Improvement in outcomes of breast cancer patient treatment in Poland in the 21st century

Breast cancer accounts for 22%‐25% of all female cancers diagnosed worldwide. The aim of study was to compare the 5‐year relative survival rates for breast cancer patients treated in the years 2008‐2010, 2000‐2002, and 2005‐2007, and to determine their relationships with the methods and costs of treatment. Data were collected from the National Cancer Registry and the Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia (National Health Fund) data bases. An increase in the 5‐year survival rate was observed. The results show the impact of some factors on the survival and treatment costs. It is necessary to create data bases being a platform for further comprehensive analyses.     

Etiology of nasal polyps: an update

Nasal polyps are the results of chronic inflammation of nasal mucosa. Ethiopathology of nasal polyposis is still unclear and investigated. The main aim of this study was the assessment of interleukin 2 (IL-2), 4 (IL-4) and 13 (IL-13) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) expressions in two groups of patients with nasal polyps: non-allergic and allergic to dust. Twelve patients with nasal polyposis were selected, six of them allergic and six non-allergic. Patients with allergy were distinguished from those without allergy on the basis of positive allergy skin tests to dust and serum levels of IgE. Blood sample was obtained from patients and examined for the expression of Interleukin 2, 4, and 13 and IFN-gamma by intracellular staining procedure after stimulation with PMA/ionomycin (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) and allergen (D. pteronyssimus, Allergopharma). Negative correlation was found between expression of Interleukin 2, 4, 13 after PMA/ionomycin and allergen stimulation (p > 0.05) into two groups. Although mean expression of IFN-gamma and IL-2 were lower in allergic patients with nasal polyps. Mean value of IL-4 and IL-13 were higher in allergic patients in comparison to non-allergic, but the correlations were not significant. We did not find correlations between expression of investigated interleukins and bronchial asthma and ASA-intolerance existed in patients (p > 0.05). We found that expression of IFN-gamma was significantly lower in patients with polyps recurrences followed by polypectiomies (p = 0.05). In patients who used intranasal local steroid before treatment we observed significant decrease of 11-2 and 11-13 levels after allergen stimulation (p = 0.,034, p = 0.023). No specific differences of expression of investigated cytokines between allergic versus non-allergic patients suggests that the allergic mechanism may not play an fundamental role in the aetiology and formation of nasal polyps. Furthermore local steroids seem to be used in every patient after polypectomy because of their anti-inflammatory stimulation.     

The effect of methylprednisolone pulse treatment on cytokine network in Graves ophthalmopathy

The etiology of Graves ophthalmopathy (GO), representing the most common extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves disease, is multifactorial. Among multiple genetic, environmental, and endogenous factors, cytokines play a critical role in its etiopathogenesis. We studied an effect of glucocorticoid therapy on the serum IL-6, IL-4, and IL-13 levels in 18 GO patients. All the patients presented euthyroid GO with over 4 points according to the CAS classification (range 4-6; mean 4.94). The patients were treated with methylprednisolone (1 g every second day for three times) followed by 6 months oral prednisone (60 mg/day, with gradual reduction). The clinical examination (Clinical Activity Score and the GO severity by modified NOSPECS classification) and measurement of anti-TPO, anti-TG, anti-TSHR (TRAK), IL-6, IL-4, as well as IL-13 serum levels were performed before, after 2 weeks, and after 6 months of the glucocorticoid therapy. Significant serum IL-6 increases (p < 0.001) and moderate serum IL-4 and IL-13 increases (p < 0.05) were found in GO patients compared with healthy controls. After 2 weeks of the therapy, the serum IL-6 levels decreased in majority of the patients, however after 6-month observation, lower serum IL-6 levels were only in 8 patients who seemed to respond clinically to the therapy (mean value of the Clinical Activity Score decreased from 4.5 before the therapy initiation to 1.25 after 6 months of the glucocorticoid therapy). No changes in IL-4 and IL-13 serum levels during the therapy were observed. Statistical analysis revealed a good correlation between serum IL-6 level and the Clinical Activity Score (p < 0.01). Based on the obtained data, we conclude that IL-6 plays an important role in GO. It seems that IL-6 may serve as a useful factor in the inflammatory events of GO.     

Hypnic headache as a primary short-lasting night headache: a report of two cases

Hypnic headache is a rare type of primary short-lasting headache related to sleep. The pathogenesis of hypnic headache still remains unknown, but it may be a chronobiological disturbance or a response to a pineal circadian irregularity in which melatonin may play a role in resynchronizing biological rhythms to lifestyle. It is a moderate headache that appears during sleep with almost an alarm clock regularity and lasts up to 60 minutes. The headache is boring, unilateral or with diffuse location. Lithium carbonate and flunarizine show the best efficacy, caffeine and melatonin may also be useful. The author describes two cases of hypnic headache, which were effectively treated. A 45-year-old woman was treated with flunarizine and melatonin and a 65-year-old man was treated with flunarizine. The efficacy of flunarizine may be associated with the activation of D2 receptor and the added treatment with melatonin may hasten the good effect similar to that seen in our patient.