Thai cancer journal

Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Derived From Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm

Chayanit Sirisai — 2026-04-27

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is an uncommon clinical entity characterized by progressive accumulation of mucinous material within the peritoneal cavity, most frequently originating from ruptured appendiceal mucinous neoplasms. The disease typically follows an indolent course, with nonspecific early symptoms leading to delayed diagnosis and advanced disease at presentation. This review summarizes current evidence regarding the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, histopathological classification, and molecular features of PMP. The standard treatment remains cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), which has demonstrated favorable long-term outcomes in appropriately selected patients. Alternative therapeutic approaches are also discussed in the context of recurrent disease or patients deemed unsuitable for extensive surgery. Further research is warranted to clarify the role of these emerging modalities and to optimize individualized treatment strategies for this rare condition.

Effectiveness of Program Management Fatigue in Palliative Cancer Patient

Nattida Tiangto — 2026-04-27

Background: Patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care often experience fatigue, which limits daily activities and decreases quality of life. Objective: To compare fatigue levels before and after participation in a fatigue management program and to examine patient satisfaction with the program. Methods: This quasi experimental study employed a one-group pretest–posttest design. The participants were 15 palliative cancer patients admitted to the Buddharaksa Ward, Lopburi Cancer Hospital, purposively selected with a Palliative Performance Scale (PPS)≥50%. The instruments included (1) a fatigue assessment scale adapted from the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) and (2) a fatigue management program modified from SKT meditation postures 1 and 7. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Paired Samples t-test to compare mean fatigue scores before and after the intervention. Results: The mean fatigue score before participation was 4.87 ± 2.00 and after participation was 1.67±1.76, showing a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). Participants reported high satisfaction with the program (mean = 2.95, SD = 0.21). Conclusion: The fatigue management program effectively reduced fatigue and achieved high patient satisfaction. It can be applied as a nursing intervention to promote comfort and improve quality of life among palliative cancer patients.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) in The Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules at Songkhla Hospital

Piyarat Jeeravongpanich — 2026-04-27

Background: Thyroid nodules are a common clinical condition, with detection rates ranging from 4% to 76% according to the screening modality. Most thyroid nodules are benign; however, approximately 5–10% may be malignant, making accurate diagnosis essential for appropriate clinical management. Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is widely considered the standard initial diagnostic tool for evaluating thyroid nodules. Nevertheless, its diagnostic performance varies across institutions depending on operator expertise, specimen adequacy, and cytopathologist experience, resulting in different predictive values among hospitals. Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of FNAC in the assessment of thyroid nodules by comparing cytological findings with histopathological results, the gold standard. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using data from patients who received care at Songkhla Hospital between January 1, 2019 and August 31, 2025. Results: A total of 274 patients were included, the majority of whom were female (91.6%), with a mean age of 49.86 years. FNAC demonstrated a sensitivity of 81.36%, specificity of 77.08%, positive predictive value of 68.57%, negative predictive value of 87.06%, and an overall accuracy of 78.71%. The agreement between FNAC and histopathological diagnosis was moderate to substantial (Cohen’s kappa = 0.564). Additionally, solitary nodules and larger nodule size were significantly associated with malignancy. Conclusion: This study supports FNAC as an effective diagnostic tool for screening and guiding treatment planning of patients with thyroid nodules in the context of Songkhla Hospital.

Breast Cancer Screening Requirements of Daughters Whose Mothers with Hereditary Breast Cancer

Udomporn Suankuan — 2026-04-27

Background: Breast cancer is a hereditary disease. Women with a family history of breast cancer have approximately twice the risk of developing the disease compared with the general population, while women with a first-degree relative diagnosed with hereditary breast cancer have an approximately 30% increased risk. Objective: This study aimed to predict the need for breast cancer screening among daughters of mothers with hereditary breast cancer. Method: The study included 40 daughters of mothers with hereditary breast cancer. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included age, weight, height, marital status, educational level, healthcare coverage, alcohol consumption, smoking status, age at first childbirth, age at menarche, oral contraceptive use, knowledge regarding health check-ups, and the need for breast cancer screening. Data were obtained through face-to-face or telephone interviews between May 2023 and April 2024. Descriptive statistics (percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis. Result: The participants (n = 40) had a mean age of 25.73 years (SD = 8.88) and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 22.08 kg/m² (SD = 3.38). Most were single (77.5%) and had attained at least a bachelor’s degree (47.5%). The results showed that daughters’ age, body mass index (BMI), educational level, and the age difference between mother and daughter significantly predicted the need for breast cancer screening, accounting for 63.2% of the variance (Nagelkerke R² = 0.632). Conclusion: The findings may inform the development of tailored care strategies and counseling for breast cancer screening by considering individual characteristics (age, body mass index, and educational level) and promoting family communication between mothers and daughters to enhance screening intentions.

The National Cancer Control Programme in Thailand: An Integrated Approach to Public Health

Pattama Ploysawang — 2026-04-27

Cancer remains a major public health concern in Thailand, with a rising incidence driven by population ageing and changes in health-related risk behaviors. The Ministry of Public Health has developed the National Cancer Control Plan, currently in its fourth phase (2024–2032), to provide comprehensive strategic direction for cancer prevention and control. This article aims to provide a strategic analysis of Thailand’s National Cancer Control Plan by assessing its alignment with global frameworks and recommendations, while examining the strengths, gaps, and structural challenges within the Thai health system. The analysis is guided by a conceptual framework encompassing service coverage, equity in access to care, and system efficiency. A narrative policy review was conducted, synthesizing national policy documents, reports from the World Health Organization, international guidelines, and relevant academic literature published between 2015 and 2024. The findings indicate that Thailand demonstrates significant strengths in integrating cancer services into the universal health coverage system, expanding screening programs, and implementing network-based service delivery models to reduce inequities. However, structural gaps persist in the distribution of the specialized workforce, the availability of advanced technological infrastructure, the interoperability of health information systems, and long-term fiscal sustainability. Furthermore, the transition toward digital health systems and the application of artificial intelligence must be accompanied by appropriate governance frameworks to prevent the widening of disparities. Thailand’s experience reflects the shared challenges faced by middle-income countries in balancing coverage, equity, efficiency, and sustainability in cancer control amid an increasing disease burden. These insights have important implications for long-term policy direction at both national and international levels.

Solitary Fibrous Tumor Arising within Deep Cervical Soft Tissue: Case Report

Pawan Wongpayak — 2026-04-27

A 72-year-old Thai male presented with a progressively enlarging left neck mass over the past month. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the neck revealed a well-circumscribed, avidly contrast-enhancing soft tissue mass at the left neck level IIb, measuring 2.1 × 2.6 × 2.5 cm. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) was performed twice but yielded no definitive diagnosis. An incisional biopsy was subsequently carried out, and histopathological examination revealed a solitary fibrous tumor (SFT). The patient underwent complete surgical excision of the mass with wide local excision of the overlying skin. Final histopathology confirmed a benign solitary fibrous tumor. Solitary fibrous tumors are rare in the head and neck region.