Objective: To determine the demographic characteristics and distribution of various reported prognostic factors of leiomyosarcoma (LMS) among subjects reporting to histopathology diagnostic centers of Aga Khan University (AKU) all over Pakistan between 2000-2004.
Methods: This study analyzed 205 consecutive confirmed cases of LMS received during a period of four years. The data regarding age, sex and size of tumor was obtained from the pathology medical records. Data on grade and positivity of immunohistochemical stains was assessed and all the variables analyzed using SPSS version 12.5.
Results: Of the 205 specimens of LMS, 31 were received as blocks for second opinion. A hundred specimens were multiple fragments, and 74 were intact masses. Of the latter, 40% had clear margins. The mean size of the tumor was 7.23 cms. (95% CI 6.1; 8.4). There were no cases of childhood LMS. Teenage LMS comprised 3% of all tumors. Grade 1 tumors were 16.6% of the total, 56.6% were grade 2, and 8.5% were grade 3. Vimentin positivity was observed in 97% of the tumors, desmin positivity in 56.7%, HHF35 positivity in 81.0%, s-100 positivity in 15.6% and cytokeratin positivity in 11% of the cases. The median age of LMS patients was 48.4 years, the mean age was 48.6 years (95% CI 45.9; 50.8) and male to female ratio was 1:1.2. The malignancy occurred a decade earlier in the females as compared to the males. The mean age of male cases was 52.3 years (95% CI 48.8; 55.8); and of females was 45.2 years (95% CI 41.8; 48.6). The mean age of teenage LMS was 17.2 years (95% CI 15.6; 18.7). The most common symptom was a painless swelling. The most common sites were lower limb (24.4%) and pelvis (24.4%) followed by abdomen (20.6%) and head and neck (12.7%). The least common sites were upper limb and chest (8.0% each). Seventy five percent of the tumors with involved margins were more than 5.0 cms. in size whereas 47% of tumors with free margins were above 5.0 cms. in size. Approximately half the tumors in the males were less than 5.0 cms, as compared with 31.0% in the females. LMS in the extremities was equally common in both genders, but trunk LMS was nearly twice as common in the females.
Conclusion: In our population, leiomyosarcoma occurs at a relatively younger age, has a late presentation; is more common in females as compared to males and usually excised incompletely. No genetic study for LMS has been published in Pakistan; these studies are recommended to determine the biological pattern of LMS in our population.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|
BMC Pulm Med
December 2024
School of Nursing, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly among the elderly, resulting in high rates of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. Malnutrition is common in elderly patients and has been associated with poor prognosis in patients with COPD. However, its impact in the ICU setting remains incompletely defined.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Oral Health
December 2024
Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
Background: Endodontic emergencies, often presented as acute pain or swelling, constitute a substantial challenge in dental practice. While effective management emphasizes prompt intervention, antibiotics are typically indicated only when systemic signs and symptoms are present. There is limited research exists on evaluating the knowledge and clinical approach of dental practitioners in managing endodontic emergencies from our region of the world.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Geriatr
December 2024
ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur Institute of Health Economics, Winterthur, Switzerland.
Background: Fall prevention programmes are essential interventions in societies with aging populations. This study assessed the fall rate and other health outcomes, as well as the cost-effectiveness of a home-based fall prevention programme for community-dwelling older people. In a single home visit, trained physical or occupational therapists performed fall risk assessments, eliminated environmental risk factors, and provided tailored exercises.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Geriatr
December 2024
School of Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China.
Background: Evidence on the association of dynamic change in frailty index (FI) with risk of all-cause mortality in the older Chinese population is limited. This study aimed to explore the association of 3-year change in FI with risk of all-cause mortality in an older Chinese population.
Methods: We analyzed the data of 4969 participants from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey.
BMC Geriatr
December 2024
Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
Introduction: Obesity in older adults is linked to various chronic conditions and decreased quality of life. Traditional physical activity guidelines often overlook the specific postures and movements that older adults engage in daily. This study aims to explore the compositional associations between posture-specific behaviours and obesity risk in younger (M = 67.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!