Supplement use and its impact on daily life of cancer patients: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of supplement usage among cancer patients and explore its potential associations with anxiety, excessive daytime sleepiness, and overall quality of life. METHODS: Cancer patients receiving specific care at Hôtel Dieu de France University Hospital, Beirut, were enrolled between April and June 2023. In face-to-face interviews, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic information, supplement usage details, and cancer-related variables. Three validated surveys (Epworth Sleepiness Scale, GAD-7, and EORTC-QLQ-C15-PAL) were employed to assess excessive daytime sleepiness, anxiety, and overall quality of life. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, t-tests, and multiple regression models, were conducted to examine associations between supplement use and other variables. RESULTS: A total of 202 participants were interviewed. Fifty-two percent reported regular use of supplements following their cancer diagnosis, with vitamin D being the most commonly used supplement. Using multivariate logistic regression, supplement use was associated with being female, having lower educational levels, having a longer duration since cancer diagnosis, and having a poor overall quality of life. The multivariate logistic regression showed no significant correlation between supplement use and excessive daytime sleepiness and anxiety. CONCLUSION: This study highlights a high prevalence of supplement usage among cancer patients in Lebanon, indicating a rising interest in alternative therapies aimed at enhancing quality of life. Larger prospective studies are needed to assess the relation between supplement intake and excessive daytime sleepiness and anxiety and establish clear guidelines pertaining to supplement use in cancer patients.

Cancer Patients in the Era of Coronavirus: What to Fear Most?

BACKGROUND: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic led to a worldwide medical crisis, affecting mostly immunocompromised patients, such as cancer patients. Various cancer societies have issued recommendations regarding patients care, but few studies addressed the perception of cancer patients regarding this pandemic. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the perception of cancer patients regarding their health risks during this pandemic and the preventive measures taken. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An anonymous survey was conducted among cancer patients presenting for their treatment, during 10 consecutive working days, at the one-day clinic of Hotel-Dieu de France University hospital in Beirut. We evaluated their state of disease, comorbidities, precautions taken, and their concerns regarding the virus spread. RESULTS: A total of 216 patients responded with a mean age of 60 years. The majority had a good performance status (performance status = 0-1 in 79.6%), 51.4% had metastatic disease, and chemotherapy was the main therapy used (65.7%). A total of 52.3% of patients considered themselves to be at increased risk of contracting the virus. A total of 55.1% were more worried about the coronavirus rather than their disease. The priority was for the treatment of their cancer in 47.7% of the total patients studied. Of note, only 2.8% of planned one-day clinic reservations were canceled or postponed to avoid COVID-19 exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Although cancer is a disease with a high mortality rate, many patients are more concerned about the actual pandemic rather than their disease. Nevertheless, the absenteeism from their treatment sessions during the COVID-19 atmosphere was minimal.

A rare case of acute myeloid leukemia with t(12;19)(q13;q13).

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by chromosomal abnormalities affecting both prognosis and course of treatment. While most AML patients have well described chromosomal aberrations, around 10% present with rare chromosomal abnormalities. We herein, report a rare balanced translocation t(12;19)(q13;q13) in a 66-year old M5-AML patient identified by Conventional cytogenetic analysis and confirmed by SNP array. We suggest that t(12;19) as a sole chromosomal abnormality could be associated with a poor prognosis. Further studies are needed to understand the molecular basis of this translocation in AML.

Lung cancer and immunotherapy: a real-life experience from second line and beyond.

Aim: This study assessed the efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents in real life when used in second line or beyond. Materials & methods: Patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer progressing after standard chemotherapy and receiving immunotherapy in the second line or beyond were included. Results: One hundred and ten patients were included with PD-L1 expression above 50%, between 1-49 and <1% in 38.6, 27.3 and 34.1% of patients, respectively. Checkpoint inhibitors were used as second, third and fourth line in 74.7, 21.8 and 3.5%, respectively. Partial response was observed in 25.6% of patients. Median progression-free survival was 4 months and median overall survival was 8.1 months. Conclusion: Immunotherapies are emerging as important tools in the oncologic field with good responses in real-life practice.

Tirofiban-Induced Thrombocytopenia Occurring with Crohn's Disease.

A 69-year-old man, with severe refractory Crohn's disease, presented with acute coronary syndrome that required angioplasty. He developed severe tirofiban-induced thrombocytopenia (TIT) heralded by type I allergic reaction that required steroids and a combination of antihistamine H1 and antihistamine H2 for symptomatic management. The thrombocytopenia spontaneously resolved uneventfully in 48 hours thereafter. This case report suggests a possible association between TIT and inflammatory bowel disease. Therefore, strict monitoring of the platelet count is required in patients who develop allergic reactions to tirofiban.