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Biomedical subjects

J C Wardlaw

Publications and source records attributed to J C Wardlaw.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Cryosurgery causes a profound reduction in tumor markers in hepatoma and noncolorectal hepatic metastases.

Cryosurgical ablation of hepatic metastases from colon carcinoma has become a useful adjunct in the management of patients whose tumors are not amenable to surgical resection. We evaluated cryoablation of hepatoma and noncolorectal hepatic metastases by examining its effect on serum levels of tumor markers in 20 patients with primary liver cancer (N = 5) or liver metastases (N = 15) from breast cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, ovarian cancer, and thyroid cancer. All patients had failed conventional therapy and had no evidence of extrahepatic spread. After cryosurgery, 17 patients had a significant decrease in tumor marker levels (median 77%) and a significant improvement in symptoms. One patient died of nontumor causes, and five patients died of recurrent disease. Median interval to death or last follow-up was 28.3 months overall (range, 2-45 months), 17.9 months for nonsurvivors (range, 2-44 months), and 35.2 months for survivors (range, 26-45 months). Median survival was 32 months following curative surgery (range, 16-45 months) and 25 months following palliative surgery (range, 2-42 months). Cryosurgical ablation of noncolorectal hepatic metastases and primary hepatomas produces a profound reduction in serum levels of tumor markers. It is safe, provides excellent palliation of symptoms, and in selected patients can be performed with curative intent.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1995

EWS and WT-1 gene fusion in desmoplastic small round cell tumor of the abdomen.

Chromosome translocations found in neoplasms often result in the creation of hybrid genes encoding chimeric proteins. This case study describes a patient with desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) of the abdomen, an aggressive neoplasm characterized by translocation of chromosomes 11 and 22. Southern hybridization showed that the Ewing sarcoma gene (EWS) gene was rearranged in the DSRCT. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis of tumor cell RNA revealed that exons 1 to 7 of the EWS gene were joined to exons 8 to 10 of the Wilms' Tumor-1 (WT-1) gene resulting in the production of a chimeric message. The WT-1 and EWS genes encode DNA and RNA binding proteins involved in Wilms' tumor and Ewing sarcoma pathogenesis, respectively. The fusion of these two genes in DSRCT results in the production of a putatively oncogenic protein composed of the zinc finger DNA binding domains of WT-1 linked to potential transcriptional regulatory domains of EWS. DNA sequencing revealed the genomic breakpoints of translocation on chromosomes 11 and 22. The genomic breakpoint on chromosome 22 occurred in EWS intron 7 just 2 nucleotides 3' of exon 7. Polymerase chain reaction-based assays were developed that could detect the fused genes in the DSRCT tumor using either RNA or genomic DNA. The potential diagnostic use of these assays is discussed.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1995

Desmoid tumor occurring after reconstruction mammaplasty for breast carcinoma.

We present a case of desmoid tumor associated with prior alloplastic breast reconstruction. Wide local excision that includes chest wall resection, if necessary, is the primary treatment of choice. Patients with extensive nonresectable or recurrent disease may benefit from radiation therapy. Systemic therapy is a possibility in certain cases, but its toxicity generally precludes its use with this nonmetastatic tumor. Although this is the fourth reported case of desmoid tumor arising after implantation of a silicone prosthesis, we cannot claim a causal relationship. Careful follow-up consisting of yearly physical and mammagraphic examinations may facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of locally aggressive desmoid tumors but is not warranted, except in the context of routine screening for breast carcinoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Discoloration of hydrogel contact lenses under standard care regimens.

Four types of hydrogel contact lenses (N = 164) were subjected to in vivo and in vitro standard care regimens for a period of six months. Lens care variables included: heat disinfection in Bausch and Lomb Sensitive Eyes saline solution; heat disinfection in Cooper Unisol 4 sterile, nonpreserved saline solution; American Optical/Reichert Lensept disinfection and storage in Sensitive Eyes saline; and Lensept disinfection and storage in Unisol 4 saline. The study was conducted to determine the conditions under which lens discoloration occurs. The 45% Bufilcon A (55% water) lens showed significant discoloration in vivo with both heat and Lensept disinfection when rinsed and soaked in sorbate-preserved saline, and in vitro when heat disinfected in sorbate-preserved saline.

Color↗
PubMed1985

Effect of large spatial uncertainty on foveal luminance increment detectability.

In principle, the ability to detect a luminance increment is lowered when there is uncertainty for its spatial location. Frequency-of-seeing curves were generated for small foveal targets. When fixed in space the target's detectability was more than 10 times higher than when it could occur at one of 140 locations.

Fovea Centralis↗