Thalassemia patients in transfussion dependent period and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: how are the psychiatric status and life quality of these patients?

Although hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been widely used to treat patients with beta-thalassemia major, evidence showing whether this treatment improves mental health, self esteem and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is limited. We aimed to describe psychiatric problems, HRQoL and self-esteem scores of patients who have thalassemia and compared with patients who underwent HSCT in the current study. A total of 24 patients with thalassemia major and 13 patients who underwent HSCT at least 2 years ago aged between 7-37 years were included. We used The Children's Depression Inventory, The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Pediatric Quality of LifeTM (PedsQL™) for assesment of children and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) for assessment of adults. We also used Piers Harris Self Concept Scale for children and adults. Psychopathologies are common in both groups (50% in Thalassemia group and 69.2% in HSCT group). Popularity scores in Piers Haris scale of patients in HSCT group were significantly higher compared to thalassemia group (p = 0.03). Additionally, HSCT group had higher scores in physical health subscales of HRQoL in both children and parents'(p = 0.02, p = 0.03 respectively). Our findings suggest improved HRQoL and self-esteem in thalassemia patients after HSCT. However, due to the high prevalence of mental disorders in both groups, we would like to emphasize that clinicians should examine not only the physical but also the psychological state of the patients with thalessemia during the their treatment and follow-up period after HSCT.

Surgical treatment of a calcified amorphous tumor originating from left atrium.

Calcified amorphous tumor is a non-neoplastic tumor or intracavitary cardiac mass which is rarely seen in heart. It is frequently associated with left ventricle and mitral valve. Clinical symptoms varies from asymptomatic status to serious neurological and cardiopulmonary symptoms. Imaging studies such as echocardiography, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging can reveal the mass preoperatively, although the exact diagnosis is done by pathological inspection of the specimen. Follow-up is recommended by echocardiography after surgical treatment due to its recurrence potential. Herein, we present a mass attached to the mitral valve posterior leaflet causing rather silent symptoms such as dyspnea and fatigue on exertion.

Invasive papillary breast carcinoma, solid variant with neuroendocrine differentiation.

Invasive papillary carcinoma, solid variant is a rarely observed breast tumor. It is encountered in patients of advanced ages and has a good prognosis. After the physical examination, mammography, and ultrasonography examinations, modified radical mastectomy were applied to the 72-year-old patient, who came to our hospital complaining of a mass in the left breast. During the macroscopic analysis, a well-limited, necrotic, and bleeding tumor with a diameter of 7 cm was found in the left breast, covering almost the whole area. The case was diagnosed as invasive papillary carcinoma, solid variant with neuroendocrine differentiation, which has been reported in the literature as a result of the histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis.