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Biomedical subjects

C E Silver

Publications and source records attributed to C E Silver.

63 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Scintigraphic localization of ectopic parathyroid lesions with thallium-201.

Six consecutive patients with ectopic parathyroid lesions were studied by preoperative thallium-technetium scintigraphy. Ectopic lesions were accurately localized in 5 of 6 patients. Four of five lesions deep in the superior mediastinum, and 1 in the superior carotid sheath, were correctly identified. Ectopic lesions in 4 of 5 patients, who had previously undergone unsuccessful exploration, were correctly localized. In 1 previously unoperated patient, a mediastinal lesion was identified by preoperative scintigraphy. In 2 patients, deep mediastinal exploration via manubriotomy was successfully conducted without confirmation by "invasive" intravascular procedures. There were no false-positive studies. Lesions identified weighed from 185 mg to 9 g and were from 1.1 to 3.0 cm in size. Scintigraphy is particularly effective for demonstration of ectopic parathyroid tissue, because the absence of thyroid tissue in the mediastinum or superior cervical region permits appreciation of areas of abnormal thallium uptake unobscured by uptake in adjacent thyroid tissue. We conclude that ectopic parathyroid tissue may be accurately identified by thallium-technetium scintigraphy without confirmation by invasive intravascular studies.

Adult↗

Low-dose radiotherapy for multicystic benign lymphoepithelial lesions of the parotid gland in HIV-positive patients: long-term results.

BACKGROUND: Multicystic benign lymphoepithelial lesions of the parotid gland (BLL) seen in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can produce considerable cosmetic deformity as well as physical discomfort. We previously reported our preliminary results with low-dose radiotherapy in this disease, and all 8 patients were satisfied with the initial improvement in their appearance. We now report the long-term follow-up of those patients and additional patients. METHODS: Twelve HIV-positive patients with BLL were treated with 8-10 Gy of external radiation using 2-Gy daily fractions. Objective responses and subjective duration of patient-defined cosmetic control were recorded. RESULTS: All 12 patients (100%) had at least a 50% decrease in the size of their parotid masses. Five of 12 (42%) had a complete response and 7 (58%) had a partial response. Persisting complete response was achieved in only 1 patient, however, with relapse in the other 11 patients. Cosmetic palliation, as judged by the patients, was achieved for a median of 9.5 months. Eight patients were subsequently retreated with doses of 6-16 Gy (median and mode: 10 Gy). None (0%) of the 8 patients retreated achieved local control. CONCLUSIONS: Very low-dose radiation (8-10 Gy) provides reliable but temporary cosmetic palliation for BLL. Retreatment was unsatisfactory, and we are now investigating higher initial doses of radiation to prolong palliation and eliminate recurrences.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

Supraomohyoid neck dissection as a staging procedure for squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity and oropharynx.

BACKGROUND: A multi-institutional retrospective study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of the supraomohyoid neck dissection (SOHND) for detection of occult cervical metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx. METHODS: Seventy-five previously untreated patients with clinically negative necks were studied. Seventeen (23%) neck specimens revealed occult metastatic disease, and 58 (77%) were histologically negative. Postoperative irradiation was received by 94% of the patients with positive specimens and 22% with negative specimens. Patients were followed until recurrence of neck disease, or for a period of 2 years or longer. RESULTS: Cervical metastasis subsequently developed in 25% of treated positive specimen patients, none of the untreated positive specimen patients, 8% of the treated negative specimen patients, and 11% of the untreated negative specimen patients. The sensitivity of SOHND for cervical metastasis was 82%, negative predictive value 91%, and accuracy 94%. CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that SOHND is a useful procedure for detection of occult cervical metastatic disease in cancer of the oral cavity and oropharynx.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Surgical treatment of oral cavity carcinoma.

Ninety-four squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity, treated on the author's service between 1969 and 1981, were evaluated. The series included squamous cell carcinomas of various intraoral sites excluding the lips and hard palate. Survival of 60 mo was 70% for stage I, 65% for stage II, 45% for stage III, and 27% for stage IV carcinoma. Twenty-four of 34 patients with "early" cancer (stages I and II) were treated by operation alone. Too few patients with "early" cancer were treated by combined irradiation and surgery to draw conclusions regarding relative efficacy of combination therapy. Sixty patients had "advanced" cancer (stages III and IV). Five-year survival was 37% for patients treated by operation alone, 18% after salvage surgery after failed irradiation, and 60% for patients treated by operation combined with planned perioperative irradiation. Combination therapy appeared to improve control of locoregional disease as well as survival in patients with "advanced" cancer.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Elective treatment of the neck in cancer of the oral tongue.

Management of the clinically negative neck in patients with carcinoma of the oral tongue remains a complex and controversial subject. While statistical proof of the value of elective neck dissection in tongue cancer remains elusive, the high incidence of occult cervical metastases, even with small primary tumors, and the poor salvage rates and increased incidence of extracapsular spread in cases that have developed palpable adenopathy, provide a logical basis for treatment of the neck in a preclinical stage.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Surgical treatment of the neck in cancer of the larynx.

Current concepts in management of the clinically negative and clinically positive neck in laryngeal cancer are reviewed. Occult disease in the neck not detected by physical and radiographic examination may also be difficult to identify on routine histologic examination. Immunohistochemistry or molecular analysis may detect metastatic involvement not apparent by light microscopy. The surgeon should be aware of the relatively high incidence of micrometastases in patients with laryngeal cancer to establish optimal treatment approaches. Elective treatment of the neck is recommended for supraglottic tumors staged T2 or higher, and glottic or subglottic tumors staged T3 or higher. The neck may be treated electively by either surgery or irradiation, but irradiation is best reserved for cases where that modality is employed for the primary tumor. Elective neck dissection provides important information for prognostic purposes and therapeutic decisions, by establishing the presence, number, location and nature of occult lymph node metastases. The selective lateral neck dissection (levels II, III and IV), unilateral or bilateral, is the procedure of choice for elective treatment. Paratracheal nodes (level VI) should be dissected in cases of advanced glottic and subglottic cancer. Complete radical or functional neck dissections are excessive in extent, as levels I and V are almost never involved. Sentinel lymph node biopsy may fail to detect tumor on frozen section examination or may not reveal 'skip' metastases. The clinically involved neck is usually treated by complete radical or functional neck dissection of levels I through V. Selective neck dissection has been employed successfully in selected cases, particularly for N1 or occasionally N2 nodal involvement. The selective neck dissection can be extended to include structures at risk. More advanced disease has been treated in this manner often in association with adjuvant chemotherapy and/or irradiation. While the benefit of adjuvant treatment is difficult to assess, it appears most useful in cases with extranodal spread of disease, a factor associated with the worst prognosis.

Chemotherapy, Adjuvant↗

Surgical management of the neck in thyroid cancer.

Thyroid cancer is a relatively common clinical problem. The American Cancer Society has estimated 1,050,000 newly diagnosed cancers in 1999 in the United States, of which 16,000 are expected to be of thyroid origin. Although most thyroid cancers have an excellent prognosis as compared with other malignant tumors, it is estimated that approximately 1,225 deaths will be attributed to the disease [1].

Humans↗

Incidence and sites of distant metastases from head and neck cancer.

The incidence of distant metastases in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is relatively small in comparison to other malignancies. Distant metastases adversely impact survival and may significantly affect treatment planning. The incidence of distant metastases is influenced by location of the primary tumor, initial T and N stage of the neoplasm, and the presence or absence of regional control above the clavicle. Patients with advanced nodal disease have a high incidence of distant metastases, particularly in the presence of jugular vein invasion or extensive soft tissue disease in the neck. Primary tumors of advanced T stages in the hypopharynx, oropharynx and oral cavity are associated with the highest incidence of distant metastases. Pulmonary metastases are the most frequent in SCC, accounting for 66% of distant metastases. It may be difficult to distinguish pulmonary metastasis from a new primary tumor, particularly if solitary. Other metastatic sites include bone (22%), liver (10%), skin, mediastinum and bone marrow. An important question remains as to how intensely pre- and postoperative screening for distant metastases should be performed. Preoperative chest X-ray is warranted in all cases. If the primary tumor and nodal status place the patient at high risk for pulmonary metastasis, then preoperative computed tomography scan of the chest should be done. Screening for distant metastases at other sites is usually not indicated in SCC of the upper aerodigestive tract. Postoperatively, annual X-rays of the chest are usually sufficient, but in high-risk situations a chest X-ray performed every 3-6 months may be beneficial. Certain histologic types of primary tumor have greater or lesser propensity to metastasize distantly, and have a different natural history. Adenoid cystic carcinoma metastasizes frequently, even in the absence of extensive local or regional disease. Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinomas also metastasize widely. Extensive evaluation for distant metastases is justified for these tumors. Knowledge of the natural history of various neoplasms and the factors that contribute to distant metastases as well as good judgement are essential for cost-effective treatment planning and decision-making with regard to pre- and postoperative evaluation for distant metastases in cancer of the head and neck.

Bone Neoplasms↗