Burkitt's lymphoma treatment in a rural hospital in Sierra Leone.

BACKGROUND: Sierra Leone is a low-income sub-Saharan country in the endemic Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) belt. We performed a prospective trial of a reduced-intensity chemotherapy protocol for the treatment of paediatric BL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The trial included all children clinically diagnosed with BL between 2005 and 2008. Biopsy, bone-marrow aspiration, analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, abdominal ultrasound and plain x-ray of involved sites were performed when feasible. The treatment protocol was a first i.v. dose of cyclophosphamide (CPM) 40 mg/kg, followed by oral CPM weekly for two doses and then bimonthly to a total of six doses. Treatment was based on clinical diagnosis as it was several weeks before pathology results were available. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients were included, with a median age 7 years and 4 months; 59/87 (67.8%) were boys. Nearly half (n = 17, 42.5%), presented with moderate or severe malnutrition. Biopsy was performed in 44 patients, BL being verified in 36 (41.4% of all patients). Most children presented with advanced disease: 28 (32%) at stage II, 47 (54%) at stage III and 12 (13.8%) at stage IV. Most patients (71/87, 82%) initially responded to treatment, but just over half (47/87, 54%) experienced relapse and refractory disease. Forty patients (46%) in complete or partial clinical response were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: The outcome for BL in rural Sierra Leone according to this protocol is poor. Low-dose CPM was ineffective. Constraints on performing complete diagnosis and staging, frequency of advanced disease at presentation and a high drop-out rate might explain our poor results.

Quality of life two years after radical prostatectomy, prostate brachytherapy or external beam radiotherapy for clinically localised prostate cancer: the Catalan Institute of Oncology/Bellvitge Hospital experience.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare the short- and long-term impact of 3 different treatment modalities on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients treated for localised prostate cancer at a single centre in Catalonia, Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a longitudinal, prospective study of 304 patients from a single centre in Catalonia, Spain. Patients underwent 1 of 3 treatment procedures: radical prostatectomy (114 patients), external beam radiation (134) or interstitial brachytherapy (56). HRQOL was assessed by both general and specific questionnaires, including the SF-36 health survey and the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC). Interviews were administered prior to treatment and at months 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24. One-way analysis of variance and generalised estimating equations models were constructed to assess between group differences in HRQOL. RESULTS: After initial deterioration, HRQOL scores partially recovered, although significant differences between treatment groups persisted at two years. Worsening of urinary incontinence was especially marked for the radical prostatectomy group (11.45, p=0.005), while deterioration in the urinary irritative/obstructive domain was worse following brachytherapy treatment (4.76, p=0.025). Decline in sexual function was significantly greater for the radical prostatectomy group than for the brachytherapy group (18.74, p<0.001). No significant between-group differences were observed in bowel domain scores. CONCLUSIONS: Quality of life 2 years after treatment for prostate cancer shows wide variability. Radical prostatectomy had the largest negative impact on the sexual and urinary incontinence domains. Differences between external radiation and brachytherapy were relatively small. Brachytherapy led to a moderate increase in urinary irritation compared to the other 2 groups.

Quality of life two years after radical prostatectomy, prostate brachytherapy or external beam radiotherapy for clinically localised prostate cancer: the Catalan Institute of Oncology/Bellvitge Hospital experience

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare the short- and long-term impact of 3 different treatment modalities on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients treated for localised prostate cancer at a single centre in Catalonia, Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a longitudinal, prospective study of 304 patients from a single centre in Catalonia, Spain. Patients underwent 1 of 3 treatment procedures: radical prostatectomy (114 patients), external beam radiation (134) or interstitial brachytherapy (56). HRQOL was assessed by both general and specific questionnaires, including the SF-36 health survey and the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC). Interviews were administered prior to treatment and at months 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24. One-way analysis of variance and generalised estimating equations models were constructed to assess between group differences in HRQOL. RESULTS: After initial deterioration, HRQOL scores partially recovered, although significant differences between treatment groups persisted at two years. Worsening of urinary incontinence was especially marked for the radical prostatectomy group (11.45, p=0.005), while deterioration in the urinary irritative/obstructive domain was worse following brachytherapy treatment (4.76, p=0.025). Decline in sexual function was significantly greater for the radical prostatectomy group than for the brachytherapy group (18.74, p<0.001). No significant between-group differences were observed in bowel domain scores. CONCLUSIONS: Quality of life 2 years after treatment for prostate cancer shows wide variability. Radical prostatectomy had the largest negative impact on the sexual and urinary incontinence domains. Differences between external radiation and brachytherapy were relatively small. Brachytherapy led to a moderate increase in urinary irritation compared to the other 2 groups (AU)

Conceptos básicos de enfermería en la atención gerontológica según el modelo V. Henderson / Basic concepts of nursing in gerontological care following V. Henderson's Model

La atención a la salud de las personas ancianas es actualmente un ámbito extraordinariamente dinámico y cambiante, tanto en lo referente a las necesidades de los clientes, como en los requerimientos profesionales necesarios para dar respuestas adecuadas en un medio extremadamente permeable a los acontecimientos científicos, legales, familiares, sanitarios, políticos, etc. Dentro del equipo multidisciplinar, en los ambitos específicos de atención gerontológica y a la comunidad, la enfermera es el líder indiscutible del equipo, ya que es el único profesional preparado y entrenado para trabajar según un plan de cuidados integral enfocado a la persona. Los modelos de enfermería nos aportan el sistema de valores desde el cual la enfermera afronta su rol, evalúa los problemas de salud y planifica sus objetivos específicos, desde el rol autónomo y desde el rol de colaboración con otros profesionales de la salud. El Modelo Henderson, sus valores y postulados se adaptan muy especialmente a la atención gerontológica y lo hacen comprensible y compatible con los objetivos interdisciplinarios, reforzando el liderazgo de la enfermera dentro del equipo de atención. El objetivo de este trabajo es aportar una visión gerontológica de los conceptos básicos del Modelo Henderson y del proceso de atención de enfermería, basados en la reflexión sobre la práctica clínica

Nowadays, elderly people care has become an extremely dynamic field as it is changing both in the patient's needs and in the professional requests needed to provide the right answers in a modern environment, which is extremely linked to scientific, legal, familiar, health and political changes. Within the multidisciplinary team, in the specific fields of gerontology and community care, the nurse is the unquestionable leader, as this is the only qualified professional who is trained to follow a whole care plan aimed at every patient. Nursing models give us the system of values which infirmary follows to perform their task, estimate health problems and plans its specific objectives, either individually or when collaborating with other professionals of health. The values and postulates of Henderson model are specially adapted to gerontology and make the model comprehensible and compatible with interdisciplinary objectives, reinforcing the nurse's leadership in the care team. The purpose of this work is to provide a gerontologist vision of the main concepts of Henderson model and care processes of infirmary, based on the reflection about clinical practice

European collaborative group on prostate brachytherapy: preliminary report in 1175 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a multi-centre database of a large number of patients treated with brachytherapy across Europe. METHODS: A total of 1175 patient files were registered in the database and the completeness of the data on these patients resulted in the majority being included in the analysis. RESULTS: The database of patients treated with brachytherapy across Europe indicates that optimal patient selection for this procedure has been made, both in terms of outcome and side-effects, which will be subject of future analyses. This should enable refinement of the treatment choice and administration as well as provide useful guidance to other centres that want to establish this procedure for their patients. It will also set the ground for prospective studies. CONCLUSIONS: The established database indicates that brachytherapy as a treatment option for prostate cancer is well established in many centres.

La historia de vida en la intervención gerontológica: instrumentos y método para la elaboración / Life history in the gerontologic intervention: instruments and method for its elaboration

La Historia de Vida (HV) es ampliamente utilizada en gerontología, como elemento indispensable y complementario para la intervención y el plan de cuidados en todos los ámbitos asistenciales. Sin embargo, a nuestro entender, la bibliografía y los foros de debate hacen escasas referencias a la metodología para elaborarla. Con este trabajo, pretendemos aportar a la enfermera gerontológica una metodologia estructurada, basada en instrumentos transdisciplinares de amplia aplicación en otros campos de las Ciencias Sociales y de la Salud. La aplicación del método propuesto aporta a la enfermera gerontológica las herramientas para estructurar las entrevistas para la elaboración de la HV de una forma ordenada y coherente y el registro de la información de forma eficazmente utilizable en el Proceso de Cuidados. Los instrumentos propuestos, son fáciles de aprender y aplicables a toda la variedad de situaciones personales y asistenciales así como para la docencia. Elaborar la HV según el método propuesto abre nuevos campos a la investigación gerontológica, a la proyección profesional de la enfermera y es de fácil integración en programas informatizados (AU)

Recurrent ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone producing thymic carcinoid detected with octreotide imaging.

Primary thymic carcinoids are rare tumors in which the tumor cells retain functional somatostatin receptors. In-111-labeled octreotide imaging has been used to diagnose abdominal carcinoids with a sensitivity rate of approximately 87%. The authors describe a case of a recurrent, ectopic cortisol-releasing hormone that produced thymic carcinoid localized as a focal area of increased activity in the upper mediastinum when planar and tomographic octreotide scintigraphy was used. Chest CT and MRI failed to localize the tumor. This may be the first reported case of In-111-labeled octreotide used to identify Cushing's syndrome caused by a cortisol-releasing hormone that produced thymic carcinoid.

Clinical profile of 128 subjects operated for primary hyperparathyroidism.

From 1960 to 1990, one hundred twenty eight (128) subjects with primary hyperparathyroidism were operated in the University Hospital. The medical records were reviewed. Serum and urine chemistries were done by conventional methods, serum PTH was done by RIA's (N-, C-, and midregion) and intact by IRMA and 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol by a non equilibrium receptor assay from calf thymus and preceded by double Sep-Pak chromatography. The distal third of the radius (nondominant arm) was used to evaluate radial bone density (RBD), using single photon absorptiometry (Norland) and the lumbar bone density (LBD) was measured by dual energy X Ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The RBD was done in 41 females and 15 males and the LBD in 12 females and 4 males. The series comprised 95 females, age range from 15 to 79 years, and 33 males, age range from 14 to 69 years. Prominent clinical features included nephrolithiasis in 72 subjects (56%), osteitis fibrosa cystica in 2, isolated familial hyperparathyroidism in 4 subjects in one family, 7 subjects with MEN-1 in 3 families, and 4 subjects with MEN-2 in one family. Only 7 subjects were asymptomatic. Serum calcium was elevated in all, serum alkaline phosphatase was elevated in 24% and urinary hydroxiproline was increased in 48%. Serum phosphorus was low in 92%. PTH assay was either elevated or inappropriately normal for the serum calcium in all patients tested. Serum 1,25 D was elevated in 57%. The PTH level was positively correlated with the serum calcium (r = 0.70), but had no significant correlation with the serum phosphorus and the 1,25 D. The RBD expressed as the standard deviation from that of the mean for age and sex matched controls was > or = 2 SD below the mean in 39% of females and in 40% of males. In contrast to the RBD none of the subjects tested had a LBD > or = 2 SD below the age and sex adjusted mean. 103 subjects had adenomas, 20 primary hyperplasia, 2 carcinomas and in 3 surgical exploration was unsuccessful. As to the outcome of Surgery, 117 (93%) were cured. Thus, in this series, successful surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism is the rule. Primary hyperparathroidism is rarely asymptomatic and appendicular bone disease and nephrolithiasis are commonly seen.

An update on the discovery, pathophysiological actions, clinical manifestations and possible physiology of parathyroid related peptide.

PTHrP has had an unidentified role in medicine since 1930, when Albright described a patient with renal cortical cell carcinoma with hypercalcemia. Since then hypercalcemia has been recognized as the most common paraneoplastic syndrome. At that time the concept of "ectopic PTH syndrome" was introduced, and remained in literature until the true etiology was finally described. In the early 1970's Roof and Benson presented evidence that PTH in humoral hypercalcemia differed from "authentic" PTH. This marked the starting point for researchers to try identifying the molecule that mimicked PTH action and structure. This molecule, named parathyroid-related peptide, has been associated to hypercalcemia seen with solid tumors, such as squamous cell carcinoma of the lung and renal cortical cell carcinoma. PTHrP has been demonstrated to have similar actions to PTH but to differ in decreasing osteoblastic activity while increasing osteoclastic activity. The more fascinating finding was the presence of the PTHrP genes throughout the body, mostly the lactating breast as well as the heart, lungs and skin among others. Despite its identification, finding its physiological roles on normal tissue still remains to be clarified.

An update on the discovery, pathophysiological actions, clinical manifestations and possible physiology of parathyroid related peptide

PTHrP has had an unidentified role in medicine since 1930, when Albright described a patient with renal cortical cell carcinoma with hypercalcemia. Since then hypercalcemia has been recognized as the most common paraneoplastic syndrome. At that time the concept of ®ectopic PTH syndrome® was introduced, and remained in literature until the true etiology was finally described. In the early 1970's Roof and Benson presented evidence that PTH in humoral hypercalcemia differed from ®authentic® PTH. This marked the starting point for researchers to try identifying the molecule that mimicked PTH action and structure. This molecule, named parathyroid-related peptide, has been associated to hypercalcemia seen with solid tumors, such as squamous cell carcinoma of the lung and renal cortical cell carcinoma. PTHrP has been demonstrated to have similar actions to PTH but to differ in decreasing osteoblastic activity while increasing osteoclastic activity. The more fascinating finding was the presence of the PTHrP genes throughout the body, mostly the lactating breast as well as the heart, lungs and skin among others. Despite its identification, finding its physiological roles on normal tissue still remains to be clarified

Pericardial effusion. Unusual complication in thyroid cancer.

A case in which a prolonged hypothyroid state resulted in development of a pericardial effusion is presented. The compensatory mechanism for protein homeostasis is lost in severe hypothyroidism. Iodine is transported to the pericardial space, which is filled with a high-protein content fluid and remains trapped. The mechanism for the accumulation of the fluid in the pericardial space is discussed. To prevent this unusual but dangerous complication, the authors recommend close monitoring of the patient's clinical status and serum thyroid stimulating hormone. The use of a short acting thyroxine substitute for at least 2 weeks can decrease occurrence of this complication and will shorten the time the patient needs to be hypothyroid.

The lumbar and femoral bone mineral densities in a normal female Puerto Rican population.

The aim of this study was to establish the reference values of the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and the proximal femur in a normal adult female Puerto Rican population. In the selection of the population, exclusion criteria included diseases, use of drugs and toxic habits (smoking and alcoholism) known to affect bone and mineral metabolism. The study population comprised 131 healthy females, ages 20 to 69 years. Spinal radiographs were taken of women age 60 or more to exclude spinal defects or artifacts. The bone mineral densities were measured using the dual energy X Ray absorptiometer (DEXA, Hologic model 1000). The peak BMD was found in the lumbar spine at the age 30 to 39 years and at the age 20 to 29 years in the femoral neck, trochanter and Ward's triangle. The decrease in BMD from peak values to those at age 60 to 69 years were 18% for the lumbar spine, 16.3% for the femoral neck, 30.1% for the Ward's triangle and 12.4% for the trochanter. The major fall in the BMD was related to the menopause and compares with that of other series. There was no statistical difference from Hologic reference values in a mixed population of the USA.

Unusual cases of hyperparathyroidism.

The history, physical and radiologic findings, treatment and pathology in five unusual cases of hyperparathyroidism is presented. The hyperparathyroidism was caused by a large (113 grams) mediastinal adenoma in the first patient, who is alive 25 years after surgery. A parathyroid carcinoma with compression of the esophagus was documented in the second patient. This patient is alive and normocalcemic 23 years after surgical treatment. A third patient with hyperplasia returned with hypercalcemia 20 years postsurgery requiring reoperation. A fourth patient with advanced bone findings was found to have a parathyroid adenoma. The fifth case is a patient with tertiary hyperparathyroidism secondary to hypophosphatemic rickets.

Bone densitometric profile among young adults in Puerto Rico: morphometric and SPA results.

Through many contributing factors (ethnicity, diet, exercise, sun exposure, sex, etc.), bone density has traditionally been considered to reach a peak (PBD), during the third decade of life. More recently, data suggests this might occur earlier, mostly mediated by onset and duration of sexual maturation. In order to ascertain such contention, we studied 45 young (20-24 yr) adults utilizing single-photon absorption densitometry (SPA, Norland 2870), at the distal 1/3 of non-dominant arms, a site with 75% cortical bone. A uniform questionnaire on their life styles, ethnic/racial background, & biochemical/hormonal tests established their healthy state, as usually found among medical student volunteers. All had reached Tanner V stage. BD was obtained dividing BMC (bone mineral content, gm/cm) by BW (bone width, cm), and expressed as gm/cm2. Wt (weight) of Males (n = 24, age = 22.8 +/- 0.8 yr) was 77.9 +/- 8.9 Kg, height, (Ht) was 176.1 +/- 5 cm, both significantly higher than for Females (n = 21, Wt = 58.4 +/- 9.8 Kg, Ht = 159.2 +/- 5 cm), p < 0.0001). BMI (body mass index, kg/m2) were: M = 25.3 +/- 2.5 while F = 23.0 +/- 2.9 (p < 0.008). Ages were similar: M = 22.8 +/- 0.83, F = 22.5 +/- 0.81 years. Results were analyzed using SAS (IBM PS) & Cricket-graph (Macintosh), expressed as arithmetic means +/- SD or sem. LR (regressions) were applied whenever feasible.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Malignant neoplasms and kidney transplantation]. / Neoplasias malignas y transplante renal.

In 661 renal transplantations, 2 potentially migrated tumours (0.38%), 5 preexisting neoplasias (0.76%), and 31 "de novo" tumours were seen in 29 patients (4.4&). Although of very low incidence, the likelihood of tumour migration from elderly donors, given the circumstances surrounding removal, offers a high risk. None of the preexisting neoplasias relapsed following transplant. The highest prevalence was seen in skin (40%), lung (13%), kidney (13%) and bladder (6.6%) "de novo" tumours. Incidence of lymphoma was low. Dominant etiological factors of the recipient were older age, effective and tolerated immunosuppression, viral infections, environmental agents and antigenic stimulation of the graft. Skin lesions have responded well to local treatment, without need to discontinue immunosuppression, a measure that is mandatory in other malignant tumours. Also, the conclusions of a round table during the 25th National Meeting of Urotransplantation of the Spanish Association of Urology held in 1994 on "Oncology and Renal Transplantation" are presented.

[BCG in superficial carcinoma of the bladder. Authors' experience]. / BCG en el carcinoma vesical superficial. Nuestra experiencia.

Contribution of 95 patients with surface vesical tumour managed with UTR and endovesical BCG. The response was absence of recurrence in 68.4% cases in Ta stage, 63% in T1 and 66.7% in 'in situ' carcinoma. Therapy tolerability was good, with few side-effects. We conclude that BCG endovesical instillation as co-adjunctive therapy to UTR in surface vesical tumours has been shown to be effective for the period under study.

[Therapeutic embolization of a renal angiomyolipoma associated with tuberous sclerosis]. / Embolisation thérapeutique d'un angiomyolipome rénal associé à une sclérose tubéreuse.

The authors report about one case of bilateral renal angiomyolipoma, which is interesting because it is associated with tuberous sclerosis and was revealed by chronic anemia, and because of the treatment chosen, which consisted in the selective embolization of the neovessels. Follow-up at one year showed the reduction of the tumoral mass and the proper function of the remaining renal parenchyma.

Pheochromocytoma: a twenty year experience at the University Hospital.

During the past 20 years (1970-90), we had 24 patients with pheochromocytoma: 19 diagnosed clinically and 5 post-mortem. Their ages ranged from 17 to 74 (mean, 43.2 years). Males (n = 14) outnumbered females (n = 10), a 1.41:1 M:F ratio. A majority were symptomatic (95%), with a typical triad of headaches, palpitations and diaphoresis. Most frequent finding was hypertension (95%). It was sustained in 60% and paroxysmal in 35%. In 6 patients (25%) pheochromocytomas were bilateral, all familial. Fifteen were solitary adrenal tumors (63%); 3 (12.5%) were extra-adrenal: 2 intra-abdominal, and 1 cardiac paraganglioma of right atrium. Of 6 familial cases, 4 were associated to Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, while 2 were multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN-II) patients. All familial cases were bilateral and in the adrenals. There were no malignancies. Among the 19 clinical cases pre-operative Dx was made by positive urine VMA or catecholamines urine levels: (95 and 100% sensitivity respectively). Preoperative visualization by CT or MRI was done in 62% of the most recent patients. In 5 earlier cases the diagnosis was made post mortem: 3 died of cerebral hemorrhage, 1 with a pons infarct and 1 with congestive heart failure (CHF). There were 2 post-operative deaths and another died 13 years later from thyroid medullary carcinoma. Of the 19 operated, 13 (68%) were cured. Thus pheochromocytomas retain considerable morbidity and some mortality. These rare tumors constitute a clinical diagnostic challenge yet a rewarding therapeutic experience for the alert physician.

[Renal mass as the initial manifestation of a metastasized oat-cell]. / Masa renal como primera manifestación de un oat-cell metastatizado.

Renal metastasis of localized tumours in the economy are rare. In our series of 162 renal tumours only 3 were metastatic. Even more unusual is that the metastasis should be the presenting form. Such is the case we are reporting: a 59 year-old male complaining from back pain and toxic syndrome. Supplementary examinations were performed sequentially until arriving at an open biopsy which confirmed the oat cell histology. The paper explains the results from the various examinations. The ominous prognosis of this histology is illustrated.