Objective: To find the epidemiology and risk factors of sinonasal tumors and treatment outcomes in squamous cell carcinoma.

Background/aim: Smokeless tobacco has been associated with oral cavity cancer for several decades. The incidence of oral cavity cancer is higher in some parts of the world especially South and SouthEast Asia including Pakistan. The aim of current study was to evaluate the risk of oral cavity cancer among smokeless tobacco users in our country. Materials and methods: A case-control study was conducted between November 2016 and September 2017. Patients diagnosed with oral cavity cancer receiving treatment were included as cases and the attendants of various cancer patients visiting the hospital during the study period were included in the study as controls. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated and all reported P-values were considered significant at < 0.05. Results: The crude OR for the "ever smokeless tobacco users" among cases and controls came out to be 4.98 (95%CI; 2.76-9.01). The OR for snuff users among cases and controls was 4.82 (95%CI; 2.37-9.80) and that for betel leaf users was 4.42 (95%CI; 1.66-11.91) after adjusting for smoking and age. Conclusion: Our study provided strong evidence for snuff and betel leaf to be independent risk factors for oral cavity cancer.

Brain, the centre of the nervous system and an integral part the body, is protected by two anatomical and physiological barriers- Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) and Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier (BCSFB). Blood-Brain Barrier is a very complex and highly organized multicellular structure that shields the brain from harmful substances and invading organisms from the bloodstream and thus offering protection against various brain diseases and injuries. However, it also impede the effective delivery of drug to the brain, thus, preventing treatment of numerous neurological disorders. Even though various traditional approaches such as Intra-Cerebro-Ventricular (ICV) injection, use of implants, disruption of BBB and use of prodrugs have achieved some success in overcoming these barriers, researchers are continuously working for promising alternatives for improved brain drug delivery. Recent breakthroughs in the field of nanotechnology provide an appropriate solution to problems associated with these delivery approaches and thus can be effectively used to treat a wide variety of brain diseases. Thus, nanotechnology promises to bring a great future to the individuals with various brain disorders. This review provides a brief overview of various brain drug delivery approaches along with limitations. In addition, the significance of nanoparticles as drug carrier systems for effective brain specific drug delivery has been highlighted. To show the complexity of the problems to be overcome for improved brain drug delivery, a concise intercellular classification of the BBB along with general transport routes across it is also included.

Objectives: To determine the frequency and grades of acute side effects with three-dimensional brachytherapy in carcinoma cervix using RTOG/EORTC acute radiation morbidity scoring criteria.

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