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Biomedical subjects

Walley J Temple

Publications and source records attributed to Walley J Temple.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Conservation surgery for breast cancer as the preferred choice: a prospective analysis.

PURPOSE: To describe the proportion of women who anticipate having breast-conserving surgery (BCS) versus modified radical mastectomy (MRM), the factors they considered when making treatment choices, the degree to which they perceived they had participated in and had control of the treatment decision, and to explore factors associated with type of planned surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study conducted among patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Alberta, Canada from 1992 to 1995. Participants had a first diagnosis of localized unilateral breast cancer, and were, in the opinions of their surgeons, candidates for either BCS or MRM. RESULTS: Of 157 participants, 71.3% anticipated having BCS and 28.7% anticipated MRM. Referents perceived to play an important role in decision making included self, doctor, and significant other. The two top-ranked items perceived to have influenced treatment choice were doctor's advice and possibility of complete cure. Most women (60%) participated in treatment choice to the degree that they preferred, but only 13.6% received their preferred amount of information. The type of planned surgery was predicted by surgeon, contribution of doctor to choice of treatment, importance of breasts to sexuality, self-efficacy, and concerns about cancer recurrence from a multivariable logistic regression model. CONCLUSION: Both patient and surgeon factors are important predictors of type of planned surgery. There is a gap between women's preferences and actual experiences with regard to information provided and patient participation in treatment choices, with women's desire for more information about their treatment being most prevalent.

Adult↗

Tension pneumothorax secondary to colonic perforation during diagnostic colonoscopy: report of a case.

We report a case of tension pneumothorax, which occurred secondary to colonic perforation during a colonoscopy. The patient was a 77-year-old woman in whom acute respiratory decompensation developed suddenly during a diagnostic colonoscopy for iron deficiency anemia. We diagnosed bilateral pneumothoraces, tension pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, pneumoperitoneum, and emphysema of the face, neck, and chest. At laparotomy, a posterior colonic perforation was identified at the site of an ileocolic anastomosis performed 3 years earlier. We performed a primary repair and the patient was discharged from hospital 12 days later. Although diagnostic colonoscopy-induced intestinal perforation is rare, it is the most common and serious complication associated with this procedure. Occasionally, air spreads from the retroperitoneum into continuous tissue planes and decompresses into the adjacent structures. To our knowledge, this is the first report of two unique manifestations of diagnostic colonoscopy-induced intestinal perforation: tension pneumothorax and perforation at the site of a previous anastomosis. Both of these conditions should be considered in the event of acute respiratory failure in the endoscopy suite.

Aged↗

Extra-axial chordoma.

Chordomas are low-grade malignant tumors of bone that occur almost exclusively in the axial skeleton. Other neoplasms with a similar histologic picture but an extra-axial location have been described, including parachordoma, myxoid chondrosarcoma, and extra-axial chordoma. We herein present another case of the rare extra-axial chordoma. A 41-year-old woman developed an 8.3 cm mass in the pubic bone. The gross, microscopic, and immunohistochemical findings were identical to those of a classic chordoma. Parachordoma and myxoid chondrosarcoma were excluded from the differential diagnosis. Five previously reported cases of extra-axial chordoma were reviewed and found also to demonstrate clinical and pathologic features specific to chordoma, despite arising in an extra-axial location. Although rare, extra-axial chordoma does exist and should be recognized and managed in a similar fashion to its well-described counterpart. It must be differentiated from other histologic mimics, because the treatment and prognosis can differ significantly.

Adult↗

Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (modified Eilber protocol) provides maximum local control and minimal morbidity in patients with soft tissue sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Local recurrence rates of 15% to 30% after treatment of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) are still common but unacceptable. Our hypothesis was that a refined neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation protocol (modified Eilber protocol) improves local control rates while minimizing major morbidity. METHODS: Consecutive patients with STS deep to the fascia of the extremity or trunk during 1984 to 1996 were treated with 3 days of doxorubicin (30 mg/day) and sequential radiation (300 cGy/day for 10 days). Wide excision with limb preservation was performed 4 to 8 weeks after radiation completion. Treatment complications, margins, local recurrence, and survival were prospectively documented. RESULTS: Of 75 patients, 66% had tumors >5 cm, and 71% were grade 2/3. In eight patients, negative margins were not achieved, and four of these had amputation (95% limb salvage). Three of the remaining four had local recurrence with a 5- and 7-year actuarial local control rate of 50% and 25%, respectively. In contrast, of the 67 patients with negative margins, a local control rate of 97% at 5 years and 94% at 7 years and an overall survival of 63% were achieved. Although margin (P = .001) and stage (P = .035) were correlated, these were not significant on multivariate Cox regression analysis. Risk factors for death included tumor stage (hazard ratio, 1.54; P = .001) and tumor grade (hazard ratio, 1.4; P = .02). Three patients (4%) required reoperation for tissue loss, and eight patients (10.6%) developed minor wound complications. CONCLUSIONS: This modified Eilber protocol seems to maximize local control and minimize major wound complications for extremity/truncal STS.

Adolescent↗

Groin soft tissue tumors--a challenge for local control and reconstruction: a prospective cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Groin soft tissue tumors are associated with high local recurrence rates of 16-48% and postoperative complications in 40-68%. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation and aggressive reconstructive techniques were utilized to improve local control and complication rates in this challenging area. METHODS: Nine patients in this prospective series were treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation (30 mg IV doxorubicin x 3d followed by 300 cGy/d x 10d) followed by surgery and two patients received radiation (5,000 cGy with tissue spacer) followed by surgery for tumors with a pelvic/retroperitoneal component. Surgery included resection plus reconstruction of the abdominal wall, myocutaneous flaps for large defects, and vascular reconstruction as necessary. RESULTS: The 11 consecutive patients presented with Stage I (30%), II (40%), or III (30%) disease. Four patients (36%) were operated on for possible incarcerated hernia prior to referral and two (18%) presented with recurrent tumors. Pathology included 10 sarcomas and 1 desmoid tumor; tumor grade was low (30%), moderate (40%), or high (30%). Local control (mean follow-up 55 months; minimum follow-up 36 months) and limb salvage rate was 100%. Minor wound complications not requiring re-operation occurred in three patients, lymphedema in two, and there were no postoperative hernias. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative therapy provides excellent local control of groin soft tissue tumors. Current surgical techniques allow extensive resection with limb salvage, dependable primary wound healing and long-term integrity of the abdominal wall.

Abdominal Wall↗

Decompressive tube esophagostomy: a forgotten palliative procedure?

Many patients with complete, irreversible upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract obstruction will require decompression for relief of intractable nausea and vomiting. Nasogastric (NG) tubes are associated with patient discomfort and risk. Gastrostomy tubes may not be technically feasible in a small subset of patients with advanced upper GI tract malignancy. Decompressive tube esophagostomy is an underutilized, minimally invasive alternative in such patients. We present a case report, a description of the procedure, and a review of the literature for this palliative procedure.

Adult↗

Celiac disease: diagnosis at laparoscopy.

A 27-year-old woman was found to have an abnormal small bowel at the time of an elective laparoscopic tubal ligation. Subsequent investigation revealed celiac disease to be the underlying cause. The changes identified are believed to reflect an increased intestinal blood flow, which has been identified in the diagnostic imaging literature to be associated with active celiac disease. Further study of this feature of celiac disease may provide additional insights into its pathophysiology.

Adult↗

The computer synoptic operative report--a leap forward in the science of surgery.

BACKGROUND: Quality of surgery is a proven prognostic factor in many tumors. It is critical to ensure that an effective method is in place to evaluate surgery accurately. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A provincial Cancer Surgery Working Group designed and piloted a computerized synoptic operative report template (WebSMR) in rectal cancer surgery, to replace the standard narrative operative record (NR). This included a precise description of the procedure, data on demographics, diagnostic evaluation, staging, and functional measures. A total of 70 items for anterior resection (AR) and 63 items for abdominoperinal excision (APR) were included. The WebSMR was assessed for comparison with 40 NR randomly selected from seven hospitals in Southern Alberta from 2001 to 2003. RESULTS: The NR contained 45.9% of the specified data elements and the WebSMR captured 99%. The most complete NR data (68.8% to 97%) concerned hospital and patient data, anesthetist and surgeon information, approach, and closure details. The important details of laparotomy and tumor resection were the next most complete data (33.5% to 47.5%) and the least complete (0 to 25%) concerned preoperative treatment, comorbidity, and metastatic and local assessment. All differences among these groups were statistically different (P < .001). No statistically significant differences were seen in the completeness of the NR according to the type of surgery (AR vs. APR; P = .1) or the dictating surgeon (colorectal vs. general vs. resident; P = .175). The time needed to complete the WebSMR test was only 6 minutes. CONCLUSION: The science of surgical technique can be better measured by this unique instrument and will create accountability in surgery.

Data Collection↗

Hemipelvectomy: a changing perspective for a rare procedure.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prognosis of patients undergoing a hemipelvectomy (HP) in the treatment of pelvic sarcomas and carcinomas and to review the morbidity and mortality associated with HP. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: The Foothills Hospital, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta. PATIENTS: Thirteen patients with clinically and radiographically isolated malignancies involving the bony pelvis and adjacent structures. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were treated with either an external HP (9 patients) or internal HP (4) in 1983-2001. OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival and recurrence rates for patients in 2 histopathologic groups (sarcoma v. carcinoma); morbidity and mortality associated with HP. RESULTS: Hemipelvectomy was performed for 7 sarcomas (4 primary bone and 3 soft tissue) and 6 carcinomas (5 genital tract and 1 unknown primary). Seven of the 9 external HPs involved composite resection of other pelvic structures, including other pelvic viscera (3 patients), sacrum (3) and portions of lumbar vertebrae and nerves (1). There were no additional resections among the 4 internal HPs, but 3 patients had allograft reconstruction. Length of stay averaged 30 days (range 14-70 d). At least 1 complication occurred in 10 of 13 cases. The most common complication was flap necrosis occurring in 5 patients (38%). There was 1 perioperative death (8%). The survival of patients treated for sarcomas was better than for carcinomas, which were primarily of the genital tract. Only 1 of the patients with a pelvic sarcoma died of disease (86% disease-specific survival), with a median follow-up of 12 months (range 9-108 mo). Of the 7 sarcoma patients 5 were disease-free at last follow-up. One of 6 pelvic carcinoma patients died perioperatively, with another dying of unknown causes 4 months after surgery. Of the 4 remaining patients 3 died of disease, resulting in a median survival of 9 months (range 4-20 mo). Four of 6 patients with pelvic carcinomas developed recurrent disease, none local. CONCLUSIONS: HP has considerable morbidity but is a viable and potentially curative treatment for patients with pelvic sarcomas. With pelvic carcinomas HP was not curative, but did provide short-term local disease control. Future improvements in imaging techniques and quality-of-life studies may help with patient selection. The role of HP in recurrent carcinoma remains to be determined.

Adolescent↗

Survey of colorectal cancer screening practices in a large Canadian urban centre.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is an ideal tumour for population-based screening policies. Screening guidelines are based on differing levels of evidence and opinion. The objective of this study was to determine current CRC screening practices in Alberta. METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to all family physicians, gastroenterologists, general and colorectal surgeons, and general internal medicine specialists in a large Canadian urban centre. Results tabulated included response rate, specialty, presence/absence of a screening policy, and policy type. RESULTS: The 922 surveys mailed resulted in a 61% response rate. Among the responses, 58% (95% confidence interval [CI] 53.6%-62.6%) of physicians recommended screening to healthy individuals without a family history of CRC, and 96% (CI 94.7%-98%; p < 0.0001) to those with a family history. For patients without a family history of CRC, the majority of physicians chose the age of 50 to initiate screening (63%) by fecal occult blood testing (79%) or, less frequently, colonoscopy (26%). Screening frequency varied by the modality used. In individuals with a family history of CRC, most physicians initiated screening prior to the index case (45%) or by age 40 (31%), mostly with colonoscopy (84%); screening frequency varied mainly by modality. CONCLUSION: Despite the evidence supporting CRC screening in all persons at average risk, only 58% of physicians currently recommend screening to patients with no family history of CRC. Fecal occult blood testing was recommended most frequently in this subgroup, whereas most physicians screen people with a family history of CRC via colonoscopy, suggesting that they believe it to be a superior screening modality. As this looks to be the trend in practice, a randomized controlled trial comparing fecal occult testing with screening colonoscopy is needed.

Adult↗

Desmoid tumors: a novel approach for local control.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: After resection, desmoid tumors are associated with a recurrence rate that is typically 25-50%. Although this is an unusual problem, we instituted a prospective cohort study with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation, followed by surgical resection, in an effort to improve local control. METHODS: Between 1985 and 1999, 13 patients with potentially resectable disease were managed with a treatment protocol of preoperative doxorubicin (30 mg continuous infusion daily for 3 days) and radiotherapy (10 x 300 cGy). Resection was performed 4-6 weeks later. All lesions were resected with an intended margin of 1 cm, but clear adventitial margins were accepted in order to preserve critical structures. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 71 months (range, 22-109). Six patients (46%) presented after failure of a previous surgery. Clear microscopic margins were obtained in 11 patients, and 2 patients had positive margins. There were two local recurrences (15% local recurrence). Both recurrences followed resection of large thigh lesions, which appeared at 30 and 49 months of follow-up. In one patient with a chest wall tumor, two new primary desmoid tumors developed outside the treatment area, in the ipsilateral arm and forearm. Eleven patients have been disease free for a median of 71 months (range, 22-109). CONCLUSIONS: For potentially resectable lesions, this protocol provides excellent local control, even in those with recurrent disease. Neoadjuvant treatment with doxorubicin and radiotherapy appears to be a better option than surgery alone, or surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy. These results need to be confirmed in larger, prospective randomized trials.

Adolescent↗

Biology of lymphatic metastases in breast cancer: lessons learned from sentinel node biopsy.

BACKGROUND: The evolution of sentinel node biopsy has placed new emphasis on the biology of lymphatic metastases in breast cancer. If radiocolloid mimics the migration of tumor cells, the nodes with the most uptake should also be the most likely to harbor metastatic cells. We attempted to correlate the frequency of metastatic disease to the greatest gamma uptake and to clarify the physiology of breast lymphatic drainage. METHODS: Data were collected from 152 patients undergoing sentinel node biopsy from January 1997 to June 1999. Localization was by injection of unfiltered (99m)Tc-labeled sulfur colloid. Sentinel nodes were identified with an intraoperative gamma counter and the 10% rule. A completion level I/II axillary dissection was performed in all patients. RESULTS: Fifty-four of 152 patients were positive for metastatic disease. There were no false-negative sentinel nodes. In 46 (85%) of 54 cases, the node with the highest uptake was positive for metastatic disease. In the remaining eight (15%) cases, another node with a lower gamma count was positive. CONCLUSIONS: The sentinel node with the highest uptake is not the one that contains metastatic disease in 15% of cases. This may reflect variations in lymphatic channels or technical variations in colloid properties and injection technique.

Adult↗