Cancer
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To the authors' knowledge there are few data that correlate the expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with the outcome of patients who have breast carcinoma and are treated with anthracycline chemotherapy. ⋯ EGFR expression may have prognostic significance in patients with locally advanced breast carcinoma who are treated with anthracycline chemotherapy. These data warrant further studies aimed at correlating EGFR expression and outcome in patients who have breast carcinoma treated with doxorubicin-based chemotherapy.
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High-dose cisplatin combined with etoposide and bleomycin (HDPEB) improves event-free survival (EFS) in advanced pediatric germ-cell tumors (PGCT), but has significant ototoxicity. Amifostine appears to protect against toxicity. The authors combined amifostine with HDPEB and evaluated the efficacy and toxicity, specifically whether ototoxicity decreased. ⋯ Amifostine did not protect against HDPEB-associated ototoxicity.
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The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM classification for breast carcinoma had not been changed for 15 years, since the publication of the third edition in 1987. However, in the sixth edition, published in 2002, significant modifications were made with regard to the number of metastatic axillary lymph nodes. The authors investigated whether the sixth edition of the TNM classification provided more reliable prognostic information compared with the third edition. ⋯ In the 2002 TNM classification for breast carcinoma, patients with T4anyNM0 disease should form a distinct stage grouping and this stage grouping (Stage IIIC) should be placed before Stage IV, and Stage IIIB disease groupings should include patients with T1,2,3N3M0 disease. In this way, the authors hope that the 2002 AJCC TNM classification, which provides more reliable prognostic information than the 1987 classification, will become more refined.
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Comparative Study
Inefficacy of F-18 fluorodeoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography scans for initial evaluation in early-stage cutaneous melanoma.
The purpose of the current study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of initial F-18 fluorodeoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scanning for detection of occult lymph node and distant metastases in patients with early-stage cutaneous melanoma. ⋯ FDG-PET scanning did not impact the care of patients with early-stage melanoma already staged by standard techniques. Routine FDG-PET scanning was not recommended for the initial staging evaluation in this population.
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The goals of the current study were to elucidate the long-term outcome of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy for gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma and to clarify the therapeutic efficacy of stomach-conserving treatments for patients not responding to eradication therapy. ⋯ H. pylori eradication therapy was an effective first-line treatment for patients with gastric MALT lymphoma, which led to a favorable long-term outcome. OMC and RT had an equivalent efficacy as a second-line treatment in nonresponding patients to eradication therapy.