Identifying the combination of genetic factors that determine susceptibility to cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is common among women all over the world. Although infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) has been identified as the primary cause of cervical cancer, only some of those infected go on to develop cervical cancer. Obviously, the progression from HPV infection to cancer involves other environmental and host factors. Recent population-based twin and family studies have demonstrated the importance of the hereditary component of cervical cancer, associated with genetic susceptibility. Consequently, single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and microsatellites should be considered genetic factors for determining what combinations of genetic factors are involved in precancerous changes to cervical cancer. This study employs a Bayesian network and four different decision tree algorithms, and compares the performance of these learning algorithms. The results of this study raise the possibility of investigations that could identify combinations of genetic factors, such as SNPs and microsatellites, that influence the risk associated with common complex multifactorial diseases, such as cervical cancer.

Multiple myeloma associated with extramedullary plasmacytoma causing nerve root compression: a case report

Multiple myeloma associated with extramedullary plasmacytoma at initial presentation is rare. We describe a 45-year-old female patient with an initial presentation of low back pain and right side L5, S1 radiculopathy. There was no evidence of vertebral involvement but an epidural tumor was found later during neurosurgical intervention. The final diagnosis was immunoglobulin G, kappa multiple myeloma complicated with spinal root compression by an extramedullary plasmacytoma. No osteolytic lesion was noted over the length of the spine. Pathology revealed high-grade plasmablastic myeloma. During the clinical course, the patient was refractory to induction chemotherapy, and there was progressive deterioration of renal function. Urinary tract infection by Morganella morganii and pulmonary infection of unknown cause developed 5 months later, and the patient died.