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Biomedical subjects

H Sancho-Garnier

Publications and source records attributed to H Sancho-Garnier.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Comparison of risk patterns in carcinoma and melanoma of the skin in men: a multi-centre case-case-control study.

We directly compared risk factors between 214 histologically confirmed melanomas (CMM), 215 basal-cell carcinomas (BCC) and 139 squamous-cell carcinomas (SCC) in a multiple case-case-control study with 349 controls from patients without dermatological disease admitted to the same hospitals. Subjects with fair hair had a significant risk increase for all types of tumours at a comparable level (OR(adj) for blonde hair: CMM 2.3; SCC 2.4; BCC 2.3). The effect of pale eyes was significant and similar for CMM and BCC (OR(adj) 2.6). Intermittent sun exposure measured in hours spent at beach during holidays was significant for both CMM (OR(adj) 2.6 for more than 7000 lifelong hours) and BCC (OR(adj) 2.1 for more than 7000 lifelong hours), while SCC exhibited a significant risk increase for chronic exposure to sunlight measured in hours of outdoor work (OR(adj) 2.2 for more than 6000 lifelong hours). In the case-case comparison using a multinomial logistic regression model, we found a statistically significant risk difference for pale eyes, and number of naevi in the CMM group, compared to other skin cancers. For intermittent sun exposure, there was a significant risk difference of BCC when compared to the risk of SCC. Factors influencing risk of SCC are different, with chronic exposure to sun playing a major role in causing this type of carcinoma.

Adult↗

Development of an integrated method of skin phenotype measurement using the melanins.

Different types of melanin pigments have recently been identified and recognized as critical determinants of the photosensitivity of individuals. Eumelanin, the black to brown melanin pigments, are believed to protect against ultraviolet-induced cell damage, while phaeomelanin, the reddish brown variant, is thought to be photosensitizing. The relative, qualitative and absolute amount of melanin production under stimulation of solar radiation is likely to be genetically determined. The hypothesis of this study is that determination of these values can help in identifying those people who are less protected. However, these techniques must be evaluated at a population level and against traditional epidemiological measures. We assessed the amount and type of melanin in 195 subjects in four centres across Europe, relating the results to epidemiological measures such as skin characteristics, history of sunburns and number of naevi. The most important finding was that eumelanin and phaeomelanin have very different distributions in the population, being associated with other phenotype characteristics with different patterns. The relationship between phaeomelanin and eumelanin is linearly inverse in the range from black to dark blonde hair colour, while it is weakly directly proportional in the range from dark blonde to light blonde, with people with red hair showing a peculiar pattern. Phaeomelanin rather than eumelanin seemed to be independent of other skin characteristics. The results show the feasibility of a further study with an appropriate case-control design and accurate determination of melanin.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

[Standards, options and recommendations for the management of locally advanced non small cell lung carcinoma].

CONTEXT: The "Standards, Options and Recommendations" (SOR) project, started in 1993, is a collaboration between the Federation of the French Cancer Centres (FNCLCC), the 20 French Cancer Centres and specialists from French Public Universities, General Hospitals and Private Clinics. The main objective is the development of clinical practice guidelines to improve the quality of health care and outcome for cancer patients. The methodology is based on literature review and critical appraisal by a multidisciplinary group of experts, with feedback from specialists in cancer care delivery. OBJECTIVES: To develop clinical practice guidelines according to the definitions of the Standards, Options and Recommendations project for the management of locally advanced non small cell lung carcinoma. METHODS: Data were identified by searching Medline and the personal reference lists of members of the expert groups. Once the guidelines were defined, the document was submitted for review to independent reviewers and to the medical committees of the 20 French Cancer Centres. RESULTS: The main recommendations are: 1) The management of the locally advanced non small cell lung carcinoma has two main goals: firstly to obtain local control of the disease (or to at least delay local progression in order to improve the survival or relapse free survival), and secondly to prevent the development of metastases. 2) There is a consensus that locally advanced non small cell lung carcinoma should be irradiated. External beam radiotherapy should be of optimal quality and delivered at a minimal dose of 60 Gy by standard fractionation. For patients with a poor life expectancy, this can be delivered as a split-course or hypofractionated scheme. 3) Treatment for patients with a performance status of 0-1 should consist of short duration induction chemotherapy (with a least two drugs one of which must be cisplatin), combined sequentially with conventional radiotherapy. 4) Surgery is contraindicated in extensive N3 disease. Combined radio-chemotherapy (adjuvant or neoadjuvant) is not indicated outside clinical trials. Surgery is justified in stage N2 disease as good local control can be achieved. T4-N0 disease should be treated surgically with curative intent.

Adult↗

[Socio-ethic of cancer chemoprevention].

Cancer chemoprevention envisions a reduction in the incidence of the disease through direct action using various chemical products. Chemoprevention trials involve healthy subjects, as a consequence careful ethical consideration must be given to such interventions. The classical contract between the patient and his doctor is altered in this situation and the numerous consequences of extrapolation of results to the general population must be considered. In particular a calculation of the risk-benefit ratio must take into account not only the physical but also the mental and social well being of people whose lives will be medicalised as a result of such intervention. The primacy of collective benefit over individual interest mandates that chemoprevention be based on scientific and well conducted trials. When results are extrapolated to the whole population an evaluation process has also to be permanently performed. The target population must be well informed and the participation based on voluntary consent.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗

[Standards, Options and Recommendations for the management of stage I or II primary bronchial cancers treated exclusively with radiotherapy].

CONTEXT: The 'Standards, Options and Recommendations' (SOR) project, started in 1993, is a collaboration between the Federation of the French Cancer Centres (FNCLCC), the 20 French cancer centres and specialists from French public universities, general hospitals and private clinics. The main objective is the development of clinical practice guidelines to improve the quality of health care and outcome for cancer patients. The methodology is based on literature review and critical appraisal by a multidisciplinary group of experts, with feedback from specialists in cancer care delivery. OBJECTIVES: To develop clinical practice guidelines according to the definitions of the Standards, Options and Recommendations project for the management of stage I and II non small cell lung carcinoma treated by radiotherapy alone. METHODS: Data were identified by searching Medline and personal reference lists of members of the expert groups. Once the guidelines were defined, the document was submitted for review to independent reviewers, and to the medical committees of the 20 French cancer centres. RESULTS: The main recommendations for the management of stage I and II non small cell lung carcinoma treated by radiotherapy alone are: 1) The curative external irradiation with a continual course is an alternative to surgery only in the case of medically inoperable tumors or because the patient refuses surgery; 2) The external irradiation of the primary tumor only without the mediastinum could be proposed in peripheral stage IA. In proximal stage IA and IB, external irradiation should be carried out only as part of prospective randomised controlled trials comparing a localised irradiation of the primary tumor with a large irradiation of the mediastinum and the primary tumor. The treated volume must include the macroscopic tumoral volume with or without the microscopic tumoral volume and with a security margin from 1.5 to 2 cm; 3) There is a benefit to delivering a total dose in the primary tumor higher than 60 Gy in so far as the proposed irradiation, taking into account the respiratory function, does not increase the likelihood of severe adverse events due to radiation; and 4) The change in fractionation, the radiochemotherapy combination, the endobronchial brachytherapy with high dose rate alone or with external irradiation could be proposed only as part of prospective controlled trials for tumors classified as stage IB or II.

Aged↗

Quality assurance for screening mammography data collection systems in 22 countries.

OBJECTIVES: To document the mammography data that are gathered by the organized screening programs participating in the International Breast Cancer Screening Network (IBSN), the nature of their procedures for data quality assurance, and the measures used to assess program performance and impact. METHODS: A detailed questionnaire covering multiple aspects of quality assurance in screening mammography was mailed to IBSN representatives in 23 countries. RESULTS: Countries collect a wealth of screening mammography data, much of it computerized. Most countries have designated staff for data quality assurance. All provide staff training, and most have documentation requirements for data collection. Nearly all have one or more procedures to maintain data confidentiality. Countries are heterogeneous in collecting and assessing data to monitor screening program performance and impact. CONCLUSIONS: Demonstrating that population-based screening mammography reduces breast cancer mortality requires collection of high-quality data on key aspects of the multi-step screening process. Assuring the quality of data collection systems for screening mammography programs is an important and evolving area for IBSN countries.

Breast Neoplasms↗

[Role of human behavior and the environment in the prevention of cancer].

Cancer is one of the main health issues for the French population. The importance of this burden can be measured through mortality and morbidity rates. Because of the still limited success of therapy, prevention should be the main concern. In theory prevention could avoid 50-80% of new cases. Efficiency of prevention depends, on the one hand, on the identification of risk factors and on estimation of their attributable rate and, on the other hand, on the possibility of controlling the exposure to these factors. Because the greatest risk is due to behavioural factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, etc.), suppression of exposure to these factors depends mainly on individual will. But these individual decisions can be supported by an active preventive policy based on health education and on research in the fields of communication and behavioural determinants.

Behavior↗

Cervical cancer screening in France.

In France, as in other European countries the incidence and mortality rates of carcinoma of the cervix uteri indicate a clear decrease in invasive cancers. Opportunistic screening has spread and, presently, approximately 60% of the female population undergo a regular cytological test. This rate increases up to 80% in the younger age groups and decreases to 20% after the age of 60 years. In 1990, intervention procedures were defined at a consensus conference; the major recommendations were to screen all women exclusively by cervical smears, for ages 25-65 years over a 3-year period. Guidelines on the quality control of cervical smear taking and reading were published by the national agency of evaluation of health intervention (ANAES). Since 1990, four population-based, organised pilot programmes, have been implemented in Isère. Doubs, Bas-Rhin and Martinique. These programmes evaluate the participation rate (from approximately 20-80% depending upon the age and the geographical area), the rate of abnormal tests (0.2-3%), according to the laboratories, the cancer detection rate (0.04%-0.15%) and some other quality indicators. Recently (November 1998) a law was passed stipulating that the screening test will be free of charge when performed in agreement with the national recommendations. A specific organisation for cytological quality control will be implemented. An effort to better identify and to include the screening process the women in the population who are not yet participating has to be made.

Adult↗

Randomized trial of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in oropharyngeal carcinoma. French Groupe d'Etude des Tumeurs de la Tête et du Cou (GETTEC).

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the survival of patients with oropharyngeal cancer. Patients with a squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx for whom curative radiotherapy or surgery was considered feasible were entered in a multicentric randomized trial comparing neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by loco-regional treatment to the same loco-regional treatment without chemotherapy. The loco-regional treatment consisted either of surgery plus plus radiotherapy or of radiotherapy alone. Three cycles of chemotherapy consisting of Cisplatin (100 mg/m2) on day 1 followed by a 24-hour i.v. infusion of fluorouracil (1000 mg/m2/day) for 5 days were delivered every 21 days. 2-3 weeks after the end of chemotherapy, local treatment was performed. The trial was conducted by the Groupe d'Etude des Tumeurs de la Tête Et du Cou (GETTEC). A total of 318 patients were enrolled in the study between 1986 and 1992. Overall survival was significantly better (P = 0.03) in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group than in the control group, with a median survival of 5.1 years versus 3.3 years in the no chemotherapy group. The effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on event-free survival was smaller and of borderline significance (P = 0.11). Stratification of the results on the type of local treatment, surgery plus radiotherapy or radiotherapy alone, did not reveal any heterogeneity in the effect of chemotherapy.

Adult↗

Second malignant neoplasms after a first cancer in childhood: temporal pattern of risk according to type of treatment.

The variation in the risk of solid second malignant neoplasms (SMN) with time since first cancer during childhood has been previously reported. However, no study has been performed that controls for the distribution of radiation dose and the aggressiveness of past chemotherapy, which could be responsible for the observed temporal variation of the risk. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the treatment on the long-term pattern of the incidence of solid SMN after a first cancer in childhood. We studied a cohort of 4400 patients from eight centres in France and the UK. Patients had to be alive 3 years or more after a first cancer treated before the age of 17 years and before the end of 1985. For each patient in the cohort, the complete clinical, chemotherapy and radiotherapy history was recorded. For each patient who had received external radiotherapy, the dose of radiation received by 151 sites of the body were estimated. After a mean follow-up of 15 years, 113 children developed a solid SMN, compared to 12.3 expected from general population rates. A similar distribution pattern was observed among the 1045 patients treated with radiotherapy alone and the 2064 patients treated with radiotherapy plus chemotherapy; the relative risk, but not the excess absolute risk, of solid SMN decreased with time after first treatment; the excess absolute risk increased during a period of at least 30 years after the first cancer. This pattern remained after controlling for chemotherapy and for the average dose of radiation to the major sites of SMN. It also remained when excluding patients with a first cancer type or an associated syndrome known to predispose to SMN. When compared with radiotherapy alone, the addition of chemotherapy increases the risk of solid SMN after a first cancer in childhood, but does not significantly modify the variation of this risk during the time after the first cancer.

Age of Onset↗

Randomized trial of induction chemotherapy in larynx carcinoma.

We conducted a randomized study in patients with previously untreated advanced (T3) larynx carcinoma to compare total laryngectomy followed by radiotherapy to induction chemotherapy, followed by radiotherapy in good responders, and by total laryngectomy plus radiotherapy in poor responders. A total of 68 patients were included in the study, 36 in the induction chemotherapy group and 32 in the no chemotherapy group. 15 of the 36 patients in the induction chemotherapy group did not have a laryngectomy. Survival and disease-free survival were significantly worse in the induction chemotherapy group than in the no chemotherapy group (P = 0.006 and P = 0.02, respectively). The 2-year survival rates were 69% in the induction chemotherapy group and 84% in the no chemotherapy group. Larynx preservation for patients, selected on the basis of having responded to induction chemotherapy, cannot be considered a standard treatment at the present time.

Aged↗

Parallel risk assessment of melanoma and basal cell carcinoma: skin characteristics and sun exposure.

In this study we compared the strength of the association of constitutional factors and sun exposure with cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). We analysed 260 incident cases of CMM, 425 incident cases of BCC and two sets of population controls from previous case-control studies conducted in Turin, Italy. Simultaneous comparison was accomplished by comparing separate simple logistic and polytomous logistic regressions. Tendency to sunburn was shown to be the most important risk indicator for both types of tumours, being associated with a two- to three-fold increase in risk for CMM and a two-fold increase in risk for BCC. Intermittent and intense sun exposure, as during beach holidays, increased the risk of both CMM and BCC, while prolonged exposure to sun, as during outdoor occupations, was not associated with CMM or BCC. The increase in risk during beach holidays occurred mainly during childhood for CMM cases, while for BCC cases it also continued during adulthood. Analysis of the independent effect of risk factors confirmed the role of skin phenotype (eye colour odds ratio [OR] = 1.6, tendency to sunburn OR = 2.1) and intermittent sun exposure (sunburns in childhood OR = 3.8, sun exposure during beach holidays OR = 1.2) in CMM. Risk of CMM showed a significant increase when sun exposure exceeded the threshold of about 3500 h during beach holidays cumulated in a lifetime. In contrast, the role of skin phenotype in BCC is less strong, but cumulated hours of sun exposure during beach holidays in a lifetime showed a constant risk rise with an early plateau at a low exposure level.

Basal Cell Carcinoma↗

[Epidemiology of breast cancer].

Breast cancer is the predominant cancer among women in France, accounting for about 32% of all new cases. Increasing incidence rates are reported by the regional registries, while the national mortality rates seem to reach a plateau particularly in the women under 65 years old. During the last 20 years the survival of patients with positive nodes has been increased. Nulliparity and increasing age at first birth are well established risk factors as well as age at menarche and age at menopause (OR approximately equal to 2). The role of other risk factors such as hormone replacement therapy, oral contraception, lactation remain controversial (OR approximately equal to 1-1.5). Total calories consumption, obesity after menopause, and alcohol are possible risk factors (OR approximately equal to 2-3). Previous irradiation of thorax, proliferative benign mastopathy are increasing the risk of breast cancer (OR approximately equal to 3-5). Consumption of fruits and vegetables, as well as physical exercise could decrease the risk (OR approximately equal to 0.6). There is a strong heredity component for about 10-15% of the cases. Approximately in half of these cases a mutated gene (Brca1, Brca2 ...) have been identified.

Adult↗

Results of a European randomized trial of Etanidazole combined with radiotherapy in head and neck carcinomas.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of Etanidazole, a hypoxic cell sensitizer, combined with radiotherapy in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 374 patients from 27 European centers were included in this trial between 1987 and 1990. Treatment was either conventional radiotherapy alone (between 66 Gy in 33 fractions and 74 Gy in 37 fractions, 5 fractions per week), or the same radiotherapy dose plus Etanidazole 2 g/m2, three times weekly for 17 doses. A minimization procedure, balancing for center, site, and T stage (T1-T3 vs. T4) was used for randomization. RESULTS: Among the 187 patients in the Etanidazole group, 82% received at least 14 doses of the drug. Compliance to the radiotherapy protocol was 92% in the Etanidazole group and 88% in the control group; the main cause of deviation was acute toxicity, which was observed at an equal rate in the two treatment groups. Fifty-two cases of Grade 1 to 3 peripheral neuropathy were observed in the Etanidazole group vs. 5 cases, all of Grade 1, in the control group (p < 0.001). The 2-year actuarial loco-regional control rates were 53% in the Etanidazole group and 53% in the control group (p = 0.93), and the overall 2-year survival rates were 54% in each group (p = 0.99). CONCLUSION: Adding Etanidazole to conventional radiotherapy did not afford any benefit for patients with head and neck carcinoma. This study failed to confirm the hypothesis of a benefit for patients with N0-N1 disease, which had been suggested by the results of a previous study (10).

Adult↗

Leukaemias and cancers following iodine-131 administration for thyroid cancer.

We studied 1771 patients treated for a thyroid cancer in two institutions. None of these patients had been treated with external radiotherapy and 1497 had received (131)I. The average (131)I cumulative activity administered was 7.2 GBq, and the estimated average dose was 0.34 Sv to the bone marrow and 0.80 Sv to the whole body. After a mean follow-up of 10 years, no case of leukaemia was observed, compared with 2.5 expected according to the coefficients derived from Japanese atomic bomb survivors (P = 0.1). A total of 80 patients developed a solid second malignant neoplasm (SMN), among whom 13 developed a colorectal cancer. The risk of colorectal cancer was found to be related to the total activity of (131)I administered 5 years or more before its diagnosis (excess relative risk = 0.5 per GBq, P = 0.02). These findings were probably caused by the accumulation of (131)I in the colon lumen. Hence, in the absence of laxative treatment, the dose to the colon as a result of (131)I administered for the treatment of thyroid cancer could be higher than expected from calculation of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). When digestive tract cancers were excluded, the overall excess relative risk of second cancer per estimated effective sievert received to the whole body was -0.2 (P = 0.6).

Adolescent↗

Basal cell carcinoma of the face: surgery or radiotherapy? Results of a randomized study.

Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are very frequent cutaneous cancers, often located on the face. Cure rates with surgery and radiotherapy are high, but these treatments have never been compared prospectively. A randomized trial was initiated in 1982 to compare surgery and radiotherapy in the treatment of primary BCC of the face measuring less than 4 cm. The primary end point was the failure rate (persistent or recurrent disease) after 4 years of follow-up. The secondary end point was the cosmetic results assessed by the patient, the dermatologist and three persons not involved in the trial. In the course of the trial, 347 patients were treated. Of the 174 patients in the surgery group, 71% had local anaesthesia and 91% frozen section examination. Of the 173 patients in the radiotherapy group, 55% were treated with interstitial brachytherapy, 33% with contactherapy and 12% with conventional radiotherapy. The 4-year actuarial failure rate (95% CI) was 0.7% (0.1-3.9%) in the surgery group compared with 7.5% (4.2-13.1%) in the radiotherapy group (log-rank P = 0.003). The cosmetic results assessed by four of the five judges were significantly better after surgery than after radiotherapy. Eighty-seven per cent of the surgery-treated patients and 69% of the radiation-treated patients considered the cosmetic result as good (P < 0.01). Thus, in the treatment of BCC of the face of less than 4 cm in diameter, surgery should be preferred to radiotherapy.

Adult↗