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Biomedical subjects

W Yeo

Publications and source records attributed to W Yeo.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Carbamazepine-induced lymphadenopathy mimicking Ki-1 (CD30+) T-cell lymphoma.

A 22 year old male receiving carbamazepine for a bipolar affective disorder presented with pyrexia, generalized rash, lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. He was thrombocytopenic and liver function tests revealed a hepatitic picture. Lymph node histology suggested a T-cell lymphoma with many large cells possessing blastic features, and expressing CD3 and CD30 antigens. The abnormalities resolved completely within nine weeks of discontinuing carbamazepine, indicating that the presenting lymphadenopathy was secondary to lymphoid activation, ie; a pseudolymphoma rather than a malignant lymphoma. This is the first reported case of carbamazepine-induced lymphadenopathy with CD30+ cells. It illustrates the potential danger of relying too heavily on CD30 positivity as an indicator of malignancy.

Adult↗

Cosmetic outcome of breast-conserving therapy in Chinese patients with early breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Breast-conserving surgery combined with radiotherapy has emerged as an alternative to mastectomy for women with early breast cancer, and cosmetic outcome has correlated closely with the psychosocial and physical well-being of the patient. Cosmetic outcome assessment after breast-conserving therapy in Chinese patients has so far not been conducted among the clinicians, the patients or their spouses. METHODS: The cosmetic results from breast-conserving therapy were evaluated in a group of 33 patients who had been selected as suitable for undergoing local excision, axillary dissection and postoperative radiation therapy for early stage breast cancer. The success of the procedures was assessed by the patients, the clinicians and the patient's spouse, and their ratings were compared with each other. RESULTS: Eighty per cent of the patients and their spouse were satisfied with the cosmetic outcome. Using McNemar's test, when the groups were evaluated on a case-by-case basis, there was a good level of concordance between the patients and their spouses, and that of the patients and the clinicians. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of the cosmetic and psychosocial sequelae of breast cancer patients is essential when new approaches to treatment are introduced; our data suggest that cosmetically successful breast conservation is feasible in a selected group of Chinese women with early breast cancer.

Adolescent↗

Transdermal fentanyl for severe cancer-related pain.

A prospective phase II study was conducted to define the analgesic efficacy, acceptability and toxicity of the transdermal therapeutic system (TTS) of fentanyl in Chinese patients with severe cancer-related pain. A total of 14 patients was treated with TTS fentanyl at doses ranging from 25 to 100 micrograms h-1; initial doses were chosen according to their previous opioid requirement. Standard supportive therapy was given as required. A brief pain inventory (using a 10-point scale) was used to assess patients at days 0, 7 and 14. Pain control on day 14 with TTS fentanyl was successful in six patients, with a reduction in the common side-effects of other opioids and improvement in general well-being. Seven patients did not complete the 14-day trial: two developed dizziness and nausea within 3 h of application; and in five, TTS fentanyl was insufficiently flexible to control increasing pain during the first week. TTS fentanyl was effective and well tolerated in 43% of patients. Acute dizziness and nausea within the first few hours after application and the relative inflexibility of dose-adjustment both limited the use of TTS fentanyl.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Phase II study of the combination of carboplatin and 5-fluorouracil in metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

A carboplatin and 5-fluorouracil (CF) chemotherapy protocol was designed to evaluate tumor response and toxicity in patients with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Patients with metastatic NPC were treated with a maximum of eight courses of CF. Carboplatin was given at 300 mg/m2 by intravenous bolus on day 1 and 5-fluorouracil at 1 g/m2 per day by continuous infusion on days 1-3; cycles were repeated once every 3 weeks. A total of 42 patients were evaluable for response and toxicity. They received a median of 6 courses (range 2-8) of chemotherapy. The overall response rate was 38% (16/42), comprising 7 complete responses (CR, 17%) and 9 partial responses (PR, 21%). The median survival was 12.1 months (range 6-54.2 months). The treatment was well tolerated. Toxicity was mainly bone marrow suppression. There were four episodes of neutropenic fever, but no renal toxicity or treatment-related death was documented. The combination of carboplatin given at a fixed dose of 300 mg/m2 for 1 day and 5-fluorouracil given at 1 g/m2 per day for 3 days produced an objective response rate of 38% and tolerable side effects.

Adult↗

Radiotherapy for extreme hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy associated with malignancy.

A patient with florid hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPOA) associated with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma is presented. Despite the presence of metastatic disease in the thorax and in bone, the patient's main symptom was severe pain from the HPOA, which was temporarily relieved by chemotherapy. Her disease subsequently progressed during chemotherapy and the pain became resistant to conventional treatment, including high dose morphine, non-steriodal anti-inflammatory agents and steriods. It was only with local radiation to the involved joints that the pain could be controlled. Our patient demonstrates that local radiotherapy is an option for the palliation of extreme HPOA.

Adult↗

Isoelectric focusing of alphafetoprotein in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma--frequency of specific banding patterns at non-diagnostic serum levels.

Serum levels of alphafetoprotein are raised in 60-80% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Although widely used as a serum marker, frequent false-positive results in patients with benign liver disease, result in poor specificity. This occurs particularly when levels of alphafetoprotein fall between 50-500 ng ml-1, the so-called 'grey area'. Recent reports suggest that isoelectric focusing of alphafetoprotein demonstrates certain bands that are more specific for hepatocellular carcinoma. Our aim was to determine whether the apparent specificity of this new approach is gained at the expense of decreased sensitivity. Sera from 110 patients with a 'non-diagnostic' serum alphafetoprotein level (50-500 ng ml-1) were examined by isoelectric focusing and quantified by densitometric scanning. Ten patients with chronic liver disease and a raised serum alphafetoprotein level (50-500 ng ml-1), but with no evidence of hepatocellular carcinoma, were also studied. Isoelectric focusing revealed characteristic hepatocellular carcinoma bands (bands +II and +III) in 96% patients overall, and 100% of those with levels of total alphafetoprotein greater than 100 ng ml-1. No such bands were seen among ten subjects with cirrhosis but without hepatocellular carcinoma. Bands that are characteristic of hepatocellular carcinoma (bands +II or +III) are seen in the great majority of hepatocellular carcinoma patients; their absence makes a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma extremely unlikely.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Hepatic angiomyelolipoma and tuberous sclerosis.

A patient with angiomyelolipoma of the liver, together with radiological evidence of pancreatic, renal and bony lesions characteristic of tuberous sclerosis, is described. Although the patient had no other clinical features of tuberous sclerosis, her daughter was found to suffer from the classical triad of this syndrome and also has had hepatic lipomatous lesions and bony involvement. This is the first histologically proven case of hepatic angiomyelolipoma associated with tuberous sclerosis.

Angiolipoma↗

Small cell variant of Ki-1 lymphoma associated with myelofibrosis and a novel constitutional chromosomal translocation t(3;4) (q13;q12).

An unusual case of small cell variant of Ki-1 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosed one year after an original diagnosis of idiopathic myelofibrosis is reported. On the second occasion, the patient presented with fever, lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. A lymph node biopsy specimen confirmed a diagnosis of small cell variant of Ki-1 lymphoma. A repeat bone marrow biopsy specimen showed myelofibrosis with no evidence of lymphomatous infiltration, but cytogenetic studies on blood, bone marrow and skin fibroblasts revealed a novel chromosomal translocation t(3,4)(q13;q12).

Chromosome Mapping↗

A prospective randomized study of chemotherapy adjunctive to definitive radiotherapy in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: A prospective randomized trial was conducted to compare chemoradiotherapy against radiotherapy alone in the treatment of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Eighty-two patients with histologically proven nasopharyngeal carcinoma who had either Ho's N3 staging or any N stage with a nodal diameter of > or = 4 cm were entered. Seventy-seven patients were evaluated for tumor response and survival. The patients were randomized to receive two cycles of cisplatin 100 mg/m2 Day 1,5-fluorouracil 1000 mg/m2 24-h infusion Days 2, 3, and 4 before radical radiotherapy, and four cycles of postradiotherapy chemotherapy (37 patients) or radiotherapy alone (40 patients). All patients received radical radiotherapy to the nasopharynx and neck. The nasopharynx and upper neck were treated to 66 Gy by conventional fractionation and the lower neck to 58 Gy. Booster radiotherapy (7.5 Gy/two fractions/week) was given to any residual nodes after standard radiotherapy. RESULTS: The patient characteristics, including staging, were similar in both arms. The overall response rate to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was 81% (19% complete response, 62% partial response). The rates of radiotherapy for boosting parapharyngeal disease or residual lymph nodes were not significantly different in the two arms. The overall complete response rate to chemoradiotherapy was 100%, and to radiotherapy alone, 95%. Toxicities in the chemoradiotherapy arm were mainly myelosuppression, nephrotoxicity, and nausea and vomiting. The degree of mucositis was not significantly different in the two arms. There was no treatment-related death. The median follow up was 28.5 months. The 2-year overall survival was 80% in the chemoradiotherapy arm and 80.5% in the radiotherapy arm. The 2-year disease-free survival was 68% in the chemoradiotherapy arm and 72% in the radiotherapy arm, without significant difference between the two arms. The locoregional relapse rate, distant metastatic rate, and median time to relapse were also not significantly different between the two arms. CONCLUSION: Despite promising tumor response rates from Phase II trials, this prospective randomized trial has demonstrated no benefit from adjunctive chemotherapy to radiotherapy in the treatment of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Adult↗

A prospective study of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Our purpose was to determine, in a prospective study, the causes of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, and the relationship of portal vein invasion with variceal hemorrhage in these patients. During an 11-month period, 55 patients presented with hepatocellular carcinoma presented with signs and/or symptoms of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Forty-seven percent had bleeding from varices, whereas the majority, 53%, had a nonvariceal bleeding source. Among those with nonvariceal bleeding, duodenal ulceration was the commonest cause. Direct tumor invasion into the gastrointestinal tract was found in three patients. Tumor invasion of the portal venous system was detected by ultrasound examination in 76% of the variceal bleeders, compared to only 45% of the nonvariceal bleeders. Despite the very high frequency of cirrhosis among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, the source of bleeding was variceal in less than half of the patients. Portal vein invasion is a risk factor for subsequent variceal bleed.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Early detection and treatment of myocardial ischaemia after operation using continual ambulatory arterial pressure monitoring and ECG ST segment analysis.

We report a case in which the use of continual ambulatory arterial pressure monitoring and ECG ST-segment analysis allowed early detection and treatment of myocardial ischaemia in the postoperative period. We believe that this case illustrates the potential value of ambulatory monitoring in the early postoperative period in high-risk patients.

Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory↗

Congenital absence of the intrahepatic segment of the inferior vena cava with azygos continuation presenting as a mediastinal mass.

A child with the isolated anomaly of azygos continuation of the inferior vena cava is presented. The interest of this abnormality lies in its detection as a mediastinal mass on the chest radiograph. Computed tomography with intravenous contrast enhancement is the method of choice to diagnose this venous anomaly. Awareness of the caval-azygos abnormality is important to surgeons and cardiologists. Accidental ligation of the azygos vein is fatal and cardiac catheterization using the lower extremity vein is troublesome in patients with this condition.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Nonseminomatous germ cell tumour of testis in Hong Kong Chinese patients.

Combination chemotherapy with multidisciplinary support results in excellent cure rate for nonseminomatous germ cell tumour of testis. 52 Chinese patients treated in two institutions in Hong Kong were reviewed retrospectively. 29 patients were stage I and IM and 3-year survival was 96% with a median follow-up of 49 months. 23 patients were stage II and above and 3-year survival was 54% with a median follow-up of 21 months. The patient details are compared with a Western population, factors influencing outcome are discussed, and provision of optimal care outlined.

Adult↗