Pattern of gastrointestinaI cancers in South Eastern Region of Yemen

Primary gastrointestinal malignancies are more common than other malignancies among Yemeni patients. This study was conducted retrospectively with the aim of studying the pattern of primary gastrointestinal malignancies among Yemeni patients attending the Oncology Department of Al-Gamhouria Teaching Hospital, Aden, for the period from Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2004. During the four-year study period, a total of 289 patients with primary gastrointestinal cancers were reported, 173 [59.9%] were males and 116 [40.1%] were females [p=0.0002]. The ratio of male to female was 1.49:1. The age ranged from 4 to 90 years, with a mean of 55.6 +/- 13.4 years. Statistically, there is a significant difference between the means of ages of different sites of primary gastrointestinal cancers [p=0.0000]. The common types of primary gastrointestinal cancers in this study include coloreetal [30.4%] and gastric cancers [29.1%], followed by hepatic [14.9%], pancreatic [12.8%], and esophageal cancers [10.0%]. Lower percentages were noted in small intestinal cancer [2.1%] and gall bladder cancer [0.7%]. Higher percentage of primary gastrointestinal cancer was seen in the age 40 years [259 patients, 89.6%]. Females were affected more than males [60.0% and 40.0% respectively] in the younger age of >/= 40 gears, whereas in the age of 40 years and more, males were affected more than females [62.2% and 37.8% respectively]

Severe hemolytic anemia associated with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia

We report a case of Mycoplasma Pneumonia complicated with severe hemolytic anemia, which occurred as a result of a high titre of cold agglutinin. A 30 year-old male was admitted because of fever, jaundice and dyspnea. Chest x-ray showed diffuse small nodular infiltrates throughout both lung fields. Laboratory studies disclosed the following values: Hb 6 g/dl, Hct 16.4%, reticulocyte 10%, leukocytes 49x109/L, direct and indirect Coombs' test were positive, ESR 116 mm/hr, cold agglutinin titre 1:1800, mycoplasma antibody titre 1:640. The diagnosis of autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated with Mycoplasma Pneumonia was made, and treatment with Erythromycin and Prednisolone observed striking clinical improvement. It was suggested that the cold exposure was possibly a major factor in the pathogenesis of hemolysis in this patient. [1] Mycoplasma Pneumonia patients would be highly suspected to be associated with cold agglutinin disease. [2] Corticosteroids and erythromycin are effective in treating severe hemolytic anemia associated with mycoplasma pneumonia