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Biomedical subjects

B McCormick

Publications and source records attributed to B McCormick.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Differentiation of benign and malignant local tumor recurrence after lumpectomy.

During a 5-year period, 28 women who had been treated conservatively for breast carcinoma had 29 reexcisions of the lumpectomy site because of suspicion of a recurrent malignant tumor. Biopsy results were benign in 19 cases and malignant in 10 cases. Sixteen of the 19 benign tumors had developed within 2 years after therapy. In 16 benign cases, a palpable lump developed at the scar and was found on biopsy to be fat necrosis or fibrosis. Seven of these cases had normal mammographic findings. Three women with abnormal mammographic findings but a normal breast examination had punctate microcalcifications develop at the scar; these were due to fibrosis in two and sclerosing adenosis in the other. Of the 10 malignant recurrent tumors, seven were palpable, four of which also were identifiable by mammography. Of seven mammographically identifiable recurrent tumors at the surgical site, four were palpable. Mammographic findings were a single mass in two cases, multiple masses in one, microcalcification in three, and a mass with microcalcifications in one. Malignant microcalcifications were all linear, irregular, and in one case branching. Mean time to recurrence in these 10 women was 3 years. This experience suggests that benign disease usually occurs at the scar within 2 years after the original therapy and when palpable may not show changes on mammography. When microcalcifications do occur, they are usually punctate.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Ophthalmic neoplasms in infancy and childhood.

The most common ocular and orbital tumors presenting in infancy, childhood and adolescence are presented and discussed in this review. It has been prepared specifically for the clinical pediatrician and focuses on the clinical recognition of ophthalmic neoplasms, their diagnostic evaluation employing the use of advanced imaging techniques, biopsy when indicated and extent of disease workup. In addition, current treatment modalities are discussed. Ocular tumors addressed include: retinoblastoma, capillary hemangioma, lymphangioma, dermoid and epidermoid cysts, teratoma, glioma, astrocytic hamartoma, neurofibroma, rhabdomyosarcoma and fibrous tumors. Two aggressive and potentially fatal tumors, rhabdomyosarcoma and retinoblastoma, are presented in detail. In addition, the ocular tumors associated with the phakomatoses (von Hippel-Lindau, tuberous sclerosis and neurofibromatosis) are reviewed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Definitive irradiation for localized non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of breast.

A diagnosis of primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) confined to the breast or breast and ipsilateral lymph nodes was biopsy proven in 19 patients who presented to our institution between 1970 and 1984. Four patients were treated with a modified radical mastectomy, and one with chemotherapy only. The remaining 14 patients comprise the basis of this study. All patients were clinically staged. There were 12 patients with 1A-E disease and two with IIA-E disease. All patients were treated with breast radiation. The axillary nodes were included in seven of the patients and two, in addition, received "mantle" irradiation. The majority of the patients received between 3500-4400 cGy, but four received lower doses. One patient, with Stage IIA-E disease, received 6 months of systemic chemotherapy, followed by 3500 cGy to the breast and axilla. Three of the 14 patients relapsed within the treated area, with a local control rate of 78%. One was salvaged with a mastectomy and remains alive and well 15 years after diagnosis. Seven of the 14 patients relapsed distantly, including two with local failures, but only three have died of disease. An additional two patients have died of other causes without evidence of disease, for a survival of 66% at 48 months (Kaplan-Meier Calculations).

Aged↗
PubMed1989

The use of lymphoscintigraphy in treatment planning of primary breast cancer.

A technique is described for the use of lymphoscintigraphy in treatment planning of primary breast patients. During simulation of the treatment fields, the positions of the internal mammary nodes are projected back toward the source onto the patient skin surface and are marked by radio-opaque markers for visualization on films. Exact solutions for the coordinates of these surface projection points are derived. Approximate solutions are also given which are independent of the isocenter location and primarily dependent on the treatment field gantry angle. If a typical couch angle and field size are assumed, the projection points can be calculated for various gantry angles prior to simulation. Generally, a decision can then be made beforehand whether it would be better to use deep tangents or a separate field to treat the internal mammary nodes. During simulation, the surface projection points serve as visual and fluoroscopic guides to field design and optimization. A method is also presented for projecting the internal mammary node positions onto a single transverse patient contour for conventional 2-dimensional treatment planning. By accurately showing the projected location of the node with respect to the field edge, adequate treatment margin can be assured.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1989

The patients perception of her breast following radiation and limited surgery.

Seventy-four patients followed from 1 to 8 years post completion of breast-conserving surgery and radiation for early-stage breast cancer were asked to answer a questionnaire exploring their perception and awareness of the treated breast. The questionnaire was divided into several sections, including "Daily Activities", Pre-menstrual Changes", "Sexual Activities", and a summary "Satisfaction Index" section; when appropriate, comparisons were sought between the treated and untreated breasts. Preliminary results from this study indicate that 70% of all patients are aware of their treated breast in some way during everyday activities. The "Satisfaction Index" of this patient group is very high, with 75% rating their cosmetic result, and 81% their functional result "8" or higher on a scale of "0" to "10","10" indicating "best" or "normal".

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1988

Applicator for optimum cobalt-60 primary breast treatments.

A breast applicator has been designed to optimize 3 field breast treatments for 60Co. The device has a six half value layer beam splitting block constructed in two sections. The larger permanently mounted section is sufficient for treating 90% of the patients. Slots are available for mounting cerroband blocks, and any of five brass half field wedges. A magnetically attached front and back-pointer assembly readily breaks away in the event of a collision between pointer and patient. With this design the breast applicator with wedges and blocks has in-field surface doses reduced to that of an open field without accessory devices. The 50-90% dose decrement of the radiation penumbra for the half field block is comparable to that for the field edge of a typical 6 MV X ray unit, although the 50-10% decrement is larger. The average out-of-field dose at the surface is 8% and is 5% at the depth of dose maximum. The combination for this applicator of sharp penumbra and low out-of-field dose leads to reduced lung and opposite breast doses. The latter was confirmed with TLD measurements on 10 patients, and yielded an average opposite breast dose of 230 cGy for a 4600 cGy prescription. Thus, half-field blocking devices do not preclude, as has been stated in the literature, acceptable opposite breast doses. In addition, proper design of these devices can significantly improve the radiation characteristics for primary breast treatments.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1988

Radiation therapy for retinoblastoma: comparison of results with lens-sparing versus lateral beam techniques.

From 1979 through 1986, 170 children were seen at our institution diagnosed with retinoblastoma. Sixty-six of the children with involvement of 121 eyes, were referred for definitive external beam radiation to one or both eyes. During the study period, two distinct radiation techniques were used. From 1980 through mid-1984, a lens-sparing technique included an anterior electron beam with a contact lens mounted lead shield, combined with a lateral field, was used. Since mid-1984, a modified lateral beam technique has been used, mixing lateral electrons and superior and inferior lateral oblique split beam wedged photons. Doses prescribed were similar for both techniques, ranging from 3,850 to 5,000 cGy in 4 to 5 weeks. The lens-sparing and the modified lateral techniques are compared for local control. For eyes with Group I through III disease, the lens-sparing technique resulted in local control in 33% of the eyes treated, where the modified lateral technique controlled 83% of the eyes treated (p = .006). Mean time to relapse was identical in both groups, that is 24 and 26 months respectively. Most relapses were successfully treated with further local therapy, including laser or cryosurgery, or 60Co plaques. Five eyes required enucleation following initial treatment with the lens-sparing technique, but none thus far with the lateral beam technique. For eyes with Group IV and V disease, no significant differences were found between the two techniques in terms of local control or eventual need for enucleation. With a mean follow-up time of 33 months for the entire group, the 4-year survival is 93%. Two of the 4 deaths are due to second primary tumor, and all 4 have occurred in the lens-sparing group. Because follow-up time is more limited in the lateral beam group, this is not statistically significant and direct survival comparisons are premature.

Eye Neoplasms↗