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Biomedical subjects

J E Devitt

Publications and source records attributed to J E Devitt.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Effect of current palliative treatment on the survival of patients with breast cancer.

The length of survival of 302 patients with breast cancer first treated between 1946 and 1949, who had mostly only contemporary radiotherapy for metastases, has been reviewed and compared with that of 578 patients, first treated between 1966 and 1969, who had modern endocrine therapy, cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Although patients in the latter group demonstrated a significantly increased length of survival after the first metastases appeared, these differences were not substantial. In spite of impressive regressions in some patients with metastatic breast cancer after modern palliative therapy, the median survival after the first appearance of metastases has been increased only by about 6 months.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1977

Role of aspiration breast biopsy.

Review of the results of 100 consecutive aspiration breast biopsies disclosed that this technique failed to identify 11 of the 33 breast cancers in the series; however, it identified 3 breast cancers that were not recognized by clinical examination. In one patient who had a fibroadenoma, suspicious cells were seen in the material sent for cytologic examination. It is concluded that a negative aspiration biopsy does not contraindicate tissue biopsy when the clinical findings suggest cancer. Aspiration biopsy can uncover clinically unsuspected cancers. When the lesion appears to be malignant on a clinical basis, aspiration biopsy can obviate formal biopsy. In this way time is saved for all those involved and the fashioning of the mastectomy flaps is facilitated.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1976

Breast cancer and preceding clinical benign breast disorders. A chance association.

A review of 1059 patients seen in office consultation from 1970 to 1975 for breast disorders revealed that patients with clinically benign disorders were six times as numerous as those with breast cancer. Only 11% of patients with breast cancer had had a previous benign breast-biopsy specimen and on average they were 20 years older than the peak age for benign clinical disease. Of the 163 patients with a previous benign breast-biopsy specimen only 14 (9%) had breast cancer compared with 13% in women without such a history. It is concluded that clinical benign breast disorders do not predispose patients to cancer, and such women should not be singled out for special study.

Adenofibroma↗
PubMed1973

Blood wastage and cholecystectomy: spin-off from a peer review.

A review of the records of patients undergoing cholecystectomy or cholecystostomy disclosed that only 3.6% of the units of blood crossmatched in preparation for the operation were actually used. Even so, in half the instances only one unit of blood was transfused. It is concluded that before such operations, crossmatching of blood is rarely necessary and only in unusual circumstances.

Blood Transfusion↗
PubMed1973

Does continuing medical education by peer review really work?

A peer review of breast operation statistics was conducted. Standards for the proportion of biopsies positive for cancer, and for length of postoperative stay following operation for benign and malignant conditions were developed and each surgeon was informed of his performance and how it compared with that of his colleagues. The same parameters of care were reviewed one year later to study changes in performance. Low volume of clinical material, failure of two surgeons to change, and a steady general improvement in all parameters in the years prior to the presentation of the peer review, confused the demonstration of improvement in the year after the educational effort. There was a statistically significant improvement in the proportion of biopsies positive for cancer, reflecting reduction in unnecessary biopsies, but the pre-existing annual improvement in reducing postoperative stays was not accelerated. Does continuing medical education by peer review really work? Probably.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1970

The influence of age on the behaviour of carcinoma of the breast.

A consecutive series of 1530 patients with carcinoma of the breast has been reviewed to study the influence of age and marital status on the disease.The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age, though a peak may be reached at 75 years. The risk of developing a tumour of advanced clinical stage at presentation apparently increases with age. Local recurrence rates and mortality rates are similar at all ages. It is concluded that the therapy required is similar in all age groups.The increased risk of developing breast cancer in "never married" women is in the postmenopausal period. Survival rates and the distribution of the various presenting clinical stages are similar in both single and married patients.Though ageing and marital status have an initiating effect on breast cancer, they do not have a continuing effect on the established disease.

Adult↗