PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F L Ampil

Publications and source records attributed to F L Ampil.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Screening bone scintigraphy in the staging of locally advanced head and neck cancer.

A retrospective determination of the yield from screening bone scintigraphy in detecting bone metastasis when used for disease staging of 93 asymptomatic patients with locally extensive head and neck cancer was undertaken. The bone scintigraphy findings were correlated with observations from other radioimaging studies done within 1 month of head and neck cancer diagnosis. Bone scintigraphy did not reveal a single case of bone metastasis outside the head and neck region. On the other hand, 3 cases (8%) of resectable and 2 cases (5%) of non-resectable bone metastasis located within the head and neck area were observed among the 40 patients with abnormal bone scintigraphy. Old rib fracture or degenerative disease was responsible for the increased radionuclide uptake in bony areas below the clavicle in less than half of the remaining 35 cases. We conclude that the routine use of bone scintigraphy for disease staging in asymptomatic patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer is not warranted because the positive yield is low.

Adult↗

Solitary plasmacytoma of the sacrum presenting as a pelvic mass: report of two cases.

We describe two unusual cases of solitary plasmacytoma of the sacrum seen as a pelvic mass. Excessive bleeding, a distinct possibility, should be anticipated whenever a biopsy or resection of the tumor is considered. Because of the tumor's apparent radioresponsiveness and known evolution to multiple myeloma in some cases, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are recommended.

Adult↗

Spinal epidural compression in head and neck cancer. Report of five cases.

Patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer (HNC) during a 13-year period were retrospectively studied for the development of spinal epidural compression (SEC). Of the 759 patients studied, 5 developed epidural compression (1%), 4 of whom were relatively young. SEC occurred simultaneously with HNC in 2 patients and long after the diagnosis of HNC in 3 individuals. There was no observed tendency to involve a particular segment of the spine. Local control of HNC following definitive treatment along with regained ability to walk after palliative radiotherapy in a patient was associated with long-term survival. Recommendations are made for aggressive treatment of SEC to achieve a satisfactory outcome.

Adult↗

Long-term survival in small cell lung cancer with superior vena caval obstruction.

Two patients were diagnosed with small cell lung cancer and superior vena caval obstruction. Successful palliation of symptoms with significant reduction in size of the intrathoracic lesion was achieved with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Treatment resulted in complete remission with long-term (more than 3 years) survival. These two cases affirm the fact that, despite the generally recognized poor prognosis of small cell lung cancer associated with this syndrome, aggressive therapy can sometimes provide rewarding results.

Carcinoma, Small Cell↗

Timing and dosage of postoperative radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract.

Seventy patients who received postoperative irradiation (PI) after curative surgery for stage III or IV squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract were studied retrospectively to compare the rate of local and regional recurrence (LRR) and the effect of total dose on LRR rate in patients irradiated timely (n = 40) with those who were not (n = 30). Overall, the LRR rate was higher when PI was delayed than when timely (37% vs 20%). No advantage resulted from increasing total dose when PI was delayed; the LRR rate in the primary site and upper neck was 18% with less than 60 Gy and was 26% with 60 Gy or more; the LRR rate in the lower neck was 13% with 50 Gy or less and was 14% with more than 50 Gy. These data seem to corroborate the findings of other investigators regarding the importance of initiating timely PI, but not the observation that a pronounced delay is not detrimental provided higher tumoricidal doses are used.

Adult↗

Chylous effusion complicating chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

We present a case of chylous effusion (CE) occurring in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), an observation which has rarely been reported. Therefore, CLL should be added to the differential diagnosis of nontraumatic chylothorax. CE in CLL can be successfully managed by irradiation of the mediastinum.

Aged↗

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the central nervous system.

In the past few years, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the central nervous system has been the object of increasing attention because of the recent rise in its incidence. Part of this increase can clearly be attributed to the AIDS epidemic. This tumor responds unsatisfactorily to the traditional treatments. Various studies to determine the most effective treatment modality have yielded inconclusive results. A concise review of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the central nervous system is presented along with a case study of cerebellar non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Aged↗

Radiotherapeutic palliation of spinal epidural compression in small-cell lung cancer.

Sixteen patients with spinal epidural compression by metastatic small-cell lung cancer were given radiotherapy for palliation. Lower limb motor deficit was the most prominent clinical manifestation. Neurologic dysfunction was commonly present for more than 48 hours before the diagnosis of compression. Median interval between diagnosis of lung cancer and epidural tumor was 8.5 months. Twelve percent of the patients survived for 1 year after diagnosis of epidural compression. Radiotherapy gave significant pain relief to eight (89%) of the symptomatic individuals. Among those whose status could be assessed, one third of the initially nonambulatory patients (n = 9) were able to walk again. Anal or bladder sphincter or sensory disturbance did not improve in four persons. Radiotherapy for spinal epidural compression in small-cell lung cancer, though not curative, is highly effective in the relief of pain and may ameliorate limb motor dysfunction in some patients.

Adult↗

Modern therapeutic approach for high grade astrocytoma: intracranial Ir-192 brachytherapy.

Prognosis of high-grade astrocytoma has been extremely disappointing and the median survival of patients with this tumor is less than 10 months at best. The most common cause of failure is local persistence of the tumor. Many neuro-oncologists have now turned to an alternative therapeutic approach involving brain brachytherapy (interstitial implantation) for the treatment of high-grade astrocytomas because in this manner a higher dose can be delivered to the tumor bed without excessively irradiating the surrounding normal brain tissue. Brachytherapy has shown some evidence of superior results in survival of malignant astrocytomas if properly performed by a qualified brachytherapy team. The objective of this report is to discuss the rationale and technique of brachytherapy in the management of high-grade astrocytoma as well as future prospects concerning this particular treatment modality.

Brachytherapy↗

Epidural compression from metastatic tumor with resultant paralysis.

To determine the value of the usually given 'urgent' palliative radiotherapy in paraplegic patients with epidural compression from metastatic tumor, 20 consecutive cases treated between 1981 and 1986 were retrospectively analyzed. Bronchogenic and prostatic carcinoma were the more common extraspinal sources of metastasis. Epidural metastasis involved the thoracic spine in most cases. The onset of neurological symptomatology was frequently within two weeks prior to hospitalization. The majority of the subjects received at least 3000 cGy given in 10 to 15 fractions. Symptomatic (pain relief) response rate was 78 (7/9) percent. The observed period of survival averaged 2.5 months after treatment. This study reaffirmed the little chance for recovery of lost limb(s0 motor function. None of the patients (most of whom were paraplegic from two to 90 days pre-irradiation) became ambulatory including the two in whom irradiation was administered within 24 hours from the onset of paraplegia.

Epidural Neoplasms↗

Malignant lymphoma presenting in the retroperitoneum.

Twelve patients with untreated malignant lymphoma presenting in the retroperitoneum are reported. The mean age was 52 years. Pain and a palpable mass were the common symptoms. The high and intermediate grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma types comprised more than half of the observed histopathology. Three patients survived for more than 5 years.

Adolescent↗

Surgery and postoperative external irradiation for head and neck cancer recurrent after surgery alone.

The radiotherapeutic salvage of recurrent head and neck carcinoma after definitive surgery was retrospectively studied in 20 patients treated between 1972 and 1985. These individuals had external beam megavoltage irradiation for subclinical (n = 7) or gross (n = 13) disease. The conventionally applied total dose ranged from 4,600 cGy to 7,000 cGy (mean 6,000 cGy). Overall 2- and 5-year crude survival rates were 25% and 5%, respectively. Regional recurrence was more frequent than local disease. The latter was associated with a better prognosis. As expected, radiotherapy was relatively more effective for minimal (than for bulky) disease. In conclusion, the prognosis for recurrent head and neck carcinoma remains poor despite local therapy.

Adult↗

Factors influencing survival of patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands.

The uncertain long-term cure of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands was determined in 30 treated patients seen between 1952 to 1984. Ten of 25 patients received elective postoperative irradiation (SEPI) after surgical extirpation of the primary/recurrent lesion; five patients had definitive radiotherapy alone. Overall, survival rates were 60%, 30%, and 7% at five, 10, and 20 years, respectively. The incidence of local recurrence was 37%, regional recurrence 3%, and distant metastasis 37%. Fewer recurrences and distant metastases were in the SEPI group than the surgery alone group. The majority of failures occurred within 10 years after initial diagnosis of primary malignancy; most of the patients died within five years after failure(s) detection. Correlations of prognosis to site of origin, and local control to total radiotherapy dose were observed. It is concluded that cure of disease can be achieved with the use of appropriate therapy.

Adult↗

Primary gastrointestinal lymphoma.

Sixteen cases of primary malignant lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract were reviewed because of some controversy concerning its proper management. An intraabdominal disease staging system with prognostic correlation was used. Treatment employed was either (biopsy plus) irradiation alone or surgical resection of abdominal neoplasm with postoperative radiotherapy. Conventional megavoltage locoregional or subtotal/whole abdomen irradiation with an often given total dosage of 3,000-4,000 cGy up to 5.5 weeks was applied. Overall 4-year disease-free survival rate was 71%. Operative removal of neoplasm appeared important for an improved prognosis. Definitive radiotherapy alone did not have a dismal outcome.

Adult↗

Primary malignant tracheal neoplasms: case reports and literature radiotherapy review.

In contrast to laryngeal or bronchial carcinomas, primary malignant neoplasm of the trachea is rarely encountered. Case reports are presented to emphasize the difficulty in establishing the diagnosis. Disease clinical manifestations, histopathology, and natural history are described. A literature review summary of radiotherapy results on reported large series of patients is shown.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

Kaposi's sarcoma: report of five cases treated with radiotherapy.

Five patients with Kaposi's sarcoma seen and treated at the Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport from 1970 to 1984 are presented. A complete response was observed in two patients who received extended-field irradiation. Results obtained with external beam radiotherapy for this disease from other reported patients series are summarized.

Adult↗