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Biomedical subjects

G Lundell

Publications and source records attributed to G Lundell.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Second primary tumors following thyroid cancer. A Swedish record-linkage study.

The incidence of second primary tumors was studied through record-linkage in 2,968 thyroid cancer patients reported to the Swedish Cancer Registry during the period 1958-1975. The cohort was matched with the Swedish Cancer Registry between 1959 and 1984. A total of 283 second primary tumors were reported more than one year after thyroid cancer diagnosis, and the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) was 1.18 (95% confidence interval = 1.03-1.31). A significant elevated risk of cancer of the kidney, endocrine glands, and nervous system was noted. Men had a higher risk (SIR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.06-1.70) than women (SIR = 1.11; 95% CI = 0.96-1.28). Patients who were 36-45 years at the time of the thyroid cancer diagnosis were at highest risk of developing a second primary tumor (SIR = 1.35; 95% CI = 0.99-1.81). Significantly elevated risks were seen 5-9 years after the thyroid cancer diagnosis (SIR = 1.44; 95% CI = 1:14-1.69), and the SIR was close to unity after greater than or equal to 15 years of followup. Previously described elevated risks of subsequent leukemia and breast cancer were not confirmed in this study. Close medical surveillance, thyroid cancer treatment, hereditary factors, and a high frequency of autopsy could all contribute to the elevated risk of a second primary tumor in these patients.

Adolescent↗

Chemotherapy and multimodality treatment in thyroid carcinoma.

With the combination of pre- and postoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the majority of patients with anaplastic giant cell thyroid carcinoma will achieve local tumor control. A few patients may even be cured by this treatment. Only few patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma respond to chemotherapy treatment. However, at present it is not possible to discern these few. Chemotherapy for advanced thyroid carcinoma cannot as yet be routinely recommended. Doxorubicin, cisplatin, and VP16 are the drugs currently considered most effective. Side effects may be severe. Multimodality treatment may be an alternative.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Clinical characteristics in sporadic and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma. A nationwide study of 249 patients in Sweden from 1959 through 1981.

All patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) diagnosed in Sweden during 1959 through 1981 were recruited for study from the Swedish Cancer Registry. Among a total of 249 patients, 66 were diagnosed in 1959 through 1969 and 183 from 1970 through 1981. Apparently sporadic MTC was present in 186 patients, and familial MTC in 63. Twenty-seven patients with familial MTC were diagnosed from clinical symptoms and 36 by screening. In both the sporadic group and the symptomatic familial group, approximately 80% of the patients had palpable thyroid tumors. Lymph node metastases were present in 44% of the sporadic group and in 37% of the group with symptomatic familial MTC, and distant metastases in approximately 20% of the patients in each of these groups. The patients detected by screening differed significantly from the two groups of symptomatic cases by having a lower frequency of palpable thyroid lesions (50%), smaller tumors, and lower frequencies of cervical lymph node metastases (14%) and distant metastases (0%). Multivariate analyses revealed no significant differences between sporadic cases and symptomatic familial cases regarding tumor size or stage. Large tumors (greater than 3 cm) were more frequently accompanied by palpable cervical lymph nodes and were associated with an approximately four times higher risk of distant metastases than tumors smaller than 1 cm. Women had significantly smaller tumors and a more favorable stage distribution than age-related men.

Adult↗

Management of anal epidermoid carcinoma--an evaluation of treatment results in two population-based series.

Between 1978 and 1984, two unselected population-based groups of patients with anal epidermoid carcinoma were analysed: (1) a retrospective group (Stockholm region, 90 cases), where the treatment varied considerably (partly radiation therapy +/- chemotherapy +/- surgery, partly surgery alone), and (2) a prospective group (Uppsala region, 51 cases) mainly treated by primary irradiation +/- chemotherapy followed by surgery in some cases. At diagnosis, 106 of the patients were free from metastases. Two of these patients died before treatment began. Of the remaining 104 patients, 77 received primary radiotherapy +/- chemotherapy, 44 to a dose of 30-40 Gy and 33 to a higher dose level, 55-65 Gy. Radiotherapy was followed by surgery in 28 cases. Twenty-seven patients were operated on primarily. The projected 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in the Uppsala than in the Stockholm region (all patients: 55% versus 43%; patients with no initial dissemination: 75% versus 48%). The prognosis was better in patients initially treated with radiotherapy than in those initially treated with surgery. Long-term disease-free survival was 88% in patients treated with radiation alone to an adequate (high) dose level. Multivariate analyses indicated that besides stage and sex, initial treatment and region gave statistically significant prognostic information. There was no evidence that chemotherapy (Bleomycin) conferred any additional benefit. It is concluded that the initial treatment in anal carcinoma should be radiotherapy (+/- chemotherapy). In patients with no initial dissemination, this therapy seems to improve 5-year survival by 25-30% compared with primary surgery.

Anus Neoplasms↗

Co-existent anaplastic and well differentiated thyroid carcinomas: a nuclear DNA study.

Clonal transformation of well differentiated follicular or papillary carcinomas has been suggested as a mechanism by which anaplastic carcinomas of the thyroid might arise. Of 126 cases of anaplastic (giant cell) carcinomas, 17 (13.5%) contained histologically well differentiated tumour foci within or adjacent to the high grade malignant anaplastic tumour. Cytophotometric DNA analysis after Feulgen staining was performed on 11 cases in order to evaluate ploidy of the anaplastic and the well differentiated tumour cells. The majority of these co-existent carcinomas (9/11) were papillary. All 11 anaplastic carcinomas demonstrated an aneuploid DNA pattern which correlated with a poor clinical outcome (7 of 11 died of disease in less than 6 months). In contrast six co-existent papillary and one co-existent follicular tumours were diploid. These data show that the co-existence of anaplastic and well differentiated carcinoma occurs only rarely and when it occurs only one third of the well differentiated tumours contain aneuploid tumour cells. This suggests that in the majority of cases of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma the malignant cells arise de novo rather than through clonal transformation of well differentiated carcinomas.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Changes of the blood lymphocyte subpopulations and their functions following 131I treatment for nodular goitre and 32P treatment for polycythemia vera.

The blood lymphocyte population was examined in 34 patients who were treated with 131I for toxic or atoxic nodular goitre. One to three doses of 300-550 MBq of 131I were administered at 1-week intervals. Lymphocyte counts were found to be significantly reduced at both 1 and 6 weeks after treatment. This decrease was accompanied by a changed composition of the lymphocyte subpopulations. The frequency of lymphocytes expressing membrane receptors for C'3 (EAC-rosette forming cells) was significantly reduced at 1 and 6 weeks following 131I administration. At 6 weeks there was a small but statistically significant increase of the frequency of T cells as identified by Leu 1 monoclonal antibodies. This was essentially due to an increased proportion of helper/inducer T cells as identified by Leu 3 monoclonals. 131I treatment also decreased the capacity of lymphocytes to secrete immunoglobulins (Ig) when stimulated with pokeweed mitogen (PWM). The greatest effect was observed for IgM. Secretion of IgG and IgA were less reduced. Mitogenic stimulations of lymphocytes with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A were not significantly changed. It is concluded that these findings, with the exception of mitogen reactivity, are largely similar to those occurring following external radiation therapy for cancer. It is suggested that blood lymphocytes passing through the continuously irradiated gland are damaged mainly by beta-rays. The effect of 32P treatment on the blood lymphocyte population was examined in 16 patients with polycythemia vera. Before treatment the lymphocyte counts were within the normal range but the expression of certain membrane structures, as identified by monoclonal antibodies against total T cells (Leu 1 and 4), helper/inducer (Leu 3) and suppressor/cytotoxic T cells (Leu 2), were slightly decreased. Moreover, mitogenic responses of the lymphocytes to PHA and PWM-induced Ig secretion were impaired. Following a single oral dose of 32P (150-305 MBq), which normalized the production of erythrocytes and/or platelets, the blood lymphocyte counts were reduced by approximately 40 per cent 12 weeks after treatment. Examination of subsets demonstrated that the proportion of B-cells, as identified by B1 monoclonal antibodies, was decreased by the highest relative extent. On the other hand, lymphocytes expressing the above-mentioned T cell markers were somewhat increased. 32P treatment markedly increased PHA reactivity but it further reduced PWM-induced Ig secretion. The latter observation was in agreement with the finding that serum concentrations of Ig were reduced after treatment.

Aged↗

Nuclear DNA content and prognosis in Hürthle cell tumours of the thyroid gland.

The prognostic value of nuclear DNA content in Hürthle cell tumours of the thyroid was studied in 23 patients with more than 10 years follow up. Eleven of these neoplasms were classified as Hürthle cell carcinoma and 12 as adenoma. DNA measurements in morphologically identified single tumour cells were performed either on fine needle aspiration biopsy material or on histological sections from the primary tumours. The nuclear DNA content identifies those patients with a good versus a bad prognosis. These results correlate well with the findings in earlier studies about papillary, follicular and medullary thyroid tumours.

Adenoma↗

Multimodality treatment in anaplastic giant cell thyroid carcinoma.

Anaplastic giant cell thyroid carcinoma is highly malignant. Surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy used separately have not been effective. Combinations of the three modalities have been used at Radiumhemmet since the middle of the 1970s. Nine patients received three-drug chemotherapy and radiotherapy. One patient was alive after 12 years; eight died. Twenty-five patients were given a similar regimen (with two fractions of radiotherapy per day), aiming at surgery. Twelve patients could undergo surgery. Two were alive 11 and 3.5 years after diagnosis. One patient died free of tumor after 6.5 years. Of the remaining 22 patients, many died of metastatic disease. A combination of preoperative and postoperative radiotherapy, chemotherapy (bleomycin, cyclophosphamide, and 5-fluorouracil) and surgery during the remission has given a 12% (four of 34) survival (greater than 3 years). All survivors had undergone surgery. The patients who died had in many cases achieved local tumor control. Adriamycin (Adria Laboratories, Columbus, OH) once a week replaced BCF due to treatment complications in patients receiving BCF. Of five patients, only one was alive more than 10 months after treatment.

Bleomycin↗

Retrospective evaluation of single photon emission computed tomography of the liver.

Retrospective analysis, including indications for examination, of 335 consecutive liver examinations of adults with single photon emission computed tomography performed at the Karolinska Hospital during the first eight months of 1981 has been carried out. 85.1% of the investigations were performed in tumour patients. This group underwent retrospective evaluation specifically regarding space occupying lesions of the liver with a minimum follow-up time of 3 years. An adequate follow-up of 87.4% was achieved. The study showed a sensitivity of 82.7% and a specificity of 93.9%. The positive and negative predictive values were 78.2% and 95.4%, respectively. 4.4% of the examinations were regarded as equivocal. Compared to previously reported values for planar liver scintigraphy derived from several different studies, the tomographic technique produced no increase of specificity or positive predictive value but a higher total accuracy, probably due to better clarification of the hepatic anatomy. The false positive, false negative and equivocal diagnoses were analysed and reported.

Adolescent↗

Two randomised phase II trials of intermittent intravenous versus subcutaneous alpha-2 interferon alone (trial 1) and in combination with 5-fluorouracil (trial 2) in advanced colorectal cancer.

Sixty-five patients with advanced colorectal cancer were randomised to one of two schedules of recombinant alpha-2 interferon (IFN). In the first study, 36 patients received single-agent IFN, either 50 X 10(6) U/m2 intravenously on 5 consecutive days every 4 weeks, or 20 X 10(6) U/m2 subcutaneously three times per week. No tumour responses were seen and toxicity was unacceptable. In the second study, 29 patients received IFN in two similar schedules, but the dose of IFN was reduced to 20 X 10(6) U/m2 per day in the intravenous arm and to 5 X 10(6) U/m2 per day in the subcutaneous arm. In addition these patients were administered intravenous 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), 250-500 mg/m2 per day on the first 5 days of each 4-weekly cycle. Although the toxicity of this second study was tolerable, only one short-lived partial remission was observed. Alpha-2 interferon, alone or in combination with 5-FU, is ineffective in advanced colorectal cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Changes of the blood lymphocyte population following 131I treatment for nodular goiter.

The blood lymphocyte population was examined in 34 patients who were treated with 131I for toxic or atoxic nodular goiter. The patients received one to three doses of 300-550 MBq of 131I administered at 1 week intervals. Lymphocyte counts were significantly reduced both 1 and 6 weeks after treatment. This reduction was accompanied by a changed composition of the lymphocyte population. The frequency of lymphocytes expressing membrane receptors for C'3 (EAC-rosette forming) was significantly reduced 1 and 6 weeks after 131I-administration. At 6 weeks there was a slight but statistically significant increase of the frequency of T-cells as identified by Leu 1 monoclonal antibodies. This was largely caused by an increased proportion of helper/induced T-cells as identified by Leu 3a monoclonals. 131I-treatment also reduced the capacity of lymphocytes to secrete immunoglobulins (Ig) upon PWM-stimulation. The most pronounced effect was observed for IgM. Secretion of IgG and IgA were less reduced. Mitogenic stimulations of lymphocytes with PHA and ConA were not significantly changed. We conclude that these changes observed, with the exception of mitogen reactivity, are essentially similar to those occurring after external radiation therapy for cancer. We speculate that blood lymphocytes passing through the continuously irradiated gland are damaged mainly by emitted beta-particles.

Adult↗

Highly sensitive assays of serum-thyrotropin in the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism: assessment of performance and reference values.

The performance of three different highly sensitive immuno-assays for thyrotropin in serum (S-TSH) was compared. Specimens from 803 patients with suspected hyperthroidism or other thyroid disease were used. Hyperthyroid patients were identified and characterized by determining serum thyroid hormones and by clinical observation. The performance of the methods in discriminating between hyperthyroidism and euthyroidism was described in terms of diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. The performance was also assessed by systematically varying the reference values. If patients with treated hyperthroidism were eliminated, the three S-TSH assays performed equally well at a suggested lower reference value of 0.4 mU/l. A diagnostic efficiency of more than 0.95 was achieved at the observed prevalence of disease (0.12). A graphical model which allows an adjustment of reference values to favour sensitivity or specificity is presented. Reference values were also calculated from the euthyroid subjects using parametric and non-parametric approaches. The specificity, when using the recommended discrimination level, suggests that patients with low S-TSH values should be subjected to further investigation by biochemical or other methods.

Adolescent↗

Thyroid carcinoma in children and adolescents.

Forty patients aged 20 years or younger at the time of the diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma were followed between 10 and 35 years (mean, 22 years). All patients had had surgery, either a total thyroidectomy or a resection. Sixteen patients received additional radiotherapy. One patient died during surgery. Two patients died of metastatic tumor growth, 5 and 14 years after the primary diagnosis, respectively. Six further patients had recurrences (1-7.5 years after first treatment) and received further treatment. At the end of the study 37 patients were alive without signs of recurrence.

Adolescent↗

Immunoextracted calcitonin in milk and plasma from totally thyroidectomized women. Evidence of monomeric calcitonin in plasma during pregnancy and lactation.

The level of immunoreactive calcitonin in the first produced breast milk was in totally thyroidectomized (TX) women 713 +/- 307 pg-eq/ml (mean +/- SD, N = 7) and in control women 772 +/- 329 pg-eq/ml (N = 33), i.e. about 45 times higher than in plasma (see below). On gel chromatography of immunoextracted milk from TX women, immunoreactive calcitonin appeared as high molecular weight forms in the same pattern as in milk from healthy women when the same antiserum was used for immunoextraction and radioimmunoassay (RIA). In another series of experiments, a new antiserum raised in rabbits was used for measurement of immunoreactive calcitonin after immunoextraction with 1. Plasma levels of immunoreactive calcitonin in the TX women during pregnancy were 16 +/- 6 pg-eq/ml (N = 6) and during lactation 14 +/- 7 pg-eq/ml (N = 5). Immunoreactive calcitonin was undetectable (less than 8 pg/ml) in plasma from those TX women in whom lactation had stopped (N = 5). Immunoextraction and gel chromatography of plasma collected during pregnancy and lactation from the TX women showed that the immunoreactive calcitonin present eluted in the region of monomeric calcitonin with both antiserum 1 and 2. In conclusion, high concentrations of high molecular weight forms of of immunoreactive calcitonin have been demonstrated in milk from TX patients, most probably devoid of any calcitonin-producing thyroid C-cells. This points to a local production site in the mammary gland.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Calcitonin↗