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Background: This study assessed the role of fertility preserving surgery in the treatment of patients with stage 1a ovarian carcinoma, with or without chemotherapy. Methods: The study was done in NCI-Cairo University and El-Galaa Teaching Hospital from 2006 to 2011. 32 women younger than 35years, with histologically confirmed early ovarian carcinoma (FIGO stage 1a, G1, or G2), underwent fertility preserving resection for the treatment of their malignancies. Patients with borderline tumours were excluded from the study. Findings: Macroscopic unilateral tumuors were seen in 32 patients. Twenty-six (81%) patients had G1 tumours, among which 18 (69%) tumours were serous, six of 18 (30%) were mucinous, two (7.77%) were endometrioid, and none was clear cell type. Six (19%) patients had G2 tumours, all of which were serous cell type. The median follow up period was 48months. Two (6%) women were lost to follow up. Three (10%) women went for a second look operation after pregnancy, during cesarean section. All of them were free of any detectable disease. Two (7%) patients had abdominal exploration to investigate abnormal ultrasound finding. One patient with an invasive recurrence had completion to radical surgery with pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy, and remained free of disease until the end of the follow up period. Another patient with a borderline tumour underwent ovarian cystectomy with ovarian preservation and continued her follow up period without further events. Since this patient had a borderline tumour, we regarded this study recurrence rate to be only one patient (3%), without any mortality. None of our patients had distant metastases. After treatment, only 18 of 30 (60%) women have recorded attempted conception, 12 of 18 (67%) had full term pregnancy, four of 18 (22%) had mid-trimestric abortion. All patients had normal conceptions and normal vaginal deliveries after full-term pregnancies. Interpretation: Fertility preserving surgery in stage 1a, G1, or G2 ovarian carcinoma can be considered proper treatment strategy in patients with this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Survival rates of paediatric rhabdomyosarcoma have improved tremendously during the past decade by the development of risk stratification. This approach has favoured tailoring of treatment using multi-therapeutic modalities. Methods: Patients were given upfront surgical resection followed by systemic chemotherapy using the vincristine/actinomycin-D/cyclophosphamide (VAC) regimen, with subsequent further local control by surgery or radiotherapy, or both, according to risk stratification into low, intermediate, and high risk groups. Findings: The study included 40 patients; their median age was 3.5years (range: 8months to 17years), 28 were boys and 12 were girls. 2-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were 87% and 45% respectively. After univariate analysis, OS was 100% for a complete response versus 92% for only partial response (p=0.03). OS was 94% if there were no distant metastasis versus 66% if metastasis was present (p=0.024). On the other hand, EFS was 88% for complete response versus 46% for partial response (p<0.001), and was 80% if upfront surgery was done versus 33% if only simple biopsy was taken (p=0.03). Local radiotherapy versus no radiotherapy was highly associated with EFS, with a difference of 75% versus 0%, respectively (p<0.001). Interpretation: Complete response and extent of disease are two important factors influencing survival in childhood rhabdomyosarcoma. Both local control measures, surgical resection and radiation therapy, and treatment response are important variables predicting EFS. The poor outcome of patients with metastatic disease necessitates further therapeutic approaches to improve survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The improvement in surgical techniques alongside neoadjuvant chemoradiation enabled more patients with low rectal cancer to have sphincter preservation., Study Aim: To compare the oncologic and functional outcome in patients with locally advanced low rectal cancer treated by neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by sphincter saving resection (SSR) against those who underwent abdomino-perineal resection (APR)., Patients and Methods: A total of 111 patients with low rectal cancer were included in the study. Sixty-one consented patients who prospectively underwent SSR, from Jan 2008 to Jan 2013, and a retrospective group, formed of 50 patients, selected from cases seen at NCI, with comparable demographic, clinical and pathologic criteria, who underwent APR from Jan 2003 to Jan 2008. All lesions were <5 cm from anal verge. All 111 patients received preoperative chemoradiation and total mesorectal excision., Results: All tumors were located at a median of 3.6 cm (range 2.5-4.5 cm) for the SSR group, and 3.5 cm (range 2.5-4.6 cm) for the APR group, from the anal verge. The median follow-up was 34 months (range 1-60 months) for both groups. The difference in disease recurrence and OS between the APR and SSR groups were both statistically insignificant., Conclusion: In low rectal cancer, the sphincter preservation appears to have nearly the same oncologic outcome compared to APR, this might be attributed to the small sample size and short follow up period. However, patients with sphincter preservation have certainly demonstrated an indisputable better functional outcome, in terms of stoma avoidance and adequate continence., (Copyright © 2014. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Oncoplastic breast surgery is a standard treatment of early breast cancer, offering a balance between good cosmetic outcome and limited risk of locoregional recurrence, by enabling proper resection margins., Aim of Study: To present multiple techniques of partial breast reconstruction following the resection of centrally located breast cancer (CLBC) resection., Patients and Methods: From January 2011 to August 2014, 21 patients underwent central quadrantectomy for carcinoma of the central region of the breast. Excisions included the nipple/areola complex, in most of the cases, down to the pectoralis fascia with a wide safety margin, and proper axillary management. Oncoplastic approaches included latissimus dorsi flap, inferior pedicle flap, Melon slice, Grisotti and round block techniques., Results: Mean age of patients was 49.5±10.61 years. Tumor size ranged from 1.5 to 4.5 cm. Postoperative pathology revealed a tumor mean safety margin of 2.5±0.83 cm, with positive axillary lymph nodes in 15 (75.0%) patients. Nineteen (95.0%) patients received postoperative breast radiotherapy, while 9/20 (45.0%) and 3/20 (15.0%) received adjuvant chemotherapy or hormonal therapy, respectively, and only 8/20 (40.0%) patients received both therapies. During a median follow-up period of 14.89 months, neither local nor distant metastasis, were detected. The postoperative cosmetic result evaluated by the patients was excellent in 6/20 patients (30.0%), good in 11/20 patients (55.0%), fair in 3/20 (15.0%) with neither poor nor bad results, with an overall mean of 4.0±0.5 equivalent to 80% satisfaction., Conclusion: Multiple oncoplastic breast surgery techniques can be used for the resection of CLBC with satisfying cosmetic outcomes., (Copyright © 2014. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: The incidence of rectal cancer recurrence after surgery is 5-45%. Extended pelvic resection which entails En-bloc resection of the tumor and adjacent involved organs provides the only true possible curative option for patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer., Aim: To evaluate the surgical and oncological outcome of such treatment., Patients and Methods: Between 2006 and 2012 a consecutive series of 40 patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer underwent abdominosacral resection (ASR) in 18 patients, total pelvic exenteration with sacral resection in 10 patients and extended pelvic exenteration in 12 patients. Patients with sacral resection were 28, with the level of sacral division at S2-3 interface in 10 patients, at S3-4 in 15 patients and S4-5 in 3 patients., Results: Forty patients, male to female ratio 1.7:1, median age 45 years (range 25-65 years) underwent extended pelvic resection in the form of pelvic exenteration and abdominosacral resection. Morbidity, re-admission and mortality rates were 55%, 37.5%, and 5%, respectively. Mortality occurred in 2 patients due to perineal flap sepsis and massive myocardial infarction. A R0 and R1 sacral resection were achieved in 62.5% and 37.5%, respectively. The 5-year overall survival rate was 22.6% and the 4-year recurrence free survival was 31.8%., Conclusion: Extended pelvic resection as pelvic exenteration and sacral resection for locally recurrent rectal cancer are effective procedures with tolerable mortality rate and acceptable outcome. The associated morbidity remains high and deserves vigilant follow up., (Copyright © 2014. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.)

Background and Aim: The incidence of invasion of the thyroid gland by hypopharyngeal carcinomas is reported to be up to 57%. Our aim was to analyze the frequency of thyroid gland invasion in hypopharyngeal carcinoma treated by thyroidectomy with total laryngopharyngectomy and to identify patients in whom preservation of the thyroid gland is oncologically feasible and hence reduces post-operative hypothyroidism., Patients and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 58 patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated by thyroidectomy with total laryngopharyngectomy at the National Cancer Institute, Cairo University between May 1996 and October 2005. Thyroid gland involvement was analyzed through review of charts and pathologic reports. Patients were assessed preoperatively by CT. The correlation between the thyroid gland involvement and the clinical and radiologic CT findings was meticulously examined., Results: Thyroid gland involvement occurred in 37.9% (22/58) of all patients. T4 hypopharyngeal tumors were present in 29.3% (n=17/58) of patients, paratracheal LN invasion was present in 37.9% (22/58) of patients, thyroid cartilage invasion was obvious in 19% (11/58) of patients, and previous radiotherapy was present in 5.2% (3/58) of patients. All patients with T4 hypopharyngeal tumors (n=17/58) and with thyroid cartilage involvement (n=11/58) had thyroid gland invasion as well. T4 hypopharyngeal tumors, paratracheal LN invasion, and thyroid cartilage invasion were statistically significant factors (P<0.001, P=0.009 and P<0.001 respectively) in independent correlation., Conclusion: We would advocate a total thyroidectomy in cases of advanced stages of hypopharyngeal carcinoma, bilateral tumors, postcricoid carcinoma and in all patients with definite radiological evidence of thyroid gland invasion., (Copyright © 2014. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.)

Introduction: Abdomino-perineal resection has been the standard treatment for rectal tumors located ≤5cm from the anal verge. Recently, intersphincteric resection became a valid option which preserves the bowel continuity with better functional outcome., Aim: Is to evaluate the oncological and functional outcome alongside the associated surgical morbidity in patients with T1-3 rectal cancer, who underwent intersphincteric resection (ISR)., Patients & Methods: Between the years 2006 and 2011, 55 patients with invasive rectal adenocarcinoma, T1-3 lesions, located 2-5cm from the anal verge underwent ISR with total mesorectal excision. When inevitable, complete. ISR was performed, otherwise partial ISR was done. All T3 patients underwent total meso-rectal excision (TME) while some had lateral lymph node dissection (LND) with concomitant pelvic autonomic nerve preservation (PANP)., Results: Among the 55 patients, 21 (38.1%) patients were T1-2 and 34 (61.9%) patients were T3. The tumor location range was 0-5cm from the anal verge (median 2.3cm). Partial or complete ISR was done for 35 (63.6%) and 20 (36.4%), respectively. Patients were followed for a median of 1.5 years (range 1-4.6 years). The 3 year local recurrence and distant metastasis free rates were 85.2% and 85.6%, respectively. All the 3 local recurrences occurred in T3 patients group, and had positive circumferential resection margins. Overall 3-year disease-free survival was 82.6%; while the overall 3-year survival was 88.7%., Conclusion: Intersphincteric resection with TME does not affect the local recurrence or overall survival rate in early rectal cancer T1-2 & 3, with preservation of bowel continuity and better life quality., (Copyright © 2014. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.)

Aim: To assess the role of fertility preserving surgery in treatment of patients with stage IA, G1 or G2 ovarian carcinoma without adjuvant chemotherapy., Patients and Methods: From 2006 to 2008, a prospective non-randomized study recruited 150 women, with suspicious early malignant ovarian mass., Results: Among the 150 explored patients, only 43 (28.6%) patients underwent exploration. Only 32/150 (21.3%) patients had proven stage IA, either G1 or G2, epithelial ovarian cancer. Among the 32 patients, 22 (68.7%) patients were nullipara while 10 (32.1%) had one child. All patients had unilateral tumors; 26 (81.25%) patients had G1 and 6 (18.75%) patients had G2 tumors; 24/32 (75.0%) tumors were serous, 6/32 (18.7%) were mucinous and 2/32 (6.2%) were endometrioid, and none was clear cell type. The median follow up period was 58.5 months (ranged: 48-72 months). Two patients (6.7%) were lost during follow up; data will be presented for the remaining 30 patients. One patient, at 27th month of follow up, had open abdominal exploration to investigate abnormal pelvic mass on routine ultrasound follow up examination. Frozen section revealed recurrent invasive mucinous tumor. She underwent radical surgery with pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy, and remained free of disease, for the remaining 29 months of the follow up period. Neither distant metastases nor mortality were reported among our patients., Conclusion: Fertility preserving surgery can be considered a safe treatment strategy in patients with stage IA, G1 or G2 ovarian carcinoma., (Copyright © 2013. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.)

Background and Aim: Breast cancers (BCs) involve the left side (LS) more than the right side (RS). Among the Egyptians, neither BC laterality nor its association with demographic factors, tumor locations, treatments and outcomes were previously reported., Patients and Methods: Laterality was analyzed among 5459 BCs from the Gharbiah population-based cancer registry covering >5% of the Egyptian population. Cox proportional model was used to assess the independent effect of stage, ER, and laterality on overall survival (OS)., Results: In Egypt, BCs involve LS more than RS with LS-to-RS ratio (LRR) of 1.16. LS predominance was evident among men and women and both younger (< 45 years) and older patients. HER2 over-expression and ductal cancers were significantly more in RSBCs while lobular cancers were significantly more in LSBCs. There were no significant differences in localization within the breast between LSBCs and RSBCs (p = 0.51). LS predominance was noticed across all subgroups except in patients with HER2 positive tumors (LRR = 0.63; p = 0.02). OS was significantly better in stage II and ER positive tumors than stage III and ER negative tumors. Despite OS of LSBCs being generally lower than RSBCs, this was not statistically significant. The significant impact of stage on OS was lost in LSBCs., Conclusions: Among Egyptian patients, the left breast is at greater risk of cancer than the right one. Despite right-sided tumors seemed more aggressive, Left-sided ones tend to confer worse survival than right-sided tumors., (Copyright © 2013. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.)

Eight cyclic peroxide norterpenoids, compounds 1-8, have been isolated and characterized from the Red Sea sponge Diacarnus erythraeanus, including two new norsesterterpene derivatives (3, 4). Among these metabolites, (-)-muqubilin A (5) (nine cell lines analyzed) and the new compounds 3 and 4 (seven cell lines analyzed) displayed mean IC₅₀ growth inhibitory concentrations in vitro of <10 μM, while the remaining compounds (1, 6-8) were inactive in these cancer cell lines. Compound 5 displayed no selectivity between normal and cancer cells in terms of in vitro growth inhibition. Quantitative video microscopy analysis carried out on (-)-muqubilin A-treated cells validated the data obtained by means of the MTT colorimetric assay, while flow cytometry analysis revealed ROS production but no induction of apoptosis in cancer cells.

Background: It was observed during dissection of heavy deposits of axillary lymph nodes (LNs) in breast cancer that there were grossly positive LNs outside the confines of classical axillary dissection., Aim of Study: To know the extent of LN metastases in these new basins by dissecting and labeling them separately, for pathological examination and proper staging of those patients., Patients and Methods: From 2005 to 2009, 59 private patients with breast cancer who had positive axillary LNs were subjected to axillary dissection with accurate leveling according to its relation to pectoralis minor. In addition to the classical three levels, the brachial, thoracoacromial, humeral, scapular and Rotter's lymph nodes were dissected., Results: Levels I, II and III axillary LNs were involved in 91.5%, 62.7%, and 52.5%, respectively. Skip metastases (without the involvement of level one) were found in 5/59 patients (8.4%). Brachial, acromiothoracic, humeral and Rotter's LNs were involved in 10.1%, 15.2%, 5% and 1.7%, respectively, with no metastatic deposits encountered in scapular LNs. In our patients, lymphedema of the ipsilateral upper limb was nearly of the same incidence as after classical axillary dissection., Conclusion: In addition to the classic complete axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) indicated in patients with breast cancer with axillary LNs metastases, dissection of the brachial, acromiothoracic, humeral, Rotter's and scapular LNs, is recommended for proper staging., (Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Aim: We aim to evaluate the National Cancer Institute (NCI) treatment protocol and its outcome regarding recurrence, progression and survival in patients with T1G3 urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma., Patients and Methods: In a retrospective study, between January 2001 and December 2007, all 34 patients with T1G3 bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), after complete transurethral resection (TURBT), received intravesical BCG as adjuvant therapy. A conservative approach was adopted, whereby those with superficial recurrences were eligible to TURBT, with delayed cystectomy for progression to muscle invasion. Overall, recurrence, and progression-free survival were analyzed., Results: Thirty-three patients were included, 29 were males and 4 were females. The mean age was 61 years (range 35-89 years). Final analysis was made at median follow-up of 15 months (Range of 3-68 months, mean 18 months) for survival. Eleven (33.3%) patients had multifocal tumors. Associated schistosomiasis was present in 12 (36.6%) patients. Twenty-two (66.67%) patients showed recurrence. Eleven out of these 22 (50.0%) patients progressed to muscle invasion and underwent radical cystectomy. Ten out of 34 (30.3%) patients received postcystectomy radiotherapy. Two (20.0%) of them, were staged as TNM stage II, 6 (60.0%) as TNM stage III and 2 (20.0%) patients were TNM stage IV. Eight (72.7%) of these 11 patients had post-cystectomy radiotherapy alone; while the 2 (6.0%) other patients with stage IV had adjuvant concomitant Cisplatin and Gemcitabine chemotherapy. Five (14%) patients of those cystectomy patients died of TCC. Three (60%) patients died from metastatic disease (to lung, liver and bone), one patient died from advanced locoregional disease and another patient died from postoperative complications. Among those patients who received radiotherapy alone, 62.5% are alive. Although, we report a biologically more aggressive behavior of T1G3 than that reported by some authors, for this conservative approach, the overall survival (OS) was (84.4%) and the recurrence-free survival (RFS) was (41.3%), at 18 months; which are comparable to those reported in the literature for the delayed cystectomy approach., Conclusion: Adjuvant intravesical therapy with BCG with repeated cystoscopies, and delayed radical cystectomy until progression to the invasive disease carries a significant risk of mortality from invasive disease. This treatment policy may be acceptable for T1G3 bladder TCC, without concomitant carcinoma in situ (CIS), who don't recur after intravesical BCG, however, patients who progress to invasive disease may skip stage II disease and present with stage III or IV, with consequent poor survival. Therefore, due to the aggressive biologic behavior of T1G3 cancer, a determination of a cutoff number for recurrence(s) or better evaluation parameters are needed, to proceed with cystectomy without awaiting muscle invasion., Key Words: Superficial bladder cancer - T1G3 TCC - Delayed cystectomy - BCG.

Opisthobranch molluscs with both a rich variety of secondary metabolites and great biomedical potential represent the most intensively studied group of molluscs in natural product chemistry. We review here the chemical investigations into secondary metabolites of "sea slugs" from less-studied Indian, Chinese and Egyptian coasts, giving an overview of their most relevant biological activities. In addition to the biomedical interest of the metabolites, in which both structures and organisms often lose their own importance, this chapter emphasizes the phyletic and geographic distribution of the compounds in order to provide a further informational base for chemotaxonomical generalizations.

Purpose: To study the role of cytoreductive surgery in the management of advanced epithelial tumors of the ovary and its effect on survival., Patients and Methods: A prospective study of fifty eight female patients presenting with stage III and VI epithelial ovarian tumors attending the National Cancer Institute, Cairo University during the period from January 2003 to of December 2004. All patients were evaluated clinically, radiologically (including plain chest-X-ray and abdomino-pelvic ultrasound and/or CT), laboratory work up and CA-125. Abdominal exploration under general anesthesia with intent of maximum surgical cytoreduction was performed for all patients. Patients were followed up during the period of the study by history and physical examination, CA-125 measurement and abdomino-pelvic ultrasound or CT., Results: Our study included 58 female patients with advanced epithelial tumors of the ovary. Their age ranged from 18 to 73 years with a mean age of 49 years. Pathological distribution of the lesions were borderline malignancy in 5 patients (8.6%) and malignant in 53 patients (91.4%). According to FIGO classification there were 46 patients stage III (79%) and 12 patients stage VI disease (21%). Eighteen patients (31%) had surgery prior to admission to NCI. Cytoreductive surgery was done for 51 patients (88%), while 7 patients (12%) had exploration and biopsy only, one of whom had palliative colostomy for large bowel obstruction. Intraoperative surgical complications were encountered in 5 patients (8.6%), all were managed intraoperatively. We had no early postoperative mortalities and 8 postoperative morbidities (13.7%). All patients were referred for chemotherapy. Thirteen patients (22.4%) had local recurrence within the follow up period of the study which was between 8-24 months. One patient died from locally advanced disease and the rest of the patients were explored and lesions were surgically resected., Conclusion: Surgery remains a major line of therapy in ovarian cancer including advanced lesions. Extensive procedures to maintain a R0 result are crucial to reach a satisfactory local disease control. The NCI, as well as all tertiary cancer centers, has an important role in providing this quality of surgery especially in advanced cases. Chemotherapy remains the hope to ameliorate the survival especially in advanced cases. The close coordination between surgery and chemotherapy in the form of Intra- Peritoneal Hyperthermic Chemotherapy (IPHC) represents a hope for patients with advanced disease and should be introduced and established in all major cancer centers.

Purpose: To review the clinical presentation, surgical management, and prognostic factors for gastrointestinal stromal tumors., Patients and Methods: A prospective study which was carried out between January 2002 and March 2004 on thirty-three patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) at the National Cancer Institute, Cairo University. All patients were evaluated preoperatively and underwent exploratory laparotomy with a curative intent, they were followed up for period ranging between 14-35 months., Results: Among the 33 patients there were 17 males and 16 females. The mean age of patients was 52.8 years. Clinical findings included gastrointestinal bleeding (42.4%), palpable mass (33.3%) and abdominal pain (24.3%). The stomach was the most common site of origin of the disease (39.4%), followed by the colorectal region (24.2%). Tumors were high grade in 63.6% of patients and low-grade in 36.4% of patients. Complete resection of all gross disease was accomplished in 26 patients (78.7%), among whom, multiple adjacent organ resection was required in 6 patients (22.2 %) and metastatic disease was identified in the liver in 3 patients at the time of exploratory surgery of these one could be resected. Immunohistochemical staining for CD117 was positive in 88.9% of patients. The median follow-up period was 20 months (range, 14-35 months). The overall median survival in this study was 25 months, and the cumulative survival at 30 months was 46.9%. Unfavorable prognostic factors were incomplete resection and, high-grade histological features (p<0.05). None of the patients received adjuvant or palliative chemotherapy. Twenty six patients (78.8%) are alive free of disease. Of the 7 patients with incomplete resections or biopsy only; 4 patients (12.1%) are alive with disease and 3 patients died., Conclusion: Surgical resection, including en bloc resection of locally advanced tumors, remains the only curative treatment. Overall survival is significantly affected by high-grade tumors and positive resection margin.