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Jacob Bickels

Publications and source records attributed to Jacob Bickels.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Gestation-related malignant musculoskeletal tumors.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of malignant musculoskeletal tumors during pregnancy is very low. The paucity of data precludes the drawing of solid conclusions regarding a standard approach. OBJECTIVES: To summarize our experience treating 13 pregnant women with malignant soft tissue or bone tumors. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 13 cases of patients with either soft tissue or bone sarcoma that developed or progressed during pregnancy or immediately after delivery. RESULTS: The clinical presentation of the tumors was a growing mass and/or increasing pain and disability. Most of the masses were located in the lower part of the body and were of considerable size. Treatment given during gestation was limited to wide excision of the mass in the 28th week of gestation in one patient. All the patients reported disease progression during gestation. Vaginal delivery was possible in eight patients with no complications, cesarean section was carried out in three women, spontaneous miscarriage occurred in one and termination of pregnancy was performed in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic and therapeutic approaches should be tailored specifically in every pregnant woman in whom sarcoma is suspected.

Adult↗

Dextromethorphan for the reduction of immediate and late postoperative pain and morphine consumption in orthopedic oncology patients: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain is mediated centrally by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. The beneficial effects of preincision oral dextromethorphan (DM), which is an NMDA antagonist, on postoperative pain and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) morphine (MO) consumption have been examined in patients undergoing surgery. The authors investigated 75 patients who underwent surgery for bone and soft tissue malignancies, in whom postoperative pain is more severe compared with patients who undergo general surgery. METHODS: Patients received placebo, DM 60 mg, or DM 90 mg (25 patients per group) before surgery and on each of the two following days in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled manner. Postoperative IV-PCA MO was started when subjective pain intensity was >/= 4/10 (visual score) and lasted for 72 hours. Rescue drugs on demand were oral paracetamol or dipyrone. RESULTS: The patients in the DM60 and DM90 groups similarly experienced 50-80% less pain (P < 0.01) compared with patients in the placebo group, both immediately and up to 3 days postoperatively, as well as a 50% reduction in the estimated overall maximal pain intensity (P < 0.01). Both DM groups consumed 50-70% less MO than the nonmedicated individuals in the placebo group (P < 0.01), and their demand for rescue drugs on the first postoperative day also was significantly lower (P < 0.01). Patients in the DM groups also were sedated less ( approximately 70%; P < 0.01). There were no differences among the groups in terms of when the patients left their beds, when they were discharged home, or the number of overall side effects. CONCLUSIONS: DM is associated with reduced pain intensity, sedation, and analgesic requirements, even in patients undergoing surgery for bone and soft tissue malignancies. A 3-day DM administration neither increased the incidence of side effects nor accelerated ambulation and discharge home.

Adult↗

Osteosarcoma: a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment.

The treatment of osteosarcoma requires a multidisciplinary approach involving the family physician, orthopedic oncologist, medical oncologist, radiologist and pathologist. Osteosarcoma is a mesenchymally derived, high-grade bone sarcoma. It is the third most common malignancy in children and adolescents. The most frequent sites of origin are the distal femur, proximal tibia and proximal humerus. Patients typically present with pain, swelling, localized enlargement of the extremity and, occasionally, pathologic fracture. Most patients present with localized disease. Radiographs commonly demonstrate a mixed sclerotic and lytic lesion arising in the metaphyseal region of the involved bone. Computed tomography and bone scanning are recommended to detect pulmonary and bone metastases, respectively. Before 1970, osteosarcomas were treated with amputation. Survival was poor: 80 percent of patients died from metastatic disease. With the development of induction and adjuvant chemotherapy protocols, advances in surgical techniques and improvements in radiologic staging studies, 90 to 95 percent of patients with osteosarcoma can now be treated with limb-sparing resection and reconstruction. Long-term survival and cure rates have increased to between 60 and 80 percent in patients with localized disease.

Bone Neoplasms↗

Limb-sparing resections of the shoulder girdle.

BACKGROUND: Limb-sparing surgeries around the shoulder girdle pose a surgical difficulty, because tumors arising in this location are frequently large at presentation, are juxtaposed to the neurovascular bundle, require en bloc resection of proportionally large amounts of bone and soft tissues, and necessitate complex resection and reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Between 1980 and 1997, we treated 134 patients who presented with 110 primary malignant, 12 metastatic, and 12 benign aggressive bone and soft tissue tumors of the shoulder girdle and subsequently underwent a limb-sparing resection. Reconstruction of the bone defect included 92 proximal humerus and 9 scapular prostheses. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 years. We summarize the principles of limb-sparing resections of the shoulder girdle, with emphasis on the surgical anatomy of the shoulder girdle, principles of resection and reconstruction, and functional outcomes. RESULTS: Function was estimated to be good or excellent in 101 patients (75.4%), moderate in 23 patients (17.1%), and poor in 10 patients (7.5%). Complications included 13 transient nerve palsies, 2 deep wound infections, and 1 prosthetic loosening. Local tumor recurrence occurred in 5 of 103 (4.9%) patients with primary sarcomas of the shoulder girdle. CONCLUSIONS: Detailed preoperative evaluation and surgical planning are essential for performing a limb-sparing resection around the shoulder girdle. Local tumor control, associated with good functional outcomes, is achieved in the majority of patients.

Adult↗

Enchondromas of the hand: treatment with curettage and cemented internal fixation.

Removal by means of curettage is the mainstay of surgical treatment of enchondromas of the hand. Reconstruction traditionally entails filling the tumor cavity with a bone graft, or it may be decided not to perform a reconstruction. In either case a period of protected activity is needed until the tumor cavity has healed. The current study describes the use of cemented internal fixation for the purpose of reconstruction of these cavities. This technique provides immediate mechanical stability and allows early mobilization. Between 1986 and 1999, we treated 13 patients who were diagnosed as having enchondroma of the hand. Surgery included tumor removal with hand curettes and high-speed burr drilling. The remaining tumor cavity was reconstructed by using bone cement and intramedullary hardware. All patients were followed-up for more than 2 years. There were no postoperative infections or fractures, and all patients returned to their presurgical functional capability within 4 weeks. At the most recent follow-up evaluation, none of the patients had local tumor recurrence. Although 7 patients had a decrease in flexion of the metacarpophalangeal or interphalangeal joints, none reported a functional limitation. Reconstruction of the tumor cavity with cemented hardware provides immediate mechanical stability, allows early mobilization, and is associated with good functional outcome.

Adult↗

Lack of ErbB-2 oncogene product overexpression in soft tissue sarcomas.

The c-erbB-2 gene and its products (also designated HER-2 and c-neu) encode for a 185-kd transmembrane glycoprotein with intracellular tyrosine kinase activity. c-erbB-2 belongs to the epidermal growth factor receptor family, of which there are four known members, and has molecular homology to the epidermal growth factor receptor. It seems that this family is critical in control of growth, differentiation, and mobility of many normal and transformed epithelial cell types. We have looked for overexpression of c-erbB-2 gene product in paraffin-embedded material from 230 cases of soft tissue sarcoma, in order to establish a possible new prognostic marker and a potentially new treatment option. In all the cases, irrespective of the sarcoma histological type, the immunostaining for erbB-2 was negative. Applications of erbB-2 for prognostication as well as the option of receptor targeting by trastuzumab monoclonal antibodies were aborted.

Adolescent↗

Constrained total scapula reconstruction after resection of a high-grade sarcoma.

Patients with high-grade sarcomas arising from the scapula or periscapular soft tissues traditionally have been treated with either a total scapulectomy or a wide, en bloc, extraarticular scapular resection, termed the Tikhoff-Linberg resection. The major challenge after such resections is to restore shoulder girdle stability while preserving a functional hand and elbow. The current authors describe three patients who had an extraarticular, total scapula resection (modified Tikhoff-Linberg) for a high-grade sarcoma. Each patient had reconstruction with a constrained (rotator cuff-substituting) total scapula prosthesis in an effort to optimally restore the normal muscle force couples of both glenohumeral and scapulothoracic mechanisms. At latest followup, the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society functional score was 24 to 27 of 30 (80%-90%). All patients had a stable, painless shoulder and functional hand and elbow. Forward flexion and abduction ranged from 25 degrees to 40 degrees. Glenohumeral rotation (internal rotation, T6; external rotation -10 degrees) below shoulder level, shoulder extension, and adduction were preserved. Protraction, retraction, elevation, and abduction of the scapula were restored and contributed to shoulder motion and upper extremity stabilization. There were no complications. Total scapula reconstruction with a constrained total scapula prosthesis is a safe and reliable method for reconstructing the shoulder girdle after resection of select high-grade sarcomas. The authors emphasize the clinical indications, prosthetic design, surgical technique, and early functional results.

Adolescent↗

Osteosarcoma of the proximal humerus: long-term results with limb-sparing surgery.

The purpose of the current study was to analyze the long-term oncologic and functional results and complications associated with limb-sparing surgery and endoprosthetic reconstruction for 23 patients with osteosarcoma of the proximal humerus. There was one Stage IIA lesion, 18 Stage IIB lesions, and four Stage III lesions in this study group. Twenty-two patients were treated with an extraarticular resection that included the deltoid and rotator cuff and one patient was treated with an intraarticular resection that spared the shoulder abductors. In all these patients, the proximal humerus was reconstructed with a cemented endoprosthetic replacement that was stabilized via a technique of static suspension (Dacron tapes) and dynamic suspension (muscle transfers). At latest followup (median, 10 years), 15 patients (65%) were alive without evidence of disease. There were no local recurrences. Prosthetic survival was 100% for the 15 survivors. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society upper extremity functional score ranged from 24 to 27 (80%-90%). All shoulders were stable and pain-free. Elbow and hand function were preserved in all patients. The most common complication was a transient neurapraxia (n = 8). En bloc extraarticular resection and endoprosthetic reconstruction is a safe and reliable method of limb-sparing surgery for patients with high-grade extracompartmental osteosarcoma of the proximal humerus.

Adolescent↗

Distal femur resection with endoprosthetic reconstruction: a long-term followup study.

The distal femur is a common site for primary and metastatic bone tumors and therefore, it is a frequent site in which limb-sparing surgery is done. Between 1980 and 1998, the authors treated 110 consecutive patients who had distal femur resection and endoprosthetic reconstruction. There were 61 males and 49 females who ranged in age from 10 to 80 years. Diagnoses included 99 malignant tumors of bone, nine benign-aggressive lesions, and two nonneoplastic conditions that had caused massive bone loss and articular surface destruction. Reconstruction was done with 73 modular prostheses, 27 custom-made prostheses, and 10 expandable prostheses. Twenty-six gastrocnemius flaps were used for soft tissue reconstruction. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 years. Function was estimated to be good or excellent in 94 patients (85.4%), moderate in nine patients (8.2%), and poor in seven patients (6.4%). Complications included six deep wound infections (5.4%), six aseptic loosenings (5.4%), six prosthetic polyethylene component failures (5.4%), and local recurrence in five of 93 patients (5.4%) who had a primary bone sarcoma. The limb salvage rate was 96%. Distal femur endoprosthetic reconstruction is a safe and reliable technique of functional limb sparing that provides good function and local tumor control in most patients.

Adolescent↗

Utilitarian shoulder approach for malignant tumor resection.

Malignant tumors involving the shoulder girdle can arise from four distinct locations: the proximal humerus, scapula, periscapular muscles, and axillary structures. This article describes a utilitarian shoulder approach that can be used to resect these tumors.

Bone Neoplasms↗

Sciatic nerve resection: is that truly an indication for amputation?

En bloc resection of the sciatic nerve with an adjacent bone or soft tissue tumor has been assumed to be associated with a poor functional outcome and, therefore, was considered an indication for amputation. Although many surgical oncologists today challenge this assumption and do limb-sparing resection in these patients, a report of the functional outcome of a series of patients who had this procedure has not been published. Between 1991 and 1999, the authors treated 15 patients who had resection of the sciatic nerve. There were 10 females and five males, ranging in age from 2 to 73 years. Diagnoses included 11 high-grade soft tissue sarcomas, one primary bone sarcoma, and three metastatic bone tumors. Four lesions were located in the pelvis, one in the buttock, and 10 in the posterior thigh. At the most recent followup, 14 patients were ambulatory, seven of whom required a walking aid. Because of peroneal nerve palsy, all patients required a short-leg brace. However, overall function was determined to be good in 11, moderate in three, and poor in one patient. None had a pressure sore of the foot and none required a secondary amputation. Good function is achieved in most patients who have sciatic nerve resection. Therefore, the necessity to resect the sciatic nerve is not an indication for amputation.

Adolescent↗

Sarcoma and thyroid disorders: a common etiology?

We have recently observed that many of our sarcoma patients presented also with thyroid disorders. Literature data are almost unavailable on this topic. The relationship between the sarcoma and thyroid disorders is examined. Retrospective analysis of files of patients with sarcoma and clinically overt thyroid disorders was carried out. Of the 375 patients with soft tissue sarcomas (STS) and 235 with bone sarcoma (BS) including small blue round cell tumors (SBRC), 28 patients (4.6%) had an associated significant thyroid disorder. The types of sarcoma were mainly liposarcoma followed by malignant fibrous histiocytoma, leiomyosarcoma and bone sarcoma. The primary sites were mainly limb and trunk. The interval between the diagnosis of the thyroid disorder and the sarcoma varied between -14 years (thyroid first) and +16.5 years (thyroid later) with a median of -0.2 years. Thyroid disorders included goiter, thyroiditis and carcinoma. There are both basic-science and clinical evidence to a possible common pathway that leads to the association between overt thyroid disorders and sarcomas of bone or soft tissues. Oncogene erbA activity is related to thyroid receptors to T3 and to development of sarcoma. Cross talk of the sarcoma oncogene and the erbA might contribute to the development of sarcoma. The thyroid hormone receptor and the highly related viral oncoprotein v-erbA are found exclusively in the nucleus as stable constituents of chromatin. It has been shown that v-erbA can block the spontaneous differentiation in erythroid cells transformed by various retroviral oncogenes. V-erbA can alter the spectrum of neoplasia induced by the v-src oncogene, which causes predominantly sarcomas and erythroblastosis in chicks. The erbA can cooperate with other oncogenes such as v-erbB or with v-fms, v-ras, and c-kit. Cooperation with v-myc may play a role in the development of rhabdomyosarcoma especially in thyroid hormone deficiency state. The possible clinical implications are the need to screen patients with sarcoma to thyroid disorders, and patients with thyroid disorders for malignant diseases.

Adult↗

Induction chemotherapy for bone sarcoma in adults: correlation of results with erbB-4 expression.

Tumor response to preoperative chemotherapy is an important prognostic factor for localized, operable extremity osteosarcoma. Other clinical variables include tumor size and location, age and sex, and serum enzymes. Advances in molecular oncology yielded a second group of factors such as multidrug resistance status, loss of heterozygosity of RB gene, and HER2/erbB-2 expression. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and the prognostic value of the newly described erbB-4 receptor in specimens from adults with bone sarcomas treated by pre- and postoperative chemotherapy. Thirty-three patients with non-metastatic bone sarcoma have been treated by two doxorubicin-based induction chemotherapy regimen, followed by limb sparing surgery and tailored adjuvant chemotherapy. Pre-chemotherapy tissue specimens were investigated for the expression of erbB-4 receptor and post-induction specimens were assessed for pathological response. The clinical response rates were 32-36%. The degree of induced necrosis was correlated with the disease-free survival (DFS). Patients achieving >/=90% necrosis had an improved DFS over patients with poor histological response. ErbB-4 expression was significantly associated with poor histologic response and shorter DFS. ErbB-4 expression may be used for prognostication of adults with bone sarcomas.

Adult↗