ABSTRACT
In this study, the alterations in serum biochemical parameters of patients with lung cancer exposed to radiotherapy was investigated. For this aim, the levels of serum gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin (ALB), bilurubin (BLB), copper (Cu), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) were evaluated before and after radiotherapy. Serum enzyme, protein, Na and K levels were determined using an autoanalyzer. Serum Cu analysis was made with Atomic Absorbtion Spectrophotometre (AAS). Although we found significant increases in levels of GGT, BLB, Cu and K in patients, levels of AST, ALT, ALB and Na in patients showed significant decreases. The levels of serum AST and ALT fairly decreased after radiotherapy. The level of GGT in patients was significant higher than that in the controls before radiotherapy. However, GGT level showed again a distinctly decrease after radiotherapy. There was an inverse relationship among serum BLB, Cu and ALB values. Besides, serum Na levels showed significantly decrease in patients at the end of radiotherapy treatment compared to the controls and before radiotherapy, and K levels increased significantly following radiotherapy. In conclusion, the selected serum parameters are very sensitive and useful biomarkers for the study of the effects of radiotherapy.
ABSTRACT
In this study we tried to define incidence and types of chromosomal aberrations (CAs) caused by radiotherapy (RT) in circulating lymphocytes from patients with lung cancer. For this purpose, we used cumulative dose–effect relationship, and correlate these data with statistical parameters. CAs were evaluated in terms of chromosome break, dicentric, ring and chromosome gap. Abnormal metaphase number (AMN) was also calculated. Chromosome studies were carried out in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 20 cancer patients receiving RT. Patients were treated with 10 Gy of gamma (g) radiation during five wk(s). In all patients, a significant increase in AMN and frequency of CAs (e.g. chromosome break, dicentric, ring and chromosome gap) observed during the RT depend on cumulative radiation dose when compared to before RT, and this increase was statistically significant (p<0.05). The highest CAs frequency was observed at the end of fifth wk. Among the CAs, chromosome breaks have a high incidence. But no CAs and abnormal metaphase was observed in lymphocytes before RT. The present study showed that RT possess a significant effect in increasing of CAs and chromosome break, dicentric, ring and chromosome gap are very sensitive and useful biomarkers in the study of this effect. In other words, these CAs may be used as possible fingerprints of RT.
ABSTRACT
Cases of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) metastasizing to the leptomeninx or the intramedullary spine are quite rare and prognoses are relatively poor. We present three cases of GBM with spinal metastasis, one of which also had leptomeningeal dissemination. Three patients with GBM were admitted to our clinic for postoperative radiotherapy after surgery. Leptomeningeal metastasis and dissemination were diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging. Radiotherapy provided only temporary relief from pain with small improvement in neurological deficit but no survival advantage.