Pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts lymph node metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer.

Background: The purpose of the study was to investigate the value of pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a prognostic marker in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and to see its bearing on the clinical and pathological stage of the disease. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of cases of TNBC treated at our center from 2006 to 2013. The pretreatment complete blood count was recorded from which the NLR was calculated as the percentage of neutrophils divided by the percentage of lymphocytes. The association between pretreatment NLR with the stage of the disease, clinical and pathological lymph node status, and disease-specific survival was analyzed. Results: A total of 208 patients were eligible for the analysis. The median follow-up period was 48 months. The NLR was found to have a strong correlation with the pathological nodal status and the clinical stage (75% cases node-positive in the high NLR group versus 36% in the low NLR group; P < 0.01). At the time of analysis, 74% of our study population was alive and well. There was no significant correlation between the NLR and the overall survival. Conclusions: Based on our study, we conclude that the pretreatment NLR is strongly associated with lymph node metastasis and clinical stage in TNBC patients. It is probably not useful as a prognostic marker, as it does not seem to have any significant bearing on the overall survival.

Case of Carcinoma Breast with Unusually Large Tumor Thrombus in Superior Vena Cava Detected on 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography Scan.

A 60-year-old female with triple negative breast cancer, postsurgery, neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, on follow-up had facial puffiness and giddiness. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) done for suspected recurrence evaluation revealed a large tumor thrombus (TT) in superior vena cava (SVC) with radiological evidence of SVC obstruction. 18F-FDG PET/CT also showed evidence of FDG avid brain metastases, lymph nodal metastases, and metastatic soft tissue deposits. This case of unusually large TT in SVC detected on 18F-FDG PET/CT highlights the ability of 18F-FDG PET/CT to identify TT and clearly demonstrate the pattern of disease in suspected recurrence in triple negative breast cancer patients.

Prevention of thromboembolic complication in atrial fibrillation by using anticoagulants.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia in adults. Atrial fibrillation occurs as paroxysms or may become established as permanent condition. Patients with atrial fibrillation are at increased risk for thromboembolic disease. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study effectiveness of Warfarin in reducing Stroke incidence in patients of Atrial Fibrillation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This hospital based case study was performed on 50 patients in Dr DY Patil Medical College and Research Centre from October 2009 to September 2011. RESULTS: Out of 50, 10 patients developed stroke which were not on Warfarin and 32 patients didn't develop stroke who were on warfarin. CONCLUSION: Warfarin significantly reduces incidence of stroke in AF patients.