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M Cavallero

Publications and source records attributed to M Cavallero.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Clinical identification and long-term surveillance of 22 hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer Italian families.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of a hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) identification and surveillance policy. METHODS: Familial clustering of colorectal cancer (CRC) and extracolonic cancers (ECs) was investigated in 1520 consecutive CRC patients and relatives. HNPCC was identified by Amsterdam criteria, and individuals at risk were offered biennial colonoscopy and other examinations, starting from age 25 years. RESULTS: Twenty-two HNPCC families were identified. The CRC prevalence was 27.8% (121/435), decreasing from 59.4% in the first generation to 24.4% and 8% in the second and third generation, respectively. Twenty-nine patients had multiple CRC and 34 patients (in 12 families) had ECs.A total of 199/331 at-risk individuals accepted surveillance. The mean follow-up was 48+/-32 months. CRCs were detected at first surveillance in four out of 199 surveilled individuals (2%); in two surveilled individuals (1%), three CRCs developed during follow-up. The overall CRC incidence was 7/199 (3.5%) in surveilled individuals and 5/132 (3.7%) in unsurveilled individuals. CRCs were less advanced in surveilled than in unsurveilled patients. Eleven individuals had 22 adenomas (one with high-grade dysplasia). Three individuals had adenomas at first surveillance; two of them and eight more individuals during surveillance. Seven surveilled individuals and six unsurveilled individuals, all belonging to families with a history of EC, had EC during the study period. All patients with CRC detected by surveillance are alive. One of the unsurveilled patients who had CRC died 18 months after the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Data confirm the importance of the family history collected in each patient with CRC for identification of HNPCC and support the efficacy of repeated colonoscopies for early diagnosis and prevention of CRC in at-risk members. Reasons for surveillance failure could be an accelerated progression of small adenomas and a lesion missing at colonoscopy. Longer follow-up is required to assess the efficacy of surveillance for EC.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2004

Outcome of laparoscopic colorectal resection.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal diseases. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of all patients undergoing a laparoscopic colorectal procedure (LCP) for large bowel disease. All operations were performed by a single experienced team. Patients were divided chronologically into three consecutive groups (G1, G2, and G3). Data collection included the incidence and cause of both "proper" and "mandatory" conversions to laparotomy, the incidence and type of early and late postoperative complications, incidence of operative mortality, and the length of hospital stay. The incidences of conversion to laparotomy and of early and late postoperative complications were also determined as related to diagnosis, type of LCP attempted, and chronological group. RESULTS: Between January 1996 and December 2001, a total of 108 patients (49 men and 59 women) with a mean age of 65.1 years underwent an LCP for colorectal disease. Proper conversion to open surgery was necessary in five patients (4.6%), whereas a mandatory conversion was needed in 10 with patients advanced cancer (9.2%). The overall morbidity rate was 11.9%. There were no anastomotic leaks. In two patients (1.85%) developed a complication requiring reoperation. Postoperative mortality was nil. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 7.2 days. The rates of conversion and of early and late complications decreased through the three chronological periods. No trocar site recurrences were observed in the cancer patients. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic colorectal surgery performed in experienced centers is safe; the observed morbidity and mortality rates are low and acceptable and compare favorably to those observed after standard open surgery.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Tuberculin reactivity in adult BCG-vaccinated subjects: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Interpretation of the tuberculin skin test (TST) may be complicated by prior bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination. The skin reaction to the vaccination interferes with the management of individuals who may be infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. OBJECTIVE: To discriminate between TST reactions due to infection and those due to vaccination in subjects with unknown BCG status. METHODS: Among 60200 subjects tested with 5TU PPD for screening purposes, 4987 contacts of infectious TB cases (Group A), 4962 BCG-vaccinated subjects (Group B) and 5000 subjects from the general population (Group C) were sampled. The frequencies of TST cut-off diameters were calculated for the three groups using a logistic regression model. The frequency of positive subjects in each group and the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were also computed by means of these cut-offs. RESULTS: The risk of being a contact versus BCG-vaccinated increases 2.43-fold with every mm of TST diameter. The 11 mm cut-off point seems to be the best discriminating value. CONCLUSIONS: Using the traditional 10 mm cut-off, we can consider all vaccinated subjects with a positive TST to be infected. The TST remains a valuable tool for the evaluation of household contacts and suspected cases of tuberculosis in BCG-vaccinated subjects and in populations with high vaccination coverage.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Screening for colorectal cancer by once only sigmoidoscopy: a feasibility study in Turin, Italy.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact on compliance of three invitation methods, as well as the acceptability and efficacy of two bowel preparation regimens, for endoscopic screening in the general population. METHODS: 1170 subjects (men and women aged 55 to 59, in the rosters of a sample of general practitioners (GPs) in Turin), were randomly allocated to one of three invitation groups (A: personal letter, signed by GP, with a pre-fixed appointment; B: same as for A + letter supporting the study by a well known scientist; C: letter signed by the study coordinator, NS) and two preparation regimens (i: one enema, self administered at home two hours before the test; ii: two enemas, administered the night before and two hours before the test). A postal reminder was mailed to non-attenders. A sample of non-responders was contacted for a telephone interview by a trained nurse. Written consent was obtained from all subjects undergoing the test. RESULTS: A total of 278 subjects attended for sigmoidoscopic screening. An invitation from the GP alone produced the highest response rate (compliance: A = 29.3%; B = 24.9%; C = 26.8%). A single enema was as effective as two enemas in achieving satisfactory preparation for the test: the proportion of subjects invited to repeat the test was 8.1% in the single enema group, and 9.6% in the group receiving two enemas. CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with this screening procedure tends to be low. One enema, self administered two hours before sigmoidoscopy, can ensure a satisfactory bowel preparation.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1993

[The impact of immigration from high incidence countries on the epidemiology of tuberculosis].

Immigration in Italy from developing countries is a recent problem and the possible consequences on public health must be taken into account. The present study reports the results of Tuberculosis control activities performed by the Dispensario di Igiene Sociale of Turin, related to this population. Up to now the available data suggest that the immigrant population (mainly from North Africa and Senegal), in spite of representing a small part of residents (approximately 33,000/1,000,000) contributes to one third of Tuberculosis cases. The consequences on Tuberculosis epidemiology in Italy and our operational experience on Tuberculosis control and prevention are discussed.

Emigration and Immigration↗
PubMed1990

Needle biopsy of submucosal lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.

Needle biopsy of submucosal lesions is an important addition to the diagnostic capabilities of gastrointestinal endoscopy. A series of 22 cases is described employing a guillotine needle to diagnose submucosal lesions, 4 of which were infiltrating adjacent carcinomas. The specimens obtained were sufficient for firm histological diagnosis in 20 cases. There were no complications apart from minor bleeding in 1 case.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Large bowel adenomas containing carcinoma--a diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Adenomas containing invasive carcinoma of the large bowel form the majority of early colorectal cancers. Conclusive histological diagnosis of early colorectal cancer depends on two conditions; first, the whole lesion must be examined and second the resection margin must border on healthy tissue. The presence of certain histopathological features makes it possible to distinguish between cases with high and low risk of having lymph node metastases. Sixty-six adenomas containing invasive carcinoma are reported. They comprised 3.15% of 2,095 adenomas removed by colonoscopic polypectomy during the same period. Five cases were lost to follow-up. Forty-nine patients considered to be at low risk of having lymph node metastases have been treated by endoscopic polypectomy only with a rigorous follow-up regime including CEA estimation, ultrasonography and total colonoscopy at regular intervals. In none have distant metastases been found on follow-up examinations at a mean duration of 3 years. Two of these cases have developed a metachronous colorectal carcinoma and 15 (30.5%) have metachronous adenomas. Two low risk patients with no tumour found in the operative specimen have undergone major surgical resection. Ten high risk cases have been referred for major surgery and lymph node metastases have been found in four (40%). The need for careful histological examination for lymphatic and veinous invasion is stressed by the presence of this finding in all four high risk patients with involved lymph nodes.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Double-blind study of a new antimuscarinic, cimetropium bromide, in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Forty patients with irritable bowel syndrome were randomly allocated to treatment with octylonium bromide (20 mg TID) or cimetropium bromide (50 mg BID) in a double-blind trial lasting for six weeks. Drugs were taken before meals, according to a double-blind schedule. Clinical evaluations were made of digestive and other symptoms, objective findings (pain at palpation, contracted colon, tympanites), and overall effectiveness of treatment. Statistically significant decreases in severity of abdominal pain and subjective scores for bowel habits were obtained in both groups. The only statistically significant differences between treatments were in nondigestive symptoms (asthenia, palpitations, tremor, headache, etc.), which improved more in the cimetropium bromide group. No severe side effects were observed in either treatment group.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Clinico-pathological features of collagenous colitis: case report and literature review.

Collagenous colitis is a newly identified condition, with clinical features of chronic watery diarrhea and abdominal pain. Histologically the main characteristic is the presence of a thick collagen band below the surface epithelium. Collagenous colitis occurs in adults, especially women. Endoscopy reveals no particular changes in the intestinal mucosa. Symptoms may persist for years with periods of remission and recurring acute attacks. The cause of this condition is still unknown, and because of no real knowledge only symptoms can be treated, usually with little success.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

[Use of low-potency lasers in plastic surgery].

Radiation treatment using low power laser beams is recommended for chronic or recurring lesions. Personal experience is reported with emphasis on the fact that He-Ne laser treatment should be employed when topical or surgical therapy fails.

Burns↗
PubMed1980

[Evaluation of leukocyte migration inhibition (LIF) in patients with carcinoma of the lung before and after the use of levamisole in vitro].

Aspecific immunosuppression in neoplasia has long been known, even though all its biological aspects are not yet fully understood. Inhibition of leukocyte migration (LIF) was studied before and after the use of levamisole in vitro to determine whether changes occurred in cell reactivity. The results of the investigation are discussed in the light of modern immunopathological theories.

Humans↗
PubMed1980

[Sarcoidosis].

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Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗