Comparison of the plasma lipid levels in breast cancer patients with control group

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females and the second most commom cause of cancer death among them. According to the increasing incidence and high mortality rate of breast cancer, several ongoing studies have been carried out in order to recognize and determine risk factors, prevention methods and early diagnosis of this cancer. In this study the serum lipid levels were compared between patients suffering from breast cancer and a control group. A group of breast cancer patients were compared with an age-matched control group who had normal physical exam and negative mammograms to rule out breast cancer. Fasting serum lipid levels were determined and then the data were analyzed by SPSS software. Triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were higher in breast cancer patients [P<0.05], but Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol [LDL-C] and High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol [HDL-C] showed insignificant statistically difference between the two groups [P>0.05]. The elevated serum levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol may be correlated with increased risk of breast cancer. So evaluation and monitoring of lipid profile in high risk patients is recommended

Cutaneous complication after electron beam therapy in breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second cause of death among them. There are several treatment methods for breast cancer, one of which is radiation therapy. There are two important methods of radiation therapy: tangential field and single oppositional field. Main goal of this study is evaluation of factors that have a role in producing acute side effects such as skin burning in breast cancer patients treated by electron beam,in order to decrease these side effects. From 1/2003 through 7/2004, 200 consecutive patients were evaluated during 18 months in seid-al-shohad hospital, whose mean age was 49 years old. In this study a questionnaire was used including some questions about personal profile such as patient's name, address, registration number, age and some other factors. All patients who were candidated to enter in this investigation filled out the questionnaire at the end of radiation therapy. The patients were examined and their skin burning grades were evaluated by RTOG scale. Data were analyzed by chi-square test using SPSS 11 software. None of patients showed grades O or 4 of burning. 31.5% of Patients showed grade 1, 64.5% showed grade 2, 4% showed grade 3 of burning. There was statistically significant correlation between posterior axillary field and skin burning and there wasnot any meaning between the other factors. It is necessary to pay more attention to posterior axillary field planning including field size, location, photon energy, depth and dose of treatment