Photodynamic therapy for recurrent gynecologic malignancy: a report on 4 cases.

4 patients with recurrent gynecological malignancy were treated photodynamically, 4 d after sensitisation with intravenous meso-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)-chlorin (m-THPC) at a dose of 0.15 mg/kg bodyweight (total dose ranged from 12-15 mg). Light at 652 nm was derived from a KTP-Dye laser (Diasonic) and delivered superficially at a total light dose of 20 J/cm2 (power density of 100 mW/sec). Within 24 h necrosis occurred which was restricted to the tumor area. There was serious bleeding occurred in 1 patient. All tumors responded to PDT, however woundhealing was significantly delayed and survival times were disappointingly short.

Bone mineral densitometry in dialyzed patients: quantitative computed tomography versus dual photon absorptiometry.

Reduced bone mineral density (BMD) increases risk of fractures, thus making it necessary to monitor patients suffering from chronic renal failure and consecutive disturbance of bone metabolism. In order to evaluate the reliability of available methods, bone mineral density of the lumbar spine assessed with single energy computed tomography (QCT) was compared with bone mineral density of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, Ward's triangle and trochanteric region measured by dual energy photon absorptiometry (DPA) in 45 hemodialyzed patients with a mean hemodialysis duration of 35 +/- 26 months (SD). Depending on the measurement site and method 4-34% of dialyzed patients suffered from reduced BMD (z-score < -2). The highest correlation (r = 0.61, p < 0.01) was found between QCT of the spine, trabecular bone, and DPA of Ward's triangle. One year after baseline measurement bone mineral density was reassessed after randomization to either QCT or DPA in 14 and 18 patients, respectively. Whereas lumbar spine and femoral neck did not change, mean BMD showed a decrease at the measurement sites of Ward's triangle (DPA), trochanteric region (DPA) and trabecular bone of the spine (QCT), which, however, was statistically not significant. Cortical BMD of the spine assessed with QCT showed an increase. Although there is some reduction in bone density at most sites in hemodialyzed patients, no significant bone loss could be demonstrated over the course of 1 year.

[Biochemical and immunohistochemical detection of epidermal growth factor receptor in breast and ovarian tissue]. / Biochemischer und immunhistochemischer Nachweis des Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Mamma- and Ovarialgeweben.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was assessed in 52 breast and 46 ovarian biopsies by the radio ligand binding assay and/or the immunoperoxidase technique. A direct comparison of the two methods was undertaken in 27 breast and 32 ovarian biopsies. The results of both methods correlated positively (r = 0.59) in malignant tumours (n = 34), but not in benign lesions (n = 16) nor in normal tissues (n = 9). The different results may be explained by the fact that different aspects were measured by the two methods, while the biochemical assay assessed the receptor binding capacity, the immunohistochemical method detected an EGFR epitope. Since the histochemical method allows the localization of EGFR positive cells and the biochemical assay gives a quantitative measure, both methods together give more information on the receptor situation. A comparison of the results of these methods used simultaneously, rather than alternating one method with another improves the degree of accuracy of evaluation.