CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA WITH COMPOUND HETEROZYGOUS I2 SPLICE AND P453S MUTATIONS.

Background: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder caused by congenital deficiency of enzymes involved in cortisol biosynthesis from cholesterol in the adrenal cortex. In this article, we aimed to present a 29-year-old female patient with I2 splice point mutation detected in one allele and P453S mutation on the other allele of CYP21A2 gene associated with 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Her further investigation revealed that her mother had P453S mutation and her father had I2 splice mutation. Case report: A 29-year-old woman with CAH was admitted to our clinic with the request of pregnancy. Her physical examination revealed a height of 151 cm, weight 59 kg, body mass index 25.8 kg/m2. According to Tanner staging, she had Stage 3 breast development and pubic hair. Her laboratory test results were as follows: Glucose: 79 mg/dL (70-100 mg/dL), Creatinine: 0.6 (0.5-0.95 mg/dL), Sodium: 138 mEq/L (135-145 mEq/L), Potassium: 4.4 mEq/L (3.5-5.1 mEq/L), Cortisol: 0.05 µg/dL, ACTH: <5.00 pg/mL (5-46 pg/mL), 17-OH progesterone: 7.67 ng/mL (0-3 ng/mL). Chromosome analysis revealed a 46, XX karyotype. CYP21A2 gene mutation analysis was performed for the patient whose clinical history and laboratory results were compatible with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. During the reverse dot blot analysis, I2 splice mutation in one allele and P453S mutation in the other allele were detected. Conclusion: Although the I2 splice mutation detected in our case was mostly associated with a salt-wasting form of CAH, it was thought that the other P453S mutation detected may explain the relatively good clinical course in our case.

CATAMENIAL DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a common medical emergency situation. In rare cases, glycemic changes associated with the menstrual cycle may create a predisposing factor for DKA. In the absence of facilitating factors that may cause DKA, catamenial DKA should be considered. In the patients with catamenial DKA, increasing the insulin dose 1-2 days before menstruation may prevent the development of hyperglycemia or DKA associated with menstrual cycle. In this study, we present a 21-year-old female with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) that recurrently applied to our hospital due to DKA a few days prior to menstrual bleeding.

Case Report.

Background: Thyroid hormone resistance (RTH) is defined as a decrease in response to thyroid hormones in the target tissue. Most patients present with nonspecific findings. In this article, we aimed to represent a 22-year-old female patient who presented with palpitation, fatigue, and heat intolerance. She was thought to have thyroid hormone resistance and her genetic examination revealed NM_001128177.1 (THRß): c.1034G > A (p.Gly345Asp) pathogenic variation in the THRß gene. Case report: A 22-year-old female patient presented with complaints of fatigue, heat intolerance and palpitations. She was taking Propranolol twice daily at admission. Her family history revealed hypothyroidism in her grandmother. Her physical examination results were as follows: height 160 cm, weight 65 kg, body mass index 25.4kg/m2, body temperature 36.5°C, respiratory rate 18/min, heart rate 86 beats/min, blood pressure 120/80 mmHg. Her palms were sweaty. The heart sounds were normal, and no heart murmur was auscultated. The laboratory results were TSH: 5.31uU/mL, fT3: 6.83 pg/mL, and fT4: 2.43 ng/dL. THRß gene mutation analysis was requested for our patient whose clinical history and laboratory results were compatible with thyroid hormone resistance. The pathogenic variation NM_001128177.1(THRß):c.1034G>A (p.Gly345Asp) was detected after analysis. Conclusion: A diagnosis of RTH requires high clinical suspicion and a genetic mutation analysis should be requested in the case of clinical suspicion. In this way, unnecessary anti-thyroid treatment can be prevented.

Anxiety levels, quality of life and related socio-demographic factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between anxiety level and quality of life in patients with diabetes mellitus and the sociodemographic factors affecting them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 150 patients with DM who presented to the endocrinology clinic of Gaziantep University Sahinbey Research and Training Hospital for outpatient treatment between March 2017 and April 2017. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Eortc-Qlqc30 Quality of Life Scale (EORTC- QLQ-C30) were used to evaluate anxiety levels and quality of life of the patients. RESULTS: The mean score of the patients obtained from BAI was 18 ± 13 and 51.4 ± 26 from EORTC- QLQ-C30. Mean body mass index of patients' was 27.03. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between BAI and EORTC QLQ-C30 (r:-0.359) and sub scales in terms of physical function (r: -0.253), emotional function (r: -0.201), role function (r: -0.308), cognitive function (r: -0.309) (P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between BAI and the symptom subscales of EORTC QLQ-C30 in terms of pain score (r: 0.276), fatigue score (r: 0.305), dyspnea score (r: 0.198), insomnia score (r: 0.247), loss of appetite score (r: 0.216) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A negative relationship was determined between anxiety levels and quality of life. Age, marital status, number of spouses, co inhabitants at home, educational status, living place were related with both quality of life and anxiety levels of DM patients. Increasing the psychosocial support systems of individuals with DM may reduce their anxiety levels and increase quality of life.

PSEUDOPSEUDOHYPOPARATHYROIDISM AS A CAUSE OF FAHR SYNDROME: HYPOPARATHYROIDISM NOT THE ONLY ONE.

INTRODUCTION: Fahr's syndrome is an infrequent disorder characterized by bilateral symmetrical calcification of basal ganglia and the cerebral cortex. It can be seen genetic, idiopathic, or secondary to endocrine diseases. This disease is related to different metabolic disorders particularly with diseases of the parathyroid gland. CASE 1: A 63-year-old female patient applied to our clinic due to having hypoparathyroidism with bilateral basal ganglia calcification in head computed tomography(CT). She had subtotal thyroidectomy 25 years ago. In the neurological examination, mild symmetrical parkinsonism was determined. In laboratory examination Ca:8 mg/dL (8.6-10.2), P:5.1 mg/dL (2.3-4.5), PTH:9.53 pg/mL (15-65) were detected. Calcitriol 0.25 µ/day was added to her treatment. Her parkinsonism disappeared after the treatment. CASE 2: A 49-year-old male patient was consulted when he was admitted to the department of neurology in our hospital. The physical examination demonstrated the characteristics of Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy. The neurological examination shows bilateral symmetrical bradykinesia, dysphagia, and moderate dysarthria. In the laboratory examination PTH: 46.5 ng/L(15-65), Ca:8.6 mg/dL (8.6-10.2), P:2.7 mg/dL (2.3-4.5) were detected and were all within the normal ranges. Consequently, pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism was decided as a diagnosis. G protein alpha subunit mutation (Gsα) was not detected due to technical limitations. CONCLUSION: When a patient is diagnosed as Fahr's syndrome, we should keep in mind parathyroid disorders. Fahr's syndrome must be evaluated in patients showing intracranial calcification accompanied by parathyroid diseases.

Preoperative platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio is a predictor of prognosis in patients with ampullary carcinoma.

AIM: To emphasize the significance of the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in estimating the postoperative prognosis or survival measures in patients with carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 82 patients, who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for ampullary carcinoma between July 2001 and April 2014. We investigated the predictive significance of the preoperative PLR for disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS). The possible correlations between the PLR and clinical or pathological features were also evaluated. RESULTS: The 5-year DFS and OS rates of the patients with carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater after pancreaticoduodenectomy were 51 % and 64 %, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed a significantly worse OS in patients with a PLR ≥ 212 [hazard ratio (HR): 3.446; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4-8.43; p = 0.007], lymphovascular invasion (HR: 2.973; 95% CI: 1.25-7.03; p = 0.013), or pathological stage pT3/4 (HR: 2.761; 95% CI: 1-7.1; p = 0.035). Similarly, DFS was significantly worse in patients with lymphovascular invasion (HR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.1-4.56; p = 0.025) or stage pT3/4 (HR: 2.243; 95% CI, 1.03-4.84; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The preoperative PLR shows a predictive significance for the prognosis of postoperative patients with carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. We suggest that because of its predictive value, the PLR can be used in the development of further approaches to monitor and manage patients with poor prognosis Tab. 4, Fig. 1, Ref. 45).

Is elevated triglyceride high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio a risk factor that causes acute coronary syndrome to appear earlier?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the triglyceride/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and the risk of acute myocardial infarction in young adults. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 621 patients, who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) due to Myocardial Infarction (MI) at our hospital were included in this study. Demographic characteristics, risk factor profile, laboratory test results, electrocardiographic and CAG findings were assessed in the selected groups. RESULTS: Total cholesterol, triglyceride/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (Tg/HDL) ratio, Tg levels, were higher in younger patients with MI, while glucose and high-density lipoprotein levels were lower. Using propensity score matching in the matched population comparing young patients to the older ones, serum triglyceride levels [179 (145-231) vs 148 (101-197)] and triglyceride to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio [5.8 (4.1-9.1) vs 3.0 (1.8-4.6)] were significantly higher, whereas high density lipoprotein levels were observed dramatically lower (32.6 ± 8.2 vs 41.7 ± 8.8). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that Tg/HDL ratio may be an important predictor for an acute coronary syndrome in the young adult population. Tg/HDL ratio can be used to prevent MI in young adults (Tab. 3, Fig. 1, Ref. 32.).

Natural history and clinical characteristics of inhibitors in previously treated haemophilia A patients: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Development of inhibitors is the most serious complication in haemophilia A treatment. The assessment of risk for inhibitor formation in new or modified factor concentrates is traditionally performed in previously treated patients (PTPs). However, evidence on risk factors for and natural history of inhibitors has been generated mostly in previously untreated patients (PUPs). The purpose of this study was to examine cases of de novo inhibitors in PTPs reported in the scientific literature and to the EUropean HAemophilia Safety Surveillance (EUHASS) programme, and explore determinants and course of inhibitor development. METHODS: We used a case series study design and developed a case report form to collect patient level data; including detection, inhibitor course, treatment, factor VIII products used and events that may trigger inhibitor development (surgery, vaccination, immune disorders, malignancy, product switch). RESULTS: We identified 19 publications that reported 38 inhibitor cases and 45 cases from 31 EUHASS centres. Individual patient data were collected for 55/83 (66%) inhibitor cases out of 12 330 patients. The median (range) peak inhibitor titre was 4.4 (0.5-135.0), the proportion of transient inhibitors was 33% and only two cases of 12 undergoing immune tolerance induction failed this treatment. In the two months before inhibitor development, surgery was reported in nine (22%) cases, and high intensity treatment periods reported in seven (17%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: By studying the largest cohort of inhibitor development in PTPs assembled to date, we showed that inhibitor development in PTPs, is on average, a milder event than in PUPs.

Potential of Laurencia obtusa as a substrate for the development of a probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Laurencia obtusa (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) has tremendous nutritional value, being high in proteins, oligosaccharides, vitamins, essential minerals, and fatty acids, and it is a rich source of amino acids and trace elements. In this study, L. obtusa was extracted and subjected to phenolic, sugar and flavonoid analyses.The fatty acid, vitamin and phytosterol contents in Saccharomyces cerevisiae were evaluated when it was incubated with L. obtusa dry biomass. The fatty acids in the lipid extract were analysed after converting them into methyl esters using gas chromatography, and vitamin concentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). According to the achieved results, the total fatty acid levels and vitamin contents of the S. cerevisiae prepared with algal extract increased at different rates. Our results showed that α-tocopherol decreased in the group in which the S. cerevisiae was added the algal extract. When compared to the control group, ergesterol increased in the group in which L. obtusa extract was added. Additionally, when compared to the control group in which L. obtusa extract was added, stearic acid (18:0), oleic acid (18:1) and linoleic acid (18:2) increased in the other groups. Palmitoleic acid (16:1) increased in the L. obtusa culture medium, but palmitic acid decreased in the L. obtusa culture medium. In conclusion, it was determined that the L. obtusa extract added to the development medium of S. cerevisiae caused differences in the synthesis of some vitamins and fatty acids.

Nineteen-year-old female with idiopathic thrombosis of the internal jugular vein.

Internal jugular vein thrombosis is a rarely seen condition which may be due to infection or neoplastic, thrombophilic, traumatic or iatrogenic causes. If the thrombosis in the jugular vein leads to pulmonary embolism, septic emboli or atrial or dural sinus thrombosis, it may be life-threatening. We report a successfully treated case of a 19-year-old female patient presenting with swelling and neck pain who was diagnosed with a stepwise approach of this rare condition.

Prognostic analysis of patients with operable gastric cancer and tolerability to adjuvant radio-chemo-therapy.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the tolerability and toxicity of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and to analyze the prognosis in patients with operable gastric cancer. The retrospective analysis included 723 patients with operable gastric cancer; stage IB-IV (M0), received adjuvant CRT from 8 Medical Centers in Turkey between 2003 and 2010. The patients' age, sex, tumor localization, Lauren classification, grade and stage of the disease, type of dissection, the toxicity and tolerability status and survival rate were analyzed. All patients were divided into two groups as tolerable group to adjuvant CRT and intolerable group to adjuvant CRT .Among the patient, 73.9% had stage III-IVM0 disease; 61.0% had the intestinal type of gastric cancer, 51.1% had the distal type, and 61.4% had undergone D2 dissections. The number of patients who completed the entire course of the adjuvant CRT was 545 (75.4%).The median follow-up period was 20.8 months (range: 1.5-107 months). Overall Survival (OS) rates were 80% and 52%, while the relapse free survival (RFS) rates were 75% and 48% at 1 and 3 years, respectively.In the univariate analysis of the groups based on the the age defined as <65 or ≥ 65 (p=0.16 / p=0.003), Lauren classification (p=0.004 / p<0.001), localization of tumor (p=0.02 / p=0.04), tumor grade (p=0.06 / p=0.003), disease stage (p<0.001 / p<0.001), type of dissection (p=0.445 / p=0.043), presence or absence of toxicity (p=0.062 / p=0.077) and tolerability of the therapy (p=0.002 / p=0.001). In the cox regression analysis, tumor stage (Hazard Ratio (HR): 0.332; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.195-0.566; p<0.001), and tolerability (HR: 0.516; 95% CI: 0.305-0.872; p=0.014), were found to be related with the OS. Tumor stage (HR: 0.318; 95% CI: 0.190-0.533; p=<0.001) and tolerability (HR: 0.604; 95% CI: 0.367-0.995; p=0.048) were observed to be statistically significant in terms of the RFS.We have observed that whether a patient can or cannot tolerate adjuvant CRT due to its toxicity is an independent prognostic factor besides the known prognostic factors like tumor stage and Lauren classification. We are of the opinion that the treatment of patients who cannot tolerate adjuvant CRT should be replaced with less toxic adjuvant therapies.

A new family with hereditary hyperferritinemia cataract syndrome.

Hereditary hyperferritinemia cataract syndrome (HHCS) is a rare disorder with an autosomal dominant trait. The disease is defined with early onset cataract and hyperferritinemia without iron overload. Here, we report a new family with three affected members of this syndrome where the proband presented with high ferritin levels. Patients with unexplained high ferritin levels and/or juvenile onset cataract must be evaluated carefully for hereditary hyperferritinemia cataract syndrome.

Duration of anti-HER2 blockage therapy may improve survival in HER2 positive metastatic breast carcinoma patients.

PURPOSE: The duration of anti-HER2 blockage therapy in metastatic breast cancer patients is still unclear. We aimed to evaluate the effect of the anti-HER2 blockage therapy duration and other factors on survival in HER2 positive metastatic breast carcinoma (MBC) patients. METHODS: The medical records of 193 HER2 positive MBC patients, who did not have the opportunity to receive adjuvant trastuzumab therapy but had received trastuzumab in the metastatic setting were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis was 45.0 years (range 21-83). Ninety-two (47.7%) patients received palliative trastuzumab < 6 months median, whereas 101 patients received trastuzumab ≥ 6 months median. The median number of trastuzumab cycles was 8 (range 1-51). Median survival after breast cancer recurrence was 31.0 months (range 24.3-37.7). The duration of trastuzumab therapy had a significant impact on the prognosis of recurrent breast cancer (22.0 vs 49.0 months, for ≤ 6 months of treatment duration, respectively; p<0.0001). Survival after breast cancer recurrence for the patients who received lapatinib plus capecitabine vs those who did not was significantly different (59 patients, p=0.005). Moreover, there was a statistically significant relationship between prolonged lapatinib plus capecitabine combination therapy and improved survival after disease recurrence (p=0.022). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, treatment with trastuzumab > 6 months (p=0.003) was the only independent prognostic factor for survival after breast cancer recurrence. CONCLUSION: The duration of anti-HER2 blockage therapies, especially with trastuzumab, seems to improve survival of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients who were not previously treated with adjuvant trastuzumab, regardless of other therapies.

Variations in tumor marker levels in metastatic breast cancer patients according to tumor subtypes.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether serum CA 15-3 and CEA levels show differences among subgroups of breast cancer patients at the time of diagnosis of early-stage disease and at disease relapse. METHODS: Patients with metastatic breast cancer diagnosed from 2000 to 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Data were obtained from medical charts. CA 15-3 and CEA levels of patients with metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis or who relapsed during follow-up were evaluated. Four different breast cancer subtypes were defined: estrogen receptor (ER) and/or progesterone receptor (PR) positive and HER-2 negative (luminal A), ER and/or PR positive and HER-2 positive (luminal B), ER and PR negative and HER-2 positive (HER-2 overexpressing) and triple negative (ER, PR and HER-2 negative). Fifty-eight (13.7%) of the patients were metastatic at the time of diagnosis. RESULTS: 423 metastatic breast cancer patients were included. Of the patients, 232 (54.8%) had luminal A disease, 70 (16.5%) luminal B, 53 (12.5%) HER-2 overexpressing, and 68 (16.1%) triple negative disease. Preoperative CA 15-3 levels were raised in 48.1% of the luminal A group, in 42.8% of the luminal B group, in 26.0% of the HER-2 overexpressing group, and in 33.3% of the triple negative group. CA 15-3 levels after relapse were raised in 44.5% of the luminal A group, in 33.3% of the luminal B, in 28.9% of the HER-2 overexpressing, and in 38.8% of the triple negative group. Preoperative CEA levels were elevated in 44.3% of the luminal A group, in 28.5% of the luminal B, in 43.4% of the HER-2 overexpressing, and in 14.3% of the triple negative group. CEA levels after relapse were raised in 60.8%, 54.7%, 51.1%, and 36.0% of the patients in the 4 subgroups, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study showed that there are differences between the breast cancer subgroups in terms of tumor marker levels in metastatic breast cancer patients. Tumor marker elevation was lower in the triple negative group as compared to the luminal groups. Monitoring CEA levels in luminal A group may be beneficial in determining early relapses. However, this retrospective study requires further prospective confirmative cohort studies.

Capecitabine/cisplatin doublet in anthracycline and taxane pretreated and HER-2 negative metastatic breast carcinoma patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the activity and toxicity of the combination of capecitabine and cisplatin (CapCisp) in anthracycline- and taxane-pretreated HER-2 negative metastatic breast carcinoma (MBC) female patients. METHODS: Patients with HER-2 negative MBC pretreated with anthracycline and taxane and who were then treated with CapCisp combination were retrospectively evaluated. All patients received Cap 1000 mg/m(2) on days 1-14, and Cisp 60 mg/m(2) on day 1, repeated every 3 weeks. In case of disease control without severe toxicity, single agent Cap was continued until progression or unacceptable toxicities after Cisp cessation. RESULTS: Sixty-four MBC patients with median age 43 years (range 20-66) were included the study. Infiltrative ductal carcinoma prevailed (85.9%). Ten percent of the patients had grade I, 42% grade II, and 48.0% grade III tumors. Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) were positive in 48.4 and 51.6% of the patients, respectively. Twenty-eight percent of the patients had triple negative tumors. Almost the entire patient group had this regimen as a third-line treatment. The median combination chemotherapy cycles were 6 (range 2-8). Twenty-seven non-progressive patients continued treatment with single-agent Cap. Median single-agent Cap cycles after the combination chemotherapy were 4 (range 1-38). Disease control rate was 81.3% (complete response 6.3%; partial response 48.4%, stable disease 26.6%, progressive disease 18.8%). Median follow-up time was 10.6 months. Median time to disease progression was 7 months, median overall survival (OS) was 17 months (95% CI, 6.9-16.1) measured from the start of CapCisp chemotherapy. There were no treatment-related deaths. The most frequent grade 3-4 toxicities were neutropenia (8.1%), nausea - vomiting (7.8%) and thrombocytopenia (6.3%). CONCLUSION: CapCisp doublet has an encouraging antitumor activity with acceptable and manageable toxicity in anthracycline- and taxane-pretreated HER-2 negative metastatic breast carcinoma patients.

Administration of contrast media just before cisplatin-based chemotherapy increases cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.

PURPOSE: There is a clinical need to predict the probability of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity (CIN) in order to make decisions about patient management and relevant preventive measures. The purpose of this study was to develop a risk prediction methodology of CIN. METHODS: 197 consecutive cancer patients, whose serum creatinine was measured at least 48 h before every cycle of cisplatin-based chemotherapy, were included in the study. Demographic and clinical data were collected from the patient medical records. Renal function was evaluated at least 48 h before treatment (day 0) of each cycle, based on the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula. CIN was defined as a decrease of ≥ 25% in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) compared to baseline GFR values. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 54.5±9.6 years. Fifty-eight patients (29.4%) whose GFR had decreased by at least 25% compared to baseline values formed the CIN group, and the remaining 139 patients formed the non-CIN group. No significant differences were noted between the CIN and non-CIN groups in terms of age, gender, body mass index and smoking history. Metastatic disease was similar in both groups (p=0.86). History of hypertension (p=0.81), diabetes mellitus (p=0.72), and cardiovascular disease (p=0.58) were similar in the two groups. Chemotherapeutic agents used concurrently with cisplatin were similar in both groups. Significantly more radiologic examinations using contrast media were performed in the CIN group compared with the non-CIN group (p=0.01). In patients exposed to contrast media within a week before cisplatin administration, the risk of CIN was 2.56-fold higher (957 percent; CI 1.28-5.11) than in patients without such exposure (p=0.009). CONCLUSION: In patients with exposure to contrast media within a week before cisplatin administration, the risk of CIN was significantly higher than in patients without such an exposure. No additional risk factors for CIN were found in this retrospective observational study.

Gemcitabine and cisplatin combination chemotherapy in triple negative metastatic breast cancer previously treated with a taxane/anthracycline chemotherapy; multicenter experience.

This study was aimed to establish clinical efficacy and tolerability of gemcitabine and cisplatin combination in patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer progressing after anthracycline and taxane based chemotherapies.Thirty-three patients who were given cisplatin and gemcitabine for triple negative and metastatic breast cancer were evaluated retrospectively. A total of 141 cycles were administered with a median 4 cycles per patient. Median follow-up time was 14 months (range, 2-36 months). Objective response rate was 27.3%. Total clinical benefit of the combination was 48.4%. The estimated median progression free survival and median overall survival were 5 months and 14 months, respectively. The most common Grade 3 and 4 toxicity were neutropenia and thrombocytopenia observed in 10 (27.7%) and 9 (24.9%) patients, respectively. The combination of the gemcitabine and cisplatin after taxane/anthracycline is well tolerated and seems to be effective with acceptable toxicity profile.

Gemcitabine alone versus combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin for the treatment of patients with locally advanced and/or metastatic pancreatic carcinoma: a retrospective analysis of multicenter study.

The majority of patients with pancreatic cancer is of advanced disease. Several randomized Phase II and III trials suggest that the combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin (GemCis) response rates were higher than Gemcitabine (Gem) alone, however the trials were not enough powered to indicate a statistically significant prolongation of survival in patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The aim of this retrospective multicenter study is to evaluated the efficiency of Gem alone versus GemCis in patients with locally advanced and/or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma .A total of 406 patients, from fourteen centers were evaluated retrospectively. All patients received Gem or GemCis as first-line treatment between September 2005 to March 2011. Primary end of this study were to evaluate the toxicity, clinical response rate, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) between the arms. There were 156 patients (M: 98, F: 58) in Gem arm and 250 patients (M: 175, F: 75) in the combination arm. Gemcitabin arm patients older than the combination arm ( median 63 vs 57.5, p=0.001). In patients with the combination arm had a higher dose reduction (25.2% vs 11.3%, p=0.001) and dose delay (34% vs 16.8%, p=0.001). Among patients with the combination and Gemcitabin arm gender, diabetes mellitus, performance status, cholestasis, grade, stage did not have a statistically difference (p>0.05). Clinical response rate to the combination arm was higher than the Gem arm (69.0% vs 49.7%, p=0.001). PFS was more favorable in the GemCis arm than Gem alone, but the difference did not attain statistical significance (8.9 vs 6.0, p=0.08). OS was not significantly superior in the GemCis arm (12.0 vs 10.2, p>0.05). Grade III-IV hematologic and nonhematologic toxicity were higher in the combination arm. PFS was more favorable in the GemCis arm than Gem alone, but the difference did not attain statistical significance. OS was not significantly superior in the GemCis arm.

Comparison of the success of histopathological diagnosis with dilatation-curettage and Pipelle endometrial sampling.

The aim of this study is to compare collection of sufficient material and diagnostic accuracy of Pipelle biopsy with curettage and hysterectomy. A total of 82 cases with indications for endometrial biopsy for any reason and in which endometrial biopsy was performed with dilatation and curettage (D&C) and Pipelle aspiration biopsy, and 66 cases in which an indication for hysterectomy was established for any reason were included in the study. Histopathological findings were examined in the following six groups: normal; endometrial polyps; hyperplasia without atypia; hyperplasia with atypia; atrophy; and insufficient material. Descriptive statistical methods and McNemar's test were used. When the histopathological compatibility between Pipelle and D&C was considered (n=82), a diagnosis that was different from that obtained by D&C was obtained in 22 of the 63 cases (34%), in whom normal endometrial histology was found with a Pipelle biopsy specimen. It was observed that only 1 of 13 cases of endometrial polyps was diagnosed with Pipelle biopsy. Insufficient material was obtained in six cases (7%) with Pipelle biopsies and three cases (4%) with D&C. While Pipelle biopsies and D&C have a nearly equal level of success in widespread endometrial lesions, Pipelle biopsies provide limited diagnostic accuracy in cases with focal pathologies.

Taxanes in the adjuvant treatment of node-negative breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: Although the use of regimens with adjuvant taxanes is a standard approach in node-positive breast cancer, the use of taxanes in node-negative breast cancer is still controversial. In this search, we aimed to evaluate the data about the use of taxanes in high-risk node-negative patients. METHODS: Studies were retrieved by searching the Pubmed database. Randomized phase III studies on the use of regimens with adjuvant taxanes in early-stage breast cancer were screened and, among them, the studies that included node-negative patients were included in the evaluation. RESULTS: Data on the adjuvant use of taxanes in nodenegative patients were classified into 3 categories: a) studies that evaluated both node-positive and node-negative patients; b) meta-analyses on the use of adjuvant taxanes; and c) studies that included node-negative patients alone. The results of the studies that evaluated both node-positive and node-negative patients and the meta-analyses were evaluated according to the node-negative subgroup analyses. While two of these studies did not show difference in disease-free survival (DFS) for the node-negative subgroup, one study showed a difference in DFS. The only data for the adjuvant use of taxanes in only node-negative breast cancers belong to GEICAM 9805 study and, according to its results, docetaxel provided a difference in DFS in high-risk node-negative patients. CONCLUSION: Data about the adjuvant use of taxanes in node-negative patients are limited compared to the studies in which both node-positive and node-negative subgroups are evaluated. In the light of these studies, it is impossible to make a comment about the use of taxanes in node-negative patients. However, GEICAM 9805 study has shown positive results on DFS in high-risk node-negative breast cancer patients with adjuvant taxanes.