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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Measuring service quality at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Evaluates the service quality of four clinics at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center using a questionnaire methodology. The SERVQUAL instrument was administered to patients of the Medical Breast, Leukemia, Medical Gastroenterology and Bone Marrow Aspiration clinics. Results show that, according to the service gap methodology of comparing expectations and perceptions, across all four clinics the issues of billing accuracy and waiting times are deemed by patients as significant problems. In comparing the individual clinics, the Medical Gastroenterology and Leukemia clinics are best performers and the Medical Breast clinic is the worst. However, these differences in performance are due to differences in patients' expectations of service quality, rather than differences in perceptions. Concludes that customer expectations can have a strong impact on a firm's evaluation of its service quality.

Bone Marrow Neoplasms↗
PubMed1993

Impact of clinical trial protocols on patient care systems at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Clinical trial protocols represent a significant component of the research program at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Currently, there are nearly 800 active protocols using more than 150 investigational drugs. Sponsors of these trials include the National Cancer Institute, numerous pharmaceutical companies, and a variety of other funding sources. Because of our large patient base, however, routine participation in cooperative groups is limited. The impact of clinical trial protocols on patient care systems is a growing concern that is addressed primarily by the Surveillance Committee at M.D. Anderson. Like many institutional review boards, this committee reviews all protocols and must grant approval before the activation of any clinical trial. The issues of medical ethics, including a risk-benefit assessment for research subjects, equitable patient selection, safeguards for economically disadvantaged populations, and the general requirements for informed consent, also fall under the purview of this board. For any comprehensive cancer center to succeed, it must have strong research programs that enhance treatment options for patients. The crisis in financing health care significantly threatens the viability of cancer research. Reimbursement for the related costs of individuals participating in clinical trials has become a battle ground for third-party payers. The resulting economic risk is shared by health care providers and patients. As a consequence, many cancer centers, including M.D. Anderson, have initiated an economic-impact analysis for protocols as a component of the review process. This analysis includes an estimation of the patient care costs compared to the funding allocated to support the research. Future research will include pharmacoeconomic analysis and other ways to relate the costs and outcomes of treatment protocols. In the interim, we must monitor reimbursement trends for patients enrolled in clinical trials closely and amend the informed consent process to include a discussion of potential economic risk or hardship to patients if insurance claims are denied. Cancer care providers, third-party payers, the federal government, and society at large must work together to address the funding of cancer research and patient care.

Cancer Care Facilities↗
PubMed2005

Neurosurgical oncology at the university of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center: its genesis and evolution.

The practice of neurosurgery at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center began in 1944 with one neurosurgeon among the 11 physicians present in a makeshift 16-room outpatient clinic at a temporary location. Neurosurgical oncology evolved as the hospital did, first as a neurosurgery service in 1951, then as the Section of Neurosurgery within the Department of Head and Neck Surgery in 1979, and finally, as the Department of Neurosurgery in 1990. Although M. D. Anderson is now one of the largest institutions in the world devoted exclusively to cancer patient care, research, education, and prevention, it has an unusual history, which is reviewed in terms of the institution's origin in 1941, its development under three presidents, and its fostering of neurosurgical oncology. We chronicle the growth and development of the department from 1990 to 2003 and describe the unique opportunities it presents for surgical innovation, for clinical and basic research, for training residents and fellows, and for multidisciplinary collaboration in neurosurgical oncology.

Hospitals, University↗
PubMed1979

Rewiew of ovarian cancer at the University of Texas Systems Cancer Center, M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute.

The records of 2,115 patients with ovarian cancer who were treated at the M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute in Houston, Texas, during the 30 year period from 1944 to 1973 were reviewed. Ninety percent of the patients had an epithelial cancer of the ovary. The important prognostic factors include stage and grade of tumor and the presence or absence of ascites. Probably the most important prognostic factor, however, was the size of the largest tumor mass that remained after initial surgery. The patient's age and socioeconomic level were also influencing factors in the survival rate in this series of patients. Most of the patients had advanced disease when first examined and received some type of adjunctive postoperative treatment. The survival of patients who received postoperative irradiation, when compared by stage and size of the largest residual tumor mass, was improved over those who received chemotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Interleukin-2 alone and in combination with other cytokines in melanoma: the investigational approach at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

The clinical data that have been accumulated so far suggests a significant influence of IL-2 dose and schedule on the immunobiological effects and clinical toxicities observed with this cytokine. Consequently, the series of Phase I and Phase II clinical trials conducted at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in patients with advanced malignant melanoma investigating the use of IL-2 in combination with other cytokines, monoclonal antibodies, or ex vivo activated effector cells have used a common dose and schedule of IL-2 administration for which abundant immunobiological information already exists. This approach allows cross-trial comparison of experience with toxicities, immunobiological observations and clinical activity by a group of investigators within a single institution, and more rapid and valid evolution towards combination biological therapy, which preclinical data suggest will have greater activity than single agent therapy.

Biological Factors↗
PubMed1996

Treatment-related leukemia in breast cancer patients treated with fluorouracil-doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide combination adjuvant chemotherapy: the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center experience.

PURPOSE: Adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer has been the routine practice in the past decade. A number of studies have observed an increased incidence of treatment-related leukemias following chemotherapy with alkylating agents and/or topoisomerase II inhibitors. We evaluated the incidence of treatment-related leukemias in breast cancer patients treated in four adjuvant and two neoadjuvant chemotherapy trials at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1974 and 1989, 1,474 patients with stage II or III breast cancer were treated in six prospective trials of adjuvant (n = 4) or neoadjuvant (n = 2) chemotherapy with fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (CTX) (FAC) with or without other drugs. The median observation time was 97 months. In 1,107 patients, FAC chemotherapy was given postoperatively; 367 patients received induction chemotherapy, as well as postoperative chemotherapy. Eight hundred ten patients had surgery followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy; 664 patients had surgery and chemotherapy only. Patients in two adjuvant and one neoadjuvant study received higher cumulative doses of CTX compared with those in the other studies. RESULTS: Fourteen cases of leukemia were observed. Twelve of these patients had received radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and two had received chemotherapy only. Six of the reported patients with leukemia were treated with a cumulative CTX dose of greater than 6 g/ m2. Five of these patients had received both radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The median latency period in the 14 patients was 66 months (range, 22 to 113). Six of 10 patients with adequate cytogenetic analyses had abnormalities that involved chromosomes 5 and/or 7. The rest of the patients had nonspecific cytogenetic abnormalities or lacked cytogenetic information. The 10-year estimated leukemia rate was 1.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7% to 2.9%) for all patients treated, 2.5% (95% CI, 1.0% to 5.1%) for the radiotherapy-plus-chemotherapy group, and 0.5% (95% CI, 0.1% to 2.4%) for the chemotherapy-only group; this difference was statistically significant (P = .01). The 10-year estimated leukemia risk for the higher-dose (> 6 g/m2) CTX group was 2% (95% CI, 0.5% to 5.0%) compared with 1.3% (95% CI, 0.4% to 3.0%) for the lower-dose group, a difference that was not statistically significant (P = .53). CONCLUSION: These data illustrate that patients treated with adjuvant FAC chemotherapy plus radiotherapy have a slightly increased risk of leukemia. This information needs to be considered in the treatment plans for patients with breast cancer. However, for most patients, the benefits of adjuvant therapy exceed the risk of treatment-related leukemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Long-term follow-up of patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia treated at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy is known to cure a small minority of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Less is known about the risk of such patients developing subsequent cancers or about their ability to return to work. METHODS: The authors analyzed outcomes among 1892 patients who received treatment for newly diagnosed AML at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center from 1965 to May 1995. RESULTS: Because failure rates declined to relatively low levels after a first or later complete remission of > or = 3 years' duration, such patients comprised a "potentially cured" cohort. The criterion for entry into this cohort was fulfilled by 215 patients (10.7%; 203 in first complete remission and 12 in second remission). At a median of 6.2 years after entry into the cohort (i.e., 9.2 years from complete remission), 163 patients (76%) remain alive and in complete remission. Approximately 9% and 5% of the 1892 patients have been in complete remission for > 5 years and > 10 years, respectively. The pretreatment prognostic importance of cytogenetics is still apparent even after 5 years in complete remission. On average, members of the potentially cured cohort were not observed to be at increased risk of subsequent invasive malignancies compared with a normal population. Furthermore, two-thirds of those in the potentially cured cohort who were working full time before diagnosis of AML claimed to have returned to full-time work. Of those not working, only 10% cited physical limitation as the reason. CONCLUSIONS: The major threat to the life and well-being of the patient with AML is clearly the disease and not its treatment.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Intestinal fistulae formation following pelvic exenteration: a review of the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center experience, 1957-1990.

Intestinal fistulae are an uncommon but serious complication of pelvic exenteration. To characterize factors leading to fistula formation and to define optimal management of this complication, we reviewed 533 cases of patients who underwent pelvic exenteration at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between 1957 and 1990. Forty-two of those patients developed an intestinal fistula following total (n = 29), anterior (n = 12), or posterior (n = 1) exenteration which was not tumor related. Prior to routine pelvic floor reconstruction, the fistula rate was 16%. With the advent of omental pedicle grafts and gracilis flaps, the rate decreased to 4.5%. The fistulae described included those from the small bowel to the pelvic cavity (n = 15) or the neovagina (n = 8), and from the large bowel to the neovagina (n = 8). Complex fistulae were noted in 11 patients. Early fistulae, those that developed during initial hospitalization, occurred in 25 patients and were mainly related to infectious complications. Twenty-three patients underwent attempted surgical repair of fistulae. Eleven died during their hospitalization of sepsis, recurrent wound complications, or fistula. Late fistulae, those that developed after discharge, occurred in 17 patients and were mainly related to delayed healing. Early and late fistulae did not differ in location. Only two patients with late fistula formation died from complications of therapy. Significant long-term morbidity, however, included short bowel syndrome. Based on our review, we conclude the following: (1) Pelvic floor reconstruction, careful attention to surgical technique and aggressive treatment of infections reduces the risk of early fistula formation; (2) in cases associated with significant infection, treatment should be surgical; and (3) in stable patients, conservative management with hyperalimentation and bowel should be considered.

Female↗
PubMed2002

Acute toxicity and treatment interruption related to electron and photon craniospinal irradiation in pediatric patients treated at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of acute toxicity and treatment interruption associated with electron and photon craniospinal irradiation (CSI) in children treated with or without chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study involving a computerized search of the radiotherapy database at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center identified a total of 79 eligible patients </=18 years old who had received electron (n = 46) or photon (n = 33) CSI from October 1980 to March 2000. Acute toxicity was graded according to the 1998 National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria. Chemotherapy sequencing was categorized as before or after CSI or no chemotherapy. The incidences of weight loss and skin toxicity were recorded and differences in treatment interruption and hematologic values with respect to modality used (electron vs. photon), age (</=6 or >6 years), and sequencing of chemotherapy were compared using chi-square tests. RESULTS: The median age of the electron group was lower than that of the photon group (6.7 years and 11.7 years, respectively). The two groups were otherwise well matched in terms of median spinal dose (31.1 vs. 33.3 Gy), fraction size (1.57 vs. 1.63 Gy), and total treatment time (32.4 vs. 30.7 days). Only 2 patients in each group (photon and electron) had a treatment break (>3 days). The mean number of days interrupted was 0.94 (photon) and 1.1 (electron) (p = 0.72). The electron and photon groups were well balanced in terms of receiving pre-CSI chemotherapy (37% vs. 41%, p = 0.776). Chemotherapy given before radiotherapy vs. after or not at all was associated with an increased incidence of Grade 3-4 leukopenia (76% vs. 49%, p = 0.02), thrombocytopenia (90% vs. 10%, p = 0), and neutropenia (50% vs. 15%, p = 0.005). A younger age was associated with Grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia (29% vs. 8.7%, p = 0.034), and decreased hemoglobin (29% vs. 6.5%, p = 0.014). The incidence of leukocyte depression of Grade 3-4 toxicity was 62% in the electron group and 32% in the photon group (p = 0.018). The incidence of Grade 3-4 platelet toxicity was higher with electrons (21%) than with photons (4%), but the difference was of borderline significance (p = 0.053). The difference in Grade 1-2 weight loss was not statistically significant (86% electron vs. 55% photon groups, p = 0.53), and Grade 3-4 weight loss did not occur within the entire study group. Most patients experienced Grade 0-1 radiation dermatitis with either electrons or photons. CONCLUSION: A younger patient age (</=6 years) and the sequence of chemotherapy before radiotherapy were associated with increased acute hematologic toxicity. Grade 3-4 weight loss, a surrogate for gastrointestinal toxicity, was not observed within the entire population. Despite the increased acute hematologic toxicities associated with CSI in very young children, the vast majority of patients were able to complete photon or electron CSI with minimal to no treatment interruptions. CSI with the electron technique can be used as an alternative to photon CSI in young children, and in our experience does not require the routine use of hematopoietic growth factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Combined-modality treatment for isolated recurrences of breast carcinoma: update on 30 years of experience at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and assessment of prognostic factors.

BACKGROUND: In three prospective, single-arm studies, the authors previously showed an improved outcome for anthracycline-naïve patients with isolated sites of recurrent breast carcinoma (BC) who were treated with doxorubicin-based chemotherapy after local therapy (surgery and/or radiotherapy). In the current report, the initial results are presented from a Phase II trial of docetaxel (100 mg/m(2) every 21 days for 6 cycles) given after local therapy for recurrent BC (Stage IV BC with no evidence of clinically measurable disease) in patients who received prior adjuvant anthracycline-based chemotherapy, and the authors provide an update of the 3 previous studies. An analysis of prognostic factors for these patients also is presented. METHODS: Eligibility criteria for all studies included histologic proof of recurrent BC that had been resected and/or irradiated with curative intent. Survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate survival analyses were performed to test for associations between patient characteristics and outcome (log-rank test). Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the multivariable correlations between patient characteristics and outcome. RESULTS: The median follow-up for the docetaxel-based trial (n = 26 patients) was 45 months. Early outcomes for this study are promising. The median disease-free survival (DFS) was 44 months, and the 3-year DFS and overall survival (OS) rates were 58% and 87%, respectively. In the 3 doxorubicin-based studies, the median follow-up was 121.5 months for all living patients, and the estimated 20-year DFS and OS rates were both 26%. On multivariable analysis of patients from all 4 studies, the only significant prognostic factor for DFS and OS (P = 0.0006) was the number of involved axillary lymph nodes at initial diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: A proportion of patients with isolated BC recurrences achieved prolonged DFS with combined-modality treatment. Patients who receive anthracycline-based chemotherapy at primary diagnosis may benefit from local treatment followed by docetaxel-based chemotherapy for isolated recurrences. The only significant independent prognostic factor was the number of involved axillary lymph nodes at initial diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Primary tracheal malignant neoplasms: the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center experience.

BACKGROUND: Primary malignant neoplasms of the trachea are very rare and data relating to them are limited. This study was conducted to review the presentation, management, and outcomes of primary tracheal cancers at our institution, a large multidisciplinary cancer center. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review was conducted for all patients found to have a pathologic diagnosis of primary tracheal malignancy. RESULTS: Since 1945, 74 patients were diagnosed with primary tracheal cancers. Among these, 34 (45.9%) were squamous cell carcinomas, 19 (25.7%) were adenoid cystic carcinomas, and 21 (28.4%) were of other histologic types. Presenting symptoms were most frequently dyspnea (55.4%), hemoptysis (48.6%), cough (41.9%), and hoarseness (35.1%). Most patients (77.3%) were former or current smokers, particularly those with squamous cell carcinoma (93.3%). For the entire group of 74 patients, the 5-year disease-specific mortality rate was 72.9% and the 5-year all-cause mortality rate was 79.3%. Patients who had adenoid cystic carcinoma and those with cervical primaries had better rates of disease-specific and overall survival than others (p = 0.036 and 0.006 for the former patient group and p = 0.006 and 0.030 for the latter patient group). Among patients with incident disease treated at our institution (n = 45), those undergoing primary operation with adjuvant radiotherapy appeared to have better disease-specific and overall survival rates compared with those undergoing primary radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy (p = 0.0002 and 0.0003, respectively). Although those undergoing operation and receiving radiotherapy did better than those undergoing operation alone, the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Primary tracheal cancers are very rare, and our results should be viewed with caution, given that our population comprised a small heterogeneous group treated over a 60-year period. Although squamous cell carcinoma was the most common pathology in smokers, adenoid cystic carcinoma was more prevalent among nonsmokers. Operation with adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy is recommended for most patients.

Adult↗