Histopathological Study of Thyroid Cancer in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Background: Thyroid cancers are rare but are reported as the most common endocrine malignancies. There is a regional variation in the incidence. Aim: To evaluate the incidence and histological pattern of thyroid cancer with respect to age and sex. Methods: A 20-year (1986-2005) retrospective study of thyroid neoplasms at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital; Benin City. Nigeria. Results: A total of 46 malignant tumours were diagnosed constituting 8.6of all thyroid lesions and 1.3of the malignant tumours seen during the period of study. Thyroid cancer was more prevalent in females with a female to male ratio of 1.9:1. Papillary carcinoma (47.8) was the most common histological type of thyroid cancer; followed by follicular carcinoma (30.4); anaplastic carcinoma (13.0); and Medullary carcinoma (8.7); in order of frequency. While papillary carcinoma was the most common histological type of thyroid cancer in females; follicular carcinoma was the predominant form of thyroid cancer in males. Papillary carcinoma was most prevalent in the third decade of life while follicular carcinoma was more frequent after the fourth decade of life. Anaplastic carcinoma occurred in the 6th decade. Conclusion: There is need for an increased level of awareness of the disease and the provision of cancer registries

When can carnosine be the magic stick for lead-induced tissue damage? A toxicological biochemical histological study on albino rats

This study aimed at the assessment of the possible level of defence line of carnosine in chronic lead exposure. Evaluation of the possible relation of antioxidants and other functioning enzymes versus chronic lead exposure is also to be percussed. For this purpose, the study included two parts: Part [1]: was performed to deduce the correlation between the dose of carnosine and the different biochemical parameters measured in the studied tissues; Part [2]: was a long term study in which [56] male Wistar albino rats, divided into [6] groups, eight in each group: Group [1]: Negative control; Group [2]: Rats were treated with carnosine in a dose of 0.05 mg/g rat; Group [3]: Rats were treated with carnosine in a dose of 0.12 mg/ g rat; Group [4]: Comprised rats treated with lead acetate in a dose of [0.01 mg/g rat]; Group [5]: Included rats treated with lead [0.01 mg/g rat] and carnosine [0.05 mg/g rat]; Group [6]: Included rats treated with lead [0.01 mg/g rat] and carnosine [0.12 mg/g rat]. Treatment was performed daily for 6 days/ week for 5 months. The neural [brain] and visceral [heart, kidneys and liver] tissues were collected and different biochemical variables were determined; as well as a histological examination. In all the studied tissues, carnosine would only act as a free radical scavenger in the low dose only; and it could be used as an adjuvant in a low dose with chelating agents, since it cannot chelate lead in the brain tissue. Renal impairment was most probably a direct action of carnosine in a high dose on renal tissue, rather than being a result of lead intoxication. On the other hand, when carnosine was given in a small dose, it acted as a free radical scavenger. In the liver, carnosine in a small dose could not act as a chelator for lead, while in a high dose, it acts as a chelating agent. On the contrary, in a small dose, carnosine acts as a free radical scavenger but not in the high dose. Overall, carnosine cannot prevent the production of free radicals but can scavenge them only in a small dose