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Fulltext A Clinicopathologic Study of Seven Cases of Orbital Solitary Fibrous Tumours

Ting XW, Sothiraghagan S, W Md Kasim WM, Muhammed J

Cureus, 2020 May 24;12(5):e8259.
PMID: 32596077 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.8259

Objective To describe the patient demographics, clinical findings, investigations, surgical outcomes, and histopathological findings of seven cases of orbital solitary fibrous tumours. Method This was a retrospective review of seven cases of orbital solitary fibrous tumour, which were followed up in Hospital Serdang, a national oculoplastic centre, from years 2008-2017. Results This study included seven patients with ages between 21 and 35 years old; two were males and five were females. All seven patients presented with painless chronic unilateral proptosis. Radiological imaging of the orbit showed a localized contrast enhancing intraorbital mass. All patients underwent orbitotomy and excisional biopsy. Intraoperative findings showed a well-encapsulated and vascularized mass. Histological findings of spindle-shaped cells were noted. All cases had positive staining for cluster of differentiation (CD) 34, five were positive for CD 99, four were positive for B-cell lymphoma (BCL-2), and five patients had positive staining for S-100. Three of the patients did not have clear margins during the primary operation and subsequently had a recurrence within two years. Conclusion A solitary fibrous tumour is a rare mesenchymal tumour with a pleural origin. The orbit is the most common extrapleural site of the tumour and they are usually benign. Immunohistochemistry is important to differentiate it from other, more aggressive forms of orbital tumours. Regular follow-up is important to monitor for recurrence.

Matched MeSH terms: Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
Stability of strain genotypes of Burkholderia pseudomallei from patients with single and recurrent episodes of melioidosis

Vadivelu J, Puthucheary SD, Drasar BS, Dance DA, Pitt TL

Trop Med Int Health, 1998 Jul;3(7):518-21.
PMID: 9705184

The constancy of strain genotypes of multiple isolates of Burkholderia pseudomallei from 13 patients with melioidosis was examined by BamHI ribotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of XbaI digests of DNA. Seven of 8 patients with single episodes of melioidosis each yielded genetically identical isolates and only one of five patients with recurrent episodes was infected with a new strain clearly distinct from the original primary strain. Variation was observed in PFGE patterns of primary and relapse isolates of another patient but this was insufficient to define genetically distinct strains. We conclude that most patients with single or multiple episodes of melioidosis retain a single strain.

Matched MeSH terms: Recurrence
Recurrent bilateral eyelid and conjunctival granulomatosis in Churg-Strauss syndrome

Jainuddin NF, Aliff IC, Chiew SF, Ramli N

Med J Malaysia, 2020 01;75(1):86-87.
PMID: 32008029

A 47-year-old woman with poorly controlled asthma and allergic rhinitis presented with recurrent episodes of bilateral upper eyelid swelling associated with forniceal conjunctival mass for the past 10 years. Routine blood investigations showed raised IgE levels and raised eosinophil counts. The diagnosis of Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) was made following biopsy of the conjunctival mass. The symptoms responded well to oral steroid treatment but recurred following cessation of the therapy. The patient was co-managed with a rheumatologist and the patient currently remains stable and is on oral Methotrexate and low dose oral steroids. Ocular involvement in CSS is unusual but this unique presentation of CSS was successfully managed, and the patient remains in remission.

Matched MeSH terms: Recurrence
Repeat endoscopy for recurrent iron deficiency anemia: an (un)expected finding from southeast Asia

Mahadeva S, Qua CS, Yusoff W, Sulaiman W

Dig Dis Sci, 2007 Feb;52(2):523-5.
PMID: 17219070
Matched MeSH terms: Recurrence
Primary angiosarcoma of the thyroid gland with recurrence diagnosed by fine needle aspiration: a case report

Isa NM, James DT, Saw TH, Pennisi R, Gough I

Diagn Cytopathol, 2009 Jun;37(6):427-32.
PMID: 19306411 DOI: 10.1002/dc.21065

Angiosarcoma of the thyroid is a rare and aggressive primary malignant tumor of the thyroid originally reported in patients from the Swiss Alpine region. Diagnosis of this tumor rests mainly on characteristic histopathological features of a malignant vascular tumor supported by immunopositivity for vascular markers e.g., CD31, Factor VIII, and CD34. Its cytological features, however, are not well-defined. We describe a case of primary angiosarcoma of the thyroid in a 48-year-old female, who presented with a rapidly enlarging neck mass associated with compressive symptoms. She had a history of hypothyroidism. The initial fine needle aspiration cytology of the neck mass was negative. She then underwent left hemithyroidectomy. Histologically, the tumor showed poorly differentiated malignant cells with eccentrically-placed nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and intracytoplasmic vacuoles admixed with mixed inflammatory cells. These showed immunopositivity for CD31 but were negative for CD34, Factor VIII, CK5/6, EMA, TTF-1, Thyroglobulin, Calcitonin, Melan A, and Calretinin. A diagnosis of poorly differentiated malignant tumor consistent with angiosarcoma was made. The patient was treated with radiation therapy but developed recurrence of the tumor. Second aspiration cytology of the recurrent tumor yielded hypocellular smears containing singularly dispersed atypical cells having eccentrically-placed nuclei with prominent macronucleoli and intracytoplasmic vacuoles within a background of inflammatory cells, consistent with recurrent angiosarcoma. Chemotherapy was started but she succumbed to the disease 7 months after diagnosis. The cytological, histopathological, immunohistochemical findings, and the clinical course are discussed.

Matched MeSH terms: Recurrence
Intrathyroidal oxyphilic parathyroid carcinoma: A potential diagnostic caveat in cytology?

Wong YP, Sharifah NA, Tan GC, Gill AJ, Ali SZ

Diagn Cytopathol, 2016 May 26.
PMID: 27229757 DOI: 10.1002/dc.23493

Oxyphilic (oncocytic) parathyroid lesions are very uncommon and their cytological features are rarely described. Due to the similarities in anatomical location and indistinguishable cytomorphological features, these lesions are easily confused with neoplastic and non-neoplastic thyroid lesions on fine needle aspiration (FNA). The diagnosis becomes more challenging in cases of unusual intrathyroidal location of the parathyroid lesions in the absence of clinical evidence of hyperparathyroidism, which simulate thyroid nodules clinically. We describe a case of intrathyroidal oxyphilic parathyroid carcinoma in a 66-year-old female, who presented with a dominant left "thyroid" nodule. FNA smears were cellular, comprising predominantly of oxyphilic cells arranged in papillary-like architecture with occasional nuclear grooves, which was mistaken for oncocytic variant of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. The histological diagnosis of oxyphilic parathyroid "adenoma" was made following total thyroidectomy. The tumor, unfortunately, recurred 7 years later with associated multiple lung metastases. When dealing with thyroid lesions comprising predominantly of oncocytic cells, one should consider oxyphilic parathyroid neoplasms as one of the differential diagnosis. In difficult equivocal cases, a panel of immunocytochemical stains (PTH, GATA3, TTF-1, PAX8, and thyroglobulin) can be helpful. In addition, a combination of valuable clinical, radiological, and laboratory data, including serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels are key to arriving at an accurate cytological diagnosis. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Matched MeSH terms: Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
Fulltext Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG) Optic Neuritis: A Case Series

Nurul-Ain M, Khairul Kamal ZN, Wan Hitam WH, Abd Munaaim M, Mohd Zaki F

Cureus, 2021 Apr 13;13(4):e14452.
PMID: 33996312 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.14452

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody disease has been recognised as a distinct demyelinating disorder. Optic neuritis has been reported as the most common presentation and manifestation of this spectrum disorder. This is a case series of three MOG optic neuritis patients. Patients involved are female with disease onset ranging between 7- and 37-year-old. Most of these patients experienced symptoms of profound reduced visual acuity with eye pain. All three patients had optic disc swelling upon first presentation and they experienced at least one episode of bilateral simultaneous optic neuritis. Only one patient had demonstrable optic nerve enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Disease was confirmed through positive MOG antibody. Patients typically responded well to intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) during acute attack of optic neuritis. However, one patient had suboptimal response to IVMP after multiple relapses. We noted multiple relapses of optic neuritis are common in MOG patients. MOG optic neuritis is a devastating, but treatable condition. Aggressive treatment during acute optic neuritis attack and relapse prevention may favour a good visual prognosis in MOG antibody disease.

Matched MeSH terms: Recurrence
Relapsing encephalopathy with dancing eyes and jerky limbs

Mohd Fauzi NA, Abdullah S, Tan AH, Mohd Ramli N, Tan CY, Lim SY

Parkinsonism Relat Disord, 2020 06;75:110-113.
PMID: 30846242 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2019.02.025

We report a case of relapsing-remitting opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome (OMAS) in a patient with Hashimoto's encephalopathy, diagnosed after comprehensive evaluation. OMAS as a manifestation of Hashimoto's encephalopathy has been reported once previously. It is hoped that recognition of this entity and early initiation of immunotherapy will improve clinical outcomes for patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Recurrence
Effective Response Metric: a novel tool to predict relapse in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia using time-series gene expression profiling

Yeoh AE, Li Z, Dong D, Lu Y, Jiang N, Trka J, et al.

Br J Haematol, 2018 Jun;181(5):653-663.
PMID: 29808917 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.15252

Accurate risk assignment in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is essential to avoid under- or over-treatment. We hypothesized that time-series gene expression profiles (GEPs) of bone marrow samples during remission-induction therapy can measure the response and be used for relapse prediction. We computed the time-series changes from diagnosis to Day 8 of remission-induction, termed Effective Response Metric (ERM-D8) and tested its ability to predict relapse against contemporary risk assignment methods, including National Cancer Institutes (NCI) criteria, genetics and minimal residual disease (MRD). ERM-D8 was trained on a set of 131 patients and validated on an independent set of 79 patients. In the independent blinded test set, unfavourable ERM-D8 patients had >3-fold increased risk of relapse compared to favourable ERM-D8 (5-year cumulative incidence of relapse 38·1% vs. 10·6%; P = 2·5 × 10-3 ). ERM-D8 remained predictive of relapse [P = 0·05; Hazard ratio 4·09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·03-16·23] after adjusting for NCI criteria, genetics, Day 8 peripheral response and Day 33 MRD. ERM-D8 improved risk stratification in favourable genetics subgroups (P = 0·01) and Day 33 MRD positive patients (P = 1·7 × 10-3 ). We conclude that our novel metric - ERM-D8 - based on time-series GEP after 8 days of remission-induction therapy can independently predict relapse even after adjusting for NCI risk, genetics, Day 8 peripheral blood response and MRD.

Matched MeSH terms: Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
Genetic relatedness of Candida strains isolated from women with vaginal candidiasis in Malaysia

Chong PP, Lee YL, Tan BC, Ng KP

J Med Microbiol, 2003 Aug;52(Pt 8):657-66.
PMID: 12867559

The aims of this study were to compare the genetic relatedness of: (i) sequential and single isolates of Candida strains from women with recurrent vaginal candidiasis (RVC); and (ii) Candida strains from women who had only one episode of infection within a 1-year period. In total, 87 isolates from 71 patients were cultured, speciated and genotyped by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Patients were categorized into three groups, namely those with: (i) a history of RVC from whom two or more yeast isolates were obtained (group A); (ii) a history of RVC from whom only a single isolate was obtained (group B); and (iii) a single episode of vaginal candidiasis within a 1-year period (group C). Six yeast species were detected: Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida lusitaniae, Candida famata, Candida krusei and Candida parapsilosis. Interestingly, the prevalence of non-albicans species was higher in group A patients (50 %) than in patients in groups B (36 %) or C (18.9 %). Eighty RAPD profiles were observed, with a total of 61 polymorphic PCR fragments of distinct sizes. Clustering analysis showed that, overall, the majority of patients in group A had recurrent infections caused by highly similar, but not identical, sequential strains [mean pairwise similarity coefficient (S(AB)) = 0.721 +/- 0.308]. The range of mean S(AB) values for intergroup comparisons for C. albicans isolates alone was 0.50-0.56, suggesting that there was no significant relatedness between strains from different groups. Genetic similarity of C. albicans isolates from patients in group A was lower than that of C. albicans isolates from patients in group C (mean S(AB) = 0.532 +/- 0.249 and 0.636 +/- 0.206, respectively); this difference was statistically significant (P = 0.036). These results demonstrate that the cause of recurrent infections varies among individuals and ranges between strain maintenance, strain microevolution and strain replacement; the major scenario is strain maintenance with microevolution. They also show that C. albicans strains that cause recurrent infections are less similar to each other than strains that cause one-off infections, suggesting that the former may represent more virulent subtypes.

Matched MeSH terms: Recurrence
Fulltext Idiopathic orbital inflammatory pseudotumour mimicking optic nerve sheath meningioma- a case report

Umi Kalthum, M.N., Amin, A., Syazarina, S.O., Faridah, H.A.

Journal of Surgical Academia, 2013;3(1):25-27.
MyJurnal

A 42-year-old Malay gentleman presented with progressive painless blurring of vision on his left eye associated with ocular ache, redness and increasing proptosis. Examination revealed presence of relative afferent papillary defect with visual acuity of counting finger, and 6/6 on the right eye. Extraocular muscle movement of the left eye was restricted to ten percent in all directions. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed enhancing mass occupying the left orbital apex. Diagnosis of optic nerve sheath meningioma was made, and patient subsequently went for radiotherapy. His symptoms subsided completely, until he presented with similar visual complains, and fullness of the upper lid two years later. A repeated MRI showed enlargement of superior and lateral recti muscles with extension to lacrimal gland region. Biopsy of the lacrimal gland revealed inflammatory cells consistent of inflammatory pseudotumor. High dose systemic steroid was instituted, followed by slow tapering of oral steroid. His symptoms completely resolved, and latest visual acuity was 6/9, with no recurrence, to date.

Matched MeSH terms: Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
Fulltext Identification of Predictive DNA Methylation Biomarkers for Chemotherapy Response in Colorectal Cancer

Baharudin R, Ab Mutalib NS, Othman SN, Sagap I, Rose IM, Mohd Mokhtar N, et al.

Front Pharmacol, 2017;8:47.
PMID: 28243201 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00047

Resistance to 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a major obstacle to the successful treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) and posed an increased risk of recurrence. DNA methylation has been suggested as one of the underlying mechanisms for recurrent disease and its contribution to the development of drug resistance remains to be clarified. This study aimed to determine the methylation phenotype in CRC for identification of predictive markers for chemotherapy response. We performed DNA methylation profiling on 43 non-recurrent and five recurrent CRC patients using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 Beadchip assay. In addition, CRC cells with different genetic backgrounds, response to 5-FU and global methylation levels (HT29 and SW48) were treated with 5-FU and DNA methylation inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-azadC). The singular and combined effects of these two drug classes on cell viability and global methylation profiles were investigated. Our genome-wide methylation study on the clinical specimens showed that recurrent CRCs exhibited higher methylation levels compared to non-recurrent CRCs. We identified 4787 significantly differentially methylated genes (P < 0.05); 3112 genes were hyper- while 1675 genes were hypomethylated in the recurrent group compared to the non-recurrent. Fifty eight and 47 of the significantly hypermethylated and hypomethylated genes have an absolute recurrent/non-recurrent methylation difference of ≥20%. Most of the hypermethylated genes were involved in the MAPK signaling pathway which is a key regulator for apoptosis while the hypomethylated genes were involved in the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and proliferation process. We also demonstrate that 5-azadC treatment enhanced response to 5-FU which resulted in significant growth inhibition compared to 5-FU alone in hypermethylated cell lines SW48. In conclusion, we found the evidence of five potentially biologically important genes in recurrent CRCs that could possibly serve as a new potential therapeutic targets for patients with chemoresistance. We postulate that aberrant methylation of CCNEI, CCNDBP1, PON3, DDX43, and CHL1 in CRC might be associated with the recurrence of CRC and 5-azadC-mediated restoration of 5-FU sensitivity is mediated at least in part by MAPK signaling pathway.

Matched MeSH terms: Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
NOTCH1 Signaling Regulates Self-renewal and Platinum Chemoresistance of Cancer Stem-like Cells in Human Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Zhang Y, Xu W, Guo H, Zhang Y, He Y, Lee SH, et al.

Cancer Res, 2017 Apr 17.
PMID: 28416482 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-16-1633

Cancer stem-like cells (CSC) are thought to drive tumor initiation, metastasis, relapse and therapeutic resistance, but their specific pathogenic characters in many cancers including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have yet to be well defined. Here we develop findings that the growth factor HGF promotes CSC sphere formation in NSCLC cell populations. In patient-derived sphere-forming assays (PD-SFA) with HGF, CD49f and CD104 were defined as novel markers of lung CSC (LCSC). In particular, we isolated a subpopulation of CD166(+)CD49f(hi)CD104(-)Lin(-) LCSC present in all human specimens of NSCLC examined, regardless of their histological subtypes or genetic driver mutations. This specific cell population was tumorigenic and capable of self-renewal, giving rise to tumor spheres in vitro and orthotopic lung tumors in immune-compromised mice. Mechanistic investigations established that NOTCH1 was preferentially expressed in this cell subpopulation and required for self-renewal via the transcription factor HES1. Through a distinct HES1-independent pathway, NOTCH1 also protected LCSCs from cisplatin-induced cell death. Notably, treatment with a γ-secretase inhibitor that blunts NOTCH1 function ablated self-renewing LCSC activity and restored platinum sensitivity in vitro and in vivo Overall, our results define the pathogenic characters of a cancer stem-like subpopulation in lung cancer, the targeting of which may relieve platinum resistance in this disease.

Matched MeSH terms: Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
Incidence of Postsuppression Virologic Rebound in Perinatally HIV-Infected Asian Adolescents on Stable Combination Antiretroviral Therapy

Sudjaritruk T, Aurpibul L, Ly PS, Le TPK, Bunupuradah T, Hansudewechakul R, et al.

J Adolesc Health, 2017 Jul;61(1):91-98.
PMID: 28343759 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.01.014

PURPOSE: To assess the incidence and predictors of postsuppression virologic rebound (VR) among adolescents on stable combination antiretroviral therapy in Asia.
METHODS: Perinatally HIV-infected Asian adolescents (10-19 years) with documented virologic suppression (two consecutive viral loads [VLs] <400 copies/mL ≥6 months apart) were included. Baseline was the date of the first VL <400 copies/mL at age ≥10 years or the 10th birthday for those with prior suppression. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify predictors of postsuppression VR (VL >1,000 copies/mL).
RESULTS: Of 1,379 eligible adolescents, 47% were males. At baseline, 22% were receiving protease inhibitor-containing regimens; median CD4 cell count (interquartile range [IQR]) was 685 (448-937) cells/mm3; 2% had preadolescent virologic failure (VF) before subsequent suppression. During adolescence, 180 individuals (13%) experienced postsuppression VR at a rate of 3.4 (95% confidence interval: 2.9-3.9) per 100 person-years, which was consistent over time. Median time to VR during adolescence (IQR) was 3.3 (2.1-4.8) years. Wasting (weight-for-age z-score

Matched MeSH terms: Recurrence
Fulltext Detection of human papillomavirus, p53 and c-erbb-2 protein expression in juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis: a report of 2 cases

Siti Aishah Md Ali, Ilina Isahak, Dahlan Sabi, Fatimah Sahlan, Lokman Saim, Abdullah Sani Mohamed

Medicine & Health, 2006;1(1):67-74.
MyJurnal

The association of human papillomavirus (HPV) with juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis has been well documented. We report two cases of juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis and correlated these cases with presence of HPV, p53 and c-erbB-2 proteins. The first case was a one-year-old male patient and the second a six-year-old female patient. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens were tested for the presence of HPV genome by the technique of in situ hybridisation using wide spectrum and type specific biotinylated probes while the immunohistochemical expression of p53 (D07, 1:50) and c-erbB-2 (DAKO A0485, 1:300) proteins were evaluated with commercially available antibodies. Histologically the tumours in both cases showed papillary configuration of squamous papilloma. The first case detected HPV type 6, HPV type 11 and p53 protein expression while the second case showed only HPV type 6. Both cases of HPV showed positive signals confined to the nuclei in the superficial squamous epithelium. The first case showed p53 positivity seen from the basal region up to one third of the epithelium of laryngeal papillomas and the subsequent recent repeat biopsy showed the positivity of p53 had extended throughout the upper layers of the epithelium. Expression of c-erbB-2 protein was not detected in both cases. These findings were similar as in other studies where follow-up of the cases was recommended since they tend to recur.

Matched MeSH terms: Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
Fulltext Cold allodynia as the presenting symptom in a case of acquired neuromyotonia (Isaacs syndrome) with multiple autoantibodies

Goh KJ, Abdullah S, Wong WF, Yeap SS, Shahrizaila N, Tan CT

Neurology Asia, 2014;19(4):409-412.
MyJurnal

We report a patient who presented with severe cold-induced allodynia and hyperhidrosis, and found to have acquired neuromyotonia (Isaacs syndrome) with high voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC) antibody titre,positive contactin-associated protein 2 (CASPR2) and leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1) antibodies. The patient also had positive anti-dsDNA and acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies without clinical features of SLE or myasthenia gravis, suggesting a strong underlying autoimmune tendency. CT thorax showed no thymoma. Her symptoms improved with intravenous immunoglobulin infusion but recurred despite maintenance oral corticosteroids and carbamazepine. She has since been on regular IVIG infusions. Cold allodynia is an unusual presentation in acquired neuromyotonia.

Matched MeSH terms: Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
Fulltext PET-CT imaging in non-small cell lung carcinoma – a review of cases from a northern Malaysia referral centre

Bing, Joni Fei Teoh, Paniandi, Vikneswary, Fadzilah Hamzah, H., Mohamed Ali Abdul Khader, Loh, Li-Cher

International e-Journal of Science, Medicine & Education, 2008;2(2):23-26.
MyJurnal

Background: Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography (PET-CT) imaging is shown to influence a decision change in managing non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The introduction of such a facility in Malaysia is relatively recent, and its impact from its utility is currently being assessed.
Aim: In a tertiary referral centre possessing the only PET-CT facility in northern Peninsular Malaysia, we evaluated the potential roles of PET-CT in referred patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma.
Methodology: Sixty eligible adult cases with NSCLC, between September 2005 and December 2007, were retrospectively reviewed. Relevant data was collected using standard questionnaire for indications, staging of disease, and outcomes in terms of recurrence and response to prescribed cancer-specific therapy.
Results: The indications for PET-CT were: staging of a newly diagnosed non-small cell lung carcinoma (25.0%); post-operative restaging (21.7%); exclusion of recurrence or metastasis (18.3%); establishing diagnosis of carcinoma (13.3%); assessment of response to treatment (11.7%), and for surveillance (10.0%). The use of PET-CT was shown to induce a change in the staging, compared with non-PET conventional means in 69.2% of patients with newly diagnosed lung carcinoma (upstaged in 55.5%; downstaged in 44.5%) and in 65.0% of patients who underwent cancer-specific treatments (upstaged in 38.5%; downstaged in 61.5%). PET-CT detected recurrence in 62.5% who underwent the imaging to exclude a recurrence or metastasis.
Conclusion: PET-CT has affected the staging of a large proportion of our local Malaysian patients. Like elsewhere, the availability of such a facility is likely to have important influence in overall management of NSCLC in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
Fulltext Varenicline - a new pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation: implication for smokers with mental health problems

Rusdi Abdul Rashid, Muhammad Muhsin Ahmad Zahari, Mohammad Hussain Habil, Noor Zurani Md Haris Robson

ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2009;10(2):202-209.
MyJurnal

Objective: The smoking rate among patients with mental health problem is higher than in the general population. Effective pharmacotherapy to treat nicotine addiction is thus needed to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with cigarette smoking among these patients. This article reviews the literature on the suitability of varenicline for smokers with mental health problems.
Methods: A search of the literature was conducted using PubMed from year 2001 to July 2009 using key words varenicline alone and varenicline and mental health. Articles chosen were narrowed to those published in English. The type of articles chosen included clinical trials, metaanalyses, case reports, and review articles.
Results: The search produced a total of 322 articles on varenicline and 14 articles on varenicline and mental health. Varenicline, a new drug for smoking cessation is an α4β2 partial agonist and partial antagonist at nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. As a partial agonist, varenicline relieves craving and withdrawal symptoms that occur during smoking abstinence and also reduce the rewarding effects of smoking in patients who relapse. However, at present, there is concern regarding the neuropsychiatric side effects such as aggressive behaviour, suicidal ideation, mania and depression associated with varenicline use in patients with mental health problems, but these reports did not show a causal-link or lack of link between these symptoms and varenicline.
Conclusion: Current available data support the effectiveness of varenicline to treat nicotine dependence. However its safety among smokers with mental health problems remains to be elucidated. At present, further safety assessment is needed in this patient population. Until new data is available regarding the safety of varenicline in these populations, psychiatrists and physicians prescribing this medication should be extra cautious and monitor for possible psychiatric side effects when prescribing this medication to patients with pre-existing psychiatric disorders or have vulnerability to psychoses.

Matched MeSH terms: Recurrence
Increased frequency of chloroquine resistant P. falciparum on a rubber estate in Peninsular Malaysia during two years of systematic chloroquine treatment

Dondero TJ, Parsons RE, O'Holohan DR

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1975 Dec;6(4):488-94.
PMID: 775652

Chloroquine pressure was applied over a 22 month period on a somewhat isolated, malarious rubber estate by examination of residents at 4-week intervals and treatment of parasitaemias with chloroquine. During this time the monthly attack rate for P. falciparum rose four-fold to an average of nearly 18% per month, while that of P. vivax remained relatively constant at about 8%. Eight in vivo chloroquine resistance studies, which allowed both detection of late recrudescing R-I resistance and estimation of the risk of reinfection, showed an apparent rise in the drug resistance rate, from 12% to 20% prior to the study to the range of 40-50%. Virtually all resistance encountered was R-I in nature. There was no convincing evidence of chloroquine resistance among 148 tested P. vivax infections.

Matched MeSH terms: Recurrence
Fulltext Role of modified assertive community treatment (ACT) in maintaining stability in patients with dual diagnosis: a case report

Siti Rohana, A.H., Marhani, M.

Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry, 2013;22(2):80-83.
MyJurnal

This case report highlights the role of hospital-based modified assertive community treatment (ACT) in maintaining stability in a patient with dual diagnosis. We report a case of a middle-aged Indian gentleman who had schizophrenia with co-morbid alcohol abuse presented with multiple relapses, with recurrent suicidal attempts and criminal behaviour during his relapse episodes. After stabilisation of his most recent acute episode in hospital, the patient was followed-up by the community mental health team (CMHT). He was able to maintain in remission and stay free from alcohol, suicidality and criminal behaviour when provided ACT. The hospital-based modified ACT is proven to be effective in the management of this patient with co-morbidities and complications to sustain remission and prevent relapses.

Matched MeSH terms: Recurrence

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