RESUMO
Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is prognosticated using the Rai and the Binet's staging. In the past few years, new parameters have been considered for prognostication. One such marker that has been a subject of speculation and found useful by some western studies is zeta-associated protein 70 (ZAP-70). Aim: To investigate the prevalence of ZAP-70 and find out its association with other prognostic markers like Rai and Binet's stage and CD38 in Indian CLL patients. Materials and Methods: Twenty-nine newly diagnosed cases of CLL were selected over 1 year. Immunophenotyping was done and expression of CD38 and ZAP-70 was evaluated on gated CLL cells. Statistical Analysis: Qualitative data were expressed as frequency and percentage. Differences between groups were evaluated using Student's t-test for quantitative data and Chi-square test/Fisher's exact t-test for qualitative variables. A P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results and Conclusion: We found a lower prevalence rate of ZAP-70 (2/29, 6.89%) with no association with any of the conventional poor prognostic factors. A large number of our CLL patients fall into the good prognostic group (22/29, ZAP 70?/CD38?) with a least number in the poor prognostic group (2/29, ZAP-70 + CD38+). Also, no association was found between ZAP-70 and CD38. The findings of the present study suggest that the majority of CLL patients in India have a good prognosis, may not require treatment, and have good overall survival. Geographical variations, genetic makeup, and natural history of the CLL could be the cause of such differences from western literature.
RESUMO
Background: Cytological examination of pericardial effusion fluids is important in diagnosing the etiology of underlying disease, staging, and prognosis of cancer. Aims and Objectives: (1) To study cytological evaluation of pericardial effusions in various pathological conditions in a tertiary care center. (2) To analyze their frequency and clincopathological correlation of the diagnosis. Materials and Methods: Our study was a retrospective study performed in the Department of Pathology from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2016. The study sample included all the pericardial effusions submitted in the pathology department for cytological evaluation. Clinical details and relevant parameters correlated with clinical findings. Each fluid underwent cytospin and cytocentrifuge along with preparation of conventional smears. Results: Of 120 cases, 80% were of benign effusion and 20% were of malignant effusion. Male-to-female ratio was 1.44:1 with patient age ranging from 3 to 90 years. Conclusion: Benign effusions can been seen in younger age group and malignant ones in the older age group. The preliminary pericardial fluid analysis in resource-limited settings is the most convenient and cost-effective method for accurate diagnosis. It reduces the demand of invasive investigations and its complications. At times, it is the first test to point toward underlying malignant process thereby affecting the prognosis, survival, and treatment outcome of the patient.