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Biomedical subjects

L Campion

Publications and source records attributed to L Campion.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Brown fat in breast cancer patients: analysis of serial (18)F-FDG PET/CT scans.

PURPOSE: It has recently been suggested that FDG accumulation in the brown adipose tissue varies as a function of age, sex and outdoor temperature. The aim of this study was to assess changes in FDG uptake in brown fat in patients based on serial PET/CT scans and to compare our results with previous findings. METHODS: Early response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in 33 female breast cancer patients was assessed by FDG PET. Five PET/CT scans were performed for each patient. PET/CT images were analysed retrospectively. PET scans were considered positive when diffuse, symmetrical, abnormal "USA" (uptake in supraclavicular area) fat was detected. RESULTS: A total of 163 PET images were analysed. Seventy-four PET scans (45%) revealed abnormal FDG uptake in the supraclavicular area. These foci were present on uncorrected and attenuation-corrected images. FDG uptake was identical on all five scans in only five patients. No significant relationship was found between abnormal FDG uptake and outdoor temperature, age or time interval between chemotherapy and PET. Abnormal FDG uptake in the neck seemed to predominantly occur in patients with a low body mass index (p<0.05). Most significant changes in the PET/CT scan results were observed during chemotherapy with docetaxel (p<0.05). When observed, bilateral uptake in the neck was more intense than background uptake (p<0.00001). CONCLUSION: This study shows that FDG uptake in the neck varies as a function of time, that it is unrelated to age or outdoor temperature, and that bilateral uptake is generally intense.

Adipose Tissue, Brown↗

High-performance liquid chromatographic assay with UV detection for measurement of dihydrouracil/uracil ratio in plasma.

A rapid, robust and sensitive HPLC method for analysis of uracil (U) and dihydrouracil (UH2) in plasma was developed using solid phase extraction and ultraviolet detection. Separation was achieved with a SymmetryShield RP18 column and an Atlantis dC18 column using a 10 mM potassium phosphate buffer as mobile phase. Compounds were eluted within 15 min without interference. Recovery was 80.4 and 80.6% for U and UH2. Calibration curves were linear from 2.5 to 80 ng/mL for U and 6.75 to 200 ng/mL for UH2. The LLQ was, respectively, 2.5 ng/mL for U, and 6.75 ng/mL for UH2. Within-run and between-run precision were less than 5.94% and inaccuracy did not exceed 7.80%. The overall procedure has been applied to correlate UH2/U ratio with dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity in 165 cancer patients.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

[Interstitial brachytherapy of peri-orificial skin carcinomas on the face].

Purpose. - To analyse outcomes after interstitial brachytherapy of facial periorificial skin carcinomas. Patients and methods. - We performed a retrospective analysis of 97 skin carcinomas (88 basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), 9 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs)) of the nose, periorbital areas and ears from 40 previously untreated patients (group 1) and 57 patients who had undergone surgery (group 2). The average dose was 55 Gy [50-65] in group 1 and 52 Gy [50-60] in group 2 (mean implantation times: 79 and 74 hours respectively). We calculated survival rates and assessed functional and cosmetic results de visu. Results. - Median age was 71 years [17-97]. There were 29 T1, 8 T2, 1 T3 and 2 Tx tumors in group 1. Tumors were<2 cm in group 2. Local control was 92.5% in group 1 and 88% in group 2 (median follow-up: 55 months [6-132]). Five-year disease-free survival was better in group 1 (91% [75-97]) than in group 2 (80% [62-90]), P=0.23. Of the 34 patients whose results were re-assessed, eight presented pruritus or epiphora. One group 2 patient had an impaired eyelid aperture. Cosmetic results were better in group 1 than in group 2, with respectively 72% (8/11) vs 52% (12/23) of good results and 28 (3/11) vs. 43% (10/23) of fair results. Conclusion. - Brachytherapy provided a high level of local control and good cosmetic results for facial periorificial skin carcinomas that pose problems of surgical reconstruction. Results were better for untreated tumors than for incompletely excised tumors or tumors recurring after surgery.

Adolescent↗

Randomized clinical trial comparing axillary padding with closed suction drainage for the axillary wound after lymphadenectomy for breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: After axillary lymphadenectomy for breast cancer, a suction drain is routinely inserted into the axilla to prevent seroma formation. This drain is an obstacle to reducing hospital stay after breast-conserving surgery. This was a prospective randomized clinical trial to assess the safety and results of axillary padding without the use of a drain. METHODS: Between May 2001 and August 2003, 100 women were randomly allocated axillary padding without a drain or with the use of an axillary suction drain. Prospective assessments were made of morbidity, pain, shoulder mobility, quality of life and medical costs including length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Using axillary padding significantly reduced the mean (s.d.) length of hospital stay (1.8(1) versus 4.5(2) days, P < 0.001). Postoperative complications, pain, shoulder mobility and quality of life were similar in the two groups. There was no difference in the duration of the two procedures. CONCLUSION: Axillary padding after axillary lymphadenectomy was feasible and safe, without a drain, and shortened hospital stay.

Axilla↗

[Diagnosis of flat epithelial atypia (FEA) after stereotactic vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) of the breast: What is the best management: systematic surgery for all or follow-up?].

OBJECTIVE: FEA lesions group two histological types: columnar cell hyperplasia with atypia (CCHA) and columnar cell change with atypia (CCA). The increasing use of VAB has resulted in increased detection of isolated FEA lesions. The aim of this study was to define the best management possible for these patients: which cases may not need excision? MATERIAL AND METHODS: From our database of 780 VABs carried out from 2000 to 2004, 59 patients with FEA were diagnosed. Cases in which no surgery was performed or all features were not available were excluded, thus excluding 19 cases. Forty patients with FEA were included. We reviewed clinical and mammographic characteristics, histological biopsy, and the corresponding surgically excised tissue features. RESULTS: VAB yielded 25 cases of CCHA and 15 cases of CCA. Surgery revealed seven ductal carcinoma cases (four invasive, three in situ); nine benign lesions, and 24 with atypia (19 FEA and six atypical ductal hyperplasia). We found two features related to the risk of cancer: the presence and the size of hyperplasia. All carcinomas were found within the CCHA lesions. No cancer was yielded when size was less than 10 mm within CCA lesions and lesions that were totally removed. CONCLUSION: We recommend surgical excision when CCHA greater than 10 mm is found on the VAB or it is incompletely removed. CCA lesions or CCHA less than 10 mm or totally removed may obviate systematic surgery.

Biopsy, Needle↗

The impact of nonvisualization of sentinel nodes on lymphoscintigraphy in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at evaluating the relationship between the nonvisualization of sentinel nodes (SNs) at lymphoscintigraphy and the intraoperative detection rate, radioactive counts in vivo, and histological status of SNs. METHODS: Two hundred eighty patients with infiltrating breast carcinoma (T0, T(1)/T(2)) underwent preoperative lymphoscintigraphy before gamma probe-guided SN biopsy. RESULTS: The surgical identification rate with a gamma probe was 84.6% (56 of 280) in lymphoscintigraphy-negative patients and 93.2% (224 of 280) in lymphoscintigraphy-positive patients (P < .05) after two subdermal periareolar injections. The average number of SNs per patient was 1.7 in lymphoscintigraphy-negative patients and 2.2 in lymphoscintigraphy-positive patients (P < .01), as assessed by gamma detection. The mean age of lymphoscintigraphy-negative patients was 62 +/- 10 years, versus 55 +/- 13 years for lymphoscintigraphy-positive patients (P < .001). The median radioactive count in dissected SNs identified by gamma detection was 204 cps (range, 4-618 cps) in lymphoscintigraphy-negative patients, versus 606 cps (range, 43-16,928 cps) in lymphoscintigraphy-positive patients (P < .001). The rate of macrometastatic SNs was 40% in lymphoscintigraphy-negative patients, versus 30% in lymphoscintigraphy-positive patients (not significant), whereas the size of involved SNs was 16.6 mm in lymphoscintigraphy-negative patients, versus 13.1 in lymphoscintigraphy-positive patients (P < .05). The micrometastasis detection rate in SNs from lymphoscintigraphy-negative patients was 6.25%, versus 23.3% in lymphoscintigraphy-positive patients (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Negative lymphoscintigraphy was observed in 20% of patients and was more frequent in elderly patients. Negative lymphoscintigraphy was predictive of a lower surgical identification rate and fewer detected SNs. These SNs had fewer micrometastases, were fairly large, and tended to harbor metastases.

Adult↗

Post-operative care and patient satisfaction after ambulatory surgery for breast cancer patients.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate patient information provided, the management of post-operative symptoms and post-operative care, and patient satisfaction with ambulatory breast surgery over a 1-year period. METHODS: From January to December 2000, all breast cancer patients undergoing conservative breast surgery were offered surgery as an outpatient procedure at the Ambulatory Surgery Unit. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty six patients underwent outpatient surgery. None were readmitted during the first night or the first week. Two hundred and nineteen patients completed a questionnaire. One hundred and sixty nine patients (group 1) underwent wide local excision (WLE) and 50 (group 2), WLE and axillary lymphadenectomy. Patients in group 2 experienced more pain at discharge from the hospital (p < or = 0.01) and during the first week after discharge (p < or = 0.00001) than patients in group 1. The mean overall satisfaction score was 8.97 on a scale of 1-10. Post-operative information provided by the surgeon before discharge from the hospital was rated 8.90 on a scale of 1-10 while information provided by the nurse was rated 9.33 (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Ambulatory surgery for breast cancer patients is safe and popular with patients, however, post-operative pain presents problem.

Adolescent↗

G388R mutation of the FGFR4 gene is not relevant to breast cancer prognosis.

This study screened large cohorts of node-positive and node-negative breast cancer patients to determine whether the G388R mutation of the FGFR4 gene is a useful prognostic marker for breast cancer as reported by Bange et al in 2002. Node-positive (n=139) and node-negative (n=95) breast cancer cohorts selected for mutation screening were followed up for median periods of 89 and 87 months, respectively. PCR - RFLP analysis was modified to facilitate molecular screening. Curves for disease-free survival were plotted according to the Kaplan - Meier method, and a log-rank test was used for comparisons between groups. Three other nonparametric linear rank-tests particularly suitable for investigating possible relations between G388R mutation and early cancer progression were also used. Kaplan - Meier analysis based on any of the four nonparametric linear rank tests performed for node-positive and node-negative patients was not indicative of disease-free survival time. G388R mutation of the FGFR4 gene is not relevant for breast cancer prognosis.

Adult↗

Learning curve for the detection of axillary sentinel lymph node in breast cancer.

AIM: Sentinel axillary lymph node (SALN) detection is a new technique. Surgeons must progress up a learning curve in order to guarantee quality and safety equivalent to axillary lymphadenectomy. To ensure accurate staging of patients this learning curve must include SALN detection and an axillary lymphadenectomy. The aim of our work was to validate the principles and evaluate the consequences of learning curve for SALN detection from a prospective series of 200 consecutive patients. METHOD: Prospective assessment was made of the detection and false negative rates, post operative morbidity as abcess and seroma, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: We evaluated the performance from the first to the hundredth case for each surgeon. Detection rate improved to 85% after patient number 10. False negative rate was less than 6%. Post operative axillary morbidity included 11% of seromas and 2% of abcess. Mean hospital stay was 2.8 days. CONCLUSION: Multidisciplinary validation of the learning period contributes to an accurate and safe SALN.

Adult↗

[Accuracy of conservative treatment for infiltrating lobular breast cancer: a retrospective study of 217 infiltrating lobular carcinomas and 2155 infiltrating ductal carcinomas].

OBJECTIVES: Prognosis factors used for the management of infiltrative lobular carcinoma (ILC) are not different from those for infiltrative cuctal carcinoma (IDC). The aim of our work was to evaluate indications for conservative treatment for patients with ILC and to compare the results to those of patients with IDC. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Between 1985 and 1999 we retrospectively compared cases of 217 ILC with cases of 2155 IDC treated in Centre Rene Gauducheau, Nantes. RESULTS: Clinical size of tumors was not different between ILC and IDC but pathological size>30 mm was more frequent for IDC. Good prognosis factors as pathological SBR classification I or II, positive hormone receptor, and the lack of axillary lymph node involvement, were more frequent for ILC. Clinical examination underestimated tumor size more frequently of ILC than IDC (p=0.02). Secondary mastectomy for involved margin was more frequent for ILC than IDC (p=0.001). For tumor with good prognosis factors, such as T<20mm, lack of lymph node involvement and SBR I or II with conservative treatment, 5 years local relapse were less frequent for ILC than IDC (p=0.025). CONCLUSION: Parameters to validate conservative or radical treatment are the same for ILC and IDC. Diagnosis of ILC should not influence decisions regarding surgical treatment.

Breast Neoplasms↗

[Dientamoeba fragilis: is it really fragile? Approach to specimen handling and rapid microscopic diagnosis].

Dientamoeba fragilis is a pathogenic protozoan parasite with a world-wide distribution. Interestingly, a resistant cyst stage has not been demonstrated and it is still an unsolved problem how this parasite can survive successfully outside the human host. D. fragilis was found in 2% of approximately 2500 individuals unselected who submitted stools for parasitological examination during 2001 in Padua (Italy). The goal of this study was to detect the protozoan stages and the duration of persistence of this protozoa in faeces stored in different environmental conditions. The trophozoites of D. fragilis were detected up to 60 days after the collection of the faeces stored at 4 degrees C and Giemsa stained. The laboratory detection rate of the organism is greatly enhanced by use of preservative to fix stool specimens immediately after passage. Alternatively, a microscopic observation of the collected stool has to be performed immediately after passage followed by examination of permanently-stained smears. Demonstration of the charateristic "golf-club" and "acanthopodia-like" structures in unstained fixed faecal material by direct microscopy (400x) are suitable for a rapid identification of D. fragilis.

Animals↗

High-performance liquid chromatographic assay with ultraviolet detection for quantification of dihydrofluorouracil in human lymphocytes: application to measurement of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity.

The anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5FU) undergoes extensive biotransformation to 5-dihydrofluorouracil (5FUH2) by the enzyme dihydropyrimidine deshydrogenase (DPD). A new HPLC method with direct UV detection for the determination of 5FUH2 in peripheral lymphocytes has been developed to detect DPD deficiency in patients treated with 5FU-based therapy. The method has been shown to be valid over the 5FUH2 concentration range of 1.14-37.88 nmol/ml. Optimal enzymatic conditions for DPD activity measurement were studied: incubation time, protein and 5FU concentrations. The assay was successfully cross-validated with the existing method using HPLC with radiochemical detection.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Genetic polymorphism at the glutathione S-transferase (GST) P1 locus is a breast cancer risk modifier.

The isolation of full-length cDNAs of naturally occurring GSTP1 gene variants, and the demonstration that these alleles are distributed in the normal population, have provided conclusive evidence that the human GSTP1 gene locus is polymorphic and that specific GSTP1 alleles may be associated with different risk for cancers or other diseases. Recent data have indicated that the different GSTP1 alleles encode proteins with different enzymatic activities against carcinogens. In this case-control study, we examined the effect of the GSTP1 genetic polymorphism and its interaction with other factors to determine breast cancer risk. GSTP1 and GSTM1 genotypes of 220 breast cancer patients and 196 controls, all residents of western France, were examined. Data on menopausal status and family cancer history were obtained from 195 patients and 147 controls. Exons 5 and 6 of the GSTP1 gene, which contain the polymorphic nucleotide transitions, were analyzed by DNA polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism to distinguish between the GSTP1 alleles. In the control population, GSTP1 allelic frequencies were 64.3%, 26.0% and 9.7%, respectively, for GSTP1*A, GSTP1*B and GSTP1*C. In the breast cancer patients, the frequencies were 67.9% for GSTP1*A, 26.8% for GSTP1*B and 5.3% for GSTP1*C. In multivariate analysis, breast cancer risk increased by 7.7-fold (p < 0.001) in women with a family history of cancers and 2.18-fold (p = 0.026) in non-GSTP1*C individuals. GSTM1 genotypes did not emerge as risk factor. Our results show that in addition to well-known risk factors, in particular, a family history of cancer, GSTP1 allelopolymorphism is a significant modifier of breast cancer risk. The results also suggest a protective role against breast cancer for the GSTP1*C allele.

Adult↗

Long-term complications of total body irradiation in adults.

PURPOSE: To report long-term pulmonary, thyroid, and ocular complications in patients who had conditioning regimens including total body irradiation (TBI) before bone marrow transplantation (BMT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between June 1986 and December 1995, 478 patients received TBI in our institution. The present study includes 186 adult patients who had complete remission lasting one year or more after BMT. There were 108 males and 78 females. Median age was 36.5 years (range 15-60). Initial diagnoses were lymphomas (50%), acute lymphoid leukemias (16%), acute myeloid leukemias (16%), chronic myeloid leukemia (13%), aplastic anemia (3%), and myelodysplasia (2%). At the time of BMT, 43.5% of patients were in complete response and 56.5% in partial response. Treatment consisted of a single dose TBI at 10 Gy in 9% and fractionated TBI delivering 12 to 13.5 Gy in 6 fractions in 91%. From 1986 to October 1991, TBI was performed in lateral position with 9 MV energy (57% of patients) and thereafter in alternate prone and supine positions with 15 MV energy (43%). Chemical conditioning regimen was cyclophosphamide (60 mg/kg at D-4 and D-3) in 69% and CBV (cyclophosphamide 1500 mg/m(2) from D-6 to D-3, BCNU 300 mg/m(2) at D-6, VP-16 200 mg/m(2) from D-6 to D-4) in 25%. Fifty eight percent of patients received autologous and 42% allogeneic BMT. All patients had clinical, biologic, and functional examinations at one-year intervals. RESULTS: Median follow-up from BMT was 49 months (range 12-136). Late pulmonary effects were observed only in functional explorations, without clinical effect, including restrictive syndrome in 8% and alteration in the diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide in 12%. No patient showed clinical thyroid symptoms, and 10% developed biologic dysfunction: hypothyroidism (6.5%), thyroiditis (3%), and Basedow disease (0.5%). Ocular complications occurred in 29.5%, including cataract (15%), dry syndrome (13%), and keratitis (1.5%). In univariate and multivariate analysis, pulmonary complications were statistically increased by chronicle graft vs. host disease (GVHD) vs. no (p = 0.02), prone and supine vs. lateral TBI position (p = 0.02), and with 15 MV vs. 9 MV beam energy (p = 0.02). Cataract occurred less frequently with fractionated than with single-dose TBI (p = 0.000002). No differences were observed regarding age, sex, initial diagnosis, status at the time of BMT, conditioning chemotherapy regimen, and total dose of TBI. CONCLUSION: From this retrospective study it was shown that long-term complications of TBI were not symptomatic in most patients. The role of parameters of irradiation and especially position of treatment and beam energy should be emphasized and assessed with a longer follow-up.

Adolescent↗

[Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Long-term clinical development in a regional cohort of 243 patients].

This retrospective study was undertaken to assess the long-term clinical outcome of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in a regional cohort of 243 patients aged 40.4 years on average at the time of diagnosis and followed up for 12.3 +/- 8.1 years. Forty-one deaths were recorded during the follow-up period directly related to HCM (including 20 sudden deaths and 17 deaths due to cardiac failure), an annual cardiac mortality rate of 1.37%. In multivariate analysis, two factors were associated with extra mortality: occurrence of the first symptoms before the age of 20 (RR x 2.35) (p = 0.006) and NYHA functional classes III: IV at the latest clinical assessment (p = 0.005). The risk of sudden death increased significantly with septal wall thickness: RR x 2.34 (p = 0.05), RR x 3.27 (p = 0.007) and RR x 3.67 (p = 0.02) respectively, for septal thickness equal to or greater than 25, 30 and 35 mm. Eighty-three patients (34%) had major cardiovascular events (sudden death, congestive cardiac failure, cerebrovascular accident) during follow-up. However, at the latest clinical assessment, 79% were relatively unaffected by their disease, without treatment (12%) or with drug therapy alone (60%). In a minority of patients (28%) a more aggressive therapeutic approach was necessary: cardiac pacing (N = 48), implantable cardiac defibrillators (N = 2) myomectomy (N = 27) or cardiac transplantation (N = 6). The authors conclude that HCM is a complex disease, less serious than initially thought in the majority of patients, but the cause of major cardiovascular events and premature deaths which still remain difficult to prevent.

Adult↗

Salvage extended-field irradiation in follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after failure of chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of total abdominopelvic (TAI) and total body irradiation (TBI) in heavily pretreated follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1983 to 1998, 34 patients received TAI (n = 22) or TBI (n = 12). All had Stage III or IV, Class B, C, D NHL in the working formulation and failed after receiving 1-5 regimens of chemotherapy. TAI was given at 20 Gy over a 3-week period. TBI was delivered in two successive half-body irradiations of 15 Gy over a 2-week period with a 4-week interval between each. RESULTS: Mean follow-up from TAI or TBI was 120 months (range, 6-180). Seventy-six percent of patients achieved complete response and 24% partial response. Median survival was 62 months, 5-year and 10-year overall survival was 59% and 41%, and disease-free survival was 56% and 30%, respectively. Grade III or IV toxicity was gastrointestinal in 38% of patients and hematologic in 30%. No toxic death or delayed complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Extended-field irradiation is feasible and efficient after failure of chemotherapy in follicular NHL.

Adult↗

Treatment of bone metastases of prostate cancer with strontium-89 chloride: efficacy in relation to the degree of bone involvement.

This retrospective study evaluated the toxicity and efficacy of strontium-89 chloride (Metastron, Amersham) in 94 patients with painful bone metastases of prostate cancer (117 injections of 150 MBq) and compared the efficacy of treatment in patients with moderate and extensive bone involvement. The predictive value of flare response with regard to analgesic response was also studied. High-grade leukothrombopenias were observed after only 5% of injections. An improvement in quality of life was obtained in 65% of cases, a decrease in pain in 78% (31% complete response) and a reduction of analgesics in 60%. Efficacy was significantly better for pain decrease (P=0.005) and reduction of analgesics (P=0.018), and response was significantly longer (P<0.0035) in patients with moderate than in patients with extensive bone involvement. The flare response observed in 23% of cases was not predictive of pain response (P=0.919) or reduction of analgesics (P=0.353). A second dose prolonged analgesia in three-quarters of cases without any apparent increase in toxicity. These results confirm the benefit of 89Sr chloride for the treatment of metastatic bone pain and suggest that internal radiotherapy should be started earlier. A bone scan could be proposed at the time of hormonal escape resulting in bone pain, and internal radiotherapy could be initiated when several metastatic foci exist, even if only one is painful. In this way, pain-free follow-up could be prolonged, and the transition to other therapeutic approaches, particularly opioids, delayed.

Aged↗