Promoting new approaches for cancer care in the Middle East.

Cancer is now the fastest growing killing disease in the Middle East. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to train local health professionals: oncologists, palliative care experts, oncology nurses, psychologists, along with social workers, physiotherapists and spiritual counselors on strategies for early detection, curative therapies and palliation. Professionals in the region, along with the public, need to convince medical administrators, regulators and policymakers about investing in education and training of YOUNG professionals, as well as those with already proven experience in cancer care. Training is the basis for any future cancer care program, which aims at the integration of palliative care practices into standard oncology care across the trajectory of the illness.

Cancer incidence in Jordan, 1996-2005.

Cancer causes 14% of all deaths in Jordan. This paper presents the incidence of cancer in Jordan from 1996 to 2005. Over the 10-year period there were 33 661 cases of cancer. The average crude incidence rate was 66.2 per 100 000 for males and 70.0 per 100 000 for females (age-standardized rates: 119 per 100 000 adult males and 116 per 100 000 adult females). The 5 most frequently reported cancers among adult males were: lung (10.6%), colorectal (9.8%), leukaemia (9.3%), urinary and bladder (8.6%) and prostate (7.4%). For adult females these were: breast (32.0%), colorectal (9.0%), leukaemia (6.7%), thyroid (4.9%) and corpus uteri (4.6%). Cancer rates have changed little since 1996.

Therapeutic effect of vincristine, adriamycin and prednisolone (VAP) in angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy (AIL).

Five patients, three males and two females, with angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy (AIL) are described. The two who received steroids had no response and died 2 and 6 months later. The three patients who received vincristine, adriamycin and prednisolone (VAP) went into remission early and are still in remission with a follow-up of 22-35 months. It is concluded that VAP is effective therapy in AIL.

Congenital muscular dystrophy in Jordanian children.

This is a consecutive study on 28 patients who have been diagnosed as having congenital muscular dystrophy at Jordan University Hospital in the period from January 1990 to February 1997. Of 75 patients diagnosed as having muscle disease, 55 (73.3%) had muscular dystrophy. Of 55 muscular dystrophy patients, 28 (50.9%) had congenital muscular dystrophy, 11 (20%) had Duchenne muscular dystrophy, 9 (16.4%) had Becker muscular dystrophy, 4 (7.3%) had myotonic dystrophy, 2 (3.6%) had limb-girdle dystrophy, and 1 (1.8%) patient had facioscapulohumeral dystrophy. Age of onset of symptoms of congenital muscular dystrophy (hypotonia and weakness) was documented antenatally or in the first few months in the majority (92.9%) of patients. Parental consanguinity was documented in 21 (75%) of congenital muscular dystrophy cases, and family history of possible similar cases in 15 (53.6%). Congenital muscular dystrophy patients with normal cognitive milestones (n = 16; 57.1%) were slightly more common than patients with cognitive delay. In contrast to previous reports, congenital muscular dystrophy is probably more common in communities with high rates of parental consanguinity than other dystrophies. Our study adds significant support to the most recent literature on this finding.

Laryngocele: an acquired condition.

A 20-year-old female underwent excision of the submandibular gland for chronic sialadenitis and salivary calculus. She developed a wound hematoma which became infected. A wound abscess occurred which discharged spontaneously into the larynx and led to the formation of a combined laryngocele. This was excised, and the patient made a smooth recovery. There is no evidence of recurrence after two years.

Idiopathic subcutaneous and laryngeal fibrosis.

A 40-year-old totally deaf male presented with submucosal masses in the subglottic space and multiple subcutaneous nodules in the eyelids, scrotum and thighs. Biopsies of these masses revealed dense fibrosis associated with non-specific chronic inflammation. Although the findings were clinically similar to those of neurofibromatosis, amyloidosis, multifocal fibrosclerosis with cutaneous nodules, and familial multicentric fibromatosis, they did not fit completely with any of the above-mentioned conditions. It is possible that this case represents a peculiar entity of its own.

Micronutrient status in Jordan: 2002 and 2010.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Two national surveys were conducted in Jordan in 2002 and 2010 to investigate the micronutrient status in women and children. To determine the prevalence of anemia, iron and folate deficiency among women and children in 2010 and compare with the prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency in 2002. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A nationally representative survey was conducted in 2002 (1023 women, 15-49 years of age; 1059 children, 12-59 months of age) and a second survey in 2010 (2035 women; 940 children). Venous blood samples were used to measure hemoglobin, ferritin and red blood cell folate (the latter on a subsample of 393 women). RESULTS: Among women in 2010, the prevalence of folate deficiency and insufficiency was 13.6% and 82.9%, respectively. Geometric mean serum ferritin was higher in 2010 compared with 2002 (21.3 ng/ml vs 18.3, P=0.01); there was no significant change in the prevalence of iron deficiency (35.1% vs 38.7%, P=0.17), iron deficiency anemia (19.1% vs 20.0%, P=0.61) or anemia (29.2% vs 29.3%, P=0.96). Among children, a significantly lower prevalence was observed in 2010 compared with 2002 for iron deficiency (13.7% vs 26.2% P<0.001) and iron deficiency anemia (4.8% vs 10.1%, P<0.001); a nonsignificant lower prevalence was observed for anemia (16.6% vs 20.2%, P=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: In 2010, approximately one of seven women was folate deficient and six out of seven were folate insufficient for the prevention of neural tube defects. Between 2002 and 2010, significant improvement was observed in the prevalence of iron deficiency in children, but not in women.

Frequency of t(14;18) in follicular lymphoma patients: geographical or technical variation.

The t(14;18) translocation is the most distinguishing molecular finding in follicular lymphoma (FL). However, the reported frequencies of t(14;18) in FL show significant variation, which is often attributed to geographical and/or methodological factors. The methods used to detect t(14;18) include Southern blotting, conventional cytogenetics, fluorescent in situ hybridization, and polymerized chain reaction (PCR). Because of its practicality and superior sensitivity, PCR is becoming the more commonly used method in clinical laboratories. The identification of the main breakpoint regions on chromosome 18, including the major breakpoint region (MBR), the minor cluster region (mcr), and the newly defined intermediate cluster region (icr), increased the detection frequency of PCR. In our study, using a highly sensitive nested PCR strategy with primers for MBR, mcr and icr regions, we were able to detect t(14;18) in 95% of FL patients, which is one of the highest reported frequencies using PCR. We screened 58 FL patient samples collected retrospectively from different hospitals in Jordan. DNA was extracted from archival paraffin-embedded samples, some of which were >10 years old. The respective breakpoint distributions were, 47 for MBR (81%), two for mcr (3.5%) and six for icr (10.3%). In this report, we analyze this high frequency of t(14;18) detection in a general review of the recent literature, in an attempt to assess the geographical vs. methodological influences on the reported frequencies.

Patterns of leukemias in Jordanians: a study of 378 cases.

378 patients of leukemias were admitted to Jordan University Hospital during the period from January 1976 through December 1983. Acute leukemias, acute lymphocytic leukemia in particular, were most frequent, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia was the least frequent type seen among Jordanians. In general the leukemias tend to occur in younger age groups among Jordanians.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in Jordanians: a histopathological study of 231 cases.

Our hospital admitted 231 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas between June 1976 and November 1984. Review of these cases revealed the following profile: ages ranged from 1 to 70 years (median: 30 years), 156 males, predominantly children and adolescents, and 75 females. Diffuse histiocytic lymphoma accounted for 40.6 per cent of all cases. Seventeen patients (7 per cent) had nodular lymphomas. Fifteen patients, predominantly male children and adolescents, had lymphoblastic lymphomas and showed high association with mediastinal mass (47 per cent). Extranodal lymphomas mostly of the diffuse histiocytic subtype were diagnosed in 100 cases (43.3 per cent) and most frequently situated in the small intestine (59 cases). Burkitt's lymphoma--32 patients (14 per cent)--presented most often in male patients during the first decade of life and as an abdominal intestinal disease (19 cases). There were four cases of Mediterranean abdominal lymphoma (IPSID). Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in Jordanians are mostly of the diffuse histiocytic type, are rarely nodular, have a high frequency of extranodal involvement and tend to occur in younger age groups. Mediterranean abdominal lymphoma is less frequent than previously thought. The use of both of the Rappaport and Lukes-Collins classifications demonstrated a high degree of reproducibility.

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis associated with multicentric angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia. Case report and review of the literature.

A 14-year-old boy presented with fever, anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, generalized lymphadenopathy and nephrotic syndrome. Lymph node biopsy showed angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia (generalized Castleman's disease) of the plasma cell type. Kidney biopsy showed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type 1. Complete remission was achieved with corticosteroid treatment and repeat kidney biopsy 22 months later showed complete resolution of the renal pathology. The association between membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and multicentric angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia, plasma cell type, has not previously been reported.

The whistling face syndrome, or craniocarpotarsal dysplasia. Report of two cases in a father and son and review of the literature.

Two cases of "whistling face syndrome" with the typical manifestations in the face, hands, and feet in a father and son are presented. From studying them over a 3-year period and from reviewing 46 reported cases, we conclude that (a) hand and foot deformities do not improve spontaneously with growth and better results are achieved by early surgery, (b) decreased intermaxillary distance contributed more than intercommissural distance to feeding and anesthetic difficulties in our patients, and (c) thickened and contracted joint capsules and myopathic changes are thought to form the basic pathology in this syndrome.

The spectrum of glomerulopathy in jordan.

In this study, we reviewed the records and the histological findings of a total of 350 adequate native kidney biopsies at both the Jordan University Hospital (260 biopsies in the period 1986-1989) and the Jordan Hospital (90 biopsies in the period 1997-1999). There were 187 males (53.4%) and 163 females (46.6%). Their ages ranged between 12-77 years. The nephrotic syndrome was the presenting feature in 194 (55.4%) patients, acute renal failure in 55 (15.7%), hematuria and/or non-nephrotic proteinuria in 45 (12.9%), chronic renal failure in 32 (9.1%) and hematuria alone 24 (6.9%). In the patients with the nephrotic syndrome, 140 (72.2%) had primary nephrotic syndrome. In this group membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) was the most common pathology and was detected in 49 patients (35%) followed by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in 38 (27.1%). Amyloidosis and systemic lupus erythematosus were the commonest findings among the 54 patients with secondary nephrotic syndrome (40.7% and 38.8% respectively). Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis was seen in 34.5% of those patients presenting with acute renal failure, while FSGS was seen in 25% of those with chronic renal failure. Finally IgA nephropathy was the major finding among both the 45 patients with hematuria-proteinuria and the 24 patients with isolated hematuria (26.2% and 66.6% respectively).

Pattern of colonic disease in lower gastrointestinal bleeding in Jordanian patients: a prospective colonoscopic study.

PURPOSE: This study was developed to document causes of rectal bleeding of Jordanian patients and compare them with results from several parts of the world. METHODS: Diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy was used as a first-line investigation on 701 consecutive Jordanian patients presenting with rectal bleeding. When indicated, technetium 99m-labeled red blood counts or selective angiography were used also. RESULTS: Most common causes according to frequency were hemorrhoids, polyps, ulcerative colitis, amebic colitis, neoplasm, diverticulosis, anal fissure, Crohn's disease, and arteriovenous malformations. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study addressing this problem from this part of the world. Findings were different from many other results published in western and eastern studies in certain disease entities.

Diagnostic value of cervical lymph node biopsy: a pathological study of 596 cases.

During a 10-year period (1976-1985), a total of 596 cervical lymph node biopsies for diagnostic purposes were performed at our institution. Thirty-five percent of these nodes were involved with malignant lymphoma, and 20.5% showed metastatic deposits. Nondiagnostic reactive hyperplastic changes were noted in 23% of the cases. Several other inflammatory and neoplastic conditions were encountered. Comparison of our data with several series from different countries with review of relevant literature are presented.

Two new glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) variants associated with hemolytic anemia: G6PD Amman-1 and G6PD Amman-2.

Two glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) variants were investigated. G6PD Amman-1 was partially purified from the red cells of a patient suffering from recurrent jaundice and spontaneous episodic attacks of severe hemolysis in the absence of oxidant drugs, infection, or fava beans. The enzymatic characteristics of G6PD Amman-1 were markedly reduced activity, fast eletrophoretic mobility, slightly increased km for NADP, normal km for G-6-P, normal heat stability, normal utilization of substrate analogues 2-deoxy G-6-P and deamino-NADP, and a monophasic pH curve with a peak at 8.5 to 9.3. The second variant, G6PD Amman-2, was partially purified from the red cells of a patient suffering from recurrent jaundice with episodic mild hemolysis caused by infection or unknown factors. G6PD Amman-2 characteristics were severely reduced activity, slow electrophoretic mobility, normal km for NADP, decreased km for G-6-P, decreased heat stability, increased utilization of substrate analogues, and a monophasic pH curve with a narrow peak at pH 9.5. The red cell level of reduced glutathione was markedly decreased with twofold increase in the activity of glutathione reductase in the patient with G6PD Amman-2.

IgA nephropathy in patients with familial Mediterranean fever.

Two patients with a long-standing history of familial Mediterranean fever were found to have both microscopic hematuria and proteinuria during the acute attacks. Kidney biopsies from both patients revealed diffuse mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis with intense mesangial IgA and C3 deposits and no evidence of amyloidosis. To our knowledge these are the first 2 cases documenting the presence of mesangial IgA nephropathy in patients with familial Mediterranean fever.