AIM: To evaluate the agreement between transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in classification of ≥ T3 rectal tumors. METHODS: From January 2010 to January 2012, 86 consecutive pati...AIM: To evaluate the agreement between transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in classification of ≥ T3 rectal tumors. METHODS: From January 2010 to January 2012, 86 consecutive patients with ≥ T3 tumors were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 66.4 years (range: 26-91 years). The tumors were all ≥ T3 on TRUS. The sub-classification was defined by the penetration of the rectal wall: a: 0 to 1 mm; b: 1-5 mm, c: 6-15; d: 〉 15 mm. Early tumors as ab (≤ 5 ram) and advanced tumors as cd (〉 5 mm). All patients underwent TRUS using a 6.5 MHz transrectal transducer. The MRI was performed with a 1.5 T Phil- ips unit. The TRUS findings were blinded to the radiol- ogist performing the interpretation of the MRI images and measuring the depth of extramural tumor spread RESULTS: TRUS found 51 patients to have an early ≥ T3 tumors and 35 to have an advanced tumor, where- as MRI categorized 48 as early ≥ T3 tumors and 38 as advanced tumors. No patients with tumors classified as advanced by TRUS were found to be early on MRI. The kappa value in classifying early versus advanced T3 rectal tumors was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.85-1.00). We found a kappa value of 0.74 (95% CI: 0.63-0.86) for the total sub-classification between the two methods. The mean maximal tumor outgrowth measured by TRUS, 5.5 mm ± 5.63 mm and on MRI, 6.3 mm ±6.18 mm, P = 0.004. In 19 of the 86 patients the following CT scan or surgery revealed distant metastases; of the 51 patients in the ultrasound ab group three (5.9%) had metastases, whereas 16 (45.7%) of 35 in the cd group harbored distant metastases, P = 0.00002. The odds ratio of having distant metastases in the ultra- sound cd group compared to the ab group was 13.5 (95% CI: 3.5-51.6), P = 0.00002. The mean maximal ultrasound measured outgrowth was 4.3 mm (95% CI: 3.2-5.5 mm) in patients without distant metastases, while the mean maximal outgrowth was 9.5 mm (95% CI: 6.2-12.8 ram) in the patients with metastases, P = 0.00004. Using the MRI classification three (6.3%) of 48 in the MRI ab group had distant metastases, while 16 (42.1%) of the 38 in the MRI cd group, P = 0.00004. The MRI odds ratio was 10.9 (95% CI: 2.9-41.4), P = 0.00008. The mean maximal MRI measured out- growth was 4.9 mm (95% CI: 3.7-6.1 turn) in patients without distant metastases, while the mean maximal outgrowth was 11.5 mm (95% CI: 7.8-15.2 mm) in the patients with metastases, P = 0.000006. CONCLUSION: There is good agreement between TRUS and MRI in the pretreatment sub-classification of ≥ T3 tumors. Distant metastases are more frequent in the advanced group.展开更多
Objective: To elucidate the clinical significance of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level in pa- tients with advanced cancer. Methods: Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to deter...Objective: To elucidate the clinical significance of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level in pa- tients with advanced cancer. Methods: Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the serum VEGF concentration in 40 patients with advanced cancer [non-small cell rung cancer (NSCLC), esophageal cancer (EC) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)] before and after chemotherapy and 10 healthy volunteers as control group. Results: The serum VEGF concentrations in 40 cases of advanced cancer patients were significantly higher than those of 10 healthy control cases [(477.07 ± 374.10 ) pg/mL vs (139.09 ± 133.41 ) pg/mL; P = 0.016]. The serum VEGF concentrations in patients with NSCLC, EC and NPC were (518.53 _± 378.99) pg/mL, (399.21 ± 393.69) pg/mL and (500.68 ± 348.48) pg/mL, respectively. The differences were all statistically significant as compared with healthy control group (P values were 0.011,0.044 and 0.019, respectively). The serum VEGF concentrations of the patients in response to chemotherapy was significantly lower than those of the same patients before they undergoing chemotherapy [(400.41 ± 332.84) pg/mL vs (777.10 ± 666.01) pg/mL; P = 0.034]. Conclusion: The serum VEGF level might be a novel and promising tumor marker of advanced malignancies and a predictor of disease progression, prognosis and therapeutic efficacy,展开更多
AIM:To evaluate for the first time the protein and mRNA expression of 14-3-3εin gastric carcinogenesis.METHODS:14-3-3εprotein expression was determined by western blotting,and mRNA expression was examined by real-ti...AIM:To evaluate for the first time the protein and mRNA expression of 14-3-3εin gastric carcinogenesis.METHODS:14-3-3εprotein expression was determined by western blotting,and mRNA expression was examined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR in gastric tumors and their matched non-neoplastic gastric tissue samples.RESULTS:Authors observed a significant reduction of 14-3-3εprotein expression in gastric cancer(GC)samples compared to their matched non-neoplastic tissue.Reduced levels of 14-3-3εwere also associated with diffuse-type GC and early-onset of this pathology.Our data suggest that reduced 14-3-3εmay have a role in gastric carcinogenesis process.CONCLUSION:Our results reveal that the reduced 14-3-3εexpression in GC and investigation of 14-3-3ε interaction partners may help to elucidate the carcino-genesis process.展开更多
Objective: The purpose of this study was to present the dosimetric study and evaluation the dose delivered to the skin tumor by using diode detector with total skin electron therapy (TSET). Methods: The total skin...Objective: The purpose of this study was to present the dosimetric study and evaluation the dose delivered to the skin tumor by using diode detector with total skin electron therapy (TSET). Methods: The total skin electron irradiation (TSEI) technique was used to treat ten patients with histological confirmed mycosis fungoides according to the Stanford staging system at the Radiotherapy Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt. High dose rate electron beams with low electron energy 5 MeV from a Siemens linear accelerator were used for treatment. Diodes were calibrated at TSET distance 300 cm and field size (35 × 35) cm^2. Results: The result of diodes measurements showed the dose to flat surface of the body was within :1:10 % from the prescribed dose. Special areas of the body such as the perineum & eyelid showed large deviation up to 30% variation from the prescription dose. Conclusion: The diode results of this study will be used as a quality assurance check for all new patients treated with TSET and to compare it to the prescribed dose delivered to the patients. It is recommends to evaluate the diodes measurements for all patients throughout the full treatment cycle and to identify individually the boost dose areas.展开更多
Objective The aim of this study was to develop and validate a rapid psychosocial well-being screening tool for metastatic breast cancer patients(MBC-PsySoc-Well-being).Methods Applying a mixed method approach,the stud...Objective The aim of this study was to develop and validate a rapid psychosocial well-being screening tool for metastatic breast cancer patients(MBC-PsySoc-Well-being).Methods Applying a mixed method approach,the study was conducted in two phases.Phase 1,a focus group method was employed for item development,and three focus group sessions were conducted,with patients,caregivers,and medical professionals,respectively.Phase 2,validity and reliability testing were performed.Five experts reviewed items for content validity.Construct validity,criterion-related validity,internal consistency,and test-retest reliability were conducted among a sample of 53 patients with metastatic breast cancer.Results Six themes were qualitatively analyzed based on focus group participants’responses.Eight items were then developed based on these themes.The index of Item-Objective Congruence scored by the experts ranged from 0.6 to 1.0.An exploratory factor analysis yielded three factors:Being curious and active in information seeking,Enthusiasm to return to a normal life,and Adjusting to positive lifestyle.The total scores of MBC-PsySoc-Well-being and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer’s Quality of Life Core Questionnaire(EORTC QLQ-C30)were moderately correlated(r=0.404,P=0.003).Cronbach’sαcoefficient of the overall scale was 0.686.Pearson correlation coefficients of items between two tests within 14-day ranged from 0.410 to 0.673.Conclusion This study represents an initiative to develop a rapid psychosocial well-being screening tool for patients with metastatic breast cancer.The results from validity and reliability testing indicate that the scale is moderately suitable for application to patients with metastatic breast cancer.However,a larger scale study should be further administered to confirm the validity and reliability of the measurement.展开更多
文摘AIM: To evaluate the agreement between transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in classification of ≥ T3 rectal tumors. METHODS: From January 2010 to January 2012, 86 consecutive patients with ≥ T3 tumors were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 66.4 years (range: 26-91 years). The tumors were all ≥ T3 on TRUS. The sub-classification was defined by the penetration of the rectal wall: a: 0 to 1 mm; b: 1-5 mm, c: 6-15; d: 〉 15 mm. Early tumors as ab (≤ 5 ram) and advanced tumors as cd (〉 5 mm). All patients underwent TRUS using a 6.5 MHz transrectal transducer. The MRI was performed with a 1.5 T Phil- ips unit. The TRUS findings were blinded to the radiol- ogist performing the interpretation of the MRI images and measuring the depth of extramural tumor spread RESULTS: TRUS found 51 patients to have an early ≥ T3 tumors and 35 to have an advanced tumor, where- as MRI categorized 48 as early ≥ T3 tumors and 38 as advanced tumors. No patients with tumors classified as advanced by TRUS were found to be early on MRI. The kappa value in classifying early versus advanced T3 rectal tumors was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.85-1.00). We found a kappa value of 0.74 (95% CI: 0.63-0.86) for the total sub-classification between the two methods. The mean maximal tumor outgrowth measured by TRUS, 5.5 mm ± 5.63 mm and on MRI, 6.3 mm ±6.18 mm, P = 0.004. In 19 of the 86 patients the following CT scan or surgery revealed distant metastases; of the 51 patients in the ultrasound ab group three (5.9%) had metastases, whereas 16 (45.7%) of 35 in the cd group harbored distant metastases, P = 0.00002. The odds ratio of having distant metastases in the ultra- sound cd group compared to the ab group was 13.5 (95% CI: 3.5-51.6), P = 0.00002. The mean maximal ultrasound measured outgrowth was 4.3 mm (95% CI: 3.2-5.5 mm) in patients without distant metastases, while the mean maximal outgrowth was 9.5 mm (95% CI: 6.2-12.8 ram) in the patients with metastases, P = 0.00004. Using the MRI classification three (6.3%) of 48 in the MRI ab group had distant metastases, while 16 (42.1%) of the 38 in the MRI cd group, P = 0.00004. The MRI odds ratio was 10.9 (95% CI: 2.9-41.4), P = 0.00008. The mean maximal MRI measured out- growth was 4.9 mm (95% CI: 3.7-6.1 turn) in patients without distant metastases, while the mean maximal outgrowth was 11.5 mm (95% CI: 7.8-15.2 mm) in the patients with metastases, P = 0.000006. CONCLUSION: There is good agreement between TRUS and MRI in the pretreatment sub-classification of ≥ T3 tumors. Distant metastases are more frequent in the advanced group.
基金a grant from the Administration of Chinese Traditional Medicine of Guangdong Province(No.1040101)
文摘Objective: To elucidate the clinical significance of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level in pa- tients with advanced cancer. Methods: Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the serum VEGF concentration in 40 patients with advanced cancer [non-small cell rung cancer (NSCLC), esophageal cancer (EC) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)] before and after chemotherapy and 10 healthy volunteers as control group. Results: The serum VEGF concentrations in 40 cases of advanced cancer patients were significantly higher than those of 10 healthy control cases [(477.07 ± 374.10 ) pg/mL vs (139.09 ± 133.41 ) pg/mL; P = 0.016]. The serum VEGF concentrations in patients with NSCLC, EC and NPC were (518.53 _± 378.99) pg/mL, (399.21 ± 393.69) pg/mL and (500.68 ± 348.48) pg/mL, respectively. The differences were all statistically significant as compared with healthy control group (P values were 0.011,0.044 and 0.019, respectively). The serum VEGF concentrations of the patients in response to chemotherapy was significantly lower than those of the same patients before they undergoing chemotherapy [(400.41 ± 332.84) pg/mL vs (777.10 ± 666.01) pg/mL; P = 0.034]. Conclusion: The serum VEGF level might be a novel and promising tumor marker of advanced malignancies and a predictor of disease progression, prognosis and therapeutic efficacy,
基金Supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico(CNPqChammas R,Smith MAC and Burbano RR)+1 种基金Fundao de Amparoà Pesquisa do Estado de So Paulo (FAPESPLeal MF and Calcagno DQ)
文摘AIM:To evaluate for the first time the protein and mRNA expression of 14-3-3εin gastric carcinogenesis.METHODS:14-3-3εprotein expression was determined by western blotting,and mRNA expression was examined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR in gastric tumors and their matched non-neoplastic gastric tissue samples.RESULTS:Authors observed a significant reduction of 14-3-3εprotein expression in gastric cancer(GC)samples compared to their matched non-neoplastic tissue.Reduced levels of 14-3-3εwere also associated with diffuse-type GC and early-onset of this pathology.Our data suggest that reduced 14-3-3εmay have a role in gastric carcinogenesis process.CONCLUSION:Our results reveal that the reduced 14-3-3εexpression in GC and investigation of 14-3-3ε interaction partners may help to elucidate the carcino-genesis process.
文摘Objective: The purpose of this study was to present the dosimetric study and evaluation the dose delivered to the skin tumor by using diode detector with total skin electron therapy (TSET). Methods: The total skin electron irradiation (TSEI) technique was used to treat ten patients with histological confirmed mycosis fungoides according to the Stanford staging system at the Radiotherapy Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt. High dose rate electron beams with low electron energy 5 MeV from a Siemens linear accelerator were used for treatment. Diodes were calibrated at TSET distance 300 cm and field size (35 × 35) cm^2. Results: The result of diodes measurements showed the dose to flat surface of the body was within :1:10 % from the prescribed dose. Special areas of the body such as the perineum & eyelid showed large deviation up to 30% variation from the prescription dose. Conclusion: The diode results of this study will be used as a quality assurance check for all new patients treated with TSET and to compare it to the prescribed dose delivered to the patients. It is recommends to evaluate the diodes measurements for all patients throughout the full treatment cycle and to identify individually the boost dose areas.
基金This study was financially supported by the 90th anniversary of Chulalongkorn University Fund(Ratchadaphiseksomphot Endow-ment Fund)partially supported by the Behavioral Research and Informatics in Social Science Research Unit,Chulalongkorn University,Thailand.
文摘Objective The aim of this study was to develop and validate a rapid psychosocial well-being screening tool for metastatic breast cancer patients(MBC-PsySoc-Well-being).Methods Applying a mixed method approach,the study was conducted in two phases.Phase 1,a focus group method was employed for item development,and three focus group sessions were conducted,with patients,caregivers,and medical professionals,respectively.Phase 2,validity and reliability testing were performed.Five experts reviewed items for content validity.Construct validity,criterion-related validity,internal consistency,and test-retest reliability were conducted among a sample of 53 patients with metastatic breast cancer.Results Six themes were qualitatively analyzed based on focus group participants’responses.Eight items were then developed based on these themes.The index of Item-Objective Congruence scored by the experts ranged from 0.6 to 1.0.An exploratory factor analysis yielded three factors:Being curious and active in information seeking,Enthusiasm to return to a normal life,and Adjusting to positive lifestyle.The total scores of MBC-PsySoc-Well-being and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer’s Quality of Life Core Questionnaire(EORTC QLQ-C30)were moderately correlated(r=0.404,P=0.003).Cronbach’sαcoefficient of the overall scale was 0.686.Pearson correlation coefficients of items between two tests within 14-day ranged from 0.410 to 0.673.Conclusion This study represents an initiative to develop a rapid psychosocial well-being screening tool for patients with metastatic breast cancer.The results from validity and reliability testing indicate that the scale is moderately suitable for application to patients with metastatic breast cancer.However,a larger scale study should be further administered to confirm the validity and reliability of the measurement.