Search

Item does not contain fulltext CONTEXT: Cancer patients are at increased risk for distress. The Distress Thermometer (DT) and problem list (PL) are short-tools validated and recommended for distress screening in cancer patients. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the level of distress and problems experienced by survivors of differentiated non-medullary thyroid carcinoma (DTC), using the DT and PL and whether this correlates with clinical and demographical variables. PARTICIPANTS, DESIGN AND SETTING: All 205 DTC patients, under follow-up at the outpatient clinic of our university hospital, were asked to fill in the DT and PL, hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), illness cognition questionnaire (ICQ) and an ad hoc questionnaire. Receiver Operator Characteristic analysis (ROC) was used to establish the optimal DT cut-off score according to HADS. Correlations of questionnaires scores with data on diagnosis, treatment and follow-up collected from medical records were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 159 respondents, 145 agreed to participate [118 in remission, median follow-up 7.2 years (range 3 months-41 years)]. Of these, 34.3% rated their distress score >/=5, indicating clinically relevant distress according to ROC analysis. Patients reported physical (86%) over emotional problems (76%) as sources of distress. DT scores correlated with HADS scores and ICQ subscales. No significant correlations were found between DT scores and clinical or demographical characteristics except for employment status. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of distress is high among patients with DTC even after long-term remission and cannot be predicted by clinical and demographical characteristics. DT and PL are useful screening instruments for distress in DTC patients and could easily be incorporated into daily practice.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important molecule in regulating tumour blood flow and stimulating tumour angiogenesis. Inhibition of NO synthase by L-NAME might induce an anti-tumour effect by limiting nutrients and oxygen to reach tumour tissue or affecting vascular growth. The anti-tumour effect of L-NAME after systemic administration was studied in a renal subcapsular CC531 adenocarcinoma model in rats. Moreover, regional administration of L-NAME, in combination with TNF and melphalan, was studied in an isolated limb perfusion (ILP) model using BN175 soft-tissue sarcomas. Systemic treatment with L-NAME inhibited growth of adenocarcinoma significantly but was accompanied by impaired renal function. In ILP, reduced tumour growth was observed when L-NAME was used alone. In combination with TNF or melphalan, L-NAME increased response rates significantly compared to perfusions without L-NAME (0–64% and 0–63% respectively). An additional anti-tumour effect was demonstrated when L-NAME was added to the synergistic combination of melphalan and TNF (responses increased from 70 to 100%). Inhibition of NO synthase reduces tumour growth both after systemic and regional (ILP) treatment. A synergistic anti-tumour effect of L-NAME is observed in combination with melphalan and/or TNF using ILP. These results indicate a possible role of L-NAME for the treatment of solid tumours in a systemic or regional setting. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha is a multifunctional cytokine and its potential as antitumor agent has been extensively investigated for the treatment of cancer: Initial enthusiasm was tempered when systemic treatment with TNF-alpha was found to cause severe toxic side effects in phase I/II studies. Other applications were sought and a revival of the drug was its application in combination with the cytotoxic drug melphalan in isolated limb perfusion (ILP). Here we discuss the pre-clinical and clinical studies which led to the success in treatment of patients with irresectable extremity soft tissue sarcoma and multiple melanoma in-transit metastases confined to the limb. This achievement may herald the development of new applications of TNF-alpha in isolated organ perfusion settings. An extension of its use may be found in the application of less toxic TNF-mutants or encapsulated in sterically stabilized liposomes. The review concludes with the possible application of low dose TNF-alpha, which can be given systemically, to enhance the anti-tumor potency of formulated drugs (such a liposomal doxorubicin) by increasing solid tumor targeting.

An isolated limb perfusion model (ILP) using soft tissue sarcoma bearing rats (BN175) was used to study antitumour activity of a tumour necrosis factor alpha mutant (TNF-SAM2) in combination with melphalan and doxorubicin. Progressive disease was demonstrated after ILP without agents (sham) or with 50 micrograms TNF-SAM2. ILP with 40 micrograms melphalan or 400 micrograms doxorubicin resulted in no change of tumour volume or progressive disease five days after perfusion. Partial and complete response rates were demonstrated in 76% of rats when the combination of TNF-SAM2 and melphalan was used. TNF-SAM2 in combination with doxorubicin was synergistic as well with a 70% response rate. Histopathologically these responses consisted of hemorrhagic necrosis of the coagulative type. 2 In conclusion, TNF-SAM2 has similar antitumour activity in combination with melphalan or doxorubicin as rHuTNF in sarcoma-bearing rats and is eligible to be tested in clinical ILP or organ perfusion settings because of its potential decreased toxicity.

Analysis of the diagnostic approach and management of 20 patients with hepatocellular adenoma, 1979-1996.University Hospital Rotterdam-Dijkzigt, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.Retrospective and follow-up analysis.Medical records of patients with histologically proven hepatocellular adenoma were analysed with respect to complaints, diagnostic approach and therapeutical management. Follow-up took place at the outpatient department where history-taking, physical examination, ultrasonography and hepatitis B and C serology tests were performed.In the period 1979-1996, 20 patients with hepatocellular adenoma were treated. Eight patients (mean tumour size 3.2 cm (1.5-5)) were treated conservatively, 12 (mean tumour size 8.1 cm (6-10)) underwent hepatic resection; four because of rupture of the tumour. Serum liver enzyme values did not contribute to the diagnosis. Of the lesions 78% were diagnosed correctly by ultrasonography and 71% by computer tomography. Median follow-up of the patients treated operatively was 73 months (1-204). One patient died three years after an incomplete resection of a hepatocellular adenoma, because of a hepatocellular carcinoma. Ultrasonography did not demonstrate any recurrent tumours in the other patients. In the group of patients conservatively treated (median follow-up 39 months (24-72)) two patients died because of a hepatocellular carcinoma. Ultrasonography demonstrated stable tumour diameters in three patients and regression in three others.Based on the literature and the presented experience surgical treatment is the treatment of choice in patients with large (or = 5 cm diameter) hepatocellular adenomas because of the risk of malignant transformation and rupture of the tumour. With smaller tumours (5 cm) a conservative treatment may suffice in hepatitis virus negative patients, including withdrawal of oral contraceptives followed by thorough ultrasound follow-up of tumour size. In case of tumour growth or complaints a resection of the tumour is indicated.

The clinical success of the application of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) in isolated limb perfusions in patients with advanced sarcomas, melanomas and other tumors has renewed the interest in this agent as an anticancer drug. At the Rotterdam Cancer Center, we have developed an interactive preclinical-clinical TNFalpha program that explores new methods to use TNFalpha in various settings. Regional organ perfusion models were developed and the effectivity of targeting of TNFalpha to the tumor by means of systemic administration of liposomes are tested. Furthermore various drugs and mechanisms that may enhance the activity of TNFalpha are under investigation. A summary of this comprehensive program is presented here.

Explosions of the colon as a result of the use of diathermy in the presence of gas mixtures of oxygen, hydrogen and/or methane have been previously described in the literature. This danger is present during colonoscopic polypectomy as well as during colonic surgery. The following case is presented to alert to the potential hazards of bowel gas during electrosurgery.

Analysis of the diagnostic approach, therapy and management of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) of the liver.University Hospital Rotterdam-Dijkzigt, Rotterdam.Retrospective follow-up analysis.Medical records of patients with histologically proven FNH were analysed with respect to complaints, diagnostic approach and therapeutic management. Follow-up took place at the outpatient clinic where history-taking, physical examination, ultrasonography and hepatitis B and C serology tests were performed.Thirty-one patients with histologically proven focal nodular hyperplasia were treated: 19 were treated conservatively, 12 underwent hepatic resection; one of these patients died postoperatively. Follow-up investigation was carried out in 16 and 9 patients, respectively. Laboratory results did not contribute to the diagnosis. Computed tomography was the most reliable imaging method; 71% of the lesions were correctly diagnosed. After a median follow-up of 52 months none of the patients treated conservatively showed tumour growth on ultrasonography.The most efficient approach to confirm the diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia consists of an ultrasound-guided needle biopsy and histological examination of the specimen. Conservative management is the treatment of choice in focal nodular hyperplasia. Hepatic resection should only be performed in symptomatic patients, in case of tumour growth or of uncertain histological diagnosis, to exclude a malignant process.

In the present study, generally accepted risk factors for developing a primary incisional hernia are reviewed for their influence on the development of recurrent incisional hernia. The records of 417 patients undergoing an incisional hernia repair between 1980 and 1989 at the University Hospital Rotterdam were reviewed retrospectively, and in the event no hernia recurrence was documented, patients were asked to visit the outpatient department for physical examination. Patients having a primary incisional hernia (n = 302) were selected and patient related factors of gender, age, obesity, chronic cough, prostatism, constipation, diabetes mellitus and the use of corticosteroids were analyzed. In addition, operation related factors, including the technique of operation (mainly, one layer interrupted and one layer continuous closures), use of drains, use of antibiotics, wound contamination (fecal or purulent spill), duration of operation, technique of anesthesia, wound complications, mortality and period of hospitalization, were analyzed. Hernia related factors--the hernia-free interval, original operation, type of incision and the size of the hernias--were also analyzed. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using the chi-square test to compare percentages between groups. Cumulative percentages of patients having a recurrence along time were calculated using life-table methods. Of the group of primary incisional hernias, four patients lacked follow-up evaluation and were excluded, leaving 298 patients for study. With a mean follow-up period of 34.9 months, the recurrence rate was 36 percent; 45 percent had recurrence in the first year, 64 percent in the second year and 78 percent of all recurrences occurred within three years. Therefore, a follow-up evaluation of at least three years is recommended. The cumulative (life-table) recurrence rate after five years was 41 percent. After second, third and fourth incisional hernial repair, recurrence rates were higher (56, 48 and 47 percent, respectively). Except for the size of the hernia, none of the studied parameters led to a significantly higher recurrence rate. Obesity, diabetes mellitus, lower midline incision and wound infection did have higher recurrence rates, but these were not significant. Incisional hernias, smaller than 4 centimeters, had a significantly (p = 0.01) lower recurrence rate (25 percent) than larger hernias (41 percent). Considering these facts, a better technique is badly needed. In large defects, the use of inlay of prosthetic material consistently has the lowest recurrence rates. The question remains whether or not prosthetic material is also needed for repair of smaller hernias.

Between 1980 and 1987 a total of 163 patients were operated for unilateral recurrent inguinal hernia in the University Hospital Dijkzigt. Various factors were analysed statistically with the log rank test for their prognostic value to predict repeat recurrence. Lower repeat recurrence rates were found with increase of age (p = 0.05) and time passed since the previous hernia operation (p = 0.001). Using the actuarial method of analysis the total cumulative repeat recurrence rate after five years was 23%.