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Biomedical subjects

C Krag

Publications and source records attributed to C Krag.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Malignant melanoma of the skin in Denmark--epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment].

About 700 new cases of malignant melanoma of the skin are registered annually in Denmark. The incidence is increasing rapidly and the number of new cases increases by more than 5% per annum. The most important phenotypical risk factors are the number of acquired pigmented naevi and exposure to sunlight is the most important risk factor in the external environment so that severe sunburn in children and intermittent intense exposure to sunlight increase the risk of melanoma. The thickness of the tumour at the time of the diagnosis is the most important prognostic factor. The prognosis deteriorates with increasing thickness. Treatment is primarily surgical. In cases of inoperable local melanoma and regional recurrences, irradiation may be administered. Chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy are of experimental character. In the light of the rapidly increasing incidence, it is important that knowledge of risk factors for development of the disease and the clinical characteristics of early melanoma is spread to not only the medical profession but also to the general public.

Denmark

Classical prognostic factors in node-negative breast cancer: the DBCG experience.

Classical prognostic factors were analyzed in patients with low-risk primary breast cancer, defined as absence of tumor-positive axillary lymph nodes, tumor size less than or equal to 5 cm in diameter, and no invasion into skin or deep fascia. The primary surgical treatment was total mastectomy and lower axillary dissection. None of the patients received adjuvant therapy. Between 1977 and 1990, 7315 patients entered the study, and at the time of this analysis (January 1, 1990), the median follow-up time is 5 years. In univariate analyses, the following variables were significantly related to recurrence-free survival: age in premenopausal patients; tumor size; number of negative nodes removed; histological grade; and in premenopausal patients, estrogen receptor and progesterone (PgR) status. In multivariate analyses, age in premenopausal patients was the most important factor, followed by tumor size and histological grade, whereas PgR status in premenopausal patients was just of borderline significance. These variables should be included in multivariate analyses testing the value of more recently introduced prognostic factors.

Breast Neoplasms

[Rationalization profits of radiographic diagnosis with systematic follow-up DBCG (Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group) programs. 1].

In the follow-up programme of the DBCG-77 control and treatment protocols for primary operable breast cancer, bone scintigraphy and chest X-ray were performed 6 months after surgery and thereafter yearly until the diagnosis of any recurrence or another cancer. In the present study, the value of the two examinations was examined to the 6th year control. As a result of a low incidence of primary recurrence to the bone (0.6-3.9%) and to the chest (0.0-3.0%) the value was found to be low. About two thirds of the patients with primary chest recurrence addressed themselves with or had at the time of control pulmonary symptoms. About one half of those patients, in whom (during a 12-month period after the scheduled bone scintigraphy) bone metastases were diagnosed by another method, had a normal scheduled bone scintigraphy. False positive changes were not infrequent, especially at the bone scintigraphies. The diagnosis of asymptomatic chest recurrence did not reduce the mortality among stage II patients, among whom the greatest value of the control examination was found. It is concluded, that systematic use of bone scintigraphy and chest X-ray is not justified in a follow-up programme for stage I and II breast cancer patients.

Bone and Bones

[Prognosis after surgical treatment of breast cancer. 3. The low-risk group of the DBCG (Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group)].

The two therapeutic protocols of The Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group (DBCG) DBCG 77a (1977-1982) and 82a (1982-1990) comprise patients who were classified as low risk patients after operation for cancer of the breast, a total of 7,315 women. Treatment consisted of mastectomy and dissection of the lower and middle axillary levels. The median period of observation for DBCG 77a was 9 1/2 years and for DBCG 82a 3 1/3 years. The curves for recurrence-free survival and survival were found to be congruent in the two protocols. The recurrence-free survival after five years was 70% and 55% after ten years. Survival was 87% after five years and 70% after ten years. Local recurrence developed in 12.7% and 1.1% had distant recurrences simultaneously. Local recurrence was distributed with 60% in the scar or thoracic wall, 33% in the axilla and 7% in the clavicular lymph nodes. Distant recurrence alone developed in 11.4%. The time curves for development of local or distant recurrences were practically congruent. Local recurrence developed in 3.8% of the patients per annum during the first four years and after that in 1.5% per annum. Distant recurrence was found in 3.5% per annum in the first four years and after that in 1.8% per annum. The survival was significantly different after local and distant recurrence. Patients with tumours of grade 1 anaplasia had better prognoses than patient with grade 2 og 3 tumours as regards recurrence-free survival and survival. Multivariate analysis revealed that age under 40 years and anaplasia grad were significant prognostic variables for the parameters: distant recurrence and local recurrence. In addition, the number of lymph nodes in the operation specimen was a prognostic variable for local recurrence.

Adult

[Adjuvant endocrine treatment of postmenopausal patients with breast cancer with high risk of recurrence. 5. Results from the DBCG (Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group) 77C randomized trial].

The role of antiestrogen treatment of postmenopausal breast cancer patients with high risk of recurrent disease is evaluated in a nationwide, prospective trial conducted by the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group (DBCG). After total mastectomy and postoperative radiotherapy (RT), 840 patients were randomized to treatment with tamoxifen (RT + TAM) for one year, and 824 were randomized to no further therapy (RT). The recurrenceree survival (RFS) after ten years of lifeable analysis is 31% in the RT + TAM treated group, and 28% in the RT group (p = 0.01). Survival is 38% and 34% in the two treatment groups, respectively (p = 0.04). The data were further analyzed with respect to prognostic factors such as age, number of positive nodes, tumour size, and degree of anaplasia. Survival is prolonged in nearly all subgroups of patients treated with RT + TAM. However, the prolongation is only significant in patients with four or more positive nodes, with tumours of less than 5 centimeters or with tumours of anaplasia grade II. Estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) concentrations were measured in tumours from 309 and 219 patients, respectively. Only patients with ER and PgR values above 100 fmol/mg cytosol protein seemed to have a prolongation of survival. In conclusion, a modest survival benefit is achieved with one year of adjuvant tamoxifen treatment. Nevertheless, this is the first example of a systemic treatment approach being able to change the fatal course of breast cancer in postmenopausal patients. By means of endocrine therapy, and in the context of a new randomized trial, the DBCG will try to improve the survival in these patients even further.

Aged

[Adjuvant chemotherapy in premenopausal and menopausal high-risk patients with breast cancer. 4. Results of the DBCG (Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group) 77B study].

From October 1977 to November 1982 premenopausal and menopausal high-risk breast cancer patients were included in a randomized trial (DBCG 77B). The primary surgical treatment was total mastectomy with axillary dissection. In the trial, a total of 1,034 patients were enrolled and received postoperative radiotherapy (RT) and were further randomized to 1) no systemic treatment, 2) cyclophosphamide, or 3) cyclophosphamide + methotrexate + 5-fluorouracil. The chemotherapy was given for one year. With a median observation time of ten years, the survival was 45, 60 and 62%, respectively. Retrospectively, the survival benefit was observed to be most pronounced in the age group less than 40 years, in patients with tumour size less than or equal to 5 cm or with less than or equal to 3 positive lymph nodes. In high-risk premenopausal and menopausal patients adjuvant chemotherapy combined with RT thus resulted in a more than 25% relative reduction in mortality at ten years of observation compared with RT alone.

Adult

[Epitheloid sarcoma--an overlooked diagnosis?].

Epitheloid sarcoma (ES) is a malignant soft-tissue tumour which occurs particularly on the hand and forearm in young adults. The tumour grows slowly and metastasizes relatively late but has, nevertheless, a considerable mortality and morbidity because it is frequently erroneously diagnosed, both clinically and pathologically, either as a benign tumour or as a reactive inflammatory process. Two typical cases with diagnostic delays of 12 and 15 years, respectively, which required amputations through the upper arm or forearm are described. Even although ES is a rare tumour form, clinicians and pathologists should be aware of this possibility as, in the early stages, the tumour can frequently be treated effectively and radically by wide local excision without amputation.

Adult

[Metastasizing squamous cell carcinoma in patients with psoriasis treated with immunosuppressive agents].

Immunosuppressive agents are imployed increasingly frequently in treatment of nonfatal disorders. We report two cases of metastasizing squamous cell carcinoma after treatment for psoriasis with methotrexate. Additional cases must be reported, but we consider that: 1) methotrexate medication, when possible, should be withdrawn when a localized squamous cell carcinoma is diagnosed and 2) when this diagnosis is confirmed the patient should be referred for radical treatment.

Aged

The arterial supply of the clavicle.

This report based on delineation of the arterial system with 3 component plastic material on 10 human cadavers describes the arterial supply to the clavicle. The study was performed in 2 parts. One part, which showed the total arterial supply to the clavicle and one part with selective injections of the relevant arteries, with the intention of finding a central nutrient arterial supply to the clavicle. Three arteries were found to supply the clavicle: the suprascapular a.; the thoracoacromial a.; and the internal thoracic (mammary) a. The main supply was primarily periosteal. No nutrient artery was found.

Aged

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

In Denmark mastectomized women have shown an increasing interest in breast reconstruction. Secondary reconstruction one year after completed oncologic treatment is recommended. Patients are selected in collaboration with the oncologic treatment centers mainly from the group with localized (stage I) disease. Reconstruction of the breast dome is most commonly accomplished by submuscular implantation of a soft silicone prosthesis, often preceded by tissue expansion or combined with transfer of a musculocutaneous flap. In some cases flap transfer may provide sufficient bulk to eliminate the need for a prosthesis. Reconstruction of the nipple-areola complex is performed some months later, when symmetry in breast volume and placement has been established. Altogether the reconstructions may take 1/2-1 year in uncomplicated cases depending on the method used. The cosmetic results achieved are sufficiently good to warrant a recommendation that reconstructive surgery should be available--according to need--as an integral part of the treatment of women with breast cancer.

Breast

The latissimus dorsi flap. An overview.

In the recent past, the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap has added a significant tool to the armamentarium of the reconstructive surgeon. The history of its clinical use is reviewed with emphasis on embryological, anatomical and hemodynamic aspects.

Adult