Gynecologic oncology
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Gynecologic oncology · Apr 2001
Complications associated with intraperitoneal chemotherapy catheters.
The goal of this work was to determine the complication rate and any predisposing risk factors associated with subcutaneous intraperitoneal (ip) catheters used in the treatment of patients with advanced ovarian cancer. ⋯ Subcutaneous ip catheters are associated with a lower rate of catheter-related complications than previously reported, perhaps due in part to both avoiding insertion of ip catheters at the time of bowel surgery and placing ip catheters at the time of laparoscopy.
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Gynecologic oncology · Mar 2001
Review Case ReportsTamoxifen as systemic treatment of advanced breast cancer during pregnancy--case report and literature review.
When patients with metastatic breast cancer become pregnant, management is complicated by the potential harms of drug treatment to the fetus and by the potential effects of the pregnancy on the cancer. Chemotherapy is considered optimal systemic anti-cancer therapy from the second trimester, while tamoxifen has been considered inappropriate due to concerns over possible teratogenesis and lack of efficacy. ⋯ The use of tamoxifen in pregnancy is complex, but is not necessarily associated with fetal harm and may be considered a therapeutic option in selected cases.
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Gynecologic oncology · Feb 2001
Synergistic interaction between an anti-p185HER-2 pseudomonas exotoxin fusion protein [scFv(FRP5)-ETA] and ionizing radiation for inhibiting growth of ovarian cancer cells that overexpress HER-2.
The HER-2 proto-oncogene is overexpressed in 15-30% of ovarian cancers, providing a target for therapy in a fraction of patients. We previously described the ability of a recombinant single-chain anti-p185HER-2-Pseudomonas exotoxin A fusion protein, scFv(FRP5)-ETA, to inhibit growth of cancer cells in culture and tumor xenografts in vivo. We have also described synergistic interaction between an anti-p185HER-2-ricin A chain immunotoxin and ionizing radiation for inhibiting growth of ovarian and breast cancer cells that overexpress HER-2. Our objective in this report was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effects of scFv(FRP5)-ETA against SKOv3 ovarian cancer cells that have been transfected to express >10(6) p185HER-2 receptors per cell (clone-9002-18). ⋯ ScFv(FRP5)-ETA deserves further evaluation for intraperitoneal therapy of ovarian cancers that overexpress p185HER-2.
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Gynecologic oncology · Jan 2001
Factors affecting fellowship satisfaction among gynecologic oncology fellows.
The objective of this study was to determine fellowship satisfaction through a survey of gynecologic oncology fellows. ⋯ Areas that could improve fellowship satisfaction include formal didactics and time for self-education. Evaluations of the fellowship and faculty could provide a forum to continue to assess their needs. Requiring a more active role of fellows in research trials may prove to increase research productivity in the future.
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Gynecologic oncology · Dec 2000
High external parametrial dose can increase the probability of radiation proctitis in patients with uterine cervix cancer.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between external parametrial dose and radiation proctitis after external irradiation and high-dose-rate intracavitary (HDR-IC) brachytherapy among patients with cervical cancer. ⋯ Regardless of central shielding after 44-45 Gy whole pelvis irradiation, more patients with high external parametrial dose developed radiation proctitis. Incomplete midline shielding of the upper rectum may be the cause. Diminishing the external beam doses further may decrease rectal complications.