Abstract
Background and purpose: The use of traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM)
is common in children with cancer globally.We aimed to assess the prevalence, types,
reasons, perceived effectiveness, and disclosure rate of T&CMuse among children with
cancer in Southern Egypt. We also investigated whether T&CM use contributed to
delays in initial presentation and treatment.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional design was utilized. Data were collected via
an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Eligible children and their caregivers at
the South Egypt Cancer Institute were invited to participate.
Results: Eighty-six children completed the study (response rate = 86%). T&CM use
was reported by 52 (60.5%) patients, with six (11.5%) experienced delayed presentation.
The reasons for T&CM use were complementary for 37 (71%) and alternative for
15 (29%) of the participants. The types of T&CM used included herbal (63%), nutritional
(33%), witchcraft (29%), and religious (19%) therapies. Approximately 48% of
users employed multiple T&CM types. Family members recommended T&CM for 60%
of the users.Most patients (65%) perceived T&CM as effective, with 71% initiating its
use during the early phases of treatment. Almost all participants (98%) reported that
healthcare providers did not inquire about T&CM use. T&CM usage was more prevalent
among wealthier families (p=.023). There was no significant relationship between
T&CM use and patient gender, diagnosis, residence, or paternal educational level.
Conclusions: The significant utilization of T&CMamong childrenwith cancer highlights
the need for healthcare providers to engage in open and early discussions with families
regarding T&CM use.

Abstract
Objective: A childhood cancer diagnosis is a traumatic experience for patients and
their families. However, little is known about the effect on grandparents. We aimed
to investigate the negative psychosocial impact, coping strategies, and positive
outcomes of grandparents of childhood cancer patients in Switzerland.
Methods: We collected data using a semi‐structured interview guide and applied
qualitative content analysis.
Results: We conducted 20 interviews with 23 grandparents (57% female; mean
age = 66.9 years; SD = 6.4; range = 57.0–82.4) of 13 affected children (69% female;
mean age = 7.5 years; SD = 6.1; range = 1.0–18.9) between January 2022 and April
2023. The mean time since diagnosis was 1.0 years (SD = 0.5; range = 0.4–1.9).
Grandparents were in shock and experienced strong feelings of fear and helplessness.
They were particularly afraid of a relapse or late effects. The worst part for
most was seeing their grandchild suffer. Many stated that their fear was always
present which could lead to tension and sleep problems. To cope with these negative
experiences, the grandparents used internal and external strategies, such as
accepting the illness or talking to their spouse and friends. Some grandparents also reported positive outcomes, such as getting emotionally closer to family members
and appreciating things that had previously been taken for granted.
Conclusions: Grandparents suffer greatly when their grandchild is diagnosed with
cancer. Encouragingly, most grandparents also reported coping strategies and
positive outcomes despite the challenges. Promoting coping strategies and providing
appropriate resources could reduce the psychological burden of grandparents and
strengthen the whole family system.

Since the first transplant in 1957 and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the curative modality for numerous hematological disorders. Nevertheless, it is not available for all patients. Besides unavailability of matched donors a lot of factors could hinder HSCT in a resource limited setting, as financial and administrative factors. In our daily practice we noticed other factors that hinder HSCT in our center, the common myths and misconceptions about HSCT and donation. This quasi-experimental study assessed, for the first time, common myths and misconceptions about HSCT among 218 medical and nursing students before and after an interventional educational program. The study tool was an investigators' developed self-administered questionnaire. Participants' male to female ratio was 1:2.5, and FAS was middle in 52.7%. Pretest high myths scores were reported in 53.4% and 90% of medical and nursing students that was reduced to 0% and 4% post-test, respectively. Pretest, 26.3% and 7% of medical and nursing students welling to donate HSC, that increased to 66% and 39% post-test, respectively. Rural residency, low and middle FAS associated with higher myths scores. Myths score is an independent effector of willingness to donate HSC among participants. In conclusion medical/nursing students had significant myths and misconceptions about HSCT that was corrected with the educational program. Thus, wide based educational programs about HSCT are mandatory to correct myths and augment HSC donation.

www.clinicaltrrial.gov: clinical trial ID NCT05151406.

Since the first transplant in 1957 and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the curative modality for numerous hematological disorders. Nevertheless, it is not available for all patients. Besides unavailability of matched donors a lot of factors could hinder HSCT in a resource limited setting, as financial and administrative factors. In our daily practice we noticed other factors that hinder HSCT in our center, the common myths and misconceptions about HSCT and donation. This quasi-experimental study assessed, for the first time, common myths and misconceptions about HSCT among 218 medical and nursing students before and after an interventional educational program. The study tool was an investigators' developed self-administered questionnaire. Participants' male to female ratio was 1:2.5, and FAS was middle in 52.7%. Pretest high myths scores were reported in 53.4% and 90% of medical and …

AbstractBackground: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is the most common chronic lympho-proliferative disorder. This study was done to explore the frequency of serum Immu-noglobulin (Ig) paraprotein in patients with CLL and its correlation with other prognostic factors as expression of CD38 and zeta-chain-associated protein kinase 70 (ZAP70) on malignant lymphocytes.

Aim of Study

To study the frequency of serum immu-noglobulin paraprotein in patients with CLL and its correlation with other prognostic factors as expression of CD38 and ZAP70 on malignant lymphocytes.

Patients and Methods

Clinico-hematological profiles were done to 30 CLL patients. Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPE) and Immunofixation Electrophoresis (IFE) were per-formed to measure serum Ig paraprotein. ZAP-70 and CD 38 were tested by flow cytometry.

Results

In this study CLL patients were classified accord-ing to modified Rai staging system into: Low risk 10%, intermediate risk 40% and high risk 50%. Four CLL patients (13.4%) had monoclonal gammopathy (M-band), the type of M-band in the 4 patients was IgG-Kappa. One patient (3.3%) had diffuse band (polyclonal gammopathy). ZAP-70 and CD 38 positivity were detected in 7 patients (23.3%) and 15 patients (50%), respectively. There was significant relation between presence of Ig paraprotein in CLL patients and ZAP 70 expression (p=0.034). On the other hand there was no relation between presence of M-band in CLL patients and CD38 expression nor modified Rai staging system.

Conclusion

Monoclonal gammopathy was found in 13.4% of CLL patients. The detection of Ig paraprotein might be …