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Biomedical subjects

L S Massad

Publications and source records attributed to L S Massad.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Assessing disease extent in women with bulky or clinically evident metastatic cervical cancer: yield of pretreatment studies.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the impact of pretreatment tests on staging and management for women with bulky or clinically evident metastatic cervical cancer. METHODS: Demographics and findings of clinic pelvic examination (PE), examination under anesthesia (EUA), chest x ray (CXR), abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT), and intravenous urography (IVU) were reviewed for women with primary, untreated cervical cancers either > or =4 cm or with extracervical disease apparent on PE or CXR evaluated between July 1, 1994, and March 31, 1999. Stage was assigned according to standards of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. RESULTS: In 133 women studied, tumor diameter averaged 4. 9 cm on PE and 5.7 cm at EUA (P = 0.0005). Of 92 women undergoing both PE and EUA, 30 (33%) had size discrepancies of more than 1 cm. Compared with EUA, PE had sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values, respectively, of 65, 89, 79, and 81% for vaginal disease, 74, 91, 95, and 63% for parametrial disease, and 57, 90, 60, and 89% for sidewall fixation. CXR was abnormal in 5 (4%). IVU showed ureteral dilation in 20 (22%) of 90 women, while CT showed dilation in 34 (28%) of 123 women. CT also showed pelvic lymphadenopathy in 22 (18%) women and paraaortic lymphadenopathy in 12 (10%). Bladder biopsies showed malignancy in 8 (8%), including one transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Proctoscopy failed to reveal metastatic cervical cancer. CONCLUSIONS: CXR and EUA with cystoscopy are important to the accurate staging and treatment of bulky or clinically metastatic cervical cancers, while proctoscopy is rarely useful. CT predicts ureteral obstruction well, and its greater information yield may justify its higher cost compared with IVU.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Adherence to colposcopy among women with HIV infection.

UNLABELLED: In the general population, nonadherence to the recommendation to have colposcopy in women with abnormal cytologic smears is estimated at 30% to 80%, but studies have failed to identify consistent risk factors for nonadherence. The purpose of this analysis is to assess adherence to colposcopy in a subset of participants in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS), an ongoing multisite longitudinal study of HIV infection in women in the United States and determine factors associated with nonadherence. Identification of such predictors would be useful in designing strategies to improve adherence in this group. METHODS: Adherence to colposcopy was examined in a cohort of 462 women with, or at risk for, HIV infection with abnormal cervical cytology on entry into WIHS. Adherence was defined as having colposcopy done within 6 months of an abnormal cytology result. RESULTS: Overall adherence to colposcopy was 65% (302 of 462). A multivariate logistic regression model revealed that the odds of adherence were significantly lower for the women who were HIV-infected (p = .011), current crack/cocaine users (p = .040), ever too ill to get medical care (p = .033), not recruited by WIHS study staff (p = .004), and less concerned about the care of their children (p = .037). Among HIV-seropositive women, low CD4 counts, high viral loads, and presence of AIDS-defining illness were not predictive of nonadherence. DISCUSSION: Adherence to colposcopy among WIHS participants was at the upper limit of the reported range in the United States. Chemical dependency and domestic violence may negatively impact on colposcopy adherence whereas supportive study personnel, having health insurance, and concerns about raising one's children appear to be motivators for adherence to colposcopy in this study. HIV infection was a risk factor for nonadherence, but markers of advanced disease were not predictive of nonadherence.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Prevalence and predictors of squamous cell abnormalities in Papanicolaou smears from women infected with HIV-1. Women's Interagency HIV Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Cervical neoplasia occurs with increased frequency among women infected with HIV-1. OBJECTIVE: To characterize prevalence of and risk factors for abnormal cervical cytology among women with HIV and to compare them to uninfected women. METHODS: Baseline cervical cytology was obtained from 1713 women seropositive for HIV and 482 at-risk control women who were enrolled in the Women's Interagency HIV Study, a multicenter prospective cohort study conducted in six U.S. cities. Associations with sociodemographic, medical, and sexual variables were assessed by Fisher's exact test, Mantel extension test, and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Cervical cytology was abnormal in 38.3% of HIV-infected women (atypical squamous cells of uncertain significance [ASCUS] 20.9%, low-grade squamous cells of uncertain significance [LSIL] 14.9%, high-grade squamous cells of uncertain significance [HSIL] 2.3%, cancer 0.2%) and 16.2% of HIV-uninfected women (ASCUS 12.7%, LSIL 2.3%, HSIL 1.2%, cancer 0.0%). Risk factors for any abnormal cytology in multivariate analysis included HIV infection, CD4 cell count, HIV RNA level, detection of human papillomavirus (HPV), a prior history of abnormal cytology, employment, and number of male sex partners within 6 months of enrollment. Prior abortion was associated with a decreased risk of cytologic abnormality. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical cytologic abnormalities were frequent among women infected with HIV, although high-grade changes were found in only 2.5%. Factors linked to sexual and reproductive history, HPV infection, and HIV disease all influenced risk.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Sexual, contraceptive, and drug use behaviors of women with HIV and those at high risk for infection: results from the Women's Interagency HIV Study.

OBJECTIVE: To document the sexual and contraceptive practices of women with HIV infection or who are at risk for infection. DESIGN: Data on the baseline behaviors of 561 HIV-negative and 2040 HIV-positive women were collected as part of the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS). WIHS is a multisite, longitudinal study following the natural history of HIV infection among women in the United States. METHODS: Each participant contributed an interviewer administered, self-report interview including questions on sexual and contraceptive behavior. RESULTS: Women with HIV were less likely to report heterosexual activity in the previous 6 months (65% HIV-positive, 76% HIV-negative). Among sexually active women, there were no differences in the proportion of those reporting vaginal (97% HIV-positive, 98% HIV-negative) or anal sex (12% HIV-positive, 10% HIV-negative), although women with HIV were less likely to report cunnilingus (41% HIV-positive, 70% HIV-negative) and fellatio (48% HIV-positive, 57% HIV-negative). Of women with HIV, 63% always used condoms during vaginal sex (versus 28% HIV-negative), with lower rates reported during other sexual activities. Crack, cocaine, or injecting drug use, reported by 27% of HIV-positive and 35% of HIV-negative women, was associated with inconsistent condom use, independent of serostatus. HIV-positive women who reported using condoms and another contraception method were less consistent condom users (57% consistent versus 67%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of sexual risk behavior in this sample suggests that, although women with HIV exhibit lower levels of sexual risk behavior than uninfected women, many have not been successfully reached with regard to implementing safer behaviors. These findings have implications for more widespread and effective behavioral intervention efforts.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Multimodality therapy for carcinoma of the Bartholin gland.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report the value of chemoradiation in the management of cancers of the Bartholin gland. METHODS: Primary treatment consisting of 45-46 Gy teletherapy radiation to the vulva, pelvis, and groins in combination with 50 mg/m(2) of cisplatin and 1000 mg/m(2)/day of 5-fluorouracil for 5 days during the first and fifth weeks of irradiation was delivered, followed by interstitial implant or excision. RESULTS: Two patients were free of disease at 30 and 59 months following therapy. Both patients required myocutaneous flap closure, one after excision of tumor after radiation and one after radionecrosis at the implant site. CONCLUSIONS: Primary chemoradiation may allow continence-sparing therapy for women with primary carcinoma of the Bartholin gland.

Bartholin's Glands↗
PubMed1999

Acute lower extremity paralysis following radiation therapy for cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: Acute lower extremity paralysis secondary to lumbosacral plexopathy is a rare but severe complication that may follow pelvic radiotherapy for cervical cancer. CASE: A 49-year-old female with newly diagnosed stage IIIB cervical cancer developed progressive bilateral lower extremity paralysis and pelvic pain only 10 weeks following completion of radiation therapy for cervical cancer with no evidence of metastasis or progression of disease. Her bladder and bowel function were not affected. Following extensive workup, the most likely etiology was presumed radiation-induced lumbosacral plexopathy. CONCLUSION: Although metastatic carcinoma is more commonly the reason for progressive lower extremity weakness with pelvic pain in women with advanced cervical cancer, radiation-induced lumbosacral plexopathy, a rare but devastating complication, may be the cause. Diagnosis is by exclusion.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

Predicting compliance with follow-up recommendations after colposcopy among indigent urban women.

OBJECTIVE: To determine correlates of compliance with follow-up recommendations after colposcopy. METHODS: Between October 1, 1992, and June 30, 1997, management recommendations were made to 451 consecutive women who attended a resident colposcopy clinic. Compliance was determined after 8-12 months. Correlates of compliance were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Recommendations included repeat cytology in 6 months for 252 women, loop excision for 114, conization for 27, repeat colposcopy for 51, other for three, and not recorded for four. Rates of ever complying were 81% for loop excision, 85% for conization, 62% for repeat colposcopy, and 36% for repeat cytology. In multivariate analysis, the only significant predictors of compliance were history of genital herpes simplex infection (odds ratio [OR] 0.20; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.05, 0.86, P = .03) and the nature of the recommendation (OR 4.73; CI 2.51, 8.92 for loop excision; OR 8.72; CI 2.57, 29.6 for conization; and OR 2.53; CI 1.30, 4.93 for repeat colposcopy, all against observation, P<.001). CONCLUSION: After colposcopy, women were more likely to comply with earlier, more intensive interventions, although the relative effect of follow-up interval and intervention could not be distinguished.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Chemokines are present in the genital tract of HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative women: correlation with other immune mediators.

In this cross-sectional study, 53 cervicovaginal lavage samples (CVL) from 41 women were analyzed for the chemokines interleukin-8 (IL-8), regulated-on-activation normal T-expressed and secreted (RANTES) factor, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IL-8 was detected in 81% of CVL, whereas RANTES was detected in 32%, and MIP-1alpha in 15% of the CVL. The mean levels of IL-8, RANTES, and MIP-1alpha in positive samples were 396 pg/ml, 102 pg/ml, and 34 pg/ml, respectively. IL-8 levels correlated positively with IL-1beta and IgG in a subset of CVL samples. RANTES levels correlated positively with complement protein levels. Additionally, the levels of RANTES, but not MIP-1alpha, reached levels reported in previous studies of the effects of beta chemokines to inhibit HIV replication. These results suggest that measuring chemokines in CVL specimens can provide important information regarding immune responses in the genital tract.

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMed1997

Evaluation of immunologic markers in cervicovaginal fluid of HIV-infected and uninfected women: implications for the immunologic response to HIV in the female genital tract.

We analyzed 21 cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) specimens from 19 women participating in the Women's Interagency HIV Study to characterize levels of antibody, cytokine, and complement and to determine associations between these levels and stage of the menstrual cycle, HIV status, and the presence of concurrent genital infection and genital dysplasia. Sixteen samples were collected from HIV-infected women and five from high-risk HIV-seronegative women. CVL fluid was assayed for levels of IgG, secretory IgA (s-IgA), interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-10, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1beta, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), C3, C1q, and C4. Women with HIV were more likely to have cervicovaginal dysplasia (9/16 vs. 0/5; p = 0.027) but were not more likely to have concurrent vaginal infection (10/16 vs. 2/5; p = 0.38). Antibody, cytokine, and complement were detectable in all samples, although not all samples had measurable IL-10, C3, or C4. HIV-infected women demonstrated a trend toward higher levels of IFN-gamma than did uninfected women (p = 0.098); no differences were noted in other parameters. HIV-infected women with vaginal infections had significantly higher CVL levels of IgG (p = 0.023) and IFN-gamma (p = 0.02) than did HIV-infected women without genital infections. HIV-infected women with cervicovaginal dysplasia were found to have higher levels of IL-1beta (p = 0.045) and IFN-gamma (p = 0.039) than those without. Analysis of the HIV-infected cohort by CD4 cell count revealed higher levels of IgG and IFN-gamma in CVL from women with lower CD4 cell counts, although these differences were not statistically significant. Higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines in CVL fluid of women with genital infection or cervicovaginal dysplasia may affect local HIV replication and may influence the risk of acquisition or transmission of HIV for women with these underlying conditions.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Correlating cone biopsy histology with operative indications.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate operative indications for and histologic findings of cold knife cone biopsy since introduction of the Bethesda system for classification of cervical cytology. METHODS: Patients undergoing cold knife conization of the cervix at adjacent urban medical centers were identified from operating logs. Data on indication and outcome were tabulated retrospectively for 294 women. RESULTS: Cone biopsy indications were sometimes multiple and included dysplastic or malignant endocervical curettage (ECC) in 66%, inadequate colposcopy in 48%, cytologic:histologic discrepancy in 16%, and suspicion of invasive cancer on biopsy in 1% of cone biopsies. For 8% of patients, none of these indications were found. The respective proportions of women with benign findings or atypical, low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia, or cancer was 16, 15, 65, and 3% for positive ECC, 26, 16, 54, and 4% for inadequate colposcopy, 22, 17, 59, and 0% for discrepancy, and 0, 0, 100, and 0% for suspicion of cancer on cytology. Outcomes were significantly worse among women with positive ECC (OR = 2.1, P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The likelihood of identifying high-grade lesions in cone biopsy specimens is high, especially among women with a positive ECC, but the risk of cancer is low.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

A potent activator of HIV-1 replication is present in the genital tract of a subset of HIV-1-infected and uninfected women.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: To determine whether the female genital tract contains factors that affect HIV-1 replication. Cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) samples were collected from HIV-1-seropositive and seronegative women and added to cell cultures. METHODS: HIV p24 production was used to measure the effects of CVL on replication of HIVMN in a T-cell line, of a primary isolate in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, or on HIV expression by the latently-infected monocytic U1 cell line. The effects of CVL on the HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) were determined in 1G5 T cells by measuring luciferase activity. RESULTS: Increased replication of HIVMN and a primary isolate were observed in T cells cultured with CVL samples from three out of 38 HIV-infected women, one out of four uninfected high-risk women, and none of 12 low-risk women. The CVL factor increased replication by enhancing virus expression via activation of the HIV LTR. The HIV-inducing activity was highly stable to heat but was sensitive to proteases, indicating that the activity was distinct from heat-labile cytokines including tumour necrosis factor-alpha. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to show that a factor which can stimulate HIV-1 replication is present at biologically active levels in the reproductive tract of women. This factor could potentially affect sexual or vertical transmission of HIV-1 by altering genital tract virus load or virus expression.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1997

Knowledge of cervical cancer screening among women attending urban colposcopy clinics.

To determine knowledge about cervical cancer screening among women referred to urban colposcopy clinics and to assess effects of colposcopy and directed teaching on knowledge deficits, a closed-ended questionnaire was distributed to 144 women at a university resident clinic before and after initial colposcopy. Results were compared with those of 42 patients attending a health maintenance organization (HMO) for the same procedure. Fewer than half of clinic patients correctly identified the nature of a Pap smear or the reason for their referral, but 84% knew that Pap smears were indicated annually. Fewer than 60% knew the nature of colposcopy or the organ that it evaluated, but 74% could identify its indication. Clinic patients' knowledge of colposcopy but not of Pap smears improved after colposcopy and teaching. While HMO patients had better overall understanding of Pap smears and colposcopy, a multivariate analysis found educational level to be the only significant predictor of this knowledge. Efforts to boost cervical cancer screening through improved understanding should be directed toward women with the least schooling without regard to other demographic factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Correlation between colposcopically directed biopsy and cervical loop excision.

Colposcopy is standard for diagnosis of cervical cancer precursors, but the development of diathermy loop electrodes for excision of the cervical transformation zone offers a technique for validation. Loop excision of the transformation zone was performed for 47 consecutive women with dysplasia in colposcopically directed biopsies using 20 x 8-mm electrodes. Specimens were marked for orientation and serially sectioned. All pathology material was reviewed. Although 28% of women had disappearance of dysplasia at the biopsy site, only 9% had no dysplasia in the transformation zone. Half of the women with CIN 1 on directed biopsy had high-grade lesions found in loop excision specimens. Significant discrepancies may be found between the results of colposcopically directed biopsy and loop excision.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Interferon-alpha and all-trans-retinoic acid reversibly inhibit the in vitro proliferation of cell lines derived from cervical cancers.

Interferon and retinoic acid are active agents for the treatment of cervical cancer, but their mechanisms of action are unclear. Results of [3H]thymidine uptake assays showed that exposure to pharmacologic concentrations of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) for 72 hr inhibited growth of the cervical cancer cell lines ME-180, 283, SiHa, C33-A, 621, CaSki, HeLa, and B132, CaSki and SiHa cells continuously exposed to IFN-alpha or RA or both for 9 days developed resistance to growth inhibition, and growth resumed at a rate comparable to control after removal of agents. Similar assays showed no significant difference in effects of RA and its cis isomer. Assays for lactate dehydrogenase release revealed no significant lysis of any cell line following exposure to IFN-alpha, RA, or their combination. In organotypic culture, cells grew in a pattern histologically similar to carcinoma in situ, and exposure to IFN-alpha and RA for 14 days yielded no change in this pattern. Immunohistochemical analysis showed no change in cytokeratin expression by cells in organotypic or monolayer culture. The major in vitro effect of IFN-alpha and RA on cervical cancer cell lines appears to be reversible inhibition of proliferation.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗