Relationship between Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease which refers to the presence of hepatic steatosis. Breast cancer is now the most common cancer in women and is the leading cause of death from cancer among women. OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between NAFLD and newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer. METHODS: The results of mammography screening examinations in women referred to the Breast Center, Holy Family Hospital, Nazareth during a 4 year period were collected. We identified cases of women who were newly diagnosed with breast cancer and who underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) within 1 month of the diagnosis. The control group comprised 73 women with normal mammography and breast ultrasonography who underwent abdominal CT within 3 months from the date of the breast cancer screening during the same study period. The control cases were matched by age and body mass index (BMI). We compared the cases with the controls in terms of the presence of diffuse hepatic fatty liver and other known risk factors for breast cancer. RESULTS: Of the 133 women who were screened, 73 with new diagnosis of breast cancer were eligible for the study. NAFLD was found in 33 of the women with breast cancer and in 12 in the control group (45.2% vs.16.4%, respectively, P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis showed NAFLD (odds ratio 2.82, 95% confidence interval 1.2-5.5, P = 0.016) to be associated with breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: NAFLD is associated with breast cancer.

Invasive ductal carcinoma within fibroadenoma and lung metastases.

Fibroadenomas are one of the most common benign tumors of the breast. Malignant transformation from fibroadenoma to cancer is rare. We present a case of an invasive ductal carcinoma within an otherwise benign fibroadenoma with lung metastasis in a 69-year-old woman.

The association between vitamin D levels and recurrent group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in adults.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between recurrent group A streptococcal (GAS) tonsillopharyngitis and serum 25-hydroxy (25(OH)) vitamin D among adult subjects. METHODS: Adult patients with tonsillopharyngitis between January 2007 and December 2009 were reviewed and identified retrospectively. Cases with a medical history of recurrent GAS tonsillopharyngitis were compared to age- and gender-matched individuals without a medical history of GAS tonsillopharyngitis. Recurrent tonsillopharyngitis was defined as three or more episodes of GAS tonsillopharyngitis per year for a period of two consecutive years. RESULTS: Fifty-four cases with recurrent GAS tonsillopharyngitis and 50 controls were enrolled. There were no significant differences between cases and controls with regard to mean age (41 ± 13 vs. 42 ± 12 years; p=0.7) and male gender (55% vs. 54%; p=0.6). Mean serum levels of 25(OH) vitamin D among subjects with recurrent GAS tonsillopharyngitis were significantly lower from the controls (11.5 ng/ml ± 4.7 vs. 26 ng/ml ± 7; p=0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that a serum 25(OH) vitamin D level <20 ng/ml was associated with recurrent GAS tonsillopharyngitis (odds ratio 1.62, 95% confidence interval 1.51-1.76; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate a link between vitamin D deficiency and the recurrence of GAS tonsillopharyngitis.

Recurrent deep venous thrombosis in a patient with agenesis of inferior vena cava.

BACKGROUND: Agenesis of the inferior vena cava (IVC) as a cause of recurrent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is uncommon. CASE: A 33-year-old male with no family history of thrombophilia, who had experienced multiple recurrent episodes of DVT over a 15-year period of unknown cause, was admitted into our hospital because of cellulitis in the right leg. Computer tomography with contrast of the abdomen showed an absence of IVC. CONCLUSION: Congenital absence of the IVC could be a rare risk factor for idiopathic DVT, especially in young individuals.