Timur Ceric

Long-term outcome of GIST patients treated with delayed imatinib therapy

a Department of Pathology, Cytology and Human Genetics, Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina b Department of Genetics, Section of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina c Department of Oncology, Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina d Oncology Clinic, University Clinical Center Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina e Department of Pathology, University Clinical Center Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina f Department of Pathology, Cytology and Forensic Medicine, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina g Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, International Burch University, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina h Hematology Clinic, Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Advantages of Combined PET-CT in Mediastinal Staging in Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma.

Introduction: Precise mediastinal lymph node staging in patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) provides important prognostic information and it is obligatory in treatment strategy planning. 18Fluoro-deoxy-glucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography - computerized tomography (PET-CT) based on detection of metabolic activity showed superiority in preoperative staging of lung carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Total number of 26 patients diagnosed with NSCLC were included in this retrospective, cross-sectional study. Status of mediastinal lymph nodes was assessed in all patients comparing contrast enhanced CT and 18F-FDG PET-CT findings. Discussion: We found in our study that 50% of patients had different N stage on contrast enhanced CT comparing to 18F-FDG PET-CT findings. Among the total number of patients which had different nodal status on PET-CT comparing to CT alone, we found in our study that 54% of patients had change in further therapy protocol after PET-CT change of nodal stage. Conclusion: Combined PET-CT which offers advantages of both modalities is excellent method for nodal (N) staging, so it is recommended in initial staging in patients with NSCLC. PET-CT used preopratively for mediastinal nodal staging has significant impact on further therapy planning and also has an consequential impact on health system savings.

Lack of Access to Targeted Cancer Treatment Modalities in the Developing World in the Era of Precision Medicine: Real-Life Lessons From Bosnia

Patients with cancer in developing and low-income countries have limited access to targeted cancer therapies. The transitional nature of these economieshas influencedhealthcare funding,whichhas resulted in the unavailability of targeted cancer treatments. Besides the three studies that will be described here, to our knowledge, no literature exists on the clinical outcome of patients treated with delayed targeted cancer therapy. To raise awareness on the importance of timely targeted cancer treatment, we will discuss three key issues: (1) the low number of targeted cancer therapies for different cancers, (2) thedelay incancer treatment, and (3) the unavailability of cancer diagnostics.

A clinicopathologic study of invasive apocrine carcinoma of the breast: A single-center experience

School of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Department of Pathology, Clinical Center, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Department of Radiology, Clinical Center, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Department of Oncology, Clinical Center, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar

Value of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET-CT) in Suspected Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Recurrence and Impact on Patient Management.

Introduction: Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT) is very sensitive for diagnosis of recurrent NSCLC and has a significant impact on change of management. Preliminary data suggest superiority of PET-CT comparing to CT alone for lung cancer restaging. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study which aim is to validate usage of PET-CT in suspected non-small cell lung carcinoma recurrence and its impact on further patient management. Total number of 31 patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma and uncertain diagnosis of recurrent disease or its extent after routine clinical and CT work-up were enrolled in this study. Discussion: We found in our study that PET-CT diagnosed recurrent disease in 65% of patients who were previously presented with an indeterminante CT. In 85% of patients there were change in further management. Conclusion: We suggest that PET should be performed on patients who have suspected relapse after potentially curative treatment, particularly if active treatment is being considered. PET-CT improved the diagnosis of recurrent NSCLC and this resulted in a significant impact and change in further patient management.