Differential impact of endocrine therapy and chemotherapy on quality of life of breast cancer survivors: a prospective patient-reported outcomes analysis.

BACKGROUND: In early breast cancer (BC), there has been a trend to escalate endocrine therapy (ET) and to de-escalate chemotherapy (CT). However, the impact of ET versus CT on the quality of life (QoL) of early BC patients is unknown. Here, we characterize the independent contribution of ET and CT on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) at 2 years after diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively collected PROs in 4262 eligible patients using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30/BR23 questionnaires inside CANTO trial (NCT01993498). The primary outcome was the C30 summary score (C30-SumSc) at 2 years after diagnosis. RESULTS: From eligible patients, 37.2% were premenopausal and 62.8% postmenopausal; 81.9% received ET and 52.8% CT. In the overall cohort, QoL worsened by 2 years after diagnosis in multiple functions and symptoms; exceptions included emotional function and future perspective, which improved over time. ET (Pint = 0.004), but not CT (Pint = 0.924), had a persistent negative impact on the C30-SumSc. In addition, ET negatively impacted role and social function, pain, insomnia, systemic therapy side-effects, breast symptoms and further limited emotional function and future perspective recovery. Although CT had no impact on the C30-SumSc at 2-years it was associated with deteriorated physical and cognitive function, dyspnea, financial difficulties, body image and breast symptoms. We found a differential effect of treatment by menopausal status; in premenopausal patients, CT, despite only a non-significant trend for deteriorated C30-SumSc (Pint = 0.100), was more frequently associated with QoL domains deterioration than ET, whereas in postmenopausal patients, ET was more frequently associated with QoL deterioration, namely using the C30-SumSc (Pint = 0.004). CONCLUSION(S): QoL deterioration persisted at 2 years after diagnosis with different trajectories by treatment received. ET, but not CT, had a major detrimental impact on C30-SumSc, especially in postmenopausal women. These findings highlight the need to properly select patients for adjuvant ET escalation.

[Epidemiological and clinical aspects of visible urogenital malformations among adolescent's schoolboys at Cotonou]. / Aspects épidémiologiques et cliniques des malformations urogénitales cliniquement visibles chez les élèves adolescents de Cotonou.

AIMS: To detect systematically visible urogenital malformations (VUGM) in adolescents and describe their epidemiological and clinical aspects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It was a cross sectional, descriptive and analytical study, conducted from February to August 2012. Upon 2724 adolescents from 10 to 19 years old, of the public secondary schools of Cotonou. Among the 26,594 registered pupils, 2724 were included and examined after a randomized sampling of 30 clusters. RESULTS: The mean age of the pupils was of 15 ± 2.30 years (11-19 years), with a peak at 18 years. The prevalence of the VUGM was slightly higher (9.57%) in individuals those had parents with low socioeconomic level. The prevalence of the VUGM was high in Yoruba and related (P=0.02). It was stronger (9.84%) among subjects in puberty period's than in pre-puberty (6.69%) (P=0.03). From the 253 having VUGM, 78 (30.83%) had 146 functional signs. It was indexed 266 affections and of malformatives associations in 21 pupils (8.30%). Varicocele was the most frequent (5.47%), followed by inguinal hernia (0.99%), hydrocele (0.88%), anomalies of testis migration (0.59%), cyst of spermatic cord (0.51%), insulated testicular hypotrophy (0.48%), micro-penile (0.33%), hypospadias (0.22%), penile curvature (0.22%) and epididymis cyst (0.07%). CONCLUSION: Among patients who had VUGM, the majority had at least a varicocele, which occupies so far the first place within these malformations at the adolescents in Cotonou.

Femoral bifurcation associated with tibial aplasia: about 3 cases.

Femoral bifurcation associated with tibial aplasia of the limb is a very rare pathology. Its radical treatment is a disarticulation of the knee, followed by fitting of a prosthesis. In Benin the reluctance of parents to allow their children to undergo amputation and the access to equipment for the amputated child are a major technical and financial hindrance. Here we report three cases.

[Limbs and forarms agenesy associated in infant: an observation]. / Agenesie des avant bras et des jambes: une malformation rarissime.

Growth disorders are frequent in human and are represented mainly by malformation recognizable pre and postnatally. These malformations contribute to infant morbidity and mortality. They could occur in any organ and system. While seated in limbs, they could lead to severe functional difficulties as it was seen in this observation with forearm and legs agenesis. No case was reported before in Benin.

Les anomalies de développement sont fréquentes dans l'espèce humaine et se manifestent surtout par des malformations reconnaissables avant et après la naissance. Elles participent pour une part non négligeable à la morbidité et la mortalité infantile. Elles peuvent toucher tous les organes et systèmes. Lorsqu'elles siègent au niveau des membres, elles peuvent déterminer des séquelles fonctionnelles gravissimes comme c'est le cas dans cette observation que nous rapportons marquée par une agénésie des avant-bras et des jambes. Une telle anomalie n'a jamais été rapportée par le passé au Bénin.

Distal quadricepsplasty in children: 88 cases of retractile fibrosis following intramuscular injections treated in Benin.

INTRODUCTION: Retractile fibrosis of the quadriceps (RFQ) is a physical and social handicap in children, and often results from a past history of quadriceps intramuscular injection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic results of RFQ treated by distal quadricepsplasty using a modified Thompson-Payr procedure (DQPMTP). HYPOTHESIS: Functional recovery will be good with DQPMTP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a descriptive retrospective 10-year study from 2002 to 2011, including 74 children (88 knees) less than 15 years old, admitted for RFQ and treated in Benin. The types of RFQ were: knee flexion loss of motion 16 cases (18.2%), lag of extension 54 cases (61.4%) and associated genu recurvatum, 18 cases (20.5%). Wasting of the thigh was found in all cases. An associated distal femoral osteotomy was performed to correct a bone deformity in 18 cases (20.5%). RESULTS: There were 16 cases (18.2%) of poorly looking postoperative scars and 2 cases (2.3%) of fracture during physical therapy. Mean flexion ROM after surgery was 77.7°. Mean flexion increased from 77.7° to 108.5° following postoperative rehabilitation or a mean gain of 30.7°. The quadriceps muscle testing scores were at least 3/5. Results of DQPMTP were good in 80.7% of cases, as shown by mean active knee flexion of 108.5° with normal active extension. The results were satisfactory in 17 cases (19.3%). DISCUSSION: DQPMTP has the advantage of cutting a minimum of blood vessels, thus limiting the risk of hematoma. Laterally placed incisions create less tension reducing the risk of skin necrosis. The clinical and radiological results of this series confirm those in the literature. Treatment of RFQ by DQPMTP provides satisfactory functional rehabilitation in patients, which confirms our hypothesis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective study without comparison.

Iatrogenic retractile quadriceps fibrosis within children in Benin: epidemiological, clinical, therapeutical aspects.

BACKGROUND: In tropical countries, iatrogenic retractile quadriceps fibrosis (IRQF), the cause of walking handicap in children, is often the result of intraquadricipital injection of quinine salts. The aim of this review was to analyse the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic aspects and outcome of IRQF in children admitted in three hospitals in Benin Republic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It was a 10-year retrospective, descriptive and analytic survey of IRQF, involving 81 children aged from 8 months to 15 years. Iterative mobilization of the knee (IMK) or modified distal quadriceps plasty by Thompson-Payr's technique (MDQTPT), with a POP on the knee in flexion position, was performed with additional functional rehabilitation. The results were evaluated on knee flexion gain and walking quality. Data were processed using Epi Info 3.2 software. RESULTS: Patients' average age was 7.60 years. Children of 6-10 years were most affected; sex ratio was 1.02. Lesions were unilateral (71.6%) and bilateral (28.4%). The knees' stiffness was in flexion (10.57%), rectitude (64.42%) and recurvatum (25%). The amyotrophy of the thigh was found in 79.42 %. The IMK was successful in eight cases (7.69 %) and the MDQTPT was done in 98 cases (94.23%) associated with femoral osteotomy in 13 cases (12.50%). In post-surgical period, skin necrosis and fractures occurred respectively in 15.31% and 5.10%. Results were good in 92.31% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: IRQF in children do exist in our settings. The treatment that is based on MDQTPT associated to rehabilitation leads to acceptable outcome.