Poor socio-economic status resulting in fewer intakes of fresh fruits, vegetables and fish in addition to heavy hookah smoking are suspected to be the major risk factors for the development of esophageal cancer.

Cytogenetic abnormalities in chromosomal number and structure are common in pediatric ALL and some have prognostic significance. One interesting association between cytogenetic status and treatment response involves the metabolism of methotrexate. Hyperdiploid lymphoblasts accumulate increased amounts of MTX and MTX polyglutamates, and they have higher basal apoptotic rates compared with leukemic cells with lower ploidy and normal cells. These characteristics may contribute to the better outcomes observed for patients with hyperdiploid lymphoblasts. A number of recurrent chromosomal abnormalities have been shown to have prognostic significance, especially in B-precursor ALL. Some chromosomal abnormalities are associated with more favorable outcomes, such as high hyperdiploidy (51-65 chromosomes) and the ETV6-RUNX1 fusion. Others are associated with a poorer prognosis, including the Philadelphia chromosome [t(9;22)], rearrangements of the MLL gene (chromosome 11q23), and intrachromosomal amplification of the AML1 gene (iAMP21).

Non-Western patients behave differently with sunitinib therapy compared to Western patients. Our patients have more mucocutaneous side effects and lesser overall survival.

Aim There is an urgent need to set up a useful biomarker for ovarian cancer. Galectin-1 is a promising carbohydrate-binding protein which plays a remarkable role in various malignancies yet its clinical significance is questionable. In this study, we have tested the clinical implications of serum Galectin-1 levels in patients with ovarian tumours. Main methods Serum Galectin-1 levels were quantified in 84 newly diagnosed ovarian tumour patients and 20 healthy controls by Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay during the course of the disease. Therefore the samples were taken at diagnosis, after surgery and after chemotherapy. Key findings The Galectin-1 levels were found to be associated with various variables of Ovarian Cancer patients. The levels were found to be prominently high in postmenopausal patients. Galectin-1 levels were raised in epithelial ovarian tumours with significantly high levels in serous subtype. A decrease in Galectin-1 levels post-surgical intervention and after receiving chemotherapy was found. Galectin-1 levels evidently distinguished between normal, benign, malignant and metastatic cases as compared to CA125 levels. Galectin-1 demonstrated to be a better biomarker than CA125 according to the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Significance The study emphasizes that serum Galectin-1 may serve as a better surrogate biomarker in Ovarian Cancer for early detection, discriminating between malignant and benign abdominal masses and monitoring the progression of the disease and response to treatment.

PURPOSE Ovarian cancer (OC) is ranked as the third most common gynecologic cancer in various Indian cancer registries. In India, OC is seen in the younger age group, with a median age < 55 years being reported by most of the studies. The majority of patients are diagnosed in advanced stage (70%-80%), where the long-term (10-year) survival rate is poor, estimated at 15%-30%. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical epidemiology, treatment patterns, and survival outcomes in patients with epithelial OC. METHODS This was a retrospective analysis of patients with epithelial OC who were treated at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, over a period of 9 years, from January 2010 to December 2018. RESULTS OC constituted 2.94% of all cancers registered. Epithelial OC constituted 88.4% of all OCs, with a median age 50 years. More than two third of patients belonged to rural background and the majority (76.9%) of the patients were in stage III or IV at the time of diagnosis. The main presenting symptoms were abdominal distension/bloating (46.5%) and gastrointestinal disturbances (35.2%). The most common histologic types were serous (65.9%) followed by mucinous carcinoma (15%). Median overall survival for the whole study cohort was 30 months (95% CI, 28.0 to 31.9). Median overall survival for stage I, II, III, and IV was 72, 60, 30, and 20 months, respectively. CONCLUSION Most of the patients presented in advanced stage of the disease and have poor outcome. Delay in diagnosis and improper management before registering in tertiary cancer center and lack of tertiary care facilities are the root causes of poor outcomes. The general population and primary care physicians need to be made aware of OC symptoms.