This report is an important documentation of the pathological characteristics in a predominantly rural/semi urban population of Indian breast cancer patients. Further studies from other centers with a similar background are required to confirm these results.
Objectives:To compare the presentation of cervical cancer and the treatment modalities received by the patients at a semi-urban/rural area of Western India with that of published literature from urban centers.Materials and Methods:We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with cervical cancer who presented at a semi-urban/rural cancer center between 2010 and 2013. A total of 141 patients with the median age of 51 years (25-81) were studied. The demographic and clinical variables included age, annual family income, profession, comorbidities, baseline hemoglobin, prior screening, clinical stage, treatment administered, and complications. The pathological variables included tumor type and grade.Results:In our study, all patients presented with vaginal bleeding. Majority of the patients (51 patients, 37.7%) had Stage 3B disease. Since majority presented at later stages (Stage 3B), chemotherapy-radiotherapy was the most common treatment modality used in our population. On histopathology, 127 patients (90%) had squamous cell carcinoma while 14 patients (10%) had adenocarcinoma. In 96 patients (68%), the tumor grade was not known while it was a high, intermediate, and low grade in 6 (4%), 18 (13%), and 21 (15%) patients, respectively. The follow-up data of our study were not adequate; hence, the long-term survival results could not be presented.Conclusion:Patients in rural India setting present at later stages which could be improved by creating awareness, improving their personal hygiene, and adequate screening.
Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia in clinical practice. In western countries, rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a rare cause of atrial fibrillation but in developing countries like India it is one of the commonest cause of atrial fibrillation. We studied etiology, left atrial size and the incidence of left atrial appendage clot in patients with atrial fibrillation at our institution so that guidelines could be formulated to manage the patients of AF in the hours of emergency.Methods: 110 consecutive patients of atrial fibrillation coming to emergency, cardiology and medicine outpatient department over a period of one year were enrolled for the study. Ethical committee clearance was taken. Detailed history were taken, clinical presentation reviewed and examination were carried out. All patients were subjected to transthoracic echocardiography and for transesophageal echocardiography if required.Results: The mean age of patients in the study was 58.42±14.27 years (range 22-90 years). Maximum numbers of patients were in the age group of 61-70 years (26.37%). Out of 110 patients with atrial fibrillation, 72 patients (65.46%) were females and 38 patients (34.54%) were males. Majority of patients presented with more than one symptom. Out of 110, 66 patients (60%) had RHD. Among RHD patients, 50 patients (45.55%) were females and 16 patients (14.55%) were males. Next common causes were hypertensive heart disease and degenerative valvular heart disease.Conclusions: In our study RHD was the most common cause of atrial fibrillation, followed by hypertensive heart disease and degenerative valvular heart disease. Mitral valve involvement was seen in all patients of RHD. Left atrial enlargement was seen in majority of patients, so left atrial enlargement could be a predictor of atrial fibrillation. Patients of left atrial enlargement are more prone to develop left atrial appendage clot.
Introduction:
Breast cancer is a leading cause of death among women globally. Better outcomes for patients can be ensured by early detection and treatment. Early detection requires a high degree of awareness about the various aspects of cancer including etiology, risk factors, signs and symptoms, and breast self-examination (BSE) practices. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and awareness related to breast cancer along with willingness for treatment, among women in an urban setup in Western India.
Materials and Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional study with 500 women belonging to the age group of 18–70 years residing in an urban area of Mumbai. Data were obtained through the use of a structured questionnaire over a period of 6 months (April–September 2016).
Results:
Over half of the respondents (71.42%) knew the symptoms of breast cancer. Awareness regarding the risk factors was varied. Although most (85.71%) of the respondents knew about BSE, contrastingly very few (38.09%) actually performed it. Awareness regarding diagnostic tests was limited to mammography and biopsy, but 90.47% of the women were willing to undergo these tests. 66.67% of women reported that the best treatment for breast cancer was surgery. Conclusion: Awareness of the different presentations of breast cancers (other than lump) is limited and so is the knowledge pertaining to risk factors. A lower level of education is most likely responsible for the low level of awareness and this is the main obstacle for undergoing regular cancer screening and early detection. There is a need of developing an effective health education programs to educate women about breast cancer, propagate valid information via the media, and promote early detection of breast cancer to ensure better outcomes.
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