[Clinical coding in oncology].
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C Toulouse.
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The modified Duromedics-Tekna bileaflet pyrolitic carbon mechanical prosthesis was reintroduced by Baxter in 1990. This report details the first case of sudden leaflet fracture of a Tekna mitral valve five years after implantation, which was managed successfully by replacement with a St. Jude Medical mechanical prosthesis. The fracture had occurred transversely, with the fragments embolizing to the terminal aortic bifurcation and the left common femoral artery. These were localized by computed tomography and removed two days after valve replacement.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We performed a survey to evaluate the present status and means of information given to patients treated by radiotherapy. A short questionnaire was sent, with the help of ESTRO, to 746 European heads of department with a request to send specific documents used for informing the patient. Within 2 months (March and April 1996) we received 290 answers (39%) and 97 centres sent documents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analysis of the questionnaire and the documents was performed quantitatively with usual statistical methods and qualitatively with a socio-anthropological method of content analysis. RESULTS: Analysis of the questionnaire shows the major role of the radiation oncologist in giving information and writing documents. The 298 different samples sent from 97 centres represent a wide panel with a booklet of general information (59 booklets/57 centres), practical advice and specific explanations (177 documents/49 centres) and informed consent (36 documents/28 centres). The anthropological study was centred on the way information was given, evaluation of the patient's understanding and analysis of documents sent. CONCLUSION: This preliminary survey needs to be completed by a study, including the patient's point of view and needs, about the information given.
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We report a pedigree in which three sisters had a particular type of ovarian cancer, small cell carcinoma of the hypercalcaemic type. This rare type of ovarian carcinoma is now well characterised by clinical and pathological findings and is well distinguished from other ovarian epithelial tumours and ovarian germ cell tumours. The occurrence of this rare type of cancer in several members of the same family and the existence of four other similar published observations raises the question of the genetic determination of this kind of tumour.
UNLABELLED: The objective of this phase II study was to determine the efficacy and toxicity of a combination of carboplatin and etoposide as salvage treatment, in previously treated patients with persistent or recurrent ovarian cancer following first-line cisplatin-based chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From July 1990 to August 1994, 58 patients were treated with 3-week cycles of chemotherapy consisting of carboplatin (200 mg/m2, D1) and etoposide (120 mg/m2, D1, D2). Criteria for evaluating previous response to cisplatin were strictly defined. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 36%, with five complete responses (CR, 9%), 16 partial responses (PR, 27%) and the median duration of response was 10 months (range: 4 to 38). In the group of patients who progressed during the first year following the diagnosis, the response was 1 CR and 2 PR (12%) and in the group of patients who progressed from the second year after diagnosis, 4 CR and 14 PR (56%), with a median survival of 8.5 and 21 months respectively (p = 0.0013). The response rate was 59% in the potentially platinum sensitive group versus 8.7% in the primary resistant group (0.02 < p < 0.05). Myelotoxicity was the main side-effect but did not appear to be cumulative. Grade 3 and grade 4 anemia were observed in 26% and 3% of the patients respectively, neutropenia in 14% and 2% and thrombocytopenia in 14% and 8.5%. One patient died of sepsis associated with neutropenia. CONCLUSION: Treatment was easily manageable and well tolerated. The advantage of carboplatin and etoposide combination in potentially responsive patients is represented by the reduced nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity and ototoxicity as compared with cisplatin containing regimen, with durable feasibility in outpatients. This second-line chemotherapy for ovarian cancer is effective as salvage treatment in potentially responsive patients with late recurrent tumors, while paclitaxel is the drug of choice for patients who have developped primary or secondary resistance to platin therapy.
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PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the toxicity and the results of abdominopelvic irradiation with a four orthogonal field's technique in patients with ovarian carcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between May 1981 and December 1990, 167 patients with ovarian carcinoma have been treated with whole abdominal irradiation: 62 patients with no or minimal residual disease < 2 cm after initial surgery (group 1) and 105 patients with no residual disease or macroscopic residual disease < 2 cm assessed by second-look surgery after incomplete debulking surgery and cisplatin-based polychemotherapy (group 2). Irradiation was performed by a four orthogonal field's technique. Thirty grays were given with a 25 MV photon beam (1.5 Gy/fraction/day, 20 fractions over 30 days). Boosts were performed in 50 cases (median dose of 15 Gy). RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 68 months, the 5-year actuarial survival rate was 50% in the entire group, 67% in group 1, 40% in group 2, and 84% in T1, 61.5% in T2, 38% in T3. Five-year actuarial survival was analyzed according to the residuum: (a) after initial surgery (no residual disease: 70%, residual disease: 36.5%), (b) after second-look surgery: 76% in patients with a negative second look, 66% in patients with microscopic residual disease, 22% in patients with macroscopic residual disease and secondary surgical reduction, and 10% in patients with small unresectable nodules. Nine percent of the patients failed to complete irradiation acute side effects related. Five percent required surgery for bowel obstruction. CONCLUSION: The abdominopelvic irradiation with this four orthogonal field's technique was associated with tolerable acute toxicity and a low risk of serious late complications. Similar late results to have been reported whole abdominal irradiation with chemotherapy in patients with negative or microscopic residual disease after surgery. Randomized trials comparing these two adjuvant treatments are warranted.
From May 1981 through December 1990, 167 patients with ovarian carcinoma were treated with whole abdominal irradiation. All patients of the first group (n = 62) presented with no or minimal (< 2 cm) residual disease at the time of irradiation. They received whole abdominal irradiation after initial surgery. Residual disease was left after initial surgery for patients of the second group (n = 105). They underwent a cisplatin polychemotherapy regimen followed by second-look laparotomy and abdominopelvic irradiation. The irradiation was performed by a four orthogonal field's technique. Thirty grays were given with a 25 MV photon beam. Boosts were performed in 50 cases (mean dose of 15 Gy); 91% have completed irradiation at the prescribed dose level; 5% had severe intestinal toxicity requiring surgery. The median follow-up was 68 months. The 5-year actuarial survival rate was 50%, 67% group 1.40% group 2. Five-year actuarial survival was 84% for T1, 61.5% for T2, 38% for T3. Five-year survival depended on tumor rest after initial surgery (residual disease 36.5%, no residual disease 70%). For patients in group 2, the size of residual disease at second-look laparotomy was a significant prognostic factor: five-year actuarial survival 76% with negative second-look, microscopic residual disease (positive cytology or random biopsies) 60%, microscopic disease after cytoreductive surgery at second-look 22%, macroscopic residual disease (small nodules) 10%. These results indicate that abdominopelvic irradiation is valuable in the treatment of ovarian carcinoma when there is no macroscopic residual disease after initial surgery or second look laparotomy. To assess the place of radiotherapy, randomized trials comparing whole abdominal irradiation with chemotherapy, watch policy for staged patients is warranted.
Sixty patients with advanced carcinoma of the cervix were treated with 3-week cycles of chemotherapy consisting of bleomycin (10 mg/m2, D1, 2, 3), mitomycin (10 mg/m2, D1), cisplatin (80 mg/m2, D3), etoposide (100 mg/m2, D1, 2, 3). Twenty-six patients had prior therapy. Toxicities noted were primarily nausea, vomiting, asthenia, fever and myelosuppression, especially in the pre-treated patients. One patient died of pulmonary toxicity. Of the 34 untreated patients, 25 objective responses (74%) were observed, with two complete responses (6%) and among the 26 pre-treated patients, ten objective responses (39%) with only one complete response. The mean duration of response was 3.8 months [2-14]. These data indicate that combination chemotherapy regimen is active against advanced and recurrent cervical cancer but caution is required for administration and continuation of treatment after four cycles. This method of chemotherapy has significant potential for primary treatment in patients with locally advanced disease.
A sentinel health information system using telematics and a network of general practitioners was set up in Aquitaine in south western France in 1986. Among the health problems under surveillance was acute diarrhoea. Data for each patient who fulfilled the usual case definition for acute diarrhoea were reported by general practitioners using home terminals (Minitels) connected to a central computer by telephone. Over one year 2234 cases of diarrhoea were reported, the incidence varying from 0.8 to 1.5 cases per doctor per week. Seasonal variations in incidence were observed, with peaks in the winter and in the summer. Only 379 (17%) episodes of diarrhoea were classified as severe, and these patients consulted their general practitioners earlier than patients whose diarrhoea was less severe. Foreign travel was rarely found in the patients' histories, but clusters of cases were found in communities (4.6%) and in families (22.3%). The advantages of this system were easy reporting and immediate feedback, but it was difficult to extrapolate the data, and the system was inadequate for intervening in outbreaks of diarrhoeal disease. Our knowledge of diarrhoeal diseases in south west France improved.
In June 1982, the Direction of the French Hospitals introduced the project for the medicalisation of the system of information (PMSI) derived from the American Fetter system. The aim of this project was the collection of basic data necessary to the establishment of a national minimum data set base (MDS). Since 1985, a french regional cancer center, the Foundation Bergonié, has collected MDS by computer. Now, we give the results of the analysis concerning 28,379 MDS collected from 1986 to 1988. However, 11,127 (39%) MDS have not yet been analyzed by PMSI as they are connected with external activity or ambulatory care. It is possible to form a diagnosis related group (DRG) from the MDS to analyze the management of hospitals and utilization of means. 279 DRG were formed from 12,252 MDS, in our Institute. In fact, only 30 DRG with a sufficient number of MDS (over 100) were studied. This descriptive study shows that a few DRG maintain homogeneity in terms of length of hospitalisation especially in the surgical sector. It seems necessary to incorporate new criteria for MDS in order to improve the study of DRG; however groups sufficiently large for statistical analysis must be maintained.
To improve the epidemiological study of suicide and attempted suicides in Aquitaine, France, we developed a comprehensive surveillance system based on the input of Sentinel General Practitioners (SGPs). From October 1986 to May 1988, for each case of suicide or attempted suicide, the SGPs reported epidemiological data to our system through a computer network of personal home terminals (Minitels). Data included age, sex, method and result of attempt and antecedents. In an analysis of the relationship between the suicidal method, antecedents and results of suicidal act, the principal findings were a high rate of antecedents of suicide attempts by drug overdoses, hangings and drownings; and no antecedents for attempts by the use of firearms. This may show that the increasing accessibility of firearms is making it more likely that impulsive suicide attempts will be lethal.
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