Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 179
Filter
1.
B-ENT ; 8(3): 229-32, 2012.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23113389

ABSTRACT

Here we present a case report of a patient suffering from occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma due to IgE-mediated carmine red allergy. This is the first description of carmine red allergy in a screen-printing worker in which the diagnosis was documented by quantification of specific IgE antibodies, by skin tests, by a flow-assisted basophil activation test, and by a carmine red challenge test.


Subject(s)
Carmine/adverse effects , Occupational Diseases/chemically induced , Occupational Exposure/adverse effects , Printing , Respiratory Hypersensitivity/chemically induced , Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic/analysis , Coloring Agents/adverse effects , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Immunoglobulin E/immunology , Middle Aged , Occupational Diseases/immunology , Respiratory Hypersensitivity/immunology
2.
Clin Nephrol ; 68(2): 115-20, 2007 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17722712

ABSTRACT

Analgesic nephropathy results from chronic abuse of non-narcotic analgesics, most frequently with the use of phenacetin and mixed analgesic preparations. Renal papillary necrosis and chronic interstitial nephritis with progressive scarring are characteristic of the histopathology of analgesic nephropathy. Typically, papillary necrosis in these patients is bilateral and affects almost all renal papillae. This report describes a case of severe analgesic nephropathy that discriminantly affected a unilateral non-functioning kidney and spared the contralateral normally developed kidney. The patient herein consumed therapeutic doses of acetaminophen and naproxen daily and for several years. We estimated the cumulative doses of acetaminophen and naproxen used by the patient during that period to be approximately 1.0 and 0.4 kg, respectively. The cumulative dose of acetaminophen is at the threshold of doses that were traditionally associated with an increased risk for end-stage kidney failure. Simultaneous intake of both analgesics could have had a synergetic adverse effect on renal function. This case also demonstrates that preexisting renal insufficiency is prerequisite to the development of analgesic nephropathy. Conversely, kidneys with normal function are resistant to the chronic nephrotoxicity associated with habitual analgesic use.


Subject(s)
Analgesics/adverse effects , Kidney/abnormalities , Kidney/pathology , Nephritis, Interstitial/chemically induced , Nephritis, Interstitial/complications , Adult , Chronic Disease , Female , Humans , Necrosis/chemically induced
3.
Semin Oncol ; 31(3): 324-32, 2004 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15190489

ABSTRACT

As a result of increased accuracy of staging and decreased patient morbidity, lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy for breast cancer has enjoyed a rapid acceptance into clinical practice. Despite the use of lymphatic mapping techniques to obtain nodal staging information, many controversies remain. We have attempted to highlight the major controversies in this report.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Lymphatic Metastasis/diagnosis , Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy , Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Coloring Agents , Contraindications , False Positive Reactions , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Massage , Pathology, Surgical/standards , Radiopharmaceuticals , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy/methods , Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy/standards
4.
Am J Surg ; 182(4): 321-4, 2001 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11720663

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The surgical management of breast cancer has changed markedly with the development of lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy. Lymphatic mapping technique varies with respect to injection method, mapping agent, and surgical technique. The decision to pursue the internal mammary nodes (IMN) is another source of controversy. METHODS: From April 1998 to November 2000, 1,470 patients underwent lymphatic mapping for breast cancer and were prospectively entered into the breast database. The combined technique method was used, consisting of both isosulfan blue dye and technetium-99 labeled sulfur colloid. Patients with inner quadrant lesions and suspicion for internal mammary metastasis had preoperative lymphoscintigraphy. Those with internal mammary radioactivity noted by either lymphoscintigraphy or gamma probe underwent removal of the internal mammary sentinel nodes. RESULTS: Thirty-six of the 1,470 (2.4%) patients mapped had at least 1 internal mammary lymph node removed. Inner quadrant lesions were present in 24 of the 36 (67%) IMN mapped patients. Of the 36 patients mapping to the IM area, 5 (14%) had at least 1 IM node positive. Two of the 5 (40%) had only IM metastasis, with 1 of these patients having 5 of 5 IMN positive and no disease detected in her axilla. A total of 2 of the 5 (40%) IM positive patients had more than 1 IMN positive. Twenty-eight of the 36 (78%) IM node harvested patients had preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, with 18 (64%) IMN appearing on imaging. Complications occurred in 3 of the 36 (8%) IMN mapped patients, without clinical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Mapping to the IMN basin with the finding of metastasis results in N3 disease by the current staging system. The consequence for these patients is radiation therapy to the IMN basin. It is significant to note that 14% (5 of 36) were upstaged as result of IMN detection and 40% (2 of 5) had multiple positive IMNs. Substantial disease was detected in these 5 patients necessitating additional radiation therapy while avoiding IM radiation and its attendant complications in 86% of patients mapping to the IM basin.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Lymph Nodes/diagnostic imaging , Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Female , Humans , Lymph Node Excision , Lymphatic Metastasis/diagnostic imaging , Prospective Studies , Radionuclide Imaging , Rosaniline Dyes , Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy , Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid
5.
Am J Surg ; 182(4): 404-6, 2001 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11720680

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Radioguided surgery can also be used for the simultaneous guidance to a nonpalpable primary tumor and sentinel lymph nodes. METHODS: Retrospective review of a prospective database. The surgeon used a gamma probe for guidance to an iodine-125 labeled titanium seed at the primary lesion and technetium-99 labeled sulfur colloid at the sentinel lymph node. RESULTS: Forty-three patients with nonpalpable breast carcinoma underwent dual isotope radioguided surgery. The radioactive seed and primary lesion were retrieved in the first excision in all 44 patients (100%). Eleven patients (25%) had pathologically involved margins. Sentinel lymph node mapping was successful in 42 patients (98%). A mean of 2.4 sentinel nodes were excised and metastatic carcinoma was present in four patients (10%). CONCLUSIONS: Dual isotopes can be effectively used in breast cancer patients for simultaneous radioguidance to both a nonpalpable primary lesion and sentinel lymph node and allows for improved logistics.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Lymph Nodes/diagnostic imaging , Lymphatic Metastasis/diagnostic imaging , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Female , Humans , Iodine Radioisotopes , Lymph Node Excision , Radionuclide Imaging , Retrospective Studies , Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy , Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid
6.
Cancer Control ; 8(5): 427-30, 2001.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11579339

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) has been reported following procedures involving complete lymph node dissection (CLND). Since the triggering event is probably related to nerve injury, sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) should decrease the incidence of PMPS. The purpose of this report is to determine the impact of SLND on the number of patients referred to the pain clinic for PMPS treatment. METHODS: The records of all breast surgical patients with a diagnosis of PMPS referred to the Moffitt Cancer Center pain clinic were reviewed. The criterion for diagnosis of PMPS was a history of postoperative pain in the upper anterior chest wall, upper extremity, axilla, and/or shoulder in the absence of recurrent disease. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients with a diagnosis of PMPS were seen in the pain clinic since 1991. Treatments included local anesthetics/corticosteroid injection, stellate ganglion block, and tricyclic antidepressants. A decrease from 15 patients in 1991 to 3 in 1998 was observed. All but one of the 55 patients with PMPS had CLND, and none referred to the pain clinic had undergone SLND. CONCLUSIONS: PMPS is a complication of CLND. The increased use of SLND in our center has reduced the number of referrals to the pain clinic for treatment of PMPS. This benefit of SLND reduces suffering in the postoperative breast patient.


Subject(s)
Lymph Node Excision/methods , Mastectomy/adverse effects , Pain, Postoperative/prevention & control , Axilla , Female , Humans , Pain, Postoperative/etiology , Retrospective Studies , Syndrome
7.
Child Maltreat ; 6(4): 300-9, 2001 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11675813

ABSTRACT

Research suggests that fathers' involvement in their children's lives is associated with enhanced child functioning. The current study examined (a) whether presence of a father was associated with better child functioning, (b) whether children's perceptions of fathers' support was associated with better functioning, and (c) whether the above association was moderated by the father's relationship to the child, the child's race, and the child's gender. Participants included 855 six-year-old children and their caregivers. Father presence was associated with better cognitive development and greater perceived competence by the children. For children with a father figure, those who described greater father support had a stronger sense of social competence and fewer depressive symptoms. The associations did not differ by child's gender, race, or relationship to the father figure. These findings support the value of fathers' presence and support to their children's functioning. Priorities for future research include clarifying what motivates fathers to be positively involved in their children's lives and finding strategies to achieve this.


Subject(s)
Child Development , Father-Child Relations , Adult , Child , Child Behavior Disorders/psychology , Cognition , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depression/psychology , Family Characteristics , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Research Design , Self Concept , United States/epidemiology
8.
Ann Surg Oncol ; 8(9 Suppl): 67S-70S, 2001 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11599905

ABSTRACT

The current standard of care for patients with invasive breast cancer is complete removal of the tumor by mastectomy or lumpectomy, with documentation of negative margins, followed by complete axillary dissection. Our group has examined the efficacy of lymphatic mapping of the sentinel node via the combination technique in 594 patients with breast cancer. A radiocolloid was injected at six intraparenchymal locations surrounding the tumor 2 hours prior to the operation. A 1% solution of isosulfan blue dye was injected into the breast just before prepping the patient. The breast was compressed and massaged for 5 minutes. The surgical and pathological data were prospectively collected. Lymphatic mapping of the sentinel node with a combination of blue dye and radiocolloid enhanced preop localization, operation efficiency, internal mammary node detection, and quantitative measure of detection. The combined technique also significantly reduced the learning curve for achieving proficiency.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Radiopharmaceuticals , Rosaniline Dyes , Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin , Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Female , Humans , Lymph Nodes/diagnostic imaging , Lymph Nodes/pathology , Lymphatic Metastasis , Radionuclide Imaging , Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy/methods
9.
Ann Surg Oncol ; 8(9): 711-5, 2001 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11597011

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Standard wire localization (WL) and excision of nonpalpable breast lesions has several shortcomings. METHODS: Ninety-seven women with nonpalpable breast lesions were prospectively randomized to radioactive seed localization (RSL) or WL. For RSL, a titanium seed containing 125I was placed at the site of the lesion by using radiographical guidance. The surgeon used a handheld gamma detector to locate and excise the seed and lesion. RESULTS: Both techniques resulted in 100% retrieval of the lesions. Fewer RSL patients required resection of additional margins than WL patients (26% vs. 57%, respectively, P = .02). There were no significant differences in mean times for operative excision (5.4 vs. 6.1 minutes) or radiographical localization (13.9 vs. 13.2 minutes). There were also no significant differences in the subjective ease of the procedures as rated by surgeons, radiologists, and patients. All WLs were carried out on the same day as the excision, whereas RSL was performed up to 5 days before the operative procedure. CONCLUSIONS: RSL is as effective as WL for the excision of nonpalpable breast lesions and reduces the incidence of pathologically involved margins of excision. RSL also reduces scheduling conflicts and may allow elimination of intraoperative specimen mammography. RSL is an attractive alternative to WL.


Subject(s)
Biopsy/methods , Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Breast/pathology , Iodine Radioisotopes , Biopsy/instrumentation , Breast/diagnostic imaging , Breast/surgery , Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Female , Humans , Mammography , Mastectomy, Segmental , Palpation , Prospective Studies , Radionuclide Imaging
10.
Oncol Nurs Forum ; 28(7): 1115-20, 2001 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11517845

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To present barriers and strategies related to successful clinical trial participation and integrate them into a model for successful trial participation. DATA SOURCES: The proposed model was developed based on a literature review related to clinical trial participation, review of empirical studies related to clinical trials, and experiences with subject participation. DATA SYNTHESIS: Successful clinical trial participation depends on study design, participant factors, issues related to ethnic diversity, the informed consent process, and physician factors. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical trial participation is critical for all disciplines. However, nurses either are researchers or co-investigators with physicians on clinical trials, and it is critical for them to understand specific barriers and success strategies for patient participation. Future studies need to be conducted related to participation in nursing clinical trial research. These study results will facilitate successful nursing clinical trials. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: This model can be used in implementation of clinical trials across disciplines prior to and during enrollment of patients into studies.


Subject(s)
Clinical Trials as Topic/methods , Patient Selection , Humans , Informed Consent , Interprofessional Relations , Models, Theoretical , Research Design
11.
Oncogene ; 20(20): 2499-513, 2001 May 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11420660

ABSTRACT

Constitutive activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins has been detected in a wide variety of human primary tumor specimens and tumor cell lines including blood malignancies, head and neck cancer, and breast cancer. We have previously demonstrated a high frequency of Stat3 DNA-binding activity that is constitutively-induced by an unknown mechanism in human breast cancer cell lines possessing elevated EGF receptor (EGF-R) and c-Src kinase activities. Using tyrosine kinase selective inhibitors, we show here that Src and JAK family tyrosine kinases cooperate to mediate constitutive Stat3 activation in the absence of EGF stimulation in model human breast cancer cell lines. Inhibition of Src or JAKs results in dose-dependent suppression of Stat3 DNA-binding activity, which is accompanied by growth inhibition and induction of programmed cell death. In addition, transfection of a dominant-negative form of Stat3 leads to growth inhibition involving apoptosis of breast cancer cells. These results indicate that the biological effects of the Src and JAK tyrosine kinase inhibitors are at least partially mediated by blocking Stat3 signaling. While EGF-R kinase activity is not required for constitutive Stat3 activation in breast cancer cells, EGF stimulation further increases STAT DNA-binding activity, consistent with an important role for EGF-R in STAT signaling and malignant progression. Analysis of primary breast tumor specimens from patients with advanced disease revealed that the majority exhibit elevated STAT DNA-binding activity compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues. Our findings, taken together, suggest that tyrosine kinases transduce signals through Stat3 protein that contribute to the growth and survival of human breast cancer cells in culture and potentially in vivo.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/pathology , DNA-Binding Proteins/physiology , Drosophila Proteins , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/physiology , Trans-Activators/physiology , src-Family Kinases/physiology , Animals , Apoptosis/drug effects , Breast Neoplasms/enzymology , Breast Neoplasms/metabolism , Cell Cycle/drug effects , Cell Division/physiology , DNA, Neoplasm/metabolism , DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , ErbB Receptors/biosynthesis , ErbB Receptors/physiology , Fibroblasts/enzymology , Fibroblasts/metabolism , Fibroblasts/physiology , Humans , Insect Proteins , Janus Kinase 1 , Mice , Phosphorylation/drug effects , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism , Pyridones/pharmacology , Pyrimidines/pharmacology , STAT3 Transcription Factor , Signal Transduction/physiology , Trans-Activators/metabolism , Tumor Cells, Cultured , Tyrphostins/pharmacology , src-Family Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , src-Family Kinases/metabolism
12.
Am Surg ; 67(6): 513-9; discussion 519-21, 2001 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11409797

ABSTRACT

The appropriateness of sentinel lymph node biopsy in the management of patients with biopsy diagnoses of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or DCIS with microinvasion (DCISM) has not been established. Three hundred forty-one patients presented with a biopsy diagnosis of DCIS or DCISM. Two hundred forty (70%) underwent sentinel node biopsy at their definitive procedure. All clinical and pathologic data were collected prospectively. Of 224 patients with a biopsy diagnosis of DCIS 23 (10%) were upstaged to infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) at their definitive therapy and of 16 patients with a biopsy diagnosis of DCISM seven (44%) were upstaged to IDC. Excisional biopsies were no more sensitive for detecting IDC than was core biopsy. Lymph node metastases were detected in 26 of 195 (13%) patients with a definitive diagnosis of DCIS, in three of 15 (20%) with a definitive diagnosis of DCISM, and in eight of 30 (27%) with a definitive diagnosis of IDC. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a valuable tool in the treatment of patients with DCIS and DCISM and is particularly needed in those undergoing mastectomy. No "high-risk" group of patients can be identified for selective sentinel lymph node biopsy.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating/pathology , Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy , Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/pathology , Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating/surgery , Female , Humans , Lymph Node Excision/economics , Lymphatic Metastasis , Mastectomy/economics , Mastectomy, Segmental/economics , Neoplasm Invasiveness/pathology , Prospective Studies , Risk Factors , Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy/economics , Staining and Labeling
13.
Arch Surg ; 136(6): 688-92, 2001 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11387010

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy techniques provide accurate nodal staging for breast cancer. In the past, complete lymph node dissection (CLND) (levels 1 and 2) was performed for breast cancer staging, although the therapeutic benefit of this more extensive procedure has remained controversial. HYPOTHESIS: It has been demonstrated that if the axillary SLN has no evidence of micrometastases, the nonsentinel lymph nodes (NSLNs) are unlikely to have metastases. OBJECTIVE: To determine which variables predict the probability of NSLN involvement in patients with primary breast carcinoma and SLN metastases. METHODS: An analysis of 101 women with SLN metastases and subsequent CLND was performed. Variables included size of the primary tumor, tumor volume in the SLN, staining techniques used to initially identify the micrometastases (cytokeratin immunohistochemical vs hematoxylin-eosin), number of SLNs harvested, and number of NSLNs involved with the metastases. Tumor size was determined by the invasive component of the primary tumor. Patients with ductal carcinoma in situ who were upstaged with cytokeratin staining were considered to have stage T1a tumors. RESULTS: Sentinel lymph node micrometastases (<2 mm) detected initially by cytokeratin staining were associated with a 7.6% (2/26) incidence of positive CLND compared with a 25% (5/20) incidence when micrometastases were detected initially by routine hematoxylin-eosin staining. Sentinel lymph node micrometastases, regardless of identification technique, inferred a risk of 15.2% (7/46) for NSLN involvement. As the volume of tumor in the SLN increased (ie, <2 mm, >2 mm, grossly visible tumor), so did the risk of NSLN metastases (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that patients with micrometastases detected initially by cytokeratin staining had low-volume disease in the SLN with a small chance of having metastases in higher-echelon nodes in the regional basin other than the SLN. Characteristics of the SLN can provide information to determine the need for a complete axillary CLND. Complete lymph node dissection may not be necessary in patients with micrometastases detected initially by cytokeratin staining since the disease is confined to the SLN 92.4% of the time. However, the therapeutic value of CLND in breast cancer remains to be determined by further investigation.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Lymph Node Excision/methods , Lymphatic Metastasis/pathology , Neoplasm Staging/methods , Patient Selection , Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy/methods , Axilla , Biopsy , Coloring Agents , Eosine Yellowish-(YS) , Female , Hematoxylin , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Intraoperative Care , Keratins , Lymph Node Excision/standards , Neoplasm Staging/standards , Predictive Value of Tests , Prognosis , Prospective Studies , Risk Factors , Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy/standards
14.
J Am Pharm Assoc (Wash) ; 41(3): 401-10, 2001.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11372905

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To describe the processes of care used by community pharmacists participating in the Pharmaceutical Care Research and Education Project (PREP) in terms of drug-related problems (DRPs), pharmacists' recommendations, and status of DRPs at follow-up, and to determine characteristics associated with DRPs. DESIGN: Descriptive analysis of the treatment group from a larger randomized, controlled cluster design. SETTING: Five independent community pharmacies in Alberta. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred fifty-nine patients who were covered under Alberta Health and Wellness's senior drug benefit plan (i.e., 65 years or older), were taking three or more medications concurrently according to pharmacy records, were able to complete telephone interviews as determined by pharmacists, maintained residence in Alberta for 12 of the 15 study months, agreed to receive their prescription medications only from the study pharmacy during the study period, and provided informed consent. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of DRPs, recommendations, status of DRPs, and analysis of clinical results as determined during pharmacists' follow-up care. RESULTS: In telephone surveys, patients reported taking 4.7 prescription medications per day, but pharmacists documented 8.7 prescription medications per day in their records. Pharmacists documented 559 DRPs, a mean (+/- SD) of 3.9+/-3.2 problems per patient. Approximately 39% of problems were actual DRPs, while 60% were potential DRPs. Medical conditions associated most frequently with a DRP involved the respiratory, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems. The most common DRP categories were "patient requires drug therapy" or "patient requires influenza or pneumococcal vaccination." Pharmacists wrote 551 initial clinical notes using the subjective, objective, assessment, plan (SOAP) format, and they recorded 346 follow-up interventions, also using SOAP notes. Counseling, preventive consultations, and clinical monitoring represented 40% of their recommendations. In 80% of situations, the pharmacist made the recommendation directly to the patient. On follow-up, 40% of the 559 DRPs identified were resolved, controlled, or improved. Patients accepted 76% of pharmacists' recommendations, and physicians accepted 72% of pharmacists' suggested resolutions of DRPs. Pharmacists were more likely to follow up about actual DRPs, as compared with potential ones; overall, they followed up on 62% of identified DRPs. CONCLUSION: Pharmacists identified more DRPs for study patients than previous community-based, observational studies have reported. Undertreatment appears to be a prevalent DRP. Community pharmacists' recommendations to prevent and resolve DRPs were made primarily to patients and were well accepted. More follow-up was needed for all DRPs. When follow-up occurred, the DRP results generally showed improvement.


Subject(s)
Community Pharmacy Services , Pharmacists , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Referral and Consultation
15.
J Am Pharm Assoc (Wash) ; 41(3): 411-20, 2001.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11372906

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare patients' adherence to therapy, expectations, satisfaction with pharmacy services, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after the provision of pharmaceutical care with those of patients who received traditional pharmacy care. DESIGN: Randomized controlled cluster design. SETTING: Sixteen community pharmacies in Alberta, Canada. PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Ambulatory elderly (> or = 65 years of age) patients covered under Alberta Health & Wellness's senior drug benefit plan and who were concurrently using three or more medications according to pharmacy profiles. INTERVENTION: Pharmacies were randomly assigned to either treatment (intervention) or control (traditional pharmacy care) groups. Patients at treatment pharmacies were recruited into the study, and pharmacists provided comprehensive pharmaceutical care services. Pharmacists at control pharmacies continued to provide traditional pharmacy care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Study participants' opinions, adherence to therapy, and scores on the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: Compared with those of patients receiving traditional care, treatment patients' expectations that their pharmacist would perform activities congruent with pharmaceutical care changed over the study period. Treatment patients' satisfaction with the constructs "trust," "evaluation and goal setting," and "communicates with doctor" were also positively affected. HRQOL and patient adherence were not significantly affected by pharmaceutical care interventions. CONCLUSION: Successful implementation of a pharmaceutical care practice model has the potential to increase patients' satisfaction with their pharmacists' activities and may increase patients' expectations that pharmacists will work on their behalf to assist them with their health care needs. If pharmaceutical care affects patients' HRQOL, instruments more specific than the SF-36 may be needed to detect the differences.


Subject(s)
Community Pharmacy Services , Patient Compliance , Patient Satisfaction , Pharmacists , Quality of Life , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged
16.
Plast Reconstr Surg ; 107(2): 541-9; quiz 550, 2001 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11214073

ABSTRACT

The surgical management of breast cancer has changed dramatically from a deforming ablative procedure to an approach that for the majority of breast cancer patients can preserve the breast and axillary anatomy. The current approach to the diagnosis of breast cancer and the evolution of the more limited approach to surgical resection are discussed. The technique of sentinel lymph node biopsy, originally developed for melanoma patients, has now been adopted for use in the treatment of breast cancer. The methodology and advantages of this approach to the axillary lymph nodes in both tumor recognition and reduced risk to the patient are detailed.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Mastectomy/methods , Breast/pathology , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Female , Humans , Lymph Node Excision/methods , Lymphatic Metastasis , Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy/methods
17.
J Am Coll Surg ; 192(1): 9-16, 2001 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11192930

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The technique of lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is rapidly becoming the preferred method of staging the axilla of the breast cancer patient. This report describes the impact of postinjection massage on the sensitivity of this surgical technique. STUDY DESIGN: Lymphatic mapping at the H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center is performed using a combination of isosulfan blue dye and Tc99m labeled sulfur colloid. Data describing the rate of SLN identification and the node characteristics from 594 consecutive patients were calculated. Patients who received a 5-minute massage after injection of blue dye and radiocolloid were compared with a control group in which the patients did not receive a postinjection massage. RESULTS: When compared with controls, the proportion of patients who had their SLN identified using blue dye after massage increased from 73.0% to 88.3%, and the proportion of patients who had their SLN identified using radiocolloid after massage increased from 81.7% to 91.3%. The overall rate of SLN identification increased from 93.5% to 97.8%. The proportion of nodes that were stained blue among those removed increased from 73.4% to 79.7% after massage. CONCLUSIONS: As experience increases with this new procedure, the surgical technique of lymphatic mapping continues to evolve. The addition of a postinjection massage significantly improves the uptake of blue dye by SLNs and may also aid in the accumulation of radioactivity in the SLNs, further increasing the sensitivity of this procedure.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Massage , Neoplasm Staging/methods , Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy/methods , Female , Humans , Radiopharmaceuticals , Rosaniline Dyes , Sensitivity and Specificity , Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid
18.
Breast J ; 7(5): 303-7, 2001.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11906439

ABSTRACT

Axillary lymph node metastases dramatically worsen the prognosis of patients with breast cancer. Despite this prognostic significance, routine histologic examination of axillary lymph nodes examines less than 1% of the submitted material. It is therefore obvious that micrometastatic disease is missed with this rather cursory examination, and the question arises as to the significance of this missed disease. Most lines of evidence suggest that missed axillary micrometastases exist and contribute to patient mortality. Most large studies of breast cancer micrometastases have suggested that undetected axillary micrometastases can be identified with more detailed examinations of the regional lymph nodes and that this group of patients has a poorer prognosis than those with no metastases identified. In addition, small-volume nodal disease, too small to be detected by traditional hematoxylin and eosin staining, has been shown to be capable of producing tumors in animal models. Finally, micrometastases have been shown to be of significance in other diseases. This article reviews the lines of evidence and the ongoing studies that are attempting to clarify the significance of micrometastatic disease in patients with breast cancer.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Lymphatic Metastasis/pathology , Diagnostic Tests, Routine , Female , Humans , Predictive Value of Tests , Prognosis
19.
J Am Coll Surg ; 193(6): 593-600, 2001 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11768674

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Implementation of new procedures, including lymphatic mapping for breast cancer, must be done and overseen by the medical community in a responsible way to ensure that the procedures are performed correctly. This study addresses the issues of adequacy of training and certification of surgeons performing lymphatic mapping. Ensuring quality in surgical care requires outcomes measures that are described in this study. STUDY DESIGN: Sixteen surgeons performed lymphatic mapping in 2,255 patients with breast cancer using a combination blue dye and Tc99m-labeled sulfur colloid to identify the sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). All participants were trained in a 2-day CME-accredited course. The Cox learning curve model (total number of mapping failures/total number of mapping cases) for a consecutive series of lymphatic mapping cases is described. The relationship of the Surgical Volume Index, the cases performed in a 30-day period, to the failure rate for each surgeon was modeled as a logistic regression curve (y = e(a+bx)/[1 + e(a+bx)]). RESULTS: Surgeons performing less than three SLN biopsies per month had an average success rate of 86.23% +/- 8.30%. Surgeons performing three to six SLN biopsies per month had a success rate of 88.73% +/- 6.36%. Surgeons performing more than six SLN biopsies per month had a success rate of 97.81% +/- 0.44%. CONCLUSIONS: This experience defines a learning curve for lymphatic mapping in breast cancer patients. Data suggest that increased volumes lead to decreased failure rates. These data provide surgeons performing SLN biopsy with a new paradigm for assessing their skill and adequacy of training and describes the relationship between volume of cases performed and success rate of SLN detection.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Clinical Competence , Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy , Education, Medical, Continuing , Female , General Surgery/education , Humans , Logistic Models , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Sensitivity and Specificity
20.
Ann Surg Oncol ; 8(10): 833-6, 2001 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11776499

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Lymphatic mapping (LM) for breast cancer has made internal mammary node (IMN) detection practical and dependable. This study demonstrates the necessity of IMN removal when suggested by intraoperative radioguided surgery detection. METHODS: From April 1998 to July 2000, 1273 patients underwent LM for breast cancer. LM was performed using the combined dye and radiocolloid technique. Patients were scanned operatively with a gamma probe over the IMN area, and most underwent preoperative lymphoscintigraphy. Nodes were removed from patients in whom radioactivity was detected in the internal mammary area. RESULTS: Thirty of the 1273 (2.4%) patients mapped had at least one IMN removed. Twenty-two of 30 (73.3%) had inner quadrant lesions. Five of 30 (16.7%) patients had IMNs that were positive for metastatic disease. Three of these five had no metastatic spread to the axillary sentinel lymph node (SLN). One of thirty (3.3%) patients with IMN localization had neither hot nor blue nodes detected in an SLN procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Radioguided SLN detection should be attempted in the IMN basin with all tumors. If an IMN is identified, it should be removed. IMN biopsy is a feasible, low-risk procedure when directed by radioguided LM and provides a guide for radiotherapy for patients with positive IMNs.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Lymphatic Metastasis/diagnostic imaging , Lymphography , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Female , Humans , Lymph Node Excision , Lymphatic Metastasis/pathology , Radionuclide Imaging , Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL
...