Biomedical subjects

A H Graf

Publications and source records attributed to A H Graf.

58 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Significance of pretreatment serum hemoglobin and survival in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Tumor anemia is common in patients with malignant tumors and it was repeatedly demonstrated to be associated with impaired prognosis in patients with malignant tumors. We conducted a retrospective analysis based on 553 patients with histologically proven epithelial ovarian cancer. Blood hemoglobin levels were determined before surgery and patients with values <12 g/dl were considered anemic. Data analysis included univariate and multiple Cox models. Tumor anemia was present in 143 (25.9%) patients before surgery. Tumor anemia was present in 143 (25.9%) patients before surgery. In a multivariate Cox model, pretreatment hemoglobin values proved to be an independent prognostic factor for patients with stage I-II epithelial ovarian cancer (n=203), but failed to attain significance in patients with stage III-IV disease (n=350). Tumor anemia defined as pretreatment hemoglobin values <12 g/dl may indicate patients with stage I and II epithelial ovarian cancer, who are at increased risk of relapse.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Neuropeptides in the human penis: an immunohistochemical study.

In the present study, the distribution of neuropeptides in the human penis is demonstrated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). IHC screening detected a complex network of nerve fibers containing vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), peptide histidine-methionine (PHM), prepro-VIP (111-122), neuropeptide Y (NPY), C-flanking peptide of NPY (C-PON), calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P, and galanin immunoreactivities. Special attention was also given to the recently isolated, VIP-related lizard peptide helospectin, which could also be detected in neuronal elements in the penis. Colocalization studies showed the coexistence of VIP, PHM, and partly helospectin, and of NPY with C-PON within nerve fibers in the cavernous and spongious body, the glans penis, and the urethra.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Primary neuroendocrine differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma of the vulva: case report and review of the literature.

Only a few cases on mucinous adenocarcinomas of the vulva have been reported. In this study, we present a case of a 75-year-old woman with a tumor in the left major labium. Because biopsy had shown formations of squamous cell carcinoma, radical vulvectomy with bilateral inguinal and femoral lymph node dissection were performed. At that time, histology was interpreted as small-cell, anaplastic carcinoma, with focal epidermoid differentiation. Postoperative radiation therapy was performed. Sixteen months after surgery, the patient presented with bilateral breast carcinomas. Histology showed a scirrhous carcinoma of the left and a medullary carcinoma of the right breast, but no lymph node metastases. Histochemical and immunohistochemical re-examination of the vulvar carcinoma now revealed a mucinous adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation. The tumor expressed neuroendocrine markers such as chromogranin A and protein gene-product (PGP) 9.5, as well as peptides of the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) family, and serotonin. Histochemical silver stains demonstrated Grimelius argyrophilia and Masson argentaffinity. Because of positive estrogen and progesterone receptor status of both breast cancers, postoperative Tamoxifen therapy was performed. The patient is still alive four years after vulvectomy.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Oral Anticoagulation in patients with gynecological cancer and radiotherapy: a retrospective analysis of 132 patients.

Venous thromboembolism is reported to be a leading cause of death and morbidity after surgery and during radiotherapy for gynecologic malignancies. This study was performed to evaluate the incidence of thromboembolism as well as the benefit and risk of its prophylaxis with coumarin in this patient selection. Between 1988 and 1992, 132 patients with gynecologic malignancies underwent postoperative or primary radiotherapy (53 patients without prior surgery). Heparin (5000 IU t.i.d., s.c.) was administered perioperatively, and coumarin (International normalized ratio = INR target 2.0-3.5) was given to all patients during radiotherapy. Daily visits for inspection of the legs and for possible symptoms and signs of thromboembolism were performed. In case of diagnostic doubts, impedance plethysmography and phlebography for diagnosis of venous thrombosis, and lung scanning for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism were performed. Among the 132 patients, 9 (6.8%) developed deep venous thrombosis of the renal vein and of the inferior caval vein occurred in one additional patient. Pulmonary embolism was detected in 5 patients (3.8%). All thromboembolic events were without lethal outcome. Bleeding episodes were observed in 7 patients (5.3%); in two of them a major bleeding led to cessation of coumarin administration. The prophylaxis of thromboembolism in gynecologic oncology with coumarin seems to be effective, safe and inexpensive.

Administration, Oral↗