Background:Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation analysis has become an important part of the initial workup of non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NS-NSCLC) patients as it is now recognized both as a prognostic and predictive marker to therapy with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI).Aim:In this retrospective study conducted at a University hospital, we evaluated the prevalence of EGFR mutations in patients with NS-NSCLC, clinico-pathological correlation and outcome to treatment with EGFR TKIs.Materials and Methods:Case records of 147 patients of NS-NSCLC in whom EGFR mutation status was tested were screened. EGFR mutation analysis was done using DNA sequencing by real time polymerase chain reaction method from tissue and cell blocks prepared from core biopsy, fine needle aspiration cytology and pleural fluid specimens.Results:EGFR mutations were seen in 30.6% of the 111 evaluable specimens, with a significantly higher rate in females (44% vs 19.6% P = 0.0072) as compared to men and non-smokers (41% vs 12% P = 0.0013) as against smokers. Most common mutations were observed in exons 19 (71%) and 21 (25%). The estimated median progression free survival for patients with and without mutations when treated with upfront TKIs was 12 months and 3 months respectively and the estimated median overall survival for patients with and without mutations was 20 and 9 months respectively.Conclusion:This study from India, further establishes the importance of upfront EGFR mutation testing in all NS-NSCLC patients, not only to prognosticate, but also to identify that subset of patients who could benefit from EGFR TKI therapy, early in the course of their disease.

Background: Colon cancer is a leading cause of increase in cancer incidence and now becoming a major cause of cancer related mortality.Methods: We evaluated data of patients diagnosed with colon cancer and managed under Aarogyasri program between 2013 and 2019 at a tertiary care cancer hospital in Rajamahenderi, Andhra Pradesh, India. We collected data regarding demography, clinical presentation, subsite, histology, stage and treatment.Results: A total of 142 patients with colon cancer were managed. The mean age was 53.6 years with males accounting for 57%. Most common clinical presentation was abdominal pain followed by vomiting. Most common histology was well differentiated adenocarcinoma. Left sided colon tumors accounted for 47%. Most common stage at presentation was stage III.Conclusions: Our data of colon cancer was different from that described in the western countries. Young age presentation, higher mucinous and signet ring carcinomas and advanced stage presentation were reported in our study. Socioeconomic factors, inadequate health care access might account for some of these differences.

Introduction: Non‐Hodgkin lymphoma’s (NHL) are a group of malignant lympho-proliferative disorders arising predominantly in lymph nodes with different patterns of behavior and responses to treatment. NHL clinical presentation varies with histology sub type and with sites of involvement. Accurate staging is important, which helps in risk stratification and management decisions. Aim: Aim was to study the clinical profile of patients with B-cell NHL and to assess response to various chemotherapeutic agents. Materials and methods: We evaluated data of patients diagnosed with B-cell NHL between 2015 and 2019 at a tertiary care cancer hospital in Andhra Pradesh, India. Data regarding demographic variables, clinical features and examination findings were collected using a pre-designed study proforma. Lab investigations including complete blood picture, liver and renal function tests, bone marrow examination, immunohistochemistry and treatment details were noted. Results: A total of 91 patients with B-cell NHL were managed. Mean age was 53yrs,with males accounting for 60%. Mean duration of presentation was 4.32 months. Most common presentation was lymphadenopathy,followed by loss of appetite, weight loss, fever and night sweats.Majority of study subjects were diagnosed as Diffuse large B Cell Lymphoma 70 (76.9%), followed by Follicular lymphoma 10 (11.0%), Small lymphocytic lymphoma 7(7.7%). Bone marrow involved in 22 (24.2%); Stage IV accounted by 34 (37.4%) followed by Stage III. CHOP regimen of 6 cycles was received by 30 (33.0%) patients, out of which 23 patients had complete response; 61 (67.0%) patients received R-CHOP, out of which 58 had complete response. Conclusion: B-cell NHL has an early onset in India compared to western literature. Accurate staging is important, which helps in risk stratification and management decisions. Treatment with R-CHOP is superior to CHOP regimen with better prognosis and survival. Monitoring at periodic intervals for possible relapse is important as many patients whose disease recurred can be salvageable.

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