A retrospective evaluation of geriatric patients with gastric cancer receiving systemic chemotherapy.

Background: The most common age at which gastric cancer is diagnosed is 70 years, and the majority of patients diagnosed are at the metastatic stage. However, although gastric cancer is a geriatric disease, there is no suggestion to discriminate treatment for the general geriatric patient population. Here, we evaluated patients receiving palliative chemotherapy for gastric cancer owing to advanced age.

Efficacy of Palbociclib and Endocrine Treatment in Heavily Pretreated Hormone Receptor-positive/HER2-negative Advanced Breast Cancer: Retrospective Multicenter Trial.

Background: The synthesis of CDK4/6 inhibitors with endocrine treatment in two series of treatment has been widely accepted as the standard for patients with estrogen receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer. In spite of this, the activity of CDK4/6 inhibitors in patients with metastatic breast cancer who have progressed despite receiving multiple lines of treatment is not well understood.

Aims: To report the activity and safety of a CDK4/6 inhibitor (palbociclib) in patients in whom at least three lines of treatment for ER+ metastatic breast cancer had failed.

The importance of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography in the diagnosis and clinical course of acute pancreatitis.

Background/aims: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is characterized by acute inflammation of the pancreas and it has a highly variable clinical course. The aim of our study was to evaluate the value of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography in the diagnosis and clinical course of AP.

Materials And Methods: Consecutive patients with a diagnosis of AP (patients group) and healthy subject (control group) were prospectively enrolled to the study.

Retrospective evaluation of premenopausal hormone-sensitive breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue: Anatolian Society of Medical Oncology (ASMO) study.

Aim: The goal of this study is to evaluate possible factors affecting the survival of patients treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues.

Methods: Demographic characteristics, treatment modalities, overall survival (OS) and the possible factors affecting the survival a total of 554 premenopausal breast cancer patients in Turkey evaluated retrospectively.

Results: The median duration of GnRH analogues use was 22 ± 13.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of malignant melanoma in Southeast Anatolia in Turkey.

Introduction: The present study aimed to establish the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients who were histopathologically diagnosed with malignant melanoma (MM).

Methods: The present study retrospectively analyzed the data of 78 patients who were histopathologically diagnosed with MM in Dicle University Medical Faculty, Dermatology and Medical Oncology departments between 2005 and 2014.

Results: The study included 78 patients in total with 44 (56.

Prevalence and predictive factors for development of splenic artery aneurysms in cirrhosis.

Background And Aims: Splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) rarely occurs in the general population. Its increased incidence has been reported in cirrhosis. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify prevalence and predictive factor development of SAA in patients with cirrhosis.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) elevation gastric adenocarcinoma and importance of AFP change in tumor response evaluation.

Background: Elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in adults are considered abnormal. This parameter is used mostly in the diagnosis and follow-up of hepatocellular carcinomas and yolk sac tumors. Among the other rare tumors accompanied with elevated serum AFP levels, gastric cancer is the most common.

Sunitinib for patients with metastatic non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma: a Multicenter Retrospective Turkish Oncology Group trial.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy and toxicity of sunitinib, a targeted-agent, for non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Patients And Methods: Sixty-three patients with complete clinical data from 13 oncology Centers were retrospectively evaluated. Outcomes analyzed were objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and adverse events.

Clinical characteristics, treatment and survival outcomes in malignant pleural mesothelioma: an institutional experience in Turkey.

Purpose: To compare treatment modalities and investigate potential prognostic factors for survival in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).

Methods: The present study has investigated the data of 150 patients with MPM who were examined and treated in our center from 2005 to 2012.

Results: The study included 87 male (58% and 63 female (42) patients.

Efficiency and side effects of sorafenib therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective study by the anatolian society of medical oncology.

Background: Inoperable and metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with a poor prognosis and low chemotherapeutic efficiency. Sorafenib is an oral multi-kinase inhibitor exerting its effects via the RAF/ MEK/ERK pathway, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and platelet derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFR-β) tyrosine kinases. Randomized studies have shown a significant contribution of sorafenib to life expectancy and quality of life of cancer patients.

Increased bone mineral density in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Aim: To determine the relationship between non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and bone mineral density (BMD).

Methods: A total of 38 patients (25 males) with a diagnosis of histologically proven NASH and 42 healthy controls (24 males) were enrolled in the study. Demographic features, clinical findings, complete blood count and routine biochemical analysis, as well as adrenal, thyroid and gonadal functions, were recorded.

Predictive factors for the development of brain metastases in patients with malignant melanoma: a study by the Anatolian society of medical oncology.

Background: The development of brain metastases (BMs) was associated with poor prognosis in melanoma patients. Patients with BMs have a median survival of <6 months. Melanoma is the third most common tumor to metastasize to the brain with a reported incidence of 10-40 %.

Lapatinib plus capecitabine for HER2-positive advanced breast cancer: a multicentre study of Anatolian Society of Medical Oncology (ASMO).

Lapatinib is the first dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor of human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2/neu) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The present study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of the combination of lapatinib and capecitabine in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who progressed after therapy with trastuzumab, a taxane and/or anthracycline. A total of 203 patients with a median age of 48 years (range: 25-82 years) were evaluated retrospectively in 11 centres between September 2007 and May 2011.

The value of micro-ELISA test in the diagnosis of Fasciola hepatica infection.

Objective: In sero-diagnosis of parasitic infection, it is essential to inspect cross-reactivity between the target parasite and other parasites in order to assess diagnostic performance. The aim of this study was to determine the cut-off value of antibody titer for diagnosis of F. hepatica (FH) infection by using the micro-ELISA and diagnostic performance of this test.

Prognostic factors in gastrointestinal stromal tumors: multicenter experience of 333 cases from Turkey.

Background/aims: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract. In an attempt to survey the approximate incidence, clinicopathological characteristics, and immunophenotypic features of GISTs in Turkey, we conducted a clinicopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of GISTs.

Methodology: Three hundred and thirty-three patients with GIST from nine institutions in Turkey were retrospectively evaluated.

Bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy is safe in patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer and a synchronous asymptomatic primary tumor.

Objective: Surgical resection of asymptomatic primary colorectal cancer in patients presenting with synchronous unresectable metastatic disease is controversial. Concerns and controversies remain over combining cytotoxic chemotherapy with bevacizumab in this patient population.

Methods: We identified medical records of 99 patients with synchronous metastatic primary colorectal cancer who received chemotherapy with bevacizumab as their initial treatment.

Lack of any relationship between ABO and Rh blood groups and clinicopathological features in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors: Turkish Oncology Group.

Background: An association between the ABO blood group and the risk of certain malignancies, including pancreatic and gastric cancer, has been reported previously. However, it is unclear whether this association is valid for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). In this study, ABO blood groups and the Rh factor were investigated in a series of GIST cases.

Is the pretreatment neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio an important prognostic parameter in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma?

Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitor is a standard treatment for mRCC. The NLR, an index of systemic inflammation, is associated with outcome in several cancer types. To study the association of pretreatment NLR with PFS and overall survival (OS) of patients treated with VEGF-targeted therapy.

Increased anti-Echinococcus granulosus antibody positivity in Fasciola hepatica infection.

Background/aims: Parasitic helminths express some antigen, which often accounts for serological cross-reactions. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-Echinococcus granulosus antibody in patients with Fasciola hepatica infection using indirect immunofluorescence assay.

Materials And Methods: The study population consisted of the following groups: Fasciola hepatica group (n=22), hydatid disease group (n=22) and healthy control group (n=24).

Microbial profile and antibiotic sensitivity pattern in bile cultures from endoscopic retrograde cholangiography patients.

Aim: To identify the frequency of bacterial growth, the most commonly grown bacteria and their antibiotic susceptibility, and risk factors for bacterial colonization in bile collected from patients with different biliary diseases.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted between April 2010 and August 2011. Patients with various biliary disorders were included.

Multicentric study on malignant pleural mesothelioma in Turkey: clinicopathologic and survival characteristics of 282 patients.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a relatively rare, but aggressive tumor that causes high mortality. The major risk factor involved in the etiology is environmental and occupational exposure to asbestos. The optimal modality of therapy is controversial.

Bevacizumab every 4 weeks is as effective as every 2 weeks in combination with biweekly FOLFIRI in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Purpose: The efficacy and tolerability of bevacizumab every 2 or 4 weeks using the same dosage in combination with biweekly FOLFIRI were retrospectively evaluated in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients in the first-line and second-line therapy.

Patients And Methods: A total of 332 patients from six centers were evaluated. The patients had received biweekly FOLFIRI in combination with bevacizumab 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks or every 4 weeks schedule for various reasons in individual patients.

Germ Cell Tumor Located in Gastrointestinal System: A Report of Two Cases.

Germ cell tumors (GCTs) occur generally in the testes or ovaries. Extra-gonadal location of GCTs is very rare .Extra-gonadal GCTs usually arise from midline structures, the commonest sites being the retroperitoneal and mediastinum.

Prognostic factors for overall survival in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma treated with vascular endothelial growth factor-targeting agents.

Objective: Angiogenesis represents a key element in the pathogenesis of malignancy. There are no robust data on prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted therapy. The present study was conducted to establish a prognostic model for patients using an oxaliplatin-based or irinotecan-based chemotherapy plus bevacizumab in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Adjuvant chemoradiation for gastric cancer: multicentric study of the Anatolian Society of Medical Oncology.

Background/aims: The aims of this study were to report the clinical outcomes of adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy after curative resection in 637 patients with gastric cancer.

Methodology: The retrospective analysis included 637 patients with resectable gastric cancer and stage IB-IV (M0) from 8 medical centers between 2003 and 2010. The patients were treated with 5FU-leucovorin and radiotherapy according to Schema for INT-0116.