[News on TNM consultation activity of the German Language Committee].
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A Encke.
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Twenty patients with malignant carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-producing tumour recurrences (colorectal n = 14; breast, lung, medullary thyroid carcinoma n = 2, each) were studied by immunoscintigraphy using an intact monoclonal anti-CEA antibody (BW 431/26) labelled with 99Tcm by a new labelling technique (Schwarz Method). This novel approach allows an almost quantitative labelling of the antibody, which is first reduced using a thiol, lyophilized in purified form, and then reacted with a stannous salt component before 99Tcm-pertechnetate binding. The labelling efficiency (as controlled by TLC) was greater than 95%, the in vitro stability at least 6 h. The imaging results (planar and SPECT) yielded a sensitivity of 91%, a specificity of 87% and a diagnostic accuracy of 90%. These first promising clinical results trigger the hope that the successful labelling of monoclonal antibodies with 99Tcm is a decisive step towards the more practically orientated use of tumour immunoscintigraphy.
The revascularization of ischemic extremities by retrograde arterial perfusion has been reported in clinical and experimental studies. The effect of retrograde perfusion on hemodynamics and metabolism of skeletal muscle was investigated in 86 rabbits with various types of AV-fistulas. Since blood flow was markedly reduced, levels of energy phosphates (ATP, CP) stabilized on a lower level. In all groups, lactate raised significantly. Focal morphological lesions were seen in all groups in a various degree. A high incidence of thrombosis was found at dissection. Maintenance of blood flow and metabolism after retrograde perfusion seems to be possible on a low level.
Between October 1984 and June 1987 in 45 patients (9 males, 36 females) pre- and postoperatively the immunocompetent cells in the peripheral blood were measured using OKT- and LEU-11-antigens. 20 patients suffered from malignant and 25 patients from benign diseases. For statistical analysis, H-test according to Kruskal and Wallis was used. Preoperatively, the total account of T-lymphocytes was decreased in patients with thyroid carcinomas, but showed no differences compound to patients with benign diseases postoperatively. No differences were observed in lymphocytic subpopulations in all groups. Parallely, in 50 patients (14 males, 36 females) immunocompetent cells were counted in the resected specimens. There were investigated 29 carcinomas and 21 benign thyroid lesions using the LEU-antigens. Between the group with malignant diseases and that with benigne lesions of the thyroid, no statistically significant differences were observed.
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Subcutaneously implanted infusion chambers represent a new method of central venous access. In 57 evaluable out of 70 patients, four different models of infusion chambers with an accumulative observation time of 57 years were implanted. In 72% of the patients, up to 12 cycles of polychemotherapy were administered. Parenteral nutrition and blood drawing were also performed. After 4,970 punctions of the system and 12.2 years of use 46 complications in 38 patients were observed, however, most were minor ones, such as temporary occlusions (12) and extravasations (14). Septum luxation (1), septum perforation (1), catheter fracture (1) and catheter migration (2) as well as 7 cases of septicemia or port-pocket-infection required explanation. Infusion chambers seem to be particularly suitable for intermittent and long-term chemotherapy and emergency bolus injections with a significant advantage (10 complications per one thousand days of use) compared to externally placed venous catheters. However, follow-up and care must be performed by a skilled team.
Because of the high rate of response in colorectal liver metastases, intra-arterial chemotherapy was studied in 14 patients with isolated breast cancer liver metastases. After extrahepatic metastasization had been ruled out, a catheter was placed surgically and connected to a cytostatic pump (in two cases) or to a subcutaneous infusion chamber (in 12 cases). Every four to six weeks, the patients with an infusion chamber received a modified FAM treatment (fluorouracil, doxorubicin, mitomycin C) for three days continuously. In 11 out of 14 patients (79%) a clear tumor reduction was observed (duration of remission 11 months). In an average of six cycles of chemotherapy administered, a total of 50% of the patients manifested local side effects (including two cases of toxic hepatitis, one case of biliary sclerosis). Systemic side effects were negligible. Termination of therapy was necessitated by three catheter tip migrations and two thromboses of the hepatic artery. Extrahepatic metastases occurred in six patients. Here, the average latency period between diagnosis of the primary tumor and that of liver metastasis was significantly shorter (x = 9 months) than in the other patients (x = 39 months). Intra-arterial chemotherapy thus represents a therapeutic method which, although complicated, is extremely effective in selected patients with isolated breast cancer liver metastases. A final evaluation must be subject to a randomized comparison with a systemic therapy.
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109 cases of surgery on the adrenal glands are reported. 8 cases (7.3%) were reoperated because of relapse. This was Cushing's disease in 5 cases, malignant neuroblastoma in 2 cases and benign pheochromocytoma in 1 case. Only the latter and 1 with Cushing's disease were cured. Reoperation revealed carcinoma in 3 cases of Cushing's disease, though microscopic examination did not show malignancy in the specimen taken at the first operation. In another case microscopic examination again failed to show malignancy, but the patient died from her metastases. 2 cases of malignant neuroblastoma were reoperated for palliation.
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Intraarterial regional chemotherapy of the liver by implantable pumps and port-systems is currently applied predominantly in patients with isolated colorectal metastases. Therapy and evaluation of results must consider the following factors: natural course of the disease; classification of tumor extent in the liver; evidence of isolated liver metastases; vascular anatomy, optimal catheter-implantation technique, complete perfusion; choice of drugs and dosage; technical complications; local toxicity, extra-hepatic recurrence, definition of therapeutic success. Our own experiences with regional chemotherapy in 145 patients with metastases to the liver and in 9 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma are reported. Using different therapeutic modalities we found a significantly enlarged response rate and at this time a true prolongation of life of about 8 months. Further prospective studies are necessary. The use of regional chemotherapy for liver metastases seems to be recommended at this time only under study conditions.
Intraarterial regional chemotherapy for non-resectable, isolated colorectal metastases to the liver was performed in 121 patients via implantable pumps or infuse-a-ports. FUDR alone or in combination with 5-FU and Mitomycin C was administered in different modalities. Partial response rate ranged between 35 and 71%. Median survival since starting chemotherapy was so far 8-16 months. Extrahepatic relapse occurred in 45%, technical complications in 23% (pump) and 46% (infuse a port). Local toxic side effects strongly depended on drug dosage and application modus. These results corresponded with those of 647 German collective cases and 490 cases from American literature.
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