Pattern of extranodal involvement in non hodgkin's lymphoma

To study the anatomical and histomorphological pattern of extranodal non hodgkin's lymphoma [NHL]. Descriptive study. The study was carried out at oncology department combined military hospital rawalpindi during July 2012 to April 2013. All newly diagnosed patients of NHL with extranodal involvement were included in the study.They were categorized as primary extranodal or secondary extranodal lymphomas. Histological pattern and site of involvement were studied. The male to female ratio was 2.2:1 [Male 31, Female 14], and the mean age was 48.16 years[SD=13.40]. Primary extranoal involvement was seen in 55.6% of patients. Secondary extranodal involvement was seenin 44.4patients. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma [DLBCL] was the most common type of NHL observed in both primary and secondary extranodal involvement. Gastrointestinal tract was the most common site for primary extranodal involvement and bone marrow was the most common site for secondary extranodal involvement.High freqency of primary extranodal involvement was noted in our study. DLBCL was the most common morphological type observed.Gastrointestinal tract and secondary bone marrow involvement were the most common anatomical sites for primary and secondary extranodal involvement respectively

Frequency and severity of neutropenia in diffuse large beta-cell non Hodgkin's lymphoma after first cycle of chemotherapy comprising cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine with prednisolone

Chemotherapy used for malignant diseases may produce severe neutropenia in first cycle which may compel for dose modification and early termination of therapy. This descriptive cross sectional study was planned to see the frequency and severity of neutropenia after first cycle of chemotherapy comprising cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine with prednisolon in patients of diffuse large B-cell non Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting at Oncology Department Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi from August 2009 to July 2010. Thirty patients of diffuse large B-cell non Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosed on lymph node biopsy presenting for the first time at Oncology Department Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi were included. They were admitted in the ward and evaluated with history, physical examination and staging investigations. Patients were then planned for first cycle of chemotherapy comprising cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine with prednisolon. After the first cycle of chemotherapy they were monitored for expected neutropenia in the ward. The neutrophil counts were repeated on days 7 and 10 following chemotherapy. Neutropenia was graded as defined in the operational definition and all the data was entered on a specially designed data card. As much as 3.3% of patients suffered from grade IV neutropenia [absolute neutrophil count of <0.5x10[9]/L], 3.3% had grade III neutropenia [absolute neutrophil count of 0.5x10[9]/L- 0.9x10[9]/L], 6.6% had Grade II neutropenia [absolute neutrophil count 1.0x10[9]/L-1.4x10[9]/L and 10% had Grade I neutropenia [absolute neutrophil count 1.5x10[9]/L-1.9x10[9]/L. Overall 23.2% suffered from neutropenia of all grades post 1st cycle of chemotherapy comprising cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine with prednisolon in diffuse large B-cell non Hodgkin's lymphoma. Further studies are required to find the risk factors to predict this complication in our population

Use of spirometry in detecting airway obstruction in asymptomatic smokers

To detect spirometric abnormalities in asymptomatic smokers in relation to duration of smoking. Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at PNS Shifa from Oct 2006 to June 2007. Subjects and Hundred individuals were included in this study who fulfilled the required criteria. Spirometry was done after briefing the patient about the procedure. Smokers were divided into two groups. Group I [5 to 9 pack years] and group II [? 10 pack years]. All relevant information were recorded on Performa [Annex-A]. The data was analyzed through SPSS-10, in terms of Mean +/- SD [Standard Deviation] for numeric response variables and independent sample T test was applied to compare significance of proportion for numeric response variables at p < 0.05. Categorical variables were compared by applying Chi-square test at p < 0.05 level of significance. Significant statistical difference was found between the mean age in the two groups with p-value of 0.011. This may be due to the longer duration of smoking history in Group II. Strong association was found between number of cigarette smoked and the pattern of airway obstruction as significant statistical difference of airway obstruction and early airflow limitation was found between the two groups of smokers at p value of 0.004. There is strong association between duration of smoking and development of airway obstruction even before the smoker become symptomatic