We describe a patient with non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma of diffuse large cell type, which involved both adrenal glands without adrenocortical insufficiency. Magnetic resonance showed bilateral adrenal tumors with some enhancing septa.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Antiarrhythmic properties of 5-(3-tert-butylamino-2-hydroxy)propoxy-3,4-dihydrocarbostyril hydrochloride (OPC-1085), a newly synthesized, potent beta-adrenoreceptor antagonist.

1. The antiarrhythmic properties of 5-(3-tert-butylamino-2-hydroxy)propoxy-3,4-dihydrocarbostyril hydrochloride (opc-1085) were compared with those of propranolol and pindolol using various kinds of preparations for experimental arrhythmia in dogs. 2. Although OPC-1085 was the most potent drug to antagonize adrenaline-induced arrhythmia in animals anaesthetized with either pentobarbitone sodium or halothane, it was scarcely effective on ouabain-induced arrhythmia in pentobarbitone sodium anaesthetized animals. 3. When these compounds were administered intravenously to conscious dogs 24 h after two-stage ligation of the anterior descending artery, ectopic ventricular beats of coronary ligation-induced arrhythmia were reduced while regular sinus beats were simultaneously increased. 4. OPC-1085 was very effective on aconitine-induced arrhythmia in dogs anaesthetized with pentobarbitone sodium. The effective dose was similar to that of propranolol but about fifteen times less than that of pindolol. 5. It is concluded that different potencies among these beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists against various kinds of experimental arrhythmias cannot be simply deduced from any one of the following properties; beta-adrenoreceptor antagonism, intrinsic myocardial stimulation, local anaesthetic and so-called quinidine-like effects.

Aconitine↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical role of Tc-99m-MIBI scintigraphy in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between Tc-99m-hexakis-2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) scintigraphy and outcome of treatment in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Forty-five patients with NHL were studied with Tc-99m-MIBI before any treatment. Images of the lesions were obtained at 20 min and 2 h after radionuclide administration. Visual semi-quantitative interpretation was performed for Tc-99m-MIBI (grade 0-4) scintigraphy. Patients underwent 3-5 cycles of CHOP chemotherapy with/without involved field radiotherapy for large tumors. Their responses to treatment were evaluated at the end of chemotherapy and during the follow-up period. Forty of 45 patients (89%) showed abnormal uptake of Tc-99m-MIBI. There was no correlation between intensity of MIBI accumulation and response to chemotherapy. However, patients with negative or decreased MIBI activity 2 h after radionuclide administration showed worse response to chemotherapy compared to those with continued MIBI activity. MIBI activity could not predict the development of relapse in the follow-up study. In this study, the number of patients was small and we could not reach definite conclusions. However, we think that MIBI scintigraphy is not valuable for predicting the chemotherapy outcome in patients with NHL.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Postoperative radiation therapy for stage IB-IIB carcinoma of the cervix with poor prognostic factors.

BACKGROUND: To investigate failure pattern and to evaluate the prognostic impact of lymph node metastasis in patients with cervical cancer treated with postoperative adjuvant pelvic irradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-eight patients with FIGO IB to IIB cervical cancer were treated with radical hysterectomy, bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy and postoperative radiation therapy. All the patients had at least one of the following pathologic risk factors for pelvic recurrence; 1) positive margins, 2) positive pelvic lymph nodes other than common iliac node, 3) deep stromal invasion more than 50% or parametrial invasion. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival (OAS) rate for the entire patient group was 82%. Causes of the first failure were pelvic recurrence in 5 cases and distant metastasis in 15 cases. Fifteen of the 47 patients with positive pelvic lymph nodes developed distant metastasis, whereas distant metastasis was noted in only 1 of 51 patients without lymph node metastasis. The 5-year OAS rates for patients with and without pelvic lymph node metastasis were 76% and 89%, respectively (p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Despite receiving postoperative pelvic irradiation, apparently lower survival was observed for node positive patients.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Chemoradiation for patients with esophageal cancer aged 80 and older.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of concurrent chemoradiation in patients with esophageal cancer aged 80 and older. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven patients with esophageal cancer, aged 80 or more were treated with chemoradiation. Five received a systemic combination of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil while 2 received daily 5-fluorouracil, concurrent with radiotherapy. The total doses of radiotherapy ranged from 50 to 65 Gy. RESULTS: Complete response was obtained in 3 patients, and partial response and no change in 2 cases each. Esophageal passage improved in 4 patients. The treatment was well-tolerated. There was no death attributable to any adverse treatment effects. None of the patients experienced grade 3 or worse acute toxicities. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that advanced age per se is not a sufficient reason to exclude elderly patients from aggressive treatment.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Combined chemo-radiation and hyperthermia for locally advanced soft tissue sarcoma: response and toxicity.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the primary effects and acute adverse reactions of combined chemo-radiation and hyperthermia for patients with locally advanced soft tissue sarcoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients with locally advanced soft tissue sarcoma underwent a combination of radiation therapy, continuous infusion of doxorubicin, and once weekly hyperthermia. RESULTS: Complete response was obtained in 2 patients and partial response in 3. Level 4 skin reaction was developed in 4 patients who had superficially located tumour. Treatment interruption more than three days was required in only one patient who developed level 4 pharyngitis. Five patients developed grade 3 leukopenia, 2 had grade 4 leukopenia requiring administration of haematopoietic growth factor. Two patients developed radiation pneumonitis which required steroid medication. No symptomatic cardiotoxicity was observed. There was no acute morbidity during the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The intensive combination therapy provided good local responses or at least palliation for most of the patients entered without increasing treatment morbidity.

Adolescent↗