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Biomedical subjects

J G Boyce

Publications and source records attributed to J G Boyce.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Racial differences in tumor grade among women with endometrial cancer.

Black women with endometrial cancer have more advanced disease and less favorable tumor grade than do white women. This study evaluated whether racial differences in tumor grade could be explained by hormone-related factors and other putative determinants of grade. Subjects included 207 white and 81 black postmenopausal women diagnosed with primary cancer of the uterine corpus between 1985 and 1987. Blacks had poorer tumor grade than whites (odds ratio for FIGO grade 2 versus grade 1 is 1.8; odds ratio for grade 3 versus grade 1 is 2.8). Over 75% of the excess of poorly differentiated tumors versus well-differentiated tumors among blacks could be explained by racial differences in use of replacement estrogens, age at first pregnancy, history of oophorectomy, poverty, stage of disease, use of screening, and access to health care. The most prominent factor was estrogen therapy, which was associated with favorable tumor grade and was used much less frequently by blacks. Although not statistically significant, a moderate racial difference in tumor grade remained after control of the potential explanatory explanatory variables. This may reflect true biologic variation between blacks and whites and may explain, in part, the observation that blacks with endometrial cancer have a worse prognosis.

Black or African American↗

Pap smear histories in a medical clinic: accuracy of patients' self-reports.

Women using the medical clinic of a public hospital were interviewed about their Pap smear histories to assess the accuracy of self-reported smears and to identify groups in need of further screening. Interview data from 263 women were compared with cytology files and hospital records. In spite of considerable agreement between patient report and record, patients reported significantly more recent smears than were documented. Accuracy of recall was not dependent on age or birthplace, but on the length of time since the last smear. About half the women had been screened within the past two years, whereas one tenth had never been screened. Women aged 65 years or older had fewer recent smears than younger women, while foreign born women were more likely never to have had a Pap smear than were United States born women. We conclude that self-reported information is useful in assessing Pap smear histories, but the screening rates that result should be treated as high estimates. Significant opportunities for screening exist in ambulatory care sites in low-income communities.

Age Factors↗

Diagnostic imaging of gynecological diseases: the clinician's view.

The introduction of ultrasonography, computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging has led to tremendous progress in the diagnostic evaluation of gynecologic diseases. Refinements in these techniques have allowed the gynecologist to diagnose unsuspected pathology, define disease and its extent, and select the most appropriate treatment despite limitations in specificity experience and cost. Practically the most appropriate imaging modalities are: ultrasonography for adnexal masses, computerized tomography for advanced cervical cancers, and magnetic resonance imaging for corpus cancers and selected cervical cancers.

Diagnostic Imaging↗

Selection for percutaneous nephrostomy in gynecologic cancer patients.

For patients with gynecologic cancers who present with ureteral obstruction, it is often difficult to determine whether intervention with nephrostomy tube is appropriate. This study was designed to determine if evaluation prior to percutaneous nephrostomy could accurately predict patients who would benefit from intervention. Twenty-two gynecologic cancer patients with bilateral ureteral obstruction were evaluated. Criteria contraindicating intervention included disease progression while on therapy, potentially life-threatening medical problems, Zubrod performance status greater than 2, no available efficacious therapy, noncompliance, and poor pain control. A single criterion was sufficient to contradindicate percutaneous nephrostomy placement. Including replacement nephrostomies, a total of 46 percutaneous nephrostomies and four stents were placed in 19 patients. Three patients had no intervention. Only 9 patients did not have any contradictions to placement of percutaneous nephrostomy, based on predictive criteria. Patients without contraindications to percutaneous nephrostomy survived longer (median days, 242 versus 37; P less than 0.05), had improved quality of life (median days at home, 164 versus 2; P less than 0.05), and had a better chance of receiving therapy after percutaneous nephrostomy (9 versus 2 patients; P less than 0.05). Assessment prior to percutaneous nephrostomy maybe helpful in guiding the physician in recommending intervention.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

Colposcopic evaluation of human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive women.

To determine the effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on cervical histology, 32 known HIV-seropositive women underwent cervical colposcopic evaluation. All had cervical cytology, colposcopically directed biopsy, and T-cell studies performed. Thirteen of 32 patients (41%) had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Another 14 of 32 patients (44%) had histologic evidence of cervicitis. Abnormal cytology, noted in only three women, suggested CIN in one and inflammatory atypia in two. All (five of five) patients with a clinical diagnosis of AIDS had CIN, compared with 30% (eight of 27) of non-AIDS HIV-positive patients (P less than .05). Patients diagnosed with CIN had significantly lower CD4 cell counts (221/mm3 versus 408/mm3; P less than .06) and CD4:CD8 ratios (0.33 versus 0.62; P less than .02) than those without CIN. Patients with cervicitis had greater T-cell immunosuppression than did those with normal histology. In addition, patients with AIDS were more likely to have higher-grade lesions than were non-AIDS HIV-seropositive patients. Seven of 12 CIN specimens available for analysis by polymerase chain reaction using consensus sequence primers detected human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA, including three patients with three or more HPV types. Our data suggest that abnormal cervical pathology is common among HIV-positive women and that cytologic screening is not predictive of CIN in this population. In addition, the presence and severity of cervical dysplasia correlates with quantitative T-cell function. We strongly recommend that cervical colposcopy be part of the routine management of HIV-seropositive women.

Adult↗

Adjunctive radiation after radical hysterectomy in stage IB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.

The clinical-pathologic records of 178 women with stage IB squamous cell carcinoma treated by radical hysterectomy and pelvic node dissection were reviewed to assess prognostic factors and outcome in relation to adjunctive pelvic radiation. Among 32 women with pelvic nodes metastases, 19 treated with adjunctive radiation had longer recurrence-free intervals and more extrapelvic metastases than 13 nonirradiated women. However, among irradiated women recurrences were more rapidly fatal, so that the survival of the two groups was similar. Among 54 women with deeply invading (10 mm or more) carcinomas confined to the uterus, 17 with adjunctive radiation had recurrence-free intervals and survivals similar to 37 women without radiation, despite more high-risk factors in the irradiated group. The findings suggest that adjunctive pelvic radiation may control pelvic recurrence but not extend survival.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Cervix and breast cancer incidence in immigrant Caribbean women.

Cervix and breast cancer incidence in 1978-82 was computed for immigrant and United States-born Black women in Brooklyn, New York. Compared to the national SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results) rates, US-born and Haitian women had high rates of invasive cervical cancer, while English-speaking Caribbean immigrants had an average rate. However, while US-born women had an average rate of carcinoma in situ of the cervix, both immigrant groups had low rates. Both immigrant groups had low rates of breast cancer, whereas US-born Black women had an average rate.

Black People↗

The fallacy of the screening interval for cervical smears.

One hundred seventy-four women with invasive cervical carcinoma were interviewed about their cervical smear histories to assess the accuracy of self-reporting and to relate the smear history with patient and tumor characteristics. Patients reported significantly more frequent, more recent, and more normal smears than were documented in medical records. The interval between onset of cancer symptoms and previous smear correlated directly with advanced stage. Sixteen women with normal smears within 36 months had significantly more advanced cancers than did 25 women with recent abnormal smears. Women with recent normal and abnormal smears had similar sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics. Because of inaccuracies in patients' self-reported smear histories and cancers developing in women with recent normal smears, we conclude that a specific screening interval should not be relied upon.

Female↗

Predictive value of computerized tomography in the presurgical evaluation of primary carcinoma of the cervix.

To determine the predictive value of abdominal-pelvic CT scan in assessing pelvic and paraaortic node metastases in untreated cervical carcinoma, the preoperative CT scans of 61 patients were compared with the gross and microscopic surgical findings. Although 75% of enlarged pelvic nodes on CT contained metastases, and 97% of patients with negative pelvic nodes had negative CT scans (specificity = 97%), histologically positive pelvic nodes were often missed on CT scan (sensitivity = 25%). For paraaortic nodes the CT scan had a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 67%. No paraaortic nodes were enlarged in stages I-IIA (0/51). CT scans are recommended for routine evaluation of paraaortic nodes in stages II-IV, but are not warranted in pretreatment evaluation of the pelvic nodes in stage I.

Carcinoma↗

Superficially invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.

A series of 117 women with histologically defined, superficially invasive (1-5 mm) squamous cell carcinoma was evaluated to determine important histomorphologic variables, frequency of pelvic lymph node metastases, and outcome. Radical or modified radical hysterectomy with pelvic node dissection was usually performed for women with more than 1 mm invasion, whereas more conservative surgery was used when invasion was 1 mm or less. Depth of stromal invasion was the most important variable in predicting pelvic lymph node metastases. The overall incidence of pelvic node metastases was 5%, and the incidence of metastases in those patients with 3 mm or less and 3.1-5.0 mm of invasion was 2 and 13%, respectively. Although the risk of node metastases was significantly higher with deeper invasion, one patient with 2 mm of invasion had pelvic node involvement. Microscopic lymph-vascular invasion and degree of lateral spread of tumor were also associated with lymph node metastases, whereas tumor grade was not. There were no invasive recurrences in the series. We conclude that histomorphologic variables other than depth of stromal invasion should be considered when evaluating patients with superficially invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. We recommend that any trends toward less radical therapy for this disease be justified by equal cure rates and careful pathologic review.

Adult↗

Stented versus nonstented transverse colon conduits: a comparative report.

Postoperative urinary tract complications were evaluated in 75 women who underwent urinary diversion with formation of a transverse colon conduit after radiation for gynecologic cancer. Urinary stents were placed at the ureterocolonic junction in 37 women, while no stents were used in 38 women. Leaks or fistulae developed in 18% of the nonstented group but in only 3% of the stented group (P less than 0.05). Ureteral strictures developed in 18% of the nonstented but in only 8% of the stented group. Pyelonephritis developed in 13% of the nonstented and in 8% of the stented patients. Overall, urinary tract complications developed in 50% of the nonstented and in 16% of the stented group (P less than 0.01). Leaks or strictures developed in 11% of the 75 renal units in the nonstented group but in only 1% of the 72 renal units in the stented group (P less than 0.02). Postoperative leaks or fistulae were associated with further serious complications. Results indicate a significant advantage in employing stents at the ureterocolonic junction in the formation of a transverse colon conduit.

Colon↗

Complications of combined radical hysterectomy and pelvic radiation.

Long-term gastrointestinal (GI) and urinary tract (UT) complications were evaluated in 48 women treated by radical hysterectomy (RH) and pelvic node dissection (PND) and in 25 women who received 5000-5400 rad of external pelvic radiation (RT) after RH-PND. No major complications developed in the surgery-only group, but the 5-year minor GI complication rate was 4% and the 5-year minor UT complication rate was 10%. In 9 patients receiving RT at 200 rad/day, one major GI complication (13%) and one major UT complication (14%) developed. In 16 patients receiving RT at 180 rad/day only minor GI complications (7%) and minor UT complications (13%) developed. The conclusion is that after RH-PND, adjunctive RT delivered at 180 rad/day through four ports results in acceptable, minimal complications.

Adult↗

Cervical cancer in immigrant Caribbean women.

At a public hospital serving the low-income community in Brooklyn, New York, invasive cervical cancer (ICC) was diagnosed in more advanced stages in Haitian and English-speaking Caribbean immigrants than in US-born Black women. In Brooklyn as a whole, only Haitians had more advanced ICC. Fewer Haitians had preinvasive cancer or ICC detected by a Pap test. Data are consistent with less frequent screening among low-income immigrants.

Black People↗

Human papillomavirus and lower genital neoplasia in renal transplant patients.

Lower genital cytopathology was evaluated in 105 immunosuppressed renal transplant recipients. Evidence of human papillomavirus infection was found in 17.5% and of lower genital neoplasia in 9.5%. The rate of the virus infection in the immunosuppressed was nine times greater than in a general population and 17 times greater than in a matched immunocompetent population. The rate of cervical neoplasia was 16 times greater than in a general population and nine times greater than in a matched immunocompetent population. In one-third of patients with human papillomavirus lesions and one-half of patients with neoplastic lesions, multiple lower genital sites were also involved. Of risk factors evaluated, only the number of sexual partners was associated with the development of human papillomavirus/lower genital neoplasia.

Adult↗