Gastric cancer is an important cause of death among patients with malignancies in Malaysia. Survival of patients with gastric cancer is dependent on the stage at which diagnosis is made. We report our experience in dealing with gastric cancer in a major Ministry of Health Hospitals in Malaysia. A retrospective review of two hundred and fifty consecutive histologically proven gastric adenocarcinoma at Hospital Ipoh for the period January 1988 to 1998 was performed. The study confirms that gastric cancer is a disease of the elderly and has a male preponderance. It is also identifies the Chinese and Indians to be at increased risk of gastric cancer when compared to the Malays. The most striking finding in this study was the very late stage of disease at time of presentation. Eighty-two percent of the patients presented with stage IV disease and curative surgery was offered only to a 16% of them. In a substantial number of patients not even a palliative procedure was offered. Early detection is the key to improving survival in gastric cancer patients. There is an urgent need for clinicians to change their approach to the management of the disease. Patients with dyspeptic symptoms should be investigated early rather then wait for classical symptoms of gastric cancer.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is rare among people of Indian ethnicity. A short retrospective case review of clinical records of Indian patients diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a period of 5 years was conducted. Their slides were further subjected to EBV encoded RNA (EBER) - In- situ Hybridization (ISH). The histologic subtype was nonkeratinizing carcinoma in all 4 patients. All were Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) positive. We believe that the crucial factor responsible for nasopharyngeal carcinoma is genetics; either a genetic susceptibility among high risk groups or genetic resistance/immunity in low risk groups. Further genetic studies are required to look for somatic or inherited chromosomal mutations among the various risk populations.
Melioidosis is a potentially deadly infection that can affect any organ system. Reports of melioidosis of the ENT/head and neck region are relatively uncommon. Four cases are presented: (i) parotid abscess evolving into necrotising fasciitis, (ii) acute sinusitis and parapharyngeal cellulitis resulting in upper airway obstruction, (iii) acute suppurative lymphadenitis (iv) and chronic suppurative otitis media causing meningoencephalitis. Three of the four cases are believed to be unique, as a literature review of melioidosis in ENT/head and neck is also presented. Some practical issues of management are also discussed. Not suspecting melioidosis does not change contemporary empirical broadspectrum antibiotic therapy. The value of suspicion or on confirmation of diagnosis lies in anticipating and planning for rapid change.
In 1998, an outbreak of acute encephalitis with high mortality rates among pig handlers in Malaysia led to the discovery of a novel paramyxovirus named Nipah virus. A multidisciplinary investigation that included epidemiology, microbiology, molecular biology, and pathology was pivotal in the discovery of this new human infection. Clinical and autopsy findings were derived from a series of 32 fatal human cases of Nipah virus infection. Diagnosis was established in all cases by a combination of immunohistochemistry (IHC) and serology. Routine histological stains, IHC, and electron microscopy were used to examine autopsy tissues. The main histopathological findings included a systemic vasculitis with extensive thrombosis and parenchymal necrosis, particularly in the central nervous system. Endothelial cell damage, necrosis, and syncytial giant cell formation were seen in affected vessels. Characteristic viral inclusions were seen by light and electron microscopy. IHC analysis showed widespread presence of Nipah virus antigens in endothelial and smooth muscle cells of blood vessels. Abundant viral antigens were also seen in various parenchymal cells, particularly in neurons. Infection of endothelial cells and neurons as well as vasculitis and thrombosis seem to be critical to the pathogenesis of this new human disease.