The thyroid is a rare site for metastasis, occurring in 0.1% of colorectal cases. A 46-year-old man with rectal adenocarcinoma developed an enlarging anterior neck mass and increasing carcinoembryonic antigen 2 years after curative intent treatment. Imaging showed aggressive features with invasion of the larynx, trachea and oesophagus, suspicious for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. The patient underwent tumour debulking with neck dissection and tracheostomy. Final histopathological review revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma from a colorectal primary. Despite chemotherapy, the patient eventually succumbed to disease progression and complications of his illness. This case demonstrates that recognising rare sites of metastasis may help clinicians effectively institute earlier intervention.
Background. Cancers are among the top causes of mortality in the Philippines. The treatment regimens are also costly and put Filipinos at risk of financial catastrophe. The economic impact, however, has not been documented.
Objective. This analysis aimed to describe the economic impact of cancer in the Philippines and analyze predictors of financial catastrophe among Filipino cancer patients.
Method. The analysis used the dataset from the ASEAN costs in oncology study, a prospective study of adult cancer patients in Southeast Asia. Cancer patients were recruited at time of diagnosis and were monitored in terms of health outcomes, costs, and quality of life. Multinomial regression models were generated to assess predictors of death and financial catastrophe.
Results. Information from 909 respondents in the Philippines was included in the analysis. Overall, 240 (26.4%) of the cohort were dead at the end of the study while 40.6% were still alive at Month 12 but had experienced financial catastrophe. Mean combined Month 3 and Month 12 out-of-pocket expenditure was PhP181,789.00 (n = 458, sd = 348,717.47). Belonging to higher income groups (vs. belonging to the lowest two) was significantly associated with lower risk of financial catastrophe. Insurance did not confer significant change in risk of death or financial catastrophe.
Conclusion. Cancer can be a significant economic burden for Filipinos leading to financial catastrophe. Insurance mechanisms at the time of study failed to protect against catastrophe.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to assess the tobacco use pattern, its frequency and type. Individual oral examination was done by a single examiner to check the premalignant lesions and oral cancer among tea plantation workers, Nilgiri Hills. Data was collected using a pretested Questionnaire, which included Demographic data, tobacco habits, its frequency and form. The data collected was analysed using SPSS version15.Results: showed that among 400 study population from 5 tea estates, 46% had no formal education and 65% had indigenous brushing habits. 52% of oral mucosal lesions were detected, out of which most commonest was leukoplakia 34%, 42% tobacco pouch keratosis and 6% malignant oral tumours. Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in the study population was due to tobacco usage and lack of awareness regarding the deleterious effects of the products used.Conclusions: Tobacco use is a major preventable cause of premature deaths and diseases, the dangers from smoking and chewing tobacco are well documented within the literature but the public's lack of knowledge of the risks is a concern. Health professionals are encouraged to ensure that the public is made aware of these risks.
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