Malignant lymphoma in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia, reclassified according to the WHO classification

To determine the frequency of various types of malignant lymphoma [ML] in the Al-Qassim region of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA] according to recently introduced the WHO classification. For this retrospective analysis, material was available in 385 out of 519 cases diagnosed as ML from 1988-2007. Morphological assessment was followed by immunohistochemistry using a panel of antibodies. The study was conducted at Prince Faisal Oncology Centre [PFOC] of King Fahad Specialist Hospital [KFSH], Buraidah, Al-Qassim, KSA. Out of 385 cases reviewed, 251 [65.2%] had non-Hodgkin lymphoma [NHL] and 117 [30.4%] had Hodgkin lymphoma [HL]. Male preponderance [male to female ratio 1.6:1] and a wide age range was observed [6 months to 103 years]. B cell neoplasms were the most common NHL seen [81.6%] and diffuse large B cell lymphoma [DLBCL] was the most frequent type of NHL encountered [50.1%]. Indolent lymphomas like follicular lymphoma [FL] and small lymphocytic lymphoma [SLL] were rather uncommon [13.2%]. T cell lymphoma comprised 18.3% of the NHL. The most common type of HL was nodular sclerosis classical Hodgkin lymphoma [NSCHL] [68.3%]. In Al-Qassim region of KSA, NHL is the most common ML seen and DLBCL the most common type. Unlike other parts of KSA and Middle East, NSCHL is the most common type of HL encountered

Cancer in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia: a retrospective study [1987-1995]

Regional differences in the pattern of cancer are obvious in Saudi Arabia. From January 1987 to December 1995, 1106 new cases of cancer [642 males, 464 females] were seen at the King Fahd Specialist Hospital in Buraidah, Al-Qassim. Overall, lymphomas, non-Hodgkin's and Hodgkin's disease combined were the most common malignancy seen [15.10%], followed by esophageal carcinoma [7.77%]. Thyroid cancer was the most common malignancy among females [12.50%], followed by breast cancer [9.48%]. The majority of the patients were in the younger age group [77% were <50 years of age]. Among the hematological malignancies, acute lymphoblastic leukemia was the most frequent type [36.23%]. Lymphomas were the most common malignancy [66.12%] seen in the pediatric age group [0-14 years], followed by leukemias and brain tumors. The pattern of cancer in Al-Qassim is generally similar to other regions of Saudi Arabia, with few regional variations. Prominent among such variations is the high frequency of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas [NHL], esophageal and thyroid carcinomas

Beliefs and attitudes about breast self-examination in Al-Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. A study of women attending primary health care centres

The practice of breast self-examination [BSE], a recommended method of breast screening, depends upon many factors including the beliefs, attitudes and perceived barriers of the women of a particular community. Our aim was to identify these factors among women residing in the AI-Qassim region. This was a cross-sectional study including women attending primary health care centres [PHCs] for different reasons. Women over the age of 18 years, having information about BSE, were recruited from 17 randomly selected PHCs, each under a different group health care centre. An Arabic translation of a modified 30-item Lauver and Angerame questionnaire was used. Responses were compared with personal characteristics of the participants and practice of BSE. Out of a total of 266 women only 131 [49.2%] had information about BSE and these answered the questionnaire. No significant relationship was found between the personal parameters and practice of BSE. The factors determining the practice of BSE included the subject's own lack of competence, fear and not remembering. Improving the competence may improve the rate of BSE performance. That may be an important first step towards the early detection of breast cancer in this population