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Biomedical subjects

H C Kitchener

Publications and source records attributed to H C Kitchener.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Surgery for endometrial cancer: what type and by whom?

Endometrial cancer has far too long been regarded as a simple disease to treat. As such it has generally remained in the hands of the generalist obstetrician/gynaecologist. In order to optimize the choice of surgery, careful pre-operative evaluation is essential with respect to pathology of a biopsy, radiological assessment of extent of disease and evaluation of fitness for anaesthesia. The standard procedure is a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. However, consideration should be given to pelvic lymphadenectomy in high-risk cases. Surgery for high-risk endometrial cancer should be performed by gynaecological oncologists.

Biopsy↗
PubMed2000

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia outcomes after large loop excision with clear margins.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for residual or recurrent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) after large loop excision of the transformation zone with clear margins. METHODS: We did a case-control study of women treated with loop excision for CIN who had adequate follow-up and in whom margins were believed to be clear. Women with clear margins in whom no subsequent lesions were found (controls) were compared with women who presented with subsequent CIN (cases). Epidemiologic and colposcopic risk factors for recurrence were analyzed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was done to identify independent risk factors. RESULTS: In 31 of 635 women studied (4.9%), subsequent lesions were diagnosed. Univariate analysis identified glandular involvement, satellite lesions, and age over 40 years in cases as significant. Multiple logistic regression analysis confirmed that these three characteristics were independent risk factors, with odds ratios of 4.9 (95% confidence intervals 1.9, 12.3), 19 (7.5, 48.2), and 6.7 (2.8, 15.8), respectively. Subsequent lesions were identified by colposcopy or cytologic testing during the first postoperative year in all but one case. CONCLUSION: Age over 40 years, glandular involvement, and satellite lesions were related to the reappearance of CIN after loop excision with clear margins. These findings could be used to define appropriate follow-up protocols.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The effects of the participation of patients with cancer in teaching communication skills to medical undergraduates: a randomised study with follow-up after 2 years.

The importance of good doctor-patient communication is widely recognised. The aims of this study were to evaluate the immediate effects of the participation of patients with cancer on the attitudes and skills of undergraduate medical students receiving an interview skills training programme, and to assess the effects of the participation of patients with cancer on the attitudes and interview performance of students 2 years later. It was hypothesised that the participation of cancer patients would have specific beneficial effects on attitudes and interview performance. Before participating in a 6-session interview methods course in third year, students were randomised to be taught with patients who had cancer (experimental group) or with patients with other diagnoses (control group). Before and after participating in the course, 233 students (94% response rate) completed an Attitudes Questionnaire. When they reached their fifth year, 54 students again completed the Attitudes Questionnaire and, in addition, made a video recording of an interview with a patient who had gynaecological cancer. These recordings were rated independently by two researchers using the Interview Rating Instrument. Immediately after the course, a number of differences were found between the two groups. For example, students in the experimental group were more likely to consider the ability to listen an extremely important characteristic of hospital doctors and to consider more strongly that trust is an essential part of the doctor-patient relationship. 2 years after the course, the ability of hospital doctors to communicate with patients, and the need for clinical decisions to reflect patients' wishes, were considered to be more important by students in the experimental group, although even 96% of controls felt both these issues were very or extremely important. As hypothesised, the experimental group had better ratings in terms of responding empathically, showing regard and concern for the patient, and assessing the impact of the symptoms on the patient's life. The participation of patients with cancer has beneficial and enduring effects on the attitudes and interview performance of medical undergraduates. Medical schools should consider how best patients with cancer can make an important contribution to communication skills training.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2000

Natural HPV immunity and vaccination strategies.

BACKGROUND: the task of preventing premature death in women may be delivered by vaccinating against the high-risk papillomaviruses associated with various malignancies. OBJECTIVES: we will discuss the immune mechanisms likely to be relevant to the control of an HPV infection in the cervix and assess the limited evidence for such immune recognition in the natural history of infection. CONCLUSION: the next generation of vaccination strategies should include the use of HPV 16 early (E2 and/or E6 and/or E7) and late gene targets (L1 and L2) expressed as VLPs with their clinical and immunological evaluation aimed at therapy as well as prophylaxis. Important clinical efficacy assessment may be deliverable in relatively short-term studies by targeting patients with HPV 16 associated vulval intraepithelial neoplasia.

Female↗
PubMed2000

Requirement for expert histopathological assessment of ovarian cancer and borderline tumors.

The distinction between borderline ovarian tumours (BOT) and ovarian carcinoma is made by histopathological assessment. Of 64 patients managed according to institutional BOT protocols, 27 (42%) had been referred with a diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma that was subsequently changed to BOT following histopathological review. The 70% 6-year event-free survival of the patients with a revised diagnosis was not significantly different from those who were referred with a diagnosis of BOT. This change in diagnosis is important as it avoids the need for chemotherapy for most patients and results in patients receiving appropriate information concerning prognosis. Interestingly, 24 patients (38.1%) reported a family history of epithelial cancer, a finding that has not been reported previously. Campaign

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Efficacy of cervical-smear collection devices: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Few randomised controlled trials have sufficient power to show clear advantages of different designs of cervical-smear collection devices. We studied by systematic review whether the design of cervical-smear devices affects rates of inadequate smears and detection of disease and whether the presence of endocervical cells in the smear affects detection of disease. METHODS: We sought relevant randomised controlled trials by computer literature review by MEDLINE backed up by a manual search of 16 journals. Each trial was classified according to methodological quality criteria. Odds ratios were calculated where data allowed. FINDINGS: 34 randomised controlled trials investigating cervical Papanicolaou smear collection devices were identified. All 34 trials compared the ability of devices to collect endocervical cells, and 19 compared the ability of devices to detect dyskaryosis. Meta-analyses showed that compared with other collection devices, the Ayre's spatula is an ineffective device for collecting endocervical cells (for example, odds ratio for comparison of extended-tip spatulas vs Ayre's spatula 2.25 [95% CI 2.06-2.44]) and also gives a lower yield of dyskaryosis (odds ratio for comparison of extended-tip spatulas vs Ayre's spatula 1.21 [1.20-1.33]). Devices that effectively collect endocervical cells also detect a higher proportion of abnormal cytology than those that do not. INTERPRETATION: The widely used Ayre's spatula is the least effective device for cervical sampling and should be superseded by extended-tip spatulas for primary screening and investigation of women before and after treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The presence of endocervical cells is a valid and convenient surrogate for the ability to detect dyskaryosis.

Equipment Design↗
PubMed1999

The effects of the participation of patients with cancer in teaching communication skills to medical undergraduates: a randomised study with follow-up after 2 years.

The importance of good doctor-patient communication is widely recognised. The aims of this study were to evaluate the immediate effects of the participation of patients with cancer on the attitudes and skills of undergraduate medical students receiving an interview skills training programme, and to assess the effects of the participation of patients with cancer on the attitudes and interview performance of students 2 years later. It was hypothesised that the participation of cancer patients would have specific beneficial effects on attitudes and interview performance. Before participating in a 6-session interview methods course in third year, students were randomised to be taught with patients who had cancer (experimental group) or with patients with other diagnoses (control group). Before and after participating in the course, 233 students (94% response rate) completed an Attitudes Questionnaire. When they reached their fifth year, 54 students again completed the Attitudes Questionnaire and, in addition, made a video recording of an interview with a patient who had gynaecological cancer. These recordings were rated independently by two researchers using the Interview Rating Instrument. Immediately after the course, a number of differences were found between the two groups. For example, students in the experimental group were more likely to consider the ability to listen an extremely important characteristic of hospital doctors and to consider more strongly that trust is an essential part of the doctor-patient relationship. 2 years after the course, the ability of hospital doctors to communicate with patients, and the need for clinical decisions to reflect patients' wishes, were considered to be more important by students in the experimental group, although even 96% of controls felt both these issues were very or extremely important. As hypothesised, the experimental group had better ratings in terms of responding empathically, showing regard and concern for the patient, and assessing the impact of the symptoms on the patient's life. The participation of patients with cancer has beneficial and enduring effects on the attitudes and interview performance of medical undergraduates. Medical schools should consider how best patients with cancer can make an important contribution to communication skills training.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1999

Human papillomavirus type 16 and 18 detection in the management of mild dyskaryosis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if semi-quantitative human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 detection by polymerase chain reaction can increase the sensitivity and specificity of repeat cytology alone for underlying high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). DESIGN: Prospective randomised study of immediate treatment and surveillance. SETTING: A dedicated colposcopy clinic serving a regional population. SAMPLE: Three hundred and four women with smears reported as mild dyskaryosis. METHODS: Repeat cytology, HPV 16 and 18 tests, and colposcopy were performed at study entry. Women were randomised to either immediate treatment or surveillance with repeated tests at 6 and 12 months. Unless all study smears were negative, women were treated at study exit by large loop excision of the transformation zone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensitivity and specificity of HPV testing for types 16 and 18 in conjunction with cytology for high grade CIN. RESULTS: Combining repeat cytology with HPV 16 and 18 testing had a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 26%, a positive predictive value of 71%, and a negative predictive value of 71%, for underlying high grade CIN. If used to secondary screen in conjunction with repeat cytology for mild dyskaryosis, 88% of women would have been referred for colposcopy on the basis of either test being positive. CONCLUSION: Combining repeat cytology and HPV 16 and 18 detection would result in the majority of women being referred for immediate colposcopy. Taken with an overall default rate of 17%, immediate referral of all women with mild dyskaryosis for colposcopic assessment still appears to be a more effective clinical strategy.

Colposcopy↗
PubMed1999

Gynaecological cancer.

Gynaecological cancer encompasses a number of tumours with different epidemiology, pathology and treatment strategies. This article reviews the principal clinical advances and areas of development in cancer of the ovary, cervix, endometrium and vulva.

Chemotherapy, Adjuvant↗
PubMed1999

A protective role for common p21WAF1/Cip1 polymorphisms in human ovarian cancer.

The objective of this study was to compare the frequency of two common p21WAF1/Cip1 gene polymorphisms in ovarian cancer patients with that in age-matched controls, from a population originating from Eastern Scotland. Both polymorphisms were found significantly less frequently in both the constitutive and tumour tissue DNA of ovarian cancer patients (3/65; 4.6%), than in that from geographically and age-matched controls (25/186; 13.4%) (p=0.0495, chi2). Furthermore, we found no p21WAF1/Cip1 gene mutations in any of the tumours, reflected by a relatively low degree of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the chromosomal region where the gene maps, providing further evidence that the p21WAF1/Cip1 gene is not mutated in ovarian cancer. The data suggest however, that there may potentially be a protective function for the two p21WAF1/Cip1 gene polymorphisms in the population under study.

Alleles↗
PubMed1999

Recurrent borderline ovarian tumours after conservative management in women wishing to retain their fertility.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rate of recurrence after conservative treatment of Stage 1 borderline ovarian tumors. METHODS: Retrospective case note review of all women with borderline ovarian tumours diagnosed at Aberdeen, U.K. and loannina, Greece between 1981-1993. Outcome measures comprised initial surgery, stage of disease, histological type, pregnancy rate, recurrence rate and disease-free interval. RESULTS: Conservative surgery for borderline tumours in young women permitted high conception rates. Recurrence of tumour was high in this group, 71%, and presented late. CONCLUSION: Prolonged intensive follow-up is required for women treated conservatively for borderline malignant ovarian tumours.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Abdominopelvic CT scan findings after surgery for ovarian cancer.

AIMS: To evaluate abdomino-pelvic changes in patients who had total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) for stage I ovarian cancer. METHOD: The postoperative computed tomographic (CT) scans of 23 patients who had undergone TAH and BSO for stage I ovarian tumours between 3 and 14 weeks previously were assessed, providing there had been no treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy and that each patient had normal tumour marker (CA125) levels after surgery. After the CT scan patients were followed up and had no clinical or biochemical (CA125) evidence of relapse for a median of 27 months (range 11 to 78 months). The following sites were assessed by two observers: the vaginal vault, round ligaments, bladder, rectum, perirectal fat, pelvic sidewalls, omentum, surgical scar and abdominal wall. Any abnormality was recorded, with re-evaluation on follow-up CT scans in ten patients (between three and 17 months). RESULTS: The following abnormalities were seen: (1) Thickened round ligaments (n=12) with bulbous masses at the surgically transected ends (n=7). This was bilateral in eight patients. (2) Vaginal vault thickening (n=11) either uniform (n=6) or bulbous bilaterally (n=2) or unilaterally (n=3). (3) Subtle omental bed stranding or nodularity (n=11). (4) Peritoneal thickening underlying the scar (n=4). (5) Asymmetrical rectus abdominis muscles (n=3) adjacent to the surgical scar or thickened scar tissue in the anterior abdominal wall (n=4). No significant bladder, rectal, perirectal or nodal abnormalities were found. CONCLUSION: Pseudotumours at the transected ends of the round ligaments, or uniformly swollen round ligaments, may be identified in patients who have had TAH and BSO, as may vaginal vault thickening. Other changes which may be observed in the abdomen and pelvis are peritoneal thickening adjacent to the scar and omental bed stranding.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Admission-discharge policies for hysteroscopic surgery: a randomised comparison of day case with in-patient admission.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness and acceptability of day case hysteroscopic surgery. DESIGN: Prospective randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. SUBJECTS: One hundred and ninety four consecutive women who underwent hysteroscopic endometrial ablation. INTERVENTION: Seventy three women were allocated to day case surgery and 37 to inpatient admission; 84 women though otherwise fit for day case surgery were scheduled for in-patient admission as they lived more than 20 miles away. All women completed a questionnaire 24 h after their operations. Readmission rates were obtained from case notes. Satisfaction rates 12 months after the operation were recorded by means of a follow-up questionnaire. RESULTS: Post-operative pain was absent or slight in 48 (75%) of the women in the day case group 27 (84%) of women in the in-patient group, and 55 (82%) in the non-randomised in-patient group. Post-operative analgesia was necessary in 34 (52%) women in the day case group, 24 (75%) women in the in-patient group and 36 (53%) women in the non-randomised in-patient group. Hospital costs were significantly less in the day case group. Satisfaction with stay 92% in the day case group, and 100% in the other two groups. CONCLUSION: In this setting, day care is a safe acceptable and less expensive alternative to in-patient care for hysteroscopic endometrial ablation.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Invasive cervical cancer after conservative therapy for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

BACKGROUND: Conservative outpatient therapy for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) by ablative or excisional techniques is widely used. The main objective of this treatment is the prevention of invasive cervical cancer. We assessed the rate of invasive disease and the duration of the risk of developing invasive cervical cancer after such treatment. METHODS: Four UK centres have used life-table methods to analyse the long-term results of conservative treatment of CIN. We combined and updated data from these studies to investigate the rate of invasive disease after treatment and the duration of that risk. FINDINGS: The data comprised 44 699 woman-years of follow-up, with 2116 women under observation 8 years after treatment. 33 women developed invasive cancer, 14 of whom had microinvasion. The cumulative rate of invasion 8 years after treatment was 5.8 per 1000 women and the rate of invasive cancer during this period was 85 (95% CI 60-119) per 100,000 woman-years. The risk of developing cancer did not change throughout the 8 years of follow-up. INTERPRETATION: These data show that conservative outpatient therapy in women with CIN reduces the risk of invasive cancer of the cervix by 95% during the first 8 years after treatment. However, even with careful, long-term follow-up, the risk of invasive cervical cancer among these women is about five times greater than that among the general population of women throughout that period. Careful follow-up is essential for at least 10 years after conservative treatment of CIN.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Immediate colposcopy or cytological surveillance for women with mild dyskaryosis: a cost effectiveness analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to compare the cost effectiveness of immediate diagnosis and treatment of mild dyskaryosis compared with the usual policy of cytological surveillance. METHODS: A cost effectiveness analysis was carried out alongside a randomized clinical trial. RESULTS: Immediate diagnosis and treatment increased total costs by 50 per cent from 54.42 pounds per treated woman [95 per cent confidence interval (CI) 48.85 pounds-59.98 pounds] in the surveillance group to 82.02 pounds per woman in the immediate diagnosis and treatment group with an incremental cost of 27.60 pounds (95 per cent CI 22.04 pounds-33.17 pounds). However, the number of cases of CIN III detected increased by 69 per cent for the policy of immediate diagnosis and treatment. This led to an average cost effectiveness ration of 180.18 pounds for the immediate diagnosis and treatment group and 199.94 pounds per case of CIN III detected for the surveillance group, with a marginal cost effectiveness ratio of 148.22 pounds (95 per cent CI 94.01 pounds-309.33 pounds) for the immediate diagnosis and treatment group. CONCLUSION: Immediate diagnosis and treatment increases the total cost of managing mildly dyskaryotic smears but this increased cost is offset by a sharp increase in the number of cases of CIN III detected.

Colposcopy↗