PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Brugere

Publications and source records attributed to J Brugere.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Prognostic value of tumor regression during radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Prospective evaluation of tumor regression during external irradiation for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and its association with long-term local control. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Two hundred twenty-eight patients with histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma [oral cavity: 59 (26%), oropharynx: 65 (29%), hypopharynx: 37 (16%), larynx: 67 (29%)] were included between January 1986 and December 1990. Curative intent external irradiation delivered 65-70 Gy over a period of 7 weeks (five 2 Gy fractions per week). Tumor regression was evaluated clinically and endoscopically every week. RESULTS: Tumor regression, assessed at 2 weeks, was as follows: no response: 62 (30%), 25% response: 121 (59%); 50% response: 23 (11%). At 5 weeks, 9 (4%) patients showed 0-25% regression, 75 (33%) showed 50% regression, 115 (50%) showed 75% regression, and 29 (13%) showed complete regression. Median follow-up was 79 months (range: 6-96 months). The local control probability was 68% (62-74%) at 2 years, 65% (59-70%) at 5 years. Univariate analysis showed that, at 2 weeks, local control was significantly different between the nonresponders and the patients with 25% or greater response (p < 0.025) and that, at the fifth week, local control was very different between the major responders (75 and 100%) and the minor responders (0-50%) (p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis (Cox Proportional Hazards Model) showed that the probability of local relapse was significantly and independently increased for minor regression at 5 weeks [Relative risk (RR) of failure was 2.3 (1.4-3.7)], for nonlaryngeal tumors [RR: 2.4 (1.3-4.5)], and for Stage T3-T4 [RR:2.4 (1.4-4)]. Three prognostic groups can, therefore, be proposed: 1) low risk of recurrence when regression > or = 75% and laryngeal tumor or T1-T2 tumors in other sites: 106 (46.5%) patients, 2-year local control probability: 84% (77-92%); 2) high risk of recurrence: regression < or = 50% and T3-T4 nonlaryngeal tumors: 44 (19%) patients, 2-year local control probability: 27% (13-41%); 3) intermediate risk of recurrence: 78 (34.5%) patients, 2-year local control probability: 69% (58-80%). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that tumor regression during external radiotherapy is an independent predictive factor of local control in head and neck carcinomas.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Results of radiation therapy in carcinoma of the base of the tongue. The Curie Institute experience with about 166 cases.

Between 1960 and 1980, 166 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue were treated with primary irradiation at the Curie Institute (Paris, France). Distribution according to the TNM system 1978 International Union Against Cancer (UICC) was the following: 22 T1 lesions, 47 T2 lesions, 64 T3 lesions, and 33 T4 lesions. Regional nodes were not palpable in 50 cases, 35 had N1 nodes, 12 had N2 nodes, and 69 had N3 nodes. All patients received external beam radiation. The 2-year, 3-year, and 5-year overall survival rates for all patients were, respectively, 45%, 37%, and 27%. Local control was significantly related to the initial status of the primary, to the tumor regression at the end of the radiation therapy, and to the histologic differentiation. The 2-year local control was 96% for T1 lesions, 57% for T2 lesions, 45% for T3 lesions, and 23% for T4 lesions. Local control was 70% if the tumor regression was complete at the end of the treatment and 27% if the tumor regression was partial. No significant differences were found in primary local control with respect to degree of infiltration, age, and dose of radiation therapy over a dose of 60 Gy in 6 weeks. The 3-year regional control was 86% for N0, 78% for N1, and 60% for N2 and N3. Among the tumor characteristics analyzed, the most useful ones for predicting local control and survival were clinical tumor staging parameters and tumor radiation-induced regression. A new therapeutic approach based on the evaluation of the tumor regression at 50/55 Gy is under discussion.

Adult↗

[Sinonasal cancer and occupation: a multicenter case-control study].

A case-control study was conducted to examine occupational risk factors for sinonasal cancer. 207 cases and 409 controls (323 cancer hospital controls and 86 controls selected from lists provided by the cases) were included in the study. All cases and controls were interviewed by specially trained physicians. Detailed information on occupational history was collected, in addition to other potential risk factors for nasal cancer. Results are presented for two histologic types: adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Among males, the risk of adenocarcinoma was significantly elevated for carpenter and joiners (OR = 17.7) and other woodworkers (OR = 26.9). A significant increase in risk of squamous cell cancer (OR = 2.5) and a moderate increase in risk of adenocarcinoma (OR = 1.7; NS) were noted for construction workers. Among females, an excess risk of squamous cell carcinoma was associated with employment in textile industry (OR = 2.9). Elevated risks of squamous cell cancer were observed for farm workers of both sexes (males: OR = 2.2; females OR = 4.9).

Adenocarcinoma↗

Induction chemotherapy in advanced head and neck cancer. Preliminary results of a randomized study.

From March 1983 to June 1986, 100 patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were randomized to receive either two courses of chemotherapy prior to local therapy (group A), or local therapy alone (group B). Local treatment consisted of primary radiotherapy in all patients. When a poor response was observed after 55 Gy, surgery was performed. The chemotherapy regimen was a combination of cisplatinum, bleomycin, vindesine, and mitomycin C. The response rate to induction chemotherapy (group A) was 50% for the primary tumor (CR: 10% and PR: 40%). At the end of radiotherapy, the overall tumor response rates in the two groups A and B, were 77% and 79% respectively. Complete disappearance of the primary tumor occurred more often than that of the lymph node metastases. The response rate to induction chemotherapy for lymph node metastases was 27.1% (CR: 9% and PR: 18.1%). An initial major response to chemotherapy predicted subsequent efficacy of irradiation on 90% of the cases, while a failure of chemotherapy had no predictive value in this respect. The survival rates in groups A and B were 66.5% vs. 65.1% at 1 year and 35% vs. 46.2% at 2 years. Local disease-free and disease-free intervals were similar in both groups. A Cox's multi-step regression analysis revealed two significant independant prognostic factors: size of primary tumor and nodal status. After adjustment for these factors, the chemotherapy did not seem to improve the effectiveness of the local treatment in terms of loco-regional control and survival.

Adult↗

Alcohol and tobacco consumption in cancer of the mouth, pharynx, and larynx: a study of 316 female patients.

Three hundred sixteen female patients with cancer of the larynx, pharynx, and mouth were examined and the following cancer sites were compared with respect to alcohol and tobacco consumption: oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, epilarynx, lip, and mouth. The mean daily tobacco consumption of smokers and ex-smokers was not significantly different between cancer locations; however, significant differences between cancer sites were observed with regard to the proportion of nonsmokers. The percentage of nonsmokers was the highest for cancer of the lips and the lowest for cancer of the epilarynx. Cancer locations differed significantly depending on daily alcohol consumption. Consumption was the lowest for patients with cancer of the lips. The percentage of nondrinkers was high for cancers of the lips and larynx and low for cancer of the epilarynx. Examination of the nonsmoking/nondrinking females (27.2%) did not reveal any features specific to this group, except that the patients were older.

Alcohol Drinking↗

[Endoscopic percutaneous gastrostomy. A non-surgical method of enteral alimentation in ORL patients unable to feed orally].

Since surgical gastrostomy is not a risk-free operation in debilitated patients, a method of endoscopic percutaneous gastrostomy (EPG) is proposed. A thread is passed percutaneously into the gastric cavity and brought to the exterior through the mouth during fibroscopy. This thread allows removal of a gastrostomy tube by simple traction. Used in 18 patients with ENT cancer the EPG was simple to perform, postoperative complications being minor in 3 cases and serious in one patient. In the absence of any obstacle in the pharyngeal channel preventing the passage of a fibroscope, EPG is a simple procedure and is therefore an alternative to surgical gastrostomy.

Adult↗

Treatment of metastatic neck nodes secondary to an occult epidermoid carcinoma of the head and neck.

One hundred thirty-eight patients, who were followed for a minimum of 5 years, had either surgery and postoperative radiotherapy (48 patients) or radiotherapy only (90 patients) for metastatic epidermoid carcinoma in cervical nodes from an unknown head and neck primary. All received radiotherapy to the presumed occult sites. Forty-five percent presented with a single unilateral adenopathy. Those who were initially operable had a neck recurrence rate of 17% and a survival rate of 53%. Forty-three percent of initially inoperable patients recurred and only 25% survived. Patients with adenopathy which completely regressed or became resectable after irradiation had an 80% locoregional control. Only 4% developed an overt cancer at an occult site within 5 years.

Adolescent↗

[Carcinomas of the nasopharynx in adults].

From 1959 through 1980, 139 MO adult patients (greater than 15 Y.) presenting with nasopharyngeal cancer were treated by definitive radiotherapy: 103 (74%) undifferentiated carcinomas and 36 (26%) squamous cell carcinomas. Chemotherapy was prescribed only in case of failure of treatment. Case distribution is the following according to UICC classification: stages I and II: 12%, stage III: 16%, stage IV: 72%. Survival rate is respectively 70%, 45%, 20%. The overall 3 and 5 year survival rate is 46% and 30%. Almost 80% of the failures occur by the end of the second year. Local control is 95% for T1-T2, 73% for T3 and around 50% for T4 cases. Isolated node failure occurs in 2% and distant metastases in 30%.

Adolescent↗

Differential effects of tobacco and alcohol in cancer of the larynx, pharynx, and mouth.

Two thousand five hundred forty male patients with cancer of larynx, pharynx, and mouth were examined in the same hospital between 1975 and 1982. Different sites were compared according to alcohol and tobacco consumption: oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx supraglottis, larynxglottis, epilarynx, lip, tongue-tip, and tongue lateral border, other tongue sites, gum, floor of the mouth, and buccal mucosa. For tobacco, the mean daily consumption of smokers and exsmokers did not differ according to location (except in patients with cancer of the lip, in whom the consumption was lowest). Cancer locations differed significantly according to the daily alcohol consumption. The consumption was the lowest for patients with cancer of the lips and the glottis, the highest for patients with cancer of the epilarynx, hypopharynx, and the floor of the mouth. Significant differences were observed in the percentage of nonsmokers or nondrinkers, even between adjacent locations: supraglottis versus glottis; tongue, tip, and lateral border versus tongue, other sites; floor of the mouth versus buccal mucosa. Some of the results might be particular to elements of the French life-style (e.g., consumption of brown tobacco, high consumption of wine).

Alcohol Drinking↗

Natural history of neck disease in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of oropharynx and pharyngolarynx.

Out of a series of 2040 patients referred to the Institut Curie with squamous cell carcinoma of oropharynx and pharyngolarynx, 1666 cases were evaluated on admission regarding the characteristic metastases patterns to their cervical lymph nodes. Incidence and topographic distribution of lymph nodes are correlated with the anatomic sites of primary lesions. Biological virulence of these tumors is emphasized since the overall incidence of positive neck nodes attains 63% (1048/1666) and advanced disease, stage IV in the UICC classification, 61%. Cervical status is also related to several characteristics of the primary: clinical staging and variety, and histopathological differentiation. Ipsilateral cervical involvement is characterized by the high incidence of metastases in the jugular chain for the whole series, in the submaxillary group for oropharyngeal carcinomas and in the spinal accessory chain for cancer of the pharyngolarynx (pyriform sinus and lateral epilarynx). Preliminary therapeutic implications are derived from this nodal distribution. Comparisons are established between the 1978 UICC and 1976 AJC classifications, showing a good correlation despite multiple differences in staging criteria. It is shown that assessment combining both the multiplicity and the volume of cervical metastases allows to evaluate more accurately the aggressiveness of the primary.

Adult↗

Radiation treatment of lateral epilaryngeal cancer. Prognostic factors and results.

Treatment results of epilaryngeal cancer are rarely individualized in the world literature. For this purpose, we have reviewed the records of 167 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lateral epilarynx who received radical radiotherapy at the Institut Curie on a megavoltage unit, between 1959-1975. Two-thirds of the lesions were located at the junction of the ary- and pharyngo-epiglottic folds and lateral border of the epiglottis. Forty-four percent of patients had advanced primary lesions (T3, T4) and over 50% had palpable neck nodes at the time of presentation. The absolute survival for the entire patient population at 3 and 5 years was 44% and 32%. Local control for T1 and T2 tumors at 3 years was about 80%. Survival at 5 years for the N0 Stage patient was 40%, whereas it was about 20% for those with clinically palpable nodes. Patients with exophytic tumors and lesions which regressed completely within 8 weeks following irradiation had a significantly better 3-year survival and local control than those with nonexophytic tumors and with tumors which had incompletely regressed after irradiation. Radiotherapy remains the treatment of choice for the small tumors (T1, T2) but the association of radical surgery with pre- or postoperative radiotherapy should be considered for advanced disease.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

A randomized EORTC trial comparing intra-arterial infusion with methotrexate vs bleomycin as initial therapy in carcinoma of the oral cavity.

Either intra-arterial infusions of MTX (500 mg over 10 days) or intra-arterial infusions of BLM (95 mg over 13 days) were administered as initial treatment to 85 patients with untreated squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity. Tumour regression was assessed 10-15 days after the end of chemotherapy. A sequential analysis was used, and BLM demonstrated a significantly greater local efficacy after the 32nd matched pair was assessed. The same results were observed when tumour response rates were compared, ignoring the matching, on the 85 patients, (P less than 0.001). The response rate for patients with neck nodes was low (10/38). Catheter management problems, toxic effects and lethal reactions were 2.5 times more frequent in the MTX group.

Bleomycin↗

[Carcinomas of the nasopharynx. Relationship between histological type and anti-Epstein-Barr virus serology (author's transl)].

This study was aimed at the comparison of values of anti-Epstein-Barr virus serology in different groups of patients suffering from carcinoma of the nasopharynx (NPC), classified according to histological type defined by the new classification of the WHO. A group of patients with other tumours of the upper respiratory and digestive tract was used as a control. Antibody levels were high in patients with undifferentiated carcinomas whilst they were low in the controls. In patients with differentiated carcinomas antibody levels were most often equivalent to those of the controls, even though high values were sometimes seen. These findings would appear to offer evidence that the new histological classification of NPC is well founded, and to a certain extent reflect the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic classifications already seen for these two types of carcinoma.

Animals↗

[Maxillofacial radiation-induced cancers (author's transl)].

Radiation-induced cancers are fortunately a very rare complication of radiotherapy for cancers. Sagerman, however, reported 21 cases in a series of 243 patients with retinoblastomas, examined after a period of at least 5 years, and 6 cases were observed in a similar series of 112 children seen at the Curie Institute. This report describes 10 cases of irradiation-induced cancers of the maxillofacial region seen at the Curie Institute over a period of 30 years. The exceptional nature of this risk is such that it cannot represent a contra-indication to irradiation therapy of a malignant tumor, especially now that low-energy radiation has been abandoned, and with the modern therapeutic procedures available. The risks of cancer are greater, however, after irradiation of benign bone lesions and benign affections of the cervico-facial region. Treatment of these benign affections in children or young adults by low or reduced doses of conventional low-energy radiations should be forbidden, and the indication for treatment with radiations, which must be of high voltage, should be exceptional.

Adolescent↗