Increased oxidative DNA damage and impaired antioxidant defense system in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

Background: Highly active intermediates are formed in aerobic metabolism which in turn leads to cellular damage. It is increasingly proposed that free radicals play a key role in human cancer development. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine, nitrite+nitrate, total glutathione, total antioxidant capacity levels and superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase activities in operative patients with gastrointestinal cancer before and after surgery and compare with inoperative patients.

Clinical significance of residual occult malignancy in thyroid carcinoma.

Purpose: Total or near-total thyroidectomy is advocated in reducing the recurrence rate and improving survival in differentiated thyroid carcinoma. However, this potential benefit could be seen in all patient groups or only in the patients who have multifocal disease. We analyzed the clinical significance of occult multifocal disease in patients with completion thyroidectomy.

Leptin levels in thyroid cancer.

Background: Leptin has physiological roles in multiple systems, and has possible effects on several carcinogenesis steps. The aim of this study was to investigate the leptin levels in thyroid papillary carcinoma (TPC) patients.

Methods: Forty-three female TPC patients and 30 healthy female control subjects were recruited for the study.

Serum big endothelin-1 levels in female patients with breast cancer.

Endothelin-1[ET-1] acts as a growth factor in various malignancies. Big endothelin-1 (big ET-1) is the precursor of ET-1. The aim of this study was to determine the importance of serum big ET-1 levels as a novel marker of disease in female patients with breast cancer of various clinical stages.

Serum neopterin levels in patients with breast cancer.

The aim of this study was to determine the importance of serum neopterin level in female patients with breast cancer of various clinical stages. The study consisted of 75 female patients with breast cancer who were diagnosed and treated at the Gazi University Department of Medical Oncology. The patients were classified into three representative groups and a control group: group A (n = 26), patients with newly diagnosed primary breast cancer and without metastasis; group B (n = 33), patients with metastatic breast cancer who had undergone treatment for their diseases and on whom metastasis was detected during their follow-up; group C (n = 16), off-therapy patient whose cancer had been in remission for at least 5 years; group D (n = 20) healthy controls.

Advanced oxidation protein products, ferrous oxidation in xylenol orange, and malondialdehyde levels in thyroid cancer.

Aims And Background: The oxidation of protein plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of an important number of degenerative and cancer diseases, which is now widely recognized. The aim is to examine advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), lipid peroxidation products malondialdehyde (MDA), and ferrous oxidation in xylenol orange (FOX) in blood samples of papillary thyroid cancer patients compared with healthy controls to determine the oxidation status and the change after thyroidectomy.

Methods: Thirty-five female thyroid cancer patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and 39 female control subjects were included into this study.

Computed tomography in detecting bone metastases of breast carcinoma. Is it better than plain x-ray?

Objective: To compare 5mm slice computerized tomography (CT) and conventional x-ray (XR) in the detection of bone metastases in breast carcinoma patients.

Methods: Ninety-eight female breast cancer patients treated in Ankara Oncology Hospital, Ankara, Turkey between September 1997 and March 2002 were assigned into 3 groups with respect to their Tc bone scan (Sc) results. Group 1 included patients with overt bone metastases, group 2 included patients with suspicious of metastases and group 3 were those patients with normal Sc results with back pain complaint.

Unusual location of hydatid cyst: soft tissue mass in the neck.

Hydatid disease is a parasitic infestation caused by the larval form of the cestode worm Echinococcus. The most commonly encountered form of the disease is visceral hydatid cyst caused by Echinococcus granulosus or dog tapeworm. We hereby represent an unusual case of hydatid disease located in the neck region in a 22-year-old female patient.

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in blood and tissue of malignant breast tumor and benign breast disease.

Changes in the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrate and nitrite (as an index of nitric oxide production), lipid hydroperoxide (LOH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipids (total cholesterol and triglycerides) and lipoproteins (HDL- and LDL-cholesterol) were estimated in breast cancer patients (n = 15) and benign breast disease (n = 15). Serum and tissue MDA levels were found to be decreased in breast cancer patients compared to the benign group (p < 0.05).

Ovarian cyst formation in patients using tamoxifen for breast cancer.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient-related parameters that determine ovarian cyst formation in women using tamoxifen for breast cancer.

Methods: A retrospective review of tamoxifen-treated women with breast cancer who were followed up in the outpatient clinic at Ankara Oncology Hospital between January 2002 and December 2004 was performed. Tamoxifen doses and duration, post-treatment menstrual function, adjuvant therapy, ultrasonographic and hormonal [follicle-stimulating hormone and serum estradiol (E(2))] data, details of gynecologic surgical procedure and histopathology were recorded.

Peritoneal carcinoembryonic antigen level for predicting locoregional and distant spread of gastric cancer.

Purpose: Peritoneal recurrence is not an uncommon cause of death after surgery for gastric cancer, even after surgery with curative intent. This indicates that there is undetected residual disease in the peritoneal cavity. We conducted this study to determine the value of peritoneal and serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels and peritoneal washing cytology in predicting the locoregional and distant spread of gastric cancer.

Oxidative stress in relation to lipid profiles in different stages of breast cancer.

The changes in the levels of MDA, nitrite, vit. E, lipids (total cholesterol and triglycerides) and lipoproteins (HDL and LDL cholesterol) were estimated among breast cancer patients, in relation to different clinical stages (stage I to IV). MDA and nitrite levels were increased in breast cancer patients, irrespective of clinical stage, as compared to controls (p < 0.

A long surviving case of Pseudomeigs' syndrome caused by Krukenberg tumor of the stomach.

Meigs syndrome is defined as the triad of benign ovarian tumor with ascites and pleural effusion that resolve after resection of the tumor. Pseudomeigs' syndrome is a serious disease characterized by malignant ovarian tumor, but ascites and hydrothorax usually reveal no malignant cells. Here, we report a 47-year-old pre-menapausal female patient with cardia cancer.

Frozen section in thyroid surgery: is it a necessity?

Introduction: Many surgeons use intraoperative frozen-section (FS) biopsy of thyroid nodules to predict malignant disease, but the findings are often not in agreement with those of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy. Our objective in this study was to assess the value of intraoperative FS biopsy in patients with nodular disease of the thyroid gland.

Methods: In this study, 203 patients underwent thyroid surgery at the Ankara Oncology Hospital.