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Biomedical subjects

R Ausman

Publications and source records attributed to R Ausman.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

Continuous systemic 5-fluorouracil infusion in advanced colorectal cancer: results in 91 patients.

Ninety-one patients with metastatic colorectal cancer were treated with continuous ambulatory 5-fluorouracil (5FU) infusion 250-300 mg/m2/day through a chronic indwelling central venous catheter. Twenty-six of the 91 patients (29%) had received previous bolus 5FU. Fifty-eight of the 91 patients (64%) had two or more sites of disease, and 74 of 91 patients (81%) had liver metastases. Results were complete remission in 5 of 91 (6%), partial remission in 25 of 91 (27%), stable disease in 33 of 91 (36%), and progressive disease in 28 of 91 (31%), for an overall response rate of 30 of 91 (33%); median duration of response was 7 months. Twenty-six of 65 previously untreated patients (40%) experienced objective response. Median survival from initiation of treatment for all patients was 11 months. Forty-one percent of patients experienced no significant toxicity and were able to continue therapy without treatment interruption. Toxicities necessitating treatment interruption included stomatitis in 35 patients (39%), hand-foot syndrome in 33 patients (36%), and diarrhea in 10 patients (11%). No significant myelosuppression or serious catheter-related complications were encountered. We conclude that continuous systemic venous infusion of 5FU produces a higher response rate than traditional bolus 5FU schedules, with apparent enhancement of survival and easily managed toxicity.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Continuous 5-fluorouracil infusion in advanced gastric carcinoma.

Fourteen patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma were treated with continuous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) infusion, 300 mg/m2/day, through an indwelling central venous catheter; 13 were evaluable for response. The results were as follows; Partial remission was seen in 4 of 13 patients (31%), stable disease in 5 of 13 patients (38%), and progressive disease in 4 of 13 patients (31%). The median duration of response was 19 weeks (range, 10-41), and the median survival for all patients from initiation of infusion was 27 weeks (range, 9-54). Treatment interruption and/or dosage attenuation for toxicity was necessary in 7 of 14 patients (50%); however, myelosuppression, alopecia, and nausea and vomiting were not observed. 5-FU infusion is well-tolerated, palliative therapy for patients with advanced gastric carcinoma and may warrant further investigation in combination with other chemotherapeutic drugs.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1987

Continuous 5-fluorouracil infusion in refractory carcinoma of the breast.

UNLABELLED: Twenty-five patients with refractory, metastatic carcinoma of the breast were treated with continuous ambulatory 5-fluorouracil (5 FU) infusion (200 to 300 mg/m2/day) through a chronic indwelling central venous catheter. All patients had had extensive previous treatment, including hormonal therapy in 20/25 patients (80%), radiation therapy in 18/25 patients (72%), and an average of 4.6 previous chemotherapy drugs per patient (range 1-10). Twenty-three of 25 patients (92%) had had previous bolus 5 FU. Seventeen of 25 patients (68%) had two or more metastatic sites of involvement and 17/25 patients (68%) had visceral involvement. RESULTS: complete remission-1/25 (4%), partial remission-7/25 (28%), stable disease-6/25 (24%), and progressive disease-11/25 (44%), for an overall response rate of 8/25 (32%). Median duration of response was 6 months. Toxicities included hand-foot syndrome, mucositis, diarrhea, and nausea and vomiting, and required treatment interruption and/or dose attenuation in 9/25 patients (36%). No myelosuppression or serious catheter-related problems were seen. We conclude that continuous 5 FU infusion is a potentially effective salvage treatment that may provide meaningful palliation in some patients with carcinoma of the breast, in spite of extensive previous treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Long-term ambulatory treatment of metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma by continuous intravenous infusion of 5-fluorouracil.

To delineate the efficacy of continuous intravenous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) infusion therapy for advanced colorectal adenocarcinoma, a study of 36 patients with measurable metastatic disease was conducted. Patients received a daily intravenous infusion of 300 mg/m2 5-FU over a 24-h period utilizing portable infusion devices and central venous catheters. In a population characterized by substantial pretreatment exposure to radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and other indicators of poor prognosis, 13/36 (36%) patients achieved an objective response. An additional 10/36 (28%) patients manifested stable disease (no change) and experienced survival comparable to that of patients with objective response. Toxicity was minimal; patients were able to continue 5-FU infusions 95% of the total time on protocol. There were no adverse hematologic effects or catheter complications. Because previously untreated patients benefited more frequently (positive response, 50%), continuous intravenous infusion should be evaluated further as a primary modality option when 5-fluorouracil antitumor chemotherapy is contemplated.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pinch-off syndrome: a rare etiology for central venous catheter occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Catheter pinch-off syndrome is a rare and often misdiagnosed complication of tunneled Silastic central venous catheters. Pinch-off syndrome occurs when the catheter is compressed between the first rib and the clavicle, causing an intermittent mechanical occlusion for both infusion and withdrawal. We report its incidence in a large series of catheter insertions and describe the clinical presentation, radiographic findings, and recommended treatment. METHODS: A total of 1457 tunneled Silastic central venous catheters that were inserted using the percutaneous subclavian approach were prospectively studied. Indications for catheter placement included bone marrow transplant, continuous or intermittent chemotherapy, long-term antibiotics, and parenteral nutrition. Catheters were evaluated for clinical presentation of an occlusion relieved by postural changes and radiographic findings of luminal narrowing. RESULTS: Pinch-off syndrome was identified in 16 (1.1%) catheters. Radiographic findings were present in all catheters; clinical findings were present in 15 catheters. Clinical symptoms presented within a median of 2 days after placement (range, 0 to 167 days). Partial or complete catheter transection, a serious sequela of catheter pinch-off syndrome, occurred in 19% of the identified catheters. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Catheter pinch-off syndrome presents clinically as a catheter occlusion related to postural changes; (2) clinical symptomatology should be confirmed radiographically; and (3) catheter removal with a more lateral replacement in the subclavian vein or in the internal jugular vein will avoid a recurrent complication.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗