Biomedical subjects

G M Schenk

Publications and source records attributed to G M Schenk.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1996

Induratio penis plastica: effectivity of low-dose radiotherapy at different clinical stages.

This study describes the treatment of Peyronie's disease by means of low-dose radiotherapy. We treated 265 men aged 24.5-79.4 years (median = 57.7 years). No previous therapy had been carried out in 214 patients, and 41 patients had been pretreated (systemic: potassium p-aminobenzoate, vitamins a, b, e; topical: corticosteroids, teleradiotherapy). The disease was classified using criteria proposed by Alth in 1984 location, number and size of foci, hardness of fibromatous foci and axis deviation, potentia coeundi and pain were evaluated). Radiotherapy was performed by local application of a special iridium-192 moulage developed at our institute. In 66.4% of the monitored patient group (n = 155) therapy was successful. We obtained complete regression of the fibromatous foci in 9% (n = 14), partial remission > 50% in 29.7% (n = 46) and partial remission < 50% in 27.7% (n = 43) of the patients. We found a significant correlation between hardness, size of the treated foci and therapeutic success. Eighty-three patients suffered from pain during penile erection before therapy, and in 61.4% (n = 51) of these patients the pain disappeared after treatment. Moreover, the patients confirmed that both loss of pain and regression of deviation related to foci regressions were correlated with improvement in erectile function. No serious side effects were observed in any of our patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Hypericin in phototherapy.

We describe the first local use of hypericin as photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy in a patient with recurrent malignant mesothelioma. Hypericin is a polycyclic quinone, which has been shown to possess in vivo and in vitro antiretroviral and photosensitizing activity; moreover, it is used in depressive disorders. The semiquinone radical, singlet oxygen, and superoxide anion radical are reported to be the toxic agents in hypericin phototherapy. Our first experience with locally applied hypericin in a superficial tumor-plate was performed 8 weeks after the systemic administration of hematoporphyrin derivatives. For tumor light illumination we used an argon pumped dye laser tuned to 632 nm. Owing to satisfactory results, we repeated the same therapy 4 weeks later- and no therapeutic effect was noted. Following this, we proved the interstitial application of HPD and the combination of interstitial HDP and superficially applied hypericin. The subsequent light illumination 6 hours later had no efficacy in the HDP-photosensitized area but there was tumor destruction in the field with both administered photosensitizers. Our first experience suggests a potentiation of two photosensitizers: hematoporphyrin derivatives and hypericin.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

Photodynamic therapy--an alternative pathway in the treatment of recurrent breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Validity of photodynamic therapy for treatment of recurrent breast cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients were intravenously administered with a metal-free haematoporphyrine derivative for tumor sensibilization. For irradiation both monochromatic and white light was used. Monochromatic light at a wavelength of 632 nm was supplied by an Argon-Dye laser, whereas a halogen lamp provided white light. Narrowband red light came into use in case of one patient. Therapy included recurrent diseases of breast carcinoma, especially disseminary skin metastases, local recurrences, and lymphangiosis. Classical pretreatment was ineffective for the therapeuted patient group. RESULTS: The healing potency of photodynamic therapy for our patient group is enumerated in detail. No differences in the therapeutic effect were seen using either Argon Dye laser or noncoherent light sources. CONCLUSION: Photodynamic therapy appears to be a valuable treatment to classical therapeutic intervention providing a selective destruction of tumor cells without further affecting life quality.

Adult↗