Disparities in Cancer Control in Central America and the Caribbean.

Central America and the Caribbean is a highly heterogeneous region comprising more than 30 countries and territories with more than 200 million inhabitants. Although recent advances in the region have improved access to cancer care, there are still many disparities and barriers for obtaining high-quality cancer treatments, particularly for those from disadvantaged populations, immigrants, and rural areas. In this article, we provide an overview of cancer care in Central America and the Caribbean, with selected examples of issues related to disparities in access to care and suggest solutions and strategies to move forward.

Delivering Palliative and Supportive Care for Older Adults with Cancer: Interactions between Palliative Medicine and Geriatrics.

The world's population is aging rapidly, with projections indicating that by 2050 one in six people will be aged ≥65 years. As a result, the number of cancer cases in older people is expected to increase significantly. Palliative care is an essential component of cancer care with a direct impact on quality of life. However, older adults with cancer often suffer from multiple comorbidities, cognitive impairment, and frailty, posing unique challenges in the delivery of palliative care. The complex healthcare needs of older patients with cancer therefore require a comprehensive assessment, including a geriatric evaluation. Collaboration between geriatrics and palliative care can offer a solution to the challenges faced by older people with cancer, since this is a population with overlapping concerns for both disciplines. This review highlights the importance of palliative care for older adults with cancer and the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach. It also addresses the coordination of palliative care and geriatrics for specific symptom management and decision making.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in cancer patients undergoing active treatment: analysis of clinical features and predictive factors for severe respiratory failure and death.

AIM: Previous studies have suggested a more frequent and severe course of novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection in cancer patients undergoing active oncologic treatment. Our aim was to describe the characteristics of the disease in this population and to determine predictive factors for poor outcome in terms of severe respiratory distress (acute respiratory distress syndrome [ARDS]) or death. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients consecutively admitted for SARS-CoV-2 infection were prospectively collected, and retrospective statistical analysis was performed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess potential factors for poor outcomes defined as ARDS or death. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients were analysed, and 34 of them developed respiratory failure (70% as ARDS). Lymphocytes/mm3 (412 versus 686; p = 0.001), serum albumin (2.84 versus 3.1); lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (670 versus 359; p < 0.001) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (25.8 versus 9.9; p < 0.001) discriminate those that developed respiratory failure. Mortality rate was 25%, significantly higher among ARDS, neutropenic patients (p = 0.01) and in those with bilateral infiltrates (44% versus 0%; p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic analyses model confirmed the predictive value of severe neutropenia (odds ratio [OR] 16.54; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43-190.9, p 0.025), bilateral infiltrates (OR 32.83, CI 95% 3.51-307, p 0.002) and tumour lung involvement (OR 4.34, CI 95% 1.2-14.95, p 0.02). CONCLUSION: Cancer patients under active treatment admitted for SARS-CoV-2 infection have worse outcomes in terms of mortality and respiratory failure rates compared with COVID-19 global population. Lymphopenia, LDH, CRP and albumin discriminate illness severity, whereas neutropenia, bilateral infiltrates and tumour pulmonary involvement are predictive of higher mortality.

New case of secondary bladder amyloidosis with massive hematuria-role of intravesical instillations with dimethyl sulfoxide.

Secondary bladder amyloidosis is a rare condition with less than 60 cases published in the world. It is usually secondary to chronic inflammatory processes such as rheumatologic diseases. Hematuria is its predominant and most important symptom, and usually occurs after a bladder catheterization. The diagnostic confirmation is made through a pathological and immunohistochemical study. The treatment must be staggered from less to more invasive. Our objectives are to present a new case of secondary bladder amyloidosis in a woman with a history of chronic bronchiectasis after tuberculosis and frequent super infections, whose main manifestation was a massive hematuria, and review this rare pathology. We have obtained very good initial results using intravesical instillations with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with complete resolution of the hematuria, the patient remaining asymptomatic for 6 months. After that, there was a recurrence of the hematuria that was treated with embolization of the hypogastric arteries, with good results. We can conclude that, despite being a rare condition, we must consider secondary bladder amyloidosis in patients who have already been diagnosed with systemic amyloidosis and/or chronic pathologies who develop hematuria after bladder catheterization. Based on our experience, instillations with dimethyl sulfoxide are a safe option and provide a quick and temporary resolution of hematuria symptoms.