Thymomas and thymic carcinomas are the most prevalent tumors that develop in the thymus's epithelial tissue. Thymomas are malignant tumors that develop from the epithelial cells of the thymus and frequently include mixed populations of lymphocytes. In contrast, thymic carcinomas are also tumors of the thymic epithelium, but they are characterized by a lack of lymphocytes, exhibit more aggressive behavior, and are associated with a poorer prognosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTreatment of non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC) has evolved over the last decade. According to studies, the use of targeted therapies has significantly increased the life expectancy of patients. Moreover, ALK-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK-TKIs) have improved clinical outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe present the first reported case in the Middle East of bilateral uveal metastasis from prostate cancer in a 74-year-old man. Initially diagnosed in November 2016 with high-volume metastatic castrate-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC), his cancer progressed and was castrate-resistant. In December 2022, the patient presented blurry vision in the left eye and was diagnosed with left uveal metastase.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol
October 2024
Background: The absence of KRAS and NRAS gene mutations (RAS wild type) in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), is associated with a good response to targeted therapy with anti-EGFR receptor antibodies. The current gold standard for RAS mutational status identification is genetic testing on tissue biopsy samples.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the relevance of liquid biopsy as a less invasive alternative to tissue biopsy for detecting KRAS/NRAS and BRAF mutations in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).
Objective: The use of vasopressin as an adjunctive therapy in pulmonary hypertension associated with refractory systemic hypotension has increased. The objective of our study is to describe its effects on term infants.
Study Design: Retrospective observational study.
Background: As a consequence of the economic crisis, the sociopolitical instability and the advent of the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic, nested challenges faced the Lebanese healthcare system. These have resulted in critical shortages of essential resources, including medications vital for oncologic patients.
Aim: To assess the ramifications of the ongoing economic crisis on oncology patient care focusing on our outpatient oncology department.
Aim: Emerging anti-obesity pharmacotherapy provides an option to correct maladaptive physiological and hormonal changes associated with obesity. One of the widely used medications in this context is glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists. However, the misuse of these medications without any guidance and monitoring of lifestyle modifications can lead to unfavorable outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of supplement usage among cancer patients and explore its potential associations with anxiety, excessive daytime sleepiness, and overall quality of life.
Methods: Cancer patients receiving specific care at Hôtel Dieu de France University Hospital, Beirut, were enrolled between April and June 2023. In face-to-face interviews, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic information, supplement usage details, and cancer-related variables.
Objectives: This study described the epidemiological, clinical, and survival profiles of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in North Africa and the Middle East (AfME).
Methods: This regional, multicenter, observational, retrospective study collected 11-year data on demographics, medical history, disease characteristics, current treatment approaches of GIST, the safety of the most common tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), second cancers, and survival status.
Results: Data of 201 eligible patients were analyzed: mean age was 56.
Objectives: Chemobrain is a well-established clinical syndrome that has become an increasing concern because of the growing number of long-term cancer survivors. It refers to the post-chemotherapy related cognitive dysfunction. The aim of this study was to objectively assess the impact of cancer treatment on the cognition of cancer patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: While existing evidence suggests less severe clinical manifestations and lower mortality are associated with the Omicron variant as compared to the Delta variant. However, these studies fail to control for differences in health systems facilities and providers. By comparing patients hospitalized on a single medical service during the Delta and Omicron surges we were able to conduct a more accurate comparison of the two varaints' clinical manifestations and outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a highly heterogenous hemopathy. Genetic stratification of CLL patients has important prognostic and therapeutic values - mainly immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region gene () mutational status and the presence of cytogenetic abnormalities. The genetics of CLL in Lebanon is scarcely described in the literature.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC) in the frontline and relapsed settings. Lebanon has one of the highest incidence of UC worldwide, yet no data exists regarding the expression of PD-L1 by Combined Positive Score (CPS) in advanced disease.
Methods: We reviewed all patients treated at our institution for high grade UC, stage pT2 and above, between January 2017 and March 2021.
Background: In North America, overdose rates have steeply risen over the past five years, largely due to the ubiquity of illicitly manufactured fentanyls in the drug supply. Drug checking services (DCS) represent a promising harm reduction strategy and characterizing experiences of use and interest among people who inject drugs (PWID) is a priority.
Methods: Between February-October 2022, PWID participating in a cohort study in San Diego, CA and Tijuana, Mexico completed structured surveys including questions about DCS, socio-demographics and substance use behaviors.
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) management has seen a revolution over the last decades. Six Lebanese oncologists discussed recent updates in RCC management and outlined the challenges and future directions in Lebanon. Sunitinib continues to be a first-line choice for metastatic RCC in Lebanon, except for intermediate- and poor-risk patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOvarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic cancer. The high grade serous epithelial (HGSE) subtype is the most aggressive and it often presents at advanced stages, while screening programs have not proven beneficial. Management of the advanced stages (FIGO III and IV), which constitute the majority of diagnoses, usually consists of platinum-based chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery (primary or interval) followed by maintenance therapy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe PIK3CA pathway is one of the most frequently altered pathways in human cancers, especially in breast cancer with approximately 40% of HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer cases exhibiting mutations in the PIK3CA gene. While the mutations can occur across the entire gene, the most common are observed in exon 9 corresponding to the helical domain, and in exon 20 encompassing the kinase domain. This study constitutes the first attempt at determining the frequency and mutational spectrum in Lebanese breast cancer patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Am Pharm Assoc (2003)
May 2023
Background: Drug overdose is a public health crisis in the United States. Opioid overdose deaths are preventable using naloxone, an opioid antagonist that reverses the effect of an opioid and prevents fatal overdose.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate changes in naloxone standing order status, attitudes, and practice behavior after an 8-week public health detailing campaign on increasing naloxone access conducted among pharmacists in independent pharmacies in New York City (NYC).