Onkologie
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Cytoprotective effect of amifostine in radiation-induced acute mucositis - a retrospective analysis.
To study the cytoprotective impact of amifostine against acute radiation mucositis. ⋯ The administration of amifostine seems to protect patients against radiation-induced mucositis, but further investigation with randomized trials is needed.
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The observation of a familial accumulation of ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PC) and the increased risk for PC in certain hereditary tumor syndromes point to a genetic predisposition for PC. In order to evaluate the characteristics of familial PC, a German national case collection for familial pancreas cancer (FaPaCa) was established. ⋯ The association of PC and breast cancer, and of PC and malignant melanoma suggests predisposing mutations in the BRCA2 or CDKN2A genes in about one third of the FaPaCa families. Mutational analyses in both candidate genes may help to identify individuals who are at an increased risk for developing PC. A shift towards a younger age at diagnosis in our PC families may indicate genetic anticipation and/or changes of patterns of exogenous risk factors.
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Less than 1% of breast cancers occur between the age of 20 and 30 years, but more than 50% of breast cancers under the age of 30 years are hereditary. Breast cancer mainly occurs sporadically, however, in 5 to maximally 10% of cases a genetic predisposition is present. ⋯ Screening procedures and possible prevention strategies for women with mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are discussed. They include the use of tamoxifen.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Adjuvant radio-chemotherapy in stage II-III rectal cancer with 24-hour infusion of high-dose 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid: evaluation of feasibility.
Postoperative radio-chemotherapy has been established as standard treatment for stage II and III rectal cancer patients in the last decade. To improve the efficacy of this therapy, we decided to evaluate continuous 24-hour infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with folinic acid (FA) in combination with local radiation versus standard bolus 5-FU/FA with local radiation in a randomized study. Here we report on the first 28 patients to receive the experimental treatment. ⋯ The high rate of premature treatment dropout indicate that the chosen schedule of weekly high-dose 5-FU/FA continuous infusion and combined postoperative radiotherapy should not be recommended for further use in postoperative adjuvant treatment.