Efficacy of hypofractionated radiotherapy in loco-regional tumor control in breast

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of hypofractionated radiotherapy [HFRT] in locoregional control [LRC] in breast cancer

Study Design: Descriptive case series

Place and Duration of Study: Oncology Department of CMH Rawalpindi, from Jan 2014 to Oct 2014

Material and Methods: Fifty three female patients with histopathologically confirmed breast cancer and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status [ECOG-PS]

Results: Fifty three female patients with histopathologically confirmed breast cancer and ECOG-PS

Conclusion: It is concluded that HFRT is a simple and effective protocol for LRC in breast cancer in our set up. Large scale randomized trials and longer follow up is needed to confirm the results

Frequency of increase in serum tumor marker carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA] levels in primary breast cancer [PBC] patients at the time of diagnosis

Objective: To determine the frequency of increase in serum tumor marker CEA levels in PBC patients at the time of diagnosis

Study Design: Cross sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: Oncology Department of Combined Military Hospital [CMH] Rawalpindi, from January 2014 to November 2014

Material and Methods: Sixty three female patients with histopathologically confirmed carcinoma of breast and age range from 20 to 70 years from Oncology outpatient department [OPD]/indoor patient department at CMH Rawalpindi, were selected. All patients were staged by clinical and radiological work-up that included physical examination, all base line investigations, serum biomarkers, chest radiograph, ultrasound abdomen and pelvis, bone scan, computed tomography [CT] scan/magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] of the chest [optional]. Patients serum carcino-embryonic antigen [CEA] levels were carried out only by blood sampling using chemiluminescent immunoassay with immulite 2000 CEA. Data analysis were done with the help of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences [SPSS] version 19 software. Cut-off values of serum CEA levels >2.5 ng/ml were taken as elevated

Results: Sixty three female breast cancer patients with histopathologically confirmed carcinoma of breast revealed elevated serum CEA levels in three stages of the disease. The median age was 47 years [range, 20-70 years]. Fifteen [23.8%] patients had family history of the breast cancer. Invasive ductal carcinoma [IDCA] was the commonest histology with 60 [95.23%] patients. Most of the patients had advanced stage of the disease. Node positive cases were 53 [84.1%]. The frequency of abnormal CEA levels were varying from stage II to stage IV. Elevated serum CEA levels were noted in 4 [28.6%] of stage II, 19 [76%] of stage III and 17 [77.3%] patients of stage IV, respectively. Overall percentage increase in levels of serum CEA from stage I through IV were 0%, 6.34%, 30.2%, 26% respectively. The sensitivity of serum CEA in our primary breast cancer [PBC] patients was 63.5%

Conclusion: It is concluded that serum CEA had significant sensitivity in detecting breast cancer in our population. Elevated serum CEA levels were seen in various stages of our PBC patients

Serological profile of patients with liver cirrhosis in northern Pakistan

To evaluate the role of hepatitis B and C in the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis. An observational study. The present study was conducted in the medical wards of Military Hospital, Rawalpindi from Ist January 2002 to 24th September 2004. Patients and Six hundred and fifty patients admitted in the medical wards of Military Hospital Rawalpindi were evaluated for seromarkers of Hepatitis B and C. Viral markers studied were anti HCV, HBs Ag anti HDV, anti HBcIgG, anti HBs, and HBeAg. One hundred and eighty two out of 650 patients were positive for HBsAg positive and 468 patients were negative for HBsAg. Anti HBcIgG was positive in 345 and anti HBs in 322 of HBsAg negative patient. HBeAg was present in 45 and anti HDV in 26 of HBsAg positive patients. Anti HCV was positive in 455 [70%] patients and no seromarkers were seen in 52 patients. It was evident from the seromarkers that exposure to hepatitis B and C had occurred but which one was responsible for cirrhosis was hard to determine. In as much as vaccine against hepatitis B is available, mass vaccination in the population may be consideration to prevent cirrhosis due to hepatitis B virus