Cytokines the Etiology of Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the roles of cytokines in the etiopathogenesis of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM). DESIGN: Case-control study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, from September 2020 to January 2021. METHODOLOGY: Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis patients in active or remission who were admitted to the breast diseases outpatient clinic and healthy volunteers were included prospectively in the present study. The IL-1ß, IFN-α2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p (p70), IL-17A, IL-18, IL-23 and IL-33 values were measured with Flow Cytometry. The blood samples were taken before the treatment in the active IGM group. The ages, physical examination findings, menopausal and smoking conditions, and treatment methods were also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients including 19 patients with active and 13 in remission, and 18 controls, were inducted making up a total of 50 subjects. The mean age was 37.18±7.15. The IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-18 values were lower in patients with IGM than in the control group. Granulomatous Mastitis patients smoked more than the healthy participants. When the active patients, remission patients, and control group were evaluated together, no significant differences were detected in cytokine levels. CONCLUSION: The autoimmune and granulomatous reactions may not play a role in the etiopathogenesis of IGM because of the low levels of Th1 and Th17-related cytokines. However, some to baseline reference ranges were established. KEY WORDS: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis, Cytokine, Autoimmunity, Smoking.

Does focal heterogeneity affect survival in postoperative ipsilateral multifocal and multicentric breast cancers?

OBJECTIVE: In multicentric/multifocal breast tumors, there may be immunological and histological differences between foci that may affect survival and treatment choice. We aimed to evaluate the effect of focal heterogeneity seen in multicentric/multifocal breast tumors on survival. METHODS: We retrospectively collected and analyzed the clinicopathological data of 89 female patients with multifocal/multicentric breast cancer, whose surgical and medical treatment was completed and who were followed up for 5 years. RESULTS: Of all patients, 29.2% (26/89) were heterogeneous. Heterogeneity of these foci was as follows: histologic heterogeneity of index foci (mix type): 15.7% (14/89), histologic heterogeneity of inter-foci: 7.9% (7/89), and immunohistochemical heterogeneity of inter-foci: 10.1% (9/89). When additional foci were evaluated, oncological therapy was changed for 3 (3.3%) of 89 patients. Heterogeneity does not have a significant (p>0.05) effect on recurrence and survival in multicentric/multifocal breast cancers. Pathological N stage is an independent risk factor for disease-free survival (hazard ratio=2.29, 95% confidence interval=1.39-3.76, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In multifocal/multicentric breast cancers, less than 4% of patients may experience heterogeneity requiring change in the therapeutic decision. However, heterogeneity does not have a significant effect on recurrence and survival in multifocal/multicentric breast cancers. The pathological N stage is an independent risk factor for disease-free survival.

Does focal heterogeneity affect survival in postoperative ipsilateral multifocal and multicentric breast cancers?

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: In multicentric/multifocal breast tumors, there may be immunological and histological differences between foci that may affect survival and treatment choice. We aimed to evaluate the effect of focal heterogeneity seen in multicentric/multifocal breast tumors on survival. METHODS: We retrospectively collected and analyzed the clinicopathological data of 89 female patients with multifocal/multicentric breast cancer, whose surgical and medical treatment was completed and who were followed up for 5 years. RESULTS: Of all patients, 29.2% (26/89) were heterogeneous. Heterogeneity of these foci was as follows: histologic heterogeneity of index foci (mix type): 15.7% (14/89), histologic heterogeneity of inter-foci: 7.9% (7/89), and immunohistochemical heterogeneity of inter-foci: 10.1% (9/89). When additional foci were evaluated, oncological therapy was changed for 3 (3.3%) of 89 patients. Heterogeneity does not have a significant (p>0.05) effect on recurrence and survival in multicentric/multifocal breast cancers. Pathological N stage is an independent risk factor for disease-free survival (hazard ratio=2.29, 95% confidence interval=1.39-3.76, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In multifocal/multicentric breast cancers, less than 4% of patients may experience heterogeneity requiring change in the therapeutic decision. However, heterogeneity does not have a significant effect on recurrence and survival in multifocal/multicentric breast cancers. The pathological N stage is an independent risk factor for disease-free survival.

Hemogram index parameters in the evaluation of male breast cancer and inflammatory response: a case-control study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the hemogram index parameters and their clinical significance in the evaluation of the inflammatory response of patients with male breast cancer, who are rarely observed in the literature. METHODS: In total, 22 (n=22) healthy male and 28 (n=28) male breast cancer patients without synchronous/metachronous tumors were included in this study. They were grouped as the healthy male control group (Group 1) and the male breast cancer patient group (Group 2). The male breast cancer was divided into two subgroups, namely, early stage [(stage: 0/I/II) (Group 2A)] and late stage [(stage: III/IV) (Group 2B)], and their hemogram index parameters were compared. RESULTS: A significant (p>0.05) increase was observed in neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and·platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) values in the late stage (Group 2B: stage III/IV) compared to the early stage (Group 2A: stage 0/I/II) and healthy control (Group 1) groups. CONCLUSIONS: In male breast cancer patients, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and platelet/lymphocyte ratio values were significantly higher as the stage of cancer increased. These readily available simple tests can be used to evaluate the host's inflammatory response in male breast cancer.

Hemogram index parameters in the evaluation of male breast cancer and inflammatory response: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the hemogram index parameters and their clinical significance in the evaluation of the inflammatory response of patients with male breast cancer, who are rarely observed in the literature. METHODS: In total, 22 (n=22) healthy male and 28 (n=28) male breast cancer patients without synchronous/metachronous tumors were included in this study. They were grouped as the healthy male control group (Group 1) and the male breast cancer patient group (Group 2). The male breast cancer was divided into two subgroups, namely, early stage [(stage: 0/I/II) (Group 2A)] and late stage [(stage: III/IV) (Group 2B)], and their hemogram index parameters were compared. RESULTS: A significant (p>0.05) increase was observed in neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and·platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) values in the late stage (Group 2B: stage III/IV) compared to the early stage (Group 2A: stage 0/I/II) and healthy control (Group 1) groups. CONCLUSIONS: In male breast cancer patients, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and platelet/lymphocyte ratio values were significantly higher as the stage of cancer increased. These readily available simple tests can be used to evaluate the host's inflammatory response in male breast cancer.

Does being a refugee affect prognosis in patients who underwent surgery due to peptic ulcer perforation?

BACKGROUND: Although Turkey hosts the largest number of Syrian immigrants, the interpretation of their health problems seems to be inadequate and understudied. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether being a refugee is a prognostic factor or not for peptic ulcer perforation (PUP). METHODS: A retrospective study was designed in Turkish Citizen patients and the refugees to compare the prognosis who underwent surgery for PUP. After ethical committee approval, the data of 143 patients, constituting 130 males and 13 females, operated for PUP, were collected. Patients' files, surgery notes and outpatient policlinic data were evaluated. RESULTS: In this study, 105 patients were Turkish Citizen, while the remaining 38 patients were refugees. Eight (7.6%) Turkish and one (2.6%) refugee patient died. There was no statistical significance between the two groups concerning mortality (p=0.445). Age, perforation diameter and localization, need of reoperation, nasogastric tube detention time, CRP, hematocrit, albumin, creatinine, BUN levels were found statistically significant for mortality. CONCLUSION: Although being a refugee has been identified as a risk in the etiopathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease, we found that being a refugee in Turkey is not a negative prognostic factor for PUP.

Importance of Spontaneous Choledochoduodenal Fistulas Detected During ERCP Procedure.

Choledochoduodenal fistula (CDF) is an abnormal passage between the choledochus and duodenum. The most common causes of CDF are cholelithiasis, duodenal ulcer, and tumors. There are mainly two types of fistulas depending on the location. Type 1 is usually present on the longitudinal fold just close to the papilla. Type 2 is present at the duodenal mucosa adjacent to the longitudinal fold and probably caused by larger stones, duodenal ulcer penetration, impacted cystic duct stones, and as a complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In this study, we investigate the characteristics of our patients those were diagnosed with CDF. This is a descriptive study. We retrospectively obtained the data of 21 patients with spontaneous CDF out of 2430 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) patients between 2000 and 2014. We analyzed the laboratory results, demographic and etiological features, major clinical presentations, diagnostic methods, and treatment modalities of the patients. The mean age of the 21 patients was 66.6 ± 2.2 years and a female to male ratio was 12:9. In ten patients, interventional procedures were performed via fistulotomy, not through the papilla. The eventual diagnosis was tumor in five patients and stone or sludge in bile ducts in 14 patients. In the remaining two patients, no reason was found as a cause of CDF. Whipple operation was performed in one patient and stents were placed in three patients for malignacy. Among the 14 patients with sludge or stone in bile ducts, ERCP has been therapeutic in ten. One of the remaining patients has been operated for proximal fistula and underwent choledochus exploration and repair of fistula over a T-tube. In the second patient, stone extraction and T-tube drainage were performed. In patients who had bile duct obstruction and got over of jaundice afterwards, one of the most important reasons of this recovery is the development of spontaneous choledochoduodenal fistula. Even if it is very rare, malignancy can be observed in this area. Therefore, it is extremely important to evaluate the papillary area with ERCP and to conduct biopsy; this will make early diagnosis possible in many patients. In these patients, ERCP can both be diagnostic and therapeutic.

Ischemia modified albumin can predict necrosis at incarcerated hernias.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the predictive effect of IMA in incarcerated hernias. METHODS: Three groups (n = 7) of rats were operated. Group I aimed to mimic incarceration, group II aimed the strangulation, and group III was the sham group. IMA and LDH measurements were made. RESULTS: IMA levels were significantly higher in strangulation mimicking group and IMA levels were normal at postoperative 6th hour in incarceration mimicking group. LDH levels were significantly higher in both incarceration and strangulation mimicking groups. CONCLUSION: IMA seems to be an effective marker in incarcerated hernias to predict necrosis. But we need further studies to generalise this hypothesis.