Giedrė Smailytė

Significance of blood serum catalase activity and malondialdehyde level for survival prognosis of ovarian cancer patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Several markers were found to be potential prognostic factors in ovarian cancer. Among markers resembling systemic changes in the hosts organism are markers of the oxidative stress. In this study we attempted to analyze the oxidant and antioxidant parameters of ovarian cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 42 patients with newly diagnosed stages I-IV primary ovary cancer were examined. Level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalytic activity catalase (CAT) were determined spectrophotometrically. RESULTS Significantly lower CAT (28.2±15.5 vs. 36.1±14.6nmol/L/min, P=0.019) activity and higher MDA levels (8.7±3.0 vs. 6.7±2.7nmol/L, P=0.002) were observed in cancer patients compared with healthy volunteers. Both variables were not confirmed as prognostic factors according to Kaplan-Meier survival estimates. CONCLUSIONS MDA and CAT demonstrate oxidative stress in cancer patients: CAT activity was significantly lower and MDA levels higher in cancer patients compared to healthy controls. These variables were not confirmed to be prognostic factors in ovarian cancer, possibly due to small size of the study group.

Impact of microsatellite instability on survival of endometrial cancer patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most commonly diagnosed gynecologic malignancy among women worldwide and may be classified on the basis of different molecular, pathologic and genetic alterations, including microsatellite instability (MSI). Although MSI is associated with a more favorable outcome in colorectal cancer, its relationship with prognosis in EC cancer is not yet clear. The aim of our study is to identify whether MSI correlates with survival of patients in EC. MATERIALS AND METHODS We examined MSI status and survival of 109 women. MSI was detected by employing the Promega MSI Analysis System, which used 5 mononucleotides markers (BAT-25, BAT-26, NR-21, NR-24, and MONO-27) to identify MSI in a tumor and normal tissue DNA and 2 pentanucleotide markers (Penta C and Penta D) for specimen identification. Median follow-up of patients was 40.4 months (range 5.2-47.9). Survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis was used to assess the effects of different variables on patient survival. RESULTS MSI-high was detected in 15.6% EC cases, all of which were associated with endometrioid type histology. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed no statistically significant differences between patients with MSI-high and MSI stable tumors (P=0.4) and multivariate analysis concluded that MSI status remained insignificant after stage, histology and tumor grade adjustment (P=0.5). CONCLUSIONS Our study showed no statistically significant relationship between MSI-high and survival of endometrial cancer patients.

Factors affecting health-related quality of life in prostate cancer patients

Abstract Objective. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Lithuania. Quality of life (QoL) assessment plays a key role in the evaluation and treatment of cancer patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors affecting the QoL of patients with prostate cancer in Lithuania. Material and methods. A cross-sectional national-level study was performed. QoL was investigated with the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, interrelationship analysis between characteristics and multivariate logistic regression to estimate predictors and odds ratios (ORs) for each of the independent variables in the model. Results. The response rate was 74.8% (N = 486). One-quarter of respondents with prostate cancer indicated high QoL scores. Higher QoL scores were given for prostate cancer patients with lower education level [OR = 3.092, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.007–9.491, p = 0.049], having lower monthly expenses for treatment (OR = 3.653, CI 1.318–10.128, p = 0.013), disease stage II (by patient conveyance) (OR = 10.053, CI 1.015–99.534, p = 0.048), disease stage I (by medical record) (OR = 2.19E + 08, CI 218514200.17–218514200.17, p < 0.001) and in those with undisclosed disease stage (OR = 9.220, CI 1.251–67.965, p = 0.029). Conclusions. Significant predictors for higher QoL scores were education level, own monthly expenses for treatment and disease stage. Patients with undisclosed disease stage more often had higher QoL scores.

Education predicts cervical cancer survival: a Lithuanian cohort study.

Background : We examined inequalities in cervical cancer survival in Lithuania by education and place of residence. : The study is based on the linked dataset that includes all records of the 2001 population Census, all records from Lithuanian Cancer Registry (cancer incidence) and all death and emigration records from Statistics Lithuania for the period between 6 April 2001 and 31 December 2009. The study group includes cervical cancers registered in the Cancer Registry from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2006. Analysis was restricted to women who were 25-64 years old at the Census date (in total 1 866 cases). : During the study period there were 671 deaths corresponding to an overall 5-year survival proportion 64.13% (95% CI 61.86-66.31). Place of residence and education of cervical cancer patients had strong impact on survival; 5-year survival was higher in women living in urban areas than in rural (68.61 and 55.93%) and survival decreased with decreasing education: from 79.77% in highest education group to 64.85 and 50.48% in groups with secondary and lower than secondary education. The effect of place of residence declined when stage of disease was included in the model and became not significant in final model with education adjustment. The effect of education declined after inclusion of stage and other variables, however, remained significant. : We found that women with higher education experienced higher survival following a cervical cancer diagnosis, and stage of disease at the time of diagnosis explains only the part of observed differences.

Testicular cancer in two brothers of a quadruplet: a case report and a review of literature

Introduction. Testicular cancer and a multiple birth are both rare events, and the risk of testicular cancer is increased in twins. In Lithuania, only five quadruplets have been recorded since the middle of the 20th century. In this report, we present two rare events in one family: testicular cancer in two brothers of a quadruplet (three brothers and a sister). Case description. Both patients were diagnosed at 21 years of age and died within two years from the diagnosis despite treatment. The third symptomless brother did not have testicular pathology. We also review the risk factors associated with testicular cancer, and the proposed hypotheses how a multiple birth results in an increased risk. The most consistent risk factors for testicular cancer are cryptorchidism, prior history of testicular cancer, and a positive familial history. According to different studies, the risk of testicular cancer in twins is higher from 22% to 30%, compared to the general population. Conclusions. To our knowledge, we have presented the first case of testicular teratoblastoma in brothers of a quadruplet.