Biomedical subjects

L J Copeland

Publications and source records attributed to L J Copeland.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1988

Stage II endometrial carcinoma. Results and complications of a combined radiotherapeutic-surgical approach.

Since one third of the patients with Stage II endometrial carcinoma have occult extrauterine pelvic metastases at diagnosis, adequate treatment must include the pelvic lymph nodes and parametria. Eighty-three patients with Stage II endometrial carcinoma were treated between January 1964 and December 1983. Sixty-nine patients (83%) received combined whole-pelvic irradiation and surgery, five (6%) had surgery alone and nine (11%) had radiotherapy alone. Five-year actuarial survival rates were 67%, 60%, and 38%, respectively. No pelvic recurrence occurred in the 69 patients who received the combined therapy, and there was no vaginal recurrence in the 80 patients treated with intracavity radium. There was a significantly lower incidence of pelvic lymph node metastases (P = 0.03) in patients treated with preoperative irradiation. The median time to recurrence was 17 months, with 67% of the recurrences diagnosed before 2 years, and 88% within 5 years. Ten patients (12%) incurred severe complications and three died as a result. Whole-pelvic irradiation, intracavity radium, and hysterectomy are effective treatment for occult pelvic and vaginal disease.

Brachytherapy↗

PubMed1988

Recurrent cervical carcinoma after radical hysterectomy.

The characteristics of recurrent carcinoma following radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy for cervical carcinoma are not well known. Disease recurrence was noted in 27 of 249 patients (11%) with stage IB cervical carcinoma who were treated with a primary surgical approach between January 1962 and December 1984. Fourteen recurrences (52%) occurred within 1 year of surgery, and 24 (89%) within 2 years. Patients with pelvic node metastases or adenocarcinoma had a significantly higher recurrence rate than did patients with negative nodes (33% vs 8%) or with squamous carcinoma (22% vs 8%). Seventeen patients (63%) had disease recurrence in the pelvis or vulva and 12 of these patients had recurrences within 1 year. Eight patients developed asymptomatic pelvic or vulvar recurrences, and all were diagnosed within 1 year. Ten patients (37%) developed recurrences outside the pelvis and 8 of these experienced recurrence after 1 year. Successful treatment after recurrence was independent of clinical or histopathologic parameters except site of recurrence. Eight of 15 patients (53%) who were treated with irradiation for a recurrence in the pelvis or vulva are free of disease 10 to 126 months (median, 48 months) after recurrence. Since irradiation can aid in salvaging patients with recurrent cervical carcinoma confined to the pelvis following radical surgery, clinical vigilance for this site of recurrence is emphasized.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1988

Hyperfractionated split-course whole abdominal radiotherapy for ovarian carcinoma: tolerance and toxicity.

Whole abdominal irradiation after chemotherapy and second look laparotomy for advanced ovarian carcinoma is poorly tolerated because of hematologic toxicity that frequently necessitates interruption or abandonment of treatment. A new treatment strategy using a hyperfractionated split course schedule to deliver a total of 30 Gy in 30 fractions over 6 weeks was designed in an attempt to overcome this problem, while not compromising the tolerance of late reacting normal tissues. Of 23 patients treated between August 1984 and June 1986, only one failed to complete therapy as scheduled. Six patients with gross residual disease also received a limited field boost of 15 Gy in 15 fractions after completion of treatment to the whole abdomen. None of these six patients achieved disease control, and five required surgery for intestinal obstruction with pathologic evidence of radiation bowel injury. Of the 17 patients who received no boost, five developed gut obstructions associated with tumor recurrence and not attributable to irradiation. We conclude that whole abdominal irradiation using the hyperfractionated split course schedule without a boost is safe and feasible but its therapeutic efficacy appears confined to subsets of patients with no visible residual disease at the time of second look laparotomy, or in whom all visible residual tumor can be resected.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

The significance of müllerian inclusions found at second-look laparotomy in patients with epithelial ovarian neoplasms.

When no visible tumor is identified at second-look laparotomy, selected biopsy specimens or cytologic washings may reveal microscopic tumor or benign pathologic atypia. The pathology material from 311 patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma who had no macroscopic tumor at second-look laparotomy was evaluated for psammoma bodies, müllerian inclusions (benign glandular inclusions), microscopic tumor, and either inflammation or fibrosis. Progression-free intervals and survival rates were influenced by the presence of müllerian inclusions (favorably), tumor or positive cytology (unfavorably), and inflammation or fibrosis (unfavorably). Multivariate analysis (proportional hazards model) demonstrated that both the progression-free interval and survival rates were influenced significantly by the presence of microscopic tumor and tumor grade. Of 51 patients with müllerian inclusions and no microscopic tumor, 23 received additional treatment after second-look laparotomy. No differences were noted in the progression-free interval or survival rates when these patients were compared with the 28 nontreated patients. Of the treated patients, three died from chemotherapy toxicity, whereas there were no chemotherapy-related deaths in the nontreated group. These findings indicate that the presence of müllerian inclusions at second-look laparotomy does not justify treatment, and that further treatment after misinterpretation of these benign pathologic entities may lead to harmful results.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1988

Diagnosis of recurrent cervical carcinoma after radical hysterectomy.

A standard surveillance program for cervical carcinoma patients treated with radical hysterectomy is reviewed. Between 1962-1984, 249 patients with stage IB cervical carcinoma treated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy were entered in the surveillance program. Of the 27 patients (11%) diagnosed with recurrent carcinoma, 17 (63%) were identified by clinical history, 22 (81%) by physical examination, five (18%) by vaginal cytology, six (22%) by chest radiography, and eight (30%) by renal contrast imaging. Combined clinical history and physical examination identified 24 patients (89%) with recurrent carcinoma. Disease recurrence was detected by vaginal cytology in one asymptomatic patient with a normal examination. The recommended surveillance procedures for patients with cervical carcinoma after radical hysterectomy include clinical history, physical examination, and vaginal cytology. Chest radiography and renal contrast imaging should be reserved for symptomatic patients.

Cytodiagnosis↗

PubMed1987

Prognostic factors in stage II endometrial carcinoma.

The rarity of Stage II endometrial carcinoma and variable treatment modalities have made the evaluation of prognostic factors difficult. Clinical, surgical, and pathologic characteristics were evaluated in 64 patients treated with whole pelvic irradiation and intracavitary radium followed by hysterectomy at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute from January 1965 to December 1983. Comparison of 5-year actuarial survival rates revealed the following statistically significant categories: age, grade, depth of myometrial invasion, disease extent at surgery including lymph node metastases, and pelvic cytology. Race, weight, and cell type were not significant prognostic factors. Evaluation of prognostic factors at surgery includes pelvic and para-aortic lymph node biopsies, omental biopsy, pelvic cytologic washings, and biopsy of any suspicious tissues. Patients with adverse prognostic factors are candidates for trials with adjuvant therapy.

Actuarial Analysis↗

PubMed1987

Intrahepatic infusional therapy for metastatic ovarian carcinoma.

Twenty-four women with ovarian carcinoma that had metastasized to the liver were treated with intrahepatic infusional therapy. No consistent drug regimen was used. There were no complete responders; however, 33% had a partial response. All responses were noticed after the first course of therapy. The median length of response was 6.3 months. The median survival from the time of the first hepatic infusion was 7.5 months for all patients. In this series, there were two treatment-related deaths, one secondary to the chemotherapy, the other to improper catheter placement. Because of the multiplicity of chemotherapy regimens employed, no definite conclusions can be made concerning the efficacy of intrahepatic infusional therapy for metastatic ovarian carcinoma. It is suggested that its future use be restricted to patients with disease limited to the liver and who are being treated according to a study protocol.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

High-dose doxorubicin infusion therapy for disseminated mixed mesodermal sarcoma of the uterus.

Fifteen patients with metastatic mixed mesodermal sarcoma of the uterus received high dose doxorubicin infusion therapy. For 12 patients, the initial dose was 90 mg/m2; the other three patients' starting doses were 50, 75, and 75 mg/m2 respectively. Twelve patients received doxorubicin as firstline chemotherapy, with a cumulative dose of 90 mg/m2 to 675 mg/m2 (median = 495 mg/m2). Three patients treated secondarily received cumulative doses of 90, 205, and 425 mg/m2. Of nine patients who had measurable disease, none had an objective response. The median survival of the 15 patients was 11.3 months, with a range of 0.5 to 51+ months. Two patients died of neutropenia related sepsis. Cardiotoxicity occurred in two patients. Eleven patients are dead of disease, and two patients are alive without evidence of disease at 49, and 51 months. Extending the doxorubicin dosage to its tolerable limits did not appear to result in improved efficacy in patients with metastatic mixed mesodermal uterine sarcomas. Future clinical trials should concentrate on doxorubicin-containing combination regimens and Phase II single agent studies.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Nature of cervical involvement in endometrial carcinoma.

In patients with endometrial carcinoma the prognostic significance of clinical and histopathologic variants of cervical involvement is unknown. Fifty-eight patients with endometrial carcinoma and cervical involvement diagnosed by gross examination or endocervical curettage are reviewed. Three clinicopathologic groups were identified: gross cervical involvement (10 patients), occult stromal invasion (25), and no evidence of stromal invasion (23). There were no differences in clinical, pathologic, surgical, or therapeutic characteristics. There was no significant difference in actuarial 5-year survival rates between patients with gross cervical involvement (70%) and occult disease (65%). There was also no significant difference in survival rates among patients with occult cervical stromal invasion (67%). The presence of cervical involvement in endometrial carcinoma is an important prognostic factor. However, the extent of cervical involvement does not appear to be of significant prognostic value.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Cervical adenocarcinoma: tumor implantation in the episiotomy sites of two patients.

The spread of cervical carcinoma associated with parturition through a tumorous cervix is rarely demonstrated. This report details two patients with adenocarcinoma of the cervix who delivered term fetuses vaginally and subsequently presented with tumor nodules in the episiotomy scars. Although both patients appear to have had their recurrences treated successfully, follow-up on one patient has been only 10 months since the completion of therapy. Tumor implantation of the episiotomy wound is a potential risk associated with vaginal delivery in a pregnant patient with cervical carcinoma. However, this iatrogenic mechanism of tumor spread may permit an opportunity for successful treatment of the local recurrence.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1987

Preoperative radiotherapy for early endometrial carcinoma.

A retrospective study was undertaken to compare the use of one versus two preoperative radium systems for early endometrial carcinoma. The charts of 73 patients treated between 1977 and 1980 were reviewed. No difference was noted between the two groups when compared for stage, grade, depth of myometrial invasion, and histologic type of tumor. One of thirty-eight (2.6%) patients in the one-radium group developed an isolated central recurrence; there were no central recurrences in the two-radium group. Total duration of therapy and total hospitalization for the one-radium versus the two-radium group were 17.6 and 15.3 days versus 77.0 and 17.3 days, respectively. Follow-up ranged from 48 to 84 months. Corrected survival figures are comparable to 94.6% for the one-radium group versus 100% for the two-radium group. These data suggest comparable effectiveness and morbidity between the two treatment regimens, with the single-radium application more efficient and cost effective.

Brachytherapy↗

PubMed1987

Cisplatin therapy for disseminated mixed mesodermal sarcoma of the uterus.

Eighteen patients with metastatic mixed mesodermal sarcoma of the uterus received cisplatin therapy at the University of Texas (UT) M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute at Houston. The dose of cisplatin varied from 75 mg/m2 to 100 mg/m2. Previous therapy included surgery in 11 patients, radiotherapy in two patients, and surgery plus radiotherapy in four patients. One patient had no prior therapy. Seven patients had also received prior chemotherapy with doxorubicin. Of 12 patients with measurable disease, one (8%) had a complete response and four (33%) had a partial response for an overall response rate of 42%. The median progression-free survival of patients treated with cisplatin as first- and second-line therapy was 4.5 and 5.5 months, respectively. Cisplatin demonstrated moderate activity with mild toxicity in this group of patients with metastatic mixed mesodermal uterine sarcomas. Further studies including cisplatin-containing combination regimens seem to be warranted.

Aged↗

PubMed1987

Stage IB cervical carcinoma treated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy: role of adjuvant radiotherapy.

A retrospective review of 194 patients with stage IB cervical carcinoma treated with radical hysterectomy between January 1977 and December 1984 revealed 30 patients (15%) with pelvic node metastases. Twenty patients with pelvic node metastases received postoperative radiotherapy and ten patients did not. Five of 20 patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy had recurrence, compared with five of ten patients who did not receive radiotherapy. No pelvic recurrences occurred in the adjuvant radiotherapy group compared with two in the no radiotherapy group. Only one serious complication occurred in a patient receiving radiotherapy. Adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy may reduce pelvic recurrences and improve survival in patients with pelvic node metastases treated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1987

Treatment of metastatic stromal tumors of the ovary with cisplatin, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide.

From September 1981 until June 1986, eight patients with metastatic ovarian stromal tumors were entered into a prospective phase II study to determine the efficacy of a chemotherapy regimen combining cisplatin, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide. Patients received cisplatin 40-50 mg/m2 intravenously (IV), doxorubicin 40-50 mg/m2 IV, and cyclophosphamide 400-500 mg/m2 IV, all on day 1 every 28 days. The median age was 43 years (range 24-65 years). Two patients had stage II disease, one had stage III, and five had recurrent disease (original stage: four stage I and one stage III). The median number of chemotherapy cycles was six (range four to 14). Three patients (38%) had a complete response to therapy (two confirmed by second-look laparotomy), and two patients (25%) achieved a partial response (one verified by second-look laparotomy). The overall response rate was 63%. Toxicity was minimal. Four patients are disease-free at 13+ to 48+ months, one patient is alive with disease at six+ months, and three patients are dead of tumor at four, 17, and 36 months from the start of chemotherapy. These results indicate that the combination of cisplatin, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide has modest activity in the treatment of metastatic ovarian stromal tumor.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

The significance of residual tumor after preoperative pelvic irradiation for stage II endometrial carcinoma.

The prognostic significance of residual endometrial carcinoma in the hysterectomy specimen after preoperative radiotherapy is controversial. Sixty-two patients with stage II endometrial carcinoma were treated with a standardized program of preoperative radiotherapy, followed in six weeks by an extrafascial hysterectomy. Twenty patients (32%) had no residual carcinoma in their hysterectomy specimens and 42 (68%) had residual carcinoma. There were no significant clinical, surgical, or pathologic differences between patients with or without residual carcinoma. Patients with no residual carcinoma had a 25% recurrence rate and a 53% actuarial five-year survival rate. Patients with residual carcinoma had a 21% recurrence rate and a 78% actuarial five-year survival rate. The presence of residual endometrial carcinoma in the hysterectomy specimen does not imply a compromised prognosis in patients with stage II endometrial carcinoma treated by the described method.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Ureteral assessment after radical hysterectomy.

Postoperative intravenous pyelography was performed in 233 patients with stage IB cervical carcinoma treated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy between January 1962 and December 1985. Four patients developed symptoms of ureteral injury, two (0.8%) ureteral fistulae, and one (0.4%) stricture and obstruction due to recurrent carcinoma. No ureteral injuries were observed in 229 asymptomatic patients. A 5.2% incidence of transient severe ureteral dilatation occurred in asymptomatic patients, but resolved within a median of 94 days. A significant urinary tract anomaly was observed in 3.4% of preoperative pyelograms. All of these anomalies were apparent at surgery and presented no intraoperative difficulties. Three patients (1.3%) sustained intraoperative ureteral transections, which were diagnosed and repaired without sequelae. In patients with early cervical carcinoma having primary operative treatment, the role of routine preoperative and postoperative intravenous pyelography is questionable.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin combination therapy in resistant gestational trophoblastic disease.

Eleven patients were treated with cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin (PVB) combination chemotherapy after failure of conventional triple-agent therapy with methotrexate, dactinomycin, and cyclophosphamide for gestational trophoblastic disease. Of ten evaluable patients, five (50%) achieved negative titers. Sustained remission was achieved in only two patients (20%). Major hematologic toxicities and two deaths due to sepsis occurred in this group of patients. Although this combination does exhibit activity, its clinical use in the treatment of refractory trophoblastic disease is limited.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Treatment of malignant nondysgerminomatous germ cell tumors of the ovary with vinblastine, bleomycin, and cisplatin.

Fifteen patients with malignant nondysgerminomatous germ cell tumors of the ovary seen at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute at Houston, were treated with a combination of vinblastine, bleomycin, and cisplatin (VBP). All patients underwent initial surgery: biopsy alone in one patient, unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in ten patients, and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with or without hysterectomy in four patients. Seven patients received VBP as primary postoperative therapy. One patient died of progressive disease at 15 months following diagnosis. The other six patients are alive without evidence of disease 9 to 47 months from the time of diagnosis. Eight patients received VBP as second-line treatment; three patients had a complete response to therapy and are surviving disease-free 41 to 71 months from the time of diagnosis. Four patients treated secondarily had a partial response; three of these patients subsequently developed progressive disease and died, while one patient survived after undergoing salvage therapy with an etoposide-containing regimen. One patient had no discernible response to VBP therapy and died. The VBP regimen represents an aggressive, moderately toxic, short-term combination regimen that has promising activity against malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary.

Adolescent↗