Triple Negative Breast Cancer at the University Hospital Mohammed VI ­ Oujda

Introduction: The triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), defined by the absence of receptors to oestrogen and progesterone and no histochemical expression of human epidermal receptor -2, is associated with a particularly aggressive behavior. The aim of our study was to determine the clinico-pathological, therapeutic and prognostic features associated with this type of breast cancer in Morocco. Methods: A cohort retrospective study, spread over 3 years, was conducted of 116 breast cancer patients, diagnosed between January 2009 and December 2011 at the Regional Center of Oncology. Epidemiological, clinical, histological and therapeutic data were analyzed. Survival curves at 3 years were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis with use of the log-rank test. Results: The proportion of triple-negative breast cancer in our series was 13.2%. The average age was 46.5 years and 20,7% had a previous history of familial breast cancer. Some 56,9% of tumors were greater than 3 cm in diameter. infiltrating ductal carcinoma being the histological type in the majority of cases (75.9%). TNBC was most often associated with a high grade, grade III accounting for 50.9%. Vascular invasion was found in 58.6% of cases. Regarding lymph node involvement, 42.2% had positive lymph nodes and 15.5% featured distant metastases. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administrated to 20% of patients with a 23.5% complete pathologic response. The rates for overall survival and disease-free-survival at 3 years for localized stages were 70 and 55.6%, respectively. With metastatic lesions, the figures were 27.5% and 10.3% respectively. Conclusion: The TNBC is correlated with a poor prognosis with a high mortality and early relapse requiring identification of new target therapies and markers for prediction of tumoral response to various treatments.

Estimating attributable fraction of lung cancer linked to smoking in Morocco.

The objective of this research was to estimate the attributable fraction (AF) of lung cancer linked to smoking in Morocco. The estimation was based on the SAMMEC (Adult Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Morbidity and Economic Costs) method based on the Levin formula to calculate AF linked to tobacco. Data about frequencies, association measures and relative risks were taken from available sources. The AF of lung cancer linked to smoking was about 87%, and around 3049 cases of this cancer in men could be avoided if tobacco use could be prevented. About a 10% reduction in smoking prevalence would result in a reduction of 346 lung cancer cases. Our study provides additional important elements for further advocacy to policy-makers to implement a tobacco control strategy based on a prevention policy in line with the epidemiological situation which could avoid a huge burden on the country.

[Evaluation and analysis of pain in chronic hemodialysis]. / Évaluation et analyse de la douleur en hémodialyse chronique.

AIM: Pain is an unpleasant experience that deeply affects patients' quality of life and emotional state. Pain's epidemiology and characteristics in chronic hemodialysis are not well known and insufficiently analysed. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence, characteristics, impact and treatment of pain in our hemodialysis patients and determine its related associated factors. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study including 93 chronic hemodialysis patients. We collected demographic data as well as the aspects of the reported pain on the basis of the concise pain questionnaire, and finally inferred the risk factors related to pain occurrence. Chronic pain was defined as a pain that has existed for over three months. RESULTS: The prevalence of pain was 70.9% (n=66), mean age 55.3±13.3 years, sex ratio 30 males/36 females, mean duration of hemodialysis 82.4±57.29 (6-252) months. This pain was permanent, daily, intermittent and rare in respectively 9%, 28.7%, 48.4% and 13.6% of cases. It was mild, moderate, severe or unbearable in respectively 42.8%, 23.8%, 19% and 14.2% of cases. Pain was multifocal in 57.4% of cases. The most frequently reported pain sites were: shoulders (47.2%), head (41.2%), knee (34.5%) and back (20%). Thus, 53.8% of patients reported using analgesics, with a daily intake, frequent or rare in respectively 28%, 44% and 28% of cases. The comparison between the group of patients reporting pain to the one without pain complaints in univariate statistical analysis found that age, Charlson's score, interdialytic weight gain and the rate of two dialysis sessions per week were linked to pain occurrence. However, in multivariate analysis, only age remained as a pain-associated factor. CONCLUSION: Pain in chronic hemodialysis patients is a very common complaint. Therefore, it is necessary to assess it regularly, using a suitable questionnaire.