Cancer cervix: An uncommon malignancy in Kashmir, India.

OBJECTIVE: To study the distribution of cancers among females with particular emphasis on cancer cervix in Kashmiri population, which is geographically and socio‑culturally distinct from the rest of India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patient records were screened from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011 at Regional Cancer Centre, Srinagar. Most common cancers among females were recorded and analysis of cancer cervix cases was performed. RESULTS: Female cancers comprised of 40% of total cancers with oesophageal and breast cancer as most common malignancies. Cancer cervix did not figure in top ten cancers and only 45 (0.01%) cases were recorded of the total of 3084 adult female cancers. CONCLUSION: We conclude that due to different socio‑cultural and sexual practices, this cancer is highly uncommon in Kashmir and screening or possibly should be directed specifically at only high risk selective subjects.

Colonic J pouch neo‑rectum versus straight anastomosis for low rectal cancers.

AIM: The development of sphincter saving procedures for low carcinoma rectum has been the consequence of oncological and technological factors. The major disadvantage associated with these procedures is the development of anterior resection syndrome because of the resection of rectal reservoir. Colonic J pouch (CJP) neorectum has been practiced as an antidote to overcome this problem. We are working at a tertiary care center, which is a high volume center for rectal cancers. We thought it worthwhile to assess the efficacy of J Pouch neorectum viz.‑a‑viz. a straight coloanal anastomosis for low rectal cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hospital based prospective randomized study (June 2007‑December 2009) low rectal cancers (4‑12 cm from the anal verge). One group (20 patients) subjected to low/ultralow anterior resection with straight anastomosis (SA) and other group (22 patients) to CJP. The two groups were compared on the basis of functional outcome. RESULTS: Anastomotic leak, strictures, frequency of bowel movements, nocturnal bowel movements, use of retarding medication and incontinence to solids, liquids and gases were seen more in SA group. All these findings were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that CJP has a significant functional advantage over SA and improves the overall quality‑of‑life in patients of low rectal cancers and the advantage persisted over a period of more than 30 months.