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Biomedical subjects

M R Robinson

Publications and source records attributed to M R Robinson.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Tumor markers in prostate cancer.

Prostatic specific antigen (PSA) is a tissue specific marker that is now the most widely used biochemical test for the assessment and follow-up of prostate cancer. The levels of PSA rise with tumor stage, but there is considerable overlap of their distribution between stages. PSA measurement now forms a part of the workup of a suspected carcinoma of the prostate, with a level of more than 4 ng/ml being an indication for further investigation. The sensitivity of PSA makes it an essential test for the postoperative assessment of radical prostatectomy and curative radiation therapy. The rates of change of PSA levels in locally advanced and metastatic disease treated by hormone manipulation can provide prognostic information. Low levels of PSA (less than 10 ng/ml) 6 months after treatment are a sign that the response will be prolonged. However, the sensitivity of PSA often results in a rising level preceding clinical evidence of progression by several months and is not necessarily an indication to change treatment. Alkaline phosphatase and prostatic acid phosphatase provide a less sensitive test for the bone response to skeletal metastases and tumor activity in advanced disease, respectively.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1992

Molluscum contagiosum of the eyelids in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Infection with molluscum contagiosum has been reported in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Involvement of the eyelids by molluscum in patients with AIDS has rarely been mentioned. METHODS: Two patients with AIDS presented with eyelid molluscum contagiosum. Detailed examination and follow-up was performed. RESULTS: One patient had noted ocular irritation with epiphora for several weeks and showed a typical viral keratoconjunctivitis in both eyes. The other patient progressed to confluent masses involving the entire lower eyelid on one side. Removal of the lesions by surgery and cryotherapy was followed by recurrences in both patients within 6 to 7 weeks, the incubation period for this viral infection. CONCLUSION: Molluscum contagiosum can form confluent lesions on the eyelids in patients with AIDS, which may cause a keratoconjunctivitis. Local removal of molluscum eyelid nodules appears to be of limited long-term value in patients with T-cell immunodeficiency.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1992

Noninvasive glucose monitoring in diabetic patients: a preliminary evaluation.

Noninvasive monitoring of blood/tissue glucose concentrations has been successfully accomplished in individual diabetic subjects by using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy coupled with chemometric methods. Three different spectrometer configurations were tested: a) a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer with an indium antimonide detector; b) a grating monochromator equipped with a silicon (Si) array detector, without fiber optics; and c) a grating monochromator equipped with an Si detector, with fiber-optic sampling. NIR spectra were obtained from diabetic subjects by transmission through the finger during a meal-tolerance test. The maximum range of observed plasma glucose concentrations obtained from the blood samples was 2.5-27 mmol/L. The NIR spectra were processed by using the chemometric multivariate calibration methods of partial least squares and principal component regression. The best calibration yielded a cross-validated average absolute error in glucose concentration of 1.1 mmol/L. This predictive ability suggests that noninvasive glucose determinations by NIR/chemometrics is a viable analytical method.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1990

EORTC protocol 30853: orchidectomy versus zoladex plus flutamide in the management of metastatic carcinoma of the prostate. Interim statistical analysis of the side effects of treatment.

The toxicity and side effects of combination therapy with zoladex and flutamide have not been excessive compared with those due to orchidectomy. Pain due to the flare phenomenon has not been observed with zoladex and flutamide. Treatment modification has been necessary in 12 of the 149 patients receiving the combination therapy, compared with one of 148 patients who had surgical castration. Only one patient had flutamide withdrawn because of diarrhea and only five patients had treatment modification because of liver toxicity.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1990

Prostatic specific antigen and the prediction of prognosis in metastatic prostatic cancer.

Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were studied in the EORTC trial of zoladex plus flutamide versus orchidectomy in metastatic prostatic cancer. Forty-four of 60 patients had a decrease of PSA to less than or equal to 10 ng/ml at 3 to 6 months after treatment. The combination of a PSA less than 10 ng/ml after 3 to 6 months treatment and less than 15 spots on the bone scintigram at entry gave the highest probability of not having progressed by 24 months. A rising PSA anticipated bone progression by 6 to 12 months in 13 of 28 patients (46%). The PSA at entry to the trial was related to survival; a discriminant of 300 ng/ml distinguished a poor and better risk group. The lowest level of PSA reached during the first 6 months of treatment was also a univariate survival factor.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1988

Long-term therapy with a depot luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue (Zoladex) in patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma.

We treated 191 patients with histologically proved locally advanced stage (T3 or T4) and/or metastatic prostate cancer with a biodegradable depot formulation of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue (Zoladex). After an initial increase in serum testosterone in week 1 of therapy a continuous decrease of testosterone to castrate levels was obtained. With a monthly injection of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue 4 patients (2 per cent) experienced a transient increase in bone pain, 1 had ureteral obstruction and 1 suffered paraplegia during the first few weeks of therapy. Over-all objective and subjective responses were similar to those obtained by castration or estrogen therapy. The absence of local and systemic (long-term) side effects proves the validity of this approach for patients with advanced prostatic cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Carcinoma of the prostate. Objective criteria of response.

Only 10% of patients with metastatic carcinoma of the prostate have measurable marker lesions. The lack of measurable tumor and biochemical markers in this disease makes the design of clinical trials of treatment and the interpretation of the results of these trials very difficult.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1988

The value of the measurement of serum prostate specific antigen in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and untreated prostate cancer.

Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels were measured in 139 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and in 88 patients with prostate cancer who were managed by deferred treatment. Acute urinary retention and large prostate glands tended to be associated with high PSA levels, but at levels greater than 10 ng/ml there was a significant risk of carcinoma being found on subsequent histological examination. The risk of progression of untreated prostate cancer was associated with levels of PSA greater than 20 ng/ml and with a high rate of change of PSA level. The value of measuring PSA in these patients is discussed.

Aged↗