This critical review focuses on the role of steroid hormones and their receptors in the development and treatment of breast cancer, with special reference to estrogen receptors, as well as mechanisms of receptor-ligand interactions, response or resistance to hormonal therapy against breast cancer, in conjunction with other modalities like surgery and chemotherapy. Tamoxifen is used in hormonal treatment of breast cancer for up to five years, depending on the presentation. However, there have been recent developments in hormonal therapy of breast cancer in the last ten years, with the introduction of many different alternative therapies for this condition. A critical review of published articles in Pubmed/Medline, Athens, AJOL, NHS Evidence, Science Direct and Google, relating to hormonal treatment of breast cancer, was undertaken, in order to evaluate the mechanisms of estrogen receptor-ligand interactions, their involvement in the etio-pathogenesis of breast cancer, resistance of breast cancer cells to anti-hormonal agents, as well as ways of treating breast cancer using anti-hormone drugs like tamoxifen. Although tamoxifen is the established drug for hormonal treatment of breast cancer, cases of hormone resistance breast cancer have been described recently in the literature. This can happen from the beginning, or during treatment. Therefore, we aim to examine the causes of resistance to hormonal treatment with a view to understand the options of tackling this problem, and suggest other novel alternative hormonal therapies that can be tried, which may overtake tamoxifen in the future. We also seek to emphasize that hormonal therapy has a definite place in the treatment of breast cancer along with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as the disease is often considered to be multi-systemic even from the beginning.
There are very few cases of radiation-induced femoral head necrosis described in the literature, therefore, this case will add new knowledge and highlights important aspects in the diagnosis and management of this uncommon condition. Our patient was 74 years old and presented with left hip and groin pain for 8 months, with no previous history of trauma or osteoarthritis. However, he had been treated for metastatic prostate cancer, to the pelvis and roof of the left acetabulum, with androgen ablation, and radiotherapy 5 years before presentation. Examination of the left hip revealed painful movements, but no restriction in the range of motion. Initial X-rays did not show any abnormalities, but MRI scan revealed a suspicious lesion in the roof of the left acetabulum, with no indication of secondary weakening of the femoral neck. The patient was therefore referred to the oncologists to consider radiotherapy, but they were not convinced it was metastatic, because he had no new urinary symptoms, and the PSA remained normal throughout this period. He was subsequently referred for a bone scan to look for possible secondary lesions (from the prostate gland), but this did not reveal any abnormal increased uptake. Three months later, he was reviewed in the clinic with a repeat X-ray of the pelvis which revealed complete destruction of the left femoral head and the acetabular roof, but CT-guided biopsy revealed no evidence of malignancy in the left hip. However, in view of the persistent pain and radiological evidence of left hip destruction, the patient had left Total Hip Replacement (THR), and excellent post-operative recovery. He mobilised fully, and was discharged on day five. Histology of the femoral head and hip capsule, revealed no evidence of metastasis from the prostate cancer, but confirmed osteonecrosis of the femoral head, presumably caused by the previous radiotherapy. MRI of the spine was clear and he was discharged to the oncologists and urologists for follow up.
This is a literature review of the aetilogy and pathogenesis of breast cancer, which is the most common cancer worldwide, and the second leading cause of cancer death, especially in Western countries. Several aetiological factors have been implicated in its pathogenesis, and include age, genetics, family history, diet, alcohol, obesity, lifestyle, physical inactivity, as well as endocrine factors. Although the roles of BRCA1, BRCA2 and HER-2/neu antigens is well established in the aetiology of breast cancer, recent evidence has shed more light on triple negative breast cancer (with absence of BRCA1, BRCA2 and HER-2/neu antigens), which has a worse prognosis and is associated with certain patient characteristics. Knowledge of these factors is important in identifying high risk groups and individuals, which will help in screening, early detection, and follow-up. This will help to decrease the morbidity and mortality from this life-threatening disease.
This has led to recent refinements and improvements in the prosthetic implants and equipment used, in addition to the introduction of minimally invasive (MI) and computeraided (CA) THA, with the aim of increasing the accuracy of implant placement and reducing the risk of complications as well as subsequent failure of the prostheses. However, these new techniques and devices are very expensive and so increase the overall cost of surgery. In addition to that, the long term effects and outcomes of these new techniques and implants are yet to be fully determined, and so more time will be required to carry out further studies in the future.
Angioleiomyomas are benign tumors originating in the vascular smooth muscles. The tumor typically presents as a painful, solitary, small subcutaneous nodule. Herein, we have described a case report of chronic leg pain due to angioleiomyoma. We outline the clinical, radiological and histopathological features of this rare diagnosis for a painful nodule of extremity. Although rare, angioleiomyoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of chronic leg pain.
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