Natl Med J India
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Haemophagocytic syndrome is a life-threatening systemic illness characterized by an uncontrolled inflammatory response. Patients present with fever, hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice and liver dysfunction, neurological manifestations and often pancytopenla. Bone marrow, lymph node, hepatic or splenic biopsy shows macrophages with Ingested blood cells or their precursors. ⋯ Familial haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an autosomal recessive disorder. Secondary haemophagocytic syndrome results from infections, malignancy and collagen vascular disorders. We describe a young girl with primary haemophagocytic syndrome.
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We analysed data on patients of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated with high dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation to determine the toxicity, pattern of infections and long-term outcome. ⋯ Patients with pre-transplant chemosensitive disease and those who achieved complete response following transplant had a significantly better chance of survival.
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The relevance of population-based cancer registries for planning and implementing cancer control programmes cannot be overemphasized. There are some urban registries in India but very few rural registries despite India being predominantly rural. There are several obstacles to setting up a rural registry including lack of cancer awareness in the rural population and inaccessibility of modern medical facilities. The first rural cancer registry was set up in 1987 at Barshi (population 0.4 million) in western Maharashtra by adopting a methodology suitable for rural areas. ⋯ The innovative methodology has facilitated the process of cancer registration in rural areas. It has had a positive impact on cancer awareness, stage at presentation and survival of cervical cancers-the predominant cancer in the area. The registry has created a resource for epidemiological studies in a rural area where national and international studies are currently being undertaken.