Browsing by Author "Unal, Dilek"

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    The Effect of Haematological Parameters on Overall Survival in Advanced Stage Non Small Cell Lung Cancer
    (2014) Oguz, Arzu; Colak, Dilsen; Ersoy, Ugur; Imamoglu, Inanc G.; Altinbas, Mustafa; Unal, Dilek; Zararsiz, Gokmen
    In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of pretreatment blood count values, particularly WBC counts, in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The records of 186 patients with advanced stage (stage IIIB and IV) NSCLC were assessed retrospectively. Patients were divided into 3 subgroups according to WBC levels; <= 0000 /mm(3) as Group 1, >10000 and <= 15000/mm(3) as Group 2 and >15000/mm(3) as Group 3. Patient and tumor characteristics as well as outcomes in terms of overall survival (OS) were evaluated. Median OS was 13.3 months in the whole population, 25.7 months in stage IIIB and 8.9 months in stage IV patients. According to the pretreatment leukocyte values, median OS was 17.9 months in Group 1, 11.2 months in Group 2 and 8.4 months in Group 3 (p= 0.003). Median OS values in WBC groups according to stages IIIB and IV were significantly different (p< 0.001). In multivariate analyses, ECOG-PS 2 or 3, stage IV disease, anemia and high WBC levels were associated with poorer OS. In this study, higher pretreatment WBC levels were associated with poorer OS in patients with advanced stage NSCLC. Pretreatment WBC counts may represent a simple prognostic factor and may aid in tailoring treatment in patients with advanced NSCLC.
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    Hepatitis B and C Seroprevalence in Solid Tumors - Necessity for Screening During Chemotherapy
    (2014) Oguz, Arzu; Aykas, Fatma; Unal, Dilek; Karahan, Samet; Uslu, Emine; Basak, Mustafa; Karaman, Ahmet
    Background: Hepatitis B and C are the leading causes of liver diseases worldwide. For hematological and solid malignancy patients undergoing chemotherapy, increases in HBV DNA and HCV RNA levels can be detected which may result in reactivation and hepatitis-related morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Hbs ag and Anti HCV positivity in patients with solid malignancies undergoing chemotherapy and consequences during follow-up. Materials and Methods: The files of 914 patients with solid malignancies whose hepatitis markers were determined serologically at diagnosis were reviewed retrospectively. All underwent adjuvant/palliative chemotherapy. For the cases with HBV and/or HCV positivity, HBV DNA and HCV RNA levels, liver function tests at diagnosis and during follow-up and the treatment modalities that were chosen were determined. Results: Of 914 cases, Hbs Ag, anti Hbs and anti HCV positivity were detected in 40 (4.4%), 336 (36.8%) and 26 (2.8%) of the cases respectively. All of the Hbs ag positive patients received prophylactic lamuvidine before the start of chemotherapy. In the Hbs ag and anti HCV positive cases, liver failure was not detected during chemotherapy and a delay in chemotherapy courses because of hepatitis was not encountered. Conclusions: Just as with hematological malignancies, screening for HBV and HCV should also be considered for patients with solid tumors undergoing chemotherapy. Prophylactic antiviral therapy for HBV reduces both the reactivation rates and HBV related mortality and morbidity. The clinical impact of HCV infection on patients undergoing chemotherapy is still not well characterized.