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R Kimmig

Publications and source records attributed to R Kimmig.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Evaluation of quantitative parametric analysis for characterization of breast lesions in contrast-enhanced MR mammography.

Our aim was to evaluate quantitative parametric analysis for characterization of breast lesions in contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) mammography. In 62 patients, contrast-enhanced MR mammography revealed 75 suspicious lesions, of which 18 were benign and 57 were malignant. The quantitative parametric analysis delineates signal intensity changes of contrast-enhanced lesions on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The initial rate of enhancement is coded by color intensity: a slow rate is coded to dark; a fast rate, bright. The postinitial enhancement change is coded by color hue: blue for increasing signal intensity, green for plateau, and red for decrease in signal intensity. Malignant lesions showed a significantly higher number of bright-red (P = 0.004) and medium-red (P < 0.001) pixels than benign lesions. Benign lesions showed significantly more blue pixels than did malignant lesions (P = 0.010). Of the 75 lesions, 72 (96%) showed heterogeneous distribution of pixel color hue. Quantitative parametric analysis of contrast kinetics in lesions can replace the subjective manual region of interest (ROI) method and makes a step toward standardization of MR mammography. It allows quantitative evaluation of different contrast kinetics parameters in contrast-enhanced breast lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Overexpression of cyclo-oxygenase-2 is an independent predictor of unfavourable outcome in node-negative breast cancer, but is not associated with protein kinase B (Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK1/2, p38) activation or with Her-2/neu signalling pathways.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The production of prostaglandins is regulated by cyclo-oxygenases (COXs), which also have a role in tumour development and progression in various malignancies, including breast cancer. The mechanisms by which COX-2 contributes to unfavourable prognosis are still poorly understood. The association between expression of COX-2 and possible linked signalling pathways-namely, Akt, extracellular regulated kinases (ERK1/2), the stress-activated kinase p38 or Her-2/neu-is assessed in a series of 113 node-negative breast cancers. RESULTS: COX-2 was identified as an independent prognostic factor (p = 0.034) in node-negative breast cancer by survival analysis. The lack of a relationship between COX-2 expression and activated Akt, Erk1/2, p38 and Her-2/neu was indicated by statistical analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic effect of COX-2 expression on lymph node-negative breast cancer is confirmed-COX-2 is probably not regulated by HER-2, Akt, Erk1/2 or p38. Further studies are necessary for the elucidation of the signalling pathways responsible for the modification of COX-2 expression and the increased aggressiveness of breast cancers overexpressing COX-2.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

[MR Imaging of the pelvis in the diagnosis of the endometrium in breast cancer patients in tamoxifen therapy].

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine the value of MR imaging of the pelvis in the diagnostic work-up of the endometrium in breast cancer patients in tamoxifen therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR imaging of the pelvis was performed on 24 patients (mean: 62 years, range: 51 - 74 years) and 30 healthy women (mean: 65 years, range: 51 - 73 years). The volume of the uterus and cervix and the maximal thickness of the endometrium, junctional zone and myometrium of the uterus were determined and compared to the confidence interval of the parameters in healthy women. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to identify differences in the volume of the uterus and cervix and in the thickness of the uterine wall layers in both groups. RESULTS: A comparison of the volume of the uterus and cervix and the thickness of the uterine wall layers in the two groups yielded no significant differences. The volume of the uterus and cervix showed no statistical differences between the two groups. The maximal height of the endometrium in the patient group showed a mean of 0.6 cm (range: 0.1 - 2.2 cm), and a mean of 0.4 cm (range: 0.1 - 1.2 cm) in the group of healthy women. The differences were not statistically significant. In all healthy women the endometrium showed homogeneous signal intensity in the sagittal T2-weighted images. In 12 of the 24 breast cancer patients, the endometrium showed inhomogeneous signal intensity. In 9 of 12 patients with an inhomogeneous endometrium with a thickness equal to or greater than 0.6 cm, histopathology confirmed polyps. In 3 patients endometrium hyperplasia was found. In one patient histopathology revealed a polyp and an endometrium carcinoma in stage T1 a N0. The endometrium carcinoma was not able to be seen via MR imaging. CONCLUSION: MR imaging might be helpful in the diagnosis of endometrium pathologies during tamoxifen therapy. Therefore, MR imaging of the pelvis could be used as a diagnostic tool in the follow-up diagnosis of the endometrium in breast cancer patients in tamoxifen therapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2006

[Diagnosis and treatment of malignant ovarian tumors 2005: recommendations of the Kommission Ovar of the AGO].

Recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of malignant ovarian tumors with regard to the most recent data were worked out in a consensus process and valued by level of evidence (LoE) and grade of recommendation (GoR) of the Canadian Task Force for Preventive Health Care by the members of the Kommission Ovar der Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Gynäkologische Onkologie (AGO) in June 2005. A short version of these guidelines is presented.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

The combination of increased ovarian volume and follicle number is associated with more severe hyperandrogenism in German women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

The prevalence and relevance of polycystic ovaries (PCO) in German women with polycystic ovary syndrome has not been evaluated. This retrospective study included 212 PCOS patients (mean age 28 years) diagnosed by the NIH-criteria and consecutively recruited since 2003. Clinical features including anthropometric variables and the degree of hirsutism, family history, menstrual cyclicity as well as endocrine biochemical parameters were recorded. In addition, 3-h oral glucose tolerance testing for indices of insulin resistance and glucose metabolism was performed in each patient. Transvaginal ultrasound was used to detect polcystic ovaries, defined as the presence of at least one ovary > 10 ml or with at least 12 follicles of 2-9 mm diameter. In this German PCOS cohort, PCO were identified in 166 women (78%). Women with PCO (PXO+) had significantly higher LH/FSH ratios (median 2.1 vs. 1.7) and IGF-1 levels (median 182.5 vs. 160.5 ng/ml) compared to patients without PCO (PCO-). In addition, a significantly higher prevalence of acne (50% vs. 33%) and higher hirsutism scores (median 9 vs. 7) were found in PCO+ patients. Testosterone levels and the free androgen index (FAI) correlated significantly with ovarian volume and the number of ovarian follicles. Also, a subgroup of PCO+ women with a combination of increased ovarian volume and follicle number had higher testosterone levels (median 3.1 vs. 2.1 nmol/l) and FAI (median 7.6 vs. 4.5) compared to women with increased follicle count but normal volume. No differences were found in metabolic parameters or insulin resistance indices. PCO are common finding in German PCOS women. PCO appear to be associated with a more pronounced hyperandrogenemia, especially when both ovarian volume and follicle number are increased.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations are associated with insulin resistance and obesity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Insulin resistance (IR) and central obesity are common features of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Vitamin D is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes by affecting insulin metabolism. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-VD) on metabolic parameters and IR in PCOS. In 120 untreated PCOS patients (median age 28 years) levels of 25-OH-VD (radioimmunoassay method provided by DiaSorin), calcium and anorganic phosphate were measured. In addition, endocrine and metabolic variables were evaluated and a glucose tolerance test was performed to assess indices of IR. In the entire PCOS cohort, 25-OH-VD concentrations were negatively correlated with body mass index (r=-0.2765), body fat (r=-0.2490), HOMA-IR (r=-0.1947), hyperinsulinemia (r=-0.1892) and leptin levels (r=-0.2834), and positively correlated with HDL cholesterol (r=0.2630) (all p<0.05). Subgroup analysis of lean, overweight and obese women revealed significant higher 25-OH-VD levels in lean women. Differences remained significant when women were divided according to their 25-OH-VD levels. Women with hypovitaminosis D (<9 ng/ml) had higher mean BMI, indices of IR and leptin levels compared to women with normal serum levels (all p<0.05). Analysis of vitamin D and biochemical endocrine PCOS features revealed a significant correlation only between 25-OH-VD and sex hormone-binding globulin as well as the free androgen index. In conclusion, in PCOS women, low 25-OH-VD levels are associated with obesity and insulin resistance but not with PCOS per se.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

The anti-idiotypic antibody abagovomab in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. A phase I trial of the AGO-OVAR.

BACKGROUND: Abagovomab is a murine anti-idiotypic antibody against the antigen CA-125 which has been shown to elicit humoral and cellular immune responses against ovarian cancer (oc). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This phase I trial included 36 patients with recurrent oc comparing two subcutaneous (s.c.) vaccination schedules: nine (group L) versus six injections (group S), 18 patients in each group. Four injections of 2.0 mg abagovomab were administered every 2 weeks and then two or five additional doses monthly. Primary endpoint was drop-out rate due to toxicity, and the secondary endpoint was analysis of immunological response. RESULTS: Treatment was completed in eight (44%) and 16 (89%) patients in groups L and S, respectively. Premature termination occurred due to patient withdrawal or disease progression. No treatment-limiting toxicities occurred in either group. The most common toxicity related to the vaccine was grade 1/2 local injection site reaction. Induction of Ab3 was observed in all evaluable patients. There were no differences between the groups with regard to induction of human anti-mouse antibody (P = 0.1006). IFNgamma-expressing CA125-specific CD8+ T-cells were significantly more frequent in group L, while there was no significant difference between CD4+ T-cells in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Abagovomab s.c. vaccination is safe and well tolerated. The long vaccination schedule tended to be more effective with regard to AB3-induction and cellular cytotoxicity.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Organ preservation, multimodal radical tumor therapy and reduction of therapy-related morbidity--development of diagnostics and therapy of endometrial carcinoma].

Endometrial carcinoma is the most frequent genital malignoma in women. Considering the tumor-biological and prognostically very different subtypes of endometrial carcinoma, an individual therapeutic strategy plays a very important role. Besides the question of an individualized organ-preserving procedure for women who wish to have a baby, the reduction of morbidity by minimally invasive laparoscopic/vaginal surgery is discussed. While adjuvant gestagen therapy is not useful, platinum-containing chemotherapy seems to be effective in certain risk situations. The indication of lymphonodectomy with regard to staging as well as the effect of adjuvant radiation therapy for local control are undisputed. In view of a postulated curative effect, the results of the ongoing prospective studies will make things clearer.

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMed2006

[Urinary incontinence and descensus genitalis--the silent sickness].

In the last few years, urogynaecology has become a very innovative gynaecological subspecialty. New findings have led to a multitude of different medicinal and operative therapy options. Stress incontinence can be improved by sling procedures in more than 80% of patients. Likewise, new drugs to treat stress incontinence have been available for some time. Injections of botulinum toxin A into the detrusor muscle are a promising treatment strategy in cases of therapy-resistant overactive bladder.

Female↗
PubMed2006

[Hormone replacement therapy: curse or blessing?].

There is a controversial discussion on the risks and benefits of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), and many women and doctors have revised their opinions of HRT over the last few years. Complementary and alternative therapies can be considered an option to treat menopausal symptoms. The following issue summarizes the actual knowledge of treatment options of menopausal symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[The benefits and risks of hormonal replacement therapy--an update].

Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) with estrogens and gestagens has been used for more than 40 years in the treatment of menopausal complaints and can be considered an effective treatment for vaso-vegetative symptoms and urogenital atrophy. During the past few years many women and doctors have revised their opinions of HRT. The reasons for this change of view are mainly three large international studies: the Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Study, the Women's Health Initiative Study and the One Million Women Study. In this review we summarize the data from the most important studies and point out the actual status of the controversial discussion on the benefits and risks of HRT.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and carboplatin in advanced gynecologic tumors: a prospective phase I/II study of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynaekologische Onkologie Studiengruppe Ovarialkarzinom (AGO-OVAR).

BACKGROUND: Single-agent platinum and single-agent pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) are both effective in the treatment of gynecologic malignancies. Based on evidence that combination platinum-containing regimens offer superior efficacy versus single-agent regimens, we conducted this study to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of PLD in combination with carboplatin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this phase I/II dose-finding study, six courses of PLD (20, 30, 40 or 50 mg/m2) and carboplatin (AUC 6) were administered every 28 days to women with advanced gynecologic malignancies. Three to six patients were treated at each dose level; an additional 12 patients were treated at the MTD. RESULTS: PLD 40 mg/m2 was identified as the MTD when administered with carboplatin. Five of 18 patients experienced a dose-limiting toxicity at the MTD; two patients had grade 3/4 neutropenia, and one each had grade 3 emesis and grade 3 thrombocytopenia and thrombosis. No patient developed cardiotoxicity. In 11 patients evaluable for response, there were two complete responses, two partial responses and four patients with stable disease. CONCLUSIONS: The MTD for PLD when administered in combination with carboplatin is 40 mg/m2. This regimen is well tolerated and offers promising activity in women with advanced gynecologic malignancies.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Surgical treatment of ovarian cancer].

Surgical Treatment of Ovarian Cancer Primary radical surgery of ovarian carcinoma determines the further course of the disease, and thus also the outcome of the patient. Postoperative residual tumor is one of the most important prognostic factors. The overriding aim is complete removal of the tumor. A high level of surgical expertise, an interdisciplinary team and optimal postoperative intensive care are indispensable prerequisites for the best possible surgical treatment of ovarian carcinoma. Neither chemotherapy nor any other measures are capable of rescuing a suboptimal postoperative situation.

Female↗
PubMed2005

Relationship and prognostic significance of phospho-(serine 166)-murine double minute 2 and Akt activation in node-negative breast cancer with regard to p53 expression.

The Akt signalling pathway plays a central role in tumourigenesis. Activation of Akt is related to a more aggressive phenotype in various human cancers, including breast cancer. Its activation contributes to cancer progression via pleiotropic effects, including suppression of apoptosis and modulation of cell cycle regulation. Murine double minute 2 (MDM2) is an oncoprotein that inhibits the function of p53 tumour suppressor protein. Cell culture studies show that Akt-related phosphorylation of MDM2 at serine 166 allows MDM2 to gain nuclear entry and fulfil its p53 regulating function. This study was designed to analyse the relationship of phospho-MDM2 (pMDM2) expression with Akt activation to determine a possible prognostic relevance of pMDM2 in node-negative breast cancer with respect to Akt activation and p53 status. pMDM2, phospho-Akt (pAkt) and p53 protein expression status were analysed immunohistochemically in 121 paraffin-embedded breast cancer cases. Expression of pMDM2 correlated with Akt activation (P<0.001). Univariate analysis identified pMDM2 as a prognostic factor (P=0.0458) in node-negative breast cancers. The unfavourable prognostic significance was even more pronounced in tumours with a pMDM2(+)/pAkt(+) immunophenotype (P=0.0205). Stratification into a p53-negative subgroup further strengthened the adverse prognostic influence. These data confirm that MDM2 phosphorylation at serine 166 is mediated by Akt kinase. Besides the prognostic impact of pMDM2, our findings suggest that Akt-mediated modulation of the MDM2/p53 complex contributes to increased tumour aggressiveness especially in p53-negative breast cancers. However, due to the relatively small number of patients in this cohort, the results obtained need to be confirmed by larger cohorts.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed2005

ETV6-NTRK3 gene fusion in a secretory carcinoma of the breast of a male-to-female transsexual.

Secretory carcinomas of the breast were first described as "juvenile carcinoma" by McDivitt and Stewart in a cohort of children. This term has been replaced by the term "secretory breast carcinoma", because the entity can occur at any time of life. Carcinoma of the male breast is uncommon and accounts for approximately 1% of all cancers in men. Recently, it has been reported that human secretory breast carcinoma expresses the ETV6-NTRK3 gene fusion that was previously cloned in pediatric mesenchymal cancers. We present the case of a 46-year-old male-to-female transsexual in whom a secretory breast carcinoma was an incidental finding. As confirmation of the histopathological diagnosis we detected the novel ETV6-NTRK3 gene fusion in this tumor.

Breast Neoplasms, Male↗
PubMed2005

[Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis in diagnosing endometriosis].

Widely accepted as an established method in the diagnostic imaging of diseases of the female pelvis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) holds promising potential for the diagnosis of endometriosis. This review describes the general prerequisites for performing MRI scans of the pelvis and presents, based on recent studies, an imaging protocol suited to the diagnosis of endometriosis. Typical manifestations and sites of endometriosis are discussed and illustrated with sample images. For endometriotic cysts and implants, axial T (1)-weighted, fat-saturated turbo spin echo sequences (TSE) have the highest diagnostic value. In diagnosing adenomyosis, sagittal T (2)-weighted TSE sequences visualise changes in the uterine zonal anatomy. In essence, MRI is capable of detecting many manifestations of endometriosis in a non-invasive, yet reliable manner, and its value in relation to laparoscopy must be considered as complementary.

Endometriosis↗
PubMed2005

[MR-guided vacuum assisted breast biopsy].

OBJECTIVE: This prospective study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of MR-guided vacuum assisted breast biopsy with the Vacora-vacuum-biopsy system for histological evaluation of suspicious lesions in MR-mammography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During 3 months MR-guided vacuum assisted breast biopsy was indicated in 12 patients with suspicious lesions in MR-mammography. RESULTS: MR-guided vacuum assisted breast biopsy with the Vacora-vacuum-biopsy system could be performed in 9 of 12 patients. In 2 patients the lesions could not be identified at the time of the intervention. In one patient the intervention could not be performed due to obesity. Histopathology revealed benign lesions in 8 patients and malignancy in one patient. In one of the cases with benign histology, the biopsy specimen was not representative for the lesion. CONCLUSIONS: MR-guided vacuum assisted breast biopsy with Vacora-vacuum-biopsy is technical feasible can be performed with a low complication rate.

Adult↗