1.Thymic carcinoma presenting with an unusual and delayed metastasis to the neural foramen, mimicking thoracic spinal radiculopathy
Hsien Min Low ; Chin Fong Wong ; Martin Weng Chin H'ng
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2016;71(6):368-369
We report a case of metastatic thymic carcinoma which
presented as an enhancing mass located in the neural
foramen of the thoracic spine. More common tumours which
arise in the neural foramen would include a neurogenic
tumour or developmental anomalies such as a foregut
duplication cyst. This case is singular firstly because the
lesion present as radiculopathy which mimics a neurogenic
tumour. Secondly, the presentation was unusually delayed
as the patient presented to our centre more than a decade
after the resection of the primary tumour in another
institution.
6.Challenges of respondent driven sampling to assess sexual behaviour and estimate the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis in men who have sex with men (MSM) in Singapore.
Arlene C CHUA ; Mark Ic CHEN ; Philippe CAVAILLER ; Lili JIANG ; Mohammed Ridzwan ABDULLAH ; Oon Tek NG ; Martin CHIO ; Stuart KOE ; Joanne TAY ; Mee Lian WONG ; Roy CHAN
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2013;42(7):350-353
There is a lack of representative samples to provide reliable and accurate seroprevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as well as behavioural information among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Singapore. We used respondent driven sampling (RDS) to recruit MSM. Participants completed a survey used by Asian Internet MSM Sex Survey (AIMSS) and were tested for HIV and syphilis. We compared the characteristics of the RDS participants with STI diagnosis against those who did not have any STI diagnosis in the past 6 months. We compared RDS participants with AIMSS participants. Of 72 MSM recruited, 1 was positive for HIV (1.3%) and 4 (5.5%) tested positive for syphilis. Median age was 30 years and majority was Chinese (69.4%). RDS participants who had any STI diagnosis reported to have more use of recreational drugs (P = 0.006), and lower condom use (P = 0.054). Comparing RDS participants (n = 72) with the AIMSS participants (n = 2075), RDS respondents had ≥1 male partner in the past 6 months (P = 0.003), more casual sex partners (P = 0.012) and more STI symptoms (P = 0.019). There was no difference in terms of HIV testing and recreational drug use. The HIV and syphilis seroprevalence rates from our study are similar to previous reports conducted in high-risk MSM. In contrast to other settings, RDS did not work well among MSM in Singapore. The public health implications of our study highlight the challenges in obtaining data for HIV surveillance in assessing prevalence and risk behaviours among MSM.
Adult
;
HIV Infections
;
diagnosis
;
epidemiology
;
psychology
;
Health Literacy
;
methods
;
Health Surveys
;
Homosexuality, Male
;
psychology
;
statistics & numerical data
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Prevalence
;
Risk-Taking
;
Seroepidemiologic Studies
;
Sexual Behavior
;
Sexual Partners
;
psychology
;
Singapore
;
epidemiology
;
Syphilis
;
diagnosis
;
epidemiology
;
psychology
7.Optimizing the role of general practitioners in organized colorectal cancer screening
Jason LW HUANG ; Yuan FANG ; Pingping BAO ; Yangming GONG ; Martin CS WONG
Chinese Journal of General Practitioners 2018;17(6):486-489
Organized,population-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening has been implemented in various cities of China in order to control its rising threat.General practitioners (GPs) play a crucial role as central coordinators among potential screening participants,service providers and program organizers.However,rates of participation and adherence to CRC screening program remain low,whilst its program performance indicators are increasingly receiving more attention.In this review,we summarize the latest literature focusing on strategies to optimize the role of GPs in different stages of organized CRC screening programs,which could substantially enhance screening efficiency and cost-effectiveness of population-based screening programs.
8.Prevalence and risk factors of colorectal cancer in Asia
Martin CS WONG ; Hanyue DING ; Jingxuan WANG ; Paul SF CHAN ; Junjie HUANG
Intestinal Research 2019;17(3):317-329
Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) is a substantial public health burden, and it is increasingly affecting populations in Asian countries. The overall prevalence of CRC is reported to be low in Asia when compared with that in Western nations, yet it had the highest number of prevalent cases. This review described the prevalence of CRC in Asia according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer from World Health Organization (WHO) database and summarized its major risk factors. Non-modifiable factors include genetic factors, ethnicity, age, gender, family history and body height; smoking, alcohol drinking, weight, Westernized diet, physical inactivity, chronic diseases and microbiota were involved in environmental factors. These risk factors were separately discussed in this review according to published literature from Asian countries. CRC screening has been playing an important role in reducing its disease burden. Some recommendations on its screening practices have been formulated in guidelines for Asia Pacific countries.
Alcohol Drinking
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Asia
;
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
;
Body Height
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Chronic Disease
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Colorectal Neoplasms
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Diet
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Epidemiology
;
Humans
;
International Agencies
;
Mass Screening
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Microbiota
;
Prevalence
;
Public Health
;
Risk Factors
;
Smoke
;
Smoking
;
World Health Organization