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Biomedical subjects

C Gobitti

Publications and source records attributed to C Gobitti.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Accelerated split course regimen in the treatment of brain metastases.

Between July 1981 and December 1983, 63 patients, with brain metastases were treated with an accelerated split course regimen; irradiation was given to the whole brain in 3 daily fractions of 160 cGy each (with 4-h interval between the fractions), for 5 days a week. The cycle was repeated after 2 weeks to a total dose of 4800 cGy. Male-female ratio was 3:1 (48 males and 15 females). Median age was 58 years (range 24 to 75). The most frequent site of primary tumor was lung (squamous cell carcinoma in 33 patients and oat cell carcinoma in 8 patients), breast in 6 patients, melanoma in 3 patients, other sites in 8 patients and unknown cancer in 5 patients. Thirty-five patients had multiple brain metastases localizations. In 33 patients (52.3%), metastases were present in other sites outside the central nervous system. Two patients failed to complete the scheduled treatment: one because of early death and the other by refusal of therapy during treatment. We obtained complete remission (CR) in 4 patients and partial remission (PR) in 24 patients. The median survival time was 21 weeks. The overall response rate was 42.5%. Toxicity was not considerable. The treatment results were not influenced by the site of primary tumor or by disease spreading; only the neurologic status before radiotherapy and the response to treatment influenced survival. The results we obtained are similar to those reported by other studies; however, with the accelerated split course regimen the treatment time was reduced and a shorter period of hospitalization was required.

Adult↗

Multiple fraction per day radiation therapy for inoperable esophageal cancer.

Experience with a multiple fractions per day radiation therapy program for inoperable esophageal cancer is reported. The treatment program consisted of 3 daily fractions of 1.6 Gy, with a 4 hr interval between fractions, for 5 consecutive days (24 Gy). After a rest period of 2 weeks, a second course of radiation was given with the same dose and fractionation for a total dose of 48 Gy in an overall treatment time of 4 weeks. Thirty-four patients were treated between February 1981 and July 1983. Acute reactions consisted of mild esophagitis noted in 30% of patients. No treatment related complications were reported. Median survival was 7 months and the 2- and 5-year survival rates were 12 and 9%, respectively. Tumor size and Karnofsky performance status were found to be the most important prognostic indicators for prolonged survival. Prompt palliation of symptoms was noted. Thirty-three per cent of patients had complete resolution and 41% had partial improvement of symptoms after completion of treatment. Four patients (12%) obtained complete tumor regression with negative biopsy at endoscopic examination and 2 of them are free of disease at 58 and 64 months. A partial response was reported in 12 patients (35%) for a median duration of 5 months (3-26). Treatment with multiple fractions per day was feasible in patients with esophageal cancer and could be preferred to more conventional fractionations for promptness of palliation and the shorter treatment time. The expected therapeutic gain is discussed.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Occult small cell lung cancer associated with paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome: case report.

Cancer is often associated with paraneoplastic syndromes, which may be misinterpreted. We report a case of a patient with occult small cell lung cancer that was initially compounded by clinical features of a paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome. The presence of antineuronal antibodies and positron emission tomography scan guided the search for the underlying tumor. Following chemo-radiotherapy the patient showed no evidence of disease for the next 18 months, whereas only a slight improvement in the neurologic disorders was observed. The course of the small cell lung cancer was very indolent and the paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome did not worsen with the use of cisplatin.

Ataxia↗

Variations in tumor levels of cis-platinum through a course of fractionated radiotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Radiation has been shown to affect the uptake of micromolecules by the tissues within the radiation fields. We measured tumor drug uptake throughout a course of radiotherapy for stage III non-operable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients were treated with radiotherapy consisting of 15 fractions of 300 cGy given over 3 weeks. They were divided into groups of 2. At 1.5 hr before a given fraction of radiotherapy, one group was given i.v. a bolus of 6 mg/m2 CDDP (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum). Between 1.5 and 2 hr after radiotherapy, the patients underwent bronchoscopy, during which a biopsy was taken from the tumor mass. A similar procedure was carried out on a different group of 2 patients at each of the 15 radiotherapy fractions. The amount of platinum in the biopsy sample was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy and expressed as ng platinum/mg tissue. In another 13 patients, a biopsy was taken before beginning the radiotherapy, and they served as controls. RESULTS: The quantity of platinum/g of tissue in the patients was 11 +/- 4.4 ng/mg tissue. During the course of fractionated radiotherapy, the quantity of platinum/g of tumor varied considerably between radiotherapy fractions. Maximum uptake was at fractions 8 and 9 (92 ng platinum/mg tissue) with the minima during the first few fractions and at fractions 10, 11 and 12 (an average 20 ng platinum/mg tissue). CONCLUSIONS: The cyclical variations in the uptake of CDDP by the tumor tissue during the protracted course of fractionated radiotherapy are probably due to the well-known effects of radiation on vascular function and capillary permeability. The results may have implications for future clinical protocols involving chemo- and radiotherapy for the treatment of the disease.

Adult↗

Combined modality treatment of locally advanced lung cancer.

This paper describes the mechanisms of action of ionizing radiations combined with antineoplastic drugs. Some relevant drugs for the combined modality treatments of locally advanced lung cancer are reported. The meta-analyses including randomized trials comparing single agent (radiotherapy or chemotherapy) versus combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients with unresectable non small cell lung cancer and limited small cell lung cancer are then reviewed. The clinical outcome in relation to different schedules of chemoradiotherapy (sequential, alternating and concurrent) is also focussed.

Chemotherapy, Adjuvant↗