Life quality assessment of patients suffering from oral cancer

This study was aimed to determine the patient's own perception of quality of life [QL]; that were under treatment for oral cancers. University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire [UW-QOL] [1] was used as a screening tool for this purpose. Questionnaire based Cross Sectional Study. This study was conducted at Kiran hospital Karachi [Karachi Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine] from March to August 2011. Thirty patients diagnosed with oral cancer that were coming for treatment at the Kiran hospital Karachi, [Karachi Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine] were included in the sample. No limitation of age or cancer stage was specified. Data analysis with SPSS showed that majority of patient surveyed had pain that was controlled by medications; majority of patient felt significantly disfigured; had limited activities. Although activities were slowed down due to fatigue still patients managed to go out however enjoyable recreation was bounded for patients. Swallowing function showed variation from no change, complete liquid diet, soft diet to choking. However most patients could chew soft foods, majority of patient had difficulty with some words but their speech was understood on phone. Greater parts choose no issue regarding function and pain in shoulders. Almost half the patients had normal consistency of saliva, mood mostly unaffected and majority patient were not anxious about their tumour lesion. General health was better before development of cancer and was good in previous seven days. Over all mental health and spiritual health was outstanding and pain was the most important issue patient complained. This study emphasizes the importance of measuring quality of life of oral cancer patients. UW-QOL[1] questionnaire was an effective screening tool for evaluating the different domains from each patient at an individual level

Salivary gland diseases: analysis of patients attended at dow lab Karachi

The aim of this study is to describe demographic characteristic of 103 cases of major and minor salivary glands diagnosed at DDRRL [Dow lab Diagnostic reference and research laboratory] OJHA campus, DUHS Karachi. Observational Study. This study was conducted at Dow University of Health Sciences Ojha Campus, Karachi from January 2009 to April 2011. Salivary gland diseases are uncommon and include diseases which affect both major and minor salivary gland. They consist of a group of heterogeneous lesions with complex clinicopathological characteristics and distinct biologic behavior. Epidemiological data of these diseases in the various parts of the world can be helpful for a better understanding of its biology and clinical characteristics. Clinical and histopathological data of all patients with salivary gland diseases are retrospectively analyzed and described. In this study, 103 cases of salivary gland diseases be analyzed, out of all cases 31 were infections, 50 were benign neoplasms, and 22 were malignant neoplasms. Majority of the cases occurred in parotid gland followed by submandibular and minor salivary glands. Infections are common between the ages between 10-35 years and peak incidence in 30 years. Benign tumors are common between 20-25 years and 40-50 years and with a peak incidence in 40 years. Tumor affected more commonly the adult patients with peak incidence between 35065 years and peak incidence in 50 years with slight predominance in females. Pleomorphic adenoma is the most frequent finding followed by sialadenitis and squamous cell carcinoma. patients with salivary gland diseases were mainly adults with marginally more female patients. Most commonly found infections are sialadenitis involving sub mandibular gland in majority of cases. Benign tumors are more frequent then malignant ones. Pleomorphic adenoma is the commonest benign tumor and squamous cell carcinoma is the commonest malignant neoplasm. Both benign and malignant tumors involve parotid gland commonly