MyMedR

Fulltext Quality of Life vs. Supportive Care Needs for Oral Cancer Caregivers: Are They Related?

Ahmad AS, Doss JG, Ismail SM, Chen Kiong S, Jelon MA, Thangavalu L, et al.

Curr Oncol, 2023 Feb 01;30(2):1733-1744.

PMID: 36826095 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30020134

Caregivers providing care for their family members with oral cancer usually endure the caregiving burden in silence, which affects their quality of life and necessitates the need for supportive care. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between the quality of life (QOL) of oral cancer caregivers and their supportive care needs (SCN) in Malaysia. The Malaysian versions of the Caregiver Oncology Quality of Life Questionnaire (M-CarGOQoL) and the Comprehensive Needs Assessment Tool for Cancer Caregivers (M-CNAT-C) were self-administered by 56 family caregivers of oral cancer patients from five tertiary hospitals throughout Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak between October and December 2021. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were employed, and the significance level was set at p < 0.05. The mean score for the QOL of caregivers was 76.16 ± 16.01, with the lowest scores in the psychological well-being (64.87 ± 30.12) and self-esteem (68.64 ± 28.29) domains. The mean score for SCN of caregivers was 36.42 ± 24.16, with the highest scores in the healthcare staff (58.44 ± 33.80) and information (55.35 ± 29.98) domains. The correlation between QOL and SCN was moderately inversed, (r(54) = 0.58, p < 0.01). There was a significant effect of caregiving duration (<3 h/day versus >3 h/day) on the combined dependent variables (QOL and SCN), F(2, 53) = 5.006, p < 0.01, partial η2 = 0.16. QOL and caregiving duration accounted for a significant 43% of SCN, R2 = 0.43, adjusted R2 = 0.41, F(2, 53) = 20.32, p < 0.01. In conclusion, oral cancer caregivers with poorer QOL have higher SCN. It is recommended that oral cancer caregivers be recognized by healthcare providers in order to deliver holistic patient care.

Matched MeSH terms: Mouth Neoplasms*

Head and Neck Cancer

Ch'ng ES

N Engl J Med, 2020 May 14;382(20):e57.

PMID: 32402178 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc2001370

Matched MeSH terms: Head and Neck Neoplasms*

Fulltext An Aggressive growth of cranial sarcoma

Thiagarajah R, Sellamuthu P, Bharmjit Singh SS, Muniandy RK

BMJ Case Rep, 2021 Aug 09;14(8).

PMID: 34373248 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2021-242276

Sarcomas are a group of rare malignant tumours of the connective tissues. They can occur in almost any location, but more frequently in the extremities. The occurrence of sarcomas in the head and neck region is less than 1%. We are presenting a case report of a very large cranial sarcoma. Gross total tumour excision was done with pedicle skin graft and titanium mesh cranioplasty. The excised tumour weighed approximately 1.1 kg. Histopathological examination showed primitive intermediate-sized tumour cells arranged in sheets, nests and cords with focal palisading. Postoperative MRI done 2 weeks post surgery showed no evidence of residual tumour.

Matched MeSH terms: Soft Tissue Neoplasms*

Differential Correlations Informed Metabolite Set Enrichment Analysis to Decipher Metabolic Heterogeneity of Disease

Lin G, Dong L, Cheng KK, Xu X, Wang Y, Deng L, et al.

Anal Chem, 2023 Aug 22;95(33):12505-12513.

PMID: 37557184 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02246

Metabolic pathways are regarded as functional and basic components of the biological system. In metabolomics, metabolite set enrichment analysis (MSEA) is often used to identify the altered metabolic pathways (metabolite sets) associated with phenotypes of interest (POI), e.g., disease. However, in most studies, MSEA suffers from the limitation of low metabolite coverage. Random walk (RW)-based algorithms can be used to propagate the perturbation of detected metabolites to the undetected metabolites through a metabolite network model prior to MSEA. Nevertheless, most of the existing RW-based algorithms run on a general metabolite network constructed based on public databases, such as KEGG, without taking into consideration the potential influence of POI on the metabolite network, which may reduce the phenotypic specificities of the MSEA results. To solve this problem, a novel pathway analysis strategy, namely, differential correlation-informed MSEA (dci-MSEA), is proposed in this paper. Statistically, differential correlations between metabolites are used to evaluate the influence of POI on the metabolite network, so that a phenotype-specific metabolite network is constructed for RW-based propagation. The experimental results show that dci-MSEA outperforms the conventional RW-based MSEA in identifying the altered metabolic pathways associated with colorectal cancer. In addition, by incorporating the individual-specific metabolite network, the dci-MSEA strategy is easily extended to disease heterogeneity analysis. Here, dci-MSEA was used to decipher the heterogeneity of colorectal cancer. The present results highlight the clustering of colorectal cancer samples with their cluster-specific selection of differential pathways and demonstrate the feasibility of dci-MSEA in heterogeneity analysis. Taken together, the proposed dci-MSEA may provide insights into disease mechanisms and determination of disease heterogeneity.

Matched MeSH terms: Colorectal Neoplasms*

Periodontitis and progression of gastrointestinal cancer: current knowledge and future perspective

Nasiri K, Amiri Moghaddam M, Etajuri EA, Badkoobeh A, Tavakol O, Rafinejad M, et al.

Clin Transl Oncol, 2023 Oct;25(10):2801-2811.

PMID: 37036595 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03162-0

Periodontitis is a polymicrobial disorder caused by dysbiosis. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.gingivalis) and Fusobacterium nucleatum (F.nucleatum) are pathobiont related to periodontitis pathogenesis and were found to be abundant in the intestinal mucosa of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Besides, periodontal infections have been found in a variety of tissues and organs, indicating that periodontitis is not just an inflammation limited to the oral cavity. Considering the possible translocation of pathobiont from the oral cavity to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, this study aimed to review the published articles in this field to provide a comprehensive view of the existing knowledge about the relationship between periodontitis and GI malignancies by focusing on the oral/gut axis.

Matched MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Neoplasms*

Fulltext Exome sequencing identifies breast cancer susceptibility genes and defines the contribution of coding variants to breast cancer risk

Wilcox N, Dumont M, González-Neira A, Carvalho S, Joly Beauparlant C, Crotti M, et al.

Nat Genet, 2023 Sep;55(9):1435-1439.

PMID: 37592023 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01466-z

Linkage and candidate gene studies have identified several breast cancer susceptibility genes, but the overall contribution of coding variation to breast cancer is unclear. To evaluate the role of rare coding variants more comprehensively, we performed a meta-analysis across three large whole-exome sequencing datasets, containing 26,368 female cases and 217,673 female controls. Burden tests were performed for protein-truncating and rare missense variants in 15,616 and 18,601 genes, respectively. Associations between protein-truncating variants and breast cancer were identified for the following six genes at exome-wide significance (P

Matched MeSH terms: Neoplasms*

Expression Profile of Circulating Exosomal microRNAs in Leukoplakia, Oral Submucous Fibrosis, and Combined Lesions of Leukoplakia and Oral Submucous Fibrosis

Yasothkumar D, Ramani P, Jayaraman S, Ramalingam K, Tilakaratne WM

Head Neck Pathol, 2024 Mar 27;18(1):28.

PMID: 38536520 DOI: 10.1007/s12105-024-01627-4

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to elucidate the expression of circulating exosomal miRNAs miRNA 21, miRNA 184, and miRNA 145 in the studied groups, including patients with (i) leukoplakia; (ii) oral submucous fibrosis; (iii) oral submucous fibrosis with leukoplakia; (iv) oral squamous cell carcinoma; and (v) healthy individuals.

STUDY DESIGN: An observational study was conducted among 54 patients who reported to the outpatient department of Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals. The patients were divided into three groups: Group I healthy individuals (n = 18), Group II: case group (leukoplakia, OSMF, and leukoplakia and OSMF) (n = 18), and Group III: OSCC (n = 18). Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis was carried out to assess the expression profiles of miRNA 21, miRNA 184, and miRNA 145. The statistical analysis was calculated using SPSS software version 23.

RESULTS: All three miRNAs showed a statistically significant difference in the one-way ANOVA test between the case group (leukoplakia, OSMF, and leukoplakia and OSMF), healthy group, and OSCC group (p

Matched MeSH terms: Head and Neck Neoplasms*

Bilateral Eyelid Polyposis Due to Eccrine Hidrocystoma

Teoh CY, Tai ELM, Wan Md Kasim WM

JAMA Ophthalmol, 2024 Apr 01;142(4):e234843.

PMID: 38634924 DOI: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2023.4843

Matched MeSH terms: Sweat Gland Neoplasms*

Fulltext Median Survival Time of Endometrial Cancer Patients with Lymphovascular Invasion at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

Asyikeen WA, Siti-Azrin AH, Jalil NA, Zin AA, Othman NH

Malays J Med Sci, 2016 Nov;23(6):44-51.

PMID: 28090178 MyJurnal DOI: 10.21315/mjms2016.23.6.5

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecologic malignancy among females worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine the median survival time of endometrial cancer patients at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

Matched MeSH terms: Genital Neoplasms, Female; Endometrial Neoplasms

Anterior uveal and episcleral metastases from carcinoma of the breast

Reddy SC, Madhavan M, Mutum SS

Ophthalmologica, 2000 Sep-Oct;214(5):368-72.

PMID: 10965254 DOI: 10.1159/000027523

Breast carcinoma is the most common primary tumor producing intraocular metastasis. Metastases to the iris and ciliary body are relatively rare. The authors report a case of a 61-year-old lady, operated for carcinoma of the left breast 3 years back, who presented with symptoms and signs of acute narrow-angle glaucoma in the right eye. A diffuse whitish plaque-like mass in the upper nasal quadrant of the iris with an episcleral nodule on the limbus in the corresponding area and all the signs of acute narrow-angle glaucoma were present in the right eye. Intraocular pressure was controlled medically. Fine-needle aspiration cytology from the episcleral nodule showed malignant cells. Histopathology of the excised nodule showed metastatic poorly differentiated carcinoma, and the cellular pattern was similar to the carcinoma of the breast. There was no other metastasis anywhere in the body. Fine-needle aspiration cytology from an external lesion of the eye is a less invasive and easier procedure than paracentesis to diagnose the metastatic nature of the lesions. The rare features in our case are the clinical presentation as acute glaucoma and the ocular structures being the first and only site of metastasis.

Matched MeSH terms: Breast Neoplasms/complications; Breast Neoplasms/pathology*; Breast Neoplasms/therapy; Eye Neoplasms/complications; Eye Neoplasms/pathology; Eye Neoplasms/secondary; Eye Neoplasms/therapy; Uveal Neoplasms/complications; Uveal Neoplasms/pathology; Uveal Neoplasms/secondary*; Uveal Neoplasms/therapy

Fulltext Infrasellar craniopharyngioma of the posterior nasal septum: a rare entity

Chiun KC, Tang IP, Tharumalingam V, Nurshaline Pauline HK

Med J Malaysia, 2012 Feb;67(1):131-2.

PMID: 22582569 MyJurnal

To report an unusual location of infrasellar craniopharyngioma in a peadiatric patient.

Matched MeSH terms: Nose Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Pituitary Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Pituitary Neoplasms/surgery

Changing trends in gastrointestinal disease in the Asia-Pacific region

Goh KL

J Dig Dis, 2007 Nov;8(4):179-85.

PMID: 17970873

The new millennium has seen distinct changes in the pattern of gastrointestinal disease in the Asia-Pacific region. These changes are important as more than half of the world's population come from the region and therefore impact significantly on the global disease burden. The highest incidence of gastric cancer (GCA) has been reported from Asia and GCA remains a very important cancer. However time-trend studies have shown a decrease in GCA incidence in several countries in Asia. A rise in cardio-esophageal cancers as seen in the West has not been reported. On the other hand, colorectal cancer has been steadily increasing in Asia with age-standardized incidence rates of some countries approaching that of the West. The pattern of acid-related diseases has also changed. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a fast emerging disease with an increasing prevalence of reflux esophagitis and reflux symptoms. The prevalence of peptic ulcer disease has at the same time declined in step with a decrease in H. pylori infection. Many of the changes taking place mirror the Western experience of several decades ago. Astute observation of the epidemiology of emerging diseases combined with good scientific work will allow a clearer understanding of the key processes underlying these changes. With rapid modernization, lifestyle changes have been blamed for an increase in several diseases including gastroesophageal reflux disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and colorectal cancer. A worrying trend has been the increase in obesity among Asians, which has been associated with an increase in metabolic diseases and various gastrointestinal cancers. Conversely, an improvement in living conditions has been closely linked to the decrease in GCA and H. pylori prevalence.

Matched MeSH terms: Esophageal Neoplasms; Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology*; Colorectal Neoplasms/epidemiology*

Managing liver metastases: myth or reality?

Primrose JN

Med J Malaysia, 2005 Jul;60 Suppl B:67-9.

PMID: 16108177

Matched MeSH terms: Liver Neoplasms/pathology; Liver Neoplasms/surgery*; Colorectal Neoplasms/secondary*

Fulltext Appendicular metastasis from carcinoma cervix

Sudirman A, Sukumar N, Davaraj B

Med J Malaysia, 2001 Mar;56(1):100-1.

PMID: 11503286

A young lady who was treated for early squamous cell carcinoma of cervix presented with perforated appendicitis. Appendicectomy was done and the histopathology was reported as metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix metastasizing to the appendix is extremely rare and we previously unreported.

Matched MeSH terms: Appendiceal Neoplasms/pathology; Appendiceal Neoplasms/secondary*; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology*

Fulltext Breast cancer 100 years on--what we have learnt!

Forrest AP

Med J Malaysia, 1996 Mar;51(1):163-73; quiz 174.

PMID: 10968004

Matched MeSH terms: Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology; Breast Neoplasms/prevention & control; Breast Neoplasms/therapy*

High-grade malignant mucoepidermoid tumour of tongue. A case report

Ng KH, Siar CH

Singapore Dent J, 1989 Dec;14(1):42-5.

PMID: 2487475

Mucoepidermoid tumours of the minor salivary glands of the tongue are rarely encountered. A case of a high-grade malignant type is reported here. Merits of subdivision of the mucoepidermoid tumour on the basis of its malignant potential are outlined, and variations of histological presentation of the present tumour at its primary and nodal sites are discussed.

Matched MeSH terms: Submandibular Gland Neoplasms/pathology*; Submandibular Gland Neoplasms/secondary*; Tongue Neoplasms/pathology*

Fulltext A new concept of the formation of hypoxic cells in tumors and its possible implications for radiotherapy and chemotherapy

Ng CE

Med J Malaysia, 1981 Mar;36(1):24-8.

PMID: 7321933

Hypoxic cells in tumors are proposed to consist of at least 2 types, depending on whether they remain hypoxic for long (chronic hypoxia) or short (acute hypoxia) periods. Experimental evidence of the possible presence ofacutely-hypoxic cells in one type of murine tumour is presented. Finally, the possible implications for radiotherapy and chemotherapy of the presence of acutely-hypoxic cells in human tumors is discussed briefly.

Matched MeSH terms: Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy; Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism; Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology*; Neoplasms, Experimental/radiotherapy

Dyspnoea in young adults due to pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis from gastric carcinoma

Liam CK, Looi LM, Pailoor J, Alhady SF

Ann Acad Med Singap, 1989 Nov;18(6):713-6.

PMID: 2624423

Three cases of progressive dyspnoea in young female adults due to pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis are reported. The underlying primary neoplasm was gastric carcinoma in all 3 cases. The diagnosis was not suspected in 2 patients because of their young age.

Matched MeSH terms: Lung Neoplasms/complications; Lung Neoplasms/secondary*; Stomach Neoplasms*

Autoimmune disease and cancer comorbidity: Current understandings of immune-mediated pathogenesis and treatment

Islam MA, Kamal MA, Gan SH, Alam F

Semin Cancer Biol, 2020 08;64:iii-iv.

PMID: 31589922 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.10.001

Matched MeSH terms: Neoplasms/immunology; Neoplasms/epidemiology*; Neoplasms/pathology; Neoplasms/therapy*

Fulltext Cancer and COVID-19 vaccines: a complex global picture

Yusuf A, Sarfati D, Booth CM, Pramesh CS, Lombe D, Aggarwal A, et al.

Lancet Oncol, 2021 06;22(6):749-751.

PMID: 33930324 DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(21)00244-8

Matched MeSH terms: Neoplasms/complications; Neoplasms/epidemiology*; Neoplasms/prevention & control; Neoplasms/virology