Evaluation of a simple belly-board device for reduction of small bowel inside rectal cancer radiotherapy fields

We evaluated the efficacy of a simple belly-board device [BED] designed and made in our department for reduction of small bowel inside the post-operative pelvic radiotherapy fields of rectal carcinomas. A very simple BBD was designed and manufactured in our department. It was made of acrylic glass, and was 128 cm long, 40 cm wide, and 9 cm high, with a 25x25 cm square opening, the lower border of which was set to be positioned about 3 cm above patients' iliac crest. Patients to be treated post-operatively for rectal cancers were simulated using oral contrast with and without the BBD for postero-anterior [PA] and lateral fields. The small bowel surface area [SBSA] inside the fields was measured and compared in the films with and without the BBD. Twenty-one patients, mean age 56 years, male-to-female ratio 2:1, 12 abdominoperineal [APR] and 9 low anterior resection [LAR], gave consent for this study. The mean SBSA were 7 and 13 cm[2] in the lateral fields and 29 and 60 cm[2] in the PA fields with and without the BBD, respectively [p = 0.001]. The mean reduction in SBSA was 61% in the lateral fields, 53% in the PA fields, and 57% in both lateral and PA fields [p<0.001]. The mean reduction in SBSA in lateral fields was 77% after LAR and 49% after APR [p=0.08]. This difference was not significant for PA fields. The only factor with a significant effect was operation type [LAR versus APR] for reduction of SBSA in lateral fields [p=0.05]. Gender, age, body mass index, and field sizes did not have a significant effect. The simple BBD could significantly reduce the SBSA inside the pelvic radiotherapy fields of rectal cancers. This reduction seems more pronounced after LAR in the lateral fields, compared to APR

unusal metastatic breast cancer presentation; report of a case

We are reporting a 43-year-old female breast cancer case with a solitary metastatic adenocarcinoma in clivus. This patient with a stage II [T1N1M0] breast cancer history has been followed for 7 years. Modified Radical Mastectomy [MRM] and 6 courses chemotherapy with CMF [Cyclophosphamide, Metotrexate, 5FU] regimen were done for her at the time of diagnosis. Also, she took tamoxifen twenty mg per day for five years. She had no evidence of disease for 6 years. About one year ago she suffered diplopia and headaches for two months. MRI and CT scan studies showed a well defined mass in her clivus. Biopsy of mass was performed and pathologic report was metastatic adenocarcinoma

Leiomyosarcoma of prostate; Report of a case

Leiomyosarcoma is a rare entity in prostate but it is the most common type of prostate sarcomas in adult patients. In most reported series the prognosis is poor and the median survival is about 15-18 months. Hereby we present a 72 years old man who received combined modality treatment including radical surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. He has been well for 14 months, but now he is suffering from lung metastases and asymptomatic local recurrence

Intramuscular hemangioma of the forearm; Report of a case

A case of intramuscular hemangioma of the right forearm and hand muscle is presented in this study. This tumor may infiltrate the muscle and be misdiagnosed as a malignant neoplasm. The patient, a 14-year-old girl, presented to the clinic with right forearm and hand pain and swelling which began when she was 2 years old and had been gradually increasing in size. Because the mass might have been malignant, in 1990 a biopsy was performed. Histologic analysis revealed a benign intramuscular hemangioma. A second biopsy at 1992 reported intramuscular hemangioma, mixed type again. She had not received any other treatment. She was seen in March 2003 when the size of the mass had increased and was associated with a dull ache and swelling limited hand movements. The patient subsequently received radiotherapy