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Biomedical subjects

S Huchcroft

Publications and source records attributed to S Huchcroft.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Cancer in the mothers and siblings of testicular cancer patients.

Some families seem to have an increased risk of several different cancers and a reduced risk of others. Either genetic predisposition or a shared environment may explain this familial clustering, and the type of cause can affect how family members should be advised. We used data from a case-control study to examine the risk of cancer in the mother, sisters and brothers of men with testicular cancer. Our results show a significant relative risk (RR=1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-2.6) of cancer for sisters of testicular cancer patients in comparison with the sisters of controls. When data were combined for brothers and sisters, the RR for all cancers was 1.53 (CI: 1.1-2.3). Despite the limitations of our data, there is evidence for cancer clustering in the families of testicular cancer patients. Unfortunately, the evidence is consistent with either a genetic or environmental etiology.

Cluster Analysis↗
PubMed1998

Survival rates among Canadian children and teenagers with cancer diagnosed between 1985 and 1988.

PURPOSE: To describe the survival rates among Canadian children and teenagers with cancer diagnosed between 1985 and 1988 using population-based data, specifically for the more common forms of childhood cancer, and to assess the effect of age at diagnosis and sex as prognostic factors for selected childhood cancers. DESIGN: Retrospective survival study based on incident cases of cancer identified by the National Cancer Incidence Reporting System and follow-up ascertained by computer record linkage to the Canadian Mortality Database. SUBJECTS: A total of 4409 patients with cancer first diagnosed at 19 years of age or younger between 1985 and 1988, and followed up to Dec. 31, 1991. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival rates calculated at 1, 3 and 5 years according to the actuarial life table and the proportional hazards models. RESULTS: The 5-year survival rate for all cancers combined was 71%. Females with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and astrocytoma had markedly higher survival rates than their male counterparts (p < 0.05). Age at diagnosis was a significant predictor of survival among children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (p < 0.01), infants having a substantially poorer prognosis than older children. Conversely, the survival rate among infants with neuroblastoma was higher than that among older children, 87% surviving for 5 years after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The survival rate among Canadian children and teenagers with cancer is favourable in relation to the rate among adults with cancer. Nonetheless, the 5-year survival rates for several childhood cancers remain poor (i.e., less than 65%). The survival rates among Canadian children with cancer are similar to those among children with cancer in other developed countries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Physical activity, medical history, and risk of testicular cancer (Alberta and British Columbia, Canada).

In order to evaluate risk factors for germ cell cancers, we conducted a case-control study of 510 men with testicular cancer aged 15 to 79 years and 996 randomly selected age-matched controls in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. Subjects completed a mailed questionnaire providing data on education level, ethnic origin, medical history, smoking, occupation, and recreational and sports activity. The response rate among cases was 80.3 percent and among controls was 68.1 percent. After controlling for age and ethnic origin, undescended testis was associated positively with risk of testicular cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 3.5; 95 percent confidence interval [CI] = 2.2-5.7) as was inguinal hernia requiring surgery (OR = 2.0, CI = 1.3-2.9), and hydrocoele (OR = 2.6, CI = 1.4-5.1). Risk of testicular cancer increased with height, with subjects taller than 180 cm having a significantly increased risk compared with those 174 cm or less (OR = 1.5, CI = 1.1-2.1). A moderate to high level of recreational activity level was associated inversely with testicular cancer risk (OR = 0.6, CI = 0.5-0.8).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Midazolam coinduction does not delay discharge after very brief propofol anaesthesia.

Previous reports have demonstrated synergism of midazolam and propofol for induction of anaesthesia in humans. We tested the hypothesis that in the presence of alfentanil, the combination of midazolam with propofol for a very brief operative procedure would not affect the recovery phase. During pre-oxygenation, 64 outpatients scheduled for dilatation and curettage received placebo, or low-dose midazolam (0.03 mg.kg-1), or high-dose midazolam (0.06 mg.kg-1) iv, in a randomized double-blind manner. They then received alfentanil 10 micrograms.kg-1 iv, followed by titrated doses of propofol iv for induction and maintenance of anaesthesia. Ventilation with 70% N2O in O2 by mask was controlled to achieve a PETCO2 30-40 mmHg. Outcome measures were: propofol dose (induction and maintenance), time until eye-opening to command, and time to discharge-readiness. Propofol induction dose was decreased by increasing doses of midazolam (P = 0.00005). Midazolam delayed time to eye-opening (P = 0.02) but not time to discharge-readiness. This study had an 80% power to detect a 39 min difference in time to discharge-readiness. We conclude that midazolam propofol co-induction in the presence of alfentanil delays eye-opening, but does not delay discharge after anaesthesia.

Alfentanil↗
PubMed1995

The ultimate modification in the modified neck dissection.

PURPOSE: A study was undertaken to study the potential benefits for function and regional recurrence of preserving the sensory ventral branches of the cervical plexus in modified neck dissections. METHODS: Fifteen cases of squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma of the head and neck in which the sensory nerves were spared were matched to 15 cases in which the nerves were sacrificed. The subjects were examined for sensory loss, questioned regarding acute and chronic dysfunction, and followed for regional recurrence for a minimum of 2 years. RESULTS: The group whose nerves were preserved had significantly less sensory loss and a lower incidence of acute and chronic dysfunction. No subjects in either group had regional recurrence. CONCLUSION: The results of this initial study support a policy of routine preservation of the sensory ventral branches of the cervical plexus when there is no direct tumor involvement.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1992

Arm function after axillary dissection for breast cancer: a pilot study to provide parameter estimates.

Sixty-three women participated in a study in Calgary, Alberta to assess the rate of arm recovery and factors affecting it up to one year after axillary node dissection for breast cancer. Outcomes included objective measures of swelling, mobility, and strength, and subjective assessments of pain (at rest and with movement) and stiffness. Approximately 42% of women had residual impairment of at least one type one year after surgery, the most common problems being pain (16%) and reduced grip strength (16%). Except for lymphedema, measurements one year after surgery showed little change from measurements at 6 months, suggesting that the shorter follow-up may be appropriate for assessing the long term effects of axillary dissection. Lymphedema was the only sequela which increased over time. The results provide parameter estimates for designing studies to evaluate the role of physiotherapy after axillary dissection.

Arm↗
PubMed1991

Prognostic significance of proliferative activity of diffuse large cell lymphomas.

Diffuse large cell and immunoblastic lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of tumors. They differ phenotypically and genotypically, and their clinical course varies in aggressiveness. This study evaluates the prognostic significance of proliferative activity and compares it with immunophenotype, genotype, and clinical data. Proliferative activity was measured by Ki-67 antibody. In 22 cases of diffuse large cell and immunoblastic lymphoma high proliferative activity (greater than 40%) was associated with longer disease-free survival (average 42 months). In contrast, the patients with lymphomas exhibiting low proliferative activity (less than 40%) died shortly after diagnosis (average 8 months). These differences are statistically significant and indicate a need for large-scale prospective studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Immunotherapy of murine hepatic metastases with lymphokine-activated killer cells expanded in serum-free media and recombinant interleukin 2.

It has been shown that the systemic administration of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells with recombinant interleukin 2 (RIL-2) is effective in reducing the number of established pulmonary and hepatic metastases in murine models. Similarly, this modality of therapy has been proven effective against certain selected human tumors as well. In view of the rising concern with transmission of virally related communicable diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS, we have undertaken the evaluation of a serum-free medium (AIM V) for the generation and expansion of murine LAK cells for use in in vivo tumor immunotherapy against murine hepatic metastases. Day 3 LAK cells generated in AIM V medium demonstrated a greater percentage of viable cells than cells generated in serum containing complete medium (CM) (mean percentage of yield, 59 versus 25%, AIM V medium versus CM, respectively, P less than 0.001, N = 6 consecutive experiments). When day 3 LAK cells were transferred to new medium (CM to CM and AIM V to AIM V), a highly reproducible expansion of these cells was demonstrated which was significantly better for cells expanded in AIM V medium versus cells expanded in CM (mean fold expansion on day 21 of culture; 201 versus 54, AIM V medium versus CM, respectively, P less than 0.005, N = 4 consecutive experiments). When day 3 LAK cells, day 5 expanded LAK cells, and day 13 expanded LAK cells grown in CM or in AIM V medium were given in vivo with RIL-2 to mice harboring hepatic metastases, cells grown in AIM V medium demonstrated an increased antitumor activity compared to cells grown in CM. As an example in experiment 1, the mean number of metastases with day 5 expanded LAK cells grown in CM and given with RIL-2 was 47 while the mean number of metastases with day 5 expanded LAK cells grown in AIM V medium and given with RIL-2 was 5 (P less than 0.002). These experiments demonstrate that AIM V medium can be utilized to generate greater numbers of murine LAK cells with enhanced in vivo antitumor activity compared to cells generated in CM. These findings could be applied to the expansion of cytotoxic cells for human antitumor therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Compliance with postpartum Rh isoimmunization prophylaxis in Alberta.

A retrospective review of obstetric records for 1979 in two major Calgary hospitals was undertaken to determine the rate of compliance with postpartum Rh isoimmunization prophylaxis in Alberta. The charts of 4528 women ranging in age from 13 to 46 years were reviewed. The prevalence rate of Rh negativity was found to be 16%. Of the 710 Rh-negative women 490 (69%) were eligible to receive Rh immune globulin (RhIG); that is, they had no anti-D antibodies, and the baby/fetus was Rh-positive or Rh-unknown. RhIG had been administered to 93.6% of the eligible women; the compliance rate ranged from 66.7% for obstetric emergencies (i.e., spontaneous abortion, antepartum or early-pregnancy hemorrhage, or ectopic pregnancy) to 98.2% for postpartum diagnoses. In more than half (54.7%) of the women who underwent amniocentesis Rh type was not determined; the implications of this finding are discussed. Although poor compliance with postpartum RhIG administration is not a reason for withholding antepartum administration of RhIG, maximum compliance with the more cost-effective programs should be attained before antepartum programs are fully implemented.

Adolescent↗