A prospective randomized study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of additional regional cytostatic perfusion of the extremities in patients with malignant melanoma. In a control group (n = 54), the tumors were widely excised, and regional lymph nodes were dissected. The patients in the perfusion group (n = 53) received additional hyperthermic (42 degrees C) perfusion with Melphalan. The disease-free survival time was chosen as the criterion for evaluation. An intermediate analysis revealed a highly significant difference between the 2 groups (21 recurrences in the control group and 4 recurrences in the perfusion group, p less than 0.001). Therefore, the study was discontinued prematurely. In an analysis of the data performed after a median observation time of 5 years and 11 months, 26 recurrences were diagnosed in the control group, whereas 6 recurrences were noted in the perfusion group (p less than 0.001). The retrospective breakdown into different risk groups according to tumor thickness also demonstrates a significant difference. For patients with a primary tumor of 1.5-3.0-mm in thickness, 2 of 25 in the perfusion group and 10 of 25 in the control group have relapsed. For those with a primary tumor of greater than 3.0-mm in thickness, 4 of 28 in the perfusion group and 16 of 29 in the control group have relapsed. Eleven patients in the control group and 3 patients in the perfusion group have died due to metastatic spread of the melanoma (p less than 0.01). The results most clearly demonstrate the benefits of additional hyperthermic cytostatic perfusion.

Arm↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Stevens-Johnson syndrome-like exanthema secondary to methotrexate histologically simulating acute graft-versus-host disease.

A 61 year old male patient suffering from psoriasis vulgaris developed a severe skin reaction with toxic myelosuppression three days after administration of 20 mg methotrexate (MTX) p.o. per week and concomitant 100 mg acetylic salicylic acid (ASA) per day. The skin lesions simulated Stevens-Johnson syndrome with ulcerations of the oral mucosa and erythema multiforme-like target lesions. The histology of the epidermis resembled an acute graft-versus-host reaction. The increased toxic effect of MTX on keratinocytes in our patient was most likely caused by a lowered plasma binding capacity and reduced renal excretion of MTX due to concomitant administration of ASA. Thus in the treatment of severe forms of psoriasis with MTX, the combined administration of drugs aggravating MTX toxicity, particularly of ASA, should be carefully considered, due to the increased toxicity and risk of severe skin reactions.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The effect of feed form (meal, pelleted, liquid) and season on the concentration and particle size distribution of airborne dust particles in fattening pig sties].

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Animal Feed↗