Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in Iran: clinico-pathological and treatment-related factors influencing survival

Background: Evidences about survival of the patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma [HNSCC] have been scant in our region

Objectives: The aim of current study was to determine clinico-pathological and treatment-related factors, influencing outcome of these patients

Patients and Methods: We have reviewed all patients with a new diagnosis of HNSCC admitted between 2008 and 2014 in "Jorjani Cancer Center", Tehran, Iran. Overall survival [OS] and event free survival [EFS] of the patients, and their relation with demographic and clinico-pathological factors have been analyzed

Results: Among 119 included patients, 90 were male and 29 were female with mean age of 58 years. Larynx was the most common primary tumor site [55% of all patients]. With a median follow-up period of 28 months, OS and EFS of the study patients was 61.2% and 52.4%, respectively. Tumor stage was the only parameter has significantly influenced the patients' OS. Patients with normal BMIs had significantly higher mean EFS compared with patients with bellow or above normal BMIs. Surgical treatment modalities have resulted in the same prognosis as non-surgical approaches

Conclusions: Our study seems to be the first that investigated outcome of Iranian patients with head and neck cancer and its influencing factors

Invasive growth hormone producing pituitary adenoma with lymphocytic infiltration: a case report and literature review

Introduction: We have presented a rare case of growth hormone [GH] producing pituitary adenoma with lymphocytic infiltration and brain parenchyma invasion

Case Presentation: A 37-year-old woman has presented with complaints of headache, amenorrhea and acromegalic features. Her laboratory studies showed markedly elevated levels of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 [IGF-1], and low levels of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. Computerized tomography has revealed a pituitary mass without extra-sellar extension. The tumor has completely excised via trans-nasal endoscopic approach. Histologically, the tumor has diagnosed as a pituitary adenoma with GH positive cells. The serum IGF1 levels have gradually decreased to the normal range and the patient was symptom free for three and a half years when she has returned with complaint of visual impairment. The brain MRI that time has shown a supra-sellar mass growing independently into the remaining sellar part. Subsequently, surgical operation has performed via trans-nasal endoscopic approach. Histopathological and immunohistochemistry examination have revealed a rare case of growth hormone producing pituitary adenoma with brain invasion and lymphocytic infiltration

Conclusions: The aim of this publication was to present a rare case of growth hormone producing pituitary adenoma with brain invasion and lymphocytic infiltration

Germ cell tumor's survival rate in young patients

Background: Germ cell tumors are neoplasms that originate from multi potential germ cells and can be intra or extra gonadal. According to pathologic classification, they have different subtypes. They account for 3% of pediatric malignancies and most commonly happen in children before the age of 15 years old. Epidemiologic evidence about pediatric germ cell tumors is scant in our region

Objectives: The aim of current study was to determine demographic characteristics, recurrence and survival rate of germ cell tumor patients under the age of 21 years

Patients and Methods: During a 10-year period [1996 - 2006], 106 patients under the age of 21 years suffering from germ cell tumor were admitted to our centers. We extracted the data needed for our study from patients' medical records in the hospitals

Results: Thirty seven boys and 69 girls with a mean age of 8.4 +/- 7.8 years were included. Most tumors were diagnosed before the age of one year [37%]. The most common pathologic subtype was mature teratoma [44%]. Ovary [35%] was the most common primary site. Surgery plus chemotherapy were used to treat 54 patients and BEP was the most common chemotherapy regimen. Metastasis and recurrent tumor were seen in 22% and 8% of cases, respectively. Four-year overall survival was 89%

Conclusions: Our study showed that demographic characteristics of GCT patients in our population are similar to patients of other geographic regions in the world. Primary tumor site, histologic subtype and metastasis were significant prognostic factors for survival