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Biomedical subjects

D J Schultz

Publications and source records attributed to D J Schultz.

67 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Bilateral breast carcinoma treated with definitive irradiation.

From 1977 to 1987, 30 women were treated with definitive irradiation following breast-conserving surgery for bilateral carcinoma of the breast for a total of 60 treated breasts. Eleven women presented with concurrent bilateral carcinoma, and 19 women had sequential bilateral carcinoma. Pathologic axillary staging was performed in 51 of the 60 treated breasts. A total dose of greater than or equal to 6,000 cGy was delivered from breast tangential irradiation plus an electron or Iridium boost to 95% (57/60) of the treated breasts. A third field was used to treat the regional axillary and supraclavicular lymph nodes bilaterally in three women (10%) and unilaterally in ten women (33%). Tangential fields were matched at midline in 17 patients, and in ten patients, the tangential fields overlapped by up to 3 cm on skin. In two patients, the tangential fields were matched to an internal mammary nodal field, and in one patient, tangential fields were matched to a mediastinal field given for postoperative radiotherapy for lung cancer. For the overall group of 30 patients, the 5-year actuarial NED survival following treatment of the first breast cancer was 79%, and the 5-year actuarial relapse-free survival was 72%. For the 60 treated breasts, the 5-year actuarial local failure rate was 6%. An analysis of complications and cosmesis showed results similar to previously reported results for unilateral breast cancer. These results show that definitive irradiation following breast-conserving surgery for patients with bilateral breast cancer can technically be delivered with low complication rates and with acceptable survival and local control rates. Definitive irradiation should be considered as an acceptable alternative treatment to bilateral mastectomy for appropriately selected patients with concurrent or sequential bilateral early stage carcinoma of the breast.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Long-term outcome after postmastectomy radiation therapy for breast cancer patients at high risk for local-regional recurrence.

PURPOSE: Postmastectomy radiation therapy is often recommended for patients at high risk for local-regional recurrence after mastectomy. However, long-term outcomes after radiation therapy are not well described. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1977 and 1992, 221 patients at high risk for local-regional recurrence of breast cancer after mastectomy were treated with radiation therapy, with or without adjuvant systemic therapy. Patients were classified as high risk because of T3 or T4 tumors (14%), positive lymph nodes (29%), close or positive margins of resection (15%), or multiple risk factors (39%); 4% did not meet current criteria for radiation therapy. The median age of patients was 51 years. Radiation therapy consisted of 45 to 50.4 Gy to the chest wall in 1.8 to 2.0 Gy fractions. The regional lymph nodes were treated in 187 patients (85%). There were 151 patients (68%) who received adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients who received chemotherapy were younger (median age, 48 years vs 64 years) and had more positive lymph nodes (median, 5 vs 1) than patients not receiving chemotherapy. Adjuvant hormonal therapy was utilized in 116 patients (53%). The median follow-up was 4.3 years. RESULTS: The actuarial 10-year local-regional failure rate was 11% (95% CI: 6.5% to 16.7%). The site of first failure was distant metastases in 75 patients (34%), local-regional recurrence in 11 patients (5%), and both sites in three patients (1%); 60% had no evidence of disease at last follow-up. Of the patients who presented with local-regional recurrence as first failure, nine patients (82%) subsequently developed metastatic disease. The median time to local-regional first failure was 1.3 years. The median time to distant metastases after local-regional first failure was 0.3 years. DISCUSSION: Postmastectomy radiation therapy is associated with an 89% rate of local-regional control in this high-risk population. Patients who experience a local-regional recurrence after radiation therapy are at a very high risk for metastatic disease. Radiation therapy after mastectomy is recommended to optimize local-regional control for high-risk breast cancer patients.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Analysis of outcomes for high-risk breast cancer based on interval from surgery to postmastectomy radiation therapy.

PURPOSE: The success of adjuvant chemotherapy has prolonged the interval between surgery and postmastectomy radiation therapy for high-risk breast cancer patients. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a delay in radiation therapy after mastectomy results in an increased risk of local-regional recurrence of breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of the University of Pennsylvania database of 221 patients with high-risk breast cancer treated with postmastectomy radiation therapy between 1977 and 1992. The surgery to postmastectomy radiation therapy time interval was 2 months or less in 82 patients (37%), 2.1 to 6 months in 50 patients (23%), and greater than 6 months in 89 patients (40%). Adjuvant chemotherapy was utilized in 151 patients (68%). The median follow-up was 4.3 years after postmastectomy radiation therapy. RESULTS: Because the three groups showed significant differences for a number of prognostic factors, outcomes are reported in terms of local-regional recurrence only and not survival. The actuarial rate of local-regional recurrence at 8 years was 13% for patients with a surgery to radiation therapy interval of 2 months or less, 4% for those with an interval of 2.1 to 6 months, and 12% for those with an interval of greater than 6 months. A similar analysis performed for 4 months or less versus greater than 4 months between surgery and postmastectomy radiation therapy showed no difference in local-regional recurrence (11% versus 10%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A delay in the institution of postmastectomy radiation therapy in favor of the prolongation of chemotherapy for high-risk breast cancer patients does not adversely affect outcome for local-regional recurrence at 8 years.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Substance-abusing child welfare parents: treatment and child placement outcomes.

The authors present findings from their study of 167 child welfare parents referred for substance abuse assessments. Relationships between gender, prior treatment, court-ordered intervention, significant others' support, and treatment and placement outcomes are examined. Findings indicate significant others' support positively influences all outcomes while court-ordered intervention is not predictive. Prior treatment is associated with continued substance abuse. Gender differences exist for assessment completion and several client characteristics. Implications for practice are drawn.

Adult↗

Mammographically detected, clinically occult ductal carcinoma in situ treated with breast-conserving surgery and definitive breast irradiation.

PURPOSE: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is increasingly detected as a nonpalpable lesion on mammographic screening performed for the early detection of breast cancer. Because of the growing incidence of mammographically detected DCIS, the present study was undertaken to determine the outcome of treatment of nonpalpable, mammographically detected intraductal carcinoma of the breast using breast-conserving surgery and definitive breast irradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An analysis was performed of 110 women who presented with unilateral, nonpalpable, mammographically detected intraductal carcinoma of the breast and who were treated with breast-conserving surgery and definitive breast irradiation at 10 institutions in Europe and the United States. In all patients, complete gross excision of the primary tumor was performed, and breast irradiation was delivered with definitive intent. When performed, pathologic axillary lymph node staging was node negative (n=29). The median follow-up time was 9.3 years. RESULTS: The 10-year actuarial overall survival rate was 93%, and the 10-year actuarial cause-specific survival rate was 96%. The 10-year actuarial rate of freedom from distant metastases was 96%. There were 15 local recurrences in the treated breast. The actuarial rate of local failure was 7% at 5 years and 14% at 10 years. The histology of the local recurrence was intraductal carcinoma in 9 cases and invasive ductal carcinoma (with or without associated intraductal carcinoma) in 6 cases. The median time to local recurrence was 5.0 years (mean, 5.4; range, 2.1-15.2). With a median follow-up time of 4.4 years after salvage treatment, 14 of the 15 patients with local recurrence were alive without evidence of disease at the time of last follow-up examination. The crude incidence of local recurrence was 7% (3/42) when the final pathology margin of tumor excision was negative, 29% (5/17) when the margin was close or positive, and 14% (7/51) when the margin was unknown. There was no difference in the rate of local recurrence based on pathologic characteristics of the primary tumor. DISCUSSION: Results from the present study demonstrate high rates of overall survival, cause-specific survival, and freedom from distant metastases at 10 years following the treatment of nonpalpable, mammographically detected DCIS of the breast using breast-conserving surgery and definitive breast irradiation. Local recurrences within the treated breast were detected early and were treated with salvage for cure. These results support the initial treatment of nonpalpable, mammographically detected DCIS of the breast using breast-conserving surgery and definitive breast irradiation. Improvements in patient selection have the potential to reduce the risk of local recurrence.

Adult↗

Concurrent chemotherapy and radiation for breast conservation treatment of early-stage breast cancer.

PURPOSE: The optimal sequencing of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in patients with early-stage breast cancer undergoing breast-conservation treatment remains controversial. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcome of patients treated with one specific sequence of concurrent chemoradiation followed by additional chemotherapy. METHODS: Between 1977 and 1992, 210 patients with stage I and II breast cancer underwent lumpectomy and axillary lymph node dissection followed by treatment with concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy, followed by further chemotherapy. Chemotherapy consisted of two 28-day cycles of CF (oral cyclophosphamide, 100 mg/m2 day 1 to 14, and intravenous 5-fluorouracil, 600 mg/m2 days 1 and 8) during radiation therapy, followed in general by six cycles of CMF (CF doses as above plus intravenous methotrexate 40 mg/m2 days 1 and 8) after the completion of radiation therapy. Fifty patients also received hormonal therapy, predominantly tamoxifen. One hundred ten patients had clinical T1 lesions, and 100 had T2 lesions. Fifty-three patients were pathologic N0, and 157 patients were pathologic N1 (123 patients had one to three positive nodes, and 34 patients had four or more positive nodes). Median follow-up for node-negative patients (5.2 years) is shorter than for node-positive patients (7.6 years). Therefore, outcome is reported at 5 and 10 years for node-positive patients but only at 5 years for node-negative patients. RESULTS: For node-positive patients, outcomes at 5 and 10 years, respectively, were 86% and 70% for overall survival, 78% and 67% for no evidence of disease survival, and 82% and 69% for freedom from distant metastases. For node-negative patients, outcomes at 5 years were 94% for overall survival, 94% for no evidence of disease survival, and 94% for freedom from distant metastases. Pathologic nodal status was predictive of outcome after treatment. Local failure in the treated breast was 5% at 5 years and 13% at 10 years for all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent CF with radiation therapy followed by six cycles of CMF after radiation therapy results in excellent survival, freedom from distant metastases, and local control for both node-negative and node-positive patients. This regimen of concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy is one option for sequencing, and it avoids the delays in administration of either modality that are associated with other sequencing regimens.

Adult↗

An analysis of age and family history on outcome after breast-conservation treatment: the University of Pennsylvania experience.

PURPOSE: The present study reports the effects of patient age and family history on outcome after breast-conservation treatment. In addition, the interaction of age and family history is examined to determine outcome for younger patients with a positive family history of breast cancer (i.e., at a higher risk of having the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene) after breast-conservation treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1977 to 1992, 1021 women underwent breast-conservation treatment for American Joint Committee on Cancer stage I and II breast cancer at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. In all patients, breast-conservation treatment included complete gross excision of the primary tumor and axillary lymph node dissection, followed by definitive breast irradiation. When indicated, radiation to the regional lymphatics, adjuvant chemotherapy, and/or adjuvant hormones were given. Patients were divided for analysis into three age groups (< or = 40 years, 41 to 50 years, and > or = 51 years) as well as three family history groups (first-degree relative positive for breast cancer, other family history positive for breast cancer, and negative family history for breast cancer). Median follow-up after treatment was 6.1 years. RESULTS: The 10-year actuarial overall survival rates were 74% for women aged < or = 40 years, 82% for women aged 41 to 50 years, and 82% for women aged > or = 51 years (P = 0.12). For the younger women, aged < or = 40 years, there was a higher 10-year rate of deaths from breast cancer (P = 0.007) but a lower rate of deaths from other causes (P = 0.08) than in the older two age groups. The younger women had a higher rate of local failure at 10 years compared with the two older age groups (22%, 18%, and 12%, respectively), but this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.10). No significant differences were found between the three family history groups (first-degree relative positive for breast cancer, other family history positive for breast cancer, and negative family history for breast cancer) for survival, freedom from distant metastases, or local failure (all P > or = 0.25). For younger women, aged < or = 40 years, the 5-year outcomes for survival, freedom from distant metastases, and local failure were not different according to family history status (all P > or = 0.18). Similarly, the 5-year outcomes were not different according to family history status for women aged 41 to 50 years (all P > or = 0.46) and for women aged > or = 51 years (all P > or = 0.54). DISCUSSION: The present study has confirmed that breast-conservation treatment is suitable for appropriately selected younger patients or patients with a positive family history of breast cancer. Further, a positive family history of breast cancer in younger women does not represent a contraindication to breast-conservation treatment. In summary, younger age, positive family history of breast cancer, or younger age plus a positive family history of breast cancer should not preclude the use of breast-conservation treatment for appropriately selected patients.

Adult↗