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S Bellefqih

Publications and source records attributed to S Bellefqih.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Efficacy of combined 5-fluorouracil and cisplatinum in advanced gastric carcinomas. A phase II trial with prognostic factor analysis.

Combined chemotherapy has demonstrated a degree of efficacy in gastric carcinoma. As 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and cisplatinum are two of the most active drugs, we have tested the efficacy of combined 5FU and cisplatinum in a prospective phase II trial. Cycles were administered every 4 weeks and consisted of 5FU 1000 mg/m2/day 5 days continuous intravenous (i.v.) infusion and cisplatinum 100 mg/m2 on day 2. Cycles were repeated according to tolerance and efficacy. 87 patients entered the study, 57 with metastatic or recurrent tumour (M) and 30 with locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC). The response rate for the 83 evaluable patients was 43% [95% confidence interval (CI) 30-56%]. There were four complete responses (5%), 32 partial responses (39%), 34 cases of stable disease and 13 cases of progressive disease. Responses were more frequent in patients with a good performance status (P = 0.02), with their primary located in the cardia (P = 0.003), with a non-linitis plastica tumour form (P = 0.003) or a tumour containing less than 50% of independent cells (P = 0.016). Median survival was 9 months for the total population. It was better in patients with a good performance status (P = 0.01), and those who did not have linitis plastica (P = 0.005). Toxicity was acceptable, although grade 3-4 neutropenia was reported in 22% of the cycles, mucositis in 14% and 3 patients died of septic complications. The combination of 5FU and cisplatinum is effective in terms of tumour response in advanced gastric cancer and warrants testing with the other active regimens.

Adult

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced gastric carcinoma--a phase II trial with combined continuous intravenous 5-fluorouracil and bolus cisplatinum.

Locally advanced gastric adenocarcinomas (LAGC) have a poor prognosis, particularly when tumours are bulky, located in the cardia or in the event of locoregional lymph node involvement. Patients bearing these tumours were entered in a phase II trial of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, combining continuous intravenous 5-fluorouracil (5FU) (1000 mg/m2 for 5 days) and cisplatinum (CDDP) (100 mg/m2 on day 2) repeated every 4 weeks, for one to six cycles according to response and tolerance. 30 patients have been entered, 26 after clinical evaluation (CAT scan and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy) and 4 with unresectable tumours at prior laparotomy. Median age was 60 years, 15/30 patients had a tumour of the cardia, 15/30 had enlarged lymph nodes and 7/30 had linitis plastica (diffuse type). A mean number of three cycles was administered (range 1-6). 27 of the 30 patients were evaluable for response. One patient achieved a complete response (CR) and 14 a partial response (56%; 95% confidence interval 38-74%). No patient had tumour progression, and only 1/6 with linitis plastica responded. 28 patients underwent surgery, and 23 had a macroscopically complete resection (77% of the 30 entered patients); RO resections were performed in 60% of the cases, mainly after an objective response (13/15 versus 4/12 in nonresponders). No pathological CR were seen. Grade 4 neutropenia was observed in eight cycles (5 patients), with five septic complications and one death due to toxicity. Four postoperative complications were observed: 2 cases of severe pneumonia and 2 subphrenic abscesses. One postoperative death, due to intravascular disseminated coagulation, was observed at day 30. Median survival was 16 months and the 1-, 2- and 3-year survival was 67, 42 and 38%, respectively. Patients with linitis plastica had a significantly shorter survival (P < 0.002). We conclude that neodjuvant chemotherapy is feasible in LAGC, although randomised trials are warranted to demonstrate its efficacy on survival and resection rates.

Adult

Conjunctival biopsy in Sjögren's syndrome: correlations between histological and immunohistochemical features.

We have examined conjunctival biopsies from nine primary and two secondary cases of Sjögren's syndrome. In all cases histopathological examination revealed metaplasia of the conjunctival epithelium associated with a reduced number of goblet cells and a polymorphic inflammatory cell infiltrate of the stroma. Using monoclonal antibodies with texture analysis of stained preparations we have shown that in all cases the lymphocytic infiltrate was predominantly T-cell but with substantial numbers of IgA and IgG secretory B-cells in three cases. The number of Langerhans cells present was reduced in biopsies showing the most marked degree of epithelial metaplasia.

Adult

[Chordomas].

Chordomas are slowly growing malignant tumors arising from notochordal rests. They are occurring in adults (50 to 60 year old) and are mainly (85%) located in sacrococcygeal or spheno-occipital regions; other main localization is cervical spine. Chordomas are usually discovered in patients with pain or symptoms due to compression of surrounding viscera. Radiologically it is characterized by association of osteolysis and soft tissues opacity. On macroscopic examination tumoral tissue has mucoid appearance; under microscope it is made up with lobules of epithelial-appearing cells surrounded by acid mucosubstances. Tumorous cells contain glycogen and neutral mucosubstances. They are surrounded by argyrophilic rim due to pericellular condensation of intercellular matrix, well viewed on electron microscope examination. When their cytoplasm is filled with vacuoles, cells take up typical physaliphorous appearance. Chordomas cells express epithelial differentiation antigens (low molecular weight cytokeratins, EMA, CAM 52, HFM 62, even CEA), Vimentin and S-100 Protein: this triple positivity allow differentiation between chordomas and numerous others tumors. Correct treatment of chordoma is achieved with an initially complete excision. Local recurrences are frequent and sometimes inoperable: in this cases radiotherapy alone may be performed (70 grays). Sarcomas (fibroblastic or Malignant fibrous histiocytoma) may occur after radiotherapy or without it. Hematogenous metastasis occur in 10% to 15% of patients. Survival rate at five years is included between 50% and 75%. Chondroid chordoma is a special entity occurring in younger patients (35 year old) and located in spheno-occipital region. In addition to chordomas it contain chondroid (benign or malignant) islands. Mean survival rate (16 years) is far better than for chordoma or chondrosarcoma.

Adult

[Approach to age determination based on dental morphological criteria obtained in microradiography, stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy].

The determination of the age owing to the morphology of permanent teeth has been done in 14 men and women, using criteria proposed by Gustafson. It was faithful, the difference between age determined by this method and the true age of these patients being never superior to 3 years. The application of scanning electron microscopy allows to improve some of the criteria used for this determination, especially that based upon the dentinal senescence.

Adult

[Lymphomas and AIDS].

We report 21 cases of lymphomas associated with AIDS. Sixteen cases are Non Hodgkin's lymphomas of high grade malignancy. Immunoblastic B cell lymphomas are frequent: 11 cases/16, especially with extra nodal localisations. Three cases are Burkitt's lymphoma; 2 cases are large non cleaved cell lymphoma. Five cases of Hodgkin's disease are associated with AIDS related complex syndrome (ARC) showing the interest of lymph node biopsy in such patients. We analyzed 6 cases with lymphoid bone marrow infiltration and discuss the relationship between prelymphomatous states and low grade malignant lymphomas in AIDS or ARC patients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

[Mandibular mucoepidermoid tumor].

One case of mandibular mucoepidermoid tumour was observed in a 57 years old man. A progressive swelling of the mandible was shown with an osteolytic feature on roentgenograms. It was treated by hemimandibulectomy. Grossly, the neoplasm was partly cystic. Histologically, it was mainly composed of intermediate clear cells. Its ultrastructure was quite similar to that of mucoepidermoid tumours in other sites. Heterotopic salivary lobules, though lacking in our case, seem to play the major role in the genesis of these tumours.

Carcinoma