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Background: Concurrent chemoradiation has emerged as a mainstay of treatment for locally advanced hypopharyngeal cancer (stage III to IVB). However, induction chemotherapy is still an area of ongoing interest in attempt to decrease the likelihood of emergence of distant metastases, improve loco-regional control and support organ preservation. Method: This quasi-experimental study was carried out among 86 patients of locally advanced hypopharyngeal cancer patients from November 2021 to October 2022 and distributed into two different groups. Group A received induction chemotherapy (IC) with Paclitaxel and Carboplatin followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and group B received CCRT alone. Patients were assessed in every 3 weeks during induction chemotherapy after each cycle and weekly during chemoradiotherapy to assess toxicities. Result: Final assessment was done at 12 weeks after completion of treatment. Most commonly observed toxicities were skin toxicity, oral mucositis, dryness of mouth and neurotoxicity. Patients in both groups mainly developed grade 2 skin toxicity and oral mucositis (44.2% vs 34.9% and 45.6% vs 39.5% in group A and B respectively). However, grade 2 dryness of mouth was observed among twenty patients in group A and eighteen patients in group B. Similarly, grade 1 neuropathy was mostly seen in both the group (41.86% vs 25.58% in group A and B respectively), but statistically not significant (p>0.05). 17(39.53%) and 05(11.63%) patients participated in group A developed grade 1 and grade 2 nephrotoxicity respectively, whereas 15(34.88%) and 03(06.98%) patients developed grade 1 and grade 2 nephrotoxicity respectively in group B. Statistically in significant (p>0.05). Hematological toxicity was also seen frequently in both the arms but statistically insignificant. Conclusion: All skin toxicity, oral mucositis, dryness of mouth, neurotoxicity and hematological toxicity were comparable between the two arms. The toxicities were acceptable ....

Background: Gastric carcinoma is one of the commonest cancers in Bangladesh. The goal of this study was to assess at the clinico-epidemiological characteristics of individuals with gastric cancer. Methods: This descriptive, cross- sectional study was conducted from November 2021 to October 2022, 120 patients with gastric cancer were included at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Department of Clinical Oncology. A pre-made questionnaire was used to collect data from patients during face-to-face interviews. Results: The mean age of the patients was 53.0 (±11.496) years, most of the patients (46.6%) were 51 – 60 years of age, 75.0 % of enrolled patients were male, 35.0 % of patients were service holder. The bulk of the cases had H. pylori infection (73.3%). The most common histological type among the patients was adenocarcinoma (95%). In terms of primary tumor location, the gastric antrum (50.0%) was the most prevalent subsite. Most of the patients were diagnosed as locally advanced stage. Conclusions: In conclusion, gastric cancer occurs mainly in middle aged males and associated with H. pylori infection. Adenocarcinoma is the most frequent histological form, with the gastric antrum as the main location of tumors and advanced stage.

Background: In Bangladesh, hypopharyngeal cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in head neck region. In this study, the clinico-epidemiological characteristics of patients with hypopharyngeal cancer were evaluated. Methods: From November 2021 to October 2022, 172 patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma were included in this descriptive, cross-sectional study at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib medical university's department of clinical oncology. During in-person interviews, data were gathered from patients using a pre-made questionnaire. Results: The mean age of the patients was 54.42 (±7.652) years, and the majority of them (59.3%) were between the ages of 51 and 60. Male patients made up 81.4% of the total patient population, and 51.16% of them were farmers. The majority of the cases (79.07%) consumed tobacco. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most prevalent histological type among the patients (92%), and most of them had a moderate degree of differentiation (65.12%). The pyriform fossa (81.4%) was the most common primary sub site. Conclusions: In conclusion, tobacco users and middle-aged men are more likely to develop hypopharyngeal cancer. The most common histological type is moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, with tumours most commonly seen in the pyriform fossa of hypopharynx.

Myiasis is a parasitic infestation caused by the larvae of several fly species in various body wound and orifices. Vulvar myiasis is an extremely rare location. This is a case report of a 25 years old pregnant lady who presented with signs of burning sensation, itching and irritation invulval area. Vulval inspection revealed an ulcer on mons pubis with induration and tiny maggots crawling over the ulcer. She was managed conservatively with daily dressing and manual removal of larva along with vaseline gauge packing and application of topical antimicrobials as well as prophylactic systemic antibiotics. The wound was left to heal by secondary intention. Patientwas discharged after seven days of hospital stay with advice on personal hygiene to avoid reinfection.