Meltem Baykara - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Meltem Baykara

Tumori Journal, Jul 1, 2013

Aims and background. Chemoradiation using cisplatin-based regimens has become the standard care i... more Aims and background. Chemoradiation using cisplatin-based regimens has become the standard care in the treatment of nasopharyngeal cancers. The impact of taxanes as radiosensitizing agents with concurrent chemoradiation regimens is unknown. We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of weekly cisplatin + docetaxel combination with chemoradiation in locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancers. Methods. Forty-two patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancers (59.5% stage IV, 23.3% stage III, and 16.7% stage II) were assessed retrospectively. Total radiation dose to the planning target volume of gross disease (primary and/or node) was 70 Gy/35 fractions, 5 fractions per week. Minimum doses of 60 Gy and 50 Gy were administered to planning target volume of elective high-risk and low-risk disease, respectively. Chemotherapy consisted of weekly cisplatin (20 mg/m 2) + docetaxel (20 mg/m 2) concurrently with radiotherapy. Results. The median age of the patients was 46.5 years (range, 17-79). Objective response rate was 86%. The 4-year progression-free survival and overall survival were 65.4% and 91.3%, respectively. The most common grade 3 and 4 toxicities were mucositis (48%), nausea (22%), neutropenia (12%), dermatitis (5%), fatigue (5%) and weight loss (5%). Conclusions. Weekly cisplatin and docetaxel concurrent with radiotherapy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancers was found tolerable with a high efficacy.

PubMed, Nov 1, 2021

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of preoperative serum ferriti... more Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of preoperative serum ferritin level in patients with stage 2 colon cancer who underwent curative surgery. Patients and methods: The data of 120 patients who were stage 2 after curative surgery and whose ferritin levels were measured at the time of diagnosis without starting any treatment were analyzed. Demographic data such as age and gender, histopathological characteristics such as tumor size, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), perineural invasion (PNI), number of removed lymph nodes, tumor grade, and clinical and laboratory data were retrieved from the hospital medical charts or electronic medical records. In the survival analysis, the cut-off level of ferritin was accepted as 150 ng/ml, which is the upper limit determined by the World Health Organization (WHO), as a prognostic factor. Results: Fifty (41.7%) of the patients were female, 70 (58.3%) were male, and the median age was 63.5 (range 24-90) years. There was no significant difference between the low and high ferritin groups regarding age, gender, T stage, tumor localization, histological subtype, PNI, LVI, removal of less than 12 lymph nodes, and tumor size. Disease-free survival and overall survival of patients with high ferritin levels were worse than patients with low ferritin levels, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Serum ferritin level is an easily monitored, cost-effective, and reproducible marker. İn this study we found that high ferritin level was associated with poor survival, although it was not statistically significant.

Current Medical Research and Opinion, Dec 15, 2017

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related death in Europe. The aim... more Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related death in Europe. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the efficiency of the neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and the mean platelet volume (MPV) as tools for the preoperative diagnosis of CRC and their usefulness in the follow-up of CRC. A total of 144 CRC patients, as diagnosed by colonoscopy, and 143 age-matched and sex-matched healthy participants were included in the study. Medical records were used to compare preoperative and postoperative data including hemoglobin levels, platelet counts, MPV, NLR, and PLR. NLR, PLR, and MPV were significantly higher in CRC patients preoperatively, compared with healthy participants. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis suggested 2.02 as the cutoff value for NLR [area under the curve (AUC): 0.921, sensitivity: 86%, specificity: 84%], 135 as the cutoff value for PLR, (AUC: 0.853, sensitivity: 70%, specificity: 90%) and 8.25 fl as the cutoff value for MPV (AUC: 0.717, sensitivity: 54%, specificity: 76%). Subgroup analysis showed that NLR, PLR, and MPV levels were also significantly higher in nonanemic CRC patients compared with the control group, which is of great theoretical and clinical value for the early detection of CRC. Surgical tumor resection resulted in a significant decrease in NLR, PLR, and MPV. Our results suggest that NLR, PLR, and MPV may be used as easily available additional biomarkers for CRC in screening the general population, as well as in postoperative follow-up. European

BMC Cancer, Dec 1, 2004

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a common malignancy for which chronic hepatitis B infecti... more Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a common malignancy for which chronic hepatitis B infection has been defined as the most common etiologic factor. The most frequent metastatic sites are the lung, bone, lymphatics, and brain, respectively. Metastases to the chest wall have been reported only rarely. Case presentation: We report a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma who presented with an isolated metastatic mass on the left anterolateral chest wall in the axillary region. Conclusions: Metastasis of HCC should be included in the differential diagnosis of rapidly growing lesions in unusual localizations, particularly in patients with chronic liver disease even if a primary tumor can not be radiologically identified.

The European Research Journal, Mar 4, 2023

Objectives: According to estimates, cancer of unknown primary origin (CUP) accounts for approxima... more Objectives: According to estimates, cancer of unknown primary origin (CUP) accounts for approximately 3 to 5% of new cancer cases annually in the United States. With early diagnosis, many CUP patients can achieve long-term remission. The aim of this study was to document the organ tropism for metastasis for tumors with a definite primary cancer. In addition, we sought to contribute to understanding organ tropism in tumors of unknown origin. Methods: Retrospectively, biopsies of 492 metastatic cancers were evaluated. The required immunohistochemical panel was applied to determine the tumors' origins. Results: A total of 492 patients with metastases were included in the study. The most common origins of metastasizing tumors were lung (25.4%), colon (18.9%), breast (15.4%) and stomach cancers (10.6%). The least metastatic tumors were the salivary gland, neuroendocrine, adrenal, tubal, nasopharynx, rectum and esophagus cancers (0.22% for all). The most common cancers that metastasized to the liver were colon cancer (29.0%), stomach cancer (18.6%) and pancreatic cancer (18.6%). The most common cancers that metastasized to the bone were lung cancer (58.0%), breast cancer (29.0%), and prostate cancer (13.9%). The most common types of tumors that metastasized to the lungs, the kidney (35.1%), colon (29.7%), and breast cancers (16.2%), were the most common. The most common tumors that metastasized to the brain were the lung (61.1%), the breast (16.7%), and kidney cancers (8.7%). The most common tumors metastasizing to the skin were lung (31.0%), breast (27.6%), and colon (13.8%) cancers. Conclusions: Primary cancers have different metastatic patterns, which may help determine their causes. By involving distant anatomical structures and disrupting their function, tumor metastases increase the morbidity and mortality associated with the disease; thus, they affect staging, prognosis, and treatment. Metastases (or cancers from unknown primary sites) usually require extensive investigation to determine their primary source. Whether the cancer is tracked prospectively or retrospectively, a detailed observational template highlighting expected metastatic patterns would greatly assist in diagnosis and treatment.

Acta medica alanya, Dec 31, 2022

Aim: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic increased the mortality of cancer patients by c... more Aim: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic increased the mortality of cancer patients by causing direct infection or collateral damage to the healthcare system. After the development of effective vaccines against COVID-19 infection, mortality rates declined. In this study, we try to investigate the vaccination among cancer patients.Methods: A survey was applied to patients with cancer in order to investigate the attitudes towards vaccination and the factors effecting vaccination in two medical oncology centers in Turkey.Results: 271 patients were included in the study. No difference was observed in the attitudes of patients towards vaccination according to cancer type. 83% of the patients were vaccinated against COVID-19. In 75% of the study population, vaccine was administered in the earliest available time. Receiving chemotherapy was the most significant reason to avoid vaccination among the study group (p=0,002). There was no significant difference in terms of treatment type for COVID-19 between patients with or without adequate vaccination. The most negative factor affecting vaccination was active chemotherapy treatment. Social relations and traditional media were the most positive factors for vaccination.Discussion: Vaccination is of vital importance for patients who are treated or on remission. Even if patients are to receive chemotherapy, they should be informed about vaccination and should be encouraged for vaccination.

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2006

18622 Background: The purpose of this study was determine the clinical significance of lymphopeni... more 18622 Background: The purpose of this study was determine the clinical significance of lymphopenia and monocytopenia in terms of its duration and depth in patients with febrile neutropenia (FEN) and MASCC scores parametres. Methods: Sixty-six patients with FEN were prospectively analysed. Recurrent FEN episodes were excluded in this trial. Twenty-four patients had solid tumors, 42 patients had lymphoma-leukemia. Patients with MASCC-scores ≥21 evaluated as low-risk (LR) and the ones with their scores <21 were high-risk (HR). Results: Thirty-six patients had HR and the rest had LR. Lymphocyte count <700/mm3 and monocyte count <100/mm3 were found as 91.6% and 86.6% in HR and in LR groups, respectively.The rate of refractory fever(RF) in HR patients was clearly high.Patients with protracted neutropenia (PN) had higher rate of RF (p = 0.007). Patients with longer duration of neutropenia and monocytopenia tended to have RF (p = 0.052, p = 0.018). The rate of administered AFT was ...

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2011

e11034 Background: Male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare malignant neoplasm which represents 1% of a... more e11034 Background: Male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare malignant neoplasm which represents 1% of all breast cancer cases. The best treatment strategy is still undefined. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine characteristics, treatment approaches and survival outcomes in operable MBC patients. METHODS The medical records of 148 MBC patients followed between the years 1986 and 2009 at 7 cancer center were evaluated retrospectively. 118 operable patients had sufficient data were included the study. Demographic, treatment charecteristics and survival were analysed. RESULTS One hundred-eighteen operable MBC was found to be eligible. Median age was 60 (range 29-83) years. Thirty-two percent of the patients had T3-4 tumors. Approximately half of the patients had node positive disease. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma was the most frequent histopathological type (89.8%). The proportion of positivity among patients of whom estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and cerbB2 status were 82.9%, 75.8% and 23.4%, respectively. Surgical management consisted of modified radical mastectomy (82.2%), simple mastectomy or tumorectomy (17.8%). Adjuvant radiotherapy was performed 61.1% of the patients. Adjuvant hormonotherapy was advised for 86 (72.8%) patients. Adjuvant chemotherapy was given for 73.7% of the patients. Anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens were used in 48 cases. Twenty-one patients treated with taxane-based chemotherapy protocols. Median follow-up was 40.9 months (range 3.8-186 months). Locoregional and/or distant recurrence developed in thirty-eight patients. Twenty-three patients died during the follow-up period. Three-year and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) was found to be 72% and 60%, whereas overall survival (OS 91% and 82%, respectively. Larger tumor size and lymph node positivity has poor prognostic factors for OS and larger tumor size were significantly affected DFS also. CONCLUSIONS Considerable amount of MBC has still been diagnosed in locally advanced stages. Although, the frequency of the use of adjuvant systemic therapy in MBC has been gradually increasing in the recent years, lymph node status and tumor size are the most important determining factors for prognosis.

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2015

e12052 Background: Previous important studies reported that breast conserving surgery (BCS) plus ... more e12052 Background: Previous important studies reported that breast conserving surgery (BCS) plus radiotherapy and modified radical mastectomy (MRM) were similar in breast cancer patients with tumor...

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2018

e21591Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin. Although... more e21591Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin. Although it is rare, it can be aggressive. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinico-pathologic fea...

European Journal of Cancer, 2015

Gebelikte meme kanseri oldukca nadir olmasina ragmen, gebelik sirasinda olusan kanser turleri ici... more Gebelikte meme kanseri oldukca nadir olmasina ragmen, gebelik sirasinda olusan kanser turleri icinde serviks kanserinden sonra en sik gorulen 2. kanserdir. Gebelikte meme kanseri gorulme sikliginin artmasi onemli bir problemdir. Gebelikte ve laktasyon donemindeki fizyolojik degisiklikler nedeniyle memede meydana gelebilecek patolojilerin taninmasi ve tedavisi zorluk gostermektedir. Gebelik ve laktasyon doneminde bir cok benign patoloji olusabilecegi gibi meme kanseri de gorulebilir. Bu nedenle gebelikte gorulen her kitlenin arastirilmasi gerekir. Gebelikte saptanan meme kanserinin tedavisi planlanirken hem annenin hem de bebegin her ikisinin de yasamini tehtid eden durumlar dikkate alinmalidir. Taninin gecikmesi nedeniyle prognoz daha kotudur. Biz bu olgu sunumunda gebelikte meme kanseri metastazina bagli gelisen norolojik defisit nedeniyle acil servisimize basvuran hastayi sunmayi ve bu vaka uzerinden literaturu gozden gecirmeyi amacladik. Anahtar Kelimeler: meme kanseri, gebelik, ...

Cancer Investigation, 2021

Abstract Aim The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of trastuzumab emtans... more Abstract Aim The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) in cases with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) in different lines of treatment. Method Retrospective analysis of T-DM1 results of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2) positive 414 cases with mBC from 31 centers in Turkey. Findings Except 2, all of the cases were female with a median age of 47. T-DM1 had been used as second-line therapy in 37.7% of the cases and the median number of T-DM1 cycles was 9. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) times were different according to the line of treatment. The median OS was found as 43, 41, 46, 23 and 17 months for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th line, respectively (p = 0.032) while the median PFS was found as 37, 12, 8, 8 and 8 months, respectively (p = 0.0001). Treatment was well tolerated by the patients. The most common grade 3–4 adverse effects were thrombocytopenia (2.7%) and increased serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (2%). Discussion The best of our knowledge this is the largest real-life experience about the safety and efficacy of T-DM1 use in cases with mBC after progression of Her2 targeted treatment. This study suggests and supports that T-DM1 is more effective in earlier lines of treatment and is a reliable option for mBC.

Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, 2022

Journal of B.U.ON. : official journal of the Balkan Union of Oncology, 2015

PURPOSE The presence of distant metastases (DMs) after the initial treatment of head and neck squ... more PURPOSE The presence of distant metastases (DMs) after the initial treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is associated with a poor outcome. The incidence of DMs in head and neck cancer is about 4-26%. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of distant metastases and the factors predicting the development of DMs. METHODS Between January 2000 and December 2010, 292 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were included in this study. RESULTS Thirty three patients (11.3%) developed local recurrences, 27 patients (9.2%) developed DMs. The median post DMs survival was 23.4 months (range 1.8-229.1). The factors that significantly increased the risk of DMs were the presence of local recurrence (p=0.0001, OR:17.32, 95% CI:4.86-19.90), pathologically positive neck (p=0.008, OR:5.97, 95% CI: 3.25-10.45), and primary tumor localized in oral cavity or lip (p=0.035, OR:2.6, 95% CI:1.43-4.65). CONCLUSION Patients with these factors should be considered can...