Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J J Beitler

Publications and source records attributed to J J Beitler.

42 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

New barriers to ventricular invasion in paraglottic laryngeal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Anatomic barriers to the spread of laryngeal cancer include the conus elasticus, the quadrangular membrane, and the thyroid cartilage. It has been speculated that an elastic barrier surrounds and protects the ventricle. METHODS: The authors studied the microanatomic patterns of spread of 17 cases of patients who had laryngeal cancer with paraglottic disease and confirmed their findings by examining normal autopsy specimens. RESULTS: Five patients of the seventeen cases showed no ventricular mucosal involvement despite extensive paraglottic disease. Both an inner, central, subepithelial periventricular elastic membrane barrier were identified; the latter was in continuity with the conus elasticus and quadrangular membrane. CONCLUSIONS: Two weak fibroelastic barriers surround the ventricle. The outer, peripheral, fibroelastic membrane is contiguous with the conus elasticus and the quadrangular membrane. Therefore, ventricular involvement is not a sensitive indicator of paraglottic spread. Squamous cell cancer may grow around the periventricular barriers to involve both the true and false cords but may spare the ventricle. The prognostic significance of the violation or preservation of the periventricular elastic barriers is unknown.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Pilot trial of cisplatin, radiation, and WR2721 in carcinoma of the uterine cervix: a New York Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

PURPOSE: A phase I trial of WR2721 was initiated to determine the maximal safe dose for incorporation into a consecutive 5-day schedule of cisplatin administered concurrently with radiation therapy in patients with cervical cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: WR2721 was administered at 340 to 910 mg/m2/d immediately before cisplatin. Cisplatin was administered at 20 mg/m2/d for 5 days every 3 weeks in combination with external-beam radiation therapy and at 100 mg/m2 after each brachytherapy treatment. Pelvic radiation consisted of external-beam therapy to a dose of 39.6 Gy, followed by brachytherapy with cesium 137 tandem and ovoid insertions to deliver 80 Gy to point A and 55 Gy to point B. RESULTS: Twenty patients were enrolled; 19 were assessable. The dose-limiting toxicity of WR2721 was hypotension. No patients developed serious sequelae, but hypotension required a reduction in the dose of WR2721 at the highest dose level tested. The major grade 3 or 4 toxicities included transient azotemia (five of 19), leukopenia (nine of 19), vomiting (four of 19), and neurotoxicity (two of 19). One patient experienced an anaphylactic reaction to cisplatin. CONCLUSION: The recommended dose of WR2721 administered in conjunction with cisplatin on a daily x 5 schedule plus radiation therapy is 825 mg/m2/d for 5 days.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Management of hypocalcemic effects of WR2721 administered on a daily times five schedule with cisplatin and radiation therapy. The New York Gynecologic Oncology Group.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of the chemoprotective agent, WR2721, administered on a daily x 5 schedule with cisplatin and radiation therapy, on calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty women with cervical cancer were enrolled in a clinical trial to determine the maximal safe dose of WR2721 plus radiation therapy and cisplatin on a novel daily x 5 schedule. Detailed studies of the effects of WR2721 on calcium and PTH levels were initiated after a patient developed symptomatic hypocalcemia. RESULTS: Treatment with WR2721 resulted in a rapid decline in serum PTH levels within 4 hours, which fell below the lower limits of normal at 24 hours, then returned to within normal limits at 48 hours. In contrast, serum levels of ionized calcium were not affected acutely, and declined by only 7% within 24 hours. However, this small decrease persisted for the 5 days of treatment. Hypocalcemic effects were successfully managed with oral calcium carbonate and calcitriol supplements. In one patient, particularly sensitive to the effects of WR2721, serum levels of ionized calcium decreased to less than 3.0 mg/dL despite oral calcium supplements. CONCLUSION: The effects of WR2721 on serum ionized calcium levels are mediated by direct inhibition of PTH activity; other effects such as inhibition of renal tubular calcium reabsorption cannot be excluded. We recommend that patients treated with WR2721, cisplatin, and radiation therapy receive routine oral calcium and calcitriol supplementation and that serum ionized calcium levels be monitored frequently.

Adult↗

Ocular melanoma: total dose and dose rate effects with Co-60 plaque therapy.

From 1968 to 1987, 123 consecutive patients with nonmetastatic choroidal melanoma were treated with cobalt-60 plaques. One hundred sixteen patients were followed up for a mean of 3.8 years. Twenty patients had local failure, and 14 patients had distant failure. Complications included 32 cataracts, and seven enucleations were required. Local recurrence did not correlate with tumor height, tumor volume, dose, or dose rate. Increased volume (P = .004) and height (P = .01) correlated with increased rates of distant metastases. Dose adjusted for volume did not correlate with the rate of metastases.

Brachytherapy↗

Esthesioneuroblastoma: is there a role for elective neck treatment?

A retrospective review of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center experience (MSKCC) with esthesioneuroblastoma was performed. From 1975 to 1985 14 cases were identified. Overall 5- and 10-year survival was 86% and 70%, respectively. Four local failures were observed and 4 neck failures were observed. A review of the literature since 1966 revealed an unexpectedly high incidence of neck failure, and of the 21 of 110 patients with neck failures that were identified through the literature, there were 6 subsequent deaths.

Adult↗

Low-dose radiotherapy for multicystic benign lymphoepithelial lesions of the parotid gland in HIV-positive patients: long-term results.

BACKGROUND: Multicystic benign lymphoepithelial lesions of the parotid gland (BLL) seen in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can produce considerable cosmetic deformity as well as physical discomfort. We previously reported our preliminary results with low-dose radiotherapy in this disease, and all 8 patients were satisfied with the initial improvement in their appearance. We now report the long-term follow-up of those patients and additional patients. METHODS: Twelve HIV-positive patients with BLL were treated with 8-10 Gy of external radiation using 2-Gy daily fractions. Objective responses and subjective duration of patient-defined cosmetic control were recorded. RESULTS: All 12 patients (100%) had at least a 50% decrease in the size of their parotid masses. Five of 12 (42%) had a complete response and 7 (58%) had a partial response. Persisting complete response was achieved in only 1 patient, however, with relapse in the other 11 patients. Cosmetic palliation, as judged by the patients, was achieved for a median of 9.5 months. Eight patients were subsequently retreated with doses of 6-16 Gy (median and mode: 10 Gy). None (0%) of the 8 patients retreated achieved local control. CONCLUSIONS: Very low-dose radiation (8-10 Gy) provides reliable but temporary cosmetic palliation for BLL. Retreatment was unsatisfactory, and we are now investigating higher initial doses of radiation to prolong palliation and eliminate recurrences.

AIDS-Related Complex↗