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Biomedical subjects

G F Scheumann

Publications and source records attributed to G F Scheumann.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Completion thyroidectomy in 131 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic factors that influence survival and recurrence after "completion" thyroidectomy (removal of the total thyroid remnant after diagnosis of carcinoma has been made in a specimen that was incompletely excised for a benign condition). DESIGN: Open study. SETTING: Teaching hospital, Germany. SUBJECTS: 131 Patients (65 with papillary and 66 with follicular thyroid cancer) who underwent completion thyroidectomy after primary subtotal resection. INTERVENTIONS: Indications for further operation were: tumour stage worse than pT1 ( n = 116), tumour stage pT1 and the suspicion of persistence of the tumour (n = 13), and incompletely resected tumour (n = 2). Multivariate analysis by Cox's proportional hazards model. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Recurrence, development of metastases, and length of survival. RESULTS: Patients who underwent their completion thyroidectomies within six months of the primary operation had significantly fewer recurrences, fewer lymph node metastases, fewer haematogenous metastases and survived significantly longer than those in whom the second operation was delayed for longer than six months. The age at the time of diagnosis and the stage of the tumour influenced survival, whereas sex and type of tumour did not. CONCLUSION: Completion thyroidectomy as soon as possible after incomplete resection of the tumour may improve prognosis in differentiated thyroid cancers the stage of which is worse than pT1 or in patients whose recurrent tumour is diagnosed at follow-up.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗

[Is liver transplantation as surgical therapy concept in metastases of neuroendocrine tumors justified?].

Between 1982 and February 1996 11 patients underwent liver transplantation for irresectable neuroendocrine hepatic metastases. The operative mortality was one of 11, while two patients died due to sepsis respectively tumor recurrence 7 and 68 months after transplantation. Eight patients are alive with a median survival of 55 months (range from 10 days to 8.5 years). In three patients there is no evidence of tumor and the longest disease-free survival is 102 months after LTx. These results suggest that liver transplantation represents a justified treatment for irresectable hepatic metastases arising from neuroendocrine tumors.

Adolescent↗

The value of lymph node dissection in hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma: a retrospective, European, multicentre study.

Clinical data of 139 patients with hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma (HMTC) from nine european centres surgically treated from 1980 to 1991 were reviewed retrospectively to analyse the value of systematic versus selective lymphadenectomy (LA). Biochemical cure rate was significantly higher in patients who underwent LA compared to patients who did not. In nodal-positive HMTC, systematic LA compared to selective LA improved biochemical cure in small but not large tumours. In nodal-negative HMTC, systematic LA compared to selective LA could not improve biochemical cure in either small or large primary tumours. To prevent local recurrences with the risk of increased surgical and tumour-related morbidity, systematic LA should be performed in all HMTC patients regardless of the primary tumour stage. However, an improvement of biochemical cure by systematic LA seems to be possible only in nodal-positive small primary tumours without distant metastases.

Adult↗

Western blot analysis of thyrotropin receptor expression in human thyroid tumours and correlation with TSH-binding.

Expression of thyrotropin receptor (TSHr) was analyzed in normal human thyroids and differentiated thyroid tumours by Northern blotting of total RNA and by Western blotting of detergent-solubilized membrane proteins with an antibody specific for the extracellular domain of TSHr. Under nonreducing conditions TSHr stained as a 90-kDa protein in normal thyroid tissue. Expression varied in differentiated carcinomas from normal to not detectable in parallel to steady state TSHr mRNA levels and TSH binding in a TSH binding assay. The negative expression of TSHr in some patients with differentiated carcinomas may have consequences for the TSH suppressive treatments of these patients.

Binding Sites↗

Compartment-oriented microdissection of regional lymph nodes in medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Lymph node metastases have been proven to be the main prognostic factor in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the efficiency of two surgical techniques of regional lymph node dissection with regard to the normalization of pentagastrin-stimulated serum calcitonin level and patient survival: selective lymphadenectomy, i.e., the excision of macroscopically or microscopically involved lymph nodes, versus a systematic lymphadenectomy performed by the new technique of a compartment-oriented microdissection. From 1970 to 1990, 82 patients with sporadic (n = 57) and hereditary (n = 25) MTC underwent a total of 142 operations including 63 selective lymphadenectomies and, since 1986, 35 systematic lymphadenectomies. The study revealed that in node-positive MTC the rate of interventions with a postoperative normalization of pentagastrin-stimulated serum calcitonin was higher after systematic lymphadenectomy (29.2%) than after selective lymphadenectomy (8.5%) (P < 0.01). The rate of patients undergoing repeat surgery due to a recurrence of MTC was 48% after selective lymphadenectomy and 10% after systematic lymphadenectomy. Survival was significantly better for patients after systematic versus selective lymphadenectomy (P < 0.005). This study thus emphasizes that systematic lymphadenectomy, using the technique of a compartment-oriented microdissection of cervicomediastinal lymph nodes, represents the preferred surgical treatment as well as the optimum technique in primary as well as secondary node-positive MTC.

Adolescent↗

Point mutation within the tyrosine kinase domain of the RET proto-oncogene in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B and related sporadic tumours.

The susceptibility loci for the three multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 2 syndromes have been mapped to the region of chromosome 10q11.2 containing the RET proto-oncogene, which codes for a receptor tyrosine kinase. The majority of MEN 2A and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma results from missense mutations within one of five cysteine codons in the extracellular domain of the RET proto-oncogene. We now report a missense mutation, resulting in the substitution of a threonine for a methionine at codon 918 in the tyrosine kinase catalytic domain, in the germline of 26 of 28 apparently distinct families with MEN 2B. DNA from five of 13 apparently sporadic MTC and one of 12 apparently sporadic phaeochromocytomas harboured a similar mutation, but the corresponding germline DNA was wildtype in each case.

Adenoma↗

Thyrotropin receptor and leukocyte adhesion molecules in autoimmune thyroid disease: a study of their gene expression by northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization.

In order to characterize the role of leukocyte-activating antigens and other immunological parameters in autoimmune thyroid disease, mRNA levels of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (ELAM-1, E-selectin), invariant chain (Ii) and the thymic hormone thymosin beta (T beta 4) were investigated in 18 human thyroid glands, including eight Graves' thyroids, two Hashimoto's thyroids, two endemic goiters and six healthy controls. Northern blot analysis showed that in autoimmune thyroid disease, expression of ICAM-1 and T beta 4 was correlated to transcript levels of Ii, whereas in the healthy controls, expression of T beta 4, ICAM-1 and ELAM-1 was low or nearly absent. ELAM-1 and TSH receptor (TSH-R) expression, the latter serving as a thyroid specific marker, was increased in some diseased gland but showed no relation to the immunological parameters mentioned above. Localization of the specific mRNAs by in situ hybridization demonstrated a cell-specific expression of TSH-R (thyrocytes), ELAM-1 (vascular endothelial cells) and T beta 4 (cells of hematopoietic origin). In contrast, transcripts of Ii and ICAM-1 were found in thyrocytes, leukocytes and endothelial cells. Our results implicate a coordinate expression of ICAM-1, T beta 4 and Ii in autoimmune thyroid disease, yielding distinct cellular expression patterns. Differential expression of ICAM-1, Ii and the TSH-R in thyroid epithelial cells indicates active regulatory events within the thyrocyte.

Autoimmune Diseases↗

Expression levels of the thyrotropin receptor gene in autoimmune thyroid disease: coregulation with parameters of thyroid function and inverse relation to major histocompatibility complex classes I and II.

Using a human TSH receptor (TSH-R) cDNA probe, we investigated TSH-R transcript levels in 13 human thyroid fragments by Northern blot analysis; 7 Graves' disease, 2 Hashimoto's disease, 3 endemic goiter, and 1 healthy thyroid gland were studied. TSH-R expression levels were variable, but displayed a close correlation to the expression of thyroid peroxidase (r = 0.703; P < 0.05), thyroglobulin (r = 0.817; P < 0.01), and the nuclear oncogene c-fos (r = 0.935; P < 0.001), but not c-myc. Overall, TSH-R transcript levels were low or absent in those thyroids in which expression of the major histocompatibility complex class I or II (MHC I or II) was high, thus establishing an inverse relation (MHC I, r = -0.791; P < 0.01; MHC II, r = -0.784; P < 0.01). In situ hybridization showed that apart from lymphocytes, thyroid cells themselves were the source of MHC II transcripts. gamma-Interferon expression was only detectable in 1 Hashimoto's goiter. Our findings suggest that next to lymphocyte infiltration, active regulatory events in the thyrocyte are responsible for the inverse relation between functional parameters (TSH-R, thyroid peroxidase, thyroglobulin, and c-fos) and immunological markers (MHC I and II).

Adolescent↗

Cystic enlargement of extrahepatic bile ducts.

BACKGROUND: Cystic enlargement of the extrahepatic bile duct system is a rare abnormal finding. A congenital origin is usually supposed; however, the pathogenesis is unknown. We report on our experience with extrahepatic bile duct cysts with special regard to cause, treatment, and recurrent disease. METHODS: From 1976 to 1991, 13 patients, 35 to 74 years of age, were treated for extrahepatic bile duct cysts. Seven patients had previously undergone cholecystectomy. Two patients were admitted because of recurrent disease; neither had undergone curative resection. RESULTS: In 11 patients a biliojejunal anastomosis with a Roux-en-Y was created after cyst resection; one patient underwent a diverticular stalk resection with end-to-end anastomosis of the choledochal duct. After a mean follow-up of 68 months eight of 10 patients were alive, two of whom complained about cholangitis. Recurrent diffuse dilatation of the remaining choledochus developed in one patient; one other patient died of cholangiocellular carcinoma 2 years after operation. CONCLUSIONS: In patients who had undergone previous cholecystectomy or with recurrent disease an acquired malformation cannot be excluded. Surgical treatment is always indicated because of imminent complications and should aim at complete resection of cystic tissue. Periodic postoperative evaluation is necessary to detect recurrent disease and malignant transformation.

Adult↗

[Diagnosis and surgical treatment of extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma].

From 1980 until 1991 10 patients were operated upon a paraganglioma: 5 patients with an encapsulated solitary tumor, two with infiltrating tumors and 3 with metastatic disease. The diagnosis of a catecholamine-producing tumor was most reliably made by norepinephrine analysis in urine and serum. The localization of the tumor was diagnosed in 9 of 10 cases by sonography and CT-scan. In 9 patients the tumor was excised completely, 4 times by extended resections. Whereas 4 out of 5 patients with an encapsulated solitary paraganglioma live to date without recurrence, all 3 patients suffering from metastatic disease had recurrent disease within one year postoperatively. A differentiated operative therapy of paragangliomas based on a clinical characterization is proposed: Encapsulated paragangliomas should always be excised. For solitary infiltrating tumors an extended resection may be necessary. This seems not to be justified for multiple infiltrating or metastasizing paragangliomas. Thus, only a reduction in size may be adequate for these tumors.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

[Morgagni's hernia: diagnosis and therapy].

A 35-year-old man reported persistent exertional dyspnoea and pressure sensation over the left chest for the last six weeks. On auscultation there were diminished breath sounds over the right base. Chest X-ray demonstrated a 10 cm large ventral paracardiac shadow on the right. Computed tomography suggested a hernia of the foramen of Morgagni; persisting symptoms indicated a laparotomy. This revealed an opening of about 1.5 cm in the right substernocostal triangle through which the entire greater omentum had herniated into the thorax. The omentum was repositioned and the hernial defect closed by direct suture. The postoperative course was without complication and the patient was discharged after seven days.

Adult↗

[Trans-sternal cervico-mediastinal primary tumor resection and lymphadenectomy in thyroid gland cancer].

Thyroid carcinoma may invade the mediastinum by direct extension of the primary tumor or metastases to the paratracheal or retroclavicular-parajugular lymph nodes. From 1975 to 1991 in 47 out of 622 thyroid cancer patients (7.6%) [14 papillary (PTC), 5 follicular (FTC), 16 medullary (MTC) and 12 undifferentiated carcinoma (UTC)] transsternal tumor resection has been performed. Four patients (UTC three, MTC one) deceased 7, 8, 35, and 41 days after resection of the primary tumor due to cardiac or tumor disease, and in one patient because of acute arteriotracheal haemorrhage after external irradiation; no patient deceased after transsternal resection as a result of cervicomediastinal lymphadenectomy. At the time of primary operation 80% of patients showed an advanced tumor stage (greater than pT3). In 34% of patients (PTC 64%, FTC 40%, MTC 13%, UTC 25%) no tumor recurrence was observed neither by imaging nor by biochemical methods. In 18 patients a transsternal microdissection of all four cervicomediastinal lymph node compartments has been performed. Histological analyses of excised and tumor involved lymph nodes revealed in 9 patients unilateral cervical and mediastinal and in 9 patients bilateral cervical and mediastinal lymph node metastases. In the case of unilateral cervicomediastinal lymph node metastases 2 out of 2 patients with papillary and 2 out of 6 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma could be cured surgically. In the case of bilateral cervicomediastinal lymph node metastases 3 out of 4 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, but no other thyroid cancer patient were free of disease. In conclusion, main indications for transsternal cervicomediastinal resection in thyroid carcinoma are (1) primary tumors extending to the upper mediastinum, but without lymph node metastases, and (2) thyroid carcinomas with unilateral cervicomediastinal lymph node metastases. In the case of bilateral cervicomediastinal lymph node metastases probable only papillary thyroid carcinomas are supposed to be curable by transsternal multicompartmentectomy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Frequency and significance of cervicomediastinal lymph node metastases in medullary thyroid carcinoma: results of a compartment-oriented microdissection method.

The frequency and significance of cervicomediastinal lymph node metastases have been investigated in 82 medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) patients retrospectively comparing two surgical techniques of lymph node dissection: selective lymphadenectomy (n = 63) versus compartment-oriented microdissection (n = 35). No positive correlation was observed between primary tumor size and the number of lymph node metastases. In patients with lymph node metastases proven histologically, 42% showed only cervical involvement (35% unilateral--type A, 7% bilateral--type B) and 22% cervicomediastinal lymph node involvement (15% cervico-unilateral and mediastinal--type C, 7% cervicobilateral and mediastinal--type D). Biochemical cure was 83% in node-negative patients but only 21% in node-positive patients. In node-positive MTC, calcitonin normalization was achieved in none with bilateral lymph node involvement but only in those unilateral lymph node metastases (31% in type A, 17% in type C). Survival and biochemical cure are significantly improved by application of the compartment-oriented microdissection method more so at primary surgery than at reoperation.

Carcinoma↗

Surgical approach of synchronous medullary thyroid carcinoma and pheochromocytoma in MEN 2 syndrome.

In cases with concurrent medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and pheochromocytoma, discussion regarding a one-stage versus two-stage treatment strategy approach remains open. From 1975 to 1990, 11 of 25 multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) patients presented with biendocrinopathies or triendocrinopathies synchronously. All patients were treated surgically and followed subsequently in our hospital. Of the group of nine patients with concurrent MTC and pheochromocytoma, five were treated in one-stage and four in two-stage procedures. No patient had major complications intraoperatively. For the two-stage group, the total hospital stay (preoperatively and postoperatively) averaged 35 days. For the one-stage group, the total hospital stay averaged 25 days. In patients with increased operative risks (patients with higher age and impaired physical condition or if neck surgery includes transsternal cervicomediastinal lymphadenectomy), two-stage procedures should be selected. However, in young patients with the MEN 2 syndrome or syndromes with small tumors detected by family screening, thyroidectomy, cervical lymphadenectomy, and adrenalectomy may be performed in a one-stage procedure without increasing surgically related morbidity.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

[Cervical interventions on the airway and esophagus in infiltrating thyroid cancer].

In 1989 und 1990 a resection within the region of the cervical airways and/or oesophagus was performed for an infiltrating tumor in 9 out of 95 patients (9.5%) suffering from thyroid carcinoma and in one patient with lymph node metastases from a carcinoma of the uterine cervix. There was no operative mortality. One patient died six weeks after resecting the anterior wall of the trachea of an intratracheal arterial bleeding due to radiation therapy. In one case the reconstruction of the trachea was performed with autologous material, in three patients alloplastic material was used. The oesophagus was reconstructed preferably by means of free microvascular jejunum autografts (n = 4), using a colon interposition in another two patients. In locally advanced differentiated and medullary thyroid carcinoma curative operations of the cervical hollow organs using microsurgical techniques can be performed with an acceptable operative risk and good functional results. They may markedly improve the otherwise limited prognosis of the disease.

Combined Modality Therapy↗