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Biomedical subjects

C L Shields

Publications and source records attributed to C L Shields.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

BOLD+interferon in the treatment of metastatic uveal melanoma: first report of active systemic therapy.

We conducted a phase II trial of bleomycin+vincristine+lomustine+dacarbazine (BOLD) with intercycle alpha interferon-2b in previously untreated patients with metastatic uveal melanoma. Objective tumor response and toxicity were assessed. Twenty-three patients with histologically verified metastatic uveal melanoma were enrolled into this study between November 1992 and August 1995. Chemotherapy was administered in the following fashion: dacarbazine (DTIC), 200 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1-5; vincristine, 1 mg/m2 (not to exceed 2 mg) intravenously on days 1 and 4; bleomycin, 15 mg intravenously on days 2 and 5; lomustine (CCNU), 80 mg orally on day 1; and alpha interferon-2b, 3 x 10(6) IU subcutaneously on days 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19. A cycle was 28 days, and patients were reevaluated after every 2 cycles. Among twenty evaluable patients, four objective responses were observed (RR = 20%). Hematologic toxicity was modest by comparison to some other combination chemotherapy regimens in common use. Neurotoxicity was frequently observed, but it was seldom severe. An unexpected and unpredictable severe pulmonary toxicity was observed in 3 patients, the etiology of which remains unclear. The regimen of BOLD+interferon is active in the treatment of metastatic uveal melanoma. The precise role of the regimen has to be defined in light of its toxicity, particularly the unpredictable pulmonary toxicity. The pattern of occurrence of these pulmonary events is most consistent with either an acquired hypersensitivity reaction or a cumulative toxic effect of 2 or more of the agents. Patients considered for treatment with this regimen must be judiciously selected. Those with no clear contraindications may benefit from a trial of this regimen, but they must be monitored closely.

Adult↗

Orbital dermoid cysts: clinicopathologic correlations, classification, and management. The 1997 Josephine E. Schueler Lecture.

The dermoid cyst is one of the most common space-occupying orbital lesions, but there has been no large series that details the clinical, pathologic, and therapeutic aspects of this condition. Furthermore, despite the various presentations and types of dermoid cysts, there is no clinically applicable classification of these lesions. We performed a retrospective histopathologic study of 197 consecutive orbital and periorbital dermoid cysts excised at Wills Eye Hospital during a 32-year period, correlated the histopathologic findings with the recorded clinical and radiographic observations, and devised a clinically applicable classification of orbital dermoid cysts. The mean age at excision was 17 years (range, 5 months to 85 years), and the most frequent clinical finding was a painless subcutaneous mass, present in 89% of cases. In 72% of patients, the mass was located in the superotemporal orbital region and produced no abnormalities of vision or intraocular pressure. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, performed mainly in the more recent cases, disclosed a characteristic round to ovoid cystic lesion with a well-defined lining. Histopathologically, 165 of the cysts (84%) were lined by keratinizing, stratified squamous epithelium. Ten (5%) were lined by nonkeratinizing epithelium resembling conjunctival epithelium. Hair shafts were present in the wall or lumen of the cyst in 195 (99%) of specimens, sebaceous glands in 148 (75%), and sweat glands in 39 (20%); inflammation was present in 75 cases (38%). Based on these personal observations and a review of the literature, a classification of orbital dermoid cysts is proposed that we believe will provide guidance for the ophthalmologist in the management of these lesions.

Adolescent↗

External beam radiation for retinoblastoma: results, patterns of failure, and a proposal for treatment guidelines.

PURPOSE: To analyze treatment results and patterns of failure following external beam radiation for retinoblastoma and propose treatment guidelines according to specific clinical variables. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We analyzed 27 patients (34 eyes) with retinoblastoma who received external beam radiation as initial treatment at Hahnemann University Hospital from October 1980 to December 1991 and have been followed for at least 1 year. Of the 34 eyes, 14 were Groups I-II (Reese-Ellsworth classification), 7 were Group III, and 13 were Groups IV-V. Doses ranged from 34.5-49.5 Gy (mean 44.3 Gy, median 45 Gy) in 1.5-2.0 Gy fractions generally delivered through anterior and lateral wedged pair fields. RESULTS: At a mean follow up of 35.2 months (range 12-93 months), local tumor control was obtained in 44% (15 out of 34) of eyes with external beam radiation alone. Salvage therapy (plaque brachytherapy, cryotherapy, and/or photocoagulation) controlled an additional 10 eyes (29.5%), so that overall ocular survival has been 73.5%. Local tumor control with external beam radiotherapy alone was obtained in 78.5% (11 out of 14) of eyes in Groups I-II, but in only 20% (4 out of 20) of eyes in Groups III-V. A total of 67 existing tumors were identified prior to treatment in the 34 treated eyes and local control with external beam radiation alone was obtained in 87% (46 out of 53) of tumors measuring 15 mm or less and in 50% (7 out of 14) of tumors measuring more than 15 mm. When analyzing patterns of failure in the 19 eyes that relapsed, a total of 28 failure sites were identified and consisted of progression of vitreous seeds in seven instances (25% of failure sites) recurrences from previously existing tumors in 10 instances (36% of failure sites) and development of new tumors in previously uninvolved retina in 11 instances (39% of failure sites). CONCLUSIONS: 1) We find that external beam radiation to a dose of 45 Gy in fractions of 1.5 to 2.0 Gy provides adequate tumor control in retinoblastoma eyes Groups I-II (Reese-Ellsworth classification) or tumors measuring 15 mm in diameter or less. Eyes in more advanced group staging or containing tumors larger than the 15 mm seem to require higher radiation doses. We propose treatment guidelines for external beam radiation of retinoblastoma that specifically take into account the important clinical variables of tumor stage and patient age. 2) External beam radiation does not prevent the appearance of new tumors in clinically uninvolved retina. Therefore, the traditional belief that external beam radiation can treat the retina "prophylactically" should be seriously questioned. Due to this finding and their significant less morbidity, focal treatment modalities (plaque brachytherapy, photocoagulation, and/or cryotherapy), when clinically feasible, should be considered the treatment of choice for intraocular retinoblastoma. External beam radiation should be considered only when focal treatment modalities are not clinically indicated.

Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation↗

Deletion mapping of chromosome region 9p21-p22 surrounding the CDKN2 locus in melanoma.

The cyclin-dependent kinase-4 inhibitor gene CDKN2, localized at chromosome region 9p21, has been shown to be a familial melanoma gene, though we found that mutations of it are rare in uncultured sporadic melanomas. To determine Whether the region of allelic loss at 9p21 frequently observed in sporadic melanomas includes the CDKN2 locus, new polymorphic microsatellite probes were isolated from the genomic segments surrounding the CDKN2 gene and used for the study of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in melanoma. The LOH study of matched uncultured tumor-constitutional DNA pairs from 66 metastatic cutaneous and 19 primary uveal melanomas showed that 63% and 32% of the respective tumors suffered allelic loss in the 9p21 region. Two regions of common losses which did not include the CDKN2 locus were observed: in a region of common loss near the D9S157 locus, telomeric to the CDKN2 locus, deletions were observed in 51% of informative cases; in the other region of common loss, near the D9S171 locus, centromeric to the CDKN2 locus, deletions were observed in 47% of informative cases. At the D9S974 locus, located within 20 kb of the CDKN2 gene, deletions were observed in 43% of informative cases. Homozygous deletions of the CDKN2 locus were observed in 8 cases of cutaneous melanoma and 2 cases of uveal melanoma; mutations in CDKN2 exon 2 were found in 2 of the 46 cases with allelic deletion in 9p21. Our results support the following conclusions: (i) somatic mutation of the CDKN2 gene is rare in sporadic melanomas with allelic loss at 9p21; (ii) homozygous loss is more frequent than mutation of the CDKN2 gene in sporadic melanomas; (iii) at 9p21-p23 genes other than CDKN2 may be involved in the development of sporadic melanomas.

Alleles↗

Familial uveal melanoma. Clinical observations on 56 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical profile and kindreds of patients with familial uveal melanoma (FUM). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Medical charts of 4500 patients with uveal melanoma were reviewed for family history of uveal melanoma. The clinical profile of these patients and their kindreds were studied to determine the incidence of FUM and pattern of inheritance. The association of FUM to cutaneous melanoma, familial atypical mole and melanoma syndrome, and other nonmelanocytic cancers was analyzed using statistical methods. RESULTS: Of 4500 patients with uveal melanoma, 56 patients in 27 families (0.6%) had a family history of uveal melanoma. The uveal melanoma in all 56 familial patients was unilateral. In 17 cases (63%), the second affected relative was a first-degree relative. In the remainder, the second affected relative was a second- (22%) and third-degree (15%) relative. In 25 families (93%) only two members were affected, and in two families (7%) three members had uveal melanoma. Patients with FUM were four times as likely to have a second primary malignant neoplasm than were people in the general population. However, no evidence was seem that unaffected kindreds of patients with FUM were at higher risk of having a second primary malignant neoplasm. CONCLUSIONS: Familial involvement in uveal melanoma is rare. Familial uveal melanoma most often (63%) affects first-degree relatives, rarely affects more than two persons in a family, and may be associated with a generalized inherited predisposition to cancer. Further genetic studies are necessary to fully characterize FUM syndrome.

Adult↗

Malignant melanoma of the optic nerve.

A 67-year-old man was diagnosed as having a melanocytoma of the optic disc in the left eye. Observation during a 5-year period showed no change in the lesion. At age 72 years, he had abrupt visual loss to no light perception in the affected left eye. Clinical examination disclosed little enlargement of the papillary tumor but ultrasonographic evidence of optic nerve infiltration. Precontrast magnetic resonance imaging studies disclosed a hyperintense infiltrative lesion in the enlarged left optic nerve. Enhancement features of the lesion excluded a hemorrhagic process. The eye was removed with a 22.5-mm segment of optic nerve. Histopathologic examination showed a large, necrotic, mixed-cell malignant melanoma confined to the optic nerve. No choroidal involvement or viable melanocytoma cells were documented. This case stresses that it may be difficult to differentiate a melanocytoma from a primary malignant melanoma of the optic nerve.

Aged↗

Diffuse choroidal melanoma. Clinical features predictive of metastasis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical features that predict metastasis of diffuse choroidal melanoma. DESIGN: A review of patients who had been diagnosed clinically as having diffuse choroidal melanoma evaluated on the Oncology Service at Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Effect on metastasis of clinical features of the tumor. RESULTS: Of 3500 consecutive patients with choroidal melanoma, 111 (3%) had diffuse choroidal melanoma. Of these 111 tumors, the mean tumor base was 14.7 mm and the mean overall tumor thickness was 2.1 mm. The thickness-to-base percentage averaged 14.8%. The tumor had poorly defined margins in 39 patients (35%), orange pigment on its surface in 49 (44%), and a secondary serous retinal detachment in 76 (68%). Optic nerve invasion was clinically suspected in 2 patients (2%) and transcleral extension in 3 (3%). Initial management was enucleation in 36 patients (32%), plaque radiotherapy in 60 (54%), laser photocoagulation in 3 (3%), and observation in 12 (11%). During a mean follow-up of 5.3 years (median, 3.9 years), metastasis developed in 29 patients (26%). Using Kaplan-Meier survival estimates, the probability of metastasis developing was 16% at 3 years, 24% at 5 years, and 36% at 10 years. The clinical factors predictive of metastasis by univariate analysis included tumor basal dimension 18 mm or more (P = .002), poorly defined tumor margins (P = .03), transcleral extension (P = .003), and optic nerve invasion (P = .03). The clinical factors predictive of metastasis by multivariate analysis included basal dimension of 18 mm or more (P = .01), optic nerve invasion (P = .03), and poorly defined tumor margins (P = .05). CONCLUSIONS: Despite its relative flatness, diffuse choroidal melanoma carries a metastatic potential of 24% at 5 years. The risks for metastasis are greatest with increasing tumor base and poorly defined margins. Recognition of the clinical features of this tumor in the earliest stage and prompt treatment are encouraged.

Adolescent↗

Familial uveal melanoma, III. Is the occurrence of familial uveal melanoma coincidental?.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain whether the familial occurrence of uveal melanoma was coincidental in kindreds in which 1 first-degree relative of the proband had also been affected with primary uveal melanoma. PATIENTS: In a series of 4500 patients with primary uveal melanoma, 17 kindreds were identified in which a first-degree relative of the proband had also been affected with primary uveal melanoma. DESIGN: In the 17 families in which a first-degree relative of the proband had been affected, primary uveal melanoma was classified as familial. In the remaining 4483 families, primary uveal melanoma was classified as sporadic. The expected number of affected first-degree relatives of probands for a family was estimated, assuming an incidence rate of 6 cases per million population per year in each type of family. RESULTS: The expected number of affected first-degree relatives was calculated to be 0.81, with an SE of 0.08, compared with 17 observed affected first-degree relatives (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Our study provides strong statistical evidence that occurrence of familial uveal melanoma is not coincidental.

Adolescent↗

Chemoreduction in the initial management of intraocular retinoblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Chemoreduction is a method of reducing tumor volume to allow for more focused, less damaging therapeutic measures. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether chemoreduction could be used to decrease the size of retinoblastoma so that enucleation or external beam radiotherapy could be avoided and more conservative modalities employed. METHODS: A prospective pilot study was performed to assess the effectiveness of a 2-month chemoreduction regimen of vincristine sulfate, etoposide, and carboplatin in patients with retinoblastoma. The study included 20 patients with 54 tumors in 31 eyes. RESULTS: At the initial examination, the mean tumor base was 12 mm and the thickness, 7 mm. Vitreous seeds were present in 14 eyes (45%). A secondary retinal detachment was present in 24 eyes (77%) and, when present, involved a mean of 71% of the retina. In 11 eyes (36%) the retina was totally detached with serous subretinal fluid. After 2 months of chemoreduction, all 54 tumors showed regression in size, and 48 (89%) showed evidence of calcification. The mean tumor base was 8 mm and the thickness, 4 mm. Overall, there was a mean 35% decrease in base and 49% decrease in thickness of the tumor at the end of the treatment period. A complete response was found in 25 tumors (46%) and a partial response in 29 (54%). The subretinal fluid had resolved completely in 50% of the cases (12/24 eyes), and, in the 11 eyes with total retinal detachment, the subretinal fluid had completely resolved, leaving flat retina, in 6 eyes (54%). The vitreous seeds demonstrated some degree of regression in all cases, and in 5 eyes there was 90% to 100% calcification of the seeds. Short-term systemic toxic effects were mild (transient bone marrow suppression). Enucleation was avoided in all cases; external beam radiotherapy was necessary in 9 eyes because of diffuse vitreous seeds. The remaining 22 eyes were treated with local methods after chemoreduction. CONCLUSION: Tumor shrinkage with chemoreduction may allow treatment with less invasive measures, such as cryotherapy, laser photocoagulation, thermotherapy, or plaque radiotherapy, thereby avoiding enucleation and external beam radiotherapy.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

Plaque radiotherapy for juxtapapillary choroidal melanoma. Visual acuity and survival outcome.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of plaque radiotherapy on the visual acuity of patients with juxtapapillary choroidal melanoma and to determine the clinical predictive factors for radiation retinopathy, radiation papillopathy, local tumor recurrence, and distant metastasis. DESIGN: A retrospective review of the medical records of 93 patients with juxtapapillary choroidal melanoma who were treated initially with plaque radiotherapy. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 78 months, radiation retinopathy developed in 81 patients (87%) and radiation papillopathy developed in 48 patients (52%) after a mean interval of 21 and 27 months, respectively. The univariate variables that were significant predictors of radiation retinopathy were history of diabetes mellitus (P = .05) and use of a notched radioactive plaque (P = .04). The factors predictive of radiation papillopathy were age (> 45 years; P = .01), history of diabetes mellitus (P = .05), mushroom-shaped tumor configuration (P = .006), and nasal location of the tumor (P = .04). By using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, we found that the proportion of the 93 patients with radiation retinopathy was 87 (94%) at 5 years and with radiation papillopathy was 53 (57%) at 5 years. By using life-table analysis, we found that the proportion of the 93 patients who experienced a decrement of at least 3 lines of visual acuity was 67 (72%) by 50 to 60 months. Local tumor recurrence was documented in 14 patients (15%) after a mean interval of 41 months. The age of the patient (< 35 years; P = .02) and the superior (P = .004) and inferior (P = .05) locations of the tumor were predictive of local tumor recurrence. Distant metastasis developed in 11 patients (12%) after a mean interval of 44 months. The factors predictive of distant metastasis were a tumor with a basal diameter larger than 6.0 mm (P = .05), the superior location of the tumor (P = .01), and local tumor recurrence (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Based on these observations, plaque radiotherapy remains a potential option vs enucleation for the management of juxtapapillary choroidal melanoma.

Brachytherapy↗

MRI of orbital hydroxyapatite implants.

Our aim was to use MRI for the postsurgical assessment of a new form of integrated orbital implant composed of a porous calcium phosphate hydroxyapatite substrate. We studied ten patients 24-74 years of age who underwent enucleation and implantation of a hydroxyapatite ball; 5-13 months after surgery, each patient was examined by spinecho MRI, with fat suppression and gadolinium enhancement. Fibrovascular ingrowth was demonstrated in all ten patients as areas of enhancement at the periphery of the hydroxyapatite sphere that extended to the center to a variable degree. The radiologist should aware of the MRI appearances of the coralline hydroxyapatite orbital implant since it is now widely used following enucleation. MRI is a useful means to determine successful incorporation of the substrate into the orbital tissues. The normal pattern of contrast enhancement should not be mistaken for recurrent tumor or infection.

Adult↗

Imaging in the trilateral retinoblastoma syndrome.

The medical records, CT, and MRI of ten children with trilateral retinoblastoma were reviewed. The intracranial pathology consisted of eight pineal neoplasms and two parasellar lesions, at least seven of the which were calcified. Two lesions demonstrated calcification only (no soft tissue mass) at initial presentation. Hydrocephalus was seen in eight cases, and concurrent or subsequent subarachnoid dissemination was documented in seven. Only one patient is known to be alive at the present time. The imaging features of the midline intracranial tumors mirror those of the ocular neoplasm. As calcification may be the only clue to the presence of the intracranial malignancy, close surveillance of high-risk patients with retinoblastoma with initial CT and follow-up MRI is suggested.

Brain↗

Ophthalmic features of the organoid nevus syndrome.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The organoid nevus (sebaceous nevus) syndrome is characterized primarily by cutaneous sebaceous nevus, seizures, and epibulbar choristomas. On the basis of ophthalmoscopic and computed tomographic studies, a yellow fundus lesion recently observed in this syndrome has been called a coloboma by some investigators and a choroidal osteoma by others. This study was undertaken to review our personal experience with the organoid nevus syndrome, to review the English language literature on the subject, and to address some misconceptions regarding its ocular manifestations. METHODS: We reviewed the records of patients with the organoid nevus syndrome who were personally evaluated by the investigators. The ocular findings were studied in more detail, with emphasis on the epibulbar and fundus lesions. RESULTS: We identified five patients with the organoid nevus syndrome. Four had a classic sebaceous nevus in the facial and scalp area, and 2 had seizures and arachnoid cysts. All 5 patients had an epibulbar tumor, which proved to be a complex choristoma in one case that was studied histopathologically. A characteristic ophthalmoscopic feature, observed in the 4 patients with clear ocular media, was a flat yellow discoloration of the posterior fundus, of variable size and shape, which appeared to correlate with a dense plaque noted on ultrasonography and computed tomography. In 1 case, histopathologic examination showed that this posterior lesion contained intrascleral cartilage. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations and a review of the literature indicated that the organoid nevus syndrome has varied manifestations. Like the closely related phakomatoses, it often occurs as a forme fruste, without full expression of the syndrome. The most important ocular manifestations are an epibulbar mass, compatible with a complex choristoma, and focal yellow discoloration in the fundus, probably related to intrascleral cartilage.

Adolescent↗

Choroidal melanoma in an African-American albino.

PURPOSE: To report the rare occurrence of choroidal melanoma in an African-American albino. METHODS: A 68-year-old African-American man with oculocutaneous albinism developed an amelanotic choroidal mass in his left eye. A transvitreal fine-needle aspiration biopsy was performed to confirm the diagnosis, and the patient was treated with iodine 125 plaque radiotherapy. RESULTS: The cytology of the needle biopsy showed spindle cells with nuclear atypia and prominent nucleoli. The cells showed positive immunoreactivity for HMB-45, supporting the diagnosis of choroidal melanoma. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a choroidal melanoma occurring in an African-American albino.

Black or African American↗