Journal of Cancer and Tumor International

Background: Several studies investigated the miRNAs in cancer trying to assess the prognosis or to predict the response to certain treatment .One of these miRNAs are miR 125b , it was suggested by previous results as a good marker for prediction of aromatase inhibitors (AI) response. So, this study was conducted to assess the value using miRNA125b as a predictive factor to AI response.

Patients and Methods: A total of 90 patients of postmenopausal HR+ve metastatic breast cancer who attended to medical oncology department outpatient’s clinic in SECI, Assiut university Egypt, from May 2017 to September 2018. Patients presented with metastasis at diagnosis as well as patients who relapsed only after 3 years of adjuvant hormonal treatment with SERM were included. All patients received AI as first line treatment for metastatic, miRNA 125b was isolated from peripheral blood samples and measured by using (q PCR).The response of patients was assessed by RECIST criteria and correlated with its expression levels.

Results: Expression of the miR125-b was significantly higher in patients than control p= 0.000. However, no significant difference in its expression between those with single of multiple metastases or even between the site of metastases. We didn’t find also any significant difference in response p=0.648 and survival either PFS p=0.406 or OS p=0.384 between those patients with high expression vs. low expression.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that miR125b could be used as a diagnostic marker as it is significantly increased in patients than control. However, we don’t recommend using miR125b as a marker to predict the AI resistance as further studies with large sample size are needed to confirm these results.

Purpose: The aim of this work was to evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and clinical outcomes among Egyptian female breast cancer patients.

Methods: We reviewed the file registry of 629 patients with operable breast cancer regarding age, sex, height, weight, menopausal status, family history of breast cancer, tumor features, TNM arrangement and treatment during the period from January 2006 to December 2012. In our studies, obesity was defined as a BMI of ≥30 kg/m2. The primary objective was to estimate the effect of body mass index on the clinical outcomes of breast cancer patients including DFS and OAS.

Results: A total of 629 patients with a mean age of 51.1 years. Stage III and Stage II presented 52% and 46.6% respectively. Overweight and obese patients represent 60.5% of all patient population. There was no association between tumor stage, grade or menopausal status and BMI. Patients with normal BMI showed a median survival of 95.3 months [CI: 54.6,136.06]. This was significantly higher than overweight and obese patients (p = 0.001). Nearly one-third of patients (29.1%) with normal BMI experienced disease relapse compared to 32.8% for overweight and obese patients, however, this was statistically not significant (0.097).

Conclusion: According to the results of this retrospective study, increased BMI may be associated with less favorable prognosis of breast cancer patients.

It is reported that 0.5-13 % of all colorectal cancers are hereditary. Many mutations that cause genomic instability have been described lately in this cancers; the most famous one is yet microsatellite instability pathway. Investigating the presence of these mutations is important in tailoring patients' treatment and predicting prognosis.

Aims: We evaluated the association between micro satellite status and other pathologic prognostic factors like grade, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion and perineural invasion in patients who underwent curative colon resection for colorectal cancers (CRC) in our clinic in the past five years.

Study Design: A total of 205 sequential patients who were older than 18 and had curative colon resection for CRC in Ankara University Surgical Oncology Unit and been tested for microsatellite instability (MSI) were analyzed on behalf of the facultys’ database.

Methodology: Pathology results had been determined and tumor localizations, lymph node metastasis status, grade, lymphovascular and perineural invasion status were evaluated. Information about MSI status and defected genes were obtained from detailed pathology reports. Patients were divided into two groups as MSI and MSS.

Results: No significant difference was found between two the groups in the context of microsatellite instability status. Lymphovascular invasion had been seen higher in high frequency microsatellite instability (MSH-H) compared to low frequency microsatellite instability (MSH-L)  group (76.4% vs 53.1%, P =.02). There was no statistical difference in perineural invasion between the two groups (P = 0.102). Signet ring cell status between the groups we found a higher rate of signet ring cells and consequently a higher grade in MSH-H group (17.6% vs 10.6%, P = 0.042).

Conclusion: In conclusion, although many important points have been identified in our study, more studies are needed to compare the evaluation of MSI in colon cancer with other prognostic factors and to investigate its effect on the course of the disease.

Urinary system resections due to rectosigmoid cancers are an issue where the number of experienced surgeons is low because they are not performed frequently.The selection and application of the type of reconstruction after resection are technical procedures that should be performed by experienced cancer surgeons and urologists.

Aims: It was aimed to present the urine reconstruction methods and results applied in local advanced rectal and sigmoid colon cancer surgeries performed by the same team for many years.

Study Design: Patients who were operated for rectosigmoid region tumor and had urinary resection-reconstruction between 2016-2020 were reviewed. The demographic data of the patients, clinicopathological notes, reconstruction types, postoperative urinary leakage and fistula rates were examined and noted.

Methodology: Retrospective patient document analysis using electronic hospital file system and clinical notes.

Results: 37 patients were included in the study within the criteria. 17 (46%) of the patients were male and 20 (54%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 58.6 ± 16 years. The most common reconstruction procedures were Ureteroneocystostomy and bladder reconstruction. The least used method was ureteroureterostomy uteretostomy. It was observed that urine leakage / fistula developed in 11 (29.7%) of 37 patients included in the study.

Conclusion: Although the rate of urological complications is also affected by the chosen technique, it may also be affected by factors such as the presence of preoperative hydronephrosis, multiorgan resections, and age.

Aims: The aim of the study was to assess factors influencing the uptake of cervical cancer screening among female doctors and nurses in Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Kenya. To achieve this cross-sectional study was conducted in KNH between January 2019 and April 2020.

Methodology: Stratified random sampling method was used to select 271 nurses and 39 doctors from a population of 1400 nurses and 301 doctors. Data was collected through a structured close ended questionnaire. Chi-square test of homogeneity was used to determine the association between cancer screening uptake and demographic factors. A multiple regression analysis was used to test the relationship between the determinants (factors) of uptake of cervical cancer screening that included availability of procedures, cost of procedures, time, the attitude of HCW, awareness of procedures, religion, age, culture, multiple sexual partners.  

Results: Findings revealed that 97.5% (n = 272) are aware of cervical screening with most of the participants (95.3%, n = 266) indicating that they have been screened for cervical cancer before. PAP tests and HPV DNA tests were noted to be the most used screening methods. The majority of the participants (14.7%, n = 41) indicate that the major benefit of the cancer screening programs is enhanced early detection/ treatment/care, followed by general awareness on cervical cancer (35, 12.5%). Findings further revealed that the health workers who have ever heard about the vaccine were reported to have higher uptake of cervical cancer screening (Chi=32.158, p = .05, n =262).

Conclusion: Our study identified that lack of adequate health infrastructure and resources is a well-recognized barrier to screening in Kenya.