Oncology Commons^™

Oncolog, Volume 44, Number 05, May 1999, Vickie J. Williams, Dawn Chalaire

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues)

• Researchers Seek Genetic Cues to High Prostate Cancer Incidence in African Americans
• House Call: "Got Milk?" Say Yes to Calcium's Benefits
• Overcoming Barriers to Pain Relief in Hispanic and African-American Patients
• Prostate Cancer Initiatives: Progress Through Collaboration
• Protocols: Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials

Clinico-Morphological Pattern And Frequency Of Bone Cancer, Sajid H. Shah, Suhail Muzaffar, Irshad N. Soomro, Shahid Pervez, Sheema H. Hasan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Objective:

The present study was done to find out the frequency of malignant tumors of bone and to categorize the prevelence of various histological types of osseous malignancies with respect to age, sex and site of origin.

Setting:

This study included consecutive cases of malignant bone tumors, which were diagnosed in the department of pathology at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi during the period of three years (1995-1997).

Methods:

These tumors were initially evaluated on H & E stained section from paraffin embedded tissue blocks. Special stains and immunohistochemical analysis was performed whenever required.

Results:

A total of 169 …

Oncolog, Volume 44, Number 04, April 1999, Dawn Chalaire

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues)

• Pancreatic Tumor Team Studies Disease Mechanisms, Reverses Conventional Approach
• Patient Helps Underwrite Familial Cancer Study
• Stomach Cancer Protocols Offer Options
• Gastric Cancer's Low Survival Rate and High Relapse Rate Challenge Physicians
• House Call: Environmental Carcinogens: Fact and Fiction
• Protocols: Pancreatic Cancer Protocol Options Include Gemdtabine and Marimastat

Breast Cancer: Research And Treatment, Jessica Goodisman

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

We seek to understand and treat cancer to reduce a major source of human suffering. Cancer is a plague of our generation, one of the last incurable diseases. It is interesting to note that past generations did not generally live long enough to suffer from cancer. Infectious disease drastically limited the human life span. In recent history, western medicine has been able to control infection and life expectancy has risen dramatically. Cancer is the next hurdle. Modem research slowly gains insight with the hope of finding new ways to control cancer.

This paper provides information about the process by which …

Immunohistochemical Evaluation Of Small Round Cell Tumors Of Childhood, Sajid H. Shah, Irshad N. Soomro, M. Shahid Siddiqui, Shahid Pervez, Sheema H. Hassan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Objective:

This study was done to evaluate the pediatric undifferentiated small round cell tumors with immunohistochemical staining.

Setting:

The present study included consecutive cases of small round cell tumors which were diagnosed in children (<15 years) in the section of Histopathology at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi during the period of two years.

Methods:

The group of undifferentiated small round cell tumors were evaluated immunohistochemically by using a panel of antibodies on sections from routinely processed, formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue blocks.

Results:

The category of undifferentiated small round cell tumors included rhabdomyosarcoma (23.2%), primitive neuroectodermal tumor (17.9%), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (16.1%), neuroblastoma (14.2%), Ewing’s sarcoma (10.7%) in order of frequency. Osteosarcoma (Small cell variant), retinoblastoma and medulloblastoma comprised …

Oncolog, Volume 44, Number 03, March 1999, Dawn Chalaire, Beth W. Allen, Alison Rufffin

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues)

• Vaccines, Other New Options Expand Renal Cancer Therapy Program
• Thirteen-story Alkek Hospital Makes Debut
• Training Takes Prevention and Early Detection Worldwide
• Nephrectomy Before or After Systemic Therapy­--That Is the Question
• House Call: Alcohol and Cancer: Making Sense of a Cocktail of Risks and Benefits
• Protocols: Renal Cell Carcinoma Trials Offer Therapies for Treated and Untreated Patients
• Compass: New Quarterly Supplement Offers Perspectives on Clinical Guidelines

Oncolog, Volume 44, Number 02, February 1999, Nancy Arora, Sunni Hosemann, Kimberly Jt Herrick

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues)

• Laryngeal Mask Airway: A New Frontier in Airway Management
• House Call: Exercise--A Hop, Skip, and a Jump for Reducing Cancer Risk
• Conferences Offer Variety of Topics
• Cervical Cancer Study Results Expected to Change Practice
• May I Take Your Order?

Uwomj Volume 69, No 2, Spring 1999, Western University

University of Western Ontario Medical Journal

An interdisciplinary medical science publication; established 1930.

Results Of Faculty Evaluation At The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan, Rashida Ahmed, Mohammad Khurshid, Zoon Naqvi

Section of Haematology/Oncology

Objective: The aim of the retrospective correlational analysis was to identify the attributes valued most by students for assessing the overall effectiveness of a teacher.
Methods: Responses of the students to the two versions of evaluation questionnaires, each attempting to assess 4 and 8 characteristics respectively on a scale of 1-5 were included in the analysis. The third and fourth year students, at the end of each course/module completed a total of 2110 evaluation forms, which were studied.
Results: The over all effectiveness of the teacher showed statistically significant correlation of .914 and .895 with ability to communicate ideas effectively …

Oncolog, Volume 44, Number 01, January 1999, Stephanie Deming, Lewis Foxhall M.D., Sunni Hosemann, Beth W. Allen

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues)

• Innovative PET Camera Readied for Tumor Detection Trials
• House Call: How to Talk With Your Doctor
• Community Physicians: Important Partners With M. D. Anderson
• DiaLog: Liaison Program Strives to Enhance Access, by Lewis Foxhall, MD, Associate Vice President for Health Policy
• Fatigue: The Multidimensional Side Effect
• High Resolution, High Sensitivity, and Variable Field of View Set MDACAM Apart

Needle Localization For Breast Biopsy: The Patient's Experience, Marian De Walt Morgan

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The needle localization procedure for breast biopsy (NLP) can be painful and distressing for some women. This study was carried out to learn what factors might increase or decrease NLP pain and distress, and to gain insight into possible interventions to make the procedure more comfortable for all patients. One hundred and thirty-eight women were surveyed following breast needle localization at two central Virginia hospitals. The influence of eight variables (lidocaine, self-regulation, anxiety, worry about breast cancer, breast tenderness, finding mammography painful, difficulty with surgery, and distress of blood drawing) on four outcome variables (pain incidence, pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, …

Oncolog, Volume 43, Number 11/12, November-December 1998, Jude Richard, Alison Ruffin

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues)

• Mohs surgeon expands skin cancer treatment options
• Colorectal cancer campaign launched at White House
• House Call: Reducing Colorectal Cancer Risk: Modify Diet, Undergo Screening

Oncolog, Volume 43, Number 10, October 1998, Beth W. Allen, Beth Notzon, Alison Ruffin, Fran Zandstra Rn, Bsn, Mba, Ocn

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues)

• Endometrial cancer: prompt responses yield high survival rates
• Celebrating the end of a destructive relationship: one smoker's story
• Gene therapy for brain tumors moves from laboratory to clinic
• Protocols: Trials Offer Treatment Options for Patients with Endometrial Cancer
• Protocols: Brain Tumor Trials Encompass Radiation, Drug, Biological, and Gene Therapies
• House Call: Using Antioxidants: Read the Road Signs and Yield to Caution
• DiaLog: Protecting Hard-Won Surgical Cure: Surveillance for Recurrent Endometrial Cancer, by Fran Zandstra, RN, BSN, MBA, OCN, Center Administrative Director, Gynecology Oncology Center

Oncolog, Volume 43, Number 09, September 1998, Sunni Hosemann, Alison Ruffin, Stephanie Deming, Garrett L. Walsh Md

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues)

• Epidemiologists find association between gene variants and smoking
• Health care of cancer survivors addressed in new program
• New antitobacco initiatives include clinic and computers
• Protocols: Studies in Cancer Prevention and Health Care After Cancer Therapy Focus on Specific Needs
• House Call: Kicking the Tobacco Habit: The Five Commandments
• DiaLog: Surgical Techniques Offer Hope for Those with Lung Cancer, by Garrett L. Walsh, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Pattern Diagnosis Or Entity, Naasha Talati, Shahid Pervez

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a diverse and heterogeneous group of tumours The sub-classification of these tumours is of importance for both prognosis and treatment. Classically, sub- categorization is based purely on histomorphological grounds, but as new techniques evolve, a more, conclusive and accurate diagnosis can be made. This study describes the prevalence of soft tissue sarcomas in adults diagnosed at The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) and the impact of immunohistochemistry(IHC) on the precise sub-categorization of these tumours. The study included 364 adults (age 16+) who were diagnosed as soft tissue sarcoma in the past six years (May 1991 …

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 …

Oncolog, Volume 43, Number 08, August 1998, Don Norwood, David Bababian, Beth W. Allen, Allison Ruffin, Stephen P. Tomasovic Phd

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues)

• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma therapy innovations improve patient response
• Tamoxifen helps women escape breast cancer's shadow
• Careful inspection, early detection important in controlling oral cancer
• Protocols: Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Protocols Feature Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, and Monoclonal Antibodies
• House Call: Americans’ Appetite for Alternative Medicine: Is It a Safe Diet?
• DiaLog: Comprehensive in More Ways than One, by Stephen P. Tomosovic, PhD, Associate Vice President for Educational Programs

Oncolog, Volume 43, Number 07, July 1998, Sunita Patterson, Beth W. Allen, Sunni Hosemann, Porter Storey Md

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues)

• Palliative care outreach extends to all patients, providing a way station for cancer-weary travelers
• Understanding the lure and promise of angiogenesis inhibition
• House Call: Mammography: An Opportunity to Detect Breast Cancer Early
• DiaLog: When Treatments Fail: What Physicians Can Do, What Patients Can Teach, by Porter Storey, MD, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medicine

Well Differentiated Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasizing To Jaw And Oral Cavity Within Six Months Of Primary Diagnosis., Nazma Afroze, Irshad N. Soomro, Shahid Pervez, Naila Kayani, Sheema H. Hasan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

No abstract provided.

Infrared Imaging Of The Breast: Initial Reappraisal Using High-Resolution Digital Technology In 100 Successive Cases Of Stage I And Ii Breast Cancer, J. Keyserlingk, P. Ahlgren, E. Yu, N. Belliveau

Edward Yu

There is a general consensus that earlier detection of breast cancer should result in improved survival. Current breast imaging relies primarily on mammography. Despite better equipement and regulation, variability in interpretation and tissue density still affect accuracy. A number of adjuvant imaging techniques are currently being used, including doppler ultrasound and gadolinium-enhanced MRI, which can detect cancer-induced neovascularity. In order to assess the potential contribution of currently available high-resolution digital infrared technology capable of recognizing minute regional vascular flow related temperature variation, we retrospecitively reviewed the relative ability of our preoperative clinical exam, mammography, and infrared imaging to detect 100 …

A Model Using Radiation And Pws4-Htnf-Α Gene Therapy For Treatment Of Glioblastomas, Angelo G. Baher

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The efficacy of radiotherapy for cancer is limited by the dose that can be safely delivered to the tumor without causing debilitating side effects. In addition, successful treatment of highly malignant tumors such as glioblastomas is likely to require adjunctive therapies to enhance tumor response to radiation. Previous studies have shown immunomodulation and a synergestic reduction in tumor volume of malignant tumors when tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) protein is administered prior to radiation. The major goal of the present investigation was to evaluate the efficacy of pWS4-human TNF-α (pWS4-hTNF-α), a new plasmid construct that expresses human TNF-α protein, together with …

Oncolog, Volume 43, Number 06, June 1998, Sunita Patterson, Hagop Kantarjian Md

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues)

• New treatment strategies improve prognosis in patients with chronic leukemias
• Ultrasonography fosters targeted intraprostatic therapy
• Protocols: Trials for Chronic Leukemia Feature Chemotherapy and “Mini” Transplants
• House Call: Answering the Who, What, When, Why, and How of Cancer
• DiaLog: Leukemia’s Lessons in Malignant Transformation, by Hagop Kantarjian, MD, Professor of Medicine, Department of Leukemia

Oncolog, Volume 43, Number 05, May 1998, Beth Notzon, Geoffrey Robb Md

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues)

• Careful examinations and sentinel node mapping bolster melanoma detection and staging
• M. D. Anderson plastic surgeons restore hope along with function and appearance
• Protocols: Clinical Trials Offer Treatment for Advanced Melanoma
• House Call: Keep Skins—and Cancer—Under Wraps During Summer
• DiaLog: Reconstructing More than the Breast, by Geoffrey Robb, MD, Director, Surgical Specialties Center

The Baculovirus Anti-Apoptotic P35 Protein Promotes Transformation Of Mouse Embryo Fibroblasts., M Resnicoff, B. Valentinis, D. Herbert, D. Abraham, P D. Friesen, E. S. Alnemri, R Baserga

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

The baculovirus p35 protein is a potent inhibitor of programmed cell death induced by a variety of stimuli in insects, nematodes, and mammalian cell lines. The broad ability of p35 in preventing apoptosis has led us to investigate its effect on mouse embryo fibroblasts in vitro and in vivo. For this purpose, we have used R- cells (3T3-like fibroblasts derived from mouse embryos with a targeted disruption of the insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR) genes) and R508 cells (derived from R- and with 15 x 10(3) IGF-IRs per cell). Both cell lines grow normally in monolayer, but they do …

Oncolog, Volume 43, Number 04, April 1998, Sunita Patterson, Sunni Hosemann, Alison Ruffin, Mitchell Morris Md

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues)

• Molecular research leads to clinical trials for bladder cancer
• Patients to test exercise theory in quality-of-life study
• Practice guidelines and collaborative paths point the way
• Protocols: Bladder Cancer Clinical Trials Interventions Span Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, and Genetic Manipulation
• DiaLog: The New Math of Today’s Health Care, by Mitchell Morris, MD, Vice President for Information and Health Care Systems

Reaction-Diffusion Models Of Cancer Dispersion, Kim Yvette Ward

Mathematics & Statistics Theses & Dissertations

The phenomenological modeling of the spatial distribution and temporal evolution of one-dimensional models of cancer dispersion are studied. The models discussed pertain primarily to the transition of a tumor from an initial neoplasm to the dormant avascular state, i.e. just prior to the vascular state, whenever that may occur. Initiating the study is the mathematical analysis of a reaction-diffusion model describing the interaction between cancer cells, normal cells and growth inhibitor. The model leads to several predictions, some of which are supported by experimental data and clinical observations $\lbrack25\rbrack$. We will examine the effects of additional terms on these characteristics. …

Mathematical Models Of Tumors And Their Remote Metastases, Carryn Bellomo

Mathematics & Statistics Theses & Dissertations

Clinical observations and indications in the literature have led us to investigate several models of tumors. For example, it has been shown that a tumor has the ability to send out anti-growth factors, or inhibitors, to keep its remote metastases from growing. Thus, we model the depleting effect of such a growth inhibitor after the removal of the primary tumor (thus removing the source) as a function of time t and distance from the original tumor r.

It has also been shown clinically that oxygen and glucose are nutrients critical to the survival and growth of tumors. Thus, we model …

Oncolog, Volume 43, Number 03, March 1998, Sunita Patterson, Don Norwood, Alison Ruffin, Linda White Hilton Rn, Bsn, Faan

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues)

• Promising radio frequency treatment: new option for patients with unresectable liver tumors
• Nurse practitioners go beyond traditional nursing boundaries
• International patient center offers help, haven to patients far from home
• House Call: Old Friends, New Context: When Someone Close Has Cancer
• Protocols: Trials Open to Patients with Biliary Tract Hepatocellular Carcinoma
• DiaLog: Searching for Opportunity? First Look for Disaster by Linda White Hilton, RN, MSN, FAAN, Director, Clinical Cancer Prevention Programs

Does Delay In Breast Irradiation Following Conservative Breast Surgery In Node-Negative Breast Cancer Patients Have An Impact On Risk Of Recurrence?, Olga Vujovic, Francisco Perera, A. Dar, Larry Stitt, Edward Yu, Sachi Voruganti, Pauline Truong

Edward Yu

PURPOSE: This retrospective review was conducted to determine if delay in the start of radiotherapy after definitive breast surgery had any detrimental effect on local recurrence or disease-free survival in node-negative breast cancer patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 568 patients with T1-T2, N0 breast cancer were treated with breast-conserving surgery and breast irradiation, without adjuvant systemic therapy between January 1, 1985 and December 31, 1992, at the London Regional Cancer Centre. Adjuvant breast irradiation consisted either of 50 Gy in 25 fractions or 40 Gy in 15 or 16 fractions, followed by a boost of 10 Gy or …

Oncolog, Volume 43, Number 02, February 1998, Beth W. Allen, Alison Rufffin, Rebecca D. Pentz Ph.D.

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues)

• Genetic findings prompt cancer survivor to elect surgery
• Protocols: Radiotherapy Protocols Offer Treatment for Range of Sites and Types of Cancer
• Radiation oncology: targeting effective treatment
• House Call: Cancer: Is it in the Genes or in the Stars?
• DiaLog: Genetic Tests Demand New Answers by Rebecca D. Pentz, PhD, Clinical Ethicist