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Biomedical subjects

G Zanetta

Publications and source records attributed to G Zanetta.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Ultrasound in the follow-up of young patients with malignant ovarian tumors after conservative surgery.

Ultrasound examinations were performed us a step in the follow-up of 62 patients previously treated with conservative surgery for malignant ovarian tumors. With a minimal follow-up period of 36 months (range 36-129) 12 recurrences of disease were observed in nine patients. When compared to other routine follow-up procedures, ultrasound examination proved to be the most effective procedure in the monitoring of these patients, correctly detecting ten recurrences. Physical and gynecological examinations detected seven, tumor marker measurements detected six and chest X-rays detected one. Ultrasound examination was 83% sensitive, 99% specific and 99% accurate in the detection of recurrent disease. In four recurrences leading to death, the diameters of the tumors at first detection were 25, 50, 50 and 100 mm, significantly higher (p = 0.03) than in seven recurrences followed by complete response of the tumor (range 15-35 mm, median 30 mm). Ultrasound appears to be superior to physical and gynecological examination in early detection of recurrence; considering that smaller burdens of tumor at the time of recurrence seem to imply a better prognosis, ultrasound should be considered us a useful additional procedure in the follow-up of these patients.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1994

Transvaginal ultrasound-guided fine needle sampling of deep cancer recurrences in the pelvis: usefulness and limitations.

The usefulness of fine needle sampling (FNS) under transvaginal ultrasound guidance in gynecologic oncology patients is evaluated in this study. Between 1990 and 1993, 101 FNS under transvaginal ultrasound guidance were performed in 88 sessions. All targets were located deep in the pelvis and their median diameter was 30 mm. All procedures were performed on an outpatient basis. Sampling consisted of 46 cytologic aspirates and 55 biopsies. No false-positive result was obtained when cytologic results were correlated with both clinical outcome and surgical biopsy. For aspirates and biopsies, sensitivity was respectively 76 and 91%, while accuracy was 83 and 91%. Inadequate results were recorded in 11 aspirates and in 9 biopsies. In 7 of 12 sessions where both aspiration and biopsy were performed, false-negative or inadequate cytologic result was overcome by true-positive biopsies. No moderate or severe complication was observed. FNS under transvaginal ultrasound guidance is a safe procedure with limited invasiveness and extremely high specificity even when performed on small targets. Whenever possible, biopsies should be preferred. A negative FNS obtained from a clinically suspicious lesion requires a repeat sampling.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1994

Pre-operative cervical preparation before first trimester missed abortion: a randomized controlled comparison between single or double intracervical administration of PGE2 gel.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a single intracervical application of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) gel is as effective as a repeated administration with respect to the % of curettage for a missed abortion and to incidence of side effects. 32 consecutive patients with ultrasonographic diagnosis of missed abortion from 6th-13th week of gestation were randomly allocated to either single (group A) or repeated, 2 h apart (group B), intracervical application of PGE2 gel. No differences were observed in cervical dilatation before the administration of the gel between the two groups. In group B, evaluation of cervical dilatation 2 h after the first administration of PGE2 gel and before the second one did not show significant changes as compared to baseline values. The degree of cervical dilatation before surgery was significantly improved as compared to the initial dilatation in both groups; no significant difference was observed between the two study groups. A single administration of PGE2 gel followed by surgery 5 h later has the same effectiveness on cervical dilatation but fewer side effects than repeated administration of the drug 2 h apart.

Abortion, Missed↗
PubMed1994

Color Doppler ultrasound in the preoperative assessment of adnexal masses.

OBJECTIVE: To differentiate benign from malignant ovarian tumors preoperatively by means of transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound and to compare the sensitivity and specificity of this technique with that of conventional transvaginal ultrasound and CA 125 serum levels. METHODS: Different indicators of blood flow resistance (pulsatility index and resistance index) within intratumoral vessels were evaluated preoperatively in 80 adnexal masses by means of color Doppler ultrasound. Results were compared to CA 125 levels, conventional ultrasound and histopathologic findings. RESULTS: Forty-seven benign, 29 malignant and four borderline masses were studied. Mean PI and RI were significantly higher in benign than in malignant masses but an overlap was observed. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of color Doppler in predicting malignancy were 85%, 91% and 89% by using a cut-off value of 0.56 for resistance index and 97%, 87%, 91% by using a cut-off value of 1.0 for pulsatility index. The accuracy of both indexes in differentiating benign from malignant tumors was superior to that obtained by using conventional ultrasound and CA 125. In eight of nine masses where disagreement existed between color Doppler ultrasound and conventional ultrasound, pathologic examination confirmed the nature suggested by color Doppler ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to conventional ultrasound and CA 125, color Doppler ultrasound was more accurate in discriminating malignancies from benign tumors. The best use for this technique seems in giving further preoperative information about masses with uncertain sonographic characteristics, allowing better timing and tailoring of surgery.

Adnexal Diseases↗
PubMed1993

Early and short-term complications after US-guided puncture of gynecologic lesions: evaluation after 1,000 consecutive cases.

PURPOSE: To ascertain the complication rate associated with ultrasound (US)-guided puncture of gynecologic lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1986 and 1992, 878 transabdominal and 122 transvaginal US-guided punctures of gynecologic lesions were performed in 893 patients. Most of the procedures were performed in adnexal cysts (n = 838); the rest, in solid tumors (n = 66), mixed tumors (n = 56), or lymphoceles, abscesses, or fluid collections (n = 40). No anesthesia or antibiotic prophylaxis was routinely used. RESULTS: No life-threatening complication was recorded. Early complications (defined as complications that occurred within 24 hours after puncture) were recorded in 31 patients and consisted mainly of transient vagal symptoms or pain. Short-term complications (within 5 days after puncture) were recorded in 10 patients, six of whom required surgery. CONCLUSION: US-guided puncture of gynecologic lesions is safe in selected patients. Complication rates depend on the type of lesion and are very high in dermoid cysts, which should not be punctured, and extremely low in serous cysts, solid tumors, and mixed tumors.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed1993

Three-year results after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, radical surgery, and radiotherapy in locally advanced cervical carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the complications and results of neoadjuvant treatment before surgery and radiotherapy in locally advanced cervical carcinoma. METHODS: Between March 1988 and June 1989, 24 consecutive patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma received chemotherapy consisting of six weekly courses of cisplatin (50 mg/m2), vincristine (1 mg/m2), and bleomycin (30 mg), followed by radical hysterectomy and radiotherapy. Lymph node metastases were detected by means of lymphangiography and confirmed by fine-needle aspiration in 21 patients. RESULTS: Twenty-one women (87.5%) completed the planned sequence of treatment and 16 (66.7%) achieved objective responses. Three patients did not complete chemotherapy (one refusal, one myocardial infarction, one severe allergic reaction) and were treated further by radiotherapy. Nineteen subjects (79%) underwent subsequent radical surgery and radiotherapy without serious complications. After a minimal follow-up of 3 years, 16 patients had died of disease. Distant recurrences developed in only three of eight women in whom the nodes were negative originally, possibly reflecting systemic effectiveness of the chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: This sequence of treatment, although feasible, does not seem to improve long-term survival compared to standard treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Weekly doxorubicin chemotherapy for breast cancer in pregnancy. A case report.

The simultaneous occurrence of breast cancer and pregnancy is rare. Little data are available about cytostatic treatment in patients with breast cancer during pregnancy. We report on a 31-year-old woman with a 28-week pregnancy and a T3 N+ Mx breast cancer treated with weekly doxorubicin chemotherapy. This was a well tolerated treatment without toxicity or complications for the mother. A partial response of the tumor was observed after 4 treatment courses. A normal baby was delivered. Doxorubicin and its metabolites were not detected in amniotic fluid collected through amniocentesis. Macroscopic and pathologic examinations of the placenta were normal. Although larger experiences are needed, weekly doxorubicin seems to yield satisfactory results without additional risks of fetal distress or malformations when given in women during the second and third trimester of pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Clinical evaluation of a new lipid-based delivery system for intravenous administration of amphotericin B.

In a retrospective study a new lipid-based delivery system for administration of amphotericin B was evaluated in 26 treatment courses in 22 patients. Amphotericin B was given by infusion diluted in either the lipid solution (1 mg/kg/d; 13 courses) or dextrose (0.92 mg/kg/d; 13 courses). No differences were noted in the serum pharmacokinetics. Fever or rigors were observed in 6 of 13 courses in the conventional amphotericin B group versus none in the lipid amphotericin B group (p = 0.007). Four of 13 courses of treatment were discontinued due to adverse effects in the conventional amphotericin B group compared to none in the other group (p = 0.048). In the lipid amphotericin B group the decrease in creatinine clearance was significantly lower on the fourth day of treatment (p = 0.04) and significantly fewer patients had a decrease of more than 25% in creatinine clearance on the sixth day (4/12 vs 9/11 p = 0.02). These preliminary findings suggest that this lipid amphotericin B formulation is well tolerated with few nephrotoxic effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Proliferative response of lymphocytes from ovarian cancer patients to autologous tumor cells.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from 43 patients with histologically confirmed ovarian carcinoma were stimulated in mixed lymphocyte-tumor culture (MLTC) with purified autologous tumor cells. Positive results, assessed as lymphocyte proliferation, were observed in 21 cases (48.8%). Lymphoid cells associated with ascitic fluid or infiltrating solid masses were in general less reactive than PBL as only 3/11 cases had positive MLTC. Tumor cells isolated from peritoneal effusions showed no significant difference in stimulatory potential as compared to the primary tumor. These results suggest that in an appreciable proportion of ovarian carcinoma patients (approximately 50%), lymphocytes have the potential to react to autologous tumor cells. Comprehension of the immunological mechanisms of antitumor resistance may have direct practical relevance for more effective treatment of neoplasms.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

[Fine-needle aspiration in the diagnosis of breast lesions].

A series of 250 patients operated on for lesions of the breast with previous aspiration biopsy is presented. Cytological and histologic findings are correlated and diagnostic validity of the cytodiagnostic method is expressed in terms of sensitivity, which is 0,937 and specificity, which is 1,007. The comparison of the diagnostic validity with other diagnostic methods shows the greatest value for cytodiagnostic in this series. The utility of the introduction of cytodiagnostics in the mass screening projects for delection of breast cancer is indicated.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1979

Argentaffin pulmonary tumorlets.

The left lung, surgically removed from a patient, was found to be bronchiectasic and polycystic. Using light microscopy it was possible to locate multiple tumorlets originating from the Kulchitsky cells of the bronchial and bronchiolar mucosae. With the traditional histochemical staining, argyrophilia and argentaffinity were demonstrated. The latter, not previously reported in the literature, suggests the presence of different monoamines in the neurosecretory cytoplasmic granules of the tumorlet cells.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Brain metastases from cervical carcinoma.

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement by cervical carcinoma is uncommon. Out of 1,184 patients registered for invasive cervical carcinoma at our institution between 1982 and 1994, 14 (1.18%) developed brain metastases. Median age at the time of CNS metastasis diagnosis was 52 years. Median interval between diagnosis of cervical cancer and documentation of brain involvement was 18 months. Clinical manifestation included motor weakness, headache, seizures, dizziness and visual disturbances. All lesions (8 multiple, 6 single) were contrast enhanced on computerized tomography scans and were located in the cerebrum (n = 10), in the cerebellum (n = 2), or in both (n = 2). The CNS was the only site of detectable disease in 7 patients with recurrent disease. Eleven patients received only steroids, and 3 patients received radiotherapy. All 14 patients died, and median survival from diagnosis of brain metastases for the entire series was 4 months (range, 1-21). CNS metastases from cervical cancer are rare, and the prognosis for such patients appears poor.

Adenocarcinoma↗