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J C Tunca

Publications and source records attributed to J C Tunca.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Prolonged stabilization of progressive platinum-refractory ovarian cancer with paclitaxel: brief report.

Platinum-based chemotherapy is the standard treatment for ovarian cancer, with response rates of 70-80% and pathologic complete remissions of 20-25%. Salvage therapy with paclitaxel has an established role in patients with platinum-refractory ovarian cancer. In non-randomized trials, high doses have tended to be more effective. In this report, we describe two patients with platinum-refractory ovarian cancer who received paclitaxel and had long-term stabilization of their disease. One patient received 250 mg/m2 paclitaxel for 38 cycles; the other 135 mg/m2 for 30 cycles. Both patients received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) support to prevent severe granulocytopenia; neither experienced cumulative hematopoietic nor neurologic toxicity. Their quality of life was good throughout the treatment.

Adult↗

Chemical induction of ovarian tumors in rats.

The production and pathogenesis of ovarian cancer was investigated in noninbred albino weanling female rats by surgical fixation into the left ovaries of sutures chemically impregnated with the chemical carcinogens formic acid 2-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]hydrazide (FNT), a nitrofuran antibiotic; N-methyl-N'-nitrosourea (MNU), a direct-acting alkylating agent; or 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). Rats living more than 30 days following surgery were subjected to complete necropsy of external, thoracic, and abdominal tissues when they died or were killed at 407 days, the study termination. Mean survival of rats in treated and control groups was comparable. All carcinogen-treated rats exposed to FNT, MNU, or DMBA developed one or more ovarian, uterine, or mammary neoplasms with a total of 31 tumors in 22 rats as compared with no tumors in 5 control rats. All carcinogen-treated rats (22) developed ovarian adenomas (18) or adenocarcinomas (4); 3 developed uterine fibroadenomas (1) or squamous cell carcinomas (2); and 6 developed mammary adenocarcinomas. No neoplasms were present in the right ovaries of carcinogen-treated rats. These data suggest that direct application of carcinogens to ovarian tissue is a satisfactory way to develop ovarian adenoma and adenocarcinoma.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Nutritional evaluation of gynecologic cancer patients during initial diagnosis of their disease.

Ninety-seven gynecologic cancer patients received a thorough nutritional assessment during the initial evaluation of their disease. Patients with Stages III and IV ovarian cancer were shown to have severe protein-calorie malnutrition (p less than 0.01) unrelated to any gastrointestinal obstruction or laparotomies. Patients with other types of gynecologic cancers at all stages demonstrated nearly normal nutritional assessment parameters, with the exception of recent weight loss. Nutritional assessment and active nutritional intervention therapy are suggested especially for patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

Energy Intake↗

Colon carcinoma metastatic to the ovary.

We reviewed 17 patients with colon carcinoma metastatic to the ovary seen from 1970-1980. This represents 2.5% of the total malignant ovarian neoplasms seen during this time period. In 3/17 patients, exploratory celiotomy was performed without preoperative barium enema, stool for occult blood, or colonoscopy. These patients subsequently were found to have a primary colon carcinoma. Colectomy was performed in 8/17 of our patients without prophylactic oophorectomy. All of these patients subsequently developed metastatic ovarian carcinoma. Long-term survival in our series was dismal. We recommend (1) a compulsary colon examination to include colonoscopy prior to surgery for ovarian masses, and (2) prophylactic bilateral salphingo-oophorectomy at the time of colectomy for colon carcinoma.

Adult↗

Hexamethylmelamine and cisplatin in advanced ovarian cancer after failure of alkylating-agent therapy.

Thirty-eight women with advanced ovarian cancer resistant to alkylating-agent chemotherapy were treated with a combination of hexamethylmelamine and cisplatin. Hematologic toxicity was severe or life-threatening in seven of 13 patients treated with cisplatin at a dose of 100 mg/m2 but was acceptable in 25 patients treated at 75 mg/m2. Thirty-four percent of the combined group developed peripheral neuropathy and only 8% of those treated at 75 mg/m2 developed transient azotemia. Nine complete responses and 12 partial remissions were noted among 38 patients treated, with no obvious advantage for the higher dose of cisplatin. The median duration of remission was 8 months and the overall median survival was 9 months. The response rate of 55% is approximately twice that reported with either agent given alone in similar patient populations and is equal to or better than that reported for more complicated regimens containing these drugs together with other, less active drugs.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Colposcopic management of abnormal cervical cytology during pregnancy.

A total of 104 pregnant patients with abnormal cervical cells were referred to the Dysplasia Clinic for evaluation and management by colposcopy. Seventy-one pregnant patients presenting with basal cell atypia on cytologic examination had colposcopically directed biopsy revealing 8.45% severe dysplasia and 1.41% carcinoma in situ. Cytologic study in 31 pregnant patients with basal cell dysplasia revealed severe dysplasia in 29% and carcinoma in situ in 12.9% of the colposcopic biopsies. Cervical cytology revealed carcinoma in situ in two patients. Directed biopsy in both cases revealed carcinoma in situ with one case of questionable microinvasion. Colposcopically observed normal and abnormal physiologic findings and the pregnant cervix, complications after conization during pregnancy, and the impact of colposcopy in the management of the cytologically abnormal cervix during pregnancy are discussed.

Adult↗