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Biomedical subjects

L Tschopp

Publications and source records attributed to L Tschopp.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Surgical treatment of Zenker's diverticulum: transcutaneous diverticulectomy versus microendoscopic myotomy of the cricopharyngeal muscle with CO2 laser.

In a retrospective study, we analyzed 97 patients who were treated by either transcutaneous diverticulectomy (n = 66) or microendoscopic myotomy of the cricopharyngeal muscle with CO(2) laser (n = 31). Two (6.4%) of 31 patients in the microendoscopic myotomy group had complications, compared with 10 (15%) of 66 patients in the diverticulectomy group. In addition, the complications observed in the microendoscopic myotomy group were less severe than those observed in the transcutaneous diverticulectomy group. The average length of hospitalization was shorter in the microendoscopic myotomy group than in the diverticulectomy group (8 days versus 11.4 days). We conclude that microendoscopic CO(2)-laser myotomy is a less invasive, more precise, and safer procedure, which results in a shortened period of hospitalization and complete relief of symptoms in the vast majority of cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Post-remission therapy of adult acute myeloid leukaemia: one cycle of high-dose versus standard-dose cytarabine. Leukaemia Project Group of the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK).

BACKGROUND: Intensification of post-remission therapy improves the cure rate of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) but is often accompanied by unacceptable toxicity. From 1985 to 1992 the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK) performed a randomized phase III trial to evaluate the effectiveness of one single postremission course of high-dose cytarabine (HDAC) in terms of leukaemia-free and overall survival in adults with de novo AML. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adult (15-65 years) AML patients in remission after two induction courses were randomly assigned to one consolidation course either with standard (SDAC: 100 mg/sqm 24 hours infusion over seven days) or with high-dose cytarabine (HDAC: 3000 mg/sqm every 12 hours as one-hour-infusion for six days). In addition, both arms included daunorubicin (45 mg/sqm daily on days 1 to 3). Thereafter, patients were observed without maintenance until relapse. RESULTS: After two induction courses 208/276 eligible patients achieved remission (CR: 169, 61%, PR: 39, 14%), 41 were resistant (15%) and 20 died early (7%). Seventy-one patients in remission were not randomized. One hundred thirty-seven were randomized in CR/PR (67 SDAC, 70 HDAC). 4/70 patients randomized to HDAC did not receive it. Treatment-related mortality in HDAC was 1.4% (1/66). WHO grade 3-4 toxicities occurred in 14/67 SDAC and in 38/66 HDAC patients (P < 0.0001). The median event free survival was 10.8 (SDAC) vs. 12.2 months (HDAC; P = 0.18). The median overall survival was 24.6 (SDAC) vs. 32.6 months (HDAC; P = 0.07). Although statistically uncertain, HDAC reduced the hazard of progression (hazard ratio: 0.69, P = 0.08) and of death (hazard ratio: 0.70, P = 0.13). For 112 patients stratified as CR the estimated four-year disease-free survival was 25% (+/-6%) with SDAC and 37% (+/-6%) with HDAC (P = 0.09). The overall survival rates at four years were 38% (+7%) and 48% (+7%), respectively (P = 0.10). In multivariate analysis HDAC significantly reduced the hazard of relapse by 39% compared to SDAC (hazard ratio = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.37-0.99; P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that early consolidation of adult AML in CR with a single course of HDAC is superior in terms of outcome to one cycle of SDAC. The results of our intensive, single course HDAC group compare favourably with less intensive, repetitive HDAC cycles, suggesting that Ara-C dose intensity may be more important than total dosage. In addition, our treatment strategy is much less toxic and less expensive.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

[Autologous bone marrow transfusion in the treatment of adults with hematologic neoplasms. Experiences from Bern].

21 patients with hematological neoplasias (8 ALL, 4 AML, 4 NHL, 5 HD) were treated with high dose therapy and autologous bone marrow rescue (ABMT). At the time of ABMT 12 patients were in CR, 6 in PR and 3 in relapse. 66% of the patients were at high risk at the time of diagnosis. Before ABMT patients received an ablative regimen such as cyclophosphamide or ARA-C, VP-16, DNR and 12 Gy TBI in 6 fractions. In 9 patients the bone marrow was treated in vitro with monoclonal antibodies and complement. The hospital stay was a median 33 (24-57) days and isolation 19 (9-49) days. Complications were septicemia (7), herpes stomatitis (7), infections (6), fungal sepsis (1) and hemorrhagic cystitis (2). Late complications (up to 6 months after ABMT) were pneumococcal sepsis (1), cerebral toxoplasmosis (1) and herpes zoster (3). 10 of 19 evaluable patients are alive and relapse-free 1-33 months (median 10) after ABTM, and 3 of 10 more than 2 years later: 4 of 5 were transplanted in 1. CR, 4 of 6 in greater than or equal to 2. CR and 2 of 8 in PR. 4 patients are living in therapy sensitive relapse 2, 11, 11 and 39 months after ABMT in 2. CR or PR. 5 patients died 1-13 (median 3.5) months on relapse, 2 of 21 from septicemia. The morbidity of ABMT is comparable with conventional high dose chemotherapy. Relapse-free survival was significantly influenced by the remission status at ABMT. Long-term survivors can be expected even in patients with high risk hematological malignancies. However, only wider trials will serve to establish the efficacy of ABMT.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Efficacy and clinical cross-resistance of a new combination therapy (AMSA/VP16) in previously treated patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

We investigated the tolerance, efficacy, and clinical cross-resistance of a new combination chemotherapy in 38 patients with previously treated acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML). It consisted of 120 mg2/d 4'(9-acridinylamino) methanesulfon-m-Anisidide (m-AMSA) in a one-hour infusion and 80 mg/m2/d etoposide (VP-16) in a 24-hour infusion, both administered for 5 days. The first 27 patients also received vinblastine, 6 mg/m2 on day 8, but this therapy was discontinued because of intestinal complications. Thirteen of 23 patients (56%) at first or subsequent relapse and five of 15 patients (33%) who were primarily resistant to an anthracycline/cytarabine combination achieved a complete response (CR) (hemoglobin level not taken into account) with a median CR duration of 5 months and 2 months, respectively. The response rate was as high as 63% for patients at first or second relapse whether the remission was maintained or not. The median times to recovery of normal bone marrow cellularity, of blood granulocyte counts greater than 500/microL, and of platelets greater than 20,000/microL were 34, 27, and 22 days, respectively. Marked but reversible gastrointestinal toxicity was observed in 24% of the patients, and two patients died of infection during induction. The one-hour AMSA/continuous VP-16 combination is effective for patients with relapsing AML and shows no cross-resistance in a proportion of patients refractory to the standard anthracycline-cytarabine combination.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Phase-I trial of 4-demethoxydaunorubicin in acute leukaemias.

Eleven patients with heavily pretreated acute leukaemia were treated with 4-demethoxydaunorubicin. Dosages were escalated from 7 mg/m2/d to 15 mg/m2/d for 3 consecutive days. One patient achieved a partial remission and antitumor activity was seen in most other patients. Stomatitis was dose-limiting at 15 mg/m2. Phase II trials are warranted and we propose a schedule of 12 mg/m2/d for 3 consecutive days.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1984

Acute myelogenous leukaemia: maintenance chemotherapy after early consolidation treatment does not prolong survival.

To investigate the value of maintenance chemotherapy after early consolidation treatment, an attempt was made to induce remission in 162 previously untreated patients, age-range 7-65 years (median 43). The 74 patients who were still in remission after early consolidation treatment (given for 3-5 months) were assigned to either maintenance chemotherapy every 8 weeks for 2 years or to observation only. After a median observation period of 44 months there was no difference between the groups in duration of remission or survival. Surprisingly, patients above 40 survived longer after early consolidation (median 4 years) than did patients aged 40 and below (median 1.6 years, p = 0.0002).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Polyneuropathy in Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia: reduction of endoneurial IgM-deposits after treatment with chlorambucil and plasmapheresis.

A case of progressive polyneuropathy associated with Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia is reported. A monoclonal IgM-lambda gradient was detected in the serum and cerebro-spinal fluid. By electro-immunoblot analysis antibodies against myelin-associated glycoprotein were found in the serum and cerebro-spinal fluid. The motor and sensory conduction velocities of several peripheral nerves were markedly decreased, and examination of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) revealed pathological latencies. Sural nerve biopsies before and after treatment with chlorambucil and plasmapheresis showed nerve fibre loss and demyelination. In the pre-treatment biopsy, heavy accumulations of filamentous material were found which stained positively for IgM by immuno-cytochemistry. Such accumulations had disappeared in a biopsy performed after treatment. The morphological findings were correlated with an improvement of clinical and electro-physiological findings.

Chlorambucil↗
PubMed1982

[Prevention of cytostatic-related hair loss by hypothermia of a hairy scalp using a cooling cap].

82 patients treated with adriamycin alone or in combination with other cytostatic agents underwent scalp hypothermia by application of a gel cap. The cap ws applied 10 minutes before the injection of the drugs and maintained until 30 minutes after the administration of the chemotherapy. Prevention of hair loss was achieved in 47 patients (57%). The prophylaxis was successful in 16 out of 21 males (76%) compared with 31 out of 61 female patients (p less than 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between patients receiving higher or lower doses of adriamycin or between patients wtih or without liver dysfunction. The tolerance of the gel cap was excellent; only one patient did not tolerate the cap because of anxiety during application.

Alopecia↗
PubMed1981

[Results of, and indications for adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer].

As the observation times of current studies using adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of operable stage II breast cancer lengthen, the probability of significantly reducing the high risk of developing metastases associated with this stage of the disease is also increasing and should be reflected in improved cure rates. The theoretical basis, prerequisites and presently available results for adjuvant chemotherapy of breast cancer are discussed. Adjuvant combination chemotherapy provides better results than monochemotherapy with Alkeran. While earlier results suggested that adjuvant chemotherapy is especially effective in premenopausal women, newer studies and analyses indicate that appropriate dosage and consistent administration of chemotherapy are of decisive importance. Exact determination and documentation of the tumor stage, and especially the regional lymph node status, is the most important factor in determining the indication for adjuvant chemotherapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy is still best with many unsolved problems. These include the duration, necessary intensity based upon risk factors, and short- and long-term side effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Suspected leukemia: what should be done?].

Whenever leukaemia is suspected the diagnosis should be firmly established or excluded without delay. Clinical examination, blood counts (including platelet count) and a blood smear usually serve to diagnose or rule out chronic leukaemias. Bone marrow examination is necessary for the diagnosis of acute leukaemias. The value of additional tests, some of which are highly sophisticated, is not yet established. Chemotherapy of chronic leukaemias remains symptomatic. Various combinations of cytostatic drugs are used for treatment of acute leukaemias. Complete remissions are mostly achieved after transient bone marrow aplasia; this aplastic phase must be overcome by supportive measures. Although long survival is still exceptional in the adult, cure of the leukaemias appears to be theoretically possible. This view is supported by the preliminary results of bone marrow transplantation.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

[Phase-II-study with vindesine (desacetyl-vinblastine-amide-sulfate) in advanced malignant diseases].

53 patients with advanced and measurable cancerr were treated with vindesine in doses of 3 mg/m2 (pretreated) and 4 mg/m2 (non pretreated) i.v. once weekly. 48 patients are evaluable for response: of 14 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, 1 partial remission (PR), 1 minor response (MR) and 1 no change (NC) were observed. In 5 patients with large cell carcinoma of the lung: 1 NC. In 3 with adenocarcinoma of the lung: 1 MR. One patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma had progressive disease. Stable disease was observed in a patient with carcinoma of the tongue and in a patient with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Four patients with colorectal carcinoma had progressive disease. One MR was observed in a patient with breast cancer, while all of the other 3 patients had progressive disease. One carcinoma of the penis was stable. One MR was observed in a patient with Hodgkin's disease. One PR was observed in a case with no-Hodgkin's lymphoma. A patient with acute leukemia had progressive disease. Among 9 patients with malignant melanoma, 3 had an MR and 1 patient had stable disease. A patient with fibrosarcoma had progressive disease. Observed toxicity included leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, paresthesias, constipation, jaw pain, nausea, stomatitis, alopecia, loss of taste, pruritus and skin rash, weakness and fatigue.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1980

[Malignant melanoma: spontaneous course, therapy and prognosis].

The natural history, treatment and prognosis of malignant melanoma are reviewed. Stage, histologic level of invasion and clinical type are the most important prognostic factors. Surgical approach for treatment of the primary tumor, adjuvant therapy and treatment of advanced disease (chemotherapy, hormonal manipulation and immunotherapy) are discussed. 5-year survival rates are tabulated in relation to the most important prognostic factors.

Female↗
PubMed1978

[Combination of adriamycin and cis-diammine-dichloro-platinum (II) in the treatment of advanced, therapy-resistant, ovarian carcinoma (author's transl)].

Adriamycin (doxorubicin, Adriblastin) and cis-diammine-dichloro-platinum (II) (DDP, NSC 119 875) were used in the treatment of 18 patients with ovarian carcinoma, usually after intensive pre-treatment, both in a dosage of 50 mg/m2 once every 4 weeks. Forced diuresis was initiated at the same time. On average three such treatments were given. Six patients showed partial remission defined as decrease of tumour mass by more than 50% or as almost complete disappearance of ascites during more than two months without concomitant diuretic treatment. The remission time was 2+, 3, 3+, 3.5, 7+, and 9+ months. In all patients severe gastrointestinal toxicity occurred, however the myelosuppressive action was only moderate. Nephrotoxicity was negligible. Combined chemotherapy with Adriblastin and DDP thus seems effective even in intensively pretreated patients with ovarian carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

[Therapeutic results using VP 16-213 alone or in combination with 5-fluorouracil in liver cancer (hepatoma)].

The podophyllotoxin derivative VP 16-213 was used as monotherapy in 6 patients and combined with 5-fluorouracil in another 6. Of the 12 patients treated, 11 had measurable tumor criteria and 5 of these responded to treatment. These responses were attributed mainly to the effects of VP 16-213. Patients responding to chemotherapy lived significantly longer than non-responders. Each case of objective tumor response was accompanied by subjective improvement. In view of these results, a more active approach to the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma would seem to be justified.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

[Therapeutic results and prognostic factors in acute lymphatic leukemia in the adult].

Induction chemotherapy consisting of vincristine, prednisone and L-asparaginase was given to 22 adult patients with acute lymphatic leukemia. Manintenance treatment consisted of methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine, prednisone and vincristine. Of the 22 patients treated, 14 had a complete remission. The median remission duration was 14 months and the median survival 20 months. 8 further patients were included in an attempt to determine the significance of prognostic factors, but none of the parameters studied influence the course of disease with statistical significance. In general, younger patients and those with lower leukocyte counts at the time of diagnosis seemed to fare better.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

[Combination chemotherapy in acute blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukaemia (author's transl)].

Sixteen patients in an acute blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) were treated with a combination of vincristine, 6-mercaptopurine, hydroxyurea and prednisone. Only two of these patients had complete remission on this treatment, while four had partial remission. This experience, comparable to that reported by others, suggests that aggressive treatment in the terminal phase of CML is justified only as part of a prospective and well-controlled study.

Adolescent↗