Adjuvant Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) plus Docetaxel-Cisplatin-Fluorouracil (DCF) versus CRT plus Fluorouracil-Folinic Acid (FUFA) in Stage III Gastric Cancer.

Introduction: Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the optimal management strategy in resectable gastric cancer. There is a debate about the efficacy of more aggressive CRT plus chemotherapy regimens in adjuvant setting. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of adjuvant CRT plus docetaxel-cisplatin-fluorouracil (DCF) versus CRT plus fluorouracil-folinic acid (FUFA) in stage III gastric cancer.

Docetaxel-induced pericardial effusion.

Hypersensitivity reactions, cumulative fluid retention, and neurotoxicity are frequently seen toxicities related to docetaxel. Fluid retention may be present as edema, weight gain, or third place fluid collection. Pericardial effusion is rarely seen with docetaxel treatment.

Breast cancer survivors suffer from persistent postmastectomy pain syndrome and posttraumatic stress disorder (ORTHUS study): a study of the palliative care working committee of the Turkish Oncology Group (TOG).

Purpose: Persistent postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is one of the most important disturbing symptoms. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder which is characterized by reactions to reminders of the trauma that has been experienced. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the predictors of PMPS and PTSD in Turkish breast cancer survivors and the correlation between PMPS and PTSD.

Osteogenesis imperfecta, pseudoachalasia, and gastric cancer.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare, inherited skeletal disorder characterized by abnormalities of type 1 collagen. Malignancy is rarely reported in patients with OI and it was suggested that this disease can protect against cancer. Here, we report a 41-year-old woman with symptoms of achalasia where repeated treatment of pneumatic dilation and stent replacement was unsuccessful; therefore, surgery was performed.

Lower folate levels in gastric cancer: is it a cause or a result?

Folate deficiency and its association with cancer have been studied in the literature, but its clinical impact is still unknown. Folate deficiency and its result on gastric cancer is a mysterious part of oncology, with ongoing studies hopefully clarifying its impact on gastric cancer management. Lee et al studied folate deficiency and its impact on staging and clinical results.

Aflibercept-related nasal septum perforation.

Hypertension, cytopenia and diarrhea are the most common side effects of aflibercept. Rarely thromboembolism, hemorrhage, fistulization and reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy have been reported. Here we report a patient experiencing nasal septum perforation during aflibercept therapy.

A potential link between endothelial function, cardiovascular risk, and metabolic syndrome in patients with Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthetase. Elevated ADMA reduces NO formation and is associated with endothelial dysfunction. The aims of this study were to evaluate endothelial function and the cardiovascular risk (CVR) profile in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and to determine whether or not an association with metabolic syndrome (MS) increases these parameters.

Genome-wide transcriptional reorganization associated with senescence-to-immortality switch during human hepatocellular carcinogenesis.

Senescence is a permanent proliferation arrest in response to cell stress such as DNA damage. It contributes strongly to tissue aging and serves as a major barrier against tumor development. Most tumor cells are believed to bypass the senescence barrier (become "immortal") by inactivating growth control genes such as TP53 and CDKN2A.

Lymphoproliferative disorders in individuals with chronic hepatitis B and C in the Turkish population.

The aims of this cohort study were to evaluate the association of malignant lymphoproliferative disorders in patients with chronic viral hepatitis and to compare the results with those in individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A total of 3,873 patients with chronic liver disease who were seen consecutively in the Liver Disease Outpatient Clinic between January 2001 and July 2007 were assessed retrospectively. The frequency of malignant lymphoproliferative disorders including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia in these patients was investigated.

Aflatoxin exposure in viral hepatitis patients in Turkey.

Background/aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fifth most common cancer and a major public health problem worldwide. Differences in distribution of hepatocellular carcinoma incidence are probably due to different levels of exposure to hepatocellular carcinoma risk factors: chronic infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and aflatoxin exposure in developing countries, and smoking and alcohol abuse in developed countries. Aflatoxin is one of the most important of the environmental toxins that contribute to the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma, especially in the regions where dietary foodstuffs (peanuts, corn, Brazil nuts, pistachios, spices and figs) are highly contaminated.

PPAR-alpha L162V polymorphism in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background/aims: Several lines of evidence suggest that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha may be involved in hepatocarcinogenesis. L162V polymorphism of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha gene enhances the transactivation activity of this transcription factor. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and clinical correlates of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha L162V polymorphism in hepatitis virus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma.