Long-Term Survival Analysis and Prognostic Factors of Arabic Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: A 20-Year Observational Study at the King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) Involving 528 Patients.

DTC accounts for the majority of endocrine tumors. While the incidence of thyroid cancer has been increasing globally over the past few decades, papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) generally shows an excellent prognosis, except in cases with aggressive clinicopathological features. This study aimed to assess the 5- and 10-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of 528 Arabic patients diagnosed with primary DTC from 1998 to 2021. Additionally, the study aimed to analyze the impact of various factors on both OS and PFS. An univariable survival analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier curves. The 5- and 10-year OS for patients with DTC have exceeded 95%. Additionally, PFS showed very good rates (ranging between 96.5 and 85% at 5 and 10 years, respectively). Age, male gender, risk of recurrence, and distant metastasis were identified as the main negative prognostic factors for both OS and PFS, while RAI treatment was found to be a significant factor in improving OS. Moreover, adherence to the King Hussein Cancer Center's (KHCC) CPG demonstrated significant improvement in PFS. These findings highlight common prognostic factors and favorable outcomes in Arabic patients with DTC treated at a tertiary cancer center using standard of care approaches.

The efficacy of a comprehensive bone health program in maintaining bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer treated with endocrine therapy: real-world data.

BACKGROUND: Aromatase inhibitors (AI) are the gold standard treatment option for hormone-sensitive postmenopausal women with breast cancer. Several studies had documented the accelerated bone loss associated with AI. AIMS: In this study, we present real-world data describing the efficacy of implementing a comprehensive bone health program to maintain bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal patients with early-stage breast cancer treated with AI. METHODS: A comprehensive bone health program that includes counseling, exercise, nutritional advice, vitamin D supplements and, when needed, intravenous bisphosphonate infusion was implemented following the initiation of endocrine therapy with AI. Postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive, early-stage breast cancer treated with endocrine therapy using AI were retrospectively identified. All patients had BMD measurements before and at least 1 year after ET initiation. RESULTS: A total of 210 patients were included, median (range) age 67 (43-86) years. At baseline, osteoporosis was documented in 38 (18.1%) and osteopenia in 101 (48.1%) patients. Despite the known negative effect of AI, 32 (84.2%) patients with baseline osteoporosis and 69 (68.3%) of those with osteopenia, had a stable or better BMD. On the other hand, 41 (57.7%) of those with normal baseline BMD had a drop in their follow up BMD, p < 0.001. Vertebral fractures were reported in 3 (11.1%) patients with osteoporosis compared to none in patients with normal BMD, p = 0.021. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the known negative effect of ET on bone health of breast cancer patients, implementing a comprehensive bone health program stabilized or improved BMD.

Bone Scan in Identification, Assessment of Initial Extent and Response to Therapy in Polymyositis.

This is a 51-year-old male who presented with abdominal pain, bilateral proximal upper and lower extremities pain and weakness, and decreased urine output with abnormal kidney function test; Urea and creatinine levels were elevated at 231.5 mg/dl and 11.05 mg/dl, respectively. Initial bone scan showed increased uptake within several muscles suspicious for polymyositis, this was confirmed by biopsy of the right triceps, identified by bone scan as the best superficial biopsy site. Pelvis and thigh MRI demonstrated diffuse hyperintense signal on fluid sensitive sequences involving several muscles. Renal biopsy showed acute tubular injury. He was treated with steroids resulting in significant improvement. A repeat bone scan showed near complete resolution of the muscular uptake seen at presentation. This case nicely illustrates the role of bone scanning in the initial recognition and determination of the extent of polymyositis with identification of a suitable biopsy site as well as assessment of response to treatment.