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Biomedical subjects

J Skowronek

Publications and source records attributed to J Skowronek.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Advanced tracheal carcinoma--a therapeutic significance of HDR brachytherapy in palliative treatment.

The purpose of this study was to determine the benefit of high dose rate endotracheal brachytherapy as an exclusive palliative treatment of obstructive tracheal cancer. Thirty-five patients with advanced tracheal carcinoma were treated between May 1999 and March 2001 in Greatpoland Cancer Center. They were qualified for brachytherapy due to life-threatening situations. Fourteen patients were irradiated using three fractions 7.5 Gy each one every week, six patients received three fractions 10 Gy each one every week and fifteen patients received one fraction of 10 Gy. Survival time was compared with chosen clinical factors (age, sex, Karnofsky status, tumor location, lymph nodes involvement and percent of obturation) and prescribed dose. The median survival (Kaplan-Meier) for all patients was 6.6 months. Patients with an endoscopically controlled complete remission 4 weeks after the treatment had a significantly better survival in comparison to patients with a partial remission or no change of tumor size (p=0.0003). Univariate analysis revealed significant difference between patients with Karnofsky score equal with 60 or lower (28/35, 80%) and higher than 60 (7/35, 20.0%) (p=0.005). Difference between the grade of tumor obturation (more than 60% of tracheal lumen (27/35, 77.1%), 60% or lower (8/35, 22.9%) was found in univariate analysis (p=0.04). In multivariate analysis statistically important prognostic factor for survival was Karnofsky score (p=0.04). Statistical analysis revealed no differences in survival according to sex and age (p=0.43 for age, p=0.19 for sex), tumor localization (p=0.13), lymph node involvement (p=0.48) or fractionation scheme (p=0.62). Exclusive HDR brachytherapy of advanced tracheal carcinoma was a safe palliative method of treatment and caused in many patients prolonged survival and improved quality of life. Most important prognostic factor for survival, confirmed in both univariate and multivariate analysis, was Karnofsky score.

Adult↗

Bilateral breast cancer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and pathological features of breast cancer patients with bilateral breast cancer and to assess the impact of the second breast cancer on their prognosis. Thirty six breast cancer patients with bilateral (metasynchronous) cancer were treated in Greatpoland Cancer Center from 1983 to 1995. It constituted 4.1% of all breast cancer patients treated in those years. 5-year survival rates were compared with clinical data (age, clinical stage, histological diagnosis), methods of treatment and length of interval between occurring of both tumors. Five year survival of patients treated for second breast cancer was 55.6% (20/36), disease-free survived--15/36 (41.7%). 5-year survival rate was greater in group of patients with clinical stage T1 or T2 (69.6%, 16/23) than in group with T3 or T4 (30.8%, 4/13) (p=0.009). In group of 20 patients without nodal involvement (N0) 5 years survived 75.0% of patients (15/20), in group with N1--11.1% (1/9) (p=0.01). Length of interval between both breast tumors influenced 5-year survival rate. In group of patients with interval longer than 5 years, 5-year survival rate was 73.9% (17/23), in group of patients with interval shorter than 2 years--0% (0/6) (p=0.002). No correlations were observed between survival rate and age, histological diagnosis, methods of treatment.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Locoregional recurrence of breast cancer: a retrospective comparison of treatment methods.

The study was made to evaluate the clinical and pathological features of breast cancer patients with locally recurrent breast cancer and to assess the impact of the treatment method on their prognosis. Fifty-four patients with local recurrence after breast cancer were treated in Greatpoland Cancer Center between 1983 and 1995. It constituted 6.2% (54/878) of all patients with breast cancer treated in this period. Median length of interval between primary lesion and recurrence was 26.6 months, in 12/54 cases (22.2%) was longer then 5 years. Patients in time of recognizing primary breast cancer had tumor in clinical stage T2 (n=25) and T3 or T4 (n=29), in stage N0 (n=16) and N1 (n=36). Patients with recurrent breast cancer were treated using different methods. In 26 cases recurrent tumor was excited and then, in 15 cases irradiated, in 11 cases irradiated and additionally treated by chemotherapy or by hormonotherapy. In 28 cases patients were disqualified for excision due to local advance of disease. They were all irradiated and then treated by chemotherapy (n=17) or hormonotherapy (n=11). 5-year survival rates were compared with the chosen clinical factors (age, clinical stage, histopathology), length of interval between primary tumor and recurrence and with different methods of treatment including excision or not. 5-year overall survival rate was 33.3%. In locally advanced tumors (stage T3) the effect was worse then in stage T2 tumors. Five-year survival rates after recurrence were 20.8% and 52.0%, respectively (p=0.001). No statistically important correlations between lymph node involvement, age, histology and survival rate were found. Differences between 5-year survival rate were observed according to length of interval between recognizing the primary lesion and recurrence. Patients with interval shorter then 24 months had survival rate 14.3%, between 24 and 60 months - survival rate 64.3% and with interval longer then 60 months - 41.7%. Statistically important differences were noted between first and second group (p=0.01) and first and third group (p=0.03). Patients treated with local excision followed by radiotherapy and/or systemic therapy had greater 5-year survival rate (53.9%) then patients disqualified for incision (14.3%) (p=0.0001).

Adenocarcinoma↗

Significance of DNA ploidy measurements in Spitz nevi.

In 28 Spitz nevi DNA content was determined by video-imaging cytometry. The nevi were selected for this study because of difficulties in differentiation from melanoma and heterogeneity of this type of nevus. Morphological features of Spitz nevi and differences helpful for differentiation between Spitz nevi and malignant melanoma were identified. DNA ploidy was measured in paraffin embedded and fresh tissue material from each patient and the results were comparable. The sample preparation process and video-imaging method are presented in this study. Twenty two (78.6%) lesions contained diploid cell populations, 5 (17.9%) aneuploid and 1 (3.6%) tetraploid cell population. A significant correlation was observed between DNA ploidy measured in fresh tissue and retrospective material. The results indicate the presence of abnormal DNA content in some of the lesions. This observation does not indicate that DNA ploidy cytometry is useful for the differentiation of Spitz nevi from malignant melanoma.

Adolescent↗

Examination of DNA-ploidy in melanocytic nevi cells using video-imaging cytometry.

DNA content in 61 different types of melanocytic nevi was determined by video-imaging cytometry. The nevi were selected for this study because of melanoma risk associated with each nevus, which is 20-50% according to different authors. DNA ploidy was detected in paraffin embedded and fresh tissue material of each patient and the results were comparable. The sample preparation process and video-imaging method were presented in this study, 47 (77.0%) lesions exhibited diploid cell populations, 13 (21.3%) aneuploid and 1 (1.7%) tetraploid cell population. A significant correlation was observed between DNA ploidy measured in fresh tissue and retrospective material. The results indicate the presence of abnormal DNA content in some of the lesions.

DNA, Neoplasm↗

DNA ploidy in malignant melanoma, skin cancer and pigmented nevi.

The determination of DNA content in human cancers is the subject of increasing interest, particularly in view of its potential clinical applications. There are relatively few studies which describe DNA content of skin neoplasms and pigmented nevi. These studies have shown conflicting results. In the present investigation the authors measured DNA ploidy using flow and video-imaging cytometry in 51 malignant melanomas, 20 skin cancers and 48 pigmented nevi. For DNA measurement paraffin embedded tissues and fresh cell smears were used. Clinical and histological data of malignant melanomas were recorded and correlated with DNA ploidy. DNA histograms were examined for DNA aneuploidy by DNA Index. DNA ploidy in primary lesions of melanomas and their metastases were compared. The aneuploidy rate, found in our observation, was significantly higher in whole malignant melanoma group, in clinical Stage II and III, in tumors with thickness greater then 1.5 mm, tumors with Clark level III, IV and V. Another clinical and histological factors did not show significant correlation with ploidy. Aneuploidy was found in 8 of 20 (45.0%) skin cancers. In the whole population of pigmented nevi aneuploid DNA content was identified in 10 nevi (20.1%). The results of this study suggest that aneuploidy seems to be connected with advanced stage of malignant melanoma but it does not replace other prognostic factors. Both cytometric methods can be used for routine DNA ploidy analysis. Ploidy studies are not useful for predicting metastatic potential of primary melanoma. Results obtained from fresh cell smears and paraffin embedded tissues were identical.

Aneuploidy↗

[Malignant vulvar melanoma].

Vulvar malignant melanoma is a rare neoplasm with mostly poor prognosis. As compared with malignant melanoma of the skin vulvar melanoma infiltrates early deep into tissues and into abundant lymph and blood vascularisation. Epidemiology, clinical and histopathological data of primary vulvar melanoma are presented. Currently used methods of treatment are analysed. According to many authors the radical vulvar excision with bilateral lymphangiectomy in all stages of melanoma is a treatment of choice. Due to small population of patients with vulvar melanoma the randomized trials comparing different methods of treatment are not existing. Vulvar melanoma remains controversial medical problem with poor prognosis.

Female↗

[A case of metastatic malignant melanoma of the vagina with a background of primary vaginal melanoma--clinical case].

Primary vaginal malignant melanoma is an uncommon disease with poor prognosis. As compared with malignant melanoma of the skin, vaginal melanoma infiltrates early deep into tissues and in the abundant lymph and blood vascularisation. Epidemiology, clinical and histopathological data and treatment methods of primary and metastatic vaginal melanoma are discussed. A case of 53 years old women with malignant melanoma of the skin with metastasis to vagina treated in Wielkopolska Center of Oncology is presented. According to the literature aggressive surgical therapy can improve greatly the outlook for patients with vaginal melanoma.

Female↗