Is there a threshold for red cell distribution width to predict malignancy in breast masses?

Background: Red cell distribution width (RDW) has been shown to have predictive properties in different diseases as well as solid cancers. Aim: We aimed to investigate the discriminative properties of RDW in benign and malignant breast lesions. Subjects and Methods: In a retrospective cohort study the files of patients who underwent surgery for fibroadenomas (Group A) and breast cancer with axillary lymph node metastasis (Group B) were reviewed. The pathology reports and laboratory parameters and demographics of the patients were recorded for comparison. The patients were later excluded if they had an hemoglobin level below 12 mg/dl and the outliers were removed for a comparison. Seventy-six patients in the fibroadenoma group and 62 patients in the breast malignancy group were compared for the RDW levels to predict the presence of malignancy. Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted for RDW and a threshold for prediction of malignancy was calculated. Results: The difference in RDW levels between group A and group B was found to be significant, 13,10% (IQR 12.60 -13.70) versus 13,80% (IQR 13.10-14.40) respectively, P = 0,00. The area under the curve was 0.71 (95% confidence interval 0.62 to 0.79), P = 0,00. For the threshold of 13,75 the positive predictive value was 67.35 (95% CI 55.72 to 77.17) and negative predictive value was 67.42 (95% CI 60.76% to 73.44). Conclusion: The RDW levels, after adjusted for anemia, were found to have a positive prediction for malignancy in more than two thirds of the patients for the level of 13.75%.

Fournier's gangrene: series of twenty patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a rare, rapidly progressive, fulminant form of necrotizing fasciitis of the genital, perianal and perineal regions. Our aim is to investigate the clinical signs, symptoms and factors which affect the clinical results of patients with FG in our clinic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 20 patients having FG were admitted to our department during the past 6-year period. Age, gender, diabetes mellitus (DM), duration of symptoms, FG severity index score (FGSIS), colostomy, hospitalization time and number of debridements were investigated for their effects. RESULTS: 13 of our patients were male, 7 of them were female. The mean age was 52.2 years (range: 30-80 years). 85% of our patients had DM as a predisposing factor. The mean hospitalization time was 19.7 days (range: 6-45 days), and overall mortality was 20% (4 patients). Age and FGSIS have been found to be statistically significant factors among the parameters studied. DISCUSSION: FG is still an important disease with high mortality rates in spite of the developments in intensive care units and new-generation antibiotics. In conclusion, we have found that the age and FGSIS of the patient are the most important effecting factors.

Unpredictable behavior of breast phyllodes tumors.

OBJECTIVE: Phyllodes Tumor is a rare fibroepithelial breast tumor with variable malignant potential. These tumors that currently accepted nomenclature are benign, borderline and malignant according to the World Health Organization. It tends to behave in a benign way but it may undergo a malignant transformation. The purpose of this study was to present our Case load of phyllodes tumor, and evaluate the management and follow-up the behavior of these tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 36 patients with phyllodes tumor were treated in Bezmialem Vakif University and Okmeydani Training and Research Hospitals analyzed retrospectively. Demographics, presenting symptoms, history, local examination, preoperative clinical diagnosis, treatment, postoperative histopatology, follow-up period were evaluated retrospectively and studied. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients treated for phyllodes tumor were analyzed. Mean age of the patients was 38 (14-79) and all were females. The presentation of the patients was breast lump in all cases, either as a primary or recurrent lump presentation. The right and left breast were affected 58% and 42% respectively. 34 of these 36 cases are briefly mentioned in this paper but the two cases, one with sarcomatous malignant transformation and the other with fatal metastatic phyllodes tumor in an adolescent female are discussed in detail. The mean duration of the symptomatic mass was 9.8 ± 7.3 months (range 0.5 to 24). CONCLUSIONS: Phyllodes tumor is a type of tumor that may be benign or malignant. The type with malignant features may be fatal. The tumors diagnosed as benign may transform and become malignant because of unknown reasons and may be an aggressive tumor.

Tubulovillous adenoma in the common bile duct causing obstructive jaundice.

Villous adenomas are benign epithelial lesions with a malignant potential which can occur at any site in the gastrointestinal tract, usually in the rectum and colon, less frequently in the small bowel and very rarely in the biliary tract. Villous adenomas of the extrahepatic bile ducts are exceptional and only a few cases have been reported. Common bile duct (CBD) adenomas often present in a fashion similar to their malignant counterparts, and adenocarcinoma arising from a villous adenoma of the ampullary biliary epithelium is also extremely rare. We present here a tubulovillous adenoma, arising in the common bile duct, as a cause of obstructive jaundice, and discuss the characteristics of these lesions.