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W Gassmann

Publications and source records attributed to W Gassmann.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Acute eosinophilic leukemia: characterization by cytochemistry, chromosomal analysis, and in vitro colony formation.

A pericentric inversion of chromosome 16 and acute myelomonocytic leukemia [AMMoL, M4 French-American-British (FAB)] with abnormal bone marrow eosinophils has recently been shown to form a new cytogenetic-clinicopathological entity. A patient otherwise undistinguishable from the more typical cases but lacking the FAB criteria for AMMoL is described. In such a situation, in vitro colony formation closely resembling that of acute myoblastic leukemia together with the clinical, morphological, cytochemical, and cytogenetic characteristics reported might serve as an indicator that these patients run an acute course justifying a diagnosis of acute eosinophilic leukemia and immediate institution of aggressive chemotherapy. The importance of the in vitro growth pattern regarding the differential diagnosis of disorders associated with predominant proliferation of eosinophils is discussed.

Acute Disease↗

Danazol in acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenic purpura: a case report.

Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenic purpura is a rare disease. Most reported patients did not respond to any therapeutical approach. Recently we observed a striking improvement of this disorder in a female patient shortly after therapy with danazol had been initiated. This observation and its possible implication for the treatment of amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia are reported herein.

Adult↗

Staging systems for multiple myeloma: a comparison.

In 152 patients with multiple myeloma who had been treated with cytostatic agents the prognostic value of seven staging systems was evaluated: Carbone et al (1967); Acute Leukemia Group B (ALGB) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) (Costa et al, 1973); Southeastern Cancer Study Group (SECSG) (1975); Durie & Salmon (1975); Alexanian et al (1975); Merlini et al (1980); British Medical Research Council (1980). The staging systems of the ALGB (Costa et al, 1973) and SECSG (1975), both dividing patients into 'good risk' and 'poor risk' groups, showed significantly different survival curves. Nevertheless, despite statistical significance the observed differences were rather small. In the systems of Carbone et al (1967), Merlini et al (1980), Alexanian et al (1975) and Durie & Salmon (1975) some of the differences in the survival curves were statistically significant while others were not. Our data best fitted into the British Medical Research Council (1980) staging system, the survival curves of all three stages showing significant differences, with median survival time dropping from 83 months in stage A to 52 months in stage B and 26 months in stage C. Nevertheless, none of those systems was clearly superior to single risk factors, especially creatinine and haemoglobin.

Adult↗

[Results of high-dose cytarabine therapy. A review].

Of the many high-dose Ara-C regimens that have been proposed, the one published by Herzig [24] has been applied most widely. Every 12 h patients receive 3 g/m2 Ara-C for 75-90 minutes for a total of 12 doses. Using that regimen, 25% of patients with refractory acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and 60% of patients in untreated relapse achieve a complete remission (CR). With few exceptions, complete remissions are obtained after one cycle, median remission duration is between 4 and 6 months. Consolidation or maintenance therapy was not usually given. Currently, numerous modifications of that regimen are under investigation: combinations with other cytostatic agents like anthracyclins, m-AMSA, vincristine; the Capizzi-regimen and intermediate dose Ara-C. Preliminary results of those trials are promising but need to be confirmed by other groups. This survey does not comment on Ara-C toxicity and on Ara-C treatment of CNS leukemia, which are both reviewed in two further articles of this issue.

Acute Disease↗

[Experiences with cytomegalovirus hyperimmunoglobulin after bone marrow transplantation].

The effects of an intravenous hyperimmune cytomegalovirus globulin after bone marrow transplantation are reported. From day -1 22 patients received 2 ml/kg body weight every two weeks during the first four months after BMT. Infusions were tolerated without any side effects. In three patients a CMV-infection could be documented which was symptomatic in two of them. A further patient experienced a CMV infection during the pretransplant phase before hyperimmune globulin had been administered. The most severe case presented as a nonlethal interstitial pneumonia.

Adolescent↗

[Analysis of prognostic factors in plasmacytoma].

For analysis of prognostic factors the clinical course of 109 patients with multiple myeloma was evaluated. Survival curves of immunoglobulin (Ig)G- and IgA-myelomas were identical (Fig. 1) with median survival times of 52 and 42 months, respectively, whereas patients with IgD- and Bence-Jones-myeloma had short survival times (median 3 months). Most important risk factors were anemia, renal insufficiency, and hypercalcemia (Figs. 7 and 8). Median survival time dropped from 52 months (Hb above 100 g/l) to 22 (Hb 85-100 g/l) and 1 month (Hb below 85 g/l). Patients with serum creatinine values below 2 mg/dl lived significantly longer than those with values above. Median survival times were 52 and 1 month, respectively. All seven hypercalcemic patients had a renal insufficiency and were in a very poor condition; their median survival time was 1 month. Analysis of the widely used staging system of Durie and Salmon gave disappointing results. Survival curves of the three A-stages ran close together with median survival times of 58, 51, and 36 months. Only the A-B classification according to renal function (A: creatinine under 2 mg/dl; B: creatinine above 2 mg/dl) proved prognostically relevant.

Aged↗

Acute myelomonocytic leukemia with involvement of eosinophils and inversion of chromosome 16.

A case of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) with abnormal marrow eosinophils is presented. Thorough morphological, cytochemical, and cytogenetic studies confirm the existence of a recently defined new cytogenetic-morphological entity: acute myelomonocytic leukemia with abnormal bone marrow eosinophils (FAB M4), chloracetate esterase- and periodic acid-Schiff-positivity of eosinophilic granules, and pericentric inversion of chromosome 16, in this case combined with trisomy 8. So far 18 such cases have been reported from a single institution. The implications of this new association on the diagnosis of acute leukemia with abnormal eosinophils are discussed.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Hodgkin's disease.

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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

[Problems of intravenous urography in patients with plasmocytoma].

Numerous reports refer to the development of acute renal failure following intravenous urography in patients with multiple myeloma, while other authors consider the risk to be acceptable if abdominal compression and dehydration are avoided and alkalization of urine is carried out. The outcome of 34 intravenous urographies with Conray 70, Conray FL, and Conray 36 has been evaluated in 26 patients with multiple myeloma. No case of acute renal failure was observed. Two patients experienced a mild increase (greater than 0.3 mg/dl) in serum creatinine levels. Mean value of serum creatinine was 1.28 mg/dl prior to and 1.18 mg/dl after urography. In three of four patients with preexisting azotemia serum creatinine levels fell after urography, while in the fourth a mild increase from 2.0 mg/dl to 2.5 mg/dl five days after the examination was observed. Data from the literature in addition to own data are presented. From all the data taken together we conclude that intravenous urography may carry a moderately increased risk of acute renal failure in patients with multiple myeloma. It may be performed if the indication is well established.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Prognostic factors in COPP-treated patients with Hodgkin's disease.

In a recently published review of the literature [40] we came to the conclusion that the Ann-Arbor staging classification is of limited prognostic value for chemotherapy of Hodgkin's disease (Table 2). Four risk factors accounted for impaired complete remission rates: stage IVB, lymphocyte depletion or not classifiable histologic type, previous chemotherapy, and older age. Fifty-eight evaluable patients were treated with COPP; 23 reached a complete remission (40%). Disease-free survival was 31%, overall survival 49% after five years [33]. Besides the known risk factors, impaired bone marrow function (leucocyte counts less than 4 X 10(9)/l, platelet counts less than 100 X 10(9)/l) at the start of therapy was associated with poor treatment results: none of six patients achieved a complete remission [41]. Eleven of 16 patients with no and 11 of 23 patients with one risk factor achieved a complete remission, as did only one patient with more than one risk factor. Survival rates after 30 months were: 87% with no, 66% with one, 36% with two, and 13% with more than two risk factors. We can conclude from our results that the prognosis of patients undergoing chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease depends on the number of risk factors.

Cyclophosphamide↗