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Biomedical subjects

G Brufman

Publications and source records attributed to G Brufman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Combined modality treatment for stage III ovarian carcinoma.

Thirty-eight Stage III ovarian carcinoma patients were treated with a combined modality protocol consisting of sequential initial surgery with a maximal tumor reduction, CHAD combination chemotherapy, second look reductive surgery and whole abdominal irradiation. Sixteen patients (42%) had minimal residual tumors (less than 2 cm) after initial surgery (Stage IIIA) and 22 (58%) had large residual tumors (greater than 2 cm) (Stage IIIB). The patients received 3-14 courses of CHAD combination chemotherapy, with a response rate (CR + PR) in the evaluable (Stage IIIB) patients of 91%. Twenty-eight patients had a second attempt of cytoreductive operation (10 Stage IIIA patients and 18 Stage IIIB patients). In 10 patients no residual tumor was found. In another 12 patients residual tumor (less than 2 cm) was found and completely resected, whereas in six patients a complete resection of large residual tumors (greater than 2 cm) was not possible. Twenty-one of the patients also completed a course of whole abdominal radiotherapy. Radiation was well-tolerated with the usual expected amounts of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and transient leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. 11/21 (52%) of the patients relapsed within the first 18 months after completion of radiotherapy. The actuarial relapse-free survival at 36 months from completions of radiotherapy was 44%. The actuarial survival for the whole group from diagnosis was 43% at 3 years (70% for Stage IIIA and 41% for Stage IIIB). The data indicated that this combined modality protocol is both feasible and well-tolerated but its curative potential for patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma is as yet unknown.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Treatment of metastatic breast cancer with aminoglutethimide after progression on chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy with tamoxifen.

Sixty patients suffering from metastatic breast cancer, whose disease progressed on chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy with tamoxifen, were treated with aminoglutethimide. The overall objective response rate was 33%, including 3% complete responses. The median duration of response was 8 months. Even patients who failed to respond to prior treatment modalities responded objectively to aminoglutethimide. Objective response was observed in all metastatic sites, except for lung. Subjective improvement was achieved in 70% of the patients. Although initial toxicity was high (67%), side effects of aminoglutethimide were transient, and therapy had to be discontinued in only 3 patients. The results of this study indicate that aminoglutethimide in combination with hydrocortisone is a very effective treatment for metastatic breast cancer, especially in patients with positive hormone receptors.

Adult↗

Procarbazine, CCNU and vincristine (PCV) combination chemotherapy for brain tumors.

12 patients with brain tumors were treated with a combination of procarbazine, CCNU (bis-2-chloroethyl-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea) and vincristine. 3 of 8 patients (37.5%) with primary brain tumors responded to chemotherapy, with a mean duration of 9.3 months. The mean survival of responders was 11.7 months, versus 3.6 months for nonresponders. 4 patients with metastatic brain tumors were also treated with the same combination chemotherapy; only 1, suffering from a lymphoma of the brain, responded partially.

Adult↗

Levels of fibrinogen/fibrin degradation fragment E and related substances in sera and effusions of patients with malignant disease.

A radioimmunoassay (RIA) was developed and used to determine the level of fragment E [a fibrinogen/fibrin degradation product (FDP)] and of fragment-E-containing substances (FES) in sera and effusion fluids of patients with malignant diseases. Sera of patients with other diseases and sera of healthy individuals served as controls. Results were expressed as units/ml (U/ml), one unit being equivalent to 40 ng pure fragment E. Effusion fluids of both malignant and nonmalignant origin contained relatively high levels of fragment-E-containing substances, up to 7,500 U/ml. Normal sera had less than 30 U/ml, while sera of patients with a variety of neoplastic or nonneoplastic conditions contained larger amounts, reaching to hundreds and, in rare cases (some patients with rheumatoid arthritis), even thousands of U/ml. Some of the highest levels in the malignant sera were found in samples from patients with Burkitt's lymphoma and stomach cancer. About 10%-20% of the reactive material in effusions and 20%-40% in the sera consisted of fragment E. These results confirm earlier findings of high FDP levels in neoplasia. Given the higher accuracy of the radioimmunoassay and its suitability for large scale testing, it would appear worthwhile to continue such studies to explore the clinical usefulness of the RIA for fragment E.

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel↗

Comparison of the response to PHA and suppressor macrophage function in different age groups of cancer patients and healthy controls.

The mitogenic response of peripheral blood lymphocytes was examined in 37 healthy individuals and in 44 patients with various malignant neoplasms. Tested individuals were divided into three major age groups (20-40; 40-60; and over 60 years of age). There was a significant decrease in Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) response with age in the normal controls, but no significant change with age was observed in the cancer patients. Comparison between the various age groups of cancer patients and their corresponding normal controls did not reveal a significant difference in mitogenic response of the young and middle age groups. However, the older cancer patients responded significantly better compared with their corresponding older normal controls. The reduced responsiveness of older normal controls was partially explained by a high activity of suppressor macrophages observed in this group. Reduction of the proportion of phagocytic cells improved their response to PHA. On the other hand, the activity of suppressor macrophages in the older cancer patients was much less prominent. These observations emphasize the importance of appropriate age grouping when immune function tests in cancer patients are compared with those performed in normal individuals and suggest the possibility of higher mitogen responsiveness in certain age groups of cancer patients.

Adult↗

Vinblastine, cyclophosphamide and 5-fluorouracil (VEF) combination chemotherapy for metastatic hypernephroma.

10 evaluable patients with metastatic hypernephroma received vinblastine (6 mg/m2, i.v., on days 1 and 8), cyclophosphamide (100 mg/m2, p.o., on days 1-14), and 5-fluorouracil (600 mg/m2, i.v., on days 1 and 8), cycled every 29 days. 7 of the patients also received dexamethasone (16 mg/day, p.o), shortly before or during chemotherapy, in an attempt to improve their clinical status. No complete or partial responses were seen. 5 pairs (50%) remained stable (median duration, 4.5 months; medium survival, 6.5 months), and the remaining 5 patients progressed. A subjective response was observed in all stable patients, who also received dexamethasone. The side-effects of VEF chemotherapy were mild: 2/10 patients developed leukopenia (WBC below 3,000), 3/10 patients manifested thrombocytopenia (platelets below 100,000), and 3/10 patients alopecia.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Cyclic combination chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer: comparison of two CMF schedules.

104 nonrandomized patients suffering from metastatic breast cancer were treated with monthly cycles of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil (CMF). One group (group A, 44 patients) received low-dose CMF and another one (group B, 60 patients) received standard doses. In both cases, therapy was cycled every 29 days. Group A patients had a response rate of 50.7%, including 5 complete remissions. The median duration of response was 8.2 months. For group B patients, the response rate was of 68.1%, including 10 complete remissions. The median duration of response was 10.6 months. Toxicity was greater in group B patients, the main side effects being nausea, vomiting, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, alopecia and stomatitis.

Adult↗

Solitary lung involvement from clear cell carcinoma of the endometrium.

Clear cell (Müllerian) carcinoma of the endometrium is relatively seldom reported. It is a disease with an unfavorable prognosis. A patient in whom a lung metastasis was diagnosed accidentally and excised is herein presented. The patient is alive five years after hysterectomy. The histopathologic pattern of the tumor is briefly described, and some of the clinical aspects of endometrial carcinoma are discussed.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Metastatic bone involvement in gynecological malignancies.

4 patients in whom ante mortem diagnosis of bone metastases was made, suffering from primary carcinoma of endometrium, cervix, ovary and vulva, respectively, are herein presented. The different routes of spread of these tumors, as well as a review of the incidence of bone metastases in gynecological malignancies are discussed.

Adult↗

The management of pericardial effusion in cancer patients.

The relatively little attention given in the literature to the problem of pericardial effusion in patients with cancer reflects the general attitude that if this complication is disclosed, the future of the patient is sealed, and therapy will not change his outcome. We challenge this pessimistic approach, and describe here our experience with seven patients with solid tumors, in whom pericardial effusion was diagnosed; one of them is described in detail. We advocate an active and sometimes even an aggressive therapy, which should always be related to the degree of the hemodynamic impairment. If instant relief is indicated, pericardiocentesis should be done; pericardiectomy is the treatment of choice if the fluid reaccumulates rapidly. After overcoming the urgent problem, the underlying disease and the local pericardial condition should be treated; and in our opinion, a combined approach, such as systemic or local chemotherapy, or both, with or without precordial irradiation, will lead to the optimal result.

Adult↗

Spontaneous pneumothorax complicating lung metastases from carcinoma of the breast.

Spontaneous pneumothorax is an uncommon complication of lung metastatic disease. In most of the cases reported until today, the primary disease was a sarcoma (osteogenic sarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma, hemangioendotheliosarcoma, and Ewing's sarcoma). An exceptional case of spontaneous pneumothorax in a patient suffering from carcinoma of the breast with lung metastases, is herein presented. The pneumothorax developed immediately after regression of lung metastases during administration of combined chemotherapy. Some etiological factors, as well as the rarity of this complication and its treatment, are also discussed.

Aged↗

Adverse reaction to 99Tcm sulfur colloid in a routine examination. A case report.

The case of a patient in whom an allergic reaction developed after injecting 99Tcm sulfur colloid for a routine liver scan is herein presented. Since this reaction did not appear when injecting the same patient 99Tcm polyphosphate for a bone scan, it can be assumed that the allergic reaction was due to the stabilizer.

Colloids↗

Cyclic combination chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer.

Forty-four patients with metastatic breast cancer were treated with monthly courses of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil. Complete remission was achieved in five of the 44 patients (11.4%), partial remission in 17 (38.7%) and stabilization in 19 (43.2%). Progression of the disease was seen in three patients (6.7%). Forty patients are still alive and continue to receive chemotherapy. The main side effects were leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, weakness, nausea and vomiting; all were mild and transient, and were treated symptomatically.

Adult↗