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Biomedical subjects

M H Kalser

Publications and source records attributed to M H Kalser.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Value of a routine follow-up endoscopy program for the detection of recurrent colorectal carcinoma.

Four hundred fifty-two patients with surgically resected colon or rectal cancer were evaluated to determine the incidence of intraluminal recurrences and the utility of a routine endoscopy screening program for detecting such recurrences. At the time of analysis, recurrent disease was found in 86 of 380 colon cancer patients and 21 of 72 rectal cancer patients. Local recurrence, defined as tumor within 400 cm2 of the primary, was present in 38 of 86 colon, and 11 of 21 rectal cancer patients. Of those 49 local recurrences, 15 were intraluminal, 6 of which were initially detected by a follow-up endoscopy program. Time to diagnosis, stage of disease, and survival were similar for patients whose lesions were detected by routine endoscopy versus those found by other means. New primary (metachronous) lesions defined as an intraluminal lesion occurring at least 5 cm beyond the surgical anastomosis were identified in six colon cancer patients and no rectal cancer patients. Of these six lesions, four were discovered during routine endoscopy. Thus, a routine follow-up endoscopy program is an important tool for the detection of intraluminal recurrence of colon and rectal cancer in patients who have undergone curative resection. However, routine follow-up endoscopy should not be the sole method of follow-up, since the incidence of intraluminal recurrence is small, and may initially be detected by other means in the majority of cases.

Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic cancer. Assessment of prognosis by clinical presentation.

Three hundred ninety-three patients who were entered into pancreatic carcinoma treatment protocols of the Gastrointestinal Tumor Study Group (GITSG) were analyzed as to significant differences in clinical presentation and factors influencing survival. Patients were grouped according to the stage of the disease. Group I (21 cases) included those patients who had a potentially curative resection. Group II (182 cases) patients had a locally unresectable tumor less then 400 cm2 (surgically proven) and no distant metastases, and Group III (190 cases) had advanced disease. Group I patients had the smallest lesions (median area, 9 cm2), located in head of the gland in 90% and painless jaundice was the most frequent clinical presentation (52%). In Group II, 83% were located in the head of the gland but the median area was much larger (36 cm2). Pain was present in 80% of cases, and jaundice in 62% with 48% having jaundice and pain. In Group III patients, lesions of body and tail were over four-fold as frequent as in Group I and almost three-fold greater than in Group II. The median area of the lesion was large (30 cm2). Pain was present in 85% and jaundice in only 31%. Median survival in Group I patients was longer than Group III (73 versus 10 weeks; P less than 0.001). Ambulatory status, sex, race, abdominal pain, and histologic type influenced survival in one or more groups whereas age, jaundice, location of the tumor, degree of cellular differentiation, back pain, and nutritional status did not influence survival in any group. In all groups, those with a good performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] 0 and 1) survived longer than those with poor status (ECOG 2 and 3; P less than 0.05). The best potential prognosis is in those who are fully productive and present with painless jaundice, and who have resection of the tumor.

Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic cancer. Adjuvant combined radiation and chemotherapy following curative resection.

The efficacy of combined radiation and fluorouracil as adjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer is suggested by a prospective randomized study conducted by the Gastrointestinal Tumor Study Group (GITSG). Twenty-two patients randomized to no adjuvant treatment and 21 to combined therapy were analyzed. Neither life-threatening toxic reaction nor death due to toxic effect was encountered. The study was terminated prematurely because of an unacceptably low rate of accrual combined with the observation of increasingly large survival differences between the study arms. Median survival for the treatment group (20 months) was significantly longer than that observed for the control group (11 months). Four patients, three in the treated and one in the control group, have survived five years or longer following surgery. The extent of the tumor and initial performance status were significantly and independently related to survival.

Adenocarcinoma

Defect in assimilation following combined radiation and chemotherapy in patients with locally unresectable pancreatic carcinoma.

The relative contributions of high-dose irradiation and/or chemotherapy to the nutritional problems of patients with inoperable pancreatic carcinoma were evaluated by study of pancreatic exocrine function and jejunal function and morphologic findings in ten patients before and after treatment. Nutrient assimilation studies included determination of serum carotene levels, D-xylose absorption and fat absorption. Crosby capsule biopsy specimen of jejunal mucosa were evaluated with light microscopy. Fat assimilation was the only parameter of nutritional function to significantly worsen after therapy. Low serum carotene levels present in the patients before therapy remained low but did not significantly change after treatment. D-xylose absorption and the morphologic structure of the jejunal mucosa were normal before and after treatment. These findings support the previous observations that the nutritional problems of the patient with inoperable pancreatic carcinoma are due to pancreatic insufficiency and that high dose irradiation and chemotherapy can exacerbate the pancreatic insufficiency but do not produce jejunal dysfunction. Therefore, it is suggested that pancreatic exocrine replacement therapy may improve the nutritional status of these patients.

Aged

Radiation therapy of a pancreatic fistula.

A patient with a pancreatic cutaneous fistula subsequent to laparotomy was unresponsive to medical management including intravenous hyperalimentation. Radiation therapy resulted in progressive diminution of volume from the fistula with subsequent complete closure. Radiation thus offers another therapeutic modality for pancreatic fistulas.

Female

Cystadenocarcinoma and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).

A 40-year-old woman with back pain, an abdominal and a serum CEA level of 200 ng/ml was found to have at laparotomy, a large but resectable mucinous retroperitoneal mass. Pathologic diagnosis revealed cystadenocarcinoma, probably of pancreatic origin. It is remarkable that the cyst fluid contained a CEA level 100,000-fold normal. Serum CEA fell to normal levels in the postoperative period. This suggests that the CEA was of cyst epithelial origin.

Adult

Circulating carcinoembryonic antigen in pancreatic carcinoma.

Circulating CEA levels were determined in 102 patients wtih histologically proven pancreatic carcinoma and 26 patients with chronic pancreatitis. In the group with pancreatic carcinoma eleven patients had resectable tumors, the mean CEA in the nonjaundiced patients was 10 +/- 5 ng/ml while the mean value in jaundiced patients in this group was 27 +/- 40. Thirty-four patients with nonmetastatic locally unresectable disease had a mean serum CEA of 25 +/- 52 with a range of 1 to 250 ng/ml. Twenty-one percent had values of 5 ng/ml or less. The mean value in 57 patients with metastatic disease was 97 +/- 194 with a range of 0.05 to 1000 ng/ml and 19 percent had values of 5 ng/ml or less. Survival of patients with locally unresectable or metastatic carcinoma was significantly longer in those patients who had a normal CEA at the time of diagnosis. Circulating CEA in the metastatic group was much lower in patients with nonhepatic metastases as well as in those with well differentiated adenocarcinoma histology. Twenty-three patients with chronic pancreatitis and normal serum bilirubin had a mean CEA value of 5.3 +/- 4 ng/ml with 65% of values being 5 ng/ml or less but the CEA ranged from 4.6 to 27 in three who were jaundiced.

Adenocarcinoma

Initial levels of CEA and their rate of change in pancreatic carcinoma following surgery chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

CEA levels and their rate of change in 41 patients with pancreatic carcinoma following surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy were determined. Surgical resection, though not curative, was associated with a decrease in CEA level, with approximately half these levels returned to normal. No correlation with survival was noted. CEA levels are increased by obstructive jaundice. Radiation alone or in combination with 5-Fluorouracil did not change CEA levels in patients with locally unresectable pancreatic carcinoma. CEA levels progressively increased in patients with widespread metastatic pancreatic carcinoma, who expired from their disease.

Alkaline Phosphatase

Azulfidine- (sulfasalazine-) induced hepatic injury.

A patient with Azulfidine-related hepatotoxicity in which prompt recurrence of symptoms, fever skin rash, and laboratory evidence of hepatocellular injury occurred upon readministration of Azulfidine is reported. The clinical and biochemical features support the fact that this was an example of an acquired hypersensitivity reaction to Azulfidine.

Adolescent

Cancer of the colon as a late sequel of pelvic irradiation.

A patient, who developed carcinoma of the rectum nine years following therapeutic radiation for pelvic malignancy is presented. The relationship of radiation to carcinoma of the colon is reviewed. This relationship makes rigorous follow-up of patients with radiation induced chronic proctocolitis essential.

Carcinoma

Computerized tomography, diagnostic ultrasound, and radionuclide scanning. Comparison of efficacy in diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma.

Forty-six patients, including 33 with proved pancreatic carcinoma, were studied with computerized tomography (CT), ultrasound (US), and radionuclide (RN) scanning. The results of each scanning procedure were compared with the surgical and clinical findings. The detection rate was 82% for CT, and 92% with US. A mass is the most important finding in the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. Measurements of the pancreas with CT and US were similar, with visualization of all parts of the pancreas routinely better with CT scans. Radionuclide scans were abnormal in 96% of the patients with pancreatic carcinoma as well as in 75% of patients without pancreatic disease. A rational approach to examination of a patient with suspected pancreatic carcinoma should begin with US scan with available, because the detection rate with this method is equal to that with CT and its cost per procedure and for equipment is substantially less.

Humans

Syphilitic gastropathy.

A case study of a 22-year-old male with periumbilical, postprandial pain, partially relieved by antacids is presented. Abnormalities demonstrated on upper-gastrointestinal series and a positive FTA-ABS suggested gastric lues. This diagnosis was confirmed by demonstrating spirochetes in gastric mucosa, both by silver impregnation and fluorescent techniques specific for Treponema pallidum.

Adult

Pancreatic disease.

New tests and test methods aid in the diagnosis of pancreatic disorders. Pancreatic carcinoma, especially, may have an improved prognosis with earlier detection as a result of refinements in arteriography, cytology, pancreatic radioisotopic scanning, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Acute pancreatitis results most commonly from alcoholism, biliary tract disease, and trauma. Management is directed primarily at decreasing pancreatic exocrine secretion. Surgery is usually best avoided in the acute phase. Chronic pancreatitis is most often a result of recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis. Diabetes and malassimilation become manifest as pancreatic destruction progresses. Management consists of replacement of pancreatic enzymes and diet supplements. Once chronic pancreatitis is established, surgery can only be directed at complications of the disease. Pancreatic ascites is usually associated with a break in the pancreatic ductal system. Ascites caused by trauma responds well to surgical intervention, but the alcoholic type is less amenable to treatment.

Acute Disease