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BACKGROUND: The incidence of well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) has increased in recent years. Despite its excellent prognosis, increasing morbidity from recurrent diseases continues to affect long-term outcomes. Among at-risk populations, Filipinos have the highest incidence of thyroid cancer worldwide, characterized by a highly aggressive and recurrent form of disease. Here, we sought to identify risk factors associated with disease recurrence among Filipinos with WDTC. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study examined 723 patients diagnosed with WDTC seen at Philippine General Hospital. Affected individuals were classified based on the presence or absence of disease recurrence. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine significant predictors of recurrence. RESULTS: Multiple risk factors, including age >45 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.44), multifocality of cancer (OR, 1.43), nodal involvement (OR, 4.0), and distant metastases at presentation (OR, 2.78), were significantly associated with a recurrence of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). In contrast, follicular variant histology (OR, 0.60) and postsurgical radioactive iodine therapy (OR, 0.31) were protective for PTC recurrence. Distant metastases at presentation (OR, 19.4) and postsurgical radioactive iodine therapy (OR, 0.41) were associated with follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) recurrence. CONCLUSION: Lymph node metastases at presentation was the strongest predictor of recurrence in PTC, whereas distant metastases at presentation was the strongest for FTC recurrence. Among Filipinos, stratification of WDTC patients based on recurrence risk factors identified in this study will be helpful in guiding the intensity of treatment strategies and long-term thyroid cancer surveillance.

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Gynaecomastia is a benign condition characterised by enlargement of the male breast. Drug-induced gynaecomastia merits deep consideration as it may account for as many as 25% of all cases of gynaecomastia in adults. Although the mechanism is not fully clear, some mechanisms include oestrogen-like activities, stimulation of testicular production of oestrogens, inhibition of testosterone synthesis or blockade of androgen action. Anabolic steroids, in particular when used during the pubertal stage, may cause significant irreversible gynaecomastia. We report a case of 28-year-old Filipino man with persistent gynaecomastia from fluoxymesterone used for aplastic anaemia during his prepubertal stage. Hormonal work ups for gynaecomastia all turned out normal, thus isolating the drug as the cause. The patient was unable to undergo breast reconstruction surgery due to haematological contraindications, but eventually referred to psychiatry for counselling. This case will highlight the paradoxical effect of androgenic steroid used during childhood on male breast proliferation during puberty.

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Primary hyperparathyroidism manifests biochemically as a disturbance in serum calcium homeostasis. The kidney appears to be the central organ that sets the serum calcium level. Hyperchloraemia, defective urinary acidification and renal tubular acidosis have been reported to be associated with primary hyperparathyroidism. Distal renal tubular acidosis due to primary hyperparathyroidism is rarely reported. Renal tubular dysfunction due to significant hypercalciuria appears to be one of the proposed mechanisms. This case report will highlight a case of primary hyperparathyroidism in a 26-year old Filipino man due to a solitary functioning parathyroid adenoma presenting with recurrent nephrolithiasis leading to distal renal tubular acidosis manifesting with hypokalaemia and hypomagnesaemia. The patient underwent a minimally invasive selective parathyroidectomy that resulted in full reversal of hypercalcaemia and hyperparathyroidism together with the features of distal renal tubular acidosis. He is currently on frequent follow-up for monitoring of electrolyte abnormalities and gradual resolution of nephrocalcinosis.

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Ameloblastoma is considered to be a benign odontogenic tumour of epithelial in origin that is slow growing but recurrent and invasive in nature. Some of its features have been sources of debate among experts regarding its benign or malignant character. We report a case of a 20-year-old Filipino woman with right mandibular ameloblastoma presenting with overwhelming hypercalcaemia. Work ups for hypercalcaemia eventually revealed tumoral hypercalcaemia, which was initially controlled with intravenous bisphosphanate. The patient eventually underwent tumour excision and mandibular reconstruction, which totally corrected hypercalcaemia. This case will highlight the rare association of hypercalcaemia among patients with ameloblastoma.

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Psoriatic arthritis is a seronegative arthropathy occurring in the presence of psoriasis. In majority of cases, typical psoriatic skin lesions precede joint disease, making diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis without typical skin lesions, a diagnostic challenge. Nail lesions are commonly seen in patients affected by this condition, making it a useful clue in the diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis. This is a case of a 58-year-old Filipino woman presenting with sudden acute urinary retention and weakness of both lower extremities accompanied with active polyarthritis. Onycholytic nail changes initially thought to be a fungal nail infection led to the diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis involving the spine. The patient was eventually treated with methotrexate and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs leading to full resolution of symptoms. The patient is currently ambulatory and on regular follow-up. This case report highlights the importance of clinical and physical findings particularly the nails that would lead to a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis.

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This case is of a 39-year-old Filipino woman who within 2 months developed, Cushing's features she had no known comorbidities and no history of steroid intake. The patient also presented with hyperpigmentation of knuckles and toes, metabolic alkalosis and persistent hypokalaemia noted as proximal muscle weakness. The patient was referred to our institution for acutely worsening behavioural and psychiatric changes. Work-up for endogenous Cushing's syndrome revealed a significant adrenocorticotropic hormone production from an ectopic source. Further imaging was requested to locate the tumour, but the patient eventually succumbed to the drastic complications of hypercortisolism. On autopsy, the patient was found to have an ectopic well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumour located at the pancreatic head with metastasis to the right hepatic lobe.

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Presented in this paper is a case of a young Filipino man presenting with recurrent acute gouty flares leading to chronic tophaceous gout and unusual cutaneous manifestations (miliary gout, panniculitis, ulcerations). Unusual sites within the body (torso, shoulder, forearms, thigh) revealed multiple urate dermal deposition. Self-medication with steroids eventually led to secondary Cushing's syndrome and eventual emergence of metabolic complications.

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Presented in this paper is a case of a 36-year-old Filipino man presenting with a chronic history of intermittent proximal muscle weakness and paralysis which was associated with failure to thrive, severe bony deformities, muscle wasting and multiple electrolyte abnormalities (hypokalaemia, hypocalcaemia, hypomagnesaemia). Severe skeletal deformities led to a pathological fracture of the femoral bone and restrictive chest wall expansion during inspiration necessitating admission and consult at our institution. Correction of multiple electrolyte abnormalities was the mainstay of treatment for this case and resulted into full reversal of paralytic symptoms but skeletal and osseous abnormalities persisted. This case highlights the insidious course and subtle signs of Fanconi's syndrome leading to disfiguring skeletal deformities and abnormalities if not diagnosed early. Early suspicion and eventual diagnosis might be the key for these patients to have normal productive life devoid of crippling complications.

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