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T E Merchant

Publications and source records attributed to T E Merchant.

75 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor of bone as a second malignant neoplasm in a child previously treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

PURPOSE: Although rare, second malignant neoplasms (SMNs) are a devastating consequence of successful treatment of childhood cancer. The 15-year estimated risk of developing a second malignant neoplasm after treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is 2.5%. Most of these neoplasms are central nervous system tumors. The risk of secondary acute myeloid leukemia has been negligible in most treatment regimens. Here, we report the first case of a primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) in a patient treated for ALL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 15.7-year-old girl developed pain in her left leg 7 years after diagnosis of low-risk ALL. Imaging studies revealed lytic lesions in her left proximal tibia and several vertebra as well as metastatic nodules in both lungs. RESULTS: Immunocytochemical and molecular analyses led to the diagnosis of PNET. The treatment of this SMN was composed of combination chemotherapy with hematopoietic growth factor support and radiotherapy to the primary lesion and affected spine. The tumor recurred 5 months after the completion of treatment, and the patient is now undergoing salvage therapy composed of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report of PNET as an SMN after successful treatment of ALL.

Adolescent↗

Exclusion from mammographic screening of women genetically predisposed to breast cancer will probably eliminate mammographically induced breast cancer.

In this paper we present our view on the contribution of mammography examinations to breast cancer induction in patients with hereditary breast cancer predisposition. We contradict the usual reasoning that the benefits of early breast cancer detection outweigh the small number of induced breast cancers. Though this tenet is justified in the majority of women, yet in a small, readily identifiable group of hereditary effected women, radiation even in small doses may enhance oncogenesis. If this relatively small group of patients is barred from mammography and regularly screened with other means, mammography may even become a more safe procedure.

Adult↗

Breast cancer induction due to mammographic screening in hereditarily affected women.

Breast cancer induction due to mammographic screening has aroused considerable controversy in the discussion of the safety of this procedure. We have attempted to shed some light on this problem by approaching it from both a theoretical and a mathematical point of view. We found that about 99% of mammographically induced breast cancers occur in the group of women who are carriers of a breast cancer gene. Our calculations suggest that in women with an inherited gene for breast cancer an extra tumour in one out of 10 women will be induced by 20 mammographical examinations. On the other hand, mammography is safe for non-gene carriers.

Breast Neoplasms↗