ABSTRACT
The anatomical and patterns of recurrence were studied in 92 patients with first recurrence of breast cancer. Most patients recurred in a single site and 50% of the recurrences were diagnosed within the first 2 years from initial diagnosis. Generally, the status of primary demographic, clinical and pathoanatomical characteristics as well as primary treatment were not predictive as to the development of recurrences. Bone scanning is an effective method to exclude metastatic bone disease. A positive scan, however, requires radiologic confirmation [specificity: 64%]. The diagnostic value of clinical examinations and biochemical tests for liver metastases is satisfactory. Chest X-ray revealed intrathoracic recurrence in 25% [23 patients]. The location of unilateral pleural effusions was significantly related to same site as the primary tumor [P < 0.01]. Local and regional recurrences constituted the most common sites of soft recurrence [37% and 30%]
Subject(s)
FemaleABSTRACT
Estrogen [Estradiol] was administered by intramuscular [i.m] route at 1 mg daily for 5 days into each of a group of rats. In another group of rats, the same dose was administered to each for the same period of time, twenty four hours following the i.m. administration of 5 mg of the cytoplasmic estrogen receptor-blocker [Tamoxifen[. In the first group, serum parathyroid hormone [PTH]level showed statistical significant increase from the control value, whereas total serum calcium concentration revealed statistical significant reduction from the control level. Administration of estrogen following tamoxifen resulted in a decrease in PTH concentration which was statistically insignificant compared to the level obtained when estrogen was administered alone, yet it revealed statistical significant increase compared to the control value. The value for total serum calcium demonstrated statistical significant reduction from the control level and which was not statistically different from the level obtained when estrogen was administered alone. These findings reveal that in the rat, exogenous administration of estrogen stimulates PTH release and lowers total serum calcium. Blocking of the estrogen receptors in parathyroid cells by tamoxifen prior to estrogen administration resulted in an inhibition to the stimulatory effect of estrogen on PTH secretion but which was insignifieant. This might result either from a non-sufficient period of exposure of the estrogen receptors in the parathyroid cells so not allowing complete binding with tamoxifen, or that estrogen acted directly on receptors in parathyroid cells which do not competitively bind tamoxifen. However, the direct stimulatory effect of estrogen in vivo on parathyroid cells awaits further evaluation. However, the hypocalcemia observed in both groups could be possibly mediated through one of two mechanisms: Either estrogen decreases the responsiveness of bone to PTH leading to hypocalcemia, or alternatively estrogen induces a rise in calcitonin level, thus producing hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia in turn causes a compensatory PTH release. Thus estrogen may consequently serve as an important regulator of PTH and-of calcium homeostasis
Subject(s)
Animals, Laboratory , Parathyroid Hormone , CalciumABSTRACT
This work is a retrospective study of the various clinico- epidemiological features of all cases with malignant cutaneous melanomas which were referred to NEMROCK during the period 1971-1985, inclusive. The relative frequency incidence of all malignant melanomas was found to be 0.36% and of cutaneous melanomas 0.23%. The mean age was 49.3 years for the whole group with a peak age incidence between 60-70 years. The male to female ratio was 1.87: 1. The majority of cases [71.74%] were colored. The indoor workers among males was found to be statistically significant. This proved the importance of exposure to sunlight in the etiology of the disease. The most common primary sites of involvement were the lower limbs [54.35%], followed by the head and neck [26.09%]. The majority of cases were advanced on presentation as stages III and IV constituted 82.61% of all cases. The mean duration of the disease before treatment was 25 months
Subject(s)
Humans , EpidemiologyABSTRACT
The present study is a retrospective analysis of the various clinico- epidemiological characters as well as results of treatment of all cases with uveal melanomas which have been registered in NEMROCK during the period from 1971-1985, inclusive. The relative frequency incidence of all malignant melanomas was found to be 0.36% and of uveal melanomas 0.086%. The peak age incidence was between 40-50 years with a mean age 45 years for the whole group. The male to female ratio was 0.7: 1. The tumor started in the choroid in 94.12% of the cases. The difference between right and left eye affections was statistically insignificant. 64.7% of the patients were fair and 35.3% colored. Most of them [76.5%] were indoor workers. However, the difference between indoor and outdoor workers was statistically insignificant. The mean duration of the disease before treatment was 14 months, in cases localized to the orbit, the combination of surgery and postoperative radiotherapy induced a better and longer lasting remission than radiotherapy alone