Background:Although using fine needle cytology with aspiration (FNC-A) for establishing diagnoses in the retroperitoneal region has shown promise, there is scant literature supporting a role of non-aspiration cytology (FNC-NA) for this region. We assessed the accuracy and reliability of FNC-A and FNC-NA as tools for preoperative diagnosis of retroperitoneal masses and compared the results of both techniques with each other and with histopathology.Methods:Fifty-seven patients with retroperitoneal masses were subjected to FNC-A and FNC-NA. Smears were stained with May-Grunwald Giemsa and hematoxylin and eosin stain. An individual slide was objectively analysed using a point scoring system to enable comparison between FNC-A and FNC-NA.Results:By FNC-A, 91.7% accuracy was obtained in cases of retroperitoneal lymph node lesions followed by renal masses (83.3%). The diagnostic accuracy of other sites by FNC-A varied from 75.0%–81.9%. By FNC-NA, 93.4% diagnostically accurate results were obtained in the kidney, followed by 75.0% in adrenal masses. The diagnostic accuracy of other sites by FNC-NA varied from 66.7%–72.8%.Conclusions:Although both techniques have their own advantages and disadvantages, FNC-NA may be a more efficient adjuvant method of sampling in retroperitoneal lesions.
Background Fibroadenoma of breast is the commonest ailment of women with significant morbidity. Available literature revealed that breast tumour recedes by homoeopathic treatment.The present study evaluated the role of homoeopathic treatment on breast fibroadenoma by using ‘Triple assessment criteria’ and to explore the mechanism, whether homoeopathic medicines bring their therapeutic effect by altering the oestrogen and progesterone receptor (ER/PR) status on tumour tissue. Materials and Methods An open label, prospective, single arm, observational study was conducted on 64 female patients having fibroadenoma of breast. Triple assessment criteria were used to explore the effectiveness of homoeopathic treatment on breast fibroadenoma. Individualised homoeopathic medicines were prescribed. The outcome measures were changes in clinical picture, number and size of lump by ultrasonomammography. ER/PR study was performed by immunohistochemistry using quick score analysis. Results Post-treatment response of 23 cases (35.93%) of fibroadenoma revealed disappearance of lump. Partial improvement was noticed in 22 cases (34.37%) with significant reduction in mean size (p < 0.001). Similarly significant reduction in number of lesions was seen in fibroadenoma (p <0.05). Conium maculatum and Phytolacca decandra were found to be the most useful remedies. Quick score value of ER after treatment showed significant reduction (Z = 4.910). Conclusion The study revealed that the therapeutic effects of individualised homoeopathic medicines play significant role in management of fibroadenoma of breast. The results of ER/PR show significant reduction in ER suggesting that homoeopathic medicines have some inhibitory effect on ER.
Phyllodes tumours (PTs) of the breast are rare biphasic fibroepithelial neoplasm. They have potentiality to recur and metastasise. Majority of them follow a benign clinical course. We have treated one patient suffering from PT at the out-patient department of Sri Ram Medical & Homoeopathic Research Centre, Gorakhpur, India. After detailed case taking and repertorisation, first Conium maculatum and later on Phytolacca decandra and Calcarea fluorica were prescribed on the basis of individualisation to treat the case. Outcomes were assessed clinically every month for subjective improvement and objectively by ultrasonography reports at every 6-month interval. Gradual improvement was noted over time. The case has been assessed with MONARCH Inventory, which shows ‘definite’ association between the medicine and the outcome.
Background The results of several studies indicated that conventional treatment based on surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy is often associated with adverse side effects. Recent studies suggest that patients with cancer (average 31.4%) used complementary therapy at some stage of their illness, and homeopathic medicines might be used to enhance survival and improve quality of life in cancer patients. The aim of this systematic review is to systematically review the literature on homeopathic-controlled clinical studies of adverse effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in carcinoma. Methods Substantive research articles, conference proceedings and master and doctoral theses published between 1 January 1981 and 31 December 2018 were eligible. Methodology was assessed by Jadad's scoring, internal validity by Cochrane tool and model validity by Mathie's criteria. Results Eight trials were eligible. Few trials were positive, especially those testing complex formulations. Methodological quality was diverse; five trials had ‘Unclear’ risk of bias. Model validity was compromised. Proof supporting individualised homeopathy remained inconclusive. Discussion The trials were positive (evidence level A), but inconsistent and suffered from methodological heterogeneity, incomplete study reporting, inadequacy of independent replications and small sample sizes. Further trials are warranted.
Fibrocystic changes are the most frequently occurring benign conditions of breast disease. Women of 20 to 50 years of age who frequently encounter various forms of stressors have the highest incidence of fibrocystic breast disease (FBD). In cases, where any palpable mass is detected after clinical examination, mammograms and ultrasonography (USG) are the most common investigative tools for the next level of assessment. Five patients with FBD were treated with homoeopathic medicines in our hospital within a period of 3 years under the project: ‘Homoeopathic management of benign neoplastic lesions of breast: an evidence-based study’. The diagnosis was based on clinical examination and USG. We followed standard homoeopathic guidelines for the final selection of medicines. Individualised homoeopathic medicines were used to treat these cases. The clinical assessment was done every month and objective assessment was done after serial USG reports at every 6-month interval. All the patients had notable improvements during treatment as inferred clinically as well as from the USG reports. Few associated symptoms improved too. Assessment of the causal attribution of the outcomes of the treated cases to the homoeopathic intervention was done using Modified Naranjo Criteria. ‘Definite’ association was found in four out of five cases and one case showed a ‘probable’ association. Therefore, we may conclude that homoeopathic treatment can be useful in treating FBD. Good-quality clinical trials are needed before making any firm recommendation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.