Awareness Level of Cervical Cancer Patients Referred to Radiation Oncology Outpatient Clinics-A Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of patients with cervical cancer referred to radiation oncology outpatient clinics in Turkey regarding screening methods and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and increase social awareness based on the findings. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to June 2022 involving 300 patients in various regions. Data on demographics, cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination knowledge, and recommendations to relatives were collected through a questionnaire-based interview. Univariate logistic regression analyzed the impact of independent variables on knowledge levels. RESULTS: Among the participants, 57% were unaware of cervical cancer screening, and 66% had no knowledge of the HPV vaccine. Higher knowledge levels were associated with higher education, older age at marriage and first birth, and previous gynecological checkups. Lower knowledge levels were observed in patients treated at state institutions, with no formal education, and diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 60 or older. A significant inverse correlation was found between knowledge levels and the stage of cancer at diagnosis, with higher awareness in earlier stages. CONCLUSION: The study revealed limited awareness among cervical cancer patients in Turkey regarding screening and HPV vaccination. Lower knowledge levels were associated with specific demographic factors, emphasizing the importance of targeted educational campaigns to reduce the burden of cervical cancer and promote early detection. Efforts to enhance vaccination coverage and encourage early screening can significantly improve outcomes. Comprehensive awareness surveys are essential in guiding policymaking and implementing effective early detection and prevention strategies for cervical cancer.

The protective efficacy of Quercetin and Naringenin against radiation-related submandibular gland injury in female rats: A histopathological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical study.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to reveal the effectiveness of Quercetin and Naringenin in preventing radiotherapy-associated submandibular gland injury. DESIGN: The study was conducted using 48 adult female Sprague Dawley rats. The rats were randomly assigned into six groups of eight animals each. Group 1 represented the control group. The rats received only Naringenin was regarded as Group 2, received only Quercetine was regarded as Group 3. The rats exposed to radiotheraphy at a dose of 15 Gy was regarded as Group 4. Rats in group 5 were received Naringenin at a dose of 50 mg/kg daily for one week prior to radiotheraphy exposition while rats in group 6 was received Quercetine at a dose of 50 mg/kg daily for one week prior to radiotheraphy. Rats were sacrificed after radiotheraphy and submandibular glands were dissected for biochemical and immunohistochemical evaluations. RESULTS: Quercetin and Naringenin were found to have protective effect against radiation-induced damage. Naringenin and Quercetin increased the levels of Superoxide dismutase, Catalase, Glutathione Peroxidase, Glutathione and Total antioxidant status while decreasing the levels of Myeloperoxidase and Total oxidant status. Also, these agents inhibited the expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and 8-hydroxy 2-deoxyguanosine immunohistochemically. CONCLUSIONS: With their powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, Naringenin and Quercetin exhibit histopathological, immunochemical, and biochemical protection against radiation-related submandibular gland injury. In addition, Quercetin was found to be superior to Naringenin in terms of this efficacy.

Comparision of Radiochemotherapy Applications that Committing with Two Different Chemotherapies Route in Locally Advanced Lung Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated pre- and post-treatment tumor and lymph node dimension response rates and differences between side-effect profiles in patients with locally advanced inoperable nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving radiotherapy (RT) and concurrent chemotherapy (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 inoperable patients who had not previously received RT and having a mean age of 58.73±8.65 years with sufficient hematological reserves and normal hepatic and renal functions were included in the study. Those with pleural effusion, supraventricular lymph node metastasis, and N3 lymph node involvement were excluded. Group I (n=15) received a 21-day 75 mg/m2 cisplatin (D1) and 15 mg/m2 vinorelbine (D1, D8), whereas Group II (n=15) received 45 mg/m2 paclitaxel and AUC2 carboplatin weekly. RT was administered using a linear accelerator device with the 3D conformal RT technique at 6-18 MV energy with a 1.8-2 Gy fraction for 6-7 weeks. RESULTS: Patients were randomized into Group I receiving RT and concurrent cisplatin-vinorelbine and Group II receiving weekly paclitaxel-carboplatin CT. Pre- and post-treatment tumor and lymph node dimensions significantly differed in both groups (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively). No significant change was observed in post-RT tumor and lymph node dimensions in terms of applied CT regimens (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The significant response achieved with concurrent RT and CT in groups I and II in the local advanced stage of NSCLC is important for local tumor control. Responses to treatment in the group of two arms did not differ.

A Preliminary Study of Serum Apelin Levels in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment planning is primarily based on the tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging system for head and neck cancer (HNC). However, TNM does not give sufficient information about biological aggressiveness, treatment response, and prognosis. New molecular markers are needed for individualized cancer treatment. Apelin is a bioactive peptide and an endogenous ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor (APJ). Its expression is induced under hypoxic conditions. Apelin and its receptor APJ are important factors in physiological angiogenesis and may be novel targets for anti-angiogenic tumor therapies. This preliminary study aimed to investigate whether there was a difference in serum apelin levels between patients with HNC and control group and also to compare the serum apelin levels before and after radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients with HNC (patient group) and 30 healthy individuals (control group) were included in the study. In the patient group, blood samples were collected before and after radiotherapy. Serum apelin-36 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Serum apelin-36 levels were significantly higher in patients with HNC than in the control group (p<0.001). Coverage of the measured apelin-36 levels showed a significant decrease after radiotherapy according to the levels before radiotherapy. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Apelin may be a potential therapeutic target and a novel biomarker. Additional studies are needed to reveal the relationships between serum apelin and radiotherapy in solid human tumors.

Evaluation of Volume of Nasopharyngeal Cancers by the Cavalieri Principle

Prediction of tumor volume using the Cavalieri method may be helpful in management of therapy and evaluation of treatment results. The aim of this study was to adapt the Cavalieri stereological method to magnetic resonance imaging for determining volume of nasopharyngeal cancers and assess changes after treatment using the Cavalieri method. Serial MRI images in the sagittal plane were obtained from a total of 33 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinomas (11 with stage T2, 11 with stage T3, and 11 with stage T4 lesions). The images were analyzed retrospectively before and two months following the cessation of radiochemotherapy for comparison. Average tumor volumes before and after treatment in patients with stage T2 were 21. 5±10.5 cm3 and 2.82±3.43 cm3, respectively (p=0.000). The respective figures were 35.1±19.0 cm3 and 6.27±7.82 cm3 (p=0.000) for stage T3 cases, and 62.8±27.8 cm3 and 11. 6±11.9 cm3 (p=0.000) for stage T4. Post-treatment tumor volumes were statistically reduced when compared to pre-treatment volumes in all stages.

Carnitine and Adiponectin Levels in Breast Cancer after Radiotherapy.

In this study, serum carnitine (CRNT) and adiponectin (APN) levels and the correlation of these parameters in patients with breast cancer before and after treatment with radiotherapy (RT) were determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum adiponectin and carnitine levels were assessed in 58 patients with breast carcinoma and 30 control subjects. Serum carnitine and APN levels were determined using a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: While serum carnitine level was significantly lower in the patients with breast cancer after RT compared with the control group and before treatment (p=0.002 and p=0.019, respectively), serum APN level was significantly higher than in the control group and before treatment ( p=0.003 and p=0.027, respectively). Carnitine level showed a negative correlation with APN level in the patients after RT (r= -0.626, p= 0.001). There was no correlation between carnitine and APN levels in subjects of control group and before treatment. Also, neither carnitine nor APN levels demonstrated correlation other parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that increased serum adiponectin and decreased carnitine levels in breast cancer after RT than control group. Carnitine level showed a negative correlation with APN level in the patient with breast cancer after RT. While carnitine, HDL-C and total cholesterol levels are decreased, trygliceride and LDL-C levels are increased in patients than control group. In addition, serum APN concentration was inversely correlated with serum carnitine levels. Furthermore, increased serum APN level in breast cancer after RT might be associated with hypocarnitinemia.

Cystic isolated lymphoma of the base of the tongue: A case report.

Isolated lymphoma of the base of the tongue is a relatively rare condition. The clinical presentation may vary from a submucosal mass with a cystic appearance to an ulcerated lesion. In the present case, a cystic mass was identified in a patient admitted with a sore throat. Pathological examination confirmed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The clinical and pathological picture of lymphomas covers a wide spectrum and the rate of occurrence in the oral cavity is 3-5%. Among all malignant tumors of the oral cavity, lymphomas represent the third most common type of tumor, following squamous cell carcinoma and salivary gland neoplasms. Lymphomas of the oral cavity mostly arise from the Waldeyer ring, which is a lymphoid tissue. In our case, no recurrence was observed during the 8-month follow-up period after the patient was administered chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. In conclusion, although isolated lymphoma of the base of the tongue is extremely rare, it should always be considered in patients presenting with a sore throat and the sensation of a foreign body in the throat.

Lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase and na(+)-k(+)-ATPase activity in patients with breast cancer.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine whether plasma lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (pLCAT) and erythrocyte membrane Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase ase (emNaKATPs) activity have a correlation in breast cancer. This study compared these parameters at time points before and after treatment with radiotherapy. METHODS: The levels of pLCAT and emNaKATPs were assessed in 30 patients with breast carcinoma and 20 control subjects. While emNaKATPs was measured with spectrophotometric method, pLCAT levels was measured using a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: pLCAT levels, both before and after radiotherapy, were found to be decreased in breast cancer patients than in the controls groups (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Also, pLCAT levels after radiotherapy were found to be decreased in breast cancer patients than the pLCAT levels before radiotherapy (p<0.001). The emNaKATPs activity were higher in the control group than in the breast cancer patients before/after radiotherapy (RT) (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). At the same time, emNaKATPs activity before RT was higher in the breast cancer patients than emNaKATPs activity after RT (p<0.001). There was a significant correlation between pLCAT and emNaKATPs activity in breast cancer patients receiving radiotherapy (r=0.63, p<0.001), but no correlation between in breast cancer patients before RT and control group (r=0.023, p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study demonstrated that decreased pLCAT and emNaKATPs activity levels in breast cancer patients after/before RT than control group. In addition, decreased emNaKATPs activity in breast cancer patients receiving radiotherapy may be due to decreased pLCAT concentrations and RT beam. In our opinion, altered activities of pLCAT and emNaKATPs are linked to the treatment effect of radiotherapy. These data may clarify the development of cell membrane dysfunction and lipid metabolism in breast cancer patients receiving radiotherapy.

The effects of zinc sulfate on the levels of some elements and oxidative stress occurring in lenses of rats exposed to total cranium radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: There is currently substantial clinical interest in zinc (Zn) as an antioxidant and a protective agent against radiation-related normal tissue injury. To further assess the potential antioxidative effects, the effects of Zn were studied in rat lenses, a model of radiation-induced oxidative stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three equal groups. Group 1 received neither Zn nor irradiation (control group). Group 2 (RT group) and 3 (RT+Zn group) were exposed to total cranium irradiation of 5 Gy in a single dose by using a cobalt-60 teletherapy unit. In addition to irradiation, group 3 was administered 10 mg/kg/day Zn. At the end of 10 days, the rats were killed. Their eyes were enucleated to measure the activities of antioxidant enzymes and the levels of iron, calcium, sodium and potassium. RESULTS: Irradiation significantly increased malondialdehyde levels as an end product of lipid peroxidation, glutathione peroxidase activity, and iron and calcium concentrations. Irradiation decreased super-oxide dismutase activities and zinc concentrations in the rat lens, indicating an increased oxidative stress generated by the decomposition of water and/or Fenton reaction. Malondialdehyde levels and iron and calcium concentrations were significantly decreased, and superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and zinc concentrations were increased, in the rat lenses of the RT+Zn group. No differences were detected in any final measurement of sodium and potassium in the direct comparison among all groups. CONCLUSION: Zinc, acting as an antioxidant agent, may protect the lens from radiation-induced injury by improving oxidative stress generated by the decomposition of water and/or Fenton reaction.