Prognostic awareness and prognostic information preferences among advanced cancer patients in Kenya

Background: Cancer is the third leading cause of death in Kenya. Yet, little is known about prognostic awareness and preferences for prognostic information. Aim: To assess the prevalence of prognostic awareness and preference for prognostic information among advanced cancer patients in Kenya. Setting: Outpatient medical oncology and palliative care clinics and inpatient medical and surgical wards of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Kenya. Methods: The authors surveyed 207 adults with advanced solid cancers. The survey comprised validated measures developed for a multi-site study of end-of-life care in advanced cancer patients. Outcome variables included prognostic awareness and preference for prognostic information. Results: More than one-third of participants (36%) were unaware of their prognosis and most (67%) preferred not to receive prognostic information. Increased age (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.07) and education level (OR: 1.18, CI: 1.08, 1.30) were associated with a higher likelihood of preference to receive prognostic information, while increased symptom burden (OR= 0.94, CI: 0.90, 0.99) and higher perceived household income levels (lower-middle vs low: OR= 0.19; CI: 0.09, 0.44; and upper middle- or high vs low: OR= 0.22, CI: 0.09, 0.56) were associated with lower odds of preferring prognostic information. Conclusion: Results reveal low levels of prognostic awareness and little interest in receiving prognostic information among advanced cancer patients in Kenya. Contribution: Given the important role of prognostic awareness in providing patient-centred care, efforts to educate patients in Kenya on the value of this information should be a priority, especially among younger patients.

Integrated whole exome and transcriptome sequencing in cholesterol metabolism in melanoma: systematic review

Background: Melanoma is a highly malignant form of skin cancer that exhibits remarkable metabolic adaptability. Melanoma cells exhibit the capacity to adapt to specific conditions of the tumor microenvironment through the utilization of diverse energy sources, thereby facilitating the growth and advancement of the tumor. One of the notable characteristics of metabolic reprogramming is the heightened rate of lipid synthesis. This review was conducted to illustrate how the integration of whole exom and transcriptome sequencing will enhance the detection of the effect of cholesterol metabolism in melanoma. Methods: The Cochrane database, Embase, PubMed, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, Ovid, and other databases were thoroughly searched for works addressing integrated whole exome and transcriptome sequencing in cholesterol metabolism in melanoma. Skin malignancy, melanoma progression, transcriptome sequencing, whole exome sequencing, transcriptome sequencing by RNA sequencing, and integrated transcriptome and whole exome sequencing were the key phrases employed. This article underwent a phased search for pertinent literature using a staged literature search methodology. Each section's relevant papers were identified and summarized independently. The results have been condensed and narratively given in the pertinent sections of this thorough assessment. Results: DNA-based analysis has proven to be ineffective in identifying numerous mutations that have an impact on splicing or gene expression. RNA-Sequencing, when combined with suitable bioinformatics, offers a reliable method for detecting supplementary mutations that aid in the genetic diagnosis of geno-dermatoses. Therefore, clinical RNA-Sequencing expands the scope of molecular diagnostics for rare genodermatoses, and it has the potential to serve as a dependable initial diagnostic method for expanding mutation databases in individuals with inheritable skin conditions. Conclusion: The integration of patient-specific tumor RNA-sequencing and tumor DNA whole-exome sequencing (WES) would potentially enhance mutation detection capabilities compared to relying solely on DNA-WES.

Variétés histologiques des tumeurs bénignes du septum nasal une série documentaire de 30 cas

Contexte et objectif. Les variétés histologiques de tumeurs du septum nasal sont peu documentées dans les pays d'Afrique. La présenté étude avait pour objectif de décrire les variétés histologiques de tumeurs septales bénignes. Méthodes. C'était une analyse rétrospective de dossiers des patients admis pour tumeurs septales bénignes, entre janvier 1998 et aout 2021 ; à l'hôpital Dr Dorban en Algérie. Les variables d'intérêt englobaient les données cliniques et histopathologiques. Résultats. En 23 ans, seulement trente dossiers de tumeurs bénignes du septum nasal ont été colligés. Leur âge moyen était de 36,2 ans avec les extrêmes entre 13 et 70 ans avec une prédominance du sexe féminin (63,3 %). Les tumeurs vasculaires étaient prépondérantes (83,3 %) en particulier les hémangiomes capillaires (92 %) suivies des variétés épithéliales (13,3%) et un seul adénome pléomorphe septal. L'évolution clinique était émaillée par 3 récidives pour les hémangiomes, et absence de récidive pour l'adénome pléomorphe après 120 mois de recul. Trois autres cas étaient perdus. Conclusion: Les tumeurs bénignes du septum nasal sont rares et diversifiées sur le plan histologique. A coté des formes classiques et communes (hémangiomes, papillomes, adénomes), il existe des variétés rares et qui nécessitent une étude spécifique et une expertise dédiée.

Le carcinome adénoïde kystique des glandes salivaires accessoires: Particularités cliniques et modalités thérapeutiques / Adenoid cystic carcinoma of accessory salivary glands: clinical features and therapeutic modalities

Etudier les particularités cliniques des carcinomes adénoïdes kystiques des glandes salivaires accessoires et discuter les modalités thérapeutiques de ce type tumoral. Patients et méthodes: Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective descriptive ayant colligé 11 patients présentant un carcinome adénoïde kystique (CAK) des glandes salivaires accessoires (GSA) pris en charge dans notre département sur une période de 20 ans. Résultats: L'âge moyen de nos patients était de 51 ans avec un sex ratio à 0,83. Le délai moyen de consultation était de 20 mois. Le site tumoral était: la cavité buccale dans 3 cas, le massif facial et le cavum dans 6 cas, la trachée et le larynx dans 2 cas. Les motifs de consultation étaient variables selon le site tumoral. L'extension péri neurale était objectivée dans 3 cas. Le traitement était chirurgical suivi de radiothérapie chez 5 patients. Une radiothérapie exclusive a été indiquée chez 3 patients et une radio chimiothérapie concomitante dans 3 cas. Un recul moyen de 42 mois a pu être obtenu pour 10 patients. Une patiente a été perdue de vue. L'évolution était favorable avec absence de récidive locale chez 8 patients. Conclusion: Le traitement de référence reste une chirurgie d'exérèse large, suivie de radiothérapie adjuvante. L'imagerie est indispensable pour le bilan d'extension locorégional et à distance qui conditionne l'attitude thérapeutique.

Etiologies des fièvres prolongées inexpliquées au Service de Médecine Interne du CHU de Bouaké (Côte d'Ivoire) / Causes of unexplained prolonged fever in the Bouake CHU Internal Medicine Department (Ivory Coast)

Objectif : déterminer les étiologies des fièvres prolongées inexpliquées au service de médecine interne du CHU de Bouaké. Matériel et méthodes : Il s'agissait d'une étude rétrospective à visée descriptive mené de janvier 2019 à décembre 2020. Nous avons inclus les patients hospitalisés pour fièvre prolongée inexpliquée ou ayant présentés une fièvre prolongée durant l'hospitalisation. Les données anamnestiques, cliniques et paracliniques ont été analysées. Résultats : Nous avons retenus 204 patients sur 1650 patients hospitalisés (12,6%). L'âge moyen des patients était de 32±16,1 ans avec des extrêmes de 16 et 87 ans. Le sexe ratio était de 1,1. La fièvre (32,4%) et AEG (22%) constituaient les motifs d'hospitalisation les plus fréquents. La fièvre était le plus fréquent des symptômes physiques (94,1%) suivi de l'amaigrissement (50%), de la déshydratation (18,1%), de l'hépatomégalie (12,7%) et de l'obnubilation (12%). Les principales étiologies étaient les infections (82,3%), les tumeurs (10,3%), et les maladies inflammatoires (1,5%). Dans 5,9% des cas l'étiologie n'avait pas été retrouvée. Les principales infections étaient le VIH et ses complications (38,1%), la tuberculose (21,4%), et les infections urogénitales (19,9%). Les tumeurs étaient dominées par le cancer primitif du foie (33,4%) et le cancer de la prostate (19,4%). La polyarthrite rhumatoïde, le lupus érythémateux disséminé et la sclérodermie étaient maladies inflammatoires retrouvées. La létalité était de 36%. Conclusion : Les étiologies des fièvres prolongées inexpliquées sont variées. Elles sont dominées dans notre contexte par la tuberculose, l'infection à VIH et ses complications infectieuses.

Aetiology of pancytopenia: Experience of a South African tertiary academic centre

Background: Pancytopenia is a manifestation of numerous disease entities. The causes of pancytopenia differ with geographic region, socio-economic factors and HIV prevalence. Awareness of the common causes of pancytopenia may aid timely diagnosis. Objective: This study aimed to determine the aetiology of pancytopenia in a South African population.Methods: A retrospective observational study of adult patients presenting with pancytopenia at Tygerberg Academic Hospital, South Africa, from January 2016 to December 2017 was performed. Data on pancytopenia cases were obtained from the laboratory information system and utilised to determine the causes of pancytopenia. Results: A total of 673 cases of pancytopenia were identified. The most common causes of pancytopenia were chemoradiation therapy (25%), sepsis (18%), haematological malignancy (9%), advanced HIV (7%), and megaloblastic anaemia (6%). The diagnostic yield of bone marrow examinations (BME) was 57% (n = 52/91). The aetiology of pancytopenia differed according to age, with malignancy being a more common cause of pancytopenia among the elderly. Conclusion: Several easily recognisable and treatable conditions can manifest as pancytopenia. Prompt management of such conditions, notably sepsis and megaloblastic anaemia, can result in the resolution of the cytopenias and negate the need for a BME. However, haematological malignancy and unexplained pancytopenia strongly rely on a BME to establish a diagnosis. Pancytopenia investigations, when guided by appropriate clinic-laboratory findings, can promptly identify the underlying aetiology, while also identifying cases where an expedited BME is required. This is valuable in resource-conscious medicine

Incidence des cancers chez les personnes vivant avec le VIH suivies à Casablanca / Incidence of cancer among people living with HIV at Casablanca

Objectif. Décrireles aspects épidémiologiques des cancers chez les personnes vivant avec le VIH à Casablanca. Patients et méthodes. Il s'agissait d'une étude rétrospective sur 13 ans dans le service des maladies infectieuses du CHU Ibn Rochd de Casablanca. Ont été inclus tous les patients infectés par le VIH et présentant un cancer documenté histologiquement. Les données ont été colligées à partir du Nadis. L'analyse des données a été faite sur le logiciel épi info. Une valeur de p< 0,05 était considérée significative. Résultats. Nous avons inclus 139 patients qui présentaient des pathologies cancéreuses soit un taux d'incidence de 3,7patients pour 1000 patients année. L'âge moyen était de 37ans. Le sexe ratio était de 1,72 (88H/51F). Les cancers classant sida ont représenté 84% (117 cas) contre 16 % (22 cas) de cancers non classant sida. Le sarcome de Kaposi a été le plus fréquent (58,99%). Le cancer non classant sida le plus fréquent était le lymphome de Hodgkin (6,47%)(9 cas). Les Lymphomes malins non hodgkiniens et le sarcome de Kaposi étaient corrélés au sexe masculin (p=0,002, p=0,0006). Nous avons enregistré 39 décès (28%) et 34 perdus de vue (24,48%). Conclusion. Les pathologies cancéreuses restent fréquentes au cours du VIH avec une morbi-mortalité importante. Les cancers classant sida demeurent les plus fréquents dans notre contexte.

Objective. To describe the epidemiology of malignancies in people living with HIV at Casablanca. Patients and methods. It was a 13-year retrospective study in the Infectious Diseases Department of Ibn Rochd University Hospital in Casablanca. Included were all HIV-infected patients with histologically documented cancer. Data was collected from Nadis. Data analysis was done on the software epi info. A value of p <0.05 was considered significant. Results. 139 patients had cancerous diseases, an incidence rate of 3.7 patients per 1000 patients' year. The average age was 37 years old. The sex ratio was 1.72 (88H / 51F). Cancer classifying AIDS represented 84% (117 cases) against 16% (22 cases) of non-AIDS-defining cancers. Kaposi's sarcoma was the most common with 58.99%. The most common non-classifying AIDS cancer was Hodgkin's lymphoma with 6.47% (9 cases). Non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma and Kaposi's sarcoma were correlated with male sex (p = 0.002, p = 0.0006). We recorded 39 deaths (28%) and 34 lost to follow-up (24.48%). Conclusion. Cancerous pathologies remain frequent during HIV with significant morbidity and mortality. Cancer classifying AIDS remains the most common in our context.

A spectrum of findings on computed tomography in paediatric abdominal and pelvic tumours in a Ghanaian teaching hospital

Objectives: To review the Computed Tomography( CT )features of pediatric oncological patients with abdominal and pelvic tumours and correlate these findings with their histopathological diagnosis Design: This was a retrospective cross-sectional facility-based study. Setting: This study was conducted in the Pediatric Oncology Unit and Radiology Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Participants: Fifty-six pediatric oncology patients with contrast-enhanced abdominal and pelvic CT scans. Data Collection: The abdominal and pelvic CT scans findings, patient biodata, and histopathology reports of oncology patients over four years were reviewed Statistical analysis: Simple descriptive statistics using frequency distribution, percentages, means, and standard deviation were used to describe the various variables and presented tables. Results: The four commonest tumours were nephroblastoma, neuroblastoma, lymphoma, and hepatoblastoma. The mean age at diagnosis was 4.8 years, with a slightly higher male predominance. The majority of the tumours were extremely large at presentation. Overall, the CT ­ histopathology concordance was 79.2%. Conclusion: Abdominal and pelvic CT scans play an important role in the diagnostic workup of pediatric malignancies by ensuring early and accurate diagnosis of these tumour

Cancer de la prostate chez le sujet de race noire en Côte d'Ivoire / Prostate cancer in the black subjectin Côte d'Ivoire

RÉSUMÉ Contexte. L'incidence croissante de l'adénocarcinome prostatique en Afrique noire pose la problématique de sa caractérisation tant au niveau épidémiologique, clinique que thérapeutique. But : Identifi er le profi l clinico-biologique et les options thérapeutiques actuelles dans le service de cancérologie du CHU de Treichville. Méthodes : Etude rétro et prospective à visée descriptive sur une période de 24 mois. Cette étude a permis de colliger 110 patients de race noire avec adénocarcinome de la prostate histologiquement confi rmé. Résultats : L'âge moyen était de 57 ans. Toutes les classes sociales (basses, moyennes et hautes) étaient concernées dans respectivement 28, 37 et 35% des cas. La notion de cancer familiale concernait 17,7% patients. Les signes cliniques étaient bruyants et représentés par un syndrome obstructif du bas appareil urinaire. Le PSA était supérieur à 50 ng/ml dans 71% des cas. Dans 95% des cas nos patients consultaient à un stade localement avancé ou métastatique avec l'os comme site préférentiel (68% des cas). Le Score de Gleason était supérieur à 7 dans 70% des cas. L'hormonothérapie était l'option thérapeutique la plus utilisée (60% des cas). Elle s'associait à la chimiothérapie dans 15,5% des cas. Aucune réponse complète n'a été obtenu chez les patients à haut risque de d'Amico. La résistance à la castration est apparue précocement dans un délai moyen de 9 mois. Conclusion. L'adénocarcinome prostatique survient dans notre contexte chez des patients relativement jeunes avec des caractéristiques histo pronostiques péjoratives.

Childhood cancers in a section of the South African private health sector: Analysis of medicines claims data

Background: Although childhood cancers are rare, increases in incidence have been observed in recent times. There is a paucity of data on the current incidence of childhood cancers in South Africa.Aim: This study described the epidemiology of childhood cancers in a section of the private health sector of South Africa, using medicines claims data.Setting: This study was designed on a nationally representative medicine claims database. Method: A longitudinal open-cohort study employing children younger than 19 years and diagnosed with cancers between 2008 and 2017 was conducted using medicine claims data from a South African Pharmaceutical Benefit Management company. Cases were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) diagnostic codes C00 to C97, together with a medicine claim reimbursed from oncology benefits. Crude incidence rates were calculated per million persons younger than 19 years on the database and standardised using the Segi 1960 world population. Temporal trends in incidence rates, analysed using the joinpoint regression, were reported as annual percentage changes (APCs). Results: Overall, 173 new cases of childhood cancers were identified in the database, translating into an age-standardised incidence rate (ASR) of 82.3 per million. Annual incidence of cancer decreased from 76.7 per million in 2008 to 58.2 per million in 2017. More incident cases were identified in males (68.8%). The highest proportion of incident cases was recorded for leukaemias (39.9%), the 5­9 year age group (34.1%) and the Gauteng Province (49.7%).Conclusion: The incidence of childhood cancers decreased over time in the section of the private health sector studied. Leukaemias were the major drivers of childhood cancer incidence

Review of cancer control policy in Nigeria and comparison with selected African countries: implications for future policy making

Context: The public health importance of cancers in Nigeria is emerging. Robust cancer control policies are needed at all levels of government, especially the state. Objective: To review cancer control policies in Nigeria, especially regarding breast and cervical cancers, with emphasis on policy development process, scope and policy implementation. Also to compare Nigerian cancer control policy with selected African countries and suggest ways through which Nigerian states, such as Abia, can develop evidence-informed, patient-centered cancer control policy. Methods: A structured literature search was done using relevant subject headings and keywords. Boolean operators 'and'/'or' were used to refine the search. Databases searched were Pubmed/Medline, Embase, PsychInfo, Cinahl, Global Health and ERIC. The search included articles published between 2008 and 2018. Data was also collected from the International Cancer Control Plan portal as well as focused Google search. Results: Of the 194 abstracts retrieved, only 29 were included in this review. The 2018 Nigerian National Cancer Control plan (NCCP) showed significant improvement over the 2008 version, in terms of scope and policy development process. Literature search did not reveal any state-level comprehensive cancer control policy. The Nigerian policy lacked specific guidelines for breast cancer compared with the Ghanaian policy. Ghana allocated 12% of total budget to cancer research compared to 0.4% in Nigeria. The South African Breast Cancer policy was developed using more findings from local research and had the most encompassing, multiple perspectives approach. Conclusion: Review shows the content, process, pearls and pitfalls of cancer control policy from Nigeria and five other African countries. Findings will inform the strategy for developing cancer control framework states in Nigeria and other countries. As more Nigerian states work towards developing state cancer control plans, it is important to address the shortfalls identified in the current NCCP, especially regarding the use of multiple perspectives analysis

Eye cancers at the guinness eye center Onitsha, Nigeria

Objectives: To describe the hospital incidence and pattern of ocular and adnexal cancers at the Guinness Eye Center, Onitsha. Materials and Methods: The case files of all new patients seen with ocular and adnexal tumors at the Guinness Eye Center, Onitsha, between 2005 and 2017 were reviewed. Those with histological diagnosis of malignancy were selected and analyzed. Information obtained included age, sex, disease duration, diagnosis and co-morbidity. Results: There were 85 patients (0.1% of all the new patients), made up of 42 males and 43 females. The median age was 5 years; range: 5 months­70 years. The commonest cancers were retinoblastoma, 45 patients (52.9%) and conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma, 30 (35.3%). Twenty eight (93.3%) squamous cell carcinoma patients were HIV-positive. No child had squamous cell carcinoma. All retinoblastoma patients were aged ≤6 years. Conclusions: The incidence of ocular and adnexal cancers at the Guinness Eye Center, Onitsha, was low with retinoblastoma and conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma accounting for most of the cancers. While retinoblastoma would most likely be suspected in a child with ocular tumor, young adults with squamous cell carcinoma should be evaluated for HIV infection. Since these lesions threaten sight and life, the public should be educated on the early signs of the diseases and the need to report to hospital early

Haemangioma in the Oro-Facial Region: A Report of Fifteen Cases and Review of Literature

Objective: A haemangioma is a benign vascular tumour consisting of an abnormal overgrowth of tiny blood vessels. Haemangioma may not be present at birth but may appear at 6 months of life. This vascular tumour is not common. We therefore report fifteen cases of haemangioma occurring in the oro-facial region: eight occurred in the cheek, one in the floor of the mouth, four in the lower lip and two in the maxillary gingivae. The objective of this study was to outline the clinical presentation and management of haemangioma in the oro-facial region treated in our Centre. Methods: This is a retrospective study of all the patients that were treated from July, 2009 to July, 2019. Information was extracted from case files of patients. Data collected included: age at presentation, sex, location of the tumour, treatment given, findings and histological diagnosis. Results: The result showed fifteen cases, nine (60.0%) were males and six (40.0%) females. Male to female ratio is 1.50 to 1.00. Our diagnostic tool was the aspiration of frank blood from the tumour which had similar clotting time with the normal blood and our mode of treatment included: injection of sclerosants and excision of the fibrous tissues. Conclusion: It is essential to treat the tumour as early as possible especially in large lesion with disfigurement or where it is complicated by haemorrhage or infection

Orofacial tumours and tumour-like lesions in children treated at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania

Introduction: Orofacial tumours and tumour-like lesions occur at any age. An increasing occurrence has made these tumours a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Objective: To determine the clinicopathological characteristics and treatment modalities of orofacial tumours and tumourlike lesions in children at Muhimbili National Hospital. Methods: Children aged below 18 years with orofacial tumours and tumour-like lesions were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and clinically examined. The data were analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Statistical significance was considered at a p-value of < 0.05. Results: 121 children aged 4 days to 17 years (mean= 8.56 years ±5.5 SD), 52.1 % being male, participated in the study. The age groups 0-5 years (38%) and 11-15 years (28.1%) were most affected- p-value 0.38. The majority (86%) of the lesions were benign; haemangioma was the most (16.4%) common benign tumour. Dentigerous cyst was the most (7.8%) frequent tumour-like lesion observed, while Burkitt's lymphoma and squamous cell carcinoma were the most common malignant lesions. Swelling was the most common clinical feature in all tumours and tumour-like lesions and surgery was the most common treatment. Conclusion: Benign orofacial tumours and tumour-like lesions were the types most commonly seen among children in Tanzania

Contribution de la cytologie au diagnostic et à l'évaluation du pronostic des ascites métastatiques au Mali

Introduction : Les ascites métastatiques cancéreuses sont caractérisées par la présence de cellules cancéreuses métastatiques dans le liquide péritonéal. Elles sont fréquentes à un stade avancé des cancers. Il s'agissait de déterminer la contribution de la cytologie au diagnostic et à l'évaluation du pronostic des ascites métastatiques dans le service d'Anatomie et Cytologie Pathologiques du CHU du Point G. Matériel et méthode : Notre étude s'est étendue de Janvier 2013 à Décembre 2015; soit une période de 3 ans. Elle était rétrospective et prospective incluant tous les patients dont l'étude cytologique des liquides d'ascitea mis en évidence des cellules malignes. Le dossier médical des patients a été exploité pour la recherche du site primitif et du diagnostic histologique éventuel et le suivi. Résultats : Sur 213 examens cytologiques de liquide d'ascite; 61 étaient malins, soit un taux de 28,64%. La tranche d'âge la plus répresentée était de 46 à 60 ans avec un âge moyen de 53,7 ± 14,7 ans. Le sexe féminin était dominant avec un taux de 66%. La profession la plus fréquente était les ménagères soit un taux de 50,82%. Le siège primitif le plus fréquent était l'ovaire (26%). Il était suivi par le foie et l'estomac avec respectivement 20% et 18%. L'ascite a été le signe révélateur du cancer dans 36% des cas. Elle était isolée dans 78%. Après 6 mois de suivi, le taux de mortalité était 75,6%. Conclusion : L'examen cytologique constitue un examen paraclinique dans le diagnoticdes ascites métastatiques cancéreuses

Relationship between nutritional status and treatment-related neutropenia in children with nephroblastoma

Background: Assessment of nutritional status of paediatric oncology patients is crucial, as it may influence treatment and clinical outcomes. Concurrent malnutrition and cancer in children may lead to reduced chemotherapy delivery due to impaired tolerance and increased toxicity.Aim: This study aimed to determine the relationship between nutritional status and the prevalence, frequency and duration of treatment-related neutropenia in a cohort of South African children with nephroblastoma.Methods: Seventy-seven children between the ages of 1 and 12 years diagnosed with nephroblastoma at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH), Durban, between 2004 and 2012, were studied prospectively. Nutritional status was assessed using weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), triceps skinfold thickness (TSFT) and serum albumin. The administration of filgastrim (Neupogen®) was used as a surrogate for neutropenia and the frequency and duration of its use was recorded.Results: There was a significant relationship between the prevalence of treatment-induced neutropenia and malnutrition defined by MUAC. The mean frequency and duration of neutropenia was significantly higher in those classified as malnourished using MUAC. There was a positive correlation between frequency and duration of neutropenia.Conclusions: Malnutrition was prevalent among children with nephroblastoma. The prevalence of treatment-induced neutropenia was higher in those with poor nutritional status, identified by MUAC. Poor nutritional status according to MUAC was also linked to an increased frequency and duration of neutropenia. It is important to include MUAC in the nutritional assessment of children with nephroblastoma

Potential latitudinal variation in orodigestive tract cancers in Africa

Background. Previous studies have alluded to a causal relationship between pathological entities and geographical variations, but there is a paucity of studies from Africa discussing the effect of latitudinal variation on orodigestive cancers in this region. It seems plausible that the burden of orodigestive cancer would differ as a result of variations in diet, cultural habits, climate and environmental conditions down the length of Africa. Objectives. To analyse regional variations in prevalence, incidence and mortality data in the global cancer statistics database (GLOBOCAN 2012) curated by the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Basic descriptive statistical tools were used to depict regional variations in cancer morbidity and mortality.Methods. Data on 13 African countries between longitude 20° and 30° east and latitude 35° north and 35° south were examined for variation in age-standardised orodigestive cancer prevalence, incidence and mortality. Possible regional causes for orodigestive tract cancer development were investigated. Data on lip and oral cavity, oesophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver, gallbladder and pancreatic cancers in the 13 countries were compared. Results. Our empirical findings from this preliminary study support the notion that the incidence and prevalence of orodigestive cancers vary within Africa. This effect may be due to environmental, economic, political and possibly genetic factors.Conclusions. Considering the heterogeneity of the above factors across Africa, disbursement of funding for cancer research and therapy in Africa should be focused in terms of regional variations to make best use of the fiscal allocation by African governments, non-governmental organisations and international agencies

Imatinib theraphy in chronic myeloid leukaemia : review of mechanisms of resistance and therapheutic options in imatinib failure

Chronic myeloid leukaemia is triphasic, clonal malignancy, arising from the haemopoeitic stem cell. It is characterized by the presence of philadelphia chromosome, which result from reciprocal translocation between chromosome 9 and 22. The resulting oncogen- brc-abl has proliferative activity and survival advantage against normal cell and this account for the clinical and laboratory manifestation of this myeloproliferative disorder. Imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKIs) is currently the first line of treatment, however, one third of patient develope resistance to it, thus necessitating alternative TKIs. Many factors are associated with the development of resistance to imatinib, such as mutation in the brc-abl gene, increase production of the mutant protein and activation of alternatve pathways amongst other causes. The aim of this reveiw is to explore these factors, and also to avaluate current TKIs that are use as alternative in Imatinib resistant cases

Cancer et Nutrition / Neoplasm and nutrition

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