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Biomedical subjects

O Guillamondegui

Publications and source records attributed to O Guillamondegui.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Pattern of invasion and margin assessment in patients with oral tongue cancer.

BACKGROUND: Involvement of resection margins and the pattern of tumor invasion are reported to be important predictors of local recurrence and survival in surgically treated patients. In this study we have retrospectively assessed the significance of these two prognostic factors in a relatively homogeneous patient population. Patients and Methods This study was confined to 150 previously untreated patients who had surgery for squamous carcinoma of the oral tongue between 1987 and 1993. There were 82 men and 68 women who ranged in age from 25 to 89 years (median 60 years). Glossectomy was peroral in 129, whereas 8 and 13, respectively, had a cheek flap or mandibulotomy approach. Some form of lymphadenectomy was performed in 109 (73%), and 51 patients (34%) received postoperative radiotherapy. Histologic slides from each primary tumor were reviewed to verify the margin status. In addition, the pattern of invasion was evaluated and graded from 1 to 4, varying from a consistently well-defined, "pushing" border (Grade 1) to diffuse infiltration and cellular dissociation (Grade 4). RESULTS: Intraoperative frozen section assessment of margins was accurate, whether positive or negative, in 118 of 133 patients (89%). Positive or close margins (within one high-power field) and an endophytic growth pattern were associated with a significant increase in local recurrence (p <0.003 and <0.04, respectively). With higher grades of infiltration (Grade 3 or 4; 82 patients), the tumors tended to be larger and the patients younger. Although the likelihood of nodal involvement and subsequent distant metastasis was significantly greater in those with Grade 3 or grade 4 patterns (p <0.0003 and <0. 01, respectively), there was no impact on local recurrence. Cumulative survival was similar whether or not the surgical margins were involved, but was significantly reduced when the pattern of tumor invasion was of higher grade (p <0.01). SUMMARY: Frozen section provided reasonably accurate information about margins in our patients, whether taken from the patient or the surgical specimen. Positive margins increased the likelihood of local recurrence, but did not impact on survival because subsequent surgery and/or irradiation controlled tumor recurrence in some patients. Grade 3 or 4 patterns at the tumor/host interface were associated with an increased incidence of nodal and distant metastasis, as well as a significant decrease in survival.

Adult↗

Laryngeal preservation for advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers.

OBJECTIVE: To compare a single institutional experience with combination chemotherapy and radiation for laryngeal preservation with historical age-, sex-, stage-, and site-matched controls who underwent laryngectomy for cancer of the larynx or hypopharynx. DESIGN: Fifty-five patients with stage III or IV laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma were prospectively entered into a protocol to receive three cycles of cisplatin (+/- bleomycin sulfate) and fluorouracil and radiation therapy from 1986 to 1991 (group 1). Following two cycles of chemotherapy, the clinical tumor response was assessed and responders received a third cycle of chemotherapy followed by definitive radiation therapy. Nonresponders underwent surgical salvage. Two patients in the surgical control group were matched to each protocol patient (n = 110, group 2) regarding site, stage, sex, and age (+/- 7 years) without knowledge of patient outcome. SETTING: A tertiary cancer referral center, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. RESULTS: Following chemotherapy, the tumor response rate for group 1 was complete in 38% and partial in 31%. With a median follow-up of 24 months (group 1) and 37 months (group 2), the Kaplan-Meier 2-year disease-specific survival for group 1 and 2 was 63% and 74%, respectively (P = .251). Among group 1 patients, 67% retained their larynges. Local recurrences were more frequent among the laryngeal preservation group (P = .001), whereas distant metastasis was more frequent among controls (P = .35). Thirty-three percent (18/55) of group 1 patients required total laryngectomy. Examining these subsets of patients showed that of the 67% (n = 37) of patients who retained their larynges, their 2-year survival was 56%, not significantly different from their respective controls (n = 74), 71%. Additionally, 2-year survival among the 18 group 1 patients who required salvage laryngectomy was 75% as compared with 80% for their matched controls (n = 36). CONCLUSIONS: These results document the results of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in the treatment of patients with advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers in preserving the larynx. Although local control is significantly compromised among these patients, there is no compromise in overall survival when combined with prompt surgical salvage.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Evaluation of the dose for postoperative radiation therapy of head and neck cancer: first report of a prospective randomized trial.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine in a prospective randomized trial the optimal dose of conventionally fractionated postoperative radiotherapy for advanced head and neck cancer in relation to clinical and pathologic risk factors. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between January 1983 and March 1991, 302 patients were enrolled on the study. This analysis is based on the first 240 patients entered through September 1989, of whom 221 (92%) had AJC Stage III or IV cancers of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx. The patients were stratified by postulated risk factors and randomized to one of three dose levels ranging between 52.2 Gy and 68.4 Gy, all given in daily doses of 1.8 Gy. Patients receiving > 57.6 Gy had a field reduction at this dose level such that boosts were only given to sites of increased risk. RESULTS: The overall crude and actuarial 2-year local-regional recurrence rates were 25.4% and 26%, respectively. Patients who received a dose of < or = 54 Gy had a significantly higher primary failure rate than those receiving > or = 57.6 Gy (p = 0.02). No significant dose response could be demonstrated above 57.6 Gy except for patients with extracapsular nodal disease in the neck in whom the recurrence rate was significantly higher at 57.6 Gy than at > or = 63 Gy. Analysis of prognostic factors predictive of local-regional recurrence showed that the only variable of independent significance was extracapsular nodal disease. However, clusters of two or more of the following risk factors were associated with a progressively increased risk of recurrence: oral cavity primary, mucosal margins close or positive, nerve invasion, > or = 2 positive lymph nodes, largest node > 3 cm, treatment delay greater than 6 weeks, and Zubrod performance status > or = 2. Moderate to severe complications of combined treatment occurred in 7.1% of patients; these were more frequent in patients who received > or = 63 Gy. CONCLUSION: With daily fractions of 1.7 Gy, a minimum tumor dose of 57.6 Gy to the whole operative bed should be delivered with a boost of 63 Gy being given to sites of increased risk, especially regions of the neck where extracapsular nodal disease is present. Treatment should be started as soon as possible after surgery. Dose escalation above 63 Gy at 1.8 Gy per day does not appear to improve the therapeutic ratio.

Adult↗

Ampicillin-sulbactam vs clindamycin in head and neck oncologic surgery. The need for gram-negative coverage.

This study was undertaken to assess whether gram-negative antimicrobial coverage is required in patients undergoing head and neck oncologic surgery. Ampicillin sodium-sulbactam sodium and clindamycin phosphate were compared in a prospective, randomized, parallel, double-blind trial of 212 patients undergoing head and neck procedures involving clean-contaminated wounds. Both antibiotics were given up to 1 hour before surgery and continued at 6-hour intervals after surgery for an additional eight doses. Fourteen infections occurred in the ampicillin-sulbactam-treated group (13.3%) and 29 infections in the clindamycin-treated group (27.1%). From patients receiving clindamycin, 29 gram-negative organisms were isolated, compared with six from those patients receiving ampicillin-sulbactam. This finding supports the need for gram-negative coverage in patients undergoing clean-contaminated head and neck oncologic surgery.

Adult↗

Do neuropeptides in the dorsal horn change if the dorsal root ganglion cell death that normally accompanies peripheral nerve transection is prevented?

Peripheral nerve section causes the death of dorsal root ganglion cells and changes in neuroactive peptides in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. The relationship between these 2 events has not been previously studied, however. One approach would be to prevent sensory cell death and then determine changes in peptide immunoreactivity. To do this, transected rat sciatic nerve stumps were placed in an impermeable silicone tube for one month. The tube was then removed and after 30 additional days the cells were counted. The data indicate that no cell death occurred. We conclude that the sensory cells are first saved due to some factor present in the tube, and then after 30 days, the cells become independent of the tube and its contents. In these same animals, all of the peptides we examined were significantly changed. Four of the peptides, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK) and galanin (GAL) were significantly depleted in the medial L4-L5 superficial dorsal horn, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was significantly increased. We conclude that there are major changes in spinal peptide systems following peripheral nerve transection even if there is no accompanying death of sensory neurons. Thus we suggest that dramatic central changes in peptide immunoreactivity following peripheral nerve transection are independent of the sensory cell death that usually occurs in response to this injury.

Animals↗

Intraoral soft tissue reconstruction after cancer ablation: a comparison of the pectoralis major flap and the free radial forearm flap.

We compared, by retrospective chart review, the free radial forearm flap and the pectoralis major flap in repairing intraoral soft tissue defects resulting from tumor ablation. Statistical significance of differences was determined using Fisher's exact test and chi-square analysis. Fifty-one free flap and 126 musculocutaneous flap transfers were analyzed. The former were used more often for defects in the anterior part of the oral cavity, whereas the latter were used more frequently in the posterior part. Significantly more patients with pectoralis major flap transfers had late-stage (T3 and T4) disease than did those in the free radial forearm flap group (p = 0.004). Also, the complication rate was significantly higher in the pectoralis major flap group (p = 0.01); this was due to differences in the rates of dehiscence, fistula formation, and flap loss. We thus conclude that, despite the need for microsurgery, the free radial forearm flap is at least as reliable as the pectoralis major flap and that the choice of flap should be based on defect considerations rather than on the perceived reliability of the reconstructive method.

Chi-Square Distribution↗

Treatment selection for carcinoma of the base of the tongue.

Between 1974 and 1984, 173 patients were treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue base. Fifty-four patients had T1 or T2 primaries, while 115 patients had T3 or T4 tumors (4 were not staged). Lymph node metastasis was present in 120 patients. Early primary tumors treated with surgery or radiotherapy had a control rate of 83% (5 of 6 tumors) and 89% (40 of 45 tumors), respectively. For advanced primary tumors, definitive radiotherapy produced a local control rate of 55% (42 of 76 tumors), compared with 79% (23 of 29 tumors) for surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. If primary control was obtained, the regional failure rate was less than 10%. Tumor growth patterns were predictive of the response to radiotherapy. The primary control rate at 2 years for 21 patients with exophytic tumors was 84% as opposed to 58% for 62 patients with ulcerative-infiltrative tumors (p = 0.04). Radiotherapy is effective for early stage or exophytic tumors, whereas for advanced or deeply invasive tumors combined therapy enhances local control.

Adult↗

Analysis of complications in 168 pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps used for head and neck reconstruction.

One hundred sixty-eight pectoralis major muscular and myocutaneous flaps performed at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center during the past five years were reviewed retrospectively to determine complication rates following operation and to evaluate the effect of risk factors such as smoking, obesity, sex, previous radiotherapy, and tumor stage on the incidence of such complications. The overall rate of complications was 63%; however, most of these complications were self-limited, and the rate of total flap loss was only 2.4%. The risk of a complication developing was increased slightly in patients who smoked cigarettes and in patients with larger tumors. Obesity and previous radiotherapy had no effect on complication rates. Women who underwent pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps had a higher rate of flap necrosis than did men, presumably because of the interposition of breast tissue between the muscle and the skin paddle. In patients who had muscle flaps (without skin paddles), sex had no influence on complication rates. In all groups of patients, flaps consisting of muscle alone had fewer complications than did flaps with a cutaneous component.

Female↗

Prognostic factors in patients dying of well-differentiated thyroid cancer.

While some well-differentiated cancers of the thyroid gland are unusually aggressive, most have a more benign clinical behavior, making it difficult to evaluate factors possibly influencing patient survival such as initial surgical treatment. By studying 135 patients who received their initial surgical therapy at our institution, we have defined the prognostically significant factors. Sixteen patients (11.9%) died of disease during a ten- to 20-year follow-up period. Significant factors associated with death from disease were aged 40 years or older, primary lesion size of 2.5 cm or greater, presence of invasive characteristics, and presence of distant metastases. We recommend total thyroidectomy and postoperative sodium iodide I 131 therapy in patients 40 years of age or older, while suggesting a less aggressive approach may be appropriate in the younger patients.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate, uvula, and anterior faucial pillar.

This retrospective study concerns 188 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate, uvula, and anterior faucial pillar treated for cure between 1970 and 1983. Men predominated in the group (1.9:1) and 55% of the patients were between 60 and 70 years old. Mean duration of followup was 56.7 months. TNM stage distribution was 29, 67, 37, and 49 patients for stages I, II, III, and IV respectively; six patients were unstaged because of previous excisional biopsy. Treatment to the primary site consisted of radiotherapy for 150 patients, surgery alone for 28 patients, and combined therapy for 10 patients. Primary control for T stages 1 through 4 was: 91% (31 of 34), 77% (71 of 92), 77% (30 of 39), and 35% (6 of 17), respectively. One hundred twenty-eight patients were N0 at presentation, as compared to 60 patients with regional nodal metastasis. Regional control was obtained in 87.5% of patients with N0 necks and in 76.7% of those with nodal involvement. In patients with primary control, these figures were 89% and 81%. Overall determinant survival was 80% at 2 years, but fell to 67% at 5 years. In addition to advanced tumor stage, the survival rate was reduced by regional lymph node metastasis. Tumor extension to the tongue base diminished survival. Survival was poorer among patients with midline tumors or tumors that extended across the palatine arch (37 patients) than for those with unilateral primary tumors (151 patients) (p less than 0.05). Despite similar T-stage distribution, the incidence of regional nodal metastasis was 49% in the former group, compared with 28% in the latter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Salivary epithelial-myoepithelial carcinomas of intercalated ducts: a clinical, electron microscopic, and immunocytochemical study.

The salivary epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of intercalated duct origin is a distinctive, biologically low-grade carcinoma with a predilection for the parotid gland. Nine examples from the M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas, bring the number of published cases to 33. Immunocytochemical (S-100 protein, myosin, and keratin) and electron-optic studies strongly support an active myoepithelial cell participation in the histogenesis of these carcinomas.

Aged↗

[Plastic surgery after circular pharyngectomy. Apropos of 78 cases].

78 patients with hypopharyngeal and/or cervical oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma underwent a total pharyngectomy from 1970 to 1982. The pharyngeal and/or cervical oesophageal reconstruction was carried out with cutaneous flaps, myocutaneous flaps or colon interposition. The advantages and disadvantages of these techniques as well as their complications are discussed. Following this experience, a therapeutic attitude is presented. The authors insist on the quality and duration of survival of patients after the surgical procedure.

Adult↗

Intravenous hyperalimentation in patients with head and neck cancer.

Intravenous hyperalimentation was utilized to support nutritionally 23 malnourished patients with major head and neck tumors during surgical treatment, radiotherapy, or the convalescent period. Fifteen patients were treated during the perioperative period and 12 survived. Six patients received convalescent nutritional support successfully 4 to 24 months following operation or radiation treatment. Two patients received treatment with hyperalimentation throughout a protracted course of radiation therapy. Weight gain, wound healing, and recovery were achieved in all but 3 patients. Subclavian vein thrombosis occurred in 1 patient, and catheter-related sepsis occurred in 2 patients. Otherwise, hyperalimentation was safe and efficacious in the debilitated patients. These patients may now become acceptable risks for surgical treatment or radiation therapy by nutritional repletion with intravenous hyperalimentation.

Body Weight↗

Mucinous adenocarcinomas of nose and paranasal sinuses.

This study concerns the Clinicopathologic findings for 18 patients with mucinous adenocarcinomas of nose and/or paranasal sinuses. Males in the 5th decade of life predominated in the series. Nasal obstruction, a growing mass in a sinus, or epistaxis were the most frequent complaints. Ten patients had tumors in the maxillary antrum, and the nasal cavity was the site in 5 patients. Histopathologically, the tumors were moderately to well differentiated, with a few poorly differentiated types. Tumor with the solid pattern of growth were anaplastic; these patients had poorer prognoses. For most patients, treatment consisted of radical surgery alone or in combination with radiotherapy. Of 13 patients for whom survival could be adequately evaluated, 7 died from the tumors, 5 are alive and free of disease more than 4 years, and 1 is living with recurrent tumor 14 months after diagnosis.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗