Biomedical subjects

E Belembaogo

Publications and source records attributed to E Belembaogo.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Is Nottingham prognostic index useful after induction chemotherapy in operable breast cancer?

The Nottingham prognostic index (NPI), based on tumour size in breast, node involvement and Scarff-Bloom-Richardson (SBR) grading, has been shown to constitute a definitive prognostic factor of primary operable breast cancer in the adjuvant setting. We performed a retrospective study to evaluate the prognostic value of this index in 163 patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Secondly, we examined the influence on survival of a revised NPI, only based on residual tumour size in breast and SBR grading in 228 patients, and consequently called breast grading index (BGI). The prognostic value of these two indices was also evaluated by replacing the SBR grade with the MSBR grade, a French modified SBR grading; the modified NPI (MNPI) and modified BGI (MBGI) were, respectively, obtained in 153 and 222 patients. At a median follow-up of 9.3 years, survival was significantly related to these four indices (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that MBGI was the only one which retained a prognostic influence on disease-free survival (P<0.02). In conclusion, the 'amount' of residual tumour in breast and/or nodes, as defined by NPI and revised indices, confers a determinant prognosis after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, inviting an alternative postsurgical treatment for a subgroup of patients with a decreased survival.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

[Position of cervix cancer detection in Gabon over a period of 19 years].

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report the contribution of the cytology test for screening for cervix cancer in Gabon observed in a retrospective study over 19 years (1977-1995). Data from the Libreville Faculty of Medicine cytohistopathology laboratory were used. RESULTS: Over the 19-year period, 10,838 PAP smears were performed, an average of 570,42 smears per year. Sixty-eight cases of cervix cancer were diagnosed with this test: 40 invasive carcinomas (58.83%), 5 microinvasive carcinomas (7.35%), and 23 in situ carcinomas (33.82%). During the same period, 437 cervix cancers were reported in the same laboratory without prior cytology test. CONCLUSION: In Gabon, cervix cancer is usually diagnosed at an invasive stage, hence the need for systematic detection.

Carcinoma↗

PubMed1998

Radiotherapy in the management of epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma: a retrospective study of 643 cases.

PURPOSE: To report to the literature the largest published series of epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma (EKS), treated with radiation therapy, to summarize and discuss our 10 years experience in the treatment of this malignancy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From June 1986 to December 1996, 643 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma were treated with radiation therapy (RT) at the Cancerology Department of Henri Mondor University Hospital. The patients, 640 men and 3 women had an average age of 38.5 years (range 20-68 years). Three hundred eighty-seven patients (60.1 %) had received previous treatment for their Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). In total, 6777 fields were irradiated, as follows: face 1342 (19.8%), eyelid and conjunctiva 362 (5.3%), trunk 1903 (28.1%), upper and lower limbs 2866 (42.3%), genitals 189 (2.8%). and oral cavity 115 fields (1.7%). Radiation therapy consisted of 4 MV or 45-70 kV X-rays, depending on tumor size and location. Doses ranged from 10 to 30 Gy, according to tumor response and toxicity. RESULTS: Objective response (CR and PR) was observed in 92% (5947/6464) of all cases, treated for cutaneous form of EKS. All patients with irradiated oral lesions had an objective response. The overall tolerance was acceptable for the cutaneous lesions. By contrast, in oral lesions, mucosal reactions were often observed after relatively low doses of radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Doses of 15 Gy for oral lesions, 20 Gy for lesions involving eyelids, conjunctiva, and genitals, have been shown to be sufficient to produce shrinkage of the tumor and good palliation of the symptoms. For the cutaneous EKS, we propose 30 Gy given in a local field, using a fractionated scheme with small size applicators. Radiotherapy has its own place in the management of EKS, as an efficient treatment.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1997

[Kaposi sarcoma].

Moriz Kaposi was the first who, in 1872, described five patients presenting with "sarcoma idiopathicum multiple hemorrhagicum". In 1912 Sternberg termed this disease Kaposi's sarcoma. Since then various forms of this rare disease have been observed. In 1914 Hallenberg described the first cases of African or endemic Kaposi's sarcoma. In the 1960s the first reports discussing Kaposi's sarcoma following organ transplantation and immunosuppressive therapy were published. After 1981, the epidemic form associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was described. All these forms, their history, treatment methods and the role of radiation therapy in the management of this rare malignancy are discussed, and the literature is reviewed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1994

The hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Hodgkin's disease: questions and controversies.

Most patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) are cured with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. However, half of those with advanced stage disease (IIIB, IV) do not respond adequately to treatment or relapse. Salvage therapy used in such cases gives from 10% to 50% complete remission but only 10% long term survival. The results of bone marrow transplantation reported in acute leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma encouraged some authors to develop this new therapeutic strategy in Hodgkin's disease. In the early 1980's promising results were achieved when refractory and relapsed patients were selected to receive myeloablative therapy followed by bone marrow transplantation. Today, high dose chemotherapy with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is used more and more often in poor prognosis Hodgkin's disease. After a review of the literature concerning the results of transplantation in Hodgkin's disease, we develop the numerous problems associated with this procedure which remain to be solved such as: the optimal indication, the timing of HSCT, the type of graft, the conditioning regimen, the place of radiotherapy and the optimal use of hematopoietic growth factors. We conclude with future prospects.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1989

[Fungal otitis in Libreville. Study of 83 cases].

83 cases of mycotic otitis of external ear are reported during a period of 27 months from three departments of otorhinolaryngology in Libreville (Gabon, Central Africa) Prevalence is estimated at about 25% among all infectious otitis. The main functional signs are pruritus, otorrhea, pain and hypoacousia. The physical examination shows masse of white, grey, black or creamy caseous debris, invading the external auditory meatus (EAM) which is sometimes inflammatory. Fungal species responsible of otitis are Aspergillus (54%), yeasts (45%) mainly Candida, infrequently Fusarium (1%). A niger (26%), A. flavus (17%), Candida parapilosis (18%), Candida albicans (9%) are predominant species isolated (70%) among all the 21 species of identified fungi from otomycosis in Gabon. Therapy, done by thorough washing of the ear followed by insertion into the EAM of a wick soaked in Econazole or Amphotericin B, is quickly effective.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Endometrial carcinomas in Gabon. A study of 34 cases in 11 years: 1988-1998].

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the importance of endometrium cancer in Gabon over an eleven-year period (1988-1998). We studied 34 cases from the register of cancers at the Faculty of Medicine in Libreville. The incidence of endometrium cancers was 5.3%. The patients came from areas with medical care facilities. They were all mature women with a mean age of 58.8 years (range: 34 to 80 years). Most of these women were menopausal (88. 24%). Uterine bleeding was the main symptom (100% of cases). Histologically, endometrium adenocarcinomas (79.41%) were the most frequently observed. The setting up of medical facilities in rural areas and efforts to provide the population with information concerning these cancers may affect the incidence and prognosis of endometrium cancer in Gabon.

Adult↗