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Biomedical subjects

A Ravaud

Publications and source records attributed to A Ravaud.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[Perception of cancer by general practitioners. Development over 15 years].

Fifteen years after two surveys among general practitioners in the Southwest of France, concerning their attitudes towards cancer patients, a new survey was made using the same questions. In the spring of 1991, 731 general practitioners in Gironde were asked by a written questionnaire sent by mail: 261 answers (36%) forming a fair sample, were analyzed. Though incidence of cancer in physician's practice is low, these patients represent an important burden. Difficulties in coping with these patients during relapse or at the end of life are mainly psychological in relation to the importance of moral burden and the time spent. These psychological difficulties have increased during the past 15 years whereas technical medical problems have decreased. According to 80% general practitioners, cancer patients know their diagnosis. This knowledge is independent of practitioner's age and the working place, and it does not alter the difficulties for practitioner.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1992

Colonic metastasis of a renal carcinoma. A case report.

A 64 year-old man with a metastatic clear-cell renal carcinoma experienced low intestinal bleeding. The endoscopy revealed a polypoid mass in the left colon which proved to be a metastasis of the renal carcinoma. This is an uncommon cause of intestinal hemorrhage, and a rare localization of metastatic deposits.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

Prognostic variables for the selection of patients with operable soft tissue sarcomas to be considered in adjuvant chemotherapy trials.

From 1975 to 1988, 144 patients naive of treatment, with non-metastatic soft tissue sarcoma were treated at Fondation Bergonié by surgery, followed by radiotherapy and without chemotherapy. An analysis of prognostic variables was done on this population to determine patients for whom an adjuvant chemotherapy would be relevant. Prognostic variables in overall survival (OS), metastasis-free survival (MFS), disease-free and local free recurrence survivals were analysed by univariate and multivariate analysis. In multivariate analysis using Cox's model, only tumour depth and tumour grade were significant with the MFS end point, while tumour depth, tumour grade and tumour site were significant when considering OS. A predictive stratification for patients is proposed: a favourable prognostic group with grade 1 tumour or superficial, grade 2 tumour (5-year OS: 97.8%; 5-year MFS: 100%); an intermediate prognostic group with deep, grade 2 tumour or superficial, grade 3 tumour (5-year OS: 58.8%; 5-year MFS: 48.1%); and finally a poor prognostic group with deep, grade 3 tumour (5-year OS: 31.7%; 5-year MFS: 34.1%). Patients in the intermediate and poor prognostic groups who present a high metastatic risk are to be considered for adjuvant chemotherapy trials.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of medical students' hospital training: interest of students' essays.

To evaluate the impact of teaching during hospital training in an adult cancer ward, 107 consecutive students were asked to freely select the chart of a patient representative of their course and to write comments on it, at the end of their course. Students selected charts of young patients rather than older ones (P less than 0.0001). Most of the patients had a poor prognosis (69%). Students frequently emphasized psychosocial aspects of cancer and patient's information (patient-student relationship: 50%; diagnosis acceptance: 36%; information: 19%), but rarely considered post-treatment sequelae of cured patients (4%), palliative care (9%), and truth (10%). The selection of a large majority of poor prognosis patients led us to invite them to attend consultations to meet patients who are cured or in fair condition. Other topics must be emphasized (palliative care, truth, and post-treatment morbidity). Finally, such an evaluation provides good information on the course of the students and is easily performed and analysed.

Education, Medical↗
PubMed1992

[Symptomatic treatment of pain in cervico-facial cancers].

Pain is frequent in patients presenting cervico-facial cancers. It can be acute or persistent, or present at the morbid entity known as chronic pain. The specific anatomical site and the often poor environment explain that the physical disability related to pain is increased by multiple psychosocial problems. Multidisciplinary care management by several actors is required and can be facilitated by a simple decision-making model. The schema presented can be used to prompt discussion and criticism. It needs constant improvement and extensions in order to reach a consensual attitude towards this king of suffering but also towards other situations of pain care management frequently encountered in cancer patients as well as those with other pathologies.

Analgesia, Patient-Controlled↗
PubMed1992

[Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and combined conservative treatment of soft tissue sarcoma in the adult].

Between 1980 and 1990, 64 adults with a locally advanced soft tissue sarcoma, but without metastasis, were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy before conservative local treatment. Tumour localizations were limbs in 26 patients (40.6%) and other parts of the body in 38 patients (59.4%). Moreover, 27 patients had bone and/or vasculo-nervous axis involvement. Response to chemotherapy was > or = 50% for 23 patients (37.7%) with 3 complete remissions, < 50% for 36 patients and only 2 tumours progressed during chemotherapy. Conservative surgery was thus carried out for 51 patients (79.7%), 11 received external radiotherapy only. At the end of treatment, 49 patients (76.5%) were in complete remission. With a median follow-up of 76 months (range: 25 to 147), 25 patients are alive with no evolutive disease. For the whole population, the actuarial 5-year overall survival is 33.8%. Among the patients who were in complete remission at the end of therapy, 15 developed local recurrences (with metastasis for 7 patients) and 10 became metastatic. Actuarial 5-year overall survival for this subset of patients is 44.8%.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1991

Cancer chemotherapy in the elderly: a series of 51 patients aged greater than 70 years.

A total of 2,238 new cancer patients were treated in our institution in 1988; among the 423 (18.9%) who were greater than 70 years old, 51 underwent chemotherapy. The median age was 75.8 years, and the Karnofsky performance status (KPS) was greater than or equal to 70% for 40 patients. Malignancies were hematopoietic in 24 cases (47%) and digestive in 15 patients (29%), and 12 subjects (24%) had other types of cancers. The first chemotherapy course was given at the full dose to 23/51 (45.1%) patients. The drug dose was reduced for 28/51 (54.9%) patients, due in 25 cases to the subjects being greater than 70 years old. Neither age, KPS, pretreatment assessment, nor cancer extent was correlated with the modifications made to the first cycle. An overall toxicity of grade 3 + 4 (WHO grading scale) was noted in 10 subjects (19.6%). Although these elderly patients were probably selected, analysis of their charts did not evidence an increase in chemotherapy toxicity, regardless of the dose they received.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

A survey in general practice about undergraduate cancer education: results from Gironde (France).

In Bordeaux University (France), oncology teaching was individualized in 1972, and an optional oncology course devoted to general practice was created in 1980. To evaluate the adequacy of these two oncology classes for general practitioners and so to adapt our current teaching, we sent to each of 1,219 general practitioners (GP's) of Gironde (county of the southwest of France) an anonymous questionnaire about oncology teaching in prevention, screening and cancer detection, cancer management, and curriculum balance. We received 688 (56.4%) responses. GPs said that as undergraduates, they were insufficiently instructed about screening programs (65%), pain control (80%), palliative care (50%) and fundamental or biological data (greater than 55%). This situation, which showed signs of improvement from 1975 on, has improved even more since 1985. General practitioners, as well as undergraduates, are not yet adequately educated about cancer for general practice, so we have to adapt better our current teaching for undergraduates and those in continuing medical education.

Curriculum↗
PubMed1991

[Adverse effects of interleukin 2].

Interleukin 2, has frequent and important side effects. Toxic effects observed are systemic (fever, chills, malaise), hemodynamic (capillary leak syndrome, hypotension), cardiac (arrhythmia, infarction), renal (renal dysfunction), infectious (septicemia), cutaneous, hematologic, gastrointestinal, endocrinologic and metabolic. Side effects are dose-dependent, generally reversible, with a mortality from 1 to 3%. Regimens of administration and other cytokine combinations affect interleukin 2 toxicity. If the treatment of these side effects is well known, selection of patients and specialized care unit remain always necessary.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Gastric lipase in alcoholic pancreatitis. Comparison of secretive profiles following pentagastrin stimulation in normal adults and patients with pancreatic insufficiency.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the amount of gastric lipase secreted by the stomach in normal adults and to elucidate a possible adaptative secretion of this enzyme in response to pancreatic insufficiency secondary to alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. Forty-one subjects underwent a gastric intubation. Pentagastrin (6 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 IV) significantly increased gastric lipase concentration and output. Stimulated gastric lipase output in seven normal subjects was 12,598 +/- 2036 U/h (by using tributyrin as substrate). Outputs where higher (P less than 0.02) in 17 patients with pancreatic insufficiency who were not drinking alcohol, but were not significantly different in nine patients who continued to drink (20,413 +/- 1778 U/h and 21,953 +/- 4973 U/h, respectively). On the other hand, high gastric lipase outputs were found in eight patients with duodenal ulcers and no evidence of pancreatic dysfunction (23,180 +/- 262 U/h). The time required to reach maximal lipase output (peak output) following pentagastrin stimulation was the same in all groups (approximately 38 minutes) except for the group of patients with pancreatic insufficiency who did not drink alcohol, in whom it was significantly reduced (approximately 26.5 minutes). Secretory patterns of gastric lipase and pepsin were closely comparable. Gastric lipase secretion could be increased in several clinical conditions and particularly in patients with pancreatic insufficiency caused by alcoholic chronic pancreatitis who have been abstinent for a long time.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Incidence of large oesophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis: application to prophylaxis of first bleeding.

Because several studies have suggested that beta blockers are effective in the prophylaxis of first variceal bleeding in cirrhosis, screening for oesophageal varices might be appropriate. We prospectively studied 84 cirrhotic patients without obvious evidence of large oesophageal varices and previous bleeding during a mean follow up of 16 months. At entry to the study 41 patients had no oesophageal varices and in 43 these were grade 1. The subsequent percentages of patients without large oesophageal varices were 74% at one year and 52% at two years. Univariate analysis showed that a longer duration of cirrhosis (p less than 0.05) and grade 1 oesophageal varices at entry (p less than 0.001) were predictive factors for the occurrence of large oesophageal varices, whereas, multivariate analysis showed that the initial size of the oesophageal varices (p less than 0.001), a high initial Child-Pugh score, and a smaller improvement in Child-Pugh score during the study were independent risk factors. Among patients with grades 0 and 1 oesophageal varices at the start of the study the proportions with large oesophageal varices at two years were 31% and 70% respectively. We have calculated that, accepting a maximum risk of first bleeding of 10% without prophylactic treatment, a patient without oesophageal varices should be screened endoscopically every other year, while a patient with grade 1 disease should benefit from one annual upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Adjuvant bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy in non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphomas: long-term results of a randomized trial in a single institution.

Between 1973 and 1977, 48 patients less than 65 years old with non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma (NHML) of poor prognosis (+/- high grade malignancy, +/- clinical stages III or IV, +/- first or repeated relapse) were included in a prospective clinical trial. After complete remission (CR), obtained with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, patients were randomized to receive bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) or no further therapy. BCG was administered in weekly scarifications up to 3 years. Forty-three patients are assessable. Twenty-four patients have relapsed: nine out of 21 in the BCG group, and 15 out of 22 in the control group. There is a significant difference in favor of the BCG group in disease-free survival (P = .03). Twenty-one patients have died, 18 from NHML: seven in the BCG group, and 11 in the control group. There is a significant difference in favor of the BCG group for overall survival at 10 years (P = .05). A multivariate analysis points out BCG as a significant prognostic factor. Adjuvant BCG may improve particularly disease-free survival and overall survival for patients with clinical stages I and II or intermediate- and high-grade malignancy. These results suggest that in patients less than 65 years old with NHML of poor prognosis, BCG may significantly increase disease-free survival and overall survival.

BCG Vaccine↗
PubMed1990

[Relay chemotherapy using continuous perfusion of cisplatin and fluoro-uracil in advanced cancer of the breast. Analysis of a series of 50 cases].

Fifty patients with advanced breast cancer (21 undergoing first and second stage palliative treatment: group 1, and 29 undergoing stage three or more: group 2), were included in a phase II trial with administration of a combination relay chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin (100 mg/m2/day) and fluorouracil (1,000 mg/m2/day), in continuous perfusion during 4 days, in cycles of five days repeated every three weeks (mean duration: 12 weeks). Toxicity was frequent and severe (a total of 17 treatments discontinued, and five deaths, 3 in group 1, 2 in group 2). The main manifestations of intolerance were threefold: haematological and leucopenia, in almost half of the patients, including 2 severe with 1 case of infectious complication and 4 thrombopenias requiring discontinuation of the treatment, including 2 with a severe haemorrhagic syndrome; cardiovascular, with three deaths due to heart failure; renal, most of the time laboratory tests disorders with 1 clinical syndrome. An objective response of more than fifty p. cent was obtained in five patients in group 1 (29.4%) and 3 patients in group 2 (11.1%); it lasted an average of 6.5 months and varied according to the locations: nodes (43%), liver (40%), pleuro-pulmonary (22%). Responses were obtained (13%) for lesions which resisted to previous chemotherapy. Five patients (14%) presented a functional improvement. The survival (mean = 4.8 months) was correlated, in group 1, to initial life conditions (p = 0.01) and was longer in group 1 for menopausal patients who had well tolerated the treatment (p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1989

Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic study of propranolol in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

1. The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics and the beta-adrenoceptor blocking activity according to time of conventional (C) and long acting (LA) propranolol in cirrhotic patients. Twenty-four patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and oesophageal varices were randomly assigned to receive either 160 mg C propranolol, 160 mg LA propranolol or placebo acutely and then following repeated administration (acute and chronic phases). Thereafter propranolol concentrations and beta-adrenoceptor blockade (resting and exercise heart rates) were measured at different intervals. 2. The Cmax was significantly higher with C propranolol in both phases. The time of Cmax was significantly later with LA propranolol in both phases. The AUCs were significantly higher after chronic administration with both formulations of propranolol. 3. The exercise peaks of beta-adrenoceptor blockade were similar between the two formulations and between the two phases of administration of propranolol. The duration of effective beta-adrenoceptor blockade was significantly longer in the chronic phase and seemed to be longer with LA than with C propranolol although this was not significant (72 +/- 31 vs 48 +/- 18 h, respectively). 4. There was a significant correlation between the log propranolol concentration and exercise heart rate but not with resting heart rate. No correlation could be demonstrated between pharmacological data and the Child Pugh score. 5. We conclude that in cirrhotic patients exercise testing was a reliable method in the assessment of beta-adrenoceptor blockade. Pharmacology of propranolol was found to be different according to the formulation or to the phase of administration.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗