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Biomedical subjects

H J Bloom

Publications and source records attributed to H J Bloom.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Optic gliomas: radiation therapy and prognosis.

A retrospective study was performed of 30 patients with optic gliomas referred to the Royal Marsden Hospital between 1951 and 1981. Twenty-nine of these had progressive disease, and were treated with radiotherapy. At presentation 12 (41%) had visual deficit to the extent of at least one blind eye. Visual acuity improved following treatment in 10 (43%) of 23 evaluable patients, was stable in 11 (48%) and deteriorated in 2 (9%). There was increase in visual fields in 4 (18%) of 22 evaluable patients, and no change in the remaining 18 (82%). Overall 26/29 (90%) of irradiated patients remained free from disease progression at a median follow-up period of 10 years. The probability of survival was 100% at five years following radiotherapy, and 93% at 10 years and also at 15 years. In view of the substantial morbidity and mortality in reported series, and the tendency for referral of more serious cases to a radiotherapy center, we conclude from our results that radiotherapy is effective in preventing progression of optic glioma, and that treatment early in the course of the disease is indicated to minimize the associated visual deficit.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Malignant mesothelioma of the pleura: a study of 52 treated and 64 untreated patients.

We have carried out sequential prospective studies of treatment with surgery alone, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy in malignant mesothelioma of the pleura. The survival of treated patients was contrasted with that of 64 contemporary untreated patients whose clinical condition at presentation was comparable with that of the treated patients. Non-radical surgery alone (28 patients) was of palliative benefit, particularly for the control of recurrent pleural effusions, and may have prolonged survival in one patient with localised malignant mesothelioma. Chemotherapy with doxorubicin, vincristine, and cyclophosphamide (12 patients, with preceding surgery in eight) was without objective benefit. Megavoltage radiotherapy by an off axis beam rotational technique (12 patients, with preceding surgery in eight) abolished pain and dyspnoea and may have prolonged survival in one patient and terminated recurrent pleural effusions in three, but it was of no value in the other patients. There was no significant difference in survival between treatment groups or between treated and untreated patients, and no difference when mesotheliomas of epithelial, sarcomatous, and mixed cell types were examined separately. Treatment of this disease appeared to fail because of the unresponsiveness of the tumour to existing forms of treatment and the advanced stage of the disease at clinical presentation.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

The failure of human leukocyte interferon to influence the growth of human glioma cell populations: in vitro and in vivo studies.

Five high-grade (3 grade III and 2 grade IV) astrocytoma tumour cell populations were treated with a preparation of Human Leukocyte Interferon either in monolayer cell culture or as multicellular spheroids in vitro or as xenografts growing in immune-deprived mice in vivo. A moderate and transient sensitivity was seen in one grade III tumour when tested in both of the in vitro assays, but no inhibition of growth was seen in vivo. Two tumours which were apparently resistant to Interferon treatment responded to orthodox chemotherapy. When used in conjunction with BCNU, Interferon was not effective in prolonging delay in tumour growth. It is concluded that Interferon is unlikely to be an effective agent in the treatment of malignant brain tumours.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

A review of oral cancer screening and detection in the metropolitan Detroit cancer control program.

In summarizing the experience of the twenty-seven months of the oral cancer screening and detection program the data indicate: 1.) Cancers were detected at earlier stages than is reported nationally. Further investigation is needed to determine whether there is a correlation between early detection and increased survival. (Kaufman 1980). 2.) The detection of fifteen precancerous lesions is significant in that intervention may have precluded malignant transformation. 3.) Of those found with oral cancers, eight were symptomatic and two were asymptomatic, while in the premalignant group five were symptomatic and seven were asymptomatic. On the basis of these data, it appears that the symptomatic group chose the screening program as a pathway of entry into the medical system. The motivation for this choice requires investigation. Possible hypotheses are: screening by a registered dental hygienist and in a familiar setting was less threatening than by a physician or dentist in a formal medical setting. The reputation of the MCF, as a center of excellence in cancer control, may have contributed to the willingness to be screened. 4.) The incidental detection of five skin and three laryngeal cancers was an aid to cancer control. 5.) The program successfully trained and utilized registered dental hygienists in oral cancer screening thereby demonstrating an economical use of professional health resources. Follow-up is needed to ascertain whether their training is successfully applied in private practice. 6.) Efforts to reach the high risk population were less productive than expected because, while target screening sites serviced heavy drinkers and smokers, their populations were sometimes less than 40 years-of-age. This finding suggests a need for more refined strategies for accessing high risk populations.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Carcinoma of the bladder treated by interstitial irradiation.

A retrospective study is presented of 180 patients with clinically infiltrating transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder treated by interstitial irradiation. The cases were re-classified by clinical tumour extent and histopathological grace according to the UICC (1978) classification. The actuarial survival rates and complications are presented and treatment policy reviewed.

Aged↗
PubMed1980

The management of squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Fifty-one patients with pure squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder were treated between 1958 and 1978. The overall 5-year survival rate was 16%. Ninety-two per cent of cancer deaths were caused by failure to control local disease; treatment by radiotherapy and elective cystectomy resulted in no long-term survivors. It is concluded that earlier diagnosis would reduce the number of cases presenting with advanced local disease and that future research should be directed towards adjuvant studies with chemotherapeutic agents known to have activity against bladder cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Recent concepts in the conservative treatment of intracranial tumours in children.

The role of radiotherapy for certain intracranial tumours, given either postoperatively or as the sole treatment in inoperable cases, is discussed, principally in relation to medulloblastoma, ependymoma, cerebral astrocytoma, brain-stem glioma and craniopharyngioma. Methods of increasing the response of gliomas to irradiation are mentioned and reference is made to the possible value of chemotherapy and of immunotherapy as adjuvants against such tumours. Treatment results are reported and consideration given to the quality of long-term survival.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1978

Growth of human gliomas in immune-deficient mice: a possible model for pre-clinical therapy studies.

Thirteen gliomas from 55 neurosurgical specimens, derived from 25 adults and 30 children, have been successfully grown as subcutaneous xenografts in immune-deprived or nude mice. Only 2 of the 30 paediatric specimens implanted (6.7%), a medulloblastoma and an astrocytoma Grade III, have grown compared with 11 of the 25 adult specimen (44%) which were mostly astrocytomas Grade III. Tumour growth usually occurred several months after implantation, and karyotypic analysis confirmed their human origin in all cases. The histopathology of xenografted tumours correlated with the original surgical material, both after initial implantation and when tumours had been passaged several times. Observations on tumour growth in various types of immune-deprived mice indicated that, within certain limits, the immunological competence of the host mouse did not relate to take rates of primary implants, but could affect the take rate of passaged tumours.

Animals↗