Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to L Grogan.
The CT findings in a case of granulocytic sarcoma of the pleura are presented and correlated with pathology sections. CT features included diffuse, circumferential pleural thickening, multiple pleural fluid locules and mediastinal adenopathy. Similarities with the appearance of mesothelioma and metastatic pleural disease are discussed and the literature reviewed.
Among new patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), 20% to 25% are over 70 years of age and account for 8,000 cases annually in the United States. For such patients, intensive, aggressive, cytotoxic, combination chemotherapy is not often used because of its association with unacceptable morbidity and mortality rates. However, treatment of these patients is often indicated, if not demanded. Etoposide is among the most active agents for the treatment of SCLC; both oral (PO) and intravenous preparations are available. The bioavailability of etoposide PO ranges from 15% to 75%. We carried out a phase II trial of etoposide PO in elderly patients (greater than or equal to 70 years of age) with a confirmed histologic diagnosis of SCLC. Patients were treated with etoposide capsules 800 mg/m2, with the total dose divided over 5 consecutive days. Cycles were repeated every 3 to 4 weeks for a total of six cycles. All treatment was administered on an outpatient basis. Staging procedures were confined to physical examination, chest x-ray, and laboratory investigations. Further staging procedures were carried out only if clinically indicated. In September 1985, 53 patients (35 male, 18 female) with a median age of 73 years (range, 70 to 95) were treated. After staging, 24 patients (45%) had limited disease (LD); the remaining 29 patients had extensive disease (ED). Overall response was 79% (complete response [CR], 17%; partial response, 62%). CRs were seen in 8 of 24 patients (33%) with LD and in 1 of 29 patients (3%) with ED. Median survival of all patients was 9.5 months (range, 1 to 22+) with 20 patients still alive; the toxicity rate was acceptable. Total alopecia developed in all patients, whereas significant neutropenia (8%) and thrombocytopenia (6%) were rare. There were no treatment-related deaths or hospital admissions. In this study, we showed activity of etoposide PO in patients with SCLC; these results were comparable with those reported for more intensive combination regimens. For elderly patients, etoposide PO provides excellent palliative treatment, with a high response rate and significant prolongation of survival. In addition, therapy is associated with minimal toxicity and can be administered entirely on an outpatient basis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Brain metastases are a well recognized problem in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Most patients are treated with whole brain cranial irradiation therapy which frequently improves symptoms. In this report we present data on two patients who achieved radiologically confirmed complete resolution of brain metastases treated with standard dose chemotherapy for SCLC.
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BACKGROUND: Injecting drug users are at high-risk of bloodborne virus infections including hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis B (HBV) and HIV. AIMS: To document screening for and immunisation against bloodborne viruses and to determine the known prevalence and incidence of these infections. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of clients attending 21 specialist addiction treatment clinics in one health board area in greater Dublin. Data collected on demographic characteristics, serology for HCV, HBV and HIV and immunisation against HBV. RESULTS: A total of 316 (88%) had been tested for anti-HCV antibody, 244 (68%) had been tested for anti hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), 299 (84%) had been tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and 307 (86%) had been tested for anti-HIV antibody. The prevalence of anti-HCV, anti-HBc, HBsAg, and anti-HIV were: 66%, 17%, 2% and 11% respectively. The incidence of HCV, HBV and HIV infections were: 24.5, 9.0 and 3.4 per hundred person years respectively. Eighty-one per cent of those in whom it was indicated, had started a targeted HBV immunisation programme in the clinics. CONCLUSION: The proportion of clients screened for HCV, HBV and HIV infection has increased since the introduction of a screening protocol in 1998. Targeted vaccination for opiate users against hepatitis B is more successful than previously shown in Ireland. The prevalence and incidence of bloodborne viruses remains high among opiate users attending addiction treatment services, despite an increase in availability of harm reduction interventions.
The noninvasive technique of nipple aspiration as a potential source of biomarkers of breast cancer risk was evaluated. The feasibility of performing mutagenesis assays, amplifying DNA, and performing protein electrophoresis on nipple aspirate fluid was explored. A tool was developed to measure the level of discomfort, if any, from this procedure. Twenty-five healthy women (20 premenopausal and 5 postmenopausal) were enrolled. Fluid was obtained using a modified breast pump. Premenopausal women were scheduled for four to six weekly aspirations, and postmenopausal women were scheduled for one to two weekly aspirations. Mutagenesis assays were performed using the Salmonella (Ames) assay. DNA amplification of several microsatellite regions was carried out using polymerase chain reaction. Protein was quantified, and two-dimensional protein electrophoresis was performed. Overall, fluid was obtained from 80% of the women, and the level of discomfort was minimal. Acid hydrolysis of one sample resulted in mutagenicity; all six nonhydrolyzed samples were not mutagenic. The ability to amplify DNA ranged from 34% to 96%, depending on length of the microsatellite region examined. The average protein concentration was 71 microg/mL. Two-dimensional protein electrophoresis was successfully performed on samples from two subjects. Nipple aspiration is a simple technique and is easily learned and well tolerated, which yields a reagent useful for a variety of investigations. This technique may facilitate the identification and application of biomarkers for future breast cancer risk assessment and chemopreventive protocols.
There is increasing evidence to suggest that the subjective workload of GPs in Ireland is too heavy. The aims of this study, therefore, were to identify the social and demographic issues that GPs perceive as being implicated in determining their workload. A self-administered questionnaire, inviting GPs to score a series of factors according to the degree to which it increased their workload, was sent to one-quarter of GPs practising in the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA) area. The response rate was 71%. Seventy-nine (60%) felt their workload was 'too heavy,' while 109 (85%) felt they could improve the quality of care they provide, if their workload was reduced. Access to OPD services (mean score = 7.31), access to other hospital services (mean score = 7.16), and the number of elderly patients (mean score = 6.28) were considered to be the most important factors in determining workload. This paper describes the factors that impact on self-perceived workload for GPs, factors which need to be considered when planning and funding future developments in primary care.