ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In recent years, Saudi Arabia has witnessed major tobacco smoking-related disease, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, particularly among the younger population. METHODOLOGY: The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of cigarette smoke on lung epithelial cells. RESULTS: This was a cross-sectional case-control study involving 300 apparently healthy volunteers living in Ha'il, Northern Saudi Arabia. Cigarette smokers (N = 100) were used as cases, and non-smokers (N = 200) were used as controls. A sputum specimen was obtained from each participant, employing all necessary safety precautions and sample adequacy measures. RESULTS: Among 300 study subjects, cytologic atypia was identified in 14/300 (4.7%). Among the 14 cases with atypical cytologic changes, 13/14 (92.9%) were in smokers and 1/14 (7.1%) was in a non-smoker. The risk of lung cytologic atypia associated with cigarette smoking, was OR (95% CI) = 29.73 (3.82-230.87), P = 0.0001. Out of 300 study subjects, metaplasia was identified in 45/300 (15%). Among 45 cases with metaplastic changes, 26/45 (57.8%) were in the smokers and 19/45 (42.2%) were in non-smokers. The risk of lung epithelial metaplasia associated with cigarette smoking was OR (95% CI) = 3.34 (1.74-6.41), P = 0.0003. CONCLUSION: Cigarette smoking is a significant risk for developing lung epithelial atypia, lung metaplasia, and inflammatory cell infiltrate (especially chronic inflammation). Sputum cytology is a simple, non-invasive method that can be used in screening at-risk populations for early detection of lung proliferative changes associated with tobacco smoking.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and genotype of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) and benign head and neck tumours. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study was performed on 150 samples of patients diagnosed with HNSCCs and 50 samples obtained from patients diagnosed with benign head and neck tumours. Tumour DNA was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with HPV consensus and multiplex primers. RESULTS: Six of the 150 (4%) HNSCCs were HPV positive. HPV16 was the most prevalent type, with single infections present in 3/6 (50%) cases, whereas HPV18 and HPV33 were detected in 2/6 (33%) and 1/6 (17%), respectively. HPV infections were detected in 3 (50%) cases of oral cavity and 3 (50%) cases of pharynx. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant association between HPV infection and HNSCCs (P < 0.05). The present data support the importance of HPV infection in oral and larynx tumours.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to screen for human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) using P16 immunostaining. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 150 samples from patients diagnosed with HNSCCs. HPV status was determined using p16INK4A. RESULTS: 31 of the 150 (20.7%) HNSCCs were HPV positive. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of HNSCCs in Sudan are associated with HPV infection. The fact that the prevalence of HPV is high among Sudanese patients with head and neck cancers (HNC) has obvious implications for vaccine therapy.
