BACKGROUND: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has become the reperfusion method of choice in patients with coronary artery disease. This sometimes complicated and lengthy procedure is performed using fluoroscopy and cineradiography or digital imaging, which may result in considerable exposure to ionizing radiation. Possible cancer risks in PTCA patients have been discussed, but never before examined in a population-based setting. OBJECTIVE: To assess the cancer risks following PTCA. METHODS: A cohort study was carried out based on nationwide registration of all coronary angioplasty procedures in Sweden between 1989 and 1998. The study encompassed a total of 23,097 PTCA patients followed up for cancer outcomes in the Swedish Cancer Register until December 31, 2000. The mean and median follow-up times were 4.8 and 4.5 years, respectively. The main outcome measures were standardized incidence ratios of cancer. RESULTS: Except for a transient excess of lung cancers, observed number of cancers in patients who had undergone coronary angioplasty did not differ from those expected in the general population. If anything, the overall cancer risk was lower in the PTCA group (SIR 0.94; 95% CI 0.88-0.99). In particular, no increased risks were detected for leukemias or thyroid cancer. CONCLUSION: There was no indication of increased risks of leukemia or cancers overall in PTCA patients.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical results with estramustine phosphate (NSC-89199): a comparison of the intravenous and oral preparations.

The clinical results with estramustine phosphate in far-advanced carcinoma of the prostate refractory to other treatments are presented. Good clinical results have been achieved in about 40 percent of the 90 patients treated and regression of metastases has occurred in about 20 percent. Estramustine phosphate in the primary treatment of far-advanced carcinoma of the prostate shows very good and promising clinical results. A total of 132 patients were treated.

Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Three staged approach to the surgical management of renal cell carcinoma extending into the right atrium. Case report.

Left renal cell carcinoma extending into the right atrium was treated by angioinfarction, removal of right atrial tumour using cardiopulmonary bypass and ten days later abdominal radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava thrombectomy. Twenty four months later the patient remains well with no evidence of tumour recurrence.

Adult↗