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Biomedical subjects

W Leung

Publications and source records attributed to W Leung.

49 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Occurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in aboriginals of Taiwan: report of 14 cases.

The authors describe the rare occurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in 14 aboriginals of Taiwan (ABT), a minor ethnic group now accounting for less than 2% of the total population in Taiwan. The observation is epidemiologically unusual, representing a low-risk ethnic group in an NPC prevalent area. With regard to patient characteristics, symptomatology and pathology, we have not found any appreciable differences in reports from other geographic areas. Serological profiles of antiEBV-VCA (Epstein-Barr virus, viral capsid antigen) antibody in 7/9 patients available for review of IgA and 5/7 patients available for review of IgG were found significantly elevated, ranging respectively from 1:40-640/1:160-1280. Interestingly, 12 of the 14 patients were found to be exclusively from the Paiwan tribe residing in Pintung, a district in southern Taiwan. Since the exact prevalence of NPC in this minority remains unknown, it is not clear whether the apparent preponderance is real or merely causal due in part to geographic bias. To a lesser extent, however, our observations indicate that NPC is not an uncommon malignancy in Paiwan aboriginals of southern Taiwan.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Effect of topical fluoridation on post-radiation caries in patients with head and neck cancer].

Post-radiation caries, a rapidly progressing and highly destructive type of dental caries, is one of the most common post- radiation complications in patients with head and neck cancer. Topical fluoride application has been shown in clinical studies to reduce post-radiation caries in irradiated patients. This study reviewed 148 patients who had received radiation for head and neck cancer. All the subjects received pre-radiation dental care. After radiation, the first group consisted of 53 patients who were under regular 3 months dental recall and received topical fluoride applications. The second group consisted of 95 patients who did not return for regular dental recall. Result from clinical examination and bitewing radiographs revealed that the caries indexes were 7% and 31% for the first and second groups, respectively. Chi-Square test showed significant difference between the two groups (P value less than 0.005). Regular topical fluoride application is valuable in reducing dental caries after radiation for head and neck cancer.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1989

[Clinical evaluation of aggressive nutritional care to head and neck cancer patients during radiation therapy].

Anorexia, dysphagia, and dysgeusia are the most prevalent symptoms in head and neck cancer patients during radiation therapy. The patients, who were in poor general condition, suffered marked loss of body weight and consequently were unable to tolerate further anti-cancer treatments. Aggressive nutritional support to the head and neck cancer patients was started in April, 1986 to improve the general condition of these patients in our hospital. The physiological condition of 152 patients who underwent nutritional support were evaluated as a study group (Group I) between August 1986 and May 1987. Group II, 165 patients without nutritional care were evaluated as a control group between August 1985 and May 1986. In Group I, oral supplementary diets or enteral feedings were provided as nutritional support to all of the anorectic patients. Anthropometric measurement and laboratory data were collected in both groups at the several time points. An average of 1.1 kilogram (Kg) and 3.5Kg body weight loss was observed in Group I and Group II, respectively (P less than 0.005). In patients diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the average duration of radiation treatment was 11 days shorter in Group I than that in Group II (42 vs 53 days). In conclusion, aggressive nutritional care performed by a group of clinical staff, which included doctors (radiation oncologist), dietitians and oncologic nurses, was sufficient to improve the general condition of the head and neck cancer patients during radiation therapy and to therefore increase the recovery rate of these patients after radiation treatments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Clinical significance of cranial nerve deficit in the therapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The results of radiation treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have recently been improved, but the prognosis remains relatively poor in cases with cranial nerve (CN) involvement. A total of 109 cases with histologically-proven NPC and cranial nerve involvement treated during 1979-1985 were reviewed and analysed. Definitive radiotherapy (RT) was given to patients with a high upper margin of the RT field at 2.5 cm above the base of the skull to a total dose of 70.2 Gy/39 fractions/8 weeks, with two applications of intranasopharyngeal brachytherapy. There were 37 cases (34%) in Group I (upward invasion only) and 72 cases (66%) in Group II (bidirectional invasion). Abducens, trigeminal, oculomotor and facial were the commonly involved nerves. Headache was the major symptom at diagnosis and was present in 82.6% of the patients, significantly higher than in general NPC cases (p less than 0.005). Fifty per cent (31/62) achieved complete response to definitive RT, but it did not correlate well with survival rate. The residual neurological deficit of each CN ranged from 31 to 57%. The actuarial 5-year survival rates of Groups I and II were similar in spite of neck lymph node metastasis in Group II (33% (I) compared with 24% (II); p greater than 0.05). Cases with single CN deficit did not show better results than those with multiple CN involvements. Five-year survivors were seen only in those who received a complete course of definitive RT.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Prospective hormone study of hypothalamic-pituitary function in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after high dose irradiation.

With the aim of evaluating the effect of high dose irradiation (6,500 cGy/36 fractions or higher) to pituitary fossa, a prospective study was carried out in patients with nasopharyngeal cancer by a serial determination of several hormones in the serum, before and after the course of radiation therapy (RT). The radiation treatment field was at least 1 cm above the skull base with bilateral parallel opposing fields. Hormone assays were performed three times on each patient: (1) prior to, (2) one month after, (3) 15-18 months after radiation therapy. The study included determination of serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), cortisol, growth hormone (GH) and prolactin concentrations and LH-releasing hormone, thyrotrophin-releasing hormone stimulation and insulin tolerance tests were also carried out. Complete profiles were obtained in 24 patients (16 males and 8 females), aged 16-67 years. The results showed a significant decrease in the level of serum peak value of LH in males 18 months after therapy, and also in GH both one month and 18 months after therapy. A significant increase in the peak value of serum TSH observed after therapy. Decreased serum FSH, cortisol and prolactin levels were noted, but these did not reach statistical significance. The decrease in GH level appeared earlier and was more sensitive than that found for the other hormones, and could prove to be a useful parameter for clinical evaluation. None of the patients showed any clinically recognizable symptoms or signs of hormone deficiency in the 18-33 months following completion of the radiation therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Renal lymphoma: an unusual example.

A patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma presenting as unilateral soft-tissue encapsulation of a kidney is reported. The limited differential diagnosis is noted and lymphomatous involvement of the kidney is briefly reviewed.

Humans↗