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Biomedical subjects

M Roach

Publications and source records attributed to M Roach.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Comparison of prognostic factors and survival among black patients and white patients treated with irradiation for non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have reported differences in cancer incidence and survival between populations of Blacks and Whites. A 45% higher death rate from lung cancer for Black men and a survival duration for Black patients with lung cancer that is generally shorter than that for White patients have also been reported. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether race affects known prognostic factors for non-small-cell lung cancer in Black versus White patients. This analysis attempts to determine which prognostic factors may contribute to the reported differences in disease outcome. METHODS: We used data from 1565 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer treated in four randomized prospective trials conducted by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG). The data were pooled for a retrospective analysis of survival and prognostic factors by race. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed significant differences between Blacks and Whites with regard to sex, weight loss, histology, and RTOG T stage (P < .05), but the only clinically significant difference (P < or = .01) was weight loss. Despite these findings, overall survival for Blacks and Whites did not differ significantly (P = .67). Median survival for Blacks and Whites with a Karnofsky performance status (KPS) of 90 or more was 12.1 and 11.3 months, respectively (P = .45). Survival for Blacks and Whites with a KPS of less than 90 was 7.8 and 6.8 months, respectively. Cause of death did not differ between the two races. For both races, KPS, age, sex, weight loss, and RTOG T and N stages were significant prognostic factors for survival (P < .01), but race was not a significant prognostic factor. CONCLUSION: Further studies of the differential in cancer survival for Blacks and Whites may be indicated, but greater impact may be achieved by addressing socioeconomic factors, lifestyle and occupational risk factors, health education, and access to adequate health care.

Black People↗
PubMed1992

The prognostic significance of race and survival from prostate cancer based on patients irradiated on Radiation Therapy Oncology Group protocols (1976-1985).

A number of studies have identified race as a prognostic factor for survival from prostate cancer. To evaluate the prognostic significance of race in a controlled setting, we evaluated 1294 patients treated on three prospective randomized trials conducted by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group between 1976 to 1985. One-hundred and twenty (9%) of the patients were coded as black, while 1077 (83%) of the patients were coded as white. Protocol 7506 included 607 patients with clinical Stage T3-T4Nx or T1b-T2N1-2. Protocol 7706 included 484 patients with clinical Stage T1b or T2 who were node negative. Protocol 8307 included 203 Stage T2b-T4 patients with no lymph node involvement beyond the pelvis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the possible independent significance of race and other prognostic factors, including Gleason score, serum acid phosphatase, nodal status, and hormonal status. Protocols 7706 and 8307 revealed that race was not of prognostic significance for disease-free or overall survival by either univariate or multivariate analysis. Univariate analysis of Protocol 7506 revealed that the median survival for blacks was somewhat shorter (5.4 years vs. 7.1 years, p = 0.02). This difference persisted after a multivariate analysis. A higher percentage of blacks treated on 7506 had an abnormally elevated serum acid phosphatase compared to whites (p = 0.006), and the time to distant failure tended to be shorter (p = 0.07). These findings suggest that blacks treated on 7506 may have had more extensive disease at presentation. Based on these prospective randomized trials, it is most likely that the lower survival noted for black Americans with prostate cancer reflects the tendency for blacks to present with more advanced disease. Differences in access to care, the quality of care received, and the impact of co-morbid conditions may explain the lower survival reported for black Americans elsewhere in the literature.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1992

The prognostic significance of race and survival from laryngeal carcinoma.

Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program data suggest that blacks with laryngeal carcinoma have a significantly lower 5-year survival rate than whites. Most of this difference persists despite adjustment for "crude stage." To evaluate possible factors contributing to this residual survival deficit, 190 white and 23 black patients treated at the Martinez Veterans Administration Hospital between 1968 and 1988 were studied. The independent impact of race on survival rate was analyzed with respect to various prognostic factors including treatment delay, elapsed time (diagnosis to treatment), age, stage, cancer subsites, and type of therapy. No independent prognostic significance could be attributed to race. The differences noted in SEER data probably reflect a tendency for the use of crude stage to underestimate the impact of prognostic groups within the categories of "local" and "regional" disease, the independent prognostic significance of subsites (glottic versus supraglottic), and the variable distribution of these subsites in different populations. This study suggests that when stage, subsite, and quality of care are adequately considered, survival from laryngeal cancer in blacks is comparable to that of whites.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Rapidly alternating radiotherapy and high dose cisplatin chemotherapy in stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer: results of a phase I/II study.

Alternating radiotherapy and chemotherapy increases tumor cure rates in some animal models with reduced normal tissue damage compared to sequential use of these modalities. To test this concept in non-small cell lung cancer, 23 patients with predominantly Stage IIIB disease were treated on a Northern California Oncology Group pilot study of alternating radiotherapy and high dose cisplatin. Radiotherapy consisted of 6000 cGy delivered in three separate 10-day courses of 200 cGy/fraction/day during weeks 1 and 2, 5 and 6, and 9 and 10. High dose cisplatin, 100 mg/m2 in 3% saline, was administered on weeks 3 and 4, 7 and 8, 11 and 12, and 15 and 16. The response rate in 22 eligible patients is 73% (16/22) with four complete responses and 12 partial responses. Feasibility of this approach is demonstrated by 20/22 patients completing radiotherapy and a median of 2.5 courses of chemotherapy administered. Median survival time is 14.2 months (range 2-40+ months). One- and 2-year survival rates are 64% (14/22) and 41% (9/22), respectively. Hematologic, renal, and radiation-related toxicities were significant but manageable. We conclude that rapid alternation of radiotherapy and a high dose intensity cisplatin regimen is feasible in Stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer, with a high response rate and acceptable toxicity. The long-term impact on local control and survival remains unclear, although preliminary survival data are encouraging in this poor prognosis population. Further studies of this concept are warranted.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1990

Endobronchial radiation therapy (EBRT) in the management of lung cancer.

Between October 1987 and November 1988, 19 endobronchial Iridium-192 line source placements were attempted in 17 patients with advanced incurable lung cancer. Approximately 30 Gy was delivered to the endobronchus using a low dose rate (LDR) afterloading technique delivering a mean dose of 70 cGy/hr at 5 mm. Improvement in subjective symptoms was noted in 67% of evaluable patients whereas objective responses defined by chest X ray and bronchoscopy were noted in 26% and 60%, respectively. No significant morbidity was observed. The radiation exposure to health care workers was low ranging from 10 to 40 mRem per treatment course with most of the staff receiving less than 10 mRem per treatment course (minimal detectable level 10 mRem). The results of this series are compared with selected series using low dose rate as well as intermediate dose rate (IDR) and high dose rate (HDR) endobronchial radiation therapy (EBRT). Based on bronchoscopic responses from the selected series reviewed, both HDR low total dose per treatment (range 7.5-10 Gy) and LDR high total dose per treatment (range 30-50 Gy) are effective in palliating the vast majority of patients with endobronchial lesions. Intermediate dose rate is also effective using fractions similar to high dose rate but total dose similar to low dose rate. The efficacy of endobronchial radiation therapy in the palliative setting suggest a possible role for endobronchial radiation therapy combined with external beam irradiation with or without chemotherapy in the initial management of localized lung cancer. Defining the optimal total dose, dose rate, and the exact role of endobronchial radiation therapy in the management of lung cancer will require large cooperative trials with standardization of techniques and definitions.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1990

Prognostic factors for patients relapsing after radiotherapy for early-stage Hodgkin's disease.

Prognostic factors were analyzed retrospectively in 109 patients who relapsed after treatment with radiation only for Hodgkin's disease. Factors analyzed included initial stage, age, time to first relapse, histology, sex, extent of initial irradiation, sites of relapse, relapse stage (RS), average relative dose intensity (ARDI) of chemotherapy, and type of salvage therapy. Ninety-three percent of the patients received either standard or modified mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (MOPP). With a median follow-up of 8.3 years, the actuarial survival and freedom from second relapse (FF2ndR) was 57% at 10 years. The extent of disease at the time of relapse, or so-called RS was found to be the single most important prognostic factor. Nearly 90% of patients with RS IA or IEA (favorable group) were disease free, and nearly 60% of patients with RS IIA, IIEA, or IIIA (intermediate group) were disease free compared with only 34% of patients with B symptoms or stage IV disease (unfavorable group). In a subset analysis, the use of combined modality therapy (CMT) was associated with an improved FF2ndR and survival in patients from the intermediate and unfavorable relapse groups. Age greater than 50 years was associated with an increased risk of second relapse and a lower survival. The other factors analyzed appeared to be of no independent prognostic value.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Radiotherapy with curative intent: an option in selected patients relapsing after chemotherapy for advanced Hodgkin's disease.

Thirteen patients who had relapsed or failed to obtain a complete remission after combination chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced Hodgkin's disease were treated with subtotal or total lymphoid irradiation with curative intent. Twelve of the 13 patients achieved a complete response (CR). Five of the 12 CRs subsequently relapsed at 3, 9, 9, 12, and 19 months. One patient died of leukemia 11 months following radiotherapy. The actuarial relapse-free survival at 1 year was 60%, and six patients (50%) remain disease-free with a median follow-up of 34 months (range, 10 to 115 months) following the completion of radiotherapy. Patients who failed to obtain a CR to their initial chemotherapy, whose chemotherapy CR was of short duration, or who relapsed initially in extranodal sites, tended to have a worse outcome with radiotherapy. Patients who had long disease-free intervals after initial chemotherapy or relapsed only in nodal sites tended to do relatively well. Radiation therapy was well tolerated with no major toxicity. Potentially curative radiation therapy should be considered an option in the management of selected patients who relapse following combination chemotherapy for advanced Hodgkin's disease.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1983

A malignant eccrine poroma responds to isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid).

In treating a patient with a malignant eccrine poroma, in-vitro studies suggested resistance to dactinomycin and doxorubicin. A trial of weekly 5-fluorouracil produced no response. Likewise, a cycle of cisplatinum and cytarabine was associated with continued progression of the disease. Use of 13-cis retinoic acid induced a partial remission that lasted for 8 weeks with minimal toxicity. The mechanism of action is not known, but local tumor necrosis with sparing of the adjacent normal tissue suggests high specificity.

Adenoma, Sweat Gland↗
PubMed1979

Comparison of the tuberculin Tine Test+ and the Mantoux.

Re-evaluation of recently published figures comparing the tuberculin Tine Test+ and the Mantoux showed that, contrary to original opinion, the Tine Test+ did perform satisfactorily, the reason for the apparent ineffectiveness lying in the original interpretation of the results.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1979

Sucrose as a sweetener for activated charcoal.

The efficacy of sucrose as a flavor for activated charcoal was studied. In vitro adsorption of sucrose (in Simulated Gastric Fluid, USP, without pepsin) to activated charcoal, and of a 1-g/liter sodium salicylate solution to a 1:1 mixture of sucrose and activated charcoal and to plain activated charcoal, was measured spectrophotometrically. In vitro adsorption of sucroses to activated charcoal was minimal. Sucrose reduced in vitro adsorption of sodium salicylate to activated charcoal by only small amounts. For example, at a ratio of 4 g activated charcoal to 1 g sodium salicylate, sucrose reduced salicylate adsorption to activated charcoal from 99% to 95%. A 1:1 sucrose-activated charcoal preparation provides sufficient flavor without substantial loss of adsorbance.

Adsorption↗