MyMedR

Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 627 in total

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext Prevalence of human papillomavirus in abnormal cervical smears in Malaysian patients

Sharifah NA, Seeni A, Nurismah MI, Clarence-Ko CH, Hatta AZ, Ho NP, et al.

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009 Apr-Jun;10(2):303-6.
PMID: 19537900

Cervical cancer is the second most common female malignancy in Malaysia. Despite advances in treatment, the overall survival for this disease has not changed in the last decade. Infection by certain types of HPV is recognized as a causal and necessary factor for its development. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of HPV infection in abnormal cervical smears in Malaysian patients using archival cervical smears retrieved from the Cytopathology Unit, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) between the years 1992-1995. DNA was extracted from 38 abnormal smears comprising 25 intraepithelial lesions and 13 cervical carcinomas and 10 normal smears. Amplification of HPV genes was carried out using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. HPV genotypes were determined using direct sequencing and the results were compared to the database from Genebank. DNA was successfully extracted from all 48 cervical smears. High-risk HPV (HR-HPV) genotypes were detected in 95% of the abnormal smears. Eight high-risk oncogenic types were identified: 16, 18, 31, 51, 52, 56, 58 and 66. All (100%) cervical cancer smears showed presence of HR-HPV compared to 92% of the cervical intraepithelial lesions. Among the eight HR-HPV genotypes identified, HPV 16 and 52 were the commonest (23.7% each) HPV genotypes encountered and among the CIN lesions, HPV 16 (28%) was the most frequent. We conclude that HPV 16 is the most prevalent HPV genotype present in abnormal cervical smears in Malaysian patients, and that the use of archival material to assess the presence of HPV is potentially worthwhile, and can be utilized for longitudinal studies of HPV presence and persistence.
Factors associated with HER2 overexpression in breast cancer: Experience in an Asian developing country

Tan GH, Choo WY, Taib NA, Yip CH

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009;10(5):837-40.
PMID: 20104975

INTRODUCTION: The HER2 gene is amplified in up to 30% of human breast cancers, leading to overexpression of the HER2 protein on the cell surface. Overexpression of HER2 is associated with a more aggressive cancer and hence a poorer overall survival.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between clinico-pathological features and HER2 overexpression in breast cancer.
METHODS: This is a retrospective study conducted in the Department of Surgery, University Malaya Medical Centre. The association between HER2 overexpression, determined by immunohistochemistry, and other clinicopathological factors was evaluated in 996 patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer treated from 2005 to 2007 using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.
RESULTS: HER2 overexpression occurred in 30.3% of patients. On bivariate analysis, HER2 overexpression was inversely related to ER expression (p<0.01) and PR expression (p<0.01). This overexpression was associated with a higher tumour grade, lymphovascular positivity and infiltrating ductal carcinoma subtype. On multivariate analysis, HER2 overexpression was significantly associated with higher tumour grade (p= 0.018, CI 1.25-11.04), PR negativity (p= 0.002, CI 0.30-0.77) and lymphovascular positivity (p= 0.042, CI 1.01-2.12).
CONCLUSIONS: HER2 overexpression was observed in 30.3% of Malaysian female breast cancer patients. This group of patients represents a more aggressive subtype of breast cancer with higher tumour grade, PR negativity and lymphovascular positivity. No significant relationship was established between HER2 overexpression and age, race, lymph node, ER, pathology subtype and stage of disease from this study.
Fulltext Challenges to cervical screening in a developing country: The case of Malaysia

Othman NH, Rebolj M

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009;10(5):747-52.
PMID: 20104963

OBJECTIVES: Many developing countries, including Malaysia, will need to continue relying on cervical screening because they will not be able to cover their entire female adolescent populations with HPV vaccination. The aim of this paper was to establish the extent of the health care, informational, financial and psychosocial barriers to cervical screening in Malaysia.

METHODS: A literature search was made for reports on implementation, perceptions and reception of cervical screening in Malaysia published between January 2000 and September 2008.

RESULTS: Despite offering Pap smears for free since 1995, only 47.3% of Malaysian women have been screened. Several factors may have contributed to this. No national call-recall system has been established. Women are informed about cervical screening primarily through mass media rather than being individually invited. Smears are free of charge if taken in public hospitals and clinics, but the waiting times are often long. The health care system is unequally dense, with rural states being underserved compared to their urban counterparts. If the screening coverage was to increase, a shortage of smear-readers would become increasingly apparent.

CONCLUSIONS: Improving screening coverage will remain an important strategy for combating cervical cancer in Malaysia. The focus should be on the policy-making context, improving awareness and the screening infrastructure, and making the service better accessible to women.
Fulltext Food intake and colorectal adenomas: a case-control study in Malaysia

Ramadas A, Kandiah M

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009;10(5):925-32.
PMID: 20104992

It is well established that almost all colorectal cancers arise from benign, neoplastic adenomatous polyps. In previous studies, intake of fruits, vegetables and legumes were found to decrease the risk for colorectal adenomas (CRA) and colorectal cancer. This case-control study aimed to evaluate the roles of a variety of foods in contributing to the risk of CRA in Malaysian subjects. One hundred and eighteen subjects were recruited into case (n=59) and control (n=59) groups at Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL). A pre-tested quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to record the types of food items and frequency consumed. Logistic regression was used to determine the crude and adjusted odds ratios of the independent variables. Soy bean and soy products were associated with a reduced risk for CRA (OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.15-0.98), while tubers were associated with increase in risk four-fold (OR = 4.14, 95% CI = 1.60-10.70) and red meat intake was found to increase the risk two and a half-fold (OR = 2.51, 95% CI = 1.02-6.28). Higher servings of fruits and vegetables were found to significantly decrease the risk (OR fruits = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.30-0.74; OR vegetables = 0.49, 95% = 0.29-0.80). In conclusion, our data support protective roles for soy, fruits and vegetables in the aetiology of colorectal adenomas and increase in risk in those with high intakes of red meat and tubers. Food intake of an individual may have an influence on one's risk for developing CRA. This finding warrants further investigation before the protective effect of these food items is to be accepted. New studies should explore the possibility of these associations among individuals in the general population especially with regard to different ethnic or other groups in Malaysia with low fruit and vegetable consumption.
Mammography screening: Female doctors'attitudes and practice in Sana'a, Yemen

Al-Naggar RA, Isa ZM, Shah SA, Chen R, Kadir SY

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009;10(5):743-6.
PMID: 20104962

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the main hospitals in Sana'a, Yemen to determine the attitude and practice of Yemen female doctors on mammography screening. Study subjects were all female doctors who were on duty during the questionnaire distribution. Those who agreed to participate were given the questionnaire to complete. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse socio-demographic variables and variables related to general health. Participants in this study were 105 female doctors with mean age of 32.1 years (SD = 7.17). Thirty-four respondents (36.6%) did not send asymptomatic women for mammography screening. The reasons were because of high cost (58.0%, n= 25), availability of other methods (23.3%, n= 10), instrument not available (11.6%, n= 5) and high risk of radiation (7.0%, n= 3). Twenty-five participants (26.9%) sent patients on regular basis if there was a family or personal history of breast cancer. Twenty-three participants (24.7%) sent the patients for mammogram screening every year regardless of the patients'history or symptoms. Although most doctors (36.5%) do not refer patients for mammography screening, seventy-seven (74.0%) indicated that they would refer patients for mammography screening on personal request by the patients. This study showed a low percentage of doctors who referred patients for routine mammography. The major reason given was the high cost of the procedure.
Fulltext Filgrastim and antibiotics treatment reduces neutropenia severity in solid cancer patients

Hassan BA, Yusoff ZB, Othman SB

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009 Oct-Dec;10(4):641-4.
PMID: 19827886

INTRODUCTION: Neutropenia has a detrimental effect on cancer patients' quality of life, also possibly resulting in a reduction in the chemotherapy dose which could lead to an increment in the size of a cancer. The main danger associated with neutropenia is the risk of bacterial, fungal or viral infection, which may lead to patient death. Treatment including granulocyte-colony stimulating factors (G-CSF, filgrastim) so as to increase the body immunity is given to neutropenic patients with no infection i.e., absence of fever. However, when infection is present, antibiotics such as ceftazidime, imipenem and vancomycin need to be used.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to find the association between neutropenia severity and treatment with filgrastim (Neupogen) alone or in combination with antibiotics in solid cancer patients.

METHODS: This is an observational retrospective study on 117 cases suffering from neutropenia after chemotherapy administration. The patients were admitted to a government hospital for cancer treatment between the years 2003-2006. The types of data collected were categorical and not normally distributed, covering demography, chemotherapy, severity of neutropenia (classified on absolute neutrophil count into mild, moderate and severe) and treatment of neutropenia, either filgrastim (Neupogen) alone or in combination with antibiotics. Statistical tests used were the Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and logistic regression.

RESULTS: The majority (69.2%) of the patients were treated with filgrastim (81) alone, only 30.8% receiving the combination. Significant associations between both treatments and neutropenia severity. Both Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests showed P= 0.001. Logistic regression showed that filgrastim is the major treatment for severe neutropenic patients since the result showed an infinity (E) and P= 0.001 for filgrastim alone more than its combination with antibiotic.

CONCLUSION: The use of filgrastim is highly associated with treatment of severe neutropenia in solid cancer patients who received chemotherapy. So filgrastim is considered as the drug of choice in the presence of severe neutropenic cases.
Fulltext Targeting health disparity in breast cancer: insights into women's knowledge of their cancer profile in Malaysia

Loh S, Packer TL, Yip CH, Passmore A

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009 Oct-Dec;10(4):631-6.
PMID: 19827884

OBJECTIVE: Poor health literacy is positively associated with poorer quality of health decision-making and health outcomes in women facing a cancer diagnosis. In developing countries, poor access to complete and accurate information continues to pose a challenge for women. This paper describes the knowledge of Malaysian women with regard to breast cancer and how participation in a self-management program can improve the situation.

METHODS: Secondary analysis of data collected during a clinical trial on women newly diagnosed with breast cancer (n=147) was performed to examine baseline knowledge of breast cancer profile. Knowledge levels of women in the experimental (n= 69) group attending a self-management program were compared to a control group (n= 78) to determine change in the level of knowledge over time.

RESULTS: At baseline, a high percentage of women were unaware of their breast cancer profile. Not a single woman had knowledge of all six basic characteristics; 83% did not know their HER2 status, type of breast cancer (68%), grade of cancer cell (64%), hormonal receptor status (55%), size of breast cancer (18%) and/or their stage of breast cancer (13%). At post intervention, there was significantly better knowledge within the experimental group.

CONCLUSION: Malaysian women in this cohort study demonstrated very low levels of knowledge of their cancer profile. Clinical implications for countering treatment-decision difficulties include the need for a shift in the way information and services are delivered to allow women to take a more active role in their own care. Multi-modal efforts including basic information dissemination to increase women's knowledge can contribute to narrowing of the gap in health disparity.
Fulltext Cervical cancer screening: patients understanding in major hospitals in Malaysia

Othman NH, Devi BC, Halimah Y

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009 Oct-Dec;10(4):569-74.
PMID: 19827871

We studied women with cervical cancer to determine whether they had had a Pap smear within the 3 years preceding cancer development and their understanding of screening for this cancer. The study had 2 parts; Pathology Data and Survey Data. For pathology data, all cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in 2000-2006 were retrieved from eight hospitals and Pap smear history was obtained from clinical records. For the Survey data; patients who were still undergoing treatment in some of these hospitals and three others were administered structured questionnaires to determine their awareness about screening. The results showed 1431 cases of cervical cancer in women aged 25-85 were diagnosed in these hospitals. Most had not had a Pap smear within 3 years before cancer development. The percentages of patients who had had Pap smear ranged from 0-12%. Questionnaires were returned by 221 patients; 56.3% had none or only primary education and 61.1% had a household income of RM 1,000 or less. Level of education and the household income were strongly associated (p<0.05) with knowledge and having had a Pap test. The main reasons cited for not having had a Pap smear were "Never heard about it" (36.2%), "Shy" (10.4%), "Afraid to do it" (13.1%), "Think the test is not important" (8.1%) and "No encouragement from family" (4.5%). A large majority (95.9%) of the patients did not know the optimal interval. In conclusion, a large number of cervical cancer patients had not had a Pap smear within 3 years preceding cancer development and most had inadequate knowledge about this screening test.
Fulltext Building partnership in oral cancer research in a developing country: processes and barriers

Zain RB, Ghani WM, Razak IA, Latifah RJ, Samsuddin AR, Cheong SC, et al.

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009 Jul-Sep;10(3):513-8.
PMID: 19640201

BACKGROUND: The rising burden of cancer in the developing world calls for a re-evaluation of the treatment strategies employed to improve patient management, early detection and understanding of the disease. There is thus an increasing demand for interdisciplinary research that integrates two or more disciplines of what may seemed to be highly unrelated and yet very much needed as strategies for success in research. This paper presents the processes and barriers faced in building partnerships in oral cancer research in a developing country.

METHODS: A case study was undertaken in a developing country (Malaysia) to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the situation leading to the formation of a multidisciplinary research partnership in oral cancer. Following the formalization of the partnership, further evaluation was undertaken to identify measures that can assist in sustaining the partnership.

RESULTS: The group identifies its strength as the existence of academia, research-intensive NGOs and good networking of clinicians via the existence of the government's network of healthcare provider system who are the policy makers. The major weaknesses identified are the competing interest between academia and NGOs to justify their existence due to the lack of funding sources and well trained human resources.

CONCLUSIONS: With the growing partnership, the collaborative group recognizes the need to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines for the sharing and usage of resources in order to safeguard the interest of the original partners while also attending to the needs of the new partners.
Fulltext Clinical characteristics of triple-negative breast cancer: experience in an Asian developing country

Tan GH, Taib NA, Choo WY, Teo SH, Yip CH

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009 Jul-Sep;10(3):395-8.
PMID: 19640180

INTRODUCTION: Triple negative (TN) breast cancers are defined by a lack of expression of oestrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors. They tend to have a higher grade, with a poorer outcome compared to non-TN breast cancers.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of TN breast cancer in an Asian country consisting of Malays, Chinese and Indians, and to determine the factors associated with this type of breast cancer.
RESULTS: The incidence of TN breast cancer in the University Malaya Medical Center is 17.6%. There is no significant difference amongst the Malays, Chinese and Indians. In bivariate analysis, TN breast cancer was significantly associated with younger age and Grade 3. However, in multivariate analysis using logistic regression, TN breast cancer was only associated with Grade 3.
CONCLUSION: The incidence of TN breast cancer in our study is similar to other studies, and associated with a higher grade.
Study site: University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC)
Fulltext Fine needle aspiration biopsy, core needle biopsy or excision biopsy to diagnose breast cancer - which is the ideal method?

Tham TM, Iyengar KR, Taib NA, Yip CH

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009 Jan-Mar;10(1):155-8.
PMID: 19469645

BACKGROUND: The ideal method for diagnosis of breast cancer is debatable.
METHODS: The methods of diagnosis of 436 new cases of breast adenocarcinoma presenting from Jan 2005 till Dec 2006 at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) were examined in this study.
RESULTS: A total of 388 cases presented to the breast unit in UMMC primarily and 48 cases were diagnosed in non-breast units in other hospitals and referred for management. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was the commonest mode of initial diagnosis in 278 cases followed by core needle biopsy and surgical excision. In UMMC, FNAC was the commonest initial method (68.3%) compared to cases diagnosed outside UMMC, where 37.5% of cases were diagnosed by excision. Tumours less than 2cm were more likely to be diagnosed by excision biopsy.
CONCLUSION: The biopsy method used to confirm the diagnosis is influenced by where the patient first presents, and by the size of the tumour.
Fulltext Spectrum of thyroid lesions in hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia over 11years and a review of thyroid cancers in Malaysia

Othman NH, Omar E, Naing NN

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009;10(1):87-90.
PMID: 19469631

INTRODUCTION: Endemic goitre is a major concern in many nations including Malaysia. Seven states in the country have been identified by Ministry of Health of Malaysia to have high incidence of goitre and one of these is Kelantan.

METHODS: This is a retrospective study over an 11-year period from 1994 to 2004 on all thyroid specimens submitted to the Pathology Department, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), in Kelantan. Epidemiological data were retrieved from the patients' records and pathology findings from the pathology reports.

RESULTS: During this period, Department of Pathology HUSM received a total of 1,486 thyroid specimens. The female to male ratio was 6:1 and the median age was 40.0 years. The duration of goitre ranged from one to 15 years. Histopathological examination showed 71.9 percent were non-neoplastic and 28.1 percent neoplastic lesions. The hospital-based incidence of nodular hyperplasia was 9.9 per 100,000 admitted patients per year. The hospital-based incidence of all types of malignant thyroid cancers was 3.5 per 100,000. The most common malignancy was papillary carcinoma 76.6 percent. The majority of the cancers (59.5 percent) occurred in a background of nodular hyperplasia. Thyroid cancers made up 4.9 percent of all cancers seen in HUSM.

CONCLUSION: This study suggests that malignant thyroid lesions arising from multi-nodular goitre are high in a population living in an iodine-deficiency area.
Fulltext GSTM1, GSTT1 and CYP1A1 polymorphisms and risk of oral cancer: a case-control study in Jakarta, Indonesia

Amtha R, Ching CS, Zain R, Razak IA, Basuki B, Roeslan BO, et al.

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009 Jan-Mar;10(1):21-6.
PMID: 19469619

PURPOSE: to investigate genetic polymorphisms in GSTM1, GSTT1 and CYP1A1 and the association with the risk of oral cancer in the Jakarta population.
METHOD: A total of 81 cases and 162 controls matched for age and sex were selected from 5 hospitals in Jakarta. Sociodemographic data using questionnaires were obtained and peripheral blood samples were collected with informed consent for PCR-RFLP assay. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to obtain the association between the risk of oral cancer and GSTM1, GSTT1 and CYP1A1 polymorphisms.
RESULTS: GSTM1 and GSTT1 null were slightly overrepresented among cases (60.5% and 45.7% respectively) compared to controls (55.6% and 41.4% respectively), but no statistically significant differences were observed. In contrast, the distribution of CYP1A1 polymorphism was higher among controls compared to cases (52.5 % versus 42.4 %). The odds ratio of null GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes was slightly higher compared to wild type genotypes (OR 1.19, 95% CI 0.70-2.02 and OR 1.19, 95% CI 0.72-2.05 respectively). Furthermore, the presence of CYP1A1 polymorphism did not increase the risk of oral cancer (OR 0.70, 95% 0.39-1.25).
CONCLUSION: Genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1, GSTT1 and CYP1A1 may not be risk factors for oral cancer in the Jakarta population.
Fulltext Colorectal cancer patients in a tertiary referral centre in Malaysia: a five year follow-up review

Rashid MR, Aziz AF, Ahmad S, Shah SA, Sagap I

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009;10(6):1163-6.
PMID: 20192604

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the major malignancies in the world. In Malaysia, CRC is fast becoming the commonest cause of cancer death. Its etiology is complex, involving both environmental and genetic factors. This study looked at the profile and outcome of five-year follow-up of patients with CRC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective case review study done on CRC patients at University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Patientsandapos; socio-demographic characteristics, modalities of treatment, cancer characteristics and outcome at 5-year follow up were extracted from the case records.

RESULTS: A total of 107 case records of patients were analyzed. Peak age of CRC presentation was 40-69 years (71.1%). Male to female ratio was 1.2:1 with Chinese predominance (52.3%). Anaemia and its related symptoms including per rectal bleeding was the commonest clinical presentation. The median duration of clinical presentation was 13 weeks (IQR 21.8). More than two-thirds presented as non-emergency cases (69.2%). Most patients presented with Dukes C stage (40.2%). The overall 5-year survival rate was 40% with local recurrence rate of 19.6%. Metastasis after curative-intend treatment (surgery with adjuvant therapy) developed in 26% of patients. Lower recurrence (p = 0.016, OR = 0.205) and metastatic disease (p = 0.02, OR = 0.24) found among the Chinese patients. Almost half of the patients defaulted follow up care (43%), most often within the first year of treatment (22.4%) and the Chinese were the least likely to default (p= 0.04, OR = 0.45).

CONCLUSION: Socio-demographic profile of CRC patients in UKMMC is comparable to Asia pacific region. Apparent delay in seeking treatment gives rise to poor overall survival and local recurrence rates.
Histopathological findings for cervical lesions in Malaysian women

Al-Jashamy K, Al-Naggar RA, San P, Mashani M

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009;10(6):1159-62.
PMID: 20192603

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the histopathological features and cell morphology of various cervical lesions observed among Malaysian women.
METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate 77 cervical cases collected from the histopathology laboratory of Ipoh hospital from 1st January, 2005, to 31st December, 2006.
RESULTS: Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was found in 33 (42%) cases, CIN III accounting for 27%, and CIN I, CIN II and CIN II-III 5% each. The highest rate for CIN cases was 43% in the 41-50 year age group and the lowest rate was 6% in the group aged 61-70 years. Non-keratinizing and metastatic squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) accounted for 16% and 13%, respectively, the combination being second in majority (29%), followed by adenocarcinoma (17%). The histopathological results showed CIN I to be characterized by mild papillary projections of the epithelium with some degree of nuclear enlargement, pleomorphism, mild koilocytosis, bionucleated cells and a low nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio. CIN II demonstrated typical squamous epithelium with disorganization of the lower part of the epithelium accompanied by nuclear hyperchromatism, an increased nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio, and scanty mitotic figures. CIN III was characterized by pleomorphic nuclei, atypical cells with mitotic figures, nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio, anisokaryosis and hyperchromasia.
CONCLUSION: Lesions related to cervical cancer showed tumor progression correlating with histopathological changes in cell morphology.
Oral cancer presentation among Malay patients in hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan

Razak AA, Saddki N, Naing NN, Abdullah N

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009;10(6):1131-6.
PMID: 20192598

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify the characteristics of oral cancer among Malay patients in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), Kelantan.
METHODS: A retrospective record review was conducted from August to December 2006 in HUSM. Of 133 patients with oral cancer diagnosed from 1986 to 2005, 118 were Malay. Data on socio-demographic background, high-risk habits practiced, clinical and histological characteristics, and treatment profile of the patients were obtained.
RESULTS: Malay patients with oral cancer were predominantly elderly, aged 60 years old and above (51.7%) at the time of diagnosis, with a mean age of 58.1 years (SD 16.81). Most patients were males (64.4%) and the majority of them were married (83.9%). More than half (58.5%) had been smokers, and of those who smoked, 89.9% were males. Some had a betel quid chewing habit (22.9%) but none ever consumed alcohol. The majority of the patients (77.1%) were diagnosed at stage IV. The tongue was the most usual site involved (37.3%) and squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histological type seen (75.4%).
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of oral cancer among Malay patients in HUSM is high (88.7%). It is predominantly found in elderly males and the majority of cases present at advanced stage.
Risk factors for prostate cancer in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre: a case-control study

Subahir MN, Shah SA, Zainuddin ZM

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009;10(6):1015-20.
PMID: 20192575

INTRODUCTION: In Malaysia, prostate cancer is ranked 6th among male cancer and expected to increase in the future. Several factors have shown to be related to prostate cancer such as sociodemographic, lifestyle, diet, occupational exposure, medical and health status. This is the first time a similar study was conducted in Malaysia to recognize the risk factors for prostate cancer patients who came for treatment at University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC).
METHODS: Prostate cancer cases diagnosed between 2003 and 2008 which met with the inclusion criteria were included in the study. One hundred and twelfth (112) pairs of cases and controls matched by age and ethnicity were analysed. McNemar Odds Ratios (OR(M)) were calculated using McNemar Calculator software for univariate analysis while conditional logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis, both using SPSS version 12.0.
RESULTS: Most of the prostate cancer patients (68.8%) that came for treatment in UKMMC were above 70 years old. The majority were Chinese (50.0%) followed by Malay (46.4%) and Indian (3.6%). Multivariate analysis showed cases were more likely to have a first-degree relative with a history of cancer (OR= 3.77, 95% CI= 1.19-11.85), to have been exposed to pesticides (OR= 5.57, 95% CI= 1.75-17.78) and consumed more meat (OR= 12.23, 95% CI= 3.89-39.01). Significantly reduced risks of prostate cancer were noted among those consuming more vegetables (OR= 0.12, 95% CI= 0.02-0.84), more tomatoes (OR= 0.35, 95% CI= 0.13-0.93) and those who had frequent sexual intercourse (OR= 0.44, 95% CI= 0.19-0.96).
CONCLUSION: Some lifestyle and occupation factors are strong predictors of the occurrence of prostate cancer among patients in UKMMC. More importantly, with the identification of the potentially modifiable risk factors, proper public health intervention can be improved.
Impact of nutritional status on the quality of life of advanced cancer patients in hospice home care

Shahmoradi N, Kandiah M, Peng LS

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009;10(6):1003-09.
PMID: 20192573

BACKGROUND: Cancer patients frequently experience malnutrition and this is an important factor in impaired quality of life.
OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study examined the association between global quality of life and its various subscales with nutritional status among 61 (33 females and 28 males) advanced cancer patients cared for by selected hospices in peninsular Malaysia.
METHODS: The Patient Generated-Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and the Hospice Quality of Life Index (HQLI) were used to assess nutritional status and quality of life, respectively.
RESULTS: Nine (14.7%) patients were well-nourished, 32 (52.5%) were moderately or suspected of being malnourished while 20 (32.8%) of them were severely malnourished. The total HQLI mean score for these patients was 189.9-/+51.7, with possible scores ranging from 0 to 280. The most problem areas in these patients were in the domain of functional well-being and the least problems were found in the social/spiritual domain. PG-SGA scores significantly correlated with total quality of life scores (r2= 0.38, p<0.05), psychophysiological well-being (r2= 0.37, p<0.05), functional well-being (r2= 0.42, p<0.05) and social/ spiritual well-being (r2= 0.07, p<0.05). Thus, patients with a higher PG-SGA score or poorer nutritional status exhibited a lower quality of life.
CONCLUSION: Advanced cancer patients with poor nutritional status have a diminished quality of life. These findings suggest that there is a need for a comprehensive nutritional intervention for improving nutritional status and quality of life in terminally ill cancer patients under hospice care.
Eight year survival among breast cancer Malaysian women from University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre

Al-Naggar RA, Isa ZM, Shah SA, Nor MI, Chen R, Ismail F, et al.

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009;10(6):1075-8.
PMID: 20192587

Survival after diagnosis of cancer is one of the major outcome measurements and a key criterion for assessing quality of cancer control related to both the preventive and the therapeutic level. The purpose of this study was to determine the 8-year survival time in Malaysia based on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. A retrospective study of 472 Malaysian women with breast cancer from the Medical Record Department at University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) was therefore performed with survival analysis carried out using the Kaplan-Meier with log-rank test for univariate analysis and Cox-regression for multivariate analysis. Women who had cancer or family history of cancer had a longer 8-year survival time (p = 0.008) compared with others who did not have such a history. Tamoxifen use, positive oestrogen receptor status, and race were prognostic indicators for 8-year survival time (p = 0.036, p = 0.018, p = 0.053, respectively) in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that being Malays and having no family history of cancer were independent prognostic factors for shorter survival time (p = 0.008, p = 0.012, respectively). In conclusion, being Chinese and having a family history of cancer are predictors of longer survival among the Malaysian breast cancer women.
Neoplasia/dysplasia surveillance of oral lichen planus in Malaysia: a preliminary study using topography maps

Lim JS, Tang SP, Siar CH

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009;10(6):1071-4.
PMID: 20192586

BACKGROUND: Conventional methods for writing case notes detailing the progress of oral lichen planus (OLP), a precancerous condition that requires long-term surveillance, is both time-consuming and tedious for the busy clinician.
OBJECTIVES: To design and perform a simple surveillance on OLP patients based on colour-coded topography mouth maps (TMM).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three colour-coded TMM were employed: red for OLP in high risk oral mucosal sites, yellow for cases showing improvement and green for asymptomatic lesions at each recall visit. In this preliminary study, these were applied on 30 histologically confirmed OLP individuals attending the Oral Medicine Clinic at the Department of Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya. The sites and extent of OLP lesions were charted on either red, yellow or green TMM based on defined criteria. This surveillance evaluated OLP in relation to patientandapos;s age, race, gender, underlying systemic conditions, oral habits, initial onset of OLP, oral manifestations and presence/absence of clinically suspicious areas.
RESULTS: Study sample comprised 4 (13.3%) Malays, 9 (30.0%) Chinese and 17 (56.7%) Indians. Most OLP patients belong to the green TMM (n= 14, 46.6%) group followed by red (n= 11, 36.7%) and yellow (n= 5, 16.7%) groups. Of the 11 cases with red TMM, rebiopsy was performed on 4 cases but no dysplasia was detected. Any local confounding factors namely periodontal disease or faulty dental restorations were managed accordingly.
CONCLUSIONS: TMM is simple to use and aided the clinicians in terms of time saving and patient management. Hence, follow-up of OLP patients can be carried out more efficiently and appropriately. TMM can be used for surveillance of other oral precancerous lesions and conditions.

Filters

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links