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Non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the breast is a rare malignancy and present with almost equal frequency either as a primary or a secondary disease. Survival is poor in most cases of secondary breast lymphoma because of their advanced stage. We report a 35-year-old woman presenting with dyspnea as well as swelling, tenderness, and ruddiness in the left breast with non-cyclic pain for several months and maculopapular skin eruption in the same breast. Physical examination revealed fixed lymphadenopathies in both axillary regions. Radiologic evaluations (bilateral mammaograpy and ultrasonography) showed skin thickening in the left breast, asymmetrical densities in both breasts, and confirmed lymphadenopathies in the axillary regions. Excisional biopsies were performed to the left axillary lymph nodes and the breast skin eruptions. The histologic and immunohistochemical features were diagnosed as an ALK (-) anaplastic large cell lymphoma. A Computed Tomography examination was performed for staging the lymphoma and then chemotherapy was started. Thirty months after the diagnosis, the patient is still alive with disease. Because of the presence of systemic symptoms such as skin involvement and generalized lymphadenopathies (mediastinal, axillary or cervical), T cell lymphoma cases with breast involvement could mimic the clinical presentation of inflammatory breast carcinoma. Pathologic examination is needed for the correct diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine experiences and coping strategies of women receiving treatment for breast and gynecological cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive, phenomenological approach was adopted. The study included 15 women receiving treatment for breast and gynecological cancers in the chemotherapy center of a university hospital. Data was collected with a descriptive characteristic form and semi-structured in-depth interviews. Data analysis revealed three main themes: Problems, protection and coping. The main theme of 'problems' was grouped into four categories: living with anxiety and fear, social isolation, physical difficulties, and financial difficulties. 'Protection' was grouped into four categories: decreased stigmatization, increased preventive measures, increased communication between family members, and keeping distance. Coping was grouped into four categories: religious practices, social support, positive thinking, and hobbies. The participants were found to experience psychosocial, financial and physical difficulties. However, they also mentioned positive aspects of the pandemic: elimination of stigmatization due to the obligation for everyone to wear a mask, lack of visits due to the lockdown and enhanced communication with family members due to increased time spent at home. Religious practices, social support, positive thinking and spending time on hobbies were helpful to cope with the problems experienced during the pandemic. The results of this study can guide nurses in offering high-quality nursing care and counseling to women treated for breast and gynecological cancers during the pandemic. • Three main themes emerged from this study: Problems, protection and coping. • Women had many psychosocial problems due to the fear of contracting Covid 19. • Women were not stigmatized because everyone wore masks. • Improved hygiene, decreased visits, spending more time with family at home, and social isolation were found to be beneficial. • Religious practices, social support, optimistic thinking, and hobbies helped women cope with their problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The human multidrug-resistant gene (MDR1) encodes P-glycoprotein (Pgp), a membrane-bound efflux transporter conferring resistance to a number of natural cytotoxic drugs and potentially toxic xenobiotics. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MDR1 gene are associated with phenotypic variation in Pgp expression levels of tissue. SNPs may alter the physiological protective role of Pgp and, therefore, influence disease risk. Methods: In our study we identified the MDR1 C3435T polymorphism in breast cancer patients (n = 57) and healthy subjects (n = 50). DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples by standard phenol/chloroform extraction method. Polymerase chain reaction−restriction fragment length polymorphism was used for the detection of C3435T single nucleotide polymorphism. Results: We obtained CC, CT and TT genotype frequencies in breast cancer patients as 12.3%, 57.9% and 29.8%, respectively. In the control group, frequencies of genotypes were found as 36% for CC, 46% for CT and 18% for TT. We observed difference in SNPs in MDR1 gene C3435T polymorphism between breast cancer patients and healthy controls (χ2 = 8.66, df = 2, p = 0.013). The C allele frequency was found in 41.2% and the T allele frequency was found in 58.8%. C3435T MDR1 gene allele frequencies in breast cancer patients as compared to results in control group were as follows: [OR = 1.5 (95% CI: 1.09–1.96)]. In the patient group, T allele frequency was significantly higher than controls (p <0.01). Clinicopathological parameters of patients with breast cancer were compared for C3435T polymorphism. We did not find any significant difference between clinicopathological parameters and MDR1 phenotype of breast cancer patients. The progression-free survival rate in a subgroup analysis based on MDR1 genotypes with CC genotype was 71.4%, CT genotype was 75.7%, and TT genotype was 88.2%, respectively. This difference was not statistically significant (log rank p = 0.63). Conclusions: Results of the present study demonstrated a 1.5-fold increased risk for development of breast cancer in T allele carriers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The benefit and tolerability of adjuvant chemotherapy for surgically treated colorectal cancer is less well defined in elderly patients. We reviewed data of 51 patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer between October 1993 and December 2002, and were ≥65 year-old at the first cycle of chemotherapy. Fifty-one elderly patients with colorectal cancer received 5-FU based adjuvant chemotherapy. Twenty-four patients (47.0%) had stage II, 25 (49.0%) had stage III, and 2 (3.9%) had stage IV disease (completely resected liver metastasis). Fourteen patients (27.5%) were treated with bolus 5-FU, while 37 patients (72.5%) were treated with infusional 5-FU. The most commonly observed grade 3-4 toxicities were myelosuppresion (17.6%) and diarrhea (15.6%), and they were more frequently seen in patients who received 5-FU bolus regimens (p<0.001 and p<0.005, respectively). The 3-year DFS and OS rates were 77.7% and 83.5%, respectively. Twenty-nine patients who were ≥70-year-old were also evaluated. The most commonly grade 3-4 toxicities observed in this age group were myelosuppresion (6.9%) and diarrhea (6.9%), and they occurred in patients who received 5-FU bolus regimens. In survival analyses, the 3-year DFS and OS were 80% and 80.7%, respectively. In elderly patients, the use of 5- FU based adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer was well tolerated, and advanced age is not an obstacle for the adjuvant chemotherapy of colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was designed to evaluate the frequency of complementary/alternative therapy (CAM) knowledge and usage in cancer patients. A 23-item survey questionnaire was administered to 494 patients who received chemotherapy in the medical oncology department of three hospitals between June 2011 and December 2011. After giving written informed consent, patients completed a self-administered questionnaire. Differences among participants were assessed by using the SPSS 17.0 software. Of the 494 patients, 48% had heard of CAM, and 23.5% had used at least one CAM model. Herbs and vitamins were the most frequently used approach (82.2%). The most commonly used herb was the stinging nettle (55.5%). Marital status (p= 0.003), educational status (p< 0.001), monthly income (p< 0.001), knowledge about disease (p< 0.001), family history of comorbidity (p<0.012), and place of residence (0.004) were statistically significant for knowledge about CAM. However, marital status (p< 0.001), comorbidity (p= 0.004), educational status (p=0.006), family history of comorbidity (p= 0.008), and family history of cancer (p= 0.03) were statistically significant for CAM use. Logistic regression analysis showed that educational status (p=0.015), high monthly income (p=0.03), knowledge about disease (p= 0.005), and a family history of comorbidity (p= 0.005) were statistically significant for knowledge about CAM. Otherwise, only marital status (p< 0.001) and comorbidity (p= 0.04) were determined as independent factors for CAM use. Health professionals should routinely ask their patients about CAM use and discuss the reasons and outcomes of use. Randomized clinical trials are needed to determine possible risks and benefits associated with CAM use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]