ABSTRACT
Background: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)/neuprotooncogene (neu) is a proven molecular prognostic marker in breast, ovarian, gastric, and ovarian cancers. In head-and-neck cancers, varied expression is documented and therefore its prognostic role is debatable. Aim of the Study: To find the rate of overexpression of HER2/neu in head-and-neck cancers and to understand its prognostic role by evaluating its association with nodal stage and overall stage of the patient. Methodology: A total of 70 surgically resected cases of head-and-neck cancers were evaluated for expression of HER2/neu by immunohistochemistry. Scoring was done according to the American Society of Clinical Oncologists/College of American Pathologistsguidelines for Her2/neu testing in breast cancer. Results: Of the 70 cases studied, 57 were of oral cavity and 13 were laryngeal squamous cell cancers and 14 (20%) were Her2/neu positive. On correlating the expression of HER2/neu in T1/T2 (41 cases) versus T3/T4 (27 cases), the P value was found to be 0.8273 which was statistically insignificant. Furthermore, no statistically significant difference in expression of HER2/neu was found in between node negative and node positive cases (49 vs. 19 cases, respectively), with P = 0.512. Conclusion: In the current settings, HER2/neu is not found to be a prognostic marker in head-and-neck cancers. Standard immunohistochemistry staining protocols need to be established like in breast cancers to aid uniform reporting and further evaluate the role of this important protooncogene in head-and-neck cancers.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To study the epidemiology and clinical profile of victims of ocular trauma in an urban slum population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study, conducted on 500 families each in three randomly selected urban slums in Delhi, collected demographic data for all members of these families, and clinical data for all those who suffered ocular trauma at any time, that required medical attention. Data was managed on SPSS 11.0. RESULTS: Of 6704 participants interviewed, 163 episodes of ocular trauma were reported by 158 participants (prevalence = 2.4%, confidence interval = 2.0 to 2.7) Mean age at trauma was 24.2 years. The association between the age of participants and the history of ocular trauma was significant ( P < 0.001), when adjusted for sex, education and occupation. Males were significantly more affected. Blunt trauma was the commonest mode of injury (41.7%). Blindness resulted in 11.4% of injured eyes ( P = 0.028). Of 6704 participants, 1567 (23.4%) were illiterate, and no association was seen between education status and trauma, when adjusted for sex and age at injury. A significant association was noted between ocular trauma and workplace (Chi-square = 43.80, P < 0.001), and between blindness and place (Chi-square = 9.98, P = 0.041) and source (Chi-square = 10.88, P = 0.028) of ocular trauma. No association was found between visual outcome and the time interval between trauma and first consultation (Chi-square = 0.50, P = 0.78), between receiving treatment and the best corrected visual acuity (Chi-square = 0.81, P = 0.81), and between the person consulted and blinding ocular trauma (Chi-square = 1.88, P = 0.170). CONCLUSION: A significant burden of ocular trauma in the community requires that its prevention and early management be a public health priority.