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M Conio

Publications and source records attributed to M Conio.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Endoscopic retrograde forceps biopsy and brush cytology of biliary strictures: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Nonsurgical pathologic confirmation of malignant bile duct strictures is desirable for defining subsequent treatment and prognosis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is frequently performed in patients suspected of having pancreaticobiliary obstruction, but there exists no standardized method for defining the nature of obstructing lesions by ERCP. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated the yields of endoscopic retrograde brush cytology and biopsy for the diagnosis of malignant bile duct strictures. Fluoroscopically guided endobiliary biopsy and brush cytology (52) or cytology alone (42) were performed during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in 94 consecutive patients, 64 with malignant strictures and 30 with benign strictures. A single cytopathologist classified the results of these studies as positive or negative for malignancy. RESULTS: The sensitivities of the two procedures were identical (53%) and the gain achieved by combining the two techniques (61%) was small. Specificity proved excellent for both methods. One major complication that occurred was perforation of the common hepatic duct with leakage of bile, which was managed by surgical oversewing. This complication was ascribed to biopsy and untimely removal of the nasobiliary drain by the patient herself. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that endoscopic retrograde brush cytology alone may be sufficient in daily practice, at least in centers that have access to experienced cytopathologists. We recommend use of forceps biopsy in selected cases where brush cytology is negative.

Adult↗

Sensitization and photodynamic therapy (PDT) of gastrointestinal tumors with 5-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) induced protoporphyrin IX (PPIX). A pilot study.

5-Aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) is a promising agent for photodynamic therapy (PDT) sensitization as it can be given orally and only causes skin photosensitivity for 1-2 days. In fluorescence and photodynamic studies 26 patients with benign and malignant gastrointestinal tumors were given 30-60 mg ALA orally (single or divided doses) and biopsies were taken of tumor and normal tissue at 1-24 hours for fluorescence microscopy. With 30 mg/kg, highest protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) levels were seen in esophagus, duodenum and less in colon, but without tumor selectivity. Better tumor selectivity was seen in colon after 60 mg/kg (5:1). Six patients had transient rises in transaminases and five mild nausea. Sixteen patients were later treated (after further ALA) with red light (628 nm, bare or diffuser fibre, 50-100 J at 50 mW at each site). All but two showed subsequent necrosis, but only 0.5-1.5 mm of depth. PDT with ALA is simple, safe and promising for tumors in the gastrointestinal tract. Modification of treatment parameters may make it suitable for larger lesions.

Administration, Oral↗

Correlation between family history of colorectal cancer and pathological and clinical features of the disease.

Familial aggregation of colorectal cancer occurs even among sporadic cases that are not part of defined genetic syndromes. First-degree relatives of patients with "sporadic" colorectal cancer have a three- to fourfold increased risk of the same cancer. The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between a first-degree family history of colorectal cancer and the pathological and clinical features of the tumor (site, Dukes' stage, age at diagnosis, sex, and patient survival). Four hundred and sixty-one patients with colorectal cancer were evaluated (250 males and 211 females) and information obtained on their family history of cancer. Sex, age, and stage of disease were the only parameters that correlated significantly with survival. No relationship between family history of colorectal cancer and the prognostic variables was observed.

Adult↗

DNA content analysis of Barrett's esophagus by flow cytometry.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of flow cytometric (FCM) DNA content and cell cycle characteristics of Barrett's Esophagus (BE) with age and sex of the patients, length, histologic type and dysplasia of BE. Forty-one patients affected by histologically confirmed BE had multiple biopsies taken from the metaplastic epithelium and one biopsy taken from the gastric fundus, as control. The samples were either stored at -80 degrees C or immediately measured. Nuclei suspensions were obtained, stained with DAPI, measured with a high resolution flow cytometer (ICP22A, Ortho Instruments) and analyzed for the evaluation of the relative DNA content and the S- and G2 + M phases of the cell cycle. DNA histograms having two distinct G0/G1 peaks were classified as DNA aneuploid. The degree of DNA aneuploidy (DNA Index, DI), defined as the ratio of abnormal to normal DNA content, was obtained from the mixture of each BE sample with its control sample and trout erythrocytes. We found six patients with DNA aneuploid populations (14.6%), whose DNA Index values were 1.05 (in two), 1.8 (in one), and 2.0 (in three cases). DNA ploidy did not correlate with age and sex of the patients, length, histologic type, and dysplasia of BE. Among the 13 patients with dysplasia (6 indefinite, 4 low grade and 2 high grade with intramucous adenocarcinoma) only two (one indefinite and one low grade) showed DNA aneuploidy (15.4%). In addition, we found that the S-phase and the G2 + M-phase fractions in BE samples were both significantly higher than those of the controls (respectively, p = 0.01 and p = 0.0008).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Barrett Esophagus↗

[Colorectal adenocarcinoma in patients with familial anamnesis positive for malignant neoplasms of the large intestine].

Familial aggregation of colorectal cancer occurs also among sporadic cases that are not part of defined genetic syndromes. First degree relatives of patients with "sporadic" colorectal cancer have a 3-4 fold increased risk of the same cancer. The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between a first degree family history of colorectal cancer and pathological and clinical features of the tumor (site, Dukes' stage, age at diagnosis, sex and survival of patients). 461 patients with colorectal cancer were evaluated (250 males and 211 females) after obtaining informations about their family history of cancer. 52 (11.25%) of them reported to have at least one close relative affected by intestinal cancer. Sex, age and stage of the disease are the only parameters that significantly affect survival. No relationship between family history of colorectal cancer and prognostic variables was observed.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Palliative bipolar electrocoagulation treatment of malignant gastroesophageal strictures.

Seventeen patients with non-resectable circumferential malignant strictures of the esophagus (n = 13) or the gastroesophageal junction (n = 4) were treated with a bipolar electrocoagulation tumor probe (BICAP). None had received prior radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The mean tumor length was 7.2 cm. After treatment swallowing was improved in 86.7% of the patients. The mean duration of response to the first treatment was 18 days. Three major complications (1 fatal hemorrhage, 2 tracheoesophageal fistulae) and two minor complications (chest pain) were observed. The overall actuarial survival rate after 13 months of follow-up was 20%. The BICAP tumor probe can be considered an efficacious and safe device in selected patients with long, circumferential esophageal cancers.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Growth of cells from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma biopsies in a reconstituted basement membrane.

Cells from esophageal carcinoma biopsies were cultured on or inside a three-dimensional basement membrane matrix (matrigel). Their growth was compared to cells derived from control esophageal biopsies. Cells from both normal and neoplastic tissue attached poorly to tissue culture plastic. Matrigel coating improved adhesion and growth. When cells were grown inside a matrigel matrix, a striking difference was noticed between carcinoma cells and controls. Carcinoma cells grew invasively in the three-dimensional substrate and digested the matrix after a few weeks; control cells did not grow and only a few necrotic cells were visible with time. Matrigel provided a better growth substrate than plastic for esophageal derived cells and discriminated between carcinoma-derived and control cells when used as a three-dimensional growth substrate. Our studies suggest a possible use of matrigel for the selective growth of tumor cells derived directly from tissue biopsies.

Basement Membrane↗

CA 19-9 and CA 50 in benign and malignant pancreatic and biliary diseases.

Serum concentrations of the CA 19-9 and CA 50 antigens were determined in 129 patients with malignant and benign biliary and pancreatic diseases. Values for the two markers were highly correlated (P less than 0.001). The concentrations of CA 19-9 and CA 50 were positive in 84.6% and 80.7% of patients with pancreatic cancer, respectively. The overall specificity of CA 19-9 (92.4%) was slightly higher than that of CA 50 (88.5%). The sensitivity of CA 50 (91.3%) was greater than that of CA 19-9 (73.9%) in patients with diseases of the biliary tract. Elevated concentrations of CA 19-9 (12.9%) and CA 50 (35.2%) were also found in a number of cases with benign disease, especially in patients with obstructive jaundice. These data suggest that both CA 19-9 and CA 50 can be useful markers of pancreatic cancer in nonjaundiced patients. The joint use of the two markers does not yield a better diagnostic resolution than the use of either one alone.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Family history of colorectal cancer as a risk factor for benign and malignant tumours of the large bowel. A case-control study.

The relationship between first degree family history of colorectal cancer and the risk of benign or malignant tumours of the large bowel was investigated in a case-control study. Two groups of cases (283 patients with adenomatous polyps and 414 patients with adenocarcinoma of the large bowel) and 2 groups of controls (399 polyp-free subjects and 456 hospitalized patients) were interviewed. Since no difference in the frequency of family history between the 2 control groups was detected, these were lumped together. A 3-fold increase in risk of adenomatous polyps in relatives of patients with colon cancer was observed (OR = 3.18, 95% CI 2.06-4.89). The relative risk of colorectal cancer among relatives of patients with adenocarcinoma was 2.36 (95% CI 1.54-3.60). No significant difference in the frequency of first degree relatives with a history of cancer of the large bowel was detected between patients with colorectal cancer and those with adenomatous polyps. When only history of colorectal cancer among parents was considered, the results closely paralleled those of the previous analysis.

Adenoma↗

Tissue sampling from the common bile duct through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic papillo(sphinctero)tomy and drainage in juxtapapillary malignancies.

In 22 patients with radiological evidence of a malignant stricture or an obstruction of the common bile duct, endobiliary tissue specimens were obtained through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. An endoscopic papillo(sphinctero)tomy was necessary in 9 of the 22 patients. The following techniques were employed: (1) forceps biopsy of the papillary infundibulum and/or of the common bile duct; (2) brush cytology in the same sites as above; (3) biliary juice cytology obtained by a nasobiliary drainage tube. In 8 patients, two different sampling techniques were used. The final diagnosis was established by means of pathological evaluation of surgical or necroscopic material. The diagnostic adequacy was 100% for biopsy, 88% for brush cytology, and 62% for bile cytology. The sensitivity was 100%, 66%, and 25%, respectively, for the above techniques. From 6 cases without biliary cancer, the specificity was 100%. These data show that biopsy specimens alone provide a definitive preoperative diagnosis in most cases, provided adequate samples are obtained.

Aged↗

Colorectal cancer in patients with family history.

The relationship between first degree family history of colorectal cancer and some pathological and clinical features was investigated in 302 patients affected by large bowel carcinoma. Patients with inherited forms of polyposis of the large bowel were excluded. Thirty-six (11.9%) had at least one close relative affected by intestinal cancer. No relationship between family history and pathological features (anatomic distribution, stage and grading) was found. Moreover no difference in prognosis between patients with a family history and those without was shown. These results suggest no relationship between a first degree family history and the natural history of the disease.

Adult↗

Cancer of the pancreas: clinical outcome in 76 cases.

A final diagnosis of pancreatic cancer was established in 76 consecutive patients during 4 years. The clinical outcome was evaluated retrospectively, as well as clinical presentation and its impact on the rate of resectability. Even though the diagnostic techniques showed a high sensitivity, only 18.4% of patients had a radical resection performed. In 77.6% of the cases a tissue diagnosis had been obtained. However, in only 1/5 of them was the tissue proof obtained preoperatively. This review confirms that the survival of patients with pancreatic cancer is poor, with slight advantages in the few resectable cases. Therefore, an earlier diagnosis should be attempted in high-risk symptomatic patients, selected by means of nonaggressive tests and evaluated by means of more accurate diagnostic techniques, when suitable.

Adult↗

Primary signet-ring carcinoma of the large bowel. Report of nine cases.

Nine cases of signet-ring carcinoma have been observed from among 800 consecutive histologic cases diagnosed as adenocarcinoma of the colon during a period of 10 years (0.9%). This group of nine patients (Group A) has been matched for sex, age, and stage with a group of 45 patients affected by ordinary carcinoma of the colon (Group B). Clinical and histologic parameters, including symptoms, primary tumor site, free interval from primary surgery, histochemical investigation of intracytoplasmic mucins, and survival, were evaluated. The results of this investigation showed no clinical differences between signet-ring carcinoma and ordinary carcinoma, and no statistically significant results were observed regarding the frequency of local recurrence and actuarial survival.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

Photodynamic therapy for polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis--a pilot study.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) produces localised necrosis with light after prior administration of a photosensitising drug. As PDT lesions in the gastrointestinal tract heal so well, the technique is suitable for repeated endoscopic use. In this study, PDT was used to treat large polyps (four duodenal and two colorectal) unsuitable for surgery in 6 patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Patients were sensitised with 60 mg/kg 5-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) orally or intravenous (i.v.) 2.0 mg/kg Photofrin. Laser treatment was performed 6 h after ALA or 48 h after Photofrin using a gold vapour laser. Necrosis was only superficial (up to 1.8 mm) using ALA but much deeper using Photofrin. The one malignant polyp (8 mm diameter in the colon) showed a complete response using Photofrin. All healed safely with no complications. Photofrin worked better, but caused cutaneous photosensitivity lasting up to 3 months. ALA cleared within 2 days, but its use is limited by the superficial effect. Better results with ALA may be obtained using higher drug doses or modified light dosimetry. Fluorescence microscopy showed no evidence of selectivity of photosensitisation between neoplastic and normal tissue. PDT is a promising treatment for inoperable polyps in patients with FAP, but further work is required to optimise the treatment conditions.

Adenoma↗