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Biomedical subjects

E Hain

Publications and source records attributed to E Hain.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Malignant mesothelioma of the pleura. A prospective therapeutic study of 132 patients from 1981-1985.

Between March 1981 and February 1985, 93 out of 132 patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma were eligible for therapy and were prospectively assigned to receive either combined therapy or best supportive care, according to their personal preferences. Fifty-seven patients underwent multimodal therapy including surgical resection where possible, polychemotherapy, and radiation therapy in case of partial remission. Thirty-six patients received maximal supportive care only, as did 39 patients who were not eligible for treatment. The median survival was 13 months for treated patients compared to 7 for those receiving best supportive care and 5 for patients not amenable to treatment. Median progress-free survival was 6, 2, and 1 month respectively. Surgical resection did not prolong life expectancy within the treated group. In view of significant differences in the distribution of various cofactors over the two study groups, stepwise Cox model analyses were performed. Prognostic nontreatment variables related to prolonged survival were: good performance status, stage I and II, absence of chest pain, age below 50 years, and epithelial histology. Although in the Cox model analyses the survival improvement of patients being treated could be greatly attributed to other cofactors, multimodal treatment showed some prolongation of life expectancy.

Adult↗

[Chemotherapy of non-small cell bronchial cancer with mitomycin C, vindesine and cisplatin. Results of a phase II study].

Forty-five patients (39 male, 6 female) with inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer were treated with combined mitomycin C, vindesine and cisplatin. All patients had measurable disease and had no previously received chemotherapy. The performance status of all patients was over 60%. Twenty-one patients had limited, 24 extensive disease. The overall remission rate was 53.3% (3 complete and 21 partial remissions) with a median remission duration of 9 months. Adeno- and squamous cell carcinoma responded to the chemotherapy with a remission rate of 63% (7 out of 11 patients) and 58% (14 out of 24 patients), but there were only 30% responders in large cell carcinoma (3 out of 10 patients). The median survival time for responders was 12 months, for those with no change and for patients with progressive disease 6 months. Myelosuppression and renal toxicity of the combination was generally not a treatment problem; subjective tolerance, however, (gastrointestinal upset) was poor.

Adult↗

[Computed tomographic findings in diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma].

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare tumour and often difficult to diagnose. In this report, the CT findings of 50 patients with proven malignant pleural mesothelioma are described and tabulated. In 31 cases the CT findings could be compared with the results of thoracotomy and thoracoscopy. CT proved reliable in evaluating the exact extent of the disease. Additionally, a combination of findings can be detected by CT, suggesting the diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma. The limitations of CT in malignant pleural mesothelioma are discussed.

Adult↗

[Malignant diffuse pleural mesothelioma: a comparison between computed tomography and the conventional chest x-ray].

The rate of incidence of malignant pleural mesothelioma is increasing although diagnosis of this disease may be very difficult. Computed tomography examinations and conventional chest x-rays of 30 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma were reviewed independently, to evaluate the role of both modalities. CT offered the following advantages over conventional chest x-ray examinations: CT was more sensitive in detecting the smooth and nodular changes of malignant pleural mesothelioma, especially at the diaphragm and lower parts of the thorax, tumours could be better demonstrated at the pericardium and in the greater fissure, in some cases, where chest films showed just abnormal widening of the mediastinum, CT could differentiate between tumour involvement of the mediastinal pleura and local invasion of the mediastinum by the tumour, CT was more effective in detecting pleural calcifications and thickening of the contralateral pleura. CT proves more accurate in assessing the extent of the disease, and gives additional diagnostic help.

Adult↗

[Combined chemotherapy-radiotherapy study of small cell bronchial carcinoma: chemo-/radiotherapy vs radio-/chemotherapy].

The authors studied the effect of a chemo-/radiotherapy or radio-/chemotherapy on 52 cases of microcellular bronchial carcinoma, classification "limited disease". The survival curves were slightly better for the patients submitted to primary chemotherapy, but the difference was not statistically significant, and the curves coincided again after 18 months. 60 to 80% of the patients had no complaints or only unimportant complaints during more than half of their survival time. In 23 patients with "extensive disease" who received only a symptomatic therapy or a combined palliative chemotherapy, chemotherapy had a slightly better effect, but this was not statistically significant.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Enhanced benzo(a)pyrene metabolism and formation of DNA adducts in monocytes of patients with lung cancer.

The conversion of G[3H]benzo(a)pyrene to water-soluble material and to DNA adducts was determined in peripheral blood monocytes of 52 healthy male and female volunteers and 27 patients with lung cancer. Active smokers converted more benzpyrene to DNA-bound material than nonsmokers, but did not form significantly more water soluble material. Monocytes of lung cancer patients clearly formed more water soluble material than cells of the control group, and slightly more DNA adducts when only males are compared. This enhanced BP conversion of lung cancer patients is independent of smoking habits.

Adolescent↗

Clinical and radiological observations on asbestos-related pathology.

The papers in this session, which are summarized briefly, do not cover the wide range of radiological and clinical problems resulting from inhalation of asbestos dust. Pleural effusions are found in persons exposed occupationally to asbestos, even in the absence of asbestosis, but they are difficult to attribute to such exposure. Asbestosis of the lung shows no striking symptoms and can also be diagnosed only after all other possibilities have been excluded. There are no convincing or striking morphological peculiarities that suggest that an 'asbestos lung cancer' exists. Mesotheliomas of the pleura and of the peritoneum are usually resistant to therapy of any kind, although several possibilities are discussed. Radiological surveillance is presented as being still the most effective and reliable method for medical surveillance of asbestos workers. Circumscribed pleural thickening is benign but a good indicator of exposure to mineral dusts. Diffuse pleural thickening occurs frequently in nonexposed groups and cannot, therefore, be used as an indication of exposure; however, it cannot yet be ruled out as being significant epidemiologically.

Adult↗