[Phenotypic and molecular changes of hemoglobinopathies in cancer]

The abnormalities of the haemoglobin divide into qualitative abnormalities and quantitative abnormalities. This variant contains polymorphisms often useful as markers of population. At present more than 693 types of abnormal haemoglobin are listed. This hemoglobinopathies can arise at reached subjects of cancerous pathologies. To bring to report association h‚moglobinopathies-cancers. Our study was realized to the Institute Salah azaiz [ISA] concerning h‚moglobinopathies in carcinologic environment over a period spreading out of May 2004 in February 2008. The phenotypic and biochemical study of haemoglobin revealed the presence of 328 carriers of abnormalities of the haemoglobin on a total of 10550 patients followed to ISA. 7 types of abnormalities of the haemoglobin were identified [HbS, Hb C, Hb O arab, Hb D, Hb G, fast mutant and á thalassemia. The sickle cell line represents the most wide-spread h‚moglobinopathie [51.3 %]. 48.2 % of the carrier subjects of abnormalities of the haemoglobin are followed for malignant pathologies. Among these hemoglobinopathies, we revealed the presence of two fast mutants of the haemoglobin corresponding to the haemoglobin Bangkok. This type of rare mutant is described for the first time in Tunisia. According to the genotypic study by these two cases, the haemoglobin Bangkok results from the replacement at the level of the chain á some aspartic acid by the wisteria, further to a transfer at the level of the codon 56. A phenotypic study family revealed the presence of similar transfers at certain members of the family. Our work allowed us to notice a relatively important frequency of rare abnormalities of the haemoglobin at patients presenting varied tumoral processes

Testicular cancer patterns in Tunisian men: diagnosis problems, pathlogical types and prognosis. About 41 patients

To analyze the testicular cancer [TCa] incidence, diagnosis aspects, pathologic grade, stage, and survival in Tunisian men. we studied all patients who had histopathologically confirmed TCa treated in La Rabta University-Hospital between 1991 and 2010. Baseline demographic data included age at diagnosis, year of diagnosis, clinical symptoms, stage at diagnosis, histologic type, management strategies and survival were analyzed. The incidence of TCa among Tunisians in very low; we collected only 41 cases over a period of 20 years with an average incidence of 2 new cases per year. Peak age incidence was 30-49 years. testicular swelling was the principal complaint in 25 patients. 58.5% of tumours were right-sided and 39% were left-sided. There was bilateral involvement in only one case. The mean interval between onset of symptoms and presentation was 16.5 months [1-120]. Most patients presented at stages T2 and T3 [63.4% and 26.8% respectively]. Treatment consisted of radical orchidectomy in all patients and cisplatin-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy in respectively 11 and 12 patients [association in 5 patients]. One patient with a tumour in an intra-abdominal testis underwent laparotomy. The most common histological types were seminomas [n=20] and mixed germ cell [n=8]. Three patients died within 48 months, while half were lost to follow-up. The incidence of TCas in Tunisia remains low. Late presentation and treatment are major challenges to management. Better health funding and education regarding testicular self-examination is essential