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N Settineri

Publications and source records attributed to N Settineri.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Induction chemotherapy to weekly paclitaxel concurrent with curative radiotherapy in stage IV (M0) unresectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a dose escalation study.

The purpose was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of weekly paclitaxel with concurrent, daily irradiation in patients with unresectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma previously submitted to induction chemotherapy. Patients with stage IV, and unresectable tumor and/or node/s were enrolled. Nine male patients were submitted to a course of paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 day 1 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 day 2 given every 3 weeks for three courses. Curative radiotherapy (RT) started 3 weeks after the last cycle of chemotherapy with the goal of delivering a total dose of 66-70 Gy. During RT weekly paclitaxel was administered for 6 courses if feasible; paclitaxel was given according to a dose escalation schema in cohorts of three patients. Dose level A, 30 mg/m2; dose level B, 40 mg/m2; dose level C, 50 mg/m2. During weekly paclitaxel the major toxicity was mucositis that required a treatment break in two of three patients in dose level C; mucositis grade 4 required interruption of paclitaxel administration in all these patients. RT can be given in a continuous fashion with weekly paclitaxel after induction chemotherapy. The MTD of weekly paclitaxel was 40 mg/m2.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Computed tomography features of liparitosis: a pneumoconiosis due to amorphous silica.

The purpose of this study was to describe the radiological features of pleural, parenchymal and mediastinal damage due to occupational inhalation of pumice. In total, 31 workers were evaluated for annual follow-up. Spiral computed tomography (CT) was obtained in the three patients with evident parenchymal abnormalities at chest radiograph. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) was performed in the remaining 28 subjects with no radiographical evidence of pleuropulmonary damage or evidence of pleural plaques, in order to exclude parenchymal involvement. Pumice samples were analysed by radiograph diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Spiral CT showed parahilar conglomerate masses containing fine reticular calcifications in three of 31 (9.7%) patients. HRCT showed several bilateral pleural plaques, without any parenchymal lesion in eight of 28 (28.6%) cases. Statistical analysis indicated correlation between CT findings and pulmonary function, as well as exposure to pumice. The analysis of pumice excluded the presence of asbestos. The findings from this study suggest that pleural plaque may be the only sign of disease in patients with a history of pumice inhalation. However, conglomerate parahilar masses are probably due to exposure to massive amounts of heated pumice, and seem to have different pathogenesis and histopathological characteristics to silicosis.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Ipsilateral supraclavicular lymph nodes metastases from breast cancer as only site of disseminated disease. Chemotherapy alone vs. induction chemotherapy to radical radiation therapy.

BACKGROUND: To define the role of radiotherapy (RT) in the treatment of ipsilateral supraclavicular lymph-nodes metastases (ISLM) from breast cancer as only site of disseminated disease, we started a prospective non-randomized clinical trial in 1989. Here we report the final results with a median follow-up of 8.75 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven patients (pts), with ISLM from breast cancer, were consecutively enrolled into two arms. Arm A (18 pts): chemotherapy (CT) for six courses. Arm B (19 pts): CT for three courses followed by RT to the site of ISLM at 'radical' dose of 50-60 Gy. RESULTS: In arm A, a median Time to Progression (TtP) of 7 months with a median Overall Survival (OS) of 28 months was recorded. In comparison, patients in arm B had a longer median TtP with 20 months as well as a better median OS with 41 months, respectively. An actuarial five-year disease-free survival of 5.5% was obtained in arm A vs. 21% in arm B. A statistically significant difference in TtP was demonstrated between the two groups (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that a better event-free survival could be achieved in patients with ISLM submitted to induction CT and radical irradiation. This also translated into a longer survival although this did not achieve statistical significance. We want to stress the importance of local control by RT since it does imply that not all of these patients have micrometastases at the time of relapse in the supraclavicular fossa.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

What is the best position of the arms in mantle field for Hodgkin's disease?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the best position of the arms in mantle field for Hodgkin's disease. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In 12 patients, with surgical clips placed at the time of an axillary dissection for breast cancer, the radiological projection of the clips according to three arm positions was prospectively evaluated: akimbo (A), extended (E), and up over the head (U). The surgical clips were arbitrarily separated into two groups: lower and upper. In each patient, the distance between the surgical clips and chest wall was measured, and the possibility of shielding the lungs and humeral heads was evaluated. RESULTS: The mean displacement of the lower clips away from the chest wall when the patients were in A, E, and U positions was 2.5, 3.0, and 4.6 cm, respectively. The upper group clips showed a lower difference in distance from chest wall. In the U position, there was always a clip of the lower group that projected over the humeral head, making it impossible to block this structure. CONCLUSION: In the A position, there is the possibility of blocking the humeral head, but it is necessary to irradiate more lung parenchyma. Type E treatment setup allows the shielding of both lung and humeral head, while maintaining adequate margins around the axillary nodes. In the U position, there is a greater possibility of shielding the lung parenchyma, but it is impossible to block the humeral heads.

Arm↗
PubMed1999

External radiation therapy boost to the vaginal vault: feasibility of intracavitary dosimetry using a commercial diode system.

PURPOSE: An overall check of the whole dosimetry procedure by intracavitary in vivo dosimetry, using n-type silicon diode dosimeter, was performed during 6-MV x-ray irradiation of the vaginal vault. The dose delivered to the isocenter by all treatment fields was evaluated. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The diode dosimeter was calibrated against an ion chamber and tissue maximum ratio, field size factor, SSD factor, and temperature dependence studies were performed. Diode system accuracy, linearity, and reproducibility were also tested. Patients' dose data were collected and comparision was made with respect to treatment-planning dose calculations. Ten patients with cervical cancer and endometrial cancer were treated with surgery and irradiation. During the boost to the vaginal vault, a diode was inserted by an intravaginal device and the vaginal vault was the isocenter of the four fields. The field size generally was not larger than 10 x 10 cm2. RESULTS: Diode-measured "tissue maximum ratio" agreed to within 1% with those measured with an ion chamber in field from 7 x 7 to 10 x 10 cm2. The diode also exhibited a temperature dependence of 0.1% degrees C(-1). For 10 patients treated with a 6-MV beam, the agreement with treatment-planning dose calculations was shown to be better than +/-4%. CONCLUSION: The good accuracy and reproducibility of the diode system shows that determination of the dose at isocenter, for patients treated in the pelvic region, can be performed with n-type diodes accurately. On the other hand, in the vaginal vault boost, external-beam radiotherapy is delivered accurately and in vivo dosimetry is really not indicated.

Calibration↗
PubMed1997

Bleomycin, epirubicin, carboplatin (BECA) in the treatment of recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

The aim of this study was to evaluate three active agents, bleomycin (BLM), epirubicin and carboplatin in a new combination (BECA) in terms of feasibility, activity and toxicity in patients with recurrent and metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. From April 1992 to February 1993 15 pts (12M/3F), median age 53 years, all pretreated (6 surgery + radiotherapy; 3 radiotherapy + chemotherapy; 6 radiotherapy), were treated with BLM 15 mg/m2 days 1-14; epirubicin 30 mg/m2 days 1-14 and carboplatin 300 mg/m2 day 1 every 28 days. In the 14 evaluable pts we observed 1 complete response, CR (7.1%), 4 partial responses, PR (28.6%), 5 stable disease, SD and 4 disease progression, PD with an overall response of 35.7%. The treatment was globally well tolerated, 1 pt with grade 3 leukopenia and 1 pt with grade 3 thrombocytopenia, 1 pt with grade 3 emesis and 1 pt with grade 3 mucositis. At the last follow-up the duration of CR was 34 months, the duration of PRs were respectively 22-10-10-7 months, but the SD ranged from 4 to 6 months. The overall median survival was 8 months (3-36), 14 for responders and 4 for non-responders. This final report seems to confirm the activity and efficacy of the BECA regimen, suitable for outpatient administration with an overall response equal to other more aggressive combinations.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Wedge factor changes with depth and field size on a linear accelerator with a motorized wedge.

The wedge factor was experimentally determined as a function of field size and phantom depth for 6-MV X-rays; measurements were performed on a linear accelerator with a motorized wedge filter (universal wedge, nominal wedge angle = 60 degrees). As a result of our experimental work, we can state that: 1) The wedge factor increases linearly with phantom depth (0.275%/cm), almost independent of field size; this change was experimentally related to the beam "hardening" caused by the high Z value of wedge material, as shown by the increase in wedged-field PDD with respect to the corresponding open-field PDD. Neglecting this variation can induce systematic errors in delivered dose, especially when deep-seated tumors are treated with wedge fields. 2) The wedge factor changes, for rectangular fields, according to the "equivalent square law", and not to the dimension in the wedged direction.

Filtration↗
PubMed1994

[Antalgic radiotherapy in lumbosacral carcinomatous neuropathies].

Lumbosacral carcinomatous neuropathy (LCN) may be caused by infiltration or compression of the lumbosacral plexi and nerves from intrapelvic or paraaortic neoplasms. The authors submitted 23 patients complaining of LCN with CT documented intrapelvic or paraaortic tumors to palliative radiotherapy. Megavoltage external beam irradiation was administered using a 6-MV linear accelerator. Treatment field sizes ranged from 56 cm2 to 235 cm2 (mean: 150.54 cm2) and encompassed only the site where the disease involved the lumbosacral plexus or its branches. > or = 3 Gy/day fractions were used. Twenty-one of 22 assessable patients (95.4%) obtained LCN pain relief; 19 (86.3%) obtained complete LCN pain relief. The median time to pain progression (TPP) was 150 days (range: 39-510 days). The median survival was 165 days. Seven patients were LCN pain-free at death. Two patients are alive and LCN pain-free. The remaining 12 patients had recurrent LCN pain: four of them were reirradiated at the site of previous neuropathy and only two had partial relief again. The authors conclude that it is advisable to submit to palliative radiotherapy the inoperable disseminated and/or recurrent cancer patients complaining of LCN, to use large fractions not to occupy the extant time of their already short life-expectancy, and to design small fields to avoid acute side-effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Absorbed dose from contaminant electrons inside and outside megavoltage photon beams.

Megavoltage photon beams interactions with any object on their path give rise to secondary photons and electrons. This fact is particularly important in Radiotherapy. These secondary particles produce an unwanted dose contribution both on beam path and outside the geometrical edges of the irradiation field. The goal of this report is to investigate the dose contribution due to secondary electrons. Ionization measurements were made in a polystyrene phantom by means of a Markus ionization chamber, with X-ray beams produced by a "SL5" Philips and by a "Saturne 43" GE CGR linear accelerators. Specific fields for nasopharynx treatment and for supra-diaphragmatic lymphatic chains treatment ("mantle" fields) were investigated. Both depth ionization values on beam path and depth and surface ionization values outside the geometrical edges of the field were obtained. These measurements were made with and without specific electron filters for 6, 15, 25 MV X-ray beams. The results obtained prove that, both on the beam path and outside the geometrical borders of the field, electron contamination reduction by means of specific filters is important only for lower energy X-ray beams. For this sort of beams, the percentage reduction of electron contamination was found. Moreover, the amount of electron contamination outside the field geometrical edge versus field size was evaluated.

Absorption↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Usefulness of power Doppler and contrast-enhanced sonography in the differentiation of hyperechoic renal masses.

BACKGROUND: In a prospective study, we compared power Doppler with and without contrast medium in the depiction of vascularity for the characterization of hyperechoic renal lesions. METHODS: Forty-one hyperechoic renal expansive lesions (29 benign, 12 malignant) in 32 patients were studied with power-Doppler ultrasonography before and after administration of an echo-enhancing agent (Levovist Schering AG, Berlin, Germany). Vascular architecture of the lesions was categorized into five different patterns. RESULTS: Power Doppler ultrasonography showed vascular structures in 25 lesions. The study enhanced with Levovist showed vascularity in eight of 16 lesions not seen on the unenhanced study. The characterization of vascular patterns with unenhanced power Doppler ultrasonography improved diagnostic accuracy compared with gray-scale ultrasonography (59% vs. 32%). The combination of B mode and power Doppler produced even greater diagnostic accuracy (78%), independent of the administration of echo-enhancing agent. Levovist administration was useful in the differential diagnosis between pseudotumor and neoplasm. CONCLUSION: The use of sonographic contrast agent did not increase the diagnostic accuracy of power Doppler in the differential diagnosis of hyperechoic renal lesions but was advantageous for the characterization of suspected pseudomasses.

Angiomyolipoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

MR pyelography in the assessment of hydroureteronephrosis: single-shot thick-slab RARE versus multislice HASTE sequences.

BACKGROUND: We used magnetic resonance (MR) pyelography to compare the value of thick-slab single-shot rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE) sequence with that of multislice half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo-spin-echo (HASTE) sequence in evaluating the full spectrum of morphologic features in a group of patients with hydronephrosis. METHODS: MR pyelographic images, with the use of thick-slab RARE and multislice HASTE sequences in 90 patients, were evaluated for image quality, presence of hydronephrosis, and level and cause of obstruction. RESULTS: HASTE sequences provided images of better quality than did RARE sequences (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in demonstrating the presence of hydronephrosis (p = 0.5) and level of obstruction (p = 0.125). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in diagnosing cause of obstruction were 61.7%, 62.5%, and 62%, respectively, for RARE sequences and 80%, 82.5%, and 81%, respectively, for HASTE sequences, with a statistically significant difference (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Multislice HASTE sequence provides better diagnostic information than does thick-slab RARE sequence, particularly in evaluating the cause of obstruction.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Primitive sinonasal malignant mucosal melanoma: description of a case treated with radiotherapy (0-7-21 regimen).

Mucosal malignant melanoma (MMM) of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is rare and has a poor prognosis. The rarity of MMM of the ethmoid is also noteworthy and primary treatment has been, till now, surgery and/or radiotherapy (RT). Here we report a case of MMM arising in the ethmoid of a caucasian man and treated with hypofractionated RT. A 32 year-old man presented with symptoms of cephalalgia, obstruction and nasal bleeding; a computed tomography (CT) showed a large mass that involved ethmoid, left orbit and roof of the nasal cavity. After biopsy, a MMM was found. Chest radiography demonstrated the presence of multiple lung metastases and still the patient was submitted to palliative radiotherapy according to 0-7-21 regimen with a total dose of 24Gy/3 fraction/21dd, dose per fraction 8Gy. The patient was asymptomatic one month after the end of RT and three months later a CT demonstrated a partial remission. The patient died 17 months after the initiation of RT for disseminated disease, without clinical signs of tumoral regrowth in the irradiated site. This case confirms the efficacy and the safety of 0-7-21 RT regimen; the absence of symptoms after 17 months and the poor prognosis encourage the use of RT as primary treatment for MMM of the head and neck.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prognostic factors in ambulatory patients with inoperable locoregionally recurrent rectal cancer following curative surgery.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment for locoregionally recurrent rectal cancer after curative surgery has not yet been defined. The definition of prognostic factors could lead to the selection of an aggressive therapeutic approach in patients with favourable prognosis alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of thirty-nine ambulatory pts, 15 female and 24 male, with diagnosis of locoregionally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) after curative surgery and treated with radiotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. The following factors were analyzed for their ability to predict the clinical response and outcome for LRRC: age, sex, initial tumor grading, primary surgical approach, initial primary tumor stage according to Dukes' classification, disease free survival (time to primary surgery and detection of a LRRC), pelvic-perineal structure affected by recurrence, total radiation dose, chemotherapy with fluorouracil, symptomatic response to the therapy, locoregional symptomatic re-recurrence, systemic progression disease. RESULTS: In the univariate analysis, predictive factors for survival, were graded (G1-2 vs G3 p = 0.04), Dukes' stage at first diagnosis (A-B vs C p = 0.01), and site of pelvic-perineal recurrence (Pelvic mass alone yes vs no p = 0.01; Nerve and/or Osseous involvement yes vs no p < 0.001). Following therapy for LRRC, a better survival was observed in pts with a complete symptomatic response (complete remission vs partial remission vs no change p < 0.001), without a further locoregional symptomatic re-recurrence (re-recurrence, yes vs no p = 0.001) and/or appearance of metastatic disease (yes vs no p < 0.001).

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Lymphedema of the upper extremity in patients operated for carcinoma of the breast: clinical experience with coumarinic extract from Melilotus officinalis].

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this clinical study was to verify the therapeutic activity of cumarinic extract of Melilotus officinalis (CEMO) in patients with chronic lymphedema of the upper arm caused by lymphadenectomy for breast cancer. Cumarine, in fact, has antiedemic properties due to macrophagic action that stimulates proteolysis in the tissues affected by chronic lymphedema. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In an open clinical study we enrolled 24 patients with chronic upper arm lymphedema due to post-lymphadenectomy of the axilla for breast cancer. 21 patients were eligible to receive 400 mg of CEMO containing 8 mg of cumarine in a sole daily administration for 6 months. We measure the circumference of the upper arm at 3 and 6 months from treatment. We evaluated the symptoms and tolerability through a questionnaire given to the patients at every clinical control. RESULTS: Of the 21 (87.5%) patients eligible, only 14 (66.6%) were treated with CEMO according to protocol. Of these 11 patients (52.3%) had a reduction of the circumference of the affected arm of 5% with respect to base values. Three patients (14.2%) had no change. In 12 patients (57.1%) symptoms improved. As for tolerability: 3 patients (14.2%) had transitory gastrointestinal side-effects. There was worsening of lymphedema and symptoms in 4 patients (19%) that did not receive CEMO and were followed as controls. Three patients (14.2%) were not evaluable because they were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Cumarinic extract of Melilotus officinalis (CEMO) was effective in reducing lymphedema in 79% of the pts treated for a period of six months. The median reduction of the upper arm circumference was modest (5% with respect to initial values) but statistically significant (p = 0.048). Treatment with CEMO for lymphedema could be associated to the physiotherapy given to these patients such as manual lymph drainage (MLD).

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Efficacy of two oral dose regimens of granisetron.

BACKGROUND: Most chemotherapic treatments are carried out on an outpatient basis. In such patients the prevention and control of emesis is important. Granisetron is a specific and extremely potent 5-HT3 antagonist available as an oral formulation. We have carried out an open randomized crossover study in patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 patients were randomized to receive one of the two oral dose regimens of GRAN. Treatment A = 1 mg of GRAN initially and 12 hours after the first; treatment B = a single 2 mg dose of GRAN. RESULTS. An overall good response for vomiting was reached in 70% and 86.7% respectively of patients receiving treatments A and B (p = 0.0625). Good response to nausea was reached in 73.3% of the patients with treatment A and in 76.7% with treatment B (p = 1). 68.3% of patients did not record chemoinduced emesis. CONCLUSION: We believe that oral GRAN alone is an active and safe drug for the prevention of acute chemoinduced emesis.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Supraclavicular lymph node metastases (SLM) from breast cancer as only site of distant disease: has radiotherapy any role?

BACKGROUND: Supraclavicular lymph node metastases (SLM) as the only site of metastatic disease from breast cancer is a rare and a poor prognostic event. In order to evaluate the role of Radiotherapy (RT) with "radical dose" to the supraclavicular fossa, we carried out a non randomized clinical trial comparing systemic therapy alone to integrated and aggressive treatment (systemic therapy plus radiotherapy). The primary end-point was time to progression (TTP). The second end-point was the overall survival (OS). METHODS: From 1/1/1989 to 31/12/1994 37 patients (with or without the presence of locoregional disease) were enrolled into two arms, of the study, but were allowed, when giving their consent, to change the arm of the study which they had been originally allotted to. Arm A, 18 patients, 15 evaluable: chemo +/- hormonotherapy for 6 courses; after the second course, if local progression disease was present, the pts. were submitted to RT and removed from the study (3 patients). Arm B, 19 patients all evaluable: chemo +/- hormonotherapy for 3 courses followed by RT with "radical" dose. Results were analyzed on 30/11/1995 and no interim analysis was performed. The potential median follow up for all patients was 56.5 months (range 11-83 months): for Arm A 61 months (range: 12-82); for Arm B 53 months (range: 11-83). The two groups were homogeneous and balanced, without statistical differences. RESULTS: Median TTP was 12.5 months in Arm A and 19.5 months in Arm B (p = 0.064). Median overall survival (OS) was 27.5 months in Arm A and 48 months in Arm B. T-status to the time of the diagnosis was found to be independent prognostic factor for TTP (p = 0.0029). Disease-free interval from diagnosis to recurrence was found to be a significant prognostic factor for OS (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: The results in Arm B demonstrated the opportunity of a long term control in this subset of patients. Therefore we suggest the start of a wider multicenter study in order to define the biological significance of SLM, its importance in staging breast cancer and to consider the optimum treatment.

Adult↗