ABSTRACT
The authors measured the rate and determinants of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a group of cancer survivors. Patients who had a history of cancer diagnosis with at least 3 years since diagnosis, receiving no active treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation, were interviewed (N = 27). Patients, who were part of the DSM-IV PTSD field trial, were compared with a community-based control group matched for age and socioeconomic status. One member of the survivor group (4%) and no members of the control group met criteria for current PTSD (NS). Six of the survivors (22%) and no control subjects met lifetime criteria (P < 0.02). Cancer patients have a higher rate of PTSD than found in the community. Symptoms closely resemble those of individuals who have experienced other traumatic events.
Subject(s)
Neoplasms/psychology , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/diagnosis , Adult , Aged , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/psychology , Tamoxifen/therapeutic useABSTRACT
IgG subclasses of anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies were determined in 182 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. All isotypes were detected, but IgG1 and IgG3 were predominant (62 and 51% of the cases, respectively). An average of 64 +/- 27% was IgG1, 16 +/- 22% IgG2, 16 +/- 19% IgG3 and 4 +/- 10% IgG4. The rank order or frequency was IgG1, IgG3, IgG2 and IgG4 in patients with musculoskeletal involvement; IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 in those with renal complications; IgG3, IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4 in those with cutaneous involvement; and IgG1, IgG3, IgG2 and IgG4 in those with hematological manifestations. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) was detectable in 17 of 36 selected patients, as opposed to 1 of 40 normal controls. The percentage of the total autoantibody contributed by IgG1 was significantly higher (p < 0.03) in these patients than in the remainder with undetectable levels of IL-4.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Antinuclear/blood , DNA/immunology , Interleukin-4/blood , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Immunoglobulin Isotypes/classification , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/blood , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
The authors report a case in which a trophoblastic tumour developed at the implantation site in a 34-year-old woman in her second pregnancy. She had previously had trophoblastic disease that had persisted after a molar pregnancy. Using monoclonal anti-beta-hCG antibodies in order to localise the tumour by clinical radio immunodetection made it possible to cure the patient. The tumour was a secretory tumour and hysterectomy was the cure.
Subject(s)
Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic/pathology , Trophoblastic Neoplasms/pathology , Uterine Neoplasms/pathology , Adult , Female , Humans , PregnancyABSTRACT
The authors report the results of a prospective, multi-centre trial involving 87 patients with previously untreated myeloma who were treated by combination chemotherapy consisting of melphalan, cyclophosphamide, CCNU, prednisone and vincristine. 83.1% of patients had a high tumour mass (stage III on Durie and Salmon's classification). The response to treatment could be evaluated in 76 patients and 70% were found to respond. The median actuarial survival of the whole population is 30 months. The survival is significantly longer (p less than 0.001) in responders (median 40 months) than in non-responders (median: 17 months); the survival is significantly shorter (p less than 0.01) in subjects with renal failure (median: 10 months) than in subjects without renal failure (median: 36 months). This treatment is sufficiently well tolerated to be administered on an outpatient basis. One case of acute monoblastic leukaemia was observed. These results are similar to those reported in the literature.
