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At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of patients with suspected pancreatic cancer: diagnostic accuracy and acute and 30-day complications.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in patients with suspected pancreatic cancer, and to assess immediate, acute, and 30-day complications related to EUS-FNA. METHODS: All patients with suspected pancreatic cancer were prospectively evaluated. A single gastroenterologist performed all EUS-FNAs in the presence of a cytopathologist. Immediate complications were evaluated in all patients. An experienced nurse called patients 24-72 h and 30 days after the procedure. Reference standard for the classification of the final diagnosis included: surgery (n = 48), clinical or imaging follow-up (n = 63), or death from the disease (n = 47). RESULTS: A total of 158 patients (mean age 62.3 yr) underwent EUS-FNA during the study period. The mean tumor size was 32 x 26 mm. The median number of passes was three (range one to 10). Of these patients, 44% had at least one failed attempt at tissue diagnosis before EUS-FNA. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of EUS-FNA in solid pancreatic masses were 84.3%, 97%, 99%, 64%, and 84%, respectively. Immediate self-limited complications occurred in 10 of the 158 EUS-FNAs (6.3%). Of 90 patients contacted at 24-72 h, 78 patients (87%) responded. Of the 90 patients, 20 (22%) reported at least one symptom, all of which were minor except in three cases (one self-limited acute pancreatitis and two emergency room visits, one of which led to admission). In all, 83 patients were contacted at 30 days, and 82% responded. No additional or continued complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-FNA is highly accurate in identifying patients with suspected pancreatic cancer, especially when other modalities have failed. Major complications after EUS-FNA are rare, and minor complications are similar to those reported for upper endoscopy. It seems that follow-up at 1 wk might capture all of the adverse events related to EUS-FNA.

Biopsy, Needle↗

[Micrometastases in colonic cancers: diagnostic methods and prognostic elements].

Micrometastasis are defined by the existence of cells or groups of cells in target organs. In the particular cas of colon cancers, although lymph node involvement is frequent, metastatic medullary involvement (while rarely at the origin of identified metastasis) can also be observed. Furthermore, micrometastatics cells can be identified in the circulating blood. This research relies on recent technics of immunocytochemistry with image analysis or molecular biology technics (generally PCR or RT-PCR). It is essential to have a specific reliable marker of metastatic cells. The prognostic value of identifying micrometastasis in organs also remains to be defined.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Biochemical markers in colorectal cancer: diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

Markers that are now in use, including CEA and CA-19-9, are not specific or sensitive enough to detect early colorectal cancer. Newer tumor markers such as polyamines, ornithine decarboxylase, and altered blood group carbohydrate antigens may have a potential as future tumor markers. Additional studies of these markers as well as the development of new biochemical markers are warranted in the future to enhance the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis of early colorectal cancer and those at risk for developing cancer. Finally, understanding events involved in abnormal cell proliferation (that is, elevated polyamines and ODC in colorectal cancer) may help direct future chemotherapy and possibly chemoprevention in high-risk groups such as adenomatous polyposis coli.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

[Lymphadenectomy for penile cancer. Diagnostic and prognostic significance as well as therapeutic benefit].

Lymphadenectomy is an essential part of diagnosis and treatment of the squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. Lymphadenectomy is performed depending on various characteristics of penile cancer such as depth of invasion, tumor grade, invasion into the corpora cavernosa, invasion into vascular and lymphatic vessels. In case the inguinal lymphnodes are not palpable a modified lymphadenectomy is indicated. The limits of lymphadenectomy are extended to the radical type of dissection when the frozen section indicates cancer. Inguinal lymphadenectomy is always performed on both sides. Are more than 2 nodes positive the lymphnodes in the true pelvis have to be resected as well. The dynamic sentinel lymphnode dissection may replace the modified approach in case randomized prospective studies will confirm the initial positive results and morbidity can be reduced as well. The immediate lymphadenectomy is superior to the delayed lymphadenectomy (palpable nodes during followup) in terms of local recurrence and survival. According to the risk profile patients with palpable inguinal lymphnodes can be initially managed conservatively. In case the lymphnodes remain palpable, lymphadenectomy is indicated. In this situation it is reasonable to perform imaging studies of the pelvis and abdomen for adequate planning of the surgical approach. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is reasonable for patients with bulky nodes fixed to the skin or fascia because this improves respectability, freedom from local recurrence and increases survival. Adjuvant chemo- and/or radio-therapy are reserved for extended disease or palliative situations.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Cancer diagnostic test of Field and Caspary: Part II. A review and interpretation of the collected data.

Tables are presented showing data collected to date on the clinical trials of the macrophage electrophoretic mobility test for cancer of Field and Caspary. Seven variations on the original technique are summarized. The original antigen used in these tests was the basic protein of CNS myelin. Four additional proteins have been shown to function in these tests in place of the basic protein. There appears not to be a strong immunological crossreaction between these proteins. This paper discusses a possible solution to the problem of why non-crossreactive proteins appear to crossreact when testing cancer patients with the macrophage electrophoretic mobility related tests. All lymphocytes in saline suspension without added protein will aggregate. This is prevented in normals by the addition of some proteins to the culture, but is not so prevented in cancer and other diseases. Aggregation results in lymphokine release that makes the macrophage electrophoretic mobility test and variants positive. Aggregation occurs in the first incubation step of these tests and this non-immunological aggregation is the underlying phenomenon detected rather than specific antigen recognition as has been heretofore presumed.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

The scientific base and challenge of cancer diagnostic research.

A multi-approach study of the diagnosis of the common malignancies is underway. Screening of asymptomatic patients and early diagnosis, with the aid of new and sophisticated methodologies may arrive at the diagnosis of cancer at an earlier stage (i.e., before the tumor has metastasized). Table 2 summarizes many of the newer methods which might be incorporated into such a study.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Rerouting lipoprotein nanoparticles to selected alternate receptors for the targeted delivery of cancer diagnostic and therapeutic agents.

We report that a lipoprotein-based nanoplatform generated by conjugating tumor-homing molecules to the protein components of naturally occurring lipoproteins reroutes them from their normal lipoprotein receptors to other selected cancer-associated receptors. Multiple copies of these targeting moieties may be attached to the same nanoparticle, or a variety of different targeting moieties can be attached. Such a diverse set of tumor-homing molecules could be used to create a variety of conjugated lipoproteins as multifunctional, biocompatible nanoplatforms with a broad application to both cancer imaging and treatment. The same principle can be applied to imaging and treatment of other diseases and for monitoring specific tissues. To validate this concept, we prepared a low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-based folate receptor (FR)-targeted agent by conjugating folic acid to the Lys residues of the apolipoprotein B (apoB)-100 protein. To demonstrate the ability of the lipoprotein-based nanoplatform to deliver surface-loaded and core-loaded payloads, the particles were labeled either with the optical reporter 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine that was intercalated in the phospholipid monolayer or with the lipophilic photodynamic therapy agent, tetra-t-butyl-silicon phthalocyanine bisoleate, that was reconstituted into the lipid core. Cellular localization of the labeled LDL was monitored by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry in FR-overexpressing KB cells, in FR-nonexpressing CHO and HT-1080 cells, and in LDL receptor-overexpressing HepG2 cells. These studies demonstrate that the folic acid conjugation to the Lys side-chain amino groups blocks binding to the normal LDL receptor and reroutes the resulting conjugate to cancer cells through their FRs.

Animals↗

[Breast cancer: diagnostic and therapeutic problems at the Ougadougou University Hospital Center].

A retrospective study on a 4 years period (1991-1994) enabled the authors within the digestive and general surgery of the Ouagadougou Teaching Hospital Center in Burkina Faso to list 39 breast cancers. During the same period, 3788 patients were hospitalized within the service out of which, 120 for mammary tumoral pathology. Patients, most of the time come late and sometimes with very severe and progressive lesions. Mammography and extemporaneous biopsy were not possible. Fine-needle aspiration for cytologic diagnosis practiced in 17% cases revealed to be insufficient. PATEY's mastectomy was done on 59% of patients. As far as chemotherapy is concerned, it is too expensive and inaccessible, only 9 patients have benefitted from this practice. Te histological test on surgical parts retrieved ductal infiltrating carcinoma 61.5%, medullary infiltrating carcinoma 15.3%, comedo-carcinoma infiltrating 5.1%, lobular infiltrating carcinoma 5.1%, papillary carcinoma 5.1%, carcinoma with fibrous stroma 2.5%, undifferentiated carcinoma 2.5%, scirrhous carcinoma 2.5%.

Adult↗

A new cancer diagnostic system based on a CDK profiling technology.

A series of molecular pathological investigations of the molecules that stimulate the cyclin dependent kinases (CDK1, 2, 4, and 6) have led to enormous accumulation of knowledge of the clinical significance of these molecules for cancer diagnosis. However, the molecules have yet to be applied to clinical cancer diagnosis, as there is no available technology for application of the knowledge in a clinical setting. We hypothesized that the direct measurement of CDK activities and expressions (CDK profiling) might produce clinically relevant values for the diagnosis. This study investigated the clinical relevance of CDK profiling in gastrointestinal carcinoma tissues by using originally developed expression and activity analysis methods. We have established novel methods and an apparatus for analyzing the expression and activities of the CDK molecules in lysate of tumor tissue in a clinical setting, and examined 30 surgically dissected gastrointestinal carcinomas and corresponding normal mucosal specimens. We demonstrate here that remarkably elevated CDK2 activity is evident in more than 70% of carcinoma tissues. Moreover, a G1-CDK activity profiling accurately mirrored the differences in proliferation between tumor and normal colonic tissues. Our results suggest that CDK profiling is a potent molecular-clinical approach to complement the conventional pathological diagnosis, and to further assist in the individualized medications.

Adult↗

Adenocarcinoma of the cervix presenting as ovarian cancer: diagnostic considerations.

Patients with adenocarcinoma of the cervix usually present with either abnormal vaginal bleeding or abnormal papanicolaou smears. Rarely, they may present with an abdominopelvic mass. We report two patients with occult cervical adenocarcinoma who presented with an abdominopelvic mass and vaginal bleeding which simulated a primary ovarian cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The tissue polypeptide antigen serum test in the preoperative evaluation of non-small cell lung cancer. Diagnostic yield and comparison with conventional staging methods.

Tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) is a protein produced and released by proliferating cells that has been shown to possess several characteristics for an ideal tumor marker. Our purpose was to determine the yield of TPA in the pretreatment assessment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in comparison with a baseline clinical evaluation and multiorgan computed tomography (CT) assumed to be the gold standard for presurgical staging. One hundred four patients with NSCLC underwent thoracotomy, mediastinoscopy, or biopsy of suspected metastatic deposits, in addition to an extensive noninvasive evaluation of their stage of disease. We restaged retrospectively (UICC 1987 classification) these patients, on the basis of the following: (1) clinical history and physical examination, routine laboratory tests, bronchoscopy, chest radiographs, and any other examination as indicated by the prior baseline evaluation (BE stage); (2) the serum level of TPA (TPA stage); (3) the reading of a CT scan of brain, thorax, and abdomen obtained with no limitation to clinical information (CT stage); and (4) pathologic findings (RE stage). The TPA stage was calculated using 20 threshold values ranging from 45 U/L to 450 U/L. On the basis of the RE stage, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and predictive capabilities of BE, CT, and TPA were determined for stage I and II (full operability, FO), stage IIIa (possible operability, PO), and stage IIIb and IV (full inoperability, FI). The TPA thresholds were 110 U/L for detecting FO with the highest rate of success, and 160 U/L for detecting FI. Using these thresholds BE, CT, and TPA showed a diagnostic accuracy of, respectively, 75%, 79%, and 68% for FO; 87%, 69%, and 77% for PO; 87%, 77%, and 76% for FI. The accuracy of BE, CT, and TPA for both FO and FI was, respectively, 85%, 69%, and 69%. Of 74 patients classified operable by BE, 6 had a serum concentration of TPA less than 50 U/L and all 6 were confirmed in stage I or II at the subsequent thoracotomy; 15 others, out of 26 patients judged to have inoperable conditions by BE, had a TPA test result above 135 U/L and all 15 were pathologically classified in stage IIIb or IV. Using appropriate threshold values of TPA, it should be possible to predict NSCLC resectability with a diagnostic accuracy similar to that routinely achieved by CT.

Adult↗

[Noninvasive and invasive bladder cancer: diagnostics and treatment].

Therapy of superficial bladder tumors is transurethral resection (TUR), and in cases of pT1 or high-grade tumors a re-TUR is indicated. Patients with carcinoma in situ receive intravesical chemotherapy or BCG for at least 3 months. Persistent carcinoma in situ may be treated by radical cystectomy. With the provision of a functionally adequate urinary diversion, cystectomy represents an effective treatment for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer without metastatic spread. Regional lymph node metastases can be found in up to 15% of stage T1 disease and are present in 33% of stage T3/4 lesions. Thus, lymphadenectomy gains diagnostic and possibly also therapeutic importance. For selected patients, who cannot be treated by radical cystectomy, multimodal concepts aiming to preserve the bladder are discussed. After or prior to cystectomy systemic chemotherapy may become necessary for some patients to positively affect the course of the disease in cases of locally advanced or metastatic lesions.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

The effect of age and density of the breast on the sensitivity of breast cancer diagnostic by mammography and ultasonography.

PURPOSE: We studied which, age of the patient or density of the breast accounts for the sensitivity of mammography and ultrasonography (US). Furthermore we studied whether the overall impression on the density of the breast or the density in tumour area accounts for the sensitivity of mammography and ultrasonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The material consisted of 572 consecutive histologically and 5 cytologically verified breast cancer cases. Mammography and US examinations were performed immediately before breast cancer operations and information on the findings were received from the original patient files and classified as malignant or benign. The density of breast parenchyma to fatty, mixed or dense in total breast and separately in tumour area was defined by a radiologist group from the original mammograms by comparing to model mammograms. The sensitivity (Se) of mammography and US was compared in 3 age groups (26-49, 50-59 and 60-92) and in the different density classes. RESULTS: Sensitivity of mammography increased by age (density-adjusted OR = 0.2, 95%, CI 0.1-0.5) in age group 26-49 compared to age group 60-92) and with fattiness of the breast (age-adjusted OR= 0.4, 95%, CI 0.1-1.0 for dense breast parenchyma in tumour area compared to fatty breast). Sensitivity of US was inversely related to age (density-adjusted OR = 2.3, 95%, CI 1.0-5.2 in age group 26-49 compared to age group 60-92) and directly related with fattiness of breast (age-adjusted OR = 0.5, 95%, CI 0.2-0.9 by dense breast parenchyma in tumour area compared to fatty breast). Density in the tumour area compared to total breast density was related only mariginally better sensitivity both of mammography (0.4 vs. 0.6) and of US (0.5 vs. 0.6). CONCLUSION: Sensitivity of both mammography and sensitivity of US are independently related both to the age of the patient and to the density of the breast. The effect of age is inverse and that of density parallel between mammography and US on sensitivity. The effect of overall breast density was close to the effect of density at the site of the tumour on the sensitivity of both mammography and US.

Adult↗

Cancer diagnostic test of Field and Caspary: Part I. Spontaneous aggregation of lymphocytes in saline suspension is blocked by albumin and histone in normals but not in various disease states: the lymphocyte aggregation blocking test.

A blood test is described which is often positive in diverse disease states. In this test washed patient lymphocytes are incubated with histone or albumin. Early aggregation indicates that the patient might have inflammatory, malignant, or other disease, while absence of aggregation is the pattern found in normals. The test is called the lymphocyte aggregation blocking (LAB) test. Positive results when testing cancer patients were 86%, normals 14%, and non-malignant hospitalized patients were 50%. Lymphocyte aggregation was not an active process mediated by added protein. All washed lymphocyte suspensions will aggregate in the test conditions, whether, from normals, cancer or non-cancer patients if no protein is added. Normals' lymphocyte suspensions are prevented from aggregating by the added histone or albumin.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Cancer diagnostics: decision criteria for marker utilization in the clinic.

A new diagnostic tool must pass three major tests before it is adopted for routine clinical use. First, the tool must be robust and reproducible; second, the clinical value of the tool must be proven, i.e. the tool should reliably trigger a clinical decision that results in patient benefit; and, third, the clinical community has to be convinced of the need for this tool and the benefits it affords. Another factor that can influence the adoption of new tools relates to the cost and the vagaries of insurance reimbursement. The Cancer Diagnosis Program (CDP) of the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) launched the Program for the Assessment of Clinical Cancer Tests (PACCT) in 2000 to develop a process for moving the results of new technologies and new understanding of cancer biology more efficiently and effectively into clinical practice. PACCT has developed an algorithm that incorporates the iterative nature of assay development into an evaluation process that includes developers and end users. The effective introduction of new tests into clinical practice has been hampered by a series of common problems that are best described using examples of successes and failures. The successful application of the PACCT algorithm is described in the discussion of the recent development of the OncotypeDX assay and plan for a prospective trial of this assay by the NCI-supported Clinical Trials Cooperative Groups. The assay uses reverse transcription (RT)-PCR evaluation of a set of 16 genes that were shown to strongly associate with the risk of recurrence of breast cancer in women who presented with early stage disease (hormone responsive, and no involvement of the auxiliary lymph nodes). The test is highly reproducible. It provides information to aid the physician and patient in making important clinical decisions, including the aggressiveness of the therapy that should be recommended. A trial is planned to test whether OncotypeDX can be used as a standalone trigger for specific treatment decisions. The problems that have been encountered and have delayed the development of other diagnostic tools are exemplified in the development of tests for human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) overexpression, for predictors of response to epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, and for the detection of residual disease following chemotherapy.

Algorithms↗

P53-responsive genes and the potential for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics development.

P53 protein regulates cell responses to DNA damage to keep genomic stability by transactivation and trans-repression of its downstream target genes. P53 protein also has activators, inactivators, or co-factors via interaction with other proteins. Both the p53-regulated genes and interacted proteins form a huge network. As tumors usually escape from proliferating controls by means of accumulation of genetic alterations, p53 is one of the most important tumor suppressor genes that can be targeted for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic intervention. Reviewing the p53-network is of great importance. In this review, we are focusing on cancer-related p53 downstream-regulated genes. Various methods dealing with the discovery of p53-regulated genes by the detection of gene expression have been applied. Recently high throughput functional genomics methods, such as DNA microarray, serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE), differential display, and protein two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, have provided a wealth of information on the dynamics of cell context responses. Hundreds of genes have been discovered whose transcriptions are regulated by p53 protein. They were grouped, based on their functions, into sub-classes including cell-cycle regulation, DNA repair, angiogenesis, metastasis, and multidrug resistance. P53 plays a pivotal role in keeping genomic stability and tumor suppression. The deeper we investigate the cell responses as mediated by p53, the more complex p53-network becomes. However, understanding p53-network, offers great opportunities to develop more sensitive and accurate diagnostic/prognostic tools, as well as more efficient therapies for cancer.

Apoptosis↗