy pregnant women from the same geographic region were included in the study. Fasting glucose, insulin HOMA-IR, and HbA1c were compared. Serum selenium levels were measured by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Plasma SeP levels were determined by ELISA. Allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (ASPCR) analysis was used to identify polymorphisms of the selenoprotein P1 gene (SEPP1) (rs3877899). Results: The biochemical parameters of GDM such as fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and HbA1c were higher in pregnant women with GDM compared to healthy pregnant women. Maternal selenium levels (mu g/L) were 77.99 +/- 7.21 and 76.04 +/- 7.77 in GDM and healthy pregnant women, respectively (p > 0.05). However, SeP levels (ng/mL) were found to be significantly lower in GDM (35.29 +/- 3.00) compared to control subjects (46.98 +/- 4.59) (p < 0.01). Although there was no significant difference in the distribution of the SEPP1 genotypes and alleles between two groups, SeP levels were higher in the GG genotype of the gene compared to their respective control (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Although frequency of SEPP1 polymorphism and selenium levels did not differ significantly between diabetic and healthy pregnant women, SeP levels increased in pregnant women with GDM suggesting SeP plays a role in the etiopathogenesis of GDM. Moreover, the GG genotype of SEPP1 gene polymorphism may be involved in the development of GDM with a different mechanism. It should be clarified with further studies in larger populations

Could The Neutrophil To Lymphocyte Ratio Be A Poor Prognostic Factor For Non Small Cell Lung Cancers?

Background: Although many prognostic factors have been identified for lung cancers, new ones are needed to determine the course of the disease. Recently, a high neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) prior to surgery or treatment has been shown to be an indicator of prognosis for cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of NLR as a prognostic factor and the correlation between NLR and other probable clinical prognostic factors in non small cell lung cancer patients prior to treatment. Materials and Methods: Data of patients who were diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic and clinicopathologic characteristics were recorded. NLR was calculated before the application of any treatment. Results: A total of 299 patients, 270 (90%) males and 29 (10%) females, were included in the study. Age (p= 3 (p=0.048), NLR >= 4 (p=0.025) and NLR >= 5 (p=0.018) were found to be the prognostic factors. Age, anemia, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, the stage, NLR (>= 5) were an independent prognostic factors. There was a positive correlation between NLR and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (0.23, p=0.001), the C reactive protein levels (r=0.36, p<0.001). Conclusions: Prior to treatment high NLR was found as an independent poor prognosis factor. Besides, NLR correlated with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status and the C reactive protein levels.WoSScopu

Lung Cancer in Women: A Single Institution Experience with 50 Patients

Background: Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The incidence of lung cancer is aproximately 7-8 thousand percent in Turkish women. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical, pathological properties and survival data of female patients with lung cancer who were treated in our center. Materials and Methods: From 2007 to 2012, 50 women with lung cancer were enrolled. Patient data were evaluated retrospectively. Results: The median age was 61 (40-81). Forty patients (80%) were diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 10 patients (20%) were small cell carcinoma (SCC). Twelve (24%) patients were smokers and 13 of 16 non-smokers had a history of exposure to asbestos. The most common histologic subtype was adenocarcinoma (46%) and this accounted for 71% in patients with exposure to asbestos. The most common initial Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score was 1 (24 patients, 48%) and initial stage was IV (25 patients, 50%) in the study group. During the median 15 months (1-96 months) follow-up period: 1 year overall survival (OS) was 68%, 2-year overall survival was 36% and the median survival time was 19 months. According to univariate analysis, poor ECOG performance status, advanced stage, anemia and weight loss at time of diagnosis were negative prognostic factors. However, adenocarcinoma sub-type was a positive prognostic factor. Conclusions: In this study NSCLC sub-type, poor ECOG performance score, advanced stage, anemia and weight loss were prognostic factors in Turkish women with lung cancer.WoSScopu

The Prognostic Value Of High Pretreatment Plasma D-Dimer Levels In Non-Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients With Absence Of Venous Thromboembolism

Systemic activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis is frequently observed in cancer patients without thrombosis. Recent studies have showed the association between D-Dimer (DD) and metastatic spread and prognosis of cancer. We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of DD in patients with non metestatic breast cancer (nMBC) and evaluated the DD levels and other variables for overall survival (OS) using univariate and multivariate analyses in 448 patients. The median follow-up time was 50 months (3-151 months). There was only significant relationship between DD and distant metastases (p=0.052). Performance status (PS) (p= 2, (p<0.001), stage (stage I vs stage II, p=0.566; stage I vs stage III, p=0.033), the CA 15-3 (p=0.048) and DD levels (p=0.015) were determined as independent prognostic factors for OS. In conclusion, pretreatment high DD level is an important prognostic factor in patients with non metastatic breast cancer and high DD levels were associated with poor outcome.WoSScopu