The clinical diagnosis of pheochromocytoma is easy, considering that it manifests as labile hypertension, attacks of palpitations, headache, sweating, pallor or flushing. Urinary VMA or metanephrines seem to be the first investigative step as well as a CT scan to localize it as 85-90 percent arise from the adrenal medulla. Ten percent of these tumors are bilateral but non-adrenal tumors may arise from the sympathetic ganglia, usually alongside the aorta or its branches and in the wall of the urinary bladder. One percent is found outside the abdominal cavity. Meta-iodobenzyl guanidine (MIBG) is an excellent scanning agent that is taken up by most benign and malignant pheochromocytoma tissues. While this procedure is quite costly and underutilized in the Philippines, this paper was done to review its indications and how helpful it can be. From 2001 -2005, I131 MIBG scintigraphy was done only in 17 patients in two medical centers to confirm the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. The clinicians must be informed that this is not a screening procedure but it is particularly helpful in surveying the entire body for adrenal and extra-adrenal metastatic lesions. It is also diagnostic of intra-adrenal paragangliomas, neuroblastoma, carcinoids, and medullary thyroid carcinoma. This study was, likewise, done with the thought that MIBG may be utilized in the future for therapy as it has shown to be effective in pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; 3-iodobenzylguanidine ; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; Adrenal Medulla ; Carcinoid Tumor ; Ganglia, Sympathetic ; Headache ; Hypertension ; Neuroblastoma ; Paraganglioma ; Pheochromocytoma ; Sweating

Hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic colorectal carcinoma are amongst the more common causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) with 90y microspheres is usually indicated in patients with nonresectable status and extensive colorectal liver metastases that are refractory to chemotherapy or target therapy. Several examinations, including CT, MRI or PET, serum chemical analyses, hepatic angiography and liver-lung shunting study with Tc-99m MAA, are done to ensure appropriateness and safety of therapy. Herein, three cases (two with hepatocellular carcinoma and one with metastatic colorectal cancer), which qualified for SIRT and underwent SPECT-CT, are presented. All of them underwent the necessary pre-therapy work-ups. The CT and PET-CT scans identified the hepatic lesions. The blood tests showed nearly normal hepatic and renal functions, except for the third case with elevated bilirubin level. The hepatic angiograms revealed no significant gastrointestinal shunting. The liver-lung shunting studies computed <20% hepatopulmonary shunt fraction in all cases. One patient had >10% hepatopulmonary shunt. Together with the patient with an elevated bilirubin level, they received a reduced dose of 90Y microspheres by 20%. After SIRT, bremsstrahlung planar imaging and SPECT-CT were performed to localize the distribution of the 90y microspheres, the findings of which correlated well with the results of the pre-therapy scans. The use of SPECT-CT is recommended for better anatomic localization and functional correlation.

Human ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Neoplasms ; Adenocarcinoma ; Bilirubin ; Hematologic Tests ; Liver Neoplasms ; Microspheres ; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography ; Sulfhydryl Compounds ; Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin ; Tomography, Emission-computed, Single-photon

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) remains as the most common cutaneous neoplasm in the Philippines consisting of more than 60% of all skin cancers. Anacardium occidentale (Linn.) cashew extract, which had been used successfully in the removal of warts and moles in previous studies, is presented as a therapeutic option in BCC.
METHODS: An open-label prospective study was conducted on 36 patients (mean age of 65 years) with documented BCC lesions on middle third of the face. Cashew nut extract (DeBCC) application was offered to these patients as an alternative option to very unacceptable extirpative surgery offered by general and plastic surgeons as treatment for their lesions. Lesion size ranged from 7.5- 64 mm. (26.26 mm). Topical treatment was applied every 1-2 weeks, as needed. Follow-up examinations with photographic documentation were made every week to evaluate success of the treatment.
RESULTS: After a mean of 7 treatment applications (range of 1-20) all the lesions were undetectable on clinical examinations. Mild tingling sensation, which was reported by all patients during the treatment applications, was tolerable on all occasions. With follow-up ranging from 5-60 months (38.72 months), 16 patients completed the planned 5 - year post-treatment follow-up period. There were no recurrences detected.
CONCLUSIONS: Anacardium occidentale (Linn.) cashew extract (DeBCC) presents a viable and acceptable treatment option in primary BCC. The importance of this treatment option could be stressed in patients with lesions not amenable to the prescribed wide margin of resection needed in surgery.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Aged 80 And Over ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Aged ; Anacardium ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Humans ; Moles ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Nevus ; Nevus, Pigmented ; Nuts ; Philippines ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Sensation ; Skin Neoplasms ; Surgeons ; Warts ;

Purpose: Association between variants rs1047972 and rs8173 of the AURKA gene in healthy women and breast cancer (BC) in a Mexican population. Methods: Genomic DNA samples from 409 healthy women and 572 patients with BC were analyzed for variants rs1047972 and rs8173 of the AURKA gene by polymerase chain reactionrestriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: TT genotype (odds ratio [OR], 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22–5.11; p = 0.0015) and the T allele (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.23–2.12; p = 0.0007) of the rs1047972 variant were associated as risk susceptibility for BC relative to the control group. Contrarily, the GG genotype (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.43–0.94; p = 0.029) was associated as a protective factor of susceptibility of BC of the variant rs8173 of the AURKA gene. Differences were observed in the patients with BC who were carriers of the CT genotype of the rs1047972 variant with overweight, obesity, estrogen receptor-positive plus obesity, Ki-67 (≥ 20%) plus history familial positive of cancer; and for variant rs8173 the BC patients who were CG carriers and presented chemotherapy gastric toxicity, hormonal receptor positive plus chemotherapy gastric toxicity, and menopause status plus chemotherapy gastric toxicity (p < 0.05). Two common haplotypes were identified in the study groups: CG and TC genotypes, were associated as a protective and risk factor, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusion Variants rs1047972 and rs8173 of the AURKA gene and the TC haplotype were associated as risk susceptibility factors for BC in this population.

Introduction: Prostate cancer is the third most common cancer among Filipino males. Ga-68 PSMA PET-CT and Lu-177 PRLT have been introduced in the Philippines for the diagnostics and therapy of prostate cancer. Objective: The aim of this study is to compare treatment outcomes of standard therapy plus Lu-177 PSMA radioligand therapy and standard therapy alone among patients with prostatic cancer status-post castration using Ga-68 PET-CT as an outcome indicator. Methodology: This is an ambispective cohort study on Ga-68 PSMA PET-CT scans performed between January 1, 2018 and July 31, 2021. Serum PSA data taken within one month of the PET-CT scans were also collected when available. The PET-CT images were reviewed by a radiologist for RECIST response, and by a nuclear medicine physician for PERCIST response . Results: A total of 11 participants were included in the study. Six participants (55.5%) received standard therapy, while five participants (45.5%) received Lu-177 PSMA radioligand therapy plus standard therapy. There was no significant difference in the baseline and follow-up CT as shown by all p values > 0.05. A trend towards higher number of participants with non-complete/non-progressive RECIST response was noted in the control group than the treatment group, as well as higher number of participants with progressive or stable disease using the PERCIST response. Conclusion There were no significant differences noted in the clinical outcomes of participants who received Lu-177 PRLT and those with standard therapy alone. A trend towards decreasing serum PSA, CT and PET measurements were noted among patients given Lu-177 PRLT than those with standard therapy.
Prostatic Neoplasms

Objective. The study evaluates the clinical profile of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) Z Benefit Package (PZBP), as well as time intervals between PZBP screening, approval, and timing of surgery. Methods. A review of medical records was done to collect data on time intervals between the screening process and Philhealth approval in CABG patients under PZBP. The clinical profile and surgical outcomes of patients were also evaluated. Results. Sixty-three patients were included from March 2017 to December 2018. Most patients were under 61-70 years old. Hypertension was the most commonly observed comorbidity. Time intervals were analyzed including identification for surgery to eligibility screening (2–217 days, median 25 days), Philhealth approval (8–266 days, median 20 days), and surgery (9-403 days, median 33 days). Postoperative atrial fibrillation was seen in 22.58%. The most commonly observed complication prolonging hospitalization was pneumonia. Conclusion. This is the first local study which evaluated the timelines of PZBP. Results may be use as basis of follow up study in the future for identification of an acceptable timeline intervals. Several modifiable factors affecting time intervals were identified for further improvement of healthcare services. The leading cause of increase length in hospitalization were HAP and AF.
Coronary Artery Disease ; Vascular Diseases ; Vascular Surgical Procedures ; National Health Programs