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http://www.webmedcentral.com/images/Header_Logo.giftext/html2011-02-28T18:55:40+01:00http://www.webmedcentral.com/Dr. Simon B ThompsonChemo-brain - A New Entity?
http://www.webmedcentral.com/article_view/1621
Memory and language deficits in patients receiving chemotherapy have been noted; however, the aetiology is unknown. Particularly in the treatment of breast cancer, confounding factors include hormone therapy, and stress and anxiety during treatment. There are inconsistencies among clinical researchers over the neuropsychological correlates present in cancer survivors with some reports indicating that only a minority of patients have cognitive deficits that interfere with their every day life (Shilling & Jenkins, 2007).Evidence from MRI scans of brain damage following radiotherapy and chemotherapy has been reported (Stewart, Bielajew, Collins, Parkinson, & Tomiak, 2006). Cognitive impairment, irrespective of education, profession, mood, or clinical characteristics, was found in terms of processing speed, attention, and learning (Wefel, Lenzi, Teriault, Davis & Meyers, 2004). Despite being subtle, these cognitive deficits led to functional loss manifested in decreased ability to work which is also associated with central toxicity.Yet others have not found any difference in cognitive performance when comparing cardiac patients with cancer survivors and matched controls (Mehlsen, Pedersen, Jensen & Zachariae, 2009). The idea that patients may be conditioned to eliciting cognitive deficits as responses has also been proposed (Bovbjerg, Redd, Maier, Holland, Lesko & Niedzwiecki, 1990).Receiving chemotherapy may function as a conditioned response giving rise to cognitive deficits and subsequent immunosuppression. Conditioned immuno-suppressionmay explain some of the undesirable and distressing effects of chemotherapy such as nausea, though this line of explanation is not entirely popular in light of the known toxicity of pharmaceuticals used in treatment of cancer patients.The authors would welcome information and data to assist with their enquiry.text/html2010-09-14T00:56:31+01:00http://www.webmedcentral.com/Dr. Deepak KamnasaranAn efficient approach to Enrich Glioma Stem Cells from Glioma Cell Lines in Culture
http://www.webmedcentral.com/article_view/557
Within a glioma tumor mass and even in established glioma cell lines, resides a sub-population of cells known as glioma stem cells. These cells are postulated to contribute significantly to the treatment resistance among patients, and in fact are responsible for tumor re-growth. Furthermore, current therapies favorably enrich these cells, leading to a devasting clinical prognosis among the majority of patients. To date, several approaches were implemented to identify and isolate glioma stem cells based on exploiting the molecular and physical properties, but still continue to have major inherent pitfalls. We report herein an observation and a novel approach which is a rapid, simple and cost effective way to isolate and enrich glioma stem cells from human glioma cell lines in culture. An understanding of the biology of these cells and especially responses to current treatments will certainly assist in the discovery of improved therapies.text/html2011-03-23T20:42:11+01:00http://www.webmedcentral.com/Dr. Meryem GlaouiPrimary Synovial Sarcoma of the Inner Ear: A Case Report
http://www.webmedcentral.com/article_view/1659
Ear synovial sarcoma is thus rare, to our knowledge, there has been only one reported case in English medical literature. Here we report a second case of a locally advanced synovial sarcoma affecting the inner ear in a thirty-year-old female managed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The objective of the present paper was to describe and discuss the diagnosis and treatment of this rare malignant inner-ear tumor.text/html2011-05-03T20:02:51+01:00http://www.webmedcentral.com/Dr. Issam LalyaDermatomyositis Revealing Lung Cancer
http://www.webmedcentral.com/article_view/1911
51 year-old-man, without history of disease, who had smoked 40-pack years, presented ten months before his admission, with an erythematous and scaly eruption over the extensor surfaces of the metacarpophalangeal joints and digits, knees were also affected ( illustration 1). The diagnosis of dermatomyositis was established after pathologic examination of muscular biopsy. Chest X-rays showed a left apical opacity. Chest and abdominal CT showed an apical lung tumor and right adrenal lesion suggestive of metastasis ( Illustration 2). CT-guided biopsy of the lung lesion revealed a squamous cell carcinoma. A systemic treatment was initiated, unfortunately the patient died following a septic shock, which occurred after 2 courses of chemotherapy. Dermatomyositis may be associated with malignancies type lymphoma or melanoma in 15% of adults over 40 years, however, the association with solid tumors is rare (1-2). The histology is variable: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma and others (2). Cancer treatment usually leads to a regression of symptoms of dermatomyotisis but the reappearance of clinical symptoms should call for a recurrence or distant metastasis (1)text/html2011-08-07T09:28:50+01:00http://www.webmedcentral.com/Dr. Simon B ThompsonPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Cancer Survivors: Recognising and Acknowledging the Symptoms
http://www.webmedcentral.com/article_view/2062
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) (APA, 1994) was revised in 1994 to include the diagnosis of a life threatening illness as a traumatic stressor constituting Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This inclusion prompted further research into PTSD in survivors of cancer. Understanding the prevalence of PTSD in breast cancer survivors is complicated due to the lack of generalisation of studies, small sample sizes and variance in methodology. This review highlights the need for psychological support for breast cancer patients at every stage, from diagnosis to treatment and post-treatment. The importance of clinical psychology within oncology departments is paramount.
text/html2011-08-23T18:24:44+01:00http://www.webmedcentral.com/Dr. Sarah NaciriMaxillary Osteosarcomas after Irradiation for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Case Report and Review of the Lilerrature
http://www.webmedcentral.com/article_view/2110
Radiation induced sarcomas (RIO) are rare tumors that develop after a latent period after radiation, within the field of radiation. A 22-year-old woman with a history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, treated with standard neo-adjuvant chemotherapy followed by irradiation. 4 years after, computed tomography showed an extensive loco regional lesion of the left maxilla. Biopsy revealed high-grade osteosarcomas. The patient was treated by chemotherapy. There was no response and the tumor remained unresectable. RIO is particular form of osteosarcomas; diagnosis and treatment are still a dilemma.text/html2011-09-28T19:10:19+01:00http://www.webmedcentral.com/Dr. Esther Una CidonA Silent Chemotherapy Extravasation as the Unexpected Enemy: A Case Report
http://www.webmedcentral.com/article_view/2261
Introduction: Chemotherapeutic agents can cause extravasation which is one of the most devastating complications. Docetaxel is used in the treatment of many solid tumors. Diagnosing its extravasation is usually easy because clinical symptoms appear early but sometimes this process might be a slightly symptomatic acute event or even an indolent one. Case presentation: We report a case of a Caucasian man, aged 81, with metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma and progressive disease. In 2010 he complained of pain on his hip. Serum level of PSA was higher than 3000 ng/ml. He started chemotherapy with Docetaxel and Prednisona. With one of the infusions, he experienced burning sensation, itching and slight erythema in the region of venipuncture. He presented an erythematous area without swelling. He was instructed to use topical betamethasone and gentamicin cream but he came to meet us seven days after because he presented a violaceous and painful area of swelling with appearance of subcutaneous infiltration and an incipient 1 cm blister. He was recommended to apply betamethasone and gentamicin cream again but much higher doses, to cover the lesion to protect it from the sunlight and to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relief pain, experiencing improvement without sequalae.Conclusion: Docetaxel extravasation is a complication that can be very serious which requires early treatment to avoid or reduce sequalae. It is very important to be aware of this potential lesion in any patient receiving chemotherapy even more if the lesion appears after an asymptomatic infusion.Key messages:1. Chemotherapy extravasations occur rarely but these might be serious.2. Docetaxel extravasation tends to be vesicant in contrast with that described in several published articles and usually with severe sequalae.3. In most cases the diagnosis is easy because it is very symptomatic but there are silent cases with a very difficult diagnosis.4. Early treatment can help to reduce the damage and subsequent sequalae.5. This existence of these cases must be known by the professionals in order to start the treatment quickly aiming to reduce the damage and subsequent sequalae.text/html2011-10-27T14:36:54+01:00http://www.webmedcentral.com/Dr. Mohammad Torabi-NamiTowards the Real Interdisciplinary Approach in Treating Brain Tumors: Report from the Neuro-Oncology Scientific Club opening meeting - NOSC 2011-13 October- Mashhad, IR Iran
http://www.webmedcentral.com/article_view/2381
To strategize interdisciplinary approaches in neuro-oncology and guideline definitions, there has always been a room for having joint meetings in practical fashion in our country. For forging relationship within various neuro-oncology professional bodies in Mashhad, Khorasan Province, Iran, the original concept of Neuro Oncology Scientific Club (NOSC) was formed. The NOSC great emphasis has been placed on building bridges between different groups in the field (i.e Radiation Oncology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology, Neurology ,Pathology and Molecular Genetics). Following comprehensive round table discussions and “faculty speaks” we arrived at bottom line conclusions including:(1) Collecting and contemplating 10 year data of our patients so that to be incorporated in to the e-data registry.(2) Developing the initial format of the electronic data registry system for brain tumors in close conformity with the needs of the Oncology Research Center (ORC), Mashhad Medical University.(3) More engaging experts from allied fields including Psychiatry, Physical therapy and rehabilitation, Psychology and Nursing.The forthcoming NOSC session will have two main issues on its agenda:(1) To discuss the preliminary draft of the local guideline (at least to define the diagnosis and referral algorithm in a real interdisciplinary approach).(2): Having the web based brain tumor data registry system launched.text/html2012-06-04T14:37:16+01:00http://www.webmedcentral.com/Dr. Houda MouzountAdnexal Tumor of The Arm: A Rare Case Report and Review of Literature
http://www.webmedcentral.com/article_view/3449
Introduction:Adnexal tumors are a rare neoplasm and account for 1-2% of soft tissue tumors. They can be original of pilaris, sebaceous or sweat component. Several locations have been described (eye, eyelid, nose ...), location in the limbs is exceptional.Case presentation:We report the case of a 72 years old Moroccan woman, presenting since a year a nodule at the left inner arm. A complete excision of the tumor was performed. The evolution is marked by recurrence of the scar in the form of two mobile nodes with ipsilateral axillary lymphadenopathy. The patient benefited of a wide excision taking the nodules and the old scar associated with a homolateral axillary dissection. The analysis of the surgical specimen revealed an adnexal tumor types Eccrine Spiradenoma. After five years, the patient is free from local recurrence or metastases.Conclusion:The Eccrine Spiradenoma is benign tumor but often do not overlook the risk of malignancy. Its management must be early, radical surgery is the treatment of choice, the place of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the treatment of malignant tumors is controversial.text/html2012-06-25T20:25:15+01:00http://www.webmedcentral.com/Prof. Tae-Hee KimEzrin and Metastatic Behavior of Common Estrogen Dependent Tumors
http://www.webmedcentral.com/article_view/3517
Ezrin, a membrane - cytoskeleton linking protein, is a member of ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) that contribute to maintain the specific cellular shape and play an important role in cellular motility and cell signaling. Ezrin in this way can be involved in cancer progression and distant metastasis in variable human cancers and the expression of this molecule is under the control of estrogen. Breast, uterus and ovary are well known estrogen dependent organs. Breast cancer and gynecologic cancer cells with high levels of ezrin expression have more invasive, metastatic potential than lower levels of ezrin expressed cancer cells and also related to advanced histological grade and poor outcome. It has being reported that ezrin expression is enhanced and it move from apical to cytoplasm and/or membranous portion in metastatic breast cancer cells and high stage gynecologic tumor cells. Therefore, in the near future, if further investigation is clearly added, ezrin expression with its cellular location might serve as a marker for the metastatic behavior of common estrogen dependent tumors.text/html2012-06-30T16:00:54+01:00http://www.webmedcentral.com/Dr. Issam LalyaRadiation Therapy of Cerebellar Gangliogliomas: Case Report and Review of the Literature
http://www.webmedcentral.com/article_view/3536
Gangliogliomas are rare neoplasms, histologically defined by the presence of both atypical ganglion cells and neoplastic glial cells. Usually located in the supratentorial space, they occur frequently during childhood and adolescence. Clinical and radiological features of GGs are not specific and are very similar to those of cystic cerebellar astrocytoma. Surgery is the treatment of choice of GGs and the role of radiotherapy and chemotherapy remains unclear. We report the case of an 8-year-old child who presented with inoperable cerebellar GG and treated exclusively by chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy.text/html2013-10-17T04:30:35+01:00http://www.webmedcentral.com/Dr. Simon B ThompsonTreating PTSD in cancer patients
http://www.webmedcentral.com/article_view/4426
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been found in patients in a number of diseases. However, the recognition of symptoms and categorisation of the disorder is still controversial and not universally agreed amongst clinicians and researchers. This paper presents the debate and how the symptoms of PTSD may be usefully treated in patients surviving cancer.text/html2013-10-30T04:33:08+01:00http://www.webmedcentral.com/Dr. Saloua OuaouchA case of advanced stage and poorly differentiated Sertoli-leydig cell tumor of the ovary
http://www.webmedcentral.com/article_view/4439
Sertoli-leydig cell tumor (SCLT) is a rare ovarian tumor that usually occurs unilaterally. These tumors constitute less than 0.5% of ovarian tumors and are further categorized based on the degree of mitotic activity. We present the case report of a young woman with an SLCT along with different considerations of treatment.text/html2013-11-20T05:01:27+01:00http://www.webmedcentral.com/Prof. Sergio E CuryRetrospective study of the frequency of oral squamous cell carcinoma in the population of volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
http://www.webmedcentral.com/article_view/4446
Malignant neoplasms of the mouth represent approximately 5% of all malignancies on human beings in the world. More than 90% of cancer cases that occur in the mouth are squamous cell carcinomas. Objective: To know the frequency of oral squamous cell carcinoma in the population of Volta Redonda , Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in order to confirm their relation according to gender, age and its localization in the mouth. Methods: A total of 5,880 records histopathological diagnoses, belonging to the collection of the Department of Oral Pathology, at the Dentistry Course of Centro Universitário de Volta Redonda, obtained from 1990 until 2000. Results: The rate that was found was 85,4% for males, and 14,6 % for females, yielding a ratio of 5,8:1; the ages ranged from 3 to 94 years old, the average age being 53.48 years old, and the tongue was the place it occurred the most. Conclusion: The data found in this study is similar to that available in the studied literature.text/html2017-06-05T09:36:32+01:00http://www.webmedcentral.com/Dr. Esther Una CidonTyrosine kinases inhibitors: interactions and safe use
http://www.webmedcentral.com/article_view/5308
Tyrosine kinases inhibitors (TKI) are small molecules that interfere with cell signalling and target selected malignancies. The concern associated with oral drugs is related to their low and unpredictable bioavailability. In the past years, several TKI have been introduced in oncology and the risk of serious drug-drug interactions is very important and deserves to be taken into consideration. It is difficult to find a concise tool to help oncologists with this matter and this could create issues in the daily clinic.
This article gives a brief overview of known or suspected interactions either with other drugs or foods. Oncologists should carefully review the concomitant medications for each patient in order to prevent any relevant interactions or to monitor them closely.