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A D Baildam

Publications and source records attributed to A D Baildam.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Can preoperative factors predict for residual malignancy after breast biopsy for invasive cancer?

The presence of malignancy at the resection margins of a malignant breast biopsy requires difficult therapeutic decisions about whether a re-excision biopsy is necessary. The aim of this study was to determine the factors predisposing to the involvement of the resection margins in 280 women undergoing breast biopsy for invasive malignancy from a single breast screening practice. Resection margins were assessed independently by a single pathologist who noted either the presence of tumour at the margins of the biopsy specimen or in the shavings taken from the biopsy cavity. Resection margin involvement (RMI) occurred in 113 patients. Mammographic microcalcification (MM) was seen in 87 women with invasive cancer and RMI occurred in 53 (61%) compared with 60/193 invasive cancers without MM (P < 0.001). If RMI was present the patients underwent a second procedure to ensure complete tumour excision, and 68% of re-excision specimens from tumours with MM and 36% of tumours without MM contained residual malignancy (P < 0.005). Statistical analysis demonstrated that these observations were independent of tumour size, grade, type, and axillary node status. The presence of mammographic microcalcification therefore indicates that wider than usual surgical resection margins should be taken.

Biopsy↗

Complications of percutaneous endoscopic enterostomy tubes.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and jejunostomy tubes have been used clinically for approximately 10 years. They have been used predominantly in patients who cannot sustain their weight by oral intake, such as individuals with abnormalities of swallowing or intestinal peristalsis. The percutaneous endoscopic method of placement confers some advantages over classical surgical placement, especially in poor risk cases. Although several types of tube are commercially available, a substantial complication rate is still directly attributable to the tubes. In some series, complications are reported in 70% of cases. This report describes two complications of endoscopically introduced jejunostomy tubes used in patients with Roux-en-Y reconstructions after previous multiple gastric surgical procedures.

Adult↗

Extended role for needle biopsy in the management of carcinoma of the breast.

Treatment choice in primary breast cancer is wide and still controversial; it seems likely that the optimum treatment for individual patients could be dictated by biological indicators of tumour behaviour. If biopsy could provide prognostic information as well as detailed tissue diagnosis then definitive treatment, with or without adjuvant systemic therapy, could be planned from the outset. We studied 140 patients with a clinical diagnosis of primary breast cancer to determine how much information could be obtained from Tru-Cut needle biopsies performed at the first clinic visit. Ten patients were found to have benign disease. Of 130 carcinomas, 123 (95 per cent sensitivity) were diagnosed correctly from the needle biopsies, with seven false negative and no false positive results (100 per cent specificity). Precise histopathology was predicted in 121 (93 per cent). Grade was correctly assessed in 77 of 112 (69 per cent), but needle biopsy was not accurate for assessment of lymphatic invasion nor elastosis. Steroid hormone receptors were assayed in 59 needle biopsies, and the incidence of oestrogen receptor positivity (34, 58 per cent) was similar to the resected tumours (35, 59 per cent), but the incidence of progesterone receptor positivity (26, 44 per cent) was lower (33, 56 per cent, P less than 0.04). Immunostaining with monoclonal antibody human milk fat globule membrane was accurate in the needle biopsies. DNA analysis by flow cytometry was performed in 37 tumours and the concordance between needle biopsies and resected samples was high. Tru-Cut needle biopsy obviates open biopsy and gives reliable detailed information.

Adult↗

The expression of milk fat globule antigens within human mammary tumours: relationship to steroid hormone receptors and response to endocrine treatment.

The value of steroid hormone receptors for the management of advanced carcinoma of the breast is often limited by the lack of availability of fresh tissue. Differentiation antigens may be estimated on paraffin-embedded fixed material by immunostaining, and the aim of this study was to determine whether staining with the monoclonal antibody raised to human milk fat globule (HMFG-1) could replace receptor measurements. The indirect immunoperoxidase technique was used to stain formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumour samples from 168 patients. All received tamoxifen or ovarian ablation as first-line systemic therapy, and all were evaluable for response (UICC criteria). One hundred and sixty-seven had oestrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) estimated. HMFG-1 staining was assessed as the percentage of tumour cells stained, and by the site of stain. The proportion of cells stained was highly correlated with both ER (P less than 0.0001) and PR (P less than 0.0001) and with response. When greater than or equal to 30% cells stained, 53 of 69 (77%) responded; when 20-29% stained 10 of 19 (53%) responded, when 10-19% stained seven of 19 (37%) responded, and when less than or equal to 9% cells stained 16 of 61 (26%) responded (P less than 0.0001). The median survival of patients with tumours that stained greater than or equal to 30% cells was 36 months, and with no cells stained, 11 months (P less than 0.0001). ROC (receiver operator characteristic) curves found that the optimum threshold for sensitivity and specificity of response prediction was greater than or equal to 20% cells stained. Cox's multiple regression analysis of 42 variables indicated that PR was the most important predictor of survival (P less than 0.000001), but that after PR the percentage of cells stained with HMFG-1 was the most important (P less than 0.0001). We conclude that immunostaining for HMFG-1 gives similar information to receptor status, and has the advantage that fixed archival tissue may be used.

Adult↗

Abdominal lymphoma--the place for surgery.

Gastrointestinal lymphoma (GIL) is rare but may be cured by surgery and chemotherapy. Because symptoms frequently mimic common abdominal conditions, presentation is often to a surgeon. Fifty-five patients with GIL were treated between 1975 and 1984: all underwent operations before the correct diagnosis was made, 22 (40%) as emergencies. Misdiagnosis in 23 (42%) led to a delay in correct treatment of greater than or equal to 6 months from the start of symptoms: in 17 (31%) the delay was greater than or equal to one year. Endoscopy and radiology were inaccurate and suggested peptic ulceration, Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome. The site of disease was usually stomach and duodenum (26, 47%) or ileum and jejunum (29, 53%). The extent of surgical resection was associated with survival at greater than or equal to 3 years-in 16 (29%) who underwent 'complete resection' 14 survived, but only one of 28 survived when the operation was limited to diagnostic biopsy (P less than 0.0001). Most deaths occurred within one year of operation, commonly from perforation or haematemesis from residual mural disease during chemotherapy. In 5 of 11 patients who had biopsy only, CT scans suggested localized disease, and 'complete resection' was achieved at a second laparotomy. Complete resection should be attempted wherever possible before chemotherapy. The place for surgeons with experience is clearly central to the management of this disease.

Adult↗

Expression of differentiation antigens within human mammary tumours is related to response to endocrine therapy and survival.

Human mammary tumours which are histologically well differentiated are more likely to synthesize receptors for estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) and to respond to systemic endocrine therapy. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between differentiation, receptors and endocrine responsiveness in more detail by relating the expression of putative differentiation antigens within tumours to ER, PR and response to treatment. Sections of the primary tumours of 160 patients with advanced evaluable breast cancer were immunostained with 2 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) (HMFG1 and HMFG2) raised against putative differentiation antigens found on the membranes which surround the milk fat globule. Tumours were highly heterogeneous with respect to antigen expression. However, the number of cells which expressed the antigens was highly correlated with ER and PR concentrations and with response to endocrine therapy. In tumours where greater than or equal to 20% of cells expressed the antigen recognized by HMFG1, 73% responded to endocrine therapy; this was similar to the response predicted by ER (67%) and PR (73%). Expression of HMFG1 was correlated with survival from the start of endocrine therapy (p less than 0.0001) to the same degree as ER and PR. Patients with tumours which expressed ER, PR and HMFG1 had the highest response rate (87%) and survival (median 49 months); the response in tumours which expressed none of these phenotypes was 13% and the median survival of these patients was 9 months. These results suggest that cells which express differentiation antigens also express ER and PR. Differentiated cells within mammary tumours may therefore be the target cells for systemic hormone, and also the source of factors which control tumour growth.

Adult↗

Endocrine therapy for advanced carcinoma of the breast: relationship between the effect of tamoxifen upon concentrations of progesterone receptor and subsequent response to treatment.

In some cell lines and tumors of mammary origin, tamoxifen causes an increase of progesterone receptor (PR) as a result of its partial estrogen agonist activity. In this study we have assessed the effect of tamoxifen on PR in patients with advanced carcinoma of the breast in order to test if those with a rise in PR are more likely to respond to endocrine therapy. PR was measured before and a median of 13 days after treatment with tamoxifen in a group of 52 patients with either locally advanced (n = 28) or recurrent (n = 24) carcinoma of the breast. Controls were a group of patients with operable disease who had two biopsies with no intervening tamoxifen (n = 51) or with intervening tamoxifen (n = 58). In the test group PR was higher in the second biopsy than the first in 21 patients, and 19 of these responded to continued endocrine therapy (90%). In the remaining 31 patients PR was either lower in the second biopsy (n = 19) or was negative in both biopsies (n = 12), and 11 of the total of 31 patients (35%) responded to continued endocrine therapy. The prediction of response and time to progression was better when both biopsies were taken into account than either the first or the second alone. The prediction of survival was similar for the group selected by an increase in the second biopsy and the group with PR present in the second biopsy. The controls without tamoxifen showed a marked variation in the level of PR in the first and second biopsies, suggesting heterogeneity of PR across the tumors studied. However, the PR level was significantly higher in the second biopsy in the controls given tamoxifen and in the test group compared with those with no intervening treatment (p = 0.031). This study indicates that some effect of tamoxifen upon PR can be demonstrated in human mammary tumors in vivo and that, by taking a second biopsy for PR estimation during treatment with tamoxifen, a more precise indication of subsequent response is obtained. The value of a single estimation of PR before treatment on secondary deposits is limited, and if one biopsy only is performed, it is of greater predictive value if taken after a few days treatment with tamoxifen.

Aged↗

DNA analysis by flow cytometry, response to endocrine treatment and prognosis in advanced carcinoma of the breast.

The relationship between DNA content of mammary cancer and subsequent response to endocrine therapy was studied in 136 patients with advanced disease. All were treated with tamoxifen or ovarian ablation as first-line systemic therapy after relapse and were evaluable for response according to UICC criteria. DNA characterisation by flow cytometry was used on formalin fixed paraffin-embedded samples of tumour. Tumours were grouped according to DNA index into diploid (n = 52, 38%), 'tetraploid' (n = 46, 34%) and 'other DNA-aneuploid' (n = 38, 28%). The highest proportion of oestrogen receptor positive tumours (ER + ve) was found in the 'tetraploid' tumours (38/46, 85%, Chi-square = 8.53, P less than 0.02), and response rates, (SD + PR + CR), were 26/52 (50%), 34/46 (74%), and 15/38 (39%) respectively (Chi-square = 10.88, P less than 0.005). Patients with diploid or 'tetraploid' tumours survived longer and stayed in remission longer than those with 'other DNA-aneuploid' tumours. We suggest that 'tetraploid' or 'near tetraploid' human mammary tumours may comprise a distinct group of endocrine responsive tumours within the overall group of aneuploid tumours. The conventional interpretation of DNA histograms, grouping into diploid and aneuploid, may be masking important features of some tumour groups.

Adult↗

Effect of tamoxifen upon cell DNA analysis by flow cytometry in primary carcinoma of the breast.

The effect of tamoxifen upon cellular DNA ploidy in carcinoma of the breast was assessed by flow cytometry (FCM), in a prospective group of 77 patients with primary operable disease. Each had a needle biopsy at the outpatient visit for diagnosis and FCM analysis, and definitive surgery was performed a median of 8 days later. Forty received tamoxifen during this period - 40 mg qds loading dose for 24 h, followed by 20 mg daily until the day of operation: 37 patients received no therapy. The DNA histogram from the needle biopsy was compared with that obtained from the resected tumour for each individual. There was little change between the pair of histograms from tumours from the untreated patients. In those who had received tamoxifen the most consistent effect was a marked reduction in the magnitude of the 'tetraploid' peak in tetraploid or near-tetraploid tumours with DNA indices 1.8-2.0. There was little change in diploid or 'other DNA-aneuploid' tumours. In tetraploid tumours (DNA index of 2.0) the percentage of nuclei in the diploid S phase was significantly related to the percentage of nuclei in the diploid G2 + M/tetraploid G1 peak (P less than 0.003, unpaired t test). These data suggest that an effect of tamoxifen can be demonstrated by FCM upon tumours exhibiting a tetraploid or near-tetraploid DNA content. It is possible that tetraploid or near-tetraploid human mammary tumours may be a distinct group of endocrine responsive tumours within the overall group of aneuploid tumours, and that the majority are probably derived from the diploid population rather than being a true aneuploid population.

Adult↗

Molecular expression of epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies HMFG-1 and HMFG-2 in human breast cancers: diversity, variability and relationship to prognostic factors.

Epitopes recognised by the monoclonal antibodies HMFG-1 and HMFG-2 are found on glycoprotein components in human breast cancers. This study used immunoblotting techniques to ascertain their molecular diversity, assess their relationship to known prognostic factors, and investigate their expression in sequential samples of breast tumours from individual patients. Both epitopes were expressed on components of a wide variety of molecular weights (HMFG-1, 130 to 450kDa; HMFG-2, 90 to 450kDa). The HMFG-2 epitope was expressed more frequently on components of less than 200kDa (p less than 0.0001). Progesterone receptors (PR), small tumour size and low histological grade correlated significantly with HMFG components greater than or equal to 300kDa. Higher staining intensity was associated with increased likelihood of PR positivity. Paired sequential samples were taken, with a median interval of 8 days, from 38 patients, 23 of whom were administered tamoxifen. In the majority of tumours profiles of expression of components carrying the epitopes were identical in both samples (HMFG-1, 30/38; HMFG-2, 22/38). Overall the results suggested that there was no consistent relationship between the differences observed and tamoxifen administration. We conclude that expression of the HMFG-1 and HMFG-2 epitopes is relatively constant in most tumours, but variable (and possibly subject to modulation) in others, and that their expression, particularly on high molecular weight components, is related to factors associated with good prognosis (PR, small size, low grade), and may be of independent prognostic value.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Is it acute cholecystitis?

In a prospective study of 100 patients presenting with acute right hypochondrial pain and diagnosed clinically by a qualified surgeon as having acute cholecystitis, we have shown that the diagnostic error can be considerable. Twenty-five of these patients were found to have a different diagnosis on subsequent investigation and in a further 11 patients, no definite diagnosis could be established. This emphasises the need for careful investigation of patients with this presenting complaint.

Abdomen, Acute↗