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Eric P Tamm

Publications and source records attributed to Eric P Tamm.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Borderline resectable pancreatic cancer: definitions, management, and role of preoperative therapy.

With recent advances in pancreatic imaging and surgical techniques, a distinct subset of pancreatic tumors is emerging that blurs the distinction between resectable and locally advanced disease: tumors of "borderline resectability." In our practice, patients with borderline-resectable pancreatic cancer include those whose tumors exhibit encasement of a short segment of the hepatic artery, without evidence of tumor extension to the celiac axis, that is amenable to resection and reconstruction; tumor abutment of the superior mesenteric artery involving <180 degrees of the circumference of the artery; or short-segment occlusion of the superior mesenteric vein, portal vein, or their confluence with a suitable option available for vascular reconstruction because the veins are normal above and below the area of tumor involvement. With currently available surgical techniques, patients with borderline-resectable pancreatic head cancer are at high risk for a margin-positive resection. Therefore, our approach to these patients is to use preoperative systemic therapy and local-regional chemoradiation to maximize the potential for an R0 resection and to avoid R2 resections. In our experience, patients with favorable responses to preoperative therapy (radiographical evidence of tumor regression and improvement in serum tumor marker levels) are the subset of patients who have the best chance for an R0 resection and a favorable long-term outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Phase I trial evaluating the safety of bevacizumab with concurrent radiotherapy and capecitabine in locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

PURPOSE: To study the safety of bevacizumab with capecitabine-based chemoradiotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with inoperable pancreatic adenocarcinoma received bevacizumab 2 weeks before radiotherapy (50.4 Gy treating the primary tumor and gross adenopathy), every 2 weeks during radiotherapy (12 patients each at 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 mg/kg), and after radiotherapy until disease progression. Capecitabine was administered on days 14 through 52 (650 mg/m2 orally twice daily for the first six patients; 825 mg/m2 for the remaining patients). RESULTS: Significant acute gastrointestinal (43% grade 2; 4% grade 3), hand and foot syndrome (21% grade 2), and transient hematologic (8% grade 3 or greater) events were uncommon with protocol mandated dose reductions of capecitabine grade 2 toxicity (43% of patients). Among the first 30 patients treated, three patients had tumor-associated bleeding duodenal ulcers, and one had a contained duodenal perforation. No additional bleeding events occurred among the final 18 patients after patients with duodenal involvement by tumor were excluded. Nine (20%) of 46 assessable patients had confirmed partial responses until distant progression for a median of 6.2 months. Four patients have undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy without perioperative complication. The median survival was 11.6 months (95% CI, 9.6 to 13.6), from the start of protocol therapy. CONCLUSION: Concurrent bevacizumab did not significantly increase the acute toxicity of a relatively well-tolerated chemoradiotherapy regimen. However, ulceration and bleeding in the radiation field possibly related to bevacizumab occurred when tumor involved the duodenal mucosa. The encouraging efficacy end points suggest that the further study of bevacizumab with chemoradiotherapy is warranted.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Venous resection in pancreatic cancer surgery.

Vascular resection and reconstruction at the time of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) adds complexity to an already demanding operation. In this chapter, we review the indications, surgical techniques, and most recent results of venous resection combined with PD. The need for venous resection may not always be apparent on preoperative imaging, and surgeons who perform PD should be familiar with standard techniques necessary for vascular resection and reconstruction. Recent data suggest that with proper patient selection and surgeon experience, vascular resection and reconstruction can be performed safely and does not impact survival duration even in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The median survival of patients who underwent PD and required vascular resection was 23 months, approximately 1 year longer than the survival of patients with locally advanced, surgically unresectable pancreatic cancer who receive palliative chemotherapy or chemoradiation.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

Borderline resectable pancreatic cancer.

Rigorous criteria to define "borderline resectable" pancreatic cancer are required for appropriate patient accrual into clinical trials that examine the utility of chemotherapy and/or chemoradiation that will be delivered prior to pancreatic resection for exocrine cancer. At our institution, tumor abutment of less than or equal to 180 degrees (< or = 50% of the vessel circumference) of the superior mesenteric artery, short segment abutment or encasement (> or = 50% of the vessel circumference) of the common hepatic artery (typically at the gastroduodenal artery origin), or segmental venous occlusion are used to categorize a pancreatic tumor as borderline resectable. These patients are at a high risk for margin positive resection with initial surgery; therefore, we favor a treatment schema that incorporates preoperative (neoadjuvant) therapy with systemic chemotherapy and chemoradiation. Patients whose tumors show radiographic stability or regression that are often accompanied by an improvement in serum tumor markers are candidates for pancreaticoduodenectomy. A prospective multicenter clinical trial with well-defined eligibility criteria may help decide the best overall treatment strategy for these patients. Vascular resection and reconstruction may be required in patients with borderline resectable tumors, and surgery should be performed at centers with expertise in such complex pancreatic resections.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Systematic approach to the analysis of cross-sectional imaging for surveillance of recurrent colorectal cancer.

Recurrent disease in colorectal cancer occurs in approximately 50% of patients who undergo a "curative" operation. Tumor recurrence may occur locally (at the anastomotic site), in the mesentery or mesocolon adjacent to the post-operative site, in the nodal echelon downstream to the post-operative site, and as distant metastases to the peritoneal cavity, liver or lung. Local recurrence at the anastomosis is frequently diagnosed at follow-up endoscopic examinations as part of screening for metachronous lesions. Other types of recurrences require imaging studies, most frequently CT or MR imaging to diagnose. We developed an approach to analyze imaging obtained after curative resection of colorectal cancer. Our approach is based on the knowledge of patterns of disease spread, of types of surgical procedures and of pathologic staging. Using this approach has the potential to detect recurrent disease at an early stage because the locoregional and nodal spread of this disease is predictable. Early diagnosis of recurrent disease, even in asymptomatic cases, allows for more effective treatment that can improve the long-term survival of these patients.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗
PubMed2005

Multidetector row CT of the liver.

CT has always played a major role in the imaging of the liver despite continuous challenge by ultrasound and MR imaging. Introduction of multidetector row CT technology has helped CT to excel in its already established indications and has expanded its capabilities by adding new clinical indications, such as CT angiography or liver perfusion. This article discusses the advantages of multidetector row CT scanners in liver imaging, examines the guidelines to improve image quality by optimizing scanning protocols and contrast administration strategies, and reviews the current and potential clinical applications.

Angiography↗
PubMed2005

Magnetic resonance imaging in the characterization of pelvic masses.

Female pelvic masses most commonly arise from the reproductive tract, although masses may arise from other structures in the pelvis, such as the gastrointestinal or urinary tracts. The evaluation of a pelvic mass often begins with the physical exam and proceeds to ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging. Each of these modalities has a role in the work-up of pelvic masses and each modality has inherent advantages and disadvantages. The focus of this article is to demonstrate the imaging features and role of MRI, in contrast to CT, for detecting, characterizing, and staging pelvic masses. The differential diagnosis for pelvic masses is extremely broad. Clinical history, precise anatomical localization, and MR imaging characterization can significantly narrow the differential diagnosis. With recent advances in therapeutic strategies, a non-invasive, preoperative diagnosis is highly desirable to suggest prognosis and to tailor the treatment approach.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed2005

Diagnostic evaluation of patients with a high suspicion of malignancy: comorbidities and clinical predictors of cancer.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of cancer is based on the demonstration of malignant cells obtained via biopsy or needle aspiration. For some patients, diagnostic options may be limited either because of tumor location, underlying comorbid conditions, or lack of access to care. METHODS: 275 of 282 consecutive patients presenting to the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center with a suspicion of cancer between April 1, 2000 and January 23, 2003 were evaluated retrospectively. We analyzed differences in means of diagnosis, complication rates, clinical characteristics, and comorbid medical conditions between patients with and without a cancer diagnosis. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of a diagnosis of cancer. RESULTS: 179 (65%) patients had a cancer diagnosis. Endoscopic ultrasonography with fine needle aspiration (EUS/FNA) and image-guided percutaneous biopsy (IGPB) were the most commonly used diagnostic techniques. Complications occurred in 6% of all cases. Independent predictors of a cancer diagnosis included age of 50 years or older, jaundice, weight loss, percentage of monocytes greater than 7, and platelet count greater than 440x10/L; the ROC statistic was 0.796 (CI, 0.738-0.854; P<0.001). Controlling for age, there was no difference in comorbidity between patients with and without a cancer diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: EUS/FNA and IGPB play an important role in the diagnosis of certain types of malignancy and are associated with a low risk for complications. Advanced age, prior history of malignancy, weight loss, abnormally high percentage of monocytes, and thrombocytosis may be predictive of a cancer diagnosis in patients with suspected malignancy. Comorbid medical conditions are common among patients and occur at rates similar to the general population. Further study is necessary to determine organ-specific predictors of malignancy and to better understand the relationship between cancer and coexisting medical conditions.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Radiation dose considerations in the palliative treatment of locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.

Treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer with high-dose radiotherapy has not been curative, and can be difficult to tolerate. We decided to compare retrospectively the outcomes of patients treated concurrently with 5-fluorouracil and either 30 Gy or more than 30 Gy of radiation. From December 1993 through May 2001, 107 patients with locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas had been treated with palliative chemoradiation. Eighty-six patients had received a prescribed dose of 30 Gy and 50.4 Gy had been prescribed in 18 patients. Two of these patients were unable to complete the full dose of radiotherapy due to toxicity, and 3 received intraoperative radiotherapy boost (20 Gy). Three additional patients received a prescribed dose of 33 Gy, 36 Gy, and 52.2 Gy, respectively. These patients were grouped together (n = 21, median 50.4 Gy). All patients had received concurrent protracted venous infusions of 5-fluorouracil (300 mg/m Monday through Friday). The median survival time was not affected significantly by a higher radiotherapy dose (8 months for the 30 Gy group versus 9 months for the group receiving higher doses; P = 0.64). The 6-month actuarial progression rates were 45% versus 50% (P = 0.90) for local disease progression, and 54% versus 50% (P = 0.94) for distant metastasis for the 30 Gy and the higher dose groups, respectively. Ten of the 86 patients (12%) who had received 30 Gy were hospitalized for treatment-related gastrointestinal toxicity (grade 3) versus 6 of the 21 (29%) patients given higher doses (P = 0.05). Compared with higher doses given over 5 to 6 weeks, chemoradiation (30 Gy in 10 fractions in 2 weeks with concurrent infusional 5-FU) results in a similar median survival, and local disease progression rates in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer apparently do not substantially improve local disease control or median survival time. Because higher doses of radiotherapy can lead to increased acute treatment-related morbidity, we recommend using 30 Gy in 10 fractions unless the patient is part of a prospective study evaluating novel biologic or cytotoxic radiosensitizers.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2004

CT evaluation of the response of gastrointestinal stromal tumors after imatinib mesylate treatment: a quantitative analysis correlated with FDG PET findings.

OBJECTIVE: We correlated changes in tumor density on CT with changes in glucose metabolism, or the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV(max)), on FDG PET and sought to develop CT imaging criteria that can be used to objectively evaluate tumor response in patients with metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) who undergo treatment with imatinib mesylate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the criteria established by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) group, we selected 173 tumors (in 36 patients) for study. Tumor size and density were determined objectively, and overall tumor response (OTR) was evaluated subjectively on CT images. The changes in these parameters before and after treatment were correlated with changes in SUV(max). RESULTS: Significant decreases were seen in both tumor density (mean, 12.3 H [16.5%]; p < 0.0001) and SUV(max) (mean, 3.43 [64.9%]; p < 0.0001). OTR evaluated subjectively, correlated well with changes in SUV(max) (p < 0.0001). No statistically significant association was found between changes in tumor density and changes in SUV(max) (p = 0.3088), but 70% (14/20) of the patients with tumors that showed response on FDG PET exhibited at least a partial response by a change in tumor density. Tumor size was found to have decreased significantly 2 months after treatment (p = 0.0070). However, in 75% of the patients, the disease was stable according to the traditional tumor response criteria of RECIST. CONCLUSION: FDG PET is sensitive and specific for evaluating tumor response but cannot be used in patients whose baseline FDG PET results are negative for tumors. Although subjective evaluation was a better indicator of treatment response than was tumor density alone, the tumor density measurement is a good indicator and provides a reliable quantitative means of monitoring the tumor. RECIST, using only tumor size, was unreliable for monitoring GISTs during the early stage of imatinib mesylate treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Evaluation of the patient with flank pain and possible ureteral calculus.

Flank pain due to urolithiasis is a common problem in patients presenting to emergency departments. Radiology plays a vital role in the work-up of these patients. Many modalities can be used, including ultrasonography, nuclear medicine, and the traditionally used techniques of intravenous urography and conventional radiography. The development of nonenhanced computed tomography (CT) (single- or multi-detector row helical) has provided a means to enable detection and characterization of urolithiasis with unprecedented sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy while yielding important information for treatment planning, including the size and location of calculi. This technique can also help detect causes for flank pain outside the genitourinary tract. However, close attention must be paid to all aspects of the CT study to prevent misdiagnoses.

Diagnostic Imaging↗
PubMed2003

Diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration in patients with presumed pancreatic cancer.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of the pancreas allows the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer to be established without exploratory surgery. We reviewed our recent experience with EUS-FNA in patients with presumed pancreatic cancer and report the diagnostic accuracy and complications of this procedure. Data were reviewed from all patients who presented with CT evidence of a pancreatic mass or a malignant biliary stricture and underwent EUS-FNA at our institution between November 1, 1999, and October 1, 2001. Based on the findings of contrast-enhanced, multislice CT scanning, patients were categorized as having resectable, locally advanced, or metastatic disease. EUS-FNA was performed in 233 patients. A final diagnosis of cancer was established in 216 patients (93%), 15 patients (6%) were found to have benign disease, and the final diagnosis remains unknown in two patients (1%). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EUS-FNA for diagnosis of a pancreatic malignancy were 91%, 100%, and 92%, respectively. For the 216 patients subsequently proven to have cancer, the results of EUS-FNA were diagnostic in 197 (91%); 96 (90%) of 107 patients with resectable disease, 62 (97%) of 64 with locally advanced disease, and 39 (87%) of 45 with metastatic disease. Four patients (2%) developed a clinically apparent complication that required hospital admission, including two patients who required surgery for duodenal perforation. There were no EUS-related deaths. We conclude that EUS-FNA can safely and accurately establish a cytologic diagnosis in patients with both early-stage and advanced pancreatic cancer. This enables consideration of all treatment options including protocol-based therapy.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed2003

Acute pancreatitis in intensive care unit patients: value of clinical and radiologic prognosticators at predicting clinical course and outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of clinical and/or radiographic prognostic indices in predicting the clinical course and outcome of patients with acute pancreatitis, in the intensive care unit. DESIGN: Retrospective, single institution review. SETTING: An adult medical and surgical intensive care unit in a public, urban teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Patients with acute pancreatitis requiring intensive care unit admission between January 1, 1997 and June 30, 2000. INTERVENTIONS: Standard care. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 477 patients were hospitalized with the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Of these, 28 patients (6%) were admitted to the intensive care unit. Ranson's, Imrie scores, Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and III scores, simplified acute physiology scores, and multiple organ dysfunction scores were tabulated at 1, 2, 3, 7, and 14 days after intensive care unit admission. Abdominal computed tomography was available for review for 24 of the 28 patients (86%), where the mean Balthazar's computed tomography index was 4.5 +/- 0.4 (range = 2 to 10). Hospital mortality rate for the intensive care unit patients was 14% (4 of 28). The intensive care unit length of stay ranged from 1 to 79 days (mean 15 days, median 5 days). Fifty-seven percent of the patients developed organ dysfunction, and 36% of the patients required mechanical ventilatory support, ranging in duration from 1 to 70 days. Infectious morbidity occurred in 43% of patients. Thirty-six percent of the patients required operative intervention for intraabdominal complications. APACHE II scores at 7 days after intensive care unit admission correlated closely with ventilator days (r2 =.90; p =.003) and correlated with the occurrence of infectious complications (r2 =.71; p =.02). Patient age, APACHE III, simplified acute physiology scores, multiple organ dysfunction scores, Ranson, Imrie, computed tomography, and APACHE II scores before day 7 did not closely correlate with the occurrence of adverse clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical course and outcomes of intensive care unit patients with acute pancreatitis can be highly variable. An APACHE II score <10 during the initial 48 hrs correlated with mild pancreatitis and uncomplicated intensive care unit course; however, multifactorial prognosticators were not useful for the early identification of patients who developed complications or required extended intensive care unit care.

APACHE↗
PubMed2002

Impact of multislice CT on PACS resources.

Multislice CT (MSCT), which allows for shorter scan times and thinner slice sections than single-slice helical CT (SSHCT), will likely increase the demands on picture imaging and communication system (PACS) resources. Weekly averages for number of images per study (IPS) were collected from MSCT and SSHCT scanners from 1-01 to 7-01. Average cycle times (ACT) and number of studies per patient (ANSPP) were analyzed from two MSCT and SSHCT scanners for the period of 1-1-00 to 4-1-01, and 4-1-01 to 8-1-01. For SSHCT, the average IPS for 1-8-01 was 79.9 SD 4.2, and for 7-30-01, 113 SD 16.6. For MSCT scanners, the average for 1-8-01 was 142.2 SD 8.9, and for 7-30-01, 197 SD 39. The ACT prior to 4-1-01 for the SSHCT scanners was 17.9 SD 8.3, 18.3 SD 8.4. For MSCT, they were 19.6 SD 8.7, 19.2 SD 8.6. This was significant at P <0.001. After 4-1-01, the ACT for SSHCT was 18.6 SD 8.0, and 18.6 SD 7.9. For MSCT, they were 19.1 SD 8.3, and 18.8 SD 8.3. The difference was not significant. The ANSPP prior to 4-1-01 for SSHCT was 1.8 SD 0.8. For MSCT scanners, it was 1.9 SD 0.8. This was significant at P <0.0001. The ANSPP after 4-1-01 for SSHCT were 1.9 SD 0.8, 1.8 SD 0.8; for MSCT, they were 2.0 SD 0.8, 2.0 SD 0.8. This was significant at P <0.0001. Implementation of MSCT could have a significant impact on PACS resources.

Humans↗