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Radiation Treatment Of Lung Cancer--Patterns Of Practice In Canada, Patricia Tai, Edward Yu, Jerry Battista, Jake Van Dyk

Edward Yu

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To assess the patterns of practice among Canadian radiation oncologists who treat lung cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire detailing different aspects of radiation treatment of lung cancer was mailed to all radiation oncologists treating lung cancer in Canada. Seventy-two percent (74/103) of radiation oncologists who treat lung cancer from all 34 Canadian cancer centres replied to the questionnaire. RESULTS: (a) Radiotherapy regimens in Canadian cancer centres are in accordance with several major randomised studies. There is still some variation in treatment practice that may be due to unresolved controversies or limited resources. The most frequently used …

Subsets More Likely To Benefit From Surgery Or Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation After Chemoradiation For Localized Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer, Bruce Keith, Mark Vincent, Larry Stitt, Anna Tomiak, Richard Malthaner, Edward Yu, Pauline Truong, Richard Inculet, Michael Lefcoe, A. Dar, Walter Kocha, Ian Craig

Edward Yu

After chemoradiation for localized non-small-cell lung cancer, surgery and prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) have been used as additional therapies. Less than a third of patients develop brain recurrences, or have local recurrence as their sole initial site of recurrence; these are groups that would benefit from PCI or surgery, respectively. Pretreatment identification of patients more likely to benefit from surgery or PCI would be useful. A retrospective analysis of 80 patients was performed to determine prognostic factors for such patterns of failure. Twenty-nine patients were subsequently selected for surgery in a nonrandomized manner. Seventeen patients had isolated local initial recurrence …

Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation Revisited: Cost-Effectiveness And Quality Of Life In Small-Cell Lung Cancer, T. Tai, Edward Yu, Peter Dickof, Glen Beck, Jon Tonita, Tete Ago, David Skarsgard, Marlene Schmidt, Matthew Schmid, John Liem

Edward Yu

PURPOSE: To investigate the therapeutic usefulness and cost-effectiveness of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in patients with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) who had achieved a complete remission. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was undertaken of all patients diagnosed in Saskatchewan with SCLC between 1987 and 1998 inclusive. Patients who achieved a complete remission were divided into two groups, depending on whether they underwent PCI (PCI+ and PCI-, respectively). The quality-of-life-adjusted survival was estimated by the Q-TWiST method (quality time without symptoms and toxicity). The mean incremental costs per month of incremental OS were calculated in a cost-effectiveness analysis. RESULTS: Among …

Radiation Treatment For Cervical Esophagus: Patterns Of Practice Study In Canada, 1996, Patricia Tai, Jake Van Dyk, Edward Yu, Jerry Battista, Matthew Schmid, Larry Stitt, Jon Tonita, Terry Coad

Edward Yu

PURPOSE: To assess the patterns of practice among Canadian radiation oncologists who treat esophageal cancers, using a trans-Canada survey, completed at the end of 1996. METHODS AND MATERIALS: One of 3 case presentations of different stages of cervical esophageal cancer was randomly assigned and sent to participating radiation oncologists by mail. Respondents were asked to fill in questionnaires regarding treatment techniques and to outline target volumes for the boost phase of radiotherapy. Radiation oncologists from 26 of 27 (96%) of all Canadian centers participated. RESULTS: High-energy X-rays (>/= 10 MV) were employed by 68% of the respondents in part …

Oral Recurrent Aphthous Ulcers/Stomatitis: Prevalence In Malaysia And An Epidemiological Update, Rosnah Binti Zain

Prof. Dr. Rosnah Binti Zain

One of the objectives of this short communication was to add to the literature on the prevalence of oral recurrent aphthous stomatitis (ORAS). This research is based on a total of 11,697 randomly selected Malaysian subjects with an age range of 25-115 years and a mean age of 44.5 +/- 13.9 years who were examined for oral mucosal lesions (ORAS). The prevalence of ORAS detected during the oral examination (average point prevalence) was found to be 0.5% (64 subjects). ORAS formed 5.7% of all lesions detected during the survey. The average point prevalence of ORAS was highest in the indigenous …

Variability Of Target Volume Delineation In Cervical Esophageal Cancer, Patricia Tai, Jake Van Dyk, Edward Yu, Jerry Battista, Larry Stitt, Terry Coad

Edward Yu

PURPOSE: Three-dimensional (3D) conformal radiation therapy (CRT) assumes and requires the precise delineation of the target volume. To assess the consistency of target volume delineation by radiation oncologists, who treat esophageal cancers, we have performed a transCanada survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One of three case presentations, including CT scan images, of different stages of cervical esophageal cancer was randomly chosen and sent by mail. Respondents were asked to fill in questionnaires regarding treatment techniques and to outline boost target volumes for the primary tumor on CT scans, using ICRU-50 definitions. RESULTS: Of 58 radiation oncologists who agreed to participate, 48 …

Superior Vena Cava Obstruction In Small-Cell Lung Cancer, Roscoe Chan, A. Dar, Edward Yu, Larry Stitt, Francis Whiston, Pauline Truong, Mark Vincent, Walter Kocha

Edward Yu

PURPOSE: To identify prognostic or treatment factors influencing the response of superior vena cava obstruction (SVCO), time to SVCO recurrence, and overall survival of SCLC patients with SVCO at presentation; and to assess the role of retreatment in patients with SVCO at recurrent or persistent disease. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between January 1983 and November 1993, 76 consecutive patients who had small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) with SVCO were treated in our institution. Analysis was done according to the disease status at diagnosis of SVCO. The first analysis concerned a group of 50 patients who had SVCO at initial presentation. The second …

Impact Of Radiation Therapy Fraction Size On Local Control Of Early Glottic Carcinoma, Edward Yu, George Shenouda, Marie Beaudet, Martin Black

Edward Yu

Purpose: Different radiotherapy fractionation schedules were used over a 10-year period to treat patients with early squamous cell carcinoma of the vocal cords at McGill University. A retrospective analysis was performed to study the effect of fraction size on local control in this group of patients. Methods and materials: A total of 126 previously untreated patients with T1 invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the true vocal cords were irradiated between January 1978 and December 1988 in the Department of Radiation Oncology at McGill University. All patients received megavoltage irradiation, 94 patients received daily fractions > 2 Gy (64 patients received 50 …

Feminism For Men: Legal Ideology And The Construction Of Maleness, Nancy Levit

Nancy Levit

It may seem a little odd to suggest that feminist theory has overlooked men. Yet, in several important respects, apart from the role of culprit, men have been largely omitted from feminism. Feminist legal theorists have paid mild attention to the "Can men be feminists?" question but this issue is usually relegated to footnotes. The negative effect gender role stereotypes have on men is typically subsidiary to the main focus of feminist legal literature, which has concentrated on documenting the patterns of subordination of women and on questions of feminist ideology.

The primary purpose of this article is to suggest …

The Social Impact Of Oral And Facial Pain In An Industrial Population, Rosnah Binti Zain

Prof. Dr. Rosnah Binti Zain

The aim of this study is to determine the social impact of oral and facial pain in a sample involving an industrial population. Out of a total of 355 subjects interviewed, nearly one-half claimed to have oral and facial pain in the previous one month prior to the survey. The most common type of pain was that related to hot or cold fluids or sweet things followed by toothache. On the average, the pain lasted for 4.2 days (SD = 4.9) per person in the past one-month. About one in five persons with pain reported that it was severe enough …

The Dental Health Of Factory Workers In Pasir Gudang, Johor (Malaysia), Abdul Majid Z., Rosnah Binti Zain

Prof. Dr. Rosnah Binti Zain

A study on the oral health status of 198 factory workers (in Antara Steel, Pasir Gudang, Johor) was carried out in November 1986. The subjects were predominantly male (94%) and Malay (91%) with an average age of 27.4 years. The prevalence of caries was 87.4% with a mean DMFT of 7.1 + 5.4. There were 3 subjects with full upper, lower dentures and 16 subjects with partial dentures. Two subjects examined needed dentures but were not wearing them. Thirty five (17.7%) of those examined needed urgent extractions, and 8 needed emergency treatment for fillings. Enamel opacities were found in 141 …

The Cracked Tooth Syndrome--Crown Root Vertical Fracture, Rosnah Binti Zain, Majid Z. A.

Prof. Dr. Rosnah Binti Zain

A case of an incomplete tooth fracture followed by a complete fracture was presented. The difficulty of diagnosing this condition was discussed as well as the possible histological explanation of the symptoms experienced by the patient. It once again points out to practising dentists, that whilst deep pockets can give rise to severe periodontal pain, intense and excruciating pain should be investigated with the cracked tooth in mind.

Peripheral Ossifying Fibroma/Ossifying Fibrous Epulis, Rosnah Binti Zain, Janakarajah N.

Prof. Dr. Rosnah Binti Zain

This is a case report of a reactive lesion which occurs only in the gingiva. This lesion is of a long duration causing erosion of the superficial bone. Histologically it is similar to other epulides of the gingiva but in addition contains ossified tissue. The lesion's confusing terminology is being discussed in view of its understanding to an American-trained or a British-trained surgeon. A review of literature showed a recurrence rate of 7-20% thus making it mandatory for a close follow-up of the patient.

Traumatic Granuloma/Eosinophilic Ulcer, Rosnah Zain, Abdul Hamid J., Awang M. N.

Prof. Dr. Rosnah Binti Zain

Two case reports of an uncommon type of oral ulcerative lesion are presented. These lesions are of long duration, benign and reactive, and may clinically mimic a malignant ulcer. Histologically, these are deep lesions which exhibit 'pseudoinvasion' into skeletal muscle. There is a predominance of eosinophils while other chronic inflammatory cells such as plasma cells and histiocytes are in abundance. A brief review of the literature showed past treatment being surgical excision, incisional biopsy, radiation, cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen and no treatment. All modalities used result in resolution of the lesion.

Clinical Presentation Of Buccal Carcinoma. A Review Of Twenty Nine Patients, Janakarajah N., Rosnah Binti Zain

Prof. Dr. Rosnah Binti Zain

29 patients with buccal carcinoma were reviewed for the clinical signs and symptoms. The TNM classification following the UICC categories were used for the clinical staging of the lesion. The patient’s race, age, sex and habits were also noted. Most of these patients presented with advanced lesions. The most common signs and symptoms were pain and ulcerations (62%). The histopathology of a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma forms a great majority of these lesions (62%). Each of the sign and symptom is discussed in relation to other findings that had been reported.