ABSTRACT
The authors report the cases of 8 patients who had been, or were being, treated for pharyngo-laryngeal carcinoma (n = 7) or cancer of the bladder (n = 1). Because of the finding of one or several peripheral pulmonary opacities, these patients underwent exploratory thoracotomy which showed that these opacities corresponded to benign lesions instead of metastases of these cancers. This leads to a reappraisal of the diagnostic approach of pulmonary opacities in patients with known cancer, since benign lesions unrelated to the malignancy cannot be excluded. The need for an accurate diagnosis of these intrapulmonary lesions is emphasized, using various exploratory methods including thoracotomy if required.
Subject(s)
Lung Neoplasms/secondary , Adult , Aged , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Laryngeal Neoplasms , Lung Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Lung Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Pharyngeal Neoplasms , Radiography , Urinary Bladder NeoplasmsABSTRACT
After administration of cisplatin (50 mg/m2 on days 1 and 2) by intra-arterial or intravenous infusions over 1 or 6 hr to a total of 24 patients with head and neck cancer, the main pharmacokinetic parameters of platinum were determined according to a multicompartmental analysis. Elimination half-life of total platinum is greater than 3 days, the amount of platinum recovered in the urine over 7 days accounting for 15-50% of the administered dose. The half-life of filterable platinum species was calculated from the urinary excretion data: 39 +/- 17 min (i.a./1 hr), 37 +/- 24 min (i.a./6 hr), 58 +/- 17 min (i.v./1 hr) and 51 +/- 22 min (i.v./6 hr). Biopsies of the tumor were also analyzed on day 3 for their platinum content. The mean concentrations of platinum in biopsies were: 2.72 micrograms/g (i.a./1 hr), 3.89 micrograms/g (i.a./6 hr), 1.27 micrograms/g (i.v./1 hr) and 1.38 micrograms/g (i.v./6 hr). Tumor regression, based upon clinical and histological data, was only moderate after this single chemotherapy course.
Subject(s)
Cisplatin/administration & dosage , Head and Neck Neoplasms/metabolism , Adult , Cisplatin/metabolism , Cisplatin/therapeutic use , Half-Life , Head and Neck Neoplasms/drug therapy , Humans , Infusions, Intra-Arterial , Infusions, Parenteral , Kinetics , Male , Middle Aged , Platinum/blood , Platinum/urineABSTRACT
Fifty one patients with terminal cancer suffering severe pains reluctant to other treatment have received morphine by mouth, in a regular regimen. The doses range between 5 and 50 mg every 4 hours. 60% of our patients have their pain alleviated without any side effect impeding the treatment.
