Transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder in a breast cancer survivor.

There is a propensity for the development of second malignancy in breast cancer patients either simultaneously with the first primary malignancy or after the control of the primary disease. The commonest sites to be involved with second malignancy in breast cancer patients are ovary, colon and endometrium. Other malignancies can also develop rarely either as a complication of treatment or de Novo.

Metabolic syndrome is associated with poor treatment response to antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis C genotype 3 patients.

Introduction: Hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection is caused by an RNA virus. HCV infection is considered to induce systemic disease that causes steatosis, alters lipid metabolism, and results in metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic outcome in HCV genotype 3 patients with metabolic syndrome.

Adenocarcinoma of rectum as second primary cancer after treatment of endometrium cancer.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in women in the United States. Previous epidemiologic studies have identified a 1.5 - 3 fold increased risk of colorectal cancer in women after ovarian and endometrial cancer.

Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis C virus genotypes in different geographical regions of Punjab Province in Pakistan and a phylogenetic analysis.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a causative agent of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In Pakistan, more than 10 million people are living with HCV. Very little is known about the genotype distribution in Punjab Province, the largest province of Pakistan.

Radiological hazards due to naturally occurring radionuclides in the selected building materials used for the construction of dwellings in four districts of the Punjab Province, Pakistan.

This paper presents the finding of a study undertaken to determine the naturally occurring radionuclides present in commonly used building materials for dwellings and workplaces in four districts of the Punjab Province, Pakistan. The concentrations of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K were measured by using gamma-ray spectroscopy. A total of 80 samples of building materials were collected from various manufacturers and suppliers of the studied area.

Polyostotic Paget's disease.

Paget's disease of bone is a common metabolic bone disease in most of the European countries. The disease has distinct geographical distribution being rare in Asia. We report Paget's disease in a 70 years old Pakistani male who presented with history of pain in right leg with difficulty in walking for the last 5 months.

Analysis of variables and interactions among variables associated with a sustained virological response to pegylated interferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin in hepatitis C virus genotype 3-infected patients.

Background: The recommended standard therapeutic regimen for chronic hepatitis patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 3 is pegylated interferon plus ribavirin for 24 weeks. The aim of the present study was to evaluate treatment efficacy and variables predictive of treatment success, interactions among variables contributing to a response to therapy, and the utility of the rapid virological response (RVR; week 4 virological response) to predict treatment outcomes in HCV genotype 3-infected patients in routine clinical practice.

Methods: We prospectively studied baseline and during-treatment factors associated with a sustained virological response (SVR) in HCV genotype 3-infected patients who received pegylated interferon alfa-2a (PEG-IFN α2a) 180 μg/week plus ribavirin 800 mg daily for 24 weeks and who were followed for 24 weeks after the completion of treatment.

Carcinosarcoma of the breast.

Carcinosarcoma of the breast is an extremely rare and aggressive tumour with two distinct cell lines comprising epithelial and mesenchymal components, with few cases reported in the literature. The prognosis of carcinosarcoma breast is less favourable compared to more common types of breast cancers such as infiltrating ductal or lobular carcinomas. These tumours form a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

Analytical variables influencing the HCV RNA determination by TaqMan real-time PCR in routine clinical laboratory practice.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) quantification is used as a prognostic marker for treatment success. In a routine clinical laboratory some infinitesimal sample handling factors can contribute to variability and loss of precision in HCV quantification. This may include blood collection tubes, blood drawing procedure, sample processing and storage temperatures.

Effect of biofilm formation on the excretion of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi in feces.

Objectives: We hypothesized that Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) with higher biofilm and capsule production capability are more able to survive continuously in typhoid patients/carriers, with subsequent prolonged shedding in feces.

Methods: Bacterial cell release from biofilm (produced in vitro and confirmed by specific staining and electron microscopy) and comparative cytotoxicity were studied on Caco2 cells.

Predictors of response to antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C from Pakistani population.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) constitutes a major public health issue around the world, especially in developing countries like Pakistan. In this study, we assessed outcome of interferon (INF) treatment in chronic hepatitis C patients categorized by gender, age, and viral load.

Methods: In this study, 750 HCV positive patients with genotype 3 were selected, out of which 616 completed the entire treatment.

Evaluation of prognostic factors for Peg Interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin treatment on HCV infected patients in Pakistan.

The effective standard therapeutic regimen for patients with chronic hepatitis C is pegylated interferon plus ribavirin. The efficacy of treatment in chronic hepatitis C is defined as absence of detectable virus at six months after treatment. Analysis of patient dependent and virus related factors that enable us to predict the response to antiviral treatment is very important.

Long-term survivor of brain metastases from malignant melanoma.

Malignant melanoma is notorious for distant metastases. Median survival for stage IV melanoma is 6-10 months and 5 year survival is less than 5%. Median survival for melanoma with brain metastases is even lower i.

Therapeutic effects of 20 gray radiotherapy over a week in the management of brain metastases.

Objective: To determine the therapeutic effects of 20 Gy over a week in the management of multiple brain metastases. Secondly to determine the toxicity profile and survival at 6th month in patients treated with the above-mentioned protocol.

Methods: This was a single arm interventional study, conducted at Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute (NORI), Islamabad from May 8, 2006 to May 31, 2007.

Investigation of the Occurrence of Human Errors in Treatment of Cancer Patients with External Beam Radiotherapy.

The main objective of clinical radiotherapy procedures is to deliver accurate doses to cancer patients. However, human errors can occur during the treatment planning and dose delivery that may result in under- or overexposure to the patient. Therefore the aim of the present study was to detect and quantify different types of errors that may occur during radiation treatment at the Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute (NORI) in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Undifferentiated liver sarcoma -- rare entity: a case report and review of the literature.

Introduction: Undifferentiated Liver Sarcoma, also known as Undifferentiated Embryonal Sarcoma of the Liver, is a rare, highly malignant neoplasm which affects mostly the pediatric population, although a few cases have been reported in adults. It accounts for about 13% of pediatric hepatic malignancies.

Case Presentation: We report a case of undifferentiated liver sarcoma in a 14-year-old Chinese boy who presented with non-specific right hypochondriac pain.