OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of life (QoL) after palliative surgery of patients with advanced breast or gastrointestinal malignancies

METHODS: Quality of Life (QoL) of 32 patients with advanced breast or gastrointestinal cancer (Stage IIIB up to Stage IV) was evaluated before surgery (baseline), then 7 and 30 days after surgery using the Medical Outcomes Study Short form (SF-36v2? Questionnaire).Statistical significance of the difference in outcomes was tested using the two-tailed T-test at 95% CI.

RESULTS: Preoperatively, the patients scored poorly (scores below the average mean of 50) in all 8 subscales of the SF-36v2?. Seven days after a palliative surgery, patients showed significant improvement in all subscales except Vitality and Social Functioning.The patients experienced statistically significant changes in quality of life subscale scores on Physical Functioning, Role-Physical, Bodily Pain, General Health, Role Emotional, and Mental Health after surgery. A significant change in all subscales occurred 30 days after surgery compared to the baseline and 7 days post-op.

CONCLUSIONS: While patients with advanced malignancy experienced problems with quality of life preoperatively, they improved postoperatively but not to the level of a normal person.

Human ; Mental Health ; Palliative Care ; Quality Of Life ; Postoperative Period ; Outcome Assessment (health Care) ; Pain ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms

Objectives: To determine if ultrasound can increase the accuracy of fine needle aspiration biopsy in confirming malignancy in clinically malignant breast masses. Methods: Clinically malignant breast masses underwent ultrasound, fine needle aspiration biopsy/cytology, and tissue biopsy. Accuracy of each test and in combination were calculated using histopathology as gold standard. Results: The accuracy of ultrasound alone was only 67.5% sensitivity of 90.0%, specificity of 33.3%, positive predictive value of 67.2% and negative predictive value of 68.8%, while FNAB alone has an accuracy of 89.2%, sensitivity of 90.0%, specificity of 87.9%, postive predictive value of 91.8%, and negative predictive value of 85.3%. With concordant findings in ultrasound and FNAB, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value are 94.3%, 97.6%, 81.8%, 95.3%, and 90%, respectively. Conclusion: With concordant findings in ultrasound and FNAB, accuracy in confirming malignancy is 94.3%. Key words: breast cancer, breast ultrasonography, fine needle aspiration biopsy/cytology
NOT IDENTIFIED

Objectives: To determine the accuracy of SLNB using methylene blue dye. Methods: Breast cancer patients consulting at the VSMMC Breast Center with biopsy proven adenocarcinoma of the breast, a Tis, T1, T2 or T3 primary breast tumor and clinically negative ipsilateral axilla by palpation and ultrasound, were included in the study. The subjects underwent either modified radical mastectomy or breast conservation theraphy. Subareolar injection of 5 ml 1% methylene blue dye 5 minutes prior to sentinel lymph node biopsy. Three blue staining axillary lymph nodes were taken and sent to pathology for frozen section evaluation and after surgery, H & E staining. A completion axillary lymph node dissection was done in all patients. Accuracy of SLNB using methylene blue was calculated using final histopathology results as gold standard. Results: Twent patients were included in this study. SLNB in this group had an accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 95.0% 83.3%, 100%, 100%, and 93.3%, respectively. The false negative rate is 6.7%. On the average, the SLN's were identified in 14 minutes. Conclusion: Sentinel lymph node dissection with methylene blue has an accuracy of 95% in the VSMMC Breast Center. Key words: sentinel lymph node biopsy, methylene blue dye, breast cancer
Human ; Female ; SENTINEL LYMPH NODE BIOPSY

INTRODUCTION: The VSMMC Breast Center actively promotes the practice of monthly breast self-examination and annual clinical breast examination to aid in the early detection of breast cancer. The object of this study was to determine the performance outcome (proportion of participants who passed) on the technical aspect of the proficiency in clinical breast examination (ProCBE) module at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

METHODS: The study is a retrospective analytical review designed to evaluate the proficiency in clinical breast examination program (ProCBE) done at VSMMC Breast Center. The participants' skills on the technical aspect (Position, perimeter/pattern and palpation/ pressure) were evaluated through a return demonstration. Testing the difference between proportion using z-test was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: One hundred fifty-two participants were included in the ProCBE class which included medical doctors, medical interns, and registered nurses. In the positioning station, 87.3%, 86.4%, and 80.4% of doctors, interns, and nurses passed. In the primeter/ pattern station, 97.5%, 90.9% and 66.7% of doctors, interns and nurses passed. In the palpation/pressure station, 54.4%, 50.0% and 66.7% of doctors, interns, and nurses passed the module.

CONCLUSION: Overall, 43.0%, 27.3% and 29.4% of doctors, interns, and nurses passed the technical aspect of the proficiency in clinical breast examination module, respectively.

Human ; Breast Neoplasms

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of core needle biopsy (CNB) in the diagnosis of breast cancer at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC).

METHODS: Records of all patients who underwent both CNB and were retrieved. A 2x2 table, using final histopathological reports as gold standard was constructed to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and accuracy of CNB.

RESULTS: Of the 84 patients who were included in the study, 71 were positive result. Sensitivity of CNB in this institution was 94.6% specificity was 90%, while positive and negative values were 98.6% and 69.2% respectively. Overall accuracy was 94%.

CONCLUSION: The accuracy rate of core needle biopsy at VSMMC is 94% comparable to reports from other centers abroad.

Human ; Biopsy, Large-core Needle ; Sensitivity And Specificity ; Breast Neoplasms