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[Central bronchoplastic procedures in Hungary and their outcome (198-1993)].

Bronchoplastic procedures involving the main carina are declared as central bronchoplasties. A nation-wide collection of these interventions performed between 1980 and 1993 is analysed. The study is on a total of 154 operations, that were 16 bifurcation resections and 14 stem bronchus resections without parenchyma sacrifice, 61 sleeve or wedge pneumonectomies and 63 tracheal sleeve or wedge right upper lobectomies or carina-plasties. Surgery alone-without multimodality therapy-was the choice of treatment almost exclusively. About 90% of these interventions were performed for highly malignant, histologically peripheral-type, but centrally located bronchial cancers. The hospital mortality and morbidity were found up to 30% (an average of appr. 17%), depending on surgical subsets. Cause of death were surgical at 11% (leakage, anastomotic dehiscence and bleeding) and non surgical at 5.8% respectively. Complications at another 9% were related to surgery. Data of survival suggest, that nodal state is the strongest predictor, but the unfavourable N2 group comprises longer survivors as well. Certain part of this kind of interventions is to be chosen without alternatives (isolated tracheobronchial resections without parenchyma-resection, extended pneumonectomies) while extended lobectomies are alternatives of the extended pneumonectomies in strict conditions. A central bronchoplastic procedure is justified only with hope of complete resection for its high complication rate.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

[Usefulness of multimodal evoked potentials and the electroretinogram in the early diagnosis of brain death].

INTRODUCTION AND METHODS: We studied 72 patients fulfilling all the criteria for brain death (BD) by means of a series of tests: brain stem auditory visual evoked potentials (VEP), short latent period somatosensory evoked potentials (SEV) and electroretinogram (ERG). RESULTS: Three characteristic PEATC patterns were identified: bilaterally flat (73.34%), bilateral I wave (16.66%) and unilateral I wave (10%). The N20 wave of the SEV and other later cortical components were not seen in any patients, whilst the so-called subcortical components were partially or totally maintained. The use of non-cephalic data permitted discussion as to the origin of the subcortical components. When cephalic data was used to obtain the ERG and the VEP, the a and b waves of the ERG were recorded in all cases, whilst in the VEP channel waves of inverse polarity appeared of similar morphology and the same latency, but of lower amplitude than those of ERG. When a non-cephalic reference was used, the morphology and latency of the ERG components were unchanged, whilst no response was obtained from the VEP channel. This electrophysiological pattern indicates that the only part of the visual pathway of patients with BD to maintain electrical activity is the retina. CONCLUSION: The application of this set of tests permits early diagnosis of BD, which is basic for transplantation.

Adolescent↗

Multimodal sensory discrimination deficits in Korsakoff's psychosis.

A consistent impairment in odor identification was observed among a group of 21 amnesic patients, diagnosed as having Korsakoff's psychosis. In a subsequent study of eight Korsakoff and matched alcoholic control subjects, a comparable olfactory deficit was again demonstrated, as well as impairment in color discrimination and auditory perception. No such deficit was observed for a picture identification task designed to control for the non-sensory demands of the olfactory test. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed a significant correlation between odor identification scores and the concentration of the primary metabolite of norepinephrine in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid. The data demonstrate a consistent coincidence between memory impairment and deficient sensory perception among patients with Korsakoff's psychosis.

Adult↗

Mechanisms and treatment of postoperative ileus.

OBJECTIVE: To review the pathogenesis and treatment of postoperative ileus. DATA SOURCES: Data collected for this review were identified from a MEDLINE database search of the English-language literature. The exact indexing terms were "postoperative ileus," "treatment," "etiology," and "pathophysiology." Previous review articles and pertinent references from those articles were also used. STUDY SELECTION: All relevant studies were included. Only articles that were case presentations or that mentioned postoperative ileus in passing were excluded. DATA SYNTHESIS: The pathogenesis of postoperative ileus is complex, with multiple factors contributing either simultaneously or at various times during the development of this entity. These factors include inhibitory effects of sympathetic input; release of hormones, neurotransmitters, and other mediators; an inflammatory reaction; and the effects of anesthetics and analgesics. Numerous treatments have been used to alleviate postoperative ileus without much success. CONCLUSIONS: The etiology of postoperative ileus can best be described as multifactorial. A multimodality treatment approach should include limiting the administration of agents known to contribute to postoperative ileus (narcotics), using thoracic epidurals with local anesthetics when possible, and selectively applying nasogastric decompression.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

In vitro studies on interaction of 4-hydroperoxyifosfamide and 2-mercaptoethanesulphonate in malignant gliomas.

Drug interference of ifosfamide and sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulphonate (MESNA) was studied in three malignant glioma cell cultures (HTZ-17, HTZ-209B, and HTZ-243) by a recently developed in vitro method for evaluation of multimodal treatment interactions. Glioma cell cultures were treated in monolayer 96-well tissue-culture plates for 2 h each, with 4-hydroperoxyifosfamide and MESNA combined in both sequences, or alone. Concentrations ranged from 0.01 microM to 50 microM in single-modality exposures, and from 0.01 microM to 10 microM in combination exposures. After five population doubling times, DNA synthesis was determined by a standard [3H]Tdr-incorporation liquid-scintillation-counting protocol. Data points were evaluated for mono- and combined treatment dose effects (adapted with a probit function), and a model-free three-dimensional response surface was created that was compared to the theoretical additive, anticipated response surface. Local additivity was analysed for any ratio of combined treatment. No tumour effects were seen with MESNA in single-drug exposure, whereas ifosfamide resulted in more than 90% inhibition of tumour DNA synthesis. In combination experiments, MESNA could be confirmed to be inert: the anticipated theoretical combination response surfaces formed a three-dimensional extension of the single-drug ifosfamide dose/response curves--the experimental combination response surfaces displayed an identical appearance (P < or = 0.05). In conclusion, these results indicate no drug interference of MESNA and ifosfamide in malignant glioma cells.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Molecular diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic cancer using a percutaneous technique.

BACKGROUND: The K-ras oncogene is activated by point mutations at codon 12 in most patients with exocrine pancreatic cancer. Mutant-enriched polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification can enhance the detection of mutated K-ras. This technique was applied to patients undergoing percutaneous fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of suspect pancreatic lesions. METHODS: Twenty-five patients underwent percutaneous FNA of the pancreas for cytologic and molecular analysis. After preparing cytologic smears, the 22-gauge needle and syringe used for FNA were rinsed in RPMI-1640. The specimen was centrifuged, and DNA was extracted from the supernatant and subjected to mutant-enriched PCR using appropriate mismatched primers that introduce a BstNI restriction endonuclease clevage site at codon 12 of wild-type, but not mutant, K-ras. After digestion with BstNI, the DNA was reamplified. To increase assay sensitivity, the final five PCR cycles were completed incorporating 5 microCi of (alpha-32P)dCTP. The DNA was then redigested and subjected to gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. RESULTS: The median amount of DNA retrieved per specimen was 3.33 micrograms. Mutant K-ras was detected as a band of 143 bps; residual wild-type DNA was seen as a 114-bp fragment. Twenty-one of 25 specimens demonstrated mutated K-ras DNA. Two patients with nondiagnostic cytology results had mutated K-ras DNA; adenocarcinoma of pancreatic origin was confirmed in both cases after pancreatectomy. CONCLUSION: The molecular diagnosis of pancreatic cancer through identifications of mutations in K-ras can be readily performed on specimens obtained by percutaneous FNA. As aggressive multimodality management of this disease becomes more common, pretreatment analysis of molecular determinants may have greater clinical significance.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Quality management in surgery: treatment of pancreatic carcinoma--What is evidence-based?].

Summary. The term "evidence-based medicine" (EBM) - an Anglicism in common use in modern medicine - has of the nature of a catchword, the actual meaning of which is not always clear to all who use it. Generally speaking it is taken to mean that decision-making in the areas of diagnosis and treatment is based on data obtained from randomized, preferably double-blind and controlled, studies involving sufficient numbers of cases. This, however, is not always automatically equatable with arriving at a decision at the highest level of confirmed scientific knowledge, including the most recently acquired facts. Taking account of the current literature, the present article attempts an analysis of the following four aspects of surgical treatment of pancreatic carcinoma: the required extent of lymph node dissection, the relevance of multimodal treatment concepts, the significance of pylorus-preserving partial duodenopancreatectomy and the relevance of portal vein resection.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

[Demineralising osteopathies: new aspects of diagnostic imaging].

The wide use of multimodal radiologic analysis of bone tissue has led to a new concept of the term osteopenia towards grouping the various osteopathies as demineralizing osteopathies. With bone densitometry measurements both high precision and accuracy can be achieved, whereas conventional radiographs provide insights into the architecture of the bone to better advantage. By using both modalities discrepancies of the radiological reports with the final diagnosis may be avoided. Despite ongoing success in techniques of semi-automated data analysis and reporting the radiological and the clinical assessment of bone diseases are still an indispensable part of establishing the diagnosis.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

[Therapy of malignant pleural mesothelioma].

The different therapeutical procedures of malignant pleura-mesothelioma are reviewed. A comparison of studies published so far is difficult or impossible because of the heterogeneity of the clientele and of the protocols. The median survival of untreated patients is 6 months from the date of diagnosis. Radical surgical treatment results in 2-year survival in 10-37%. As these data are not different from those of untreated patients, and additionally this procedure is associated with a perioperative mortality of 6-31%, the indication for radical resection has to be applied very critically. As pleuramesotheliomas are often resistant to radiotherapy, tumour remissions under this treatment are extremely rare. However, this therapy has a palliative analgesic benefit. Chemotherapy with anthracycline containing combinations leads to partial remissions in 20% and a median survival of 11 months. Whether multimodal therapeutical concepts are advantageous or not, will have to be established.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

Bridging the Gap From Proteomics Technology to Clinical Application: Highlights From the 68th Benzon Foundation Symposium.

The 68th Benzon Foundation Symposium brought together leading experts to explore the integration of mass spectrometry-based proteomics and artificial intelligence to revolutionize personalized medicine. This report highlights key discussions on recent technological advances in mass spectrometry-based proteomics, including improvements in sensitivity, throughput, and data analysis. Particular emphasis was placed on plasma proteomics and its potential for biomarker discovery across various diseases. The symposium addressed critical challenges in translating proteomic discoveries to clinical practice, including standardization, regulatory considerations, and the need for robust "business cases" to motivate adoption. Promising applications were presented in areas such as cancer diagnostics, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular health. The integration of proteomics with other omics technologies and imaging methods was explored, showcasing the power of multimodal approaches in understanding complex biological systems. Artificial intelligence emerged as a crucial tool for the acquisition of large-scale proteomic datasets, extracting meaningful insights, and enhancing clinical decision-making. By fostering dialog between academic researchers, industry leaders in proteomics technology, and clinicians, the symposium illuminated potential pathways for proteomics to transform personalized medicine, advancing the cause of more precise diagnostics and targeted therapies.

Proteomics↗

Secondary insults in severe head injury--do multiply injured patients do worse?

OBJECTIVES: To study the occurrence of secondary insults and the influence of extracranial injuries on cerebral oxygenation and outcome in patients with closed severe head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score < or =8). DESIGN: Two-year prospective, clinical study. SETTING: Two intensive care units in a level III trauma center. PATIENTS: We studied 119 patients. Eighty patients had severe head injury and were divided into two categories: "isolated" severe head injury patients (n = 36, Injury Severity Score <30), and severe head injury patients with associated extracranial injuries (n = 44, Injury Severity Score >29). Thirty-nine patients with extracranial injuries and no head injury served as the control group. INTERVENTIONS: After patients were admitted to the intensive care unit, we began continuous multimodal cerebral monitoring of intracranial pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, end-tidal Co2, brain tissue Po2 (Licox), jugular bulb oxyhemoglobin saturation in severe head injury patients, and mean arterial blood pressure in the control group. Targets of management included intracranial pressure <20 mm Hg, cerebral perfusion pressure >60 mm Hg, Paco2 > 30 mm Hg, control of cerebral oxygenation, and delayed surgery for non-life-threatening extracranial lesions. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data were analyzed for critical thresholds. The occurrence of secondary insults (intracranial pressure >20 mm Hg, mean arterial blood pressure <70 mm Hg, cerebral perfusion pressure <60 mm Hg, end-tidal Co2 <30 torr, brain tissue Po2 <10 torr, jugular bulb oxyhemoglobin saturation <50%) was comparable in patients with isolated severe head injury and those with severe head injury with associated extracranial lesions (Abbreviated Injury Scale score < or =5). The duration of intracranial hypertension and arterial hypotension significantly correlated with an unfavorable outcome, independent of the Injury Severity Score. In patients with severe head injury, 1-yr outcome was 29% dead or vegetative, 17% severely disabled, and 54% moderate or good outcome. This was similar to patients with severe head injury and extracranial injuries (31% dead or vegetative, 14% severely disabled, and 56% moderate or good outcome) and was independent of the Injury Severity Score. Patients with no head injury had less secondary insults (mean arterial blood pressure <70 mm Hg, p <.01) and a better outcome compared with both severe head injury groups (p <.044). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with severe head injury who have targeted management including intracranial pressure- and cerebral perfusion pressure-guided therapy and delayed surgery for extracranial lesions, the occurrence of secondary insults in the intensive care unit and long-term neurological outcome were comparable and independent of the presence of extracranial lesions (Abbreviated Injury Severity level < or =5). A severe head injury is still a major contributor predicting an unfavorable outcome in multiply injured patients.

Adult↗

Education by general practitioners or education and exercises by physiotherapists for patients with whiplash-associated disorders? A randomized clinical trial.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of education and advice given by general practitioners (GPs) with education, advice, and active exercise therapy given by physiotherapists (PTs) for patients with whiplash-associated disorders. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Available evidence from systematic reviews has indicated beneficial effects for active interventions in patients with whiplash-associated disorders. However, it remained unclear which kind of active treatment was most effective. METHODS: Whiplash patients with symptoms or disabilities at 2 weeks after accident were recruited in primary care. Eligible patients still having symptoms or disabilities at 4 weeks were randomly allocated to GP care or physiotherapy. GPs and PTs treated patients according to a dynamic multimodal treatment protocol primarily aimed to increase activities and influence unfavorable psychosocial factors for recovery. We trained all health care providers about the characteristics of the whiplash problem, available evidence regarding prognosis and treatment, and protocol of the interventions. The content of the information provided to patients during treatment depended on the treatment goals set by the GPs or PTs. Also, the type of exercises chosen by the PTs depended on the treatment goals, and it was not explicitly necessary that exercise therapy was provided in all patients. Primary outcome measures included neck pain intensity, headache intensity, and work activities. Furthermore, an independent blinded assessor measured functional recovery, cervical range of motion, disability, housekeeping and social activities, fear of movement, coping, and general health status. We assessed outcomes at 8, 12, 26, and 52 weeks after the accident. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients were randomized to either GP care (n = 42) or physiotherapy (n = 38). At 12 and 52 weeks, no significant differences were found concerning the primary outcome measures. At 12 weeks, physiotherapy was significantly more effective than GP care for improving 1 of the measures of cervical range of motion (adjusted mean difference 12.3 degrees ; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.7-21.9). Long-term differences between the groups favored GP care but were statistically significant only for some secondary outcome measures, including functional recovery (adjusted relative risk 2.3; 95% CI 1.0-5.0), coping (adjusted mean difference 1.7 points; 95% CI 0.2-3.3), and physical functioning (adjusted mean difference 8.9 points; 95% CI 0.6-17.2). CONCLUSIONS: We found no significant differences for the primary outcome measures. Treatment by GPs and PTs were of similar effectiveness. The long-term effects of GP care seem to be better compared to physiotherapy for functional recovery, coping, and physical functioning. Physiotherapy seems to be more effective than GP care on cervical range of motion at short-term follow-up.

Adult↗

Multifactorial analysis of the survival of patients with distant metastasis arising from primary extremity sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Despite optimal multimodality limb-sparing therapy for extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS), a significant number of patients develop distant metastasis. The objective of this study was to analyze patterns of metastatic disease and define prognostic factors for survival in a large group of patients followed prospectively at a single institution. METHODS: Between July 1, 1982, and June 30, 1996, all adult patients admitted to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center with primary extremity sarcoma were treated and prospectively followed. Patients who developed distant metastases constituted the study group. Prognostic factors were analyzed for postmetastasis survival. These included both factors related to the primary tumor and factors related to the pattern of metastasis. Postmetastasis survival was modeled using the Kaplan-Meier method. Statistical significance was evaluated using the log rank test for univariate analysis and the Cox proportional hazards model for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: During the study period, the authors admitted and treated 994 patients with primary extremity STS. The median follow-up was 33 months. Distant metastasis developed in 230 patients (23%). Median survival after distant metastasis was 11.6 months. The lungs were the first metastatic site in 169 patients (73%). Other first sites of metastasis included the skin and soft tissues of the head and neck, trunk, and extremities. There was no statistically significant difference in survival between patients with pulmonary and those with nonpulmonary metastatic disease. In multivariate analysis, resection of metastatic disease, the length of the disease free interval, the presence of a preceding local recurrence, and patient age > 50 years all were significant predictors of postmetastasis survival. Other factors that defined the primary tumor, including histologic grade, depth, and microscopic margins, were not associated with postmetastasis survival. CONCLUSIONS: Despite optimal multimodality therapy, 23% of the patients in this series with primary extremity sarcoma developed distant metastasis. Median survival after metastasis was approximately 1 year. After metastasis, the independent favorable factors that are associated with patient survival include resection of the metastases, a long disease free interval, the absence of preceding local recurrence, and patient age < 50 years. Although a definitive conclusion regarding the benefit of resection can be made only with a randomized clinical trial, these data suggest that resection of metastatic STS may contribute to patient survival, which in some cases may be long term.

Adolescent↗

A comparison of colon cancer cases at the Charleston Area Medical Center with the National Cancer Data Base report.

This article reviews the pattern of care and outcome of colon cancer cases seen at Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) between 1985 and 1991, and compares these statistics to the most current National Cancer Data Bank (NCDB) study. CAMC's statistics paralleled those of the NCDB study in several ways including the fact that both studies indicated that there appeared to be stability in the age and gender distribution of colon cancer between 1985 and 1991, and there was a continued trend of proximal migration of colon cancers. Both the CAMC and NCDB studies also indicated that AJCC staging was used increasingly as the standard of cancer diagnosis, and that multimodal therapy (e.g., chemotherapy) was increasingly available to patients at greatest risk for recurrence after surgery (stage III patients). However, the CAMC study indicated that compared to the NCDB, there was a greater incidence of colon cancer in females, and that a greater percentage of stage III patients received adjuvant therapy in 1990 (35.9% and 70% in the NCDB and CAMC studies respectively).

Adult↗

Phase II study of induction and adjuvant chemotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. A long-term analysis for the Illinois Cancer Center.

BACKGROUND: In 1982, the Illinois Cancer Center initiated a Phase II trial in which the following treatment was administered: Induction chemotherapy (cisplatin and infusional 5-fluorouracil [5-FU]) was administered before definitive local therapy. Definitive local therapy, consisting of surgery, radiation, or both, was followed by three cycles of the same chemotherapy program. METHODS: Eligible patients had Stage III or IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with no distant metastases. Three cycles of induction chemotherapy were given. Cisplatin, 100 mg/m2, was infused over 60 minutes on Day 1; thereafter, 5-FU (1000 mg/m2/day) was given continuously for 5 days. Cycles were repeated at 3-week intervals. Local therapy was individualized, according to tumor stage and site. Patients who responded were to receive an additional three cycles of chemotherapy after surgery or radiation. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients were entered into the trial, and 71 were considered both eligible and evaluable. After induction chemotherapy, 59 patients (83%) responded, 23 of whom experienced complete response. Sixty-nine patients completed definitive local treatment, but only 22 proceeded to the planned adjuvant cycles of treatment. Median follow-up of surviving patients was 12 years. At last follow-up, 13 patients were alive and free of malignancy, 9 of whom never had disease recurrence or a second primary tumor. These 13 patients had an acceptable quality of life, were ambulating, and were fully capable of caring for themselves. Overall, nine patients had second primary malignancies. Thirty-four percent of patients were alive at 5 years, and 21% were alive at 10 years. Of 58 deaths, 44 resulted from progressive disease and 8 resulted from second primary cancers. Four patients died of unrelated causes, and two suffered lethal acute toxicity from the chemotherapy program. Late toxicity was moderate. Among 23 patients surviving at least 6 years, there were 3 cases of hypothyroidism, presumed to be secondary to radiation. Xerostomia was modest, consistent with usual radiation effects. Of the 13 patients who were alive and free of malignancy at last follow-up, none had clinical manifestations of serious late end organ toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: During long term follow-up after multimodal treatment of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma, no obvious benefit was observed from the chemotherapy component of the treatment regimens rendered. Only 21% of patients achieved 10-year survival with the following causes of failure, in descending order of frequency: disease recurrence, second malignancies, other medical problems, and treatment-related deaths. The results of this trial are consistent with the results of other induction chemotherapy trials, indicating the need for innovative treatment strategies. These data do not support the continued use of induction chemotherapy with the cisplatin and infusional 5-FU program.

Adult↗

Imperfect in-vehicle collision avoidance warning systems can aid drivers.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of an in-vehicle collision avoidance warning system (IVCAWS) on driver performance. A driving simulator was driven by 135 licensed drivers. Of these, 120 received alerts from the IVCAWS when their headway to a lead car was less than 2 s, and the other 15 (the control group) received no alerts. Drivers received varied alert interfaces: auditory, visual, and multimodal. The system had varied levels of reliability, determined by both false alarm rate and failure of the IVCAWS to alert to short headway. Results indicated that the IVCAWS led to safer (longer) headway maintenance. High false alarm rates induced drivers to slow down unnecessarily; large numbers of missed alerts did not have any significant impact on drivers. Driver acceptance of the system was mixed. Interface played a role in driver reliance on the system, with the multimodal interfaces generating least reliance. Actual or potential applications of this research include IVCAWS interface selection for greater system efficacy and user acceptance and the advisability of implementation, even of imperfect systems, for drivers who seek to maintain a safer headway.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Extended surgery for cancer of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction.

The overall prognosis of patients with carcinoma of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) remains poor mainly because of the advanced stage of the disease at the time of presentation. As a result, controversy persists over the appropriate extent of surgery. This article reviews the impact of aggressive surgery on staging, disease-free survival, and cure rate. Despite recent advances in staging including positron emission tomography (PET), the findings after aggressive surgery indicate that the overall accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of clinical staging are still too low. These shortcomings in clinical staging therefore question the value of the indications, results, and interpretation of outcomes in multimodality treatment regimens. Extended surgery increases the R(0) resection rate, which seems to have an undeniable beneficial effect on the incidence of locoregional recurrence and which should be considered as a parameter of surgical quality, especially within the context of multimodality trials. As to the effect on cure rate, the only randomized trial with published results did not indicate a significant difference between extended and more limited resections for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and GEJ, albeit that a subsequent subanalysis did show a significant survival benefit favoring more extended surgery in distal third adenocarcinomas. However, the bulk of current literature suggests that better survival is achieved by more aggressive surgery. For three-field lymphadenectomy the available data suggest a potential survival benefit. It appears that positive cervical lymph nodes in patients with middle or proximal third carcinoma should no longer be considered as M(1a/b) distant lymph node metastasis but rather as N(1) regional disease.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Multimodal cancer chemotherapy during the first and second trimester of pregnancy: a case report.

This paper reports treatment with combined chemotherapy during pregnancy. A 39-year-old woman with breast cancer was given adjuvant chemotherapy including cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 6-fluorouracil from the 6th to the 24th week of gestation. The possibility of teratogenic effects on the fetus was explained to the patient however she refused to terminate the pregnancy. A 30-week male infant with only a minor malformation was delivered. The authors reviewed the literature regarding chemotherapeutic agents given during the first trimester of pregnancy. Most cytotoxic drugs have teratogenic effects on experimental animal subjects. However, actual data on human fetuses are sparse because of the variety of therapeutic regimens and the rarity of administering chemotherapy during pregnancy. The long-term effects of exposure to cytotoxic drugs in utero, needs further research.

Adult↗