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Biomedical subjects

R A Berjian

Publications and source records attributed to R A Berjian.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1986

Pretreatment effects on the uptake/retention kinetics of L-dopa in Harding-Passey melanoma.

Malignant melanoma cells possess a unique biochemical pathway that converts L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa) to the biopigment melanin. Selective cytotoxic incorporation of exogenous L-dopa into melanoma cells in vivo may provide a means of designing specific chemotherapeutic agents useful in the treatment of this disease. Using the Harding-Passey murine melanotic tumor model, a preferential uptake of [3H]L-dopa by the tumor was characterized. Following pretreatment of the tumor-bearing mice with nonradioactive L-dopa, a significant enhancement (p less than 0.01) of [3H]L-dopa incorporation and retention into melanoma for a period of 24 h was observed, when compared with the concomitant tissue distribution and clearance of radioactivity in the control animals. This finding suggests that by initial pretreatment of melanoma with nonradioactive L-dopa, the subsequent selective accumulation of [3H]L-dopa in tumor may provide a useful tool in testing new modalities of therapy in malignant melanoma.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1983

Skin pressure measurements on various mattress surfaces in cancer patients.

Twenty-eight patients with histologically proven carcinoma were studied on two dynamic and six static mattress surfaces to determine which mattress surface would provide the least skin surface pressure at the sacrum, dorsal spine, trochanter and heels. Measurements were taken with an especially designed inflatable bladder, and the mean of the maximum skin surface pressures was determined for the static and dynamic surfaces in the inflated and deflated state. Using less than or equal to 32 mm Hg as the skin surface pressure at which the arteriolarcapillary blood flow is interrupted, we concluded that the mud gel bed generally tended to record the lowest skin surface pressure for all of the sites. Although some of the static surfaces recorded pressures less than or equal to 32 mm Hg at the sacrum and dorsal spine, the deflated dynamic surfaces were superior to the remaining static surfaces in reducing the skin surface pressures.

Bedding and Linens↗
PubMed1981

Biliary cystadenocarcinoma: report of a case presenting with osseous metastasis and a review of the literature.

Biliary cystadenocarcinoma is a rare malignancy, and osseous metastasis resulting from this tumor have been recorded in only one of the 19 documented cases in the literature. The case report of this 59-year-old male is unusual in that the patient's initial clinical manifestations of the disease were that of osseous metastases, while the primary tumor eluded discovery for greater than 1 year. Although this is the first documented case in which radiation and chemotherapy were used to control the disease, the use of these agents may have contributed to the delay in establishing the primary site of the tumor. The clinical and pathologic features of this and the previously reported cases are reviewed with an emphasis on the newer diagnostic modalities being used in more recent cases to establish the diagnosis for this tumor.

Bone Neoplasms↗
PubMed1980

Significance of 99mTc-sulfur colloid splenic image in malignant melanoma.

To evaluate the clinical significance of 99mTc-sulfur-colloid (TsSC) spleen scan findings in patients with malignant melanoma, a retrospective study was undertaken. Eighty-one patients with histologically proven malignant melanoma who received treatment in Roswell Park during a five-year period were included in this study. The scans were analyzed for spleen size, differential uptake of the tracer in liver and spleen, and for the presence of metastases in these two organs. These data were compared with stage of disease, survival, and autopsy findings. Significant correlation was found between the splenic size as measured on the scintiscan and at autopsy examination. The spleen size was found to be normal in 92% of the patients in early melanoma. The median survival of patients who had a normal-sized spleen by scan criteria was found to be longer than those who had splenomegaly. No significant difference in survival was noted between the patients with and without augmented splenic uptake of TcSC. Only a small number (17.7%) of patients with augmented splenic uptake had splenic metastases; hence, the possible role of immunological factors was considered.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

The role of hepatic artery ligation and dearterialization with infusion chemotherapy in advanced malignancies in the liver.

Because of limited benefits derived with the use of systemic chemotherapy, 15 patients with metastatic malignancy of the liver or hepatoma were treated by hepatic artery ligation (6) or dearterialization (9) and regional infusion chemotherapy. There were two postoperative deaths and three patients required surgical drainage of hepatic tumor liquefaction necrosis. The median survival was 14 months with two patients still living. The longest survivors were those patients with visceral leiomyosarcoma or carcinoid tumor. Five of the patients had failed to respond to previous chemotherapy, all showed a favorable response to this therapy. Rigid criteria for proper case selection have been developed which should reduce the operative mortality. Hepatic artery ligation is a therapeutic modality that can be of benefit to patients for whom no other satisfactory treatment is available.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Extraosseous osteogenic sarcoma: case report.

Extraosseous osteogenic sarcoma is a highly malignant tumor, and in order to improve the chances of survival of those who have it, aggressive surgical treatment, including major amputations, should be performed. Based on the results obtained in the treatment of its osseous counterpart, the use of adjuvant chemotherapy is strongly recommended. Evaluation should not be done because it is usually followed by local recurrence.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Mesenteric fibromatosis in Gardner's syndrome.

Two patients with mesenteric fibromatosis in Gardner's syndrome were treated by us. These tumors are slow-growing and may remain quiescent for long periods. Review of similar cases in the literature discloses that less than half of these tumors have been removed, pointing to the difficulty of their resection. Dissection of the infraduodenal portion of superior mesenteric vessels may help define whether these tumors are resectable. Radiation therapy or treatment with antiestrogens may be helpful in the treatment of unresectable tumors.

Adult↗