PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

H Hepp

Publications and source records attributed to H Hepp.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

[Age-related differences and changes in clinical aspects and follow-up of cervix cancer since 1973].

In an attempt to clarify, whether the malignant potential of cervical cancer is age-dependent and whether this has changed in the last decade, we analysed the data from 1496 patients suffering from cervical cancer. The patients were treated between 1973 and 1988 at the second Universitäts-Frauenklinik, Lindwurmstrasse and at the Frauenklinik Grosshadern, both of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. After 1973, the total number of patients with cervical cancer decreased, whilst at the same time, the percentage of young patients increased. In the sub-group of surgically treated patients (n = 555), the percentage of patients with lymph node metastases increased after 1973. The increase in lymph node involvement was most pronounced in young patients with small tumours (stage Ib disease, 35 years of age). In this group, the percentage of lymph node involvement rose from 6.3% in 1973 to 38.6% in 1988. Lower stage disease was significantly more frequent in the young patients. Accordingly, the overall mean survival time was longer in the young patients. In the sub-group of surgically treated patients, however, when comparing equal stages, the survival time was shorter in the young patients. In small tumours (confined to the uterine cervix), pelvic lymph node involvement was more frequently seen in the younger patients. Secondary metastases developed more rapidly and significantly more often in the young patients. Our data supply evidence to indicate an enhanced malignancy of cervical cancer in young patients.

Adult

[Prognostic significance of the CA 125 half-life for the further outcome of ovarian cancer].

Since only approx. 30% of patients with ovarian carcinoma present themselves in the early stages, and as a result of the lack of effective screening methods, primary interest has been applied to the improvement of the treatment quality in the later stages. Improvement of therapeutic strategies implies an adaptation of specific characteristics of the patient and the tumour. For instance, in cases of primary progression during chemotherapy, it is not justified to continue an aggressive treatment, which causes additional serious side effects. Surprisingly, it has not been possible, to utilize established or suspected prognostic factors for treatment strategies in ovarian cancer. This might result, in part, from the uncertainty of criteria such as stage of disease, residual tumour and histological grading. The single most relevant prognostic factor today is the residual tumour mass. In 1988 van der Burg suggested for the first time a potential prognostic relevance of the CA 125 half-life. This study was designed, to investigate the use of CA 125 half-life in therapeutic strategies. From January 1984 to June 1990, 346 patients with primary ovarian cancer were treated at our institution. Preoperative CA 125 levels were determined in 292 patients; in 220 patients the levels were complete for a period of more than 6 months so that the CA 125 half-life could be calculated. Survival times of patients with a half-life of less than 20 days were significantly (p less than 0.0001) different from patients with a half-life of more than 20 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate

[Operation of acute dissecting aortic aneurysm in the 25th week of pregnancy using hypothermic extracorporeal circulation].

We report on a 24 + 2 weeks pregnant woman with Marfan's syndrome, who acutely developed a dissecting aortic aneurysm with aortic valve insufficiency. Emergency surgery was performed by using hypothermic extracorporeal circulation, whilst the aortic valve and ascending aorta were replaced by a synthetic graft. Foetal heart rates, continuously monitored by using Doppler ultrasound, were shown to be closely correlated with perfusion pressures. By applying perfusion pressures of 90-100 mmHg, we were able to maintain foetal heart rates of approximately 100/min. During the first postoperative day, the CTG was normal for gestational age and no contractions were noted. During the second postoperative night, the patient prematurely delivered a dead 820 g infant (Apgar score 0/0/0/0). In view of this case report, opportunities and problems associated with an application of extracorporeal circulation during pregnancy are discussed.

Adult

[Current possibilities in reproduction medicine. 1. Diagnosis].

The methods employed by assisted conception, presuppose a rational diagnostic evaluation. The endocrine work-up concentrates on demonstrating adequate ovulation. Today, apart from vaginal ultrasonography, this largely means LH determination in the urine in the middle of the cycle, together with progesterone measurements in the luteal phase. Recording the basal body temperature can offer no more than an orientation. The clarification of tubal patency is ideally served by laparoscopy with pertubation. With the aid of new sonographically visible contrast media, tubal flow can also be investigated using sonography. For the male work-up, classical evaluation of the ejaculate has declined in importance. As a means of establishing a fertility prognosis, forward progression, lateral movements of the head of the sperm, and functional sperm analysis (hamster oocyte penetration test) would appear most suitable.

Fallopian Tube Patency Tests

[Current possibilities in reproduction medicine. 2. Spectrum of therapeutic procedures].

As measures of assisted conception, GIFT, ZIFT, TV test and insemination require patent Fallopian tubes. In the majority of cases, intra-uterine insemination is attempted before the invasive methods. Intratubal gamete transfer is employed in particular in the case of infertility that has resisted treatment for years, some forms of male subfertility, and in patients with endometriosis or other forms of genital pathology. In addition, ZIFT and the TV test permit an assessment of in vitro fertilization. In the case of IVF, the classical indication of microscopically non-treatable tubal occlusion has been expanded considerably. Although GIFT is associated with a pregnancy rate of between 30 and 40%, IVF is increasingly being used in women in whom GIFT is indicated, thus avoiding the need for laparoscopy. The alternative techniques of transvaginal GIFT or transvaginal embryo transfer cannot yet be definitively evaluated for clinical routine use. In view of the wide range of therapeutic possibilities, individual counselling of the patient is an essential requirement.

Embryo Transfer

Carboplatin/etoposide as first-line chemotherapy in advanced ovarian carcinoma: a pilot study.

In a pilot study, 18 patients with advanced ovarian cancer were evaluated for tolerance and response to a combination treatment with a fixed dose of carboplatin (350 mg/m2 given i.v. on day 1) and escalated doses of etoposide (70-130 mg/m2 daily given i.v. on days 1-3) as first-line chemotherapy. The maximum tolerated dose of etoposide was 130 mg/m2 when given i.v. on days 1-3 in combination with 350 mg/m2 carboplatin given i.v. every 4 weeks. At these dose levels, bone marrow toxicity was manageable and did not appear to be cumulative. In all, 12 objective responses, including 9 complete responses (CRs) and 3 partial responses (PRs), were achieved in 18 patients; 6 of the 9 CRs were confirmed as pathological CRs by second-look surgery.

Aged

Squamous cell carcinoma antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen levels as prognostic factors for the response of cervical carcinoma to chemotherapy.

Between January 1986 and December 1988, 36 patients with primary advanced or recurrent cervical carcinoma were treated with cytostatic drugs in our department. Treatment at first was a combination of cisplatin and etoposide. After August 1987, a combination of carboplatin and ifosfamide was used. In all patients showing primary response to therapy, the squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels fell rapidly to normal after one or two cycles. In contrast, clinical remission was not obtained in those patients with levels which remained high or rose again following an initial decrease. Chemotherapy is often the only available therapy for advanced cervical carcinoma or recurrent disease, although the results of treatment, especially in squamous cell carcinoma, remain poor. The course of the SCC or CEA levels can help to decide whether the patient would profit from a continuation of the therapy. With the tumor markers, treatment can be individualized so that, above all, cases of therapy failure or further tumor progression can be detected early and the patient can be spared the severe side effects of the treatment.

Antigens, Neoplasm

[Immunologic assessment in habitual abortion].

Since 1985, after excluding nonimmunological reasons for habitual abortion, we have been performing an MCL, a cross-match, and an HLA typing in these patients. Those with a low MLC response and a negative cross-match are considered to be immunological aborters. Only three out of 42 examined couples showed a low response and in 21 of 24 tested couples the cross-match was negative. Of 36 patients with a high response, 10 had successful pregnancies; seven of them shared more than two HLA antigens. An immunological treatment is indicated in patients with low response and a negative cross-match. High responders should have another pregnancy without stimulation. HLA typing is without any consequences.

Abortion, Habitual