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D Giuffrida

Publications and source records attributed to D Giuffrida.

42 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid: diagnosis and therapy].

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) originates in the thyroid C cells, or parafollicular cells, secreting calcitonin. It may be either sporadic or familial. Familial form can be isolated or expression of a multiple endocrine neoplasia type II. Mutations of the RET proto-oncogene have been identified in the germline DNA of patients with familial MTC syndromes. Genetic testing can identify patients affected by multiple endocrine neoplasia and familial MTC, allowing early diagnosis and possible cure. The initial treatment is surgical and the adequate surgery consists of total thyroidectomy. The treatment of occult or minimal disease can be curative. Plasma calcitonin measurements are excellent markers for post-operative follow-up. Imaging study can help to discover recurrent or metastatic disease. Adjunctive therapy includes radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Radiotherapy is reserved for bone metastases or for non resectable neck recurrences. Chemotherapy is reserved for patients with progressive MTC. Many chemotherapeutic regimens have been tried, results are controversial.

Calcitonin↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Second-line chemotherapy and new drugs for ovarian carcinoma].

Epithelial ovarian carcinoma represents a prototypic example of neoplastic disease sharing at the same time good chemosensitivity as well as marked propensity to relapse. If in one hand the definition of almost clear-cut guidelines has been reached in the setting of first-line therapy (i.e., cytoreductive surgery followed by first-line chemotherapy), more difficult to discern for the oncologist remains the choice of treatment in the occasion(s) of relapse(s). This article focuses on this particular setting of disease, analyzing the specific criteria of choice of drug or their combinations; the definite criteria followed for the use of platinum compounds in the second line of treatment, even if already utilized in the front line therapy, are also analyzed. Specific attention has also been paid in the definition of the role of single parameter as a "prognosticator" and/or as "predictor" of response. The Authors emphasize how clinical definitions remain the more reliable, simple, reproducible tools in therapeutical decision making.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid: diagnosis and treatment].

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), accounting for 5% to 15% of primary malignant thyroid neoplasm, is one of the most aggressive solid tumors in humans. It is rapidly fatal, with a mean survival of 6 months after diagnosis. Multimodality treatment with surgery and/or external beam radiotherapy and chemotherapy are of fundamental importance for local control of disease and to enhance survival. Molecular biology studies have shown that ATC is associated with a p 53 mutation. ATC usually does not concentrate radioiodine or express thyroglobulin. It is essential to verify the diagnosis histologically because insular thyroid cancer, lymphomas, and medullary thyroid cancer are occasionally confused with undifferentiated neoplasms. Immunohistochemical study is helpful in establishing the diagnosis. Multimodal therapy and development of effective systemic chemotherapy agents would provide to result in improvements in survival although no single agent has yet been identified. Aggressive multimodality treatment regimens show promise in improving local control in patients with ATC. Survival rates however remain low. Despite intense applications of such integrated therapy, no standardized successful treatment protocol has yet been established.

Carcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Receptor status and ovarian function in carcinoma of the breast].

The Authors have evaluated the relationship between the presence of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PgR) receptors and the ovarian function in 321 consecutive and unselected women who have undergone surgery for breast cancer. A significant relationship was found between the presence and the concentration of steroid receptors (ER and PgR) in the neoplastic tissue and the ovarian function. The Authors confirm the importance of considering the menopausal status in the evaluation of the results of steroid receptor assay.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Influence of abstinence length on ejaculate characteristics.

In order to study the influence of sexual abstinence on sperm concentration and semen volume, we have evaluated 195 semen samples of healthy individuals, grouped as follows according to abstinence length: A) 2-4 days; B) 5-7 days; C) more than 7 days. Differences between semen samples collected at home or at the laboratory were also studied. Semen volume was smaller in group A than in group B and C (p less than 0.01), while no significant difference was found in sperm concentration among the three groups. The place of collection did not affect semen characteristics. These results suggest that while a shorter abstinence is associated with a smaller semen volume the length of abstinence does not affect sperm concentration.

Adolescent↗