Hodgkin's disease: the disease pattern and treatment response

To study the disease pattern and treatment response of Hodgkin's Disease in our patients. Prospective study from Jan 1995 to June 1997. Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and Oncology Department of CMH, Rawalpindi. Patients with newly diagnosed Hodgkin's Disease. Disease pattern on presentation and response to various therapeutic protocols. Thirty patients were included in the study, 19 males and 11 females. Age of patients ranged from 3.5-90 years with a median of 32.5 years. Histologically mixed cellularity was the most common subtype [76.6%]. Most of the patients had advanced disease, 46.6% stage III and 16.6% were in stage IV at the time of initial presentation. Overall Complete Remission [CR] rate was 82%. There was no significant difference between the CR rate among the patients who received ABVD [10 out of 12 achieved CR] and MOPP variants [9 out of 12 achieved CR]. Complete response rate is 82% which is similar to the other centres of the world. Results of treatment with ChlVPP, C-MOPP and LOPP are almost equal to ABVD. These modifications of MOPP are very cheap as compared to ABVD, ChlVPP is almost ten times cheaper. These regimens can be safely recommended without compromising treatment benefits. This observation is very pertinent in developing countries like Pakistan, where resources allocated for health facilities are very limited

Intensive post remission chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukaemia

To establish the spectrum of toxicities and supportive care required during intensive post remission chemotherapy with high dose Ara-c in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. A retrospective study. From Aug. 95 to Feb. 98. Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology CMH Rawalpindi and Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi. Eleven patients of acute myeloid leukaemia achieving complete remission, received total of 36 courses of HidAC. Toxicities occurring and supportive care required during intensive post remission chemotherapy with HidAC. Most common toxicities included fever, bleeding and conjunctivitis. Two patients died due to cerebral bleeding and DIC. Patients were managed with antibiotics, platelet concentrates and topical steroids. No patient developed CNS toxicity

Open randomized clinical therapeutic trial of the efficacy and safety of oral lamisil [terbinafine] plus 1 lamisil cream in patients with tinea corporis / lamisil cream in patients with tinea corporis

Terbinafine is a member of the allylamine series, which are a new class of antifungal drugs. It is an orally and topically active fungicidal drug. This study was designed to test the efficacy and safety of oral Lamisil [terbinafine] in comparison to oral Lamisil plus 1% cream in patients with tinea corporis. Eighty three patients with clinical and mycological evidence of tinea corporis were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. One group of 44 patients were given 125 mg of Lamisil orally twice daily. Second group of 39 patients received the same oral dose plus topical application of 1% Lamisil cream on the affected areas, twice daily. No statistical difference in efficacy was noted between oral and oral plus topical 1% Lamisil cream, since both treatments were 97% effective. Mycologic cure and near to complete clearing of signs of infection was observed in 36 patients [43%] after one week, in 21 patients [25%] after two weeks and in 17 patients [20%] after three weeks of treatment. No significant side - effects were reported. No significant changes in laboratory test results of hematologic, liver and kidney function were observed during or after therapy

systematic approach to laboratory investigation of monoclonal gammopathy in a selected group of patients in Qatar

Numerous laboratory procedures have been described to investigate the presence of monoclonal protein [M-protein] in blood or urine of patients suspected of multiple myeloma. It is, however, essential to follow a systematic approach to laboratory investigation in order to reach a rapid diagnosis and to avoid unnecessary testing and waste of test materials and time. We describe our experience with a systematic protocol and report our results of various investigations on 465 patients suspected of M-protein abnormality