Fingerprinting hyperglycemia using predictive modelling approach based on low-cost routine CBC and CRP diagnostics.

Hyperglycemia is an outcome of dysregulated glucose homeostasis in the human body and may induce chronic elevation of blood glucose levels. Lifestyle factors such as overnutrition, physical inactivity, and psychosocials coupled with systemic low-grade inflammation have a strong negative impact on glucose homeostasis, in particular, insulin sensitivity. Together, these factors contribute to the pathophysiology of diabetes (DM) and expanding landscape of its prevalence regionally and globally. The rapid rise in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, therefore, underscores the need for its early diagnosis and treatment. In this work, we have evaluated the discriminatory capacity of different diagnostic markers including inflammatory biomolecules and RBC (Red Blood Cell) indices in predicting the risk of hyperglycemia and borderline hyperglycemia. For that, 208,137 clinical diagnostic entries obtained over five years from Chugtai Labs, Pakistan, were retrospectively evaluated. The dataset included HbA1c (n = 142,011), complete blood count (CBC, n = 84,263), fasting blood glucose (FBG, n = 35,363), and C-reactive protein (CRP, n = 9035) tests. Our results provide four glycemic predictive models for two cohorts HbA1c and FBG) each having an overall predictive accuracy of more than 80% (p-value < 0.0001). Next, multivariate analysis (MANOVA) followed by univariate analysis (ANOVA) was employed to identify predictors with significant discriminatory capacity for different levels of glycemia. We show that the interplay between inflammation, hyperglycemic-induced derangements in RBC indices, and altered glucose homeostasis could be employed for prognosticating hyperglycemic outcomes. Our results then conclude a glycemic predictor with high sensitivity and specificity, employing inflammatory markers coupled with RBC indices, to predict glycemic outcomes (ROC p-value < 0.0001). Taken together, this study outlines a predictor of glycemic outcomes which could assist as a prophylactic intervention in predicting the early onset of hyperglycemia and borderline hyperglycemia.

A Normotensive Case of Pheochromocytoma With Unusual Presentation of Abdominal Pain.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) is an inherited, autosomal dominant condition characterized by primary parathyroid hyperplasia, medullary thyroid neoplasm, and pheochromocytoma. It most commonly presents with medullary thyroid cancer and less frequently with other complaints. Pheochromocytoma can also manifest through gastrointestinal complaints such as abdominal pain, nausea, and constipation. We present a normotensive case of pheochromocytoma, initially featuring abdominal pain and vomiting, which was later found to be associated with neck swelling and medullary thyroid cancer. The patient underwent an adrenalectomy and has continued to visit our endocrinology clinic for ongoing monitoring and treatment of iatrogenic hypoparathyroidism and hypothyroidism. A brief review is also provided.

Overcoming Challenges: Doxycycline as an Alternative Treatment for Hyponatremia in Managing Syndrome of Inappropriate Secretion of Anti-diuretic Hormone (SIADH) in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC): A Case Report.

Hyponatremia, a common complication in small cell lung cancer (SCLC), can arise from various causes such as cancer itself, its treatment, paraneoplastic syndrome-induced SIADH secretion (syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion), and brain metastasis. While fluid restriction is the initial approach, refractory cases require pharmacological intervention in managing hyponatremia secondary to SIADH. This case report presents doxycycline as an alternative treatment option for a patient with refractory hyponatremia and SCLC with brain metastases, resulting in improved serum sodium levels. However, the use of doxycycline was associated with acute pancreatitis, prompting its discontinuation without establishing a definitive causal relationship. This case report highlights the importance of alternative treatments in resource-limited settings and emphasizes personalized care for hyponatremia in SCLC patients. Doxycycline can be an option, but safety and effectiveness require further study.

I-131 Avid Tumor Thrombus in a Case of Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

Intravenous tumor extension is a well-recognized phenomenon occurring in various malignancies but is a relatively rare entity in thyroid carcinoma. In patients with poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (pDTC), I-131 avid superior vena cava tumor (SVC) thrombus at initial presentation is infrequent and potential life threatening. Tumor thrombus can form either due to direct vascular extension of the primary mass or by hematogenous spread. Hybrid nuclear imaging can differentiate the two entities, which can impact the treatment plan of the patient. We present images of an interesting case of evolution of SVC thrombus in a 46-year-old woman with diagnosed pDTC over the span of two years.

Insulinoma Mimicking Psychiatric Illness: A Covert Endocrine Tumor.

Insulinomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors with an annual incidence of four cases per million people in the general population. They have varied presentations making their diagnosis a challenging task necessitating a thorough patient assessment to ascertain early detection of this clinical entity by treating physicians. Insulinomas are characterized by the presence of Whipple's triad comprising of hypoglycemic symptoms, biochemical demonstration of hypoglycemia, and improvement of those symptoms after glucose administration. Biochemical detection of insulinoma by supervised 72-hour fasting test with plasma glucose, insulin, C-peptide, and proinsulin level measurements remains the gold standard of diagnosis. In this report, we present an interesting case of delayed diagnosis of pancreatic insulinoma. He was treated for more than six years as a psychiatric illness before receiving the correct diagnosis and treatment. Herein, a middle-aged man with a history of recurrent episodes of altered talk and confusion that resolved after eating something sweet. Biochemical investigations were suggestive of endogenous hyperinsulinemia. Pancreatic insulinoma was localized by a computed tomography scan. The patient underwent surgical resection of the tumor with complete resolution of his symptoms.

Radiation therapy outcomes of patients with pituitary macroadenoma.

Pituitary adenomas are one of the most common benign intracranial tumors, which are normally treated with surgery along with radiation therapy and medication such as dopamine agonist in prolactinoma. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the outcome of patients with pituitary macroadenoma who underwent radiation therapy. For the present retrospective study, a total of 75 patients with pituitary macroadenoma who received radiation therapy were included. Data was acquired from the electronic medical record system of the hospital. Mean ± standard deviation of the quantitative variables, such as age and sizes of the tumors, were reported. In addition, frequencies and percentages were presented for all categorical variables. To compare the frequency distribution in radiation therapy characteristics between functional and non-functional tumors, the χ2 test or Fisher's exact test was applied, where appropriate. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was drawn to assess the progression free survival proportion. P≤0.05 was considered to indicate a statistically significant difference. In the present study, all patients (n=75) with pituitary macroadenoma were treated with radiation therapy (RT). The mean age was 38.55±1.36 years and the majority of the patients were male (43; 57.3%). The mean tumor size was 3.84±1.43 cm. In total, 66.7% were non-functional tumors whereas 33.3% were functional tumors that produce hormones in excess [growth hormone (72%), prolactin (16%), both growth hormone and prolactin (8%) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (4%)]. The overall outcome was revealed to be 92% achieving local tumor control and 28% achieving biochemical control. Hypopituitarism (38.7%) and visual acuity deterioration (9.3%) were the most common complications observed following RT. The overall progression-free survival at 2 years was 92%. In conclusion, the data of the present study suggested that local tumor control in non-functional and functional pituitary macroadenoma can be well managed with RT. However, biochemical control to normalize hormones overproduction in functional pituitary macroadenoma was not as effective as local tumor control.

Prolactinoma: Clinical Characteristics, Management and Outcome.

Aim Prolactinoma, a prolactin (PRL) secreting functioning pituitary tumor, is the most common of all pituitary adenomas (PA) accounting for 40-60% and dopamine agonists (DA) are the cornerstone of treatment. The aim of this study was to review the clinical presentation, treatment modalities and therapeutic outcomes of patients with prolactinomas in the South Asia region. Methods This retrospective study was conducted in the Endocrinology Department of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre from December 2011 till December 2019. Medical records were used to retrieve for patient's demographics, clinical features at diagnosis, PRL levels and size of prolactinoma on MRI at diagnosis and after start of dopamine agonists and outcome of medical management. Results A total of 107 patients were included in this study. Mean age at diagnosis was 35 (22-54) years for men and 32 (18-50) years for women and 66.4% (71) of the patients were females. Our study included 38 (35.5%) microadenoma, 50 (46.7%) macroadenoma and 19 (17.8%) giant adenomas. At presentation, the most common symptom among females was menstrual irregularity/amenorrhea seen in 73.2% of females and among males was visual disturbance (80.6%). A significant reduction in PRL levels was seen within six to 12 months of treatment. Mean PRL levels decreased from 3162.8 ng/ml to 1.52 ng/ml. A notable decrease in tumor size was seen with medical management, mean adenoma size decreased from 2.18 cm to 1.04 cm. With cabergoline (CAB) 83.3% biochemical cure was seen compared to bromocriptine (BRC) which has 60.4%. The radiological response rate in CAB and BRC groups was 65.45% and 60%, respectively. Complete resolution of adenoma was seen in 13 patients (nine were microadenoma, two macro and two giant adenomas). The prolactin level at diagnosis was positively correlated with maximum tumor diameter (r = 0.469, P = 0.001). Two patients developed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea and the defect was repaired in both patients. Median follow-up duration was 40 (12-288) months. Conclusion Clinical presentation and demographics of prolactinoma are the same in our region when compared to the rest of the world. Cabergoline is superior to bromocriptine in prolactin normalization and tumor shrinkage but still bromocriptine is being used in a significant number of patients in low-income countries as first-line due to its low cost.

COVID-19 in cancer patients with diabetes in Pakistan: Clinical features and management.

Background: Diabetes and cancer are the leading causes of mortality all over the world. Infectious diseases are more common and/or life-threatening in patients with diabetes. Cancer patients with diabetes are individuals that are more susceptible to the current COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated the clinical features of survivor and non-survivor COVID-19-infected cancer patients with diabetes. Patients and Methods: We did a retrospective study of 43 diabetic cancer patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan between March 03, 2020, and May 18, 2021. These patients either were discharged from the hospital or had died by Jun 16, 2021. Clinicopathological and radiological features were compared between survivors and non-survivors by fisher's exact test and chi-square test. Results: Forty-three diabetic cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled and the majority were males 26 (60.5%). The overall mean age was 61.67 ± 11.80. 39 (90.7%) had solid tumors and 3 (7.0%) had hematological malignancies. Fever (74.4%) and dyspnea (58.1%) were the most common symptoms. Complications were reported in 36 (83.7%) patients; during the course of the disease. Additionally, all the deceased patients (n=15) had acquired the complications. 11 (25.6%) patients were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Furthermore, 29 (67.4%) out of 43 patients showed abnormal features in the radiological findings. We found significantly elevated levels of C-reactive protein (P=0.005), serum lactate (P=0.01), albumin (P=0.02), alkaline phosphate (P=0.03), and neutrophil count (P=0.04) in the non-survivors as compared to the survivors. Conclusion: Cancer patients with diabetes are a vulnerable population in the current pandemic. Identifying how diabetes in cancer patients affects the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection is crucial for the clinical management of these patients. Rigorous scrutiny of clinicopathological features of COVID-19 infected cancer patients with diabetes especially values of C-reactive protein, lactate, albumin, alkaline phosphate, neutrophils, and regular monitoring of blood glucose levels may play a critical role in the outcome of the disease.

Efficacy of Radioiodine Therapy in Patients With Primary Hyperthyroidism: An Institutional Review From Pakistan.

Background Radioactive iodine (RAI) is the treatment of choice for most patients with primary hyperthyroidism. The most common etiologies of hyperthyroidism are Graves' disease (GD), toxic adenoma (TA), and toxic multinodular goiter (TMNG). A single dose of RAI is usually sufficient to cure hyperthyroidism. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of RAI therapy for patients diagnosed with primary hyperthyroidism. Methods and materials Patients diagnosed with hyperthyroidism who received RAI therapy between 2008 and 2018 were included in the study. The data was acquired from the hospital's electronic medical record system. Following the RAI treatment, a cure was defined as the development of euthyroidism or hypothyroidism after a single fixed-dose without antithyroid medication within one year of RAI therapy. In addition, a simple logistics regression model was used to identify the prognostic factors that may lead to better outcomes. Results A total of 112 patients diagnosed with hyperthyroidism with a mean age of 47 ± 14 were included in this study. The majority of the patients were female, 79 (70.5%). Within one year of RAI therapy, 84 (75%) patients achieved a cure that is either hypothyroid or euthyroid status. RAI dose was higher in responsive patients (18.50 ± 4.10 millicurie [mCi] versus 16.50 ± 4.10 mCi) than in non-responsive patients. The mean RAI doses were 16.05 ± 2.99 mCi in GD, 19.81 ± 4.40 mCi in TMNG, and 20.50 ± 3.30 mCi in TA, with a statistically significant p-value of 0.001. In the univariable logistic regression model, RAI dose was a significant prognostic factor of the responsive group (OR: 1.15, CI [1.01-1.31], p-value 0.03). Conclusion Our data presented that RAI therapy is effective for primary hyperthyroidism. We achieved remission with a single fixed-dose in the majority of patients. Most of our patients were cured within three months of RAI therapy. In addition, the RAI dose was higher in the responsive group as compared to the non-responsive group.

Case Report: A Challenging Clinical Problem of Calcitonin-Negative Medullary Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis and Surveillance.

Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid is a rare neuroendocrine carcinoma that originates from the malignant proliferation of parafollicular C cells. In almost 100% of the cases, medullary carcinoma of the thyroid is associated with high levels of calcitonin and carcinoembryonic acid (CEA). Both carcinoembryonic antigen and calcitonin are used for the diagnosis and surveillance of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. Calcitonin-negative medullary carcinoma of the thyroid is an extremely rare entity that is characterized by classic medullary carcinoma of the thyroid morphology without raised serum calcitonin levels. We describe the case of a middle-aged lady who presented with a few-month history of neck swelling associated with compressive symptoms. CT of the neck showed a large right thyroid nodule with central necrosis and retrosternal extension to the superior mediastinum. There was also a 360-degree encasement of the right common carotid artery. She underwent fine needle aspiration (FNAC) of the right thyroid nodule, and histopathology showed typical features of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. Immunohistochemical staining for calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen was negative but positive for other neuroendocrine markers, i.e., synaptophysin and chromogranin A. Serum calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen levels were also in the normal range. So, a rare diagnosis of calcitonin-negative medullary carcinoma of the thyroid was made. As the disease was inoperable because of vascular encasement, a plan for external beam radiation therapy (ERBT) to the neck was made. Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid with normal serum levels of calcitonin is a very rare entity, with only a few cases reported in the literature. In this case report, we have presented a rare case of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) with normal-range serum calcitonin levels, how it was diagnosed, and how to follow up postoperatively.

Clinical and Histopathological Variables and Prognostic Factors of Adrenocortical Carcinoma.

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and highly aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis. The literature on prognosis from low-income or low-middle-income countries is limited and scarce. This study aimed to determine the clinical and histopathological characteristics, recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and the factors affecting ACC's prognosis. This was a retrospective study of patients that presented with ACC to the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer & Research Center, Lahore, Pakistan, between January 2011 and May 2018. Information regarding demographics and clinical and histopathological variables were extracted and analyzed. Of the 25 subjects, 16 (64%) were female. The median age of the sample was 35 years (range; 21 - 72 years). Statistically significant associations were found between RFS and functional status of the tumor (p = 0.014), cortisol overproduction (p = 0.02), androgen excess (testosterone [p = 0.03] and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate [DHEA SO4] [p = 0.004]), Ki-67 score (p = 0.03), mitotic rate (p = 0.02), stratified mitotic rate (p = 0.01), and composite variable of disease (p = 0.004). The OS was found to have statistical associations with cortisol hypersecretion (p = 0.02), DHEA SO4 excess (p = 0.01), Modified Weis Score (p < 0.001), mitotic rate (p = 0.02), stratified mitotic rate (p = 0.003), and composite variable of disease (p = 0.001). Linear regression (forward-type) analysis suggested that the functional status of the tumor and the disease recurrence index statistically predicted the variance in RFS and OS, respectively. Multiple clinical and histopathological variables appear to affect the prognosis of ACC. However, based on multivariable analysis, it appears that the functional status of the tumor and the composite variable of disease recurrence are predictors of RFS and OS, respectively.

Malignancy rates in thyroid nodules classified as Bethesda categories III and IV; a subcontinent perspective.

BACKGROUND: Bethesda category III and IV thyroid nodules fall in the indeterminate risk of malignancy category. These nodules have been a relatively elusive entity to manage as previous studies have shown a wide variation in malignancy rates in different regions and institutions across the world. However, data from the subcontinent with regards to this is scarce. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the characteristics and malignancy rates of cytology proven Bethesda Category III and IV thyroid nodules and its association with clinical, histopathological and laboratory variables, in the regional population. METHOD: A retrospective search was performed on all patients with thyroid nodules who presented to this hospital, from January 2011 to September 2018. Patients who had cytology proven Bethesda category III and IV thyroid nodules that underwent surgery were included in the study. RESULTS: Malignancy in Bethesda Category III and Bethesda Category IV thyroid nodules was 29.6% and 47.1%, respectively. There was no significant association determined between malignancy rate and various clinical, histopathological, and radiological characteristics. CONCLUSION: The malignancy rates in Bethesda category III and IV thyroid nodules in this study are significantly higher than that initially suggested by the Bethesda consensus publication but is comparable to international data present.

A Rare Presentation of Disorder of Sex Development.

Disorder of sex development (DSD) is the term ascribed to a wide group of disorders presenting with congenital discord between chromosomal sex and phenotypic manifestation. Its incidence is 1 in 4500 births. 46 XX testicular DSD is a rare disorder characterized by the discordance between female karyotype and male phenotype. Its incidence is 1:20,000 to 25,000 male infants. It is further classified into SRY positive and SRY negative individuals, depending on the presence or absence of sex-determining region Y gene (SRY) on the X chromosome as a result of translocation. We are hereby reporting a rare case of de la Chapelle syndrome (SRY negative). A 30-year-old phenotypical male presented to us with complaints of primary infertility. He had had hypospadias during his childhood and underwent corrective surgery at the age of 18 years. For the previous 1.5 years, he had been complaining of decreased libido, difficulty in micturition, and presence of watery ejaculate. On examination, he had bilateral palpable testis with the testicular volume of 7 mL each, curved micropenis with chordee, and eccentric meatus with fistula. Semen analysis revealed azoospermia and hormonal profile was consistent with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. His karyotyping turned out to be 46 XX chromosome without the SRY gene on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array. He was medically treated with testosterone and underwent surgical correction of chordee.  The SRY negative testicular 46 XX disorder is a rare expression and can be diagnosed at the time of birth with the presence of severe hypospadias, cryptorchidism, or ambiguous genitalia. All new-borns with these findings should undergo evaluation for the disorder of sexual development. Such individuals can never father a child and genetic counseling should be offered. Infertility is the main concern for such individuals which can be addressed by in vitro fertilization (IVF) with a sperm donor or adoption.

Dopamine Agonist-Induced Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhoea: A Case Report.

Introduction: Prolactinomas are the most common pituitary adenomas. Medical therapy with dopamine agonists (DAs) is the mainstay of treatment and rarely requires surgical manipulation. Patients may rarely present with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhoea after starting therapy with DA in case of massive or invasive prolactinomas. Case Description: We present a case of a 29-year-old lady with invasive prolactinoma who presented with CSF rhinorrhoea after a month of starting bromocriptine therapy with the development of meningitis and warranting early surgical repair. Practical Implications: Patients with macroprolactinoma should be closely monitored initially after starting on DA to avoid life-threatening complications.

Myasthenia Gravis Mimicking Third Cranial Nerve Palsy: A Case Report.

Background: The most common pituitary adenoma presentation is a visual field defect and inappropriate pituitary hormone secretion. The compression of the optic chiasm causes visual impairment. Large pituitary adenomas can rarely cause diplopia and ptosis secondary to adenoma's lateral extension into the cavernous sinus. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder involving neuromuscular junctions. It is characterised by skeletal muscle fatigability, commonly involving extraocular muscles, face and limbs. It is estimated that 75% of myasthenia gravis patients present with ptosis and diplopia. The association of myasthenia gravis with pituitary adenoma is very rare. Case Description: A 30-year-old lady presented with headache, diplopia and ptosis of the left eye for 2 months. She was diagnosed with acromegaly secondary to pituitary adenoma. Ptosis is a rare presenting feature in pituitary adenoma. Her case was discussed in a multidisciplinary meeting, and the consensus was that her ptosis is likely secondary to pituitary adenoma, which was involving the left cavernous sinus. She underwent transsphenoidal resection of pituitary macroadenoma. Three weeks post-surgery, she developed bilateral ptosis, dysarthria and dysphonia, which was diagnosed as myasthenia gravis. Clinical Implications: Ptosis is a rare manifestation of pituitary adenoma. Nonetheless, pituitary tumour patients presenting with ptosis should be evaluated for the neuromuscular disorder. A high index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis and prompt treatment of myasthenia gravis.

Ectopic Acromegaly Secondary to Bronchial Tumour: A Case Report of Rare Occurrence.

Introduction: Acromegaly is caused due to the unregulated and sustained overproduction of growth hormone (GH). The majority of the cases are caused by autonomous secretion of GH from anterior pituitary tumours. Nonetheless, in <1% of the cases, the cause of autonomous secretion is secondary to ectopic GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) production. Bronchial carcinoids are the most common cause of ectopic GHRH production. Case Description: A 32-year-old female presented to the clinic with a history of cough, haemoptysis and undocumented weight loss for 4 years. Initial workup showed a large right main stem endobronchial mass. Transbronchial biopsy of the mass revealed a Grade I neuroendocrine tumour (NET). During NET workup, a large sellar mass was incidentally found on cross-sectional imaging. The hormonal profile revealed markedly elevated insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and mildly raised prolactin. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain study revealed pituitary macroadenoma measuring 2 cm × 1.2 cm × 1.5 cm. The patient underwent bronchial carcinoid tumour resection, which led to normalisation of serum IGF-1 and GH response to an oral glucose tolerance test. Subsequent MRI brain revealed complete resolution of previously noted sellar mass. Practical Implications: This case highlights the importance of differentiating acromegaly secondary to pituitary adenoma and ectopic acromegaly. This case emphasises the importance of keeping rare entities in the differential while assessing patients with pituitary macroadenoma.

Primary Amenorrhea With Hypothyroidism: Finding the Cause.

Primary amenorrhea is a serious medical condition. A thorough clinical assessment is necessary for a timely and correct diagnosis and management of this ailment to prevent long-term health and social problems. Turner's syndrome is considered one of the important causes of primary amenorrhea, with an incidence of one in 2,500 to one in 3,000 live-born girls. In this report, we present an interesting case involving multinodular goiter, hypothyroidism, and primary amenorrhea. A 24-year-old woman with a history of multinodular goiter and hypothyroidism attended an endocrine clinic with fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) report of her bilateral thyroid nodules, which showed Bethesda category IV. She had a history of learning difficulties. During detailed history-taking, the patient also complained of primary amenorrhea. Clinical examination showed a lack of secondary sexual characters. Biochemical, imaging, and cytogenetic investigations were suggestive of absent ovaries and fallopian tubes, streaked uterus, hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, and X0 karyotyping. The learning objectives of this case report are as follows: firstly, in countries with a lack of awareness and limited health resources, patients may present with one of the manifestations of Turner's syndrome. Clinicians from all specialties should be aware of the clinical features of this relatively rare entity and should try to make the most of incidental clinical findings. Secondly, clinicians should be more vigilant and thorough in their clinical assessment of patients with learning difficulties to minimize the chances of missing a clinical diagnosis.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Patients With Pheochromocytoma: A Single Center Tertiary Care Experience.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with pheochromocytoma and determine the treatment outcome with overall survival rates of patients with pheochromocytoma. Methods A retrospective, cross-sectional study was performed on all the patients with histologically proven pheochromocytoma presenting to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center (SKMCH & RC) Lahore, between August 2006 and July 2018. Clinical, biochemical and radiological data were collected at presentation, post-surgery, at discharge and till the last follow-up; data was retrieved from hospital records. Cure was defined as no evidence of disease biochemically, clinically, and structurally. Results This study included 29 patients, 69% were female. The three most common symptoms were abdominal pain (51.7%), hypertension (44.8%) and headache (41.4%). Most pheochromocytomas were sporadic (82.8%), all were adrenal gland tumors, and 89.7% were unilateral. All patients underwent adrenalectomy. Open adrenalectomy was performed in 25 patients whereas four underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Fifteen patients experienced postoperative complications. The most frequently documented intraoperative complication was hypotension. Death occurred in two patients, one patient died of metastatic disease secondary to malignant pheochromocytoma and the other patient died from perioperative complications. Cure was documented biochemically and/or radiologically in 96.5% patients. Conclusions Abdominal pain was predominant presenting feature most likely due to large tumor size. Most patients presenting to SKMCH & RC, had large intra-abdominal tumors with high cure rate. Mortality was low despite high rate of perioperative complications.