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Biomedical subjects

J H Galicich

Publications and source records attributed to J H Galicich.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Craniofacial resection for tumors involving the anterior skull base.

A consecutive series of 71 patients who underwent craniofacial resection between 1974 and 1990 for tumors that involved the anterior cranial base was reviewed. A variety of histologic diagnoses was present in this series. The most prevalent sites of origin included the nasal cavity, ethmoid sinus, and frontal sinus. Gross tumor removal was achieved in all patients, with 29 requiring orbital exenteration. Adjuvant radiation therapy was used in 25 patients. Two patients died of postoperative complications and 26 had complications that increased morbidity and length of the hospitalization. Five-year overall survival was 56%, with a median survival of 4.2 years. Local control was observed in 40 of 56 patients with negative margins and 9 of 15 patients with positive margins. There was no difference in survival between previously treated and untreated patients. Survival varied considerably among the various pathologic diagnoses. Survival was related to the extent of disease. Patients with either dural or brain invasion had significantly decreased survival compared to those with no dural invasion. The operative procedure is safe, with acceptable morbidity and mortality, and offers respectable survival in properly selected patients.

Adolescent

Resection of brain metastases from non-small-cell lung carcinoma. Results of therapy. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Thoracic Surgical Staff.

The treatment of patients with a solitary brain metastasis has been evolving, with most centers recommending resection in patients with good performance status. To evaluate the results of resection of brain metastases from non-small-cell lung cancer, we reviewed our 16-year experience with 185 consecutive patients undergoing resection of brain metastases from 1974 to 1989, inclusive. There were 89 men and 96 women; ages ranged from 34 to 75 years (median 54). Sixty-five (35%) had synchronous and 120 (65%) metachronous brain metastases. Discounting the brain metastasis, 68 patients (37%) had stage I, 13 (7%) stage II, 62 (33%) stage IIIA, 30 (16%) stage IIIB, and 12 (6%) stage IV carcinoma. There was no significant difference in age, locoregional stage (TN), or histologic features in patients with synchronous versus metachronous lesions. The overall survival rates (n = 185) were as follows: 1 year, 55%; 2 years, 27%; 3 years, 18%; 5 years, 13%; and 10 years, 7% (median 14 months). There was no significant difference in survival between patients with synchronous and metachronous lesions. To evaluate the impact of locoregional stage and treatment of the primary site, we analyzed only those patients with synchronous brain metastases. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that locoregional stage had no significant effect on survival (p = 0.97), but complete resection of the primary disease significantly prolonged survival (p = 0.002). Therefore complete resection, and not stage, of the locoregional primary lesion is the primary determinant of survival in patients undergoing resection of brain metastases from non-small-cell lung cancer.

Actuarial Analysis

Metastasizing extradural ependymoma of the sacrococcygeal region: case report and review of literature.

A case is discussed in which the patient presented with a primary extradural sacrococcygeal ependymoma and synchronous pulmonary metastasis. The clinical course has been characterized by recurrent pulmonary metastases. Management has consisted of repeated surgical resections of the pulmonary metastases and the tumor at the primary site; and the use of a wide spectrum of chemotherapeutic agents. Transplantation of this tumor into nude mice initially resulted in rapid growth but there was spontaneous regression in the second transplants. A general discussion of the management of such lesions is presented, and the literature pertaining to this tumor is discussed.

Adult

Cerebrospinal fluid markers in central nervous system metastases from testicular carcinoma.

Serum values of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) have been used to monitor disseminated testicular carcinoma. Serial measurements of these markers have been used to monitor the response to therapy, to follow the progress of disease, and to detect subclinical recurrences. With increasingly effective chemotherapy for systemic disease, central nervous system (CNS) metastases in testicular carcinoma are becoming increasingly important as a cause of treatment failure. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) values of AFP and HCG seem to be important ancillary acids in the neurosurgical management of CNS metastases from testicular cancer. Our preliminary experience with three cases suggests that these CSF markers (plus computerized tomograhic scanning) should be evaluated in patients with this disease.

Adult

Spinal chordomas.

A series of 54 patients with spinal chordomas were treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center between 1949 and 1976. Thirty-six lesions were located in the sacrococcygeal region and 18 involved the vertebral column at a higher level. The male to female ratio was 35:19. Vertebral chordomas generally occurred in a younger age group. Our radiological findings suggest that there is marked soft-tissue extension anterior to the vertebral column at the time of initial diagnosis. Eleven of 18 vertebral chordomas and 10 of 36 sacral chordomas were found to have disseminated metastases during their course. Analysis of the various modes of therapy reveals that the median survival for both groups is approximately 6 years. However, the 5-year survival for the sacrococcygeal group was 66% as opposed to 50% for the vertebral group. Radiation therapy produced significant palliation but objective evidence of tumor regression was difficult to assess. Chemotherapy in a small number of patients did not have any effect on the tumor. With the advent of computerized tomography scanning, further studies should be done to document the response of this tumor to radiation therapy.

Adolescent

Use of the Ommaya reservoir in the prevention and treatment of CNS leukemia.

Insertion of an indwelling ventricular cannula via the transfrontal approach by the method described, and the use of an attached reservoir is a safe technique in the hands of experienced personnel. Intraventricular chemotherapy prolongs the duration of remission in those individuals who have evidence of meningeal leukemia. The superiority of this method over intralumbar therapy as a preventive measure has not been demonstrated.

Adolescent

Craniofacial resection for malignant tumors of ethmoid and anterior skull base.

A combined craniofacial approach is described for resection of tumors that involve the ethmoid sinuses and adjacent base of the skull in the frontal fossa. This operation provides a more thorough en bloc excision than by conventional methods with reasonable safety since both the neurosurgeon and the head and neck surgeon are guided by each other during the mobilization of the specimen, and adequate repair of dural defects can be accomplished. Reconstruction of the bony defect in the skull base is performed with a pedicled periosteal flap from the scalp and a skin graft.

Adult

Proliferative kinetics of central nervous system (CNS) leukemia.

The proliferative kinetics of the leukemic cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were studied in three adults with CNS leukemia after 18 and 8 months while receiving an intensive treatment regimen. One (J.L.) had acute myeloblastic leukemia and developed CNS disease after 5 years' treatment with arabinosylcytosine and 6-thioguanine. All were in marrow remission at the time of study. G.H. had had no therapy for CNS disease, A.K. had had intrathecal methotrexate 2 months previously, and J.L. had recently completed radiotherapy (1900 R) to the head. An Ommaya reservoir was placed in a lateral ventricle and 3H-thymidine was injected into the resrvoir every 12 hours for 10 days; samples of cells were obtained by lumbar puncture periodically for autoradiography. In all patients the flash 3H-thymidine labeling index (LI) of the leukemic cells was less than 2% (determined in vitro) and the mitotic index less than 0.1%. After 10 days of 3H-thymidine injections in vivo, the LIs of the leukemic cells were 55%, 36%, and 21% in G.H., A.K., and J.L., respectively. These findings indicate that leukemic cells may proliferate very slowly in the CNS, and stress the difficulty of eradicating CNS leukemia with chemotherapeutic agents which are only active against proliferating cells.

Acute Disease

Endodermal sinus tumor of the pineal region: case report.

A 13-year-old boy presented with symptoms and signs of a posterior 3rd ventricle tumor associated with raised levels of serum and cerebrospinal alpha-fetoprotein. The patient underwent subtotal resection of the tumor followed by craniospinal radiation. Histopathological examination revealed a pure endodermal sinus tumor. Endodermal sinus tumors represent a rare type of germ cell tumor, only 13 intracranial cases having been reported in the literature.

Adolescent