Depression and socio-economical burden are more common in primary caregivers of patients who are not aware of their cancer: TURQUOISE Study by the Palliative Care Working Committee of the Turkish Oncology Group (TOG)

In this study, we aimed to determine the personal, social and economic burden and the frequency of depression, as well as in caregivers of cancer patients who are being treated with chemotherapy in Turkey. The study is designed as a cross-sectional survey study using a 5-point Likert-type response scale, and the last part of the questionnaire includes the Beck Depression Inventory. The depression rate was found to be 64% (n = 476) among all subjects (n = 968), with 91% of those with depression demonstrating signs of mild depression. In this study, a significant difference was found between the presence of depression and age (young), sex (female), educational level (high), economic status (low), financial loss during treatment, patient's lack of knowledge about his/her diagnosis, metastatic disease and short survival time. In addition, 64% of all subjects had concerns of getting cancer, and 44% of all subjects had feelings of anger/rage against other people. In a multivariate regression analysis, the patient's lack of knowledge of the diagnosis was the independent risk factor. In conclusion, depression incidence and burden rate increased among cancer caregivers, and care burden was highly associated with depression. Accordingly, approaches to reducing the psycho-social effects of cancer should focus intensively on both the patients and their caregivers in Turkey.

Profile of the colorectal (CRC) cancer (Ca) patients (PTS) in Turkey: A cross-sectional disease registry study—A Turkish Oncology Group trial

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Background: CRC Ca is one of the most common Ca worldwide. This study was designed to determine the profile of recently diagnosed CRC Ca pts in Turkey.

Methods: In this national, multicenter cross-sectional disease registry study, data for 968 pts diagnosed CRC Ca were analyzed. This non-interventional study was supported by sanofi-aventis.

Results: From October 2008 to October 2009, 662 colon (68%), 306 rectum (32%) Ca pts were registered from 21 centers in 7 geographic regions of Turkey. Characteristics are as follows. Male 61%, mean age was 60±12 for colon and 57±13 for rectum Ca. The ratio of colon and rectum Ca were equal in the Black Sea region, colon Ca was higher in the other 5 regions except Eastern Anatolia where the highest percentage of rectum Ca was observed (55% vs 45%). Red meat consumption was significantly high only in Eastern Anatolia (p<0.001). The consumption of alcohol, fruit and vegetables didn't show any difference. The percentage of smoking was slightly higher in the rectum Ca group (21% vs 16%, NS). The CRC family history was a risk factor in 7.4% colon, and in 5.6% rectum Ca pts. Among all pts, 1.5% had familial poliposis and only 0.4% had Lynch syndrome. Hypertension (29%) and diabetes mellitus (15%) were the most frequent concomitant diseases. Mean body mass index was 26 ± 4 in colon and 26 ± 5 in rectum Ca pts. Median time between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis was 3 months (mo) for colon and 4 mo for rectum Ca pts. For 46% of pts this time was longer than 4 mo. The mean weight loss in last 6 mo was slightly higher in colon Ca pts (3.9 vs 3.4 kg). Anemia was more frequent in colon Ca pts (p<0.05). Primary tumor location: sigmoid 37% for colon Ca, distal rectum 61% for rectum Ca. In total, 86% of pts were operated (88% of colon, 80% of rectum Ca). In 26% of pts emergency surgery was performed. AJCC staging at diagnosis: I-7%, II-26%, III-35%, IV-32% in colon and I-14%, II-22%, III-39%, IV:25% in rectum.

Conclusions: This study showed that colon Ca was more frequent and most of the cases were operated. Data also revealed that pts were diagnosed at considerably later stages. The role of the consumption of red meat, obesity and smoking should be evaluated in larger trial in the future.

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The development of metachronous prostate cancer and chronic myeloid leukemia in a patient with metastatic rectal cancer

We report herein an unusual case of metachronous triple cancers (rectum, prostate and Philadelphia(+) [Ph(+)] chronic myeloid leukemia [CML]). A metastatic rectal cancer was diagnosed in a 76-year-old male patient, who was treated with transanal tumor resection and chemotherapy. Thirty months from the initial rectal cancer diagnosis, prostate cancer was diagnosed and the patient was administered maximal androgen blockade and received palliative radiotherapy to the lumbar spine because of painful bone metastases. Thirty months after the diagnosis of rectal cancer and 12 months after the diagnosis of prostate cancer the patient developed Ph(+) CML and imatinib treatment was started. After one-year period in remission, CML evolved into accelerated phase and the patient died of intracranial hemorrhage.

5-fluorouracil increases the number and complexity of premature complexes in the heart: a prospective study using ambulatory ECG monitoring

The cardiac toxicity of LV5FU2 (de Gramont) regimen which is a widely used chemotherapy regimen in gastrointestinal system cancers is not well defined. We aimed to evaluate the impact of this regimen on cardiac rhythm. Two Holter ECG recordings were obtained in all patients with gastrointestinal system cancers treated with LV5FU2 regimen as first-line chemotherapy (one before and the second during the first 24 h of chemotherapy). Records were reviewed for the heart rate, rhythm, atrial premature complexes (APC), ventricular premature complexes (VPC), grades according to Lown-Wolf grading system and ST segment changes. Holter ECG recordings were evaluated in 27 patients. In the baseline evaluation, neither clinical symptom nor ST segment changes were observed. During the treatment period, chest pain was observed in two patients without any cardiac enzyme and ST segment changes. Moreover, a decrease in mean heart rate, and an increase in the number and complexity of premature complexes secondary to treatment were observed. The mean heart rate, APC per hour and VPC per hour (+/-SD) before vs. during treatment were, respectively, 93.1+/-16.4 vs. 81.6+/-12.7 (p=0.001), 18.9+/-54.0 vs. 45.3+/-53.8 vs. (p=0.049) and 12.7+/-29.6 vs. 38.1+/-42.1 (p=0.002). LV5FU2 regimen leads to a decrease in mean heart rate and a significant increase in APC and VPC which may lead to serious arrhythmias. These effects must be better understood for a safer administration of this useful and widely used drug regimen.

Bax, bcl-2 and c-kit expression in non-small-cell lung cancer and their effects on prognosis

In non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), stage of the disease is still the most important prognostic factor. Other than stage, many biological markers and many other prognostic factors are studied to define their effects on prognosis of lung cancer. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the expressions of Bax and bcl-2 genes which are important in apoptosis and c-kit, which is a tyrosine kinase transmembrane receptor, as well as searched their response to treatment modalities and effects on survival. Sixty-nine NSCLC cases' pathological samples were stained with specific Bax, bcl-2 and c-kit dyes by immunohistochemical (IHC) methods. IHC evaluation was done by the semichantitative method according to the distribution and intensity of the staining. Twelve of 69 cases (17.4%) were stage I, 28 (40.5%) were stage II, 17 were (24.6%) stage IIIA, nine cases were (13.1%) stage IIIB and three cases (4.4%) were stage IV patients. Their histological subtypes were as follows: of 69 cases, 36 (52.2%) were squamous cell carcinoma, 28 (40.6%) were adenocarcinoma, five (7.2%) were adenosquamous cell carcinoma (two patients) and large-cell carcinoma (three patients). The positive immunostaining rates for Bax and bcl-2 in whole group, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma groups were 40.6%/36.2%, 55.6/69.4% and 25.0/0.0%, respectively. The positive immune staining rates for c-kit in whole group, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma groups were 7.2, 5.6 and 7.1%, respectively. We didn't find any correlation with Bax, bcl-2 and c-kit expressions and clinicopathological parameters such as age, tumour size, lymph node involvement, smoking, stage of the disease, response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Results are interpreted according to survival; bax and bcl-2 expressions were not so effective both in whole group and histologically subgrouped patients. C-kit expression was also found not related with survival in whole group whereas found as a bad prognostic factor in patients with squamous cell carcinoma. These findings could indicate that the expression of apoptotic pathway markers and c-kit may have a role in the prognosis of early stage NSCLC, especially with squamous cell carcinoma subtype.

Lower motor neuron disease associated with myelofibrosis

We present a patient who has signs pointing to the involvement of lower motor neurons and myelofibrosis. To our knowledge, unlike lymphoproliferative disorders, co-occurrence of myelofibrosis and lower motor neuron disease (MND) has not been reported so far. A 64-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital with the complaint of painful cramps in his neck and forearms. On physical examination marked hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were found. On neurologic examination nasal quality of the voice and slight palatal weakness were detected. There were generalised slight weakness and atrophy in both proximal and distal muscle groups. Fasciculations were observed especially in forearm muscles and it was observed that he had been avoiding head movements because of painful muscle cramps. Deep tendon reflexes were hypoactive. Nerve conduction studies were normal. By needle electromyography, giant motor unit action potentials (amplitudes up to 8 mV), fibrillation potentials, positive sharp waves and fasciculation potentials were detected in all muscles which were investigated. A hypercellular bone marrow (100%) was determined by bone marrow biopsy. In addition to increased production of the myeloid and megakaryocytic lines, abnormal aggregation and grouping of megakaryocytes were seen. Reticular fibers were increased. He had some benefit of dyphenilhydantoin treatment given for the painful cramps in his neck and forearm muscles. Hydroxyurea treatment was started for myelofibrosis. Six months later, his general condition was better, and the painful cramps were completely resolved. No marked deterioration has been detected in neurologic examination and electromyography for 1 year.