Showing papers by "Tata Memorial Hospital published in 2004"

Ophthalmic manifestations of acute leukaemias: the ophthalmologist's role

Abstract: With evolving diagnostic and therapeutic advances, the survival of patients with acute leukaemia has considerably improved. This has led to an increase in the variability of ocular presentations in the form of side effects of the treatment and the ways leukaemic relapses are being first identified as an ocular presentation. Leukaemia may involve many ocular tissues either by direct infiltration, haemorrhage, ischaemia, or toxicity due to various chemotherapeutic agents. Ocular involvement may also be seen in graft-versus-host reaction in patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, or simply as increased susceptibility to infections as a result of immunosuppression that these patients undergo. This can range from simple bacterial conjunctivitis to an endophthalmitis. Leukaemia can present as pathology in the adnexae, conjunctiva, sclera, cornea, anterior chamber, iris, lens, vitreous, retina, choroid, and optic nerve. Recognition of the varied ocular presentations is also important in assessing the course and prognosis of leukaemia. We have presented a systematic approach taking each part of the eye in turn and outlining how leukaemia has been shown to affect it.

mTHPC-mediated photodynamic therapy in patients with advanced, incurable head and neck cancer: A multicenter study of 128 patients

Abstract: Background. The aim of this multicenter study was to assess tumor response, clinical quality-of-life benefit, survival, and safety after treatment with mTHPC in patients with recurrent/ refractory squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck unsuccessfully treated or unsuitable for treatment with conven- tional modalities. Methods. One hundred twenty-eight patients were treated with mTHPC followed, 96 hours later, by illumination of the tumor surface with 652-nm laser light. Tumor response was assessed with WHO criteria and tumor mass reduction from baseline. Clinical quality-of-life benefit was based on the University of Washington Quality-of-Life questionnaire. Results. By use of WHO criteria, 38% of evaluable patients achieved an overall tumor response, and 16% achieved a complete tumor response. Forty-three percent of assessable lesions achieved 100% tumor mass reduction, and 58% achieved 50% or greater tumor mass reduction. Fifty-three percent of evaluable patients experienced significant clinical quality-of-life benefit. Subset analyses revealed two subgroups in which significantly better responses were seen in patients with tumors 10 mm or less in depth and patients with fully illuminated lesions. In patients fulfilling both categories, overall tumor response was 54%, complete tumor response was 30%, and 61% demonstrated significant clinical quality-of-life benefit. Median survival was significantly better in responders. No major toxicities were detected. Conclusions. Patients with advanced cancer of the head and neck who have exhausted other treatment options can achieve significant clinical benefit and improvement in quality of life with mTHPC. A 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 26: 232-240, 2004

Consolidation Radiation After Complete Remission in Hodgkin's Disease Following Six Cycles of Doxorubicin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine, and Dacarbazine Chemotherapy: Is There a Need?

Abstract: Purpose Combined modality treatment using multidrug chemotherapy (CTh) and radiotherapy (RT) is currently considered the standard of care in early stage Hodgkin's disease. Its role in advanced stages, however, continues to be debated. This study was aimed at evaluating the role of consolidation radiation in patients achieving a complete remission after six cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) chemotherapy using event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) as primary end points. Patients and Methods Two hundred and fifty-one patients with Hodgkin's disease attending the lymphoma clinic at the Tata Memorial Hospital (Mumbai, India) from 1993 to 1996 received induction chemotherapy with six cycles of ABVD after initial staging evaluation. A total of 179 of 251 patients (71%) achieved a complete remission after six cycles of ABVD chemotherapy and constituted the randomized population. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either consolidation radiation or no furthe...

Evaluation of lyophilised, gamma-irradiated amnion as a biological dressing.

Abstract: Burns, non-healing wounds and pressure sores cause extensive damage to the skin leading to infection and loss of precious body fluids. Despite advances in burn management the mortality rate continues to be high and the search for an economical and easily available dressing to control burn wound infection continues. Autologous skin has limited availability and is associated with additional scarring. Conventional dressings require frequent changes which can be painful and may even require anaesthesia.

Surgical treatment outcomes of localized squamous carcinoma of buccal mucosa

Abstract: Background. The purpose of the study was to analyze the outcomes after surgical therapy (peroral wide ex- cision) for early squamous carcinoma of the buccal mucosa. Methods. This is a retrospective study of localized squa- mous carcinoma of the buccal mucosa treated with peroral wide excision at a major tertiary-care hospital. Results. A total of 147 consecutive patients were analyzed. One hundred eight patients (73.5%) had no recurrence, whereas 18 (12.2%) had a local recurrence, 11 (7.5%) had regional metastasis, and 10 (6.8%) had locoregional recurrence over a median follow-up of 46 months. Most patients with local recur- rences (15 patients, 83.3%) and regional metastases (eight patients, 72%) could be salvaged with treatment. In contrast, only four patients (40%) with locoregional recurrence could be salvaged. Most of the recurrences in this study group occurred within 2 years of primary treatment (29 (74%) of 39 patients). Three-year actuarial overall survival rate and disease-free sur- vival rates were 91% and 77%, respectively. Conclusions. Peroral wide excision seems to be an ad- equate procedure for early squamous carcinoma of buccal mucosa. Histologic grade of the tumor emerged as the only prognostic factor of significance for recurrence in this study. A 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 26: 897-902, 2004

Use of the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in Mumbai, India: A Review of 200 Consecutive Cases by a Panel of Five Expert Hematopathologists

Abstract: This study aims to answer the question whether the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) can be practised to international standards at the Lymphoma Registry (LR) established at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India. Furthermore, the study aims to identify differences in the distribution of NHL subtypes at this LR (likely to be representative of India) as compared to the rest of the world. A panel of 5 expert hematopathologists from the NHL Classification Project reviewed 200 consecutive NHL cases at the LR in January of 2001. These cases were accrued during August and September, 2000. On all cases, hematoxylin and eosin stains and appropriate immunostains were available for review. The diagnosis made by the host pathologist at the LR (KNN) and the initial diagnosis made by each of the expert hematopathologists was compared with the consensus diagnosis. A consensus diagnosis was made by the 5 experts in 197 cases. The agreement of the host pathologist with the consensus diagnosis was 82% and the agreement of the individual experts with the consensus diagnosis varied from 76-88% (mean 82%). According to the consensus diagnosis, 80% of NHLs were of B-cell type, 18% were of T-cell type, and the immunophenotype could not be determined in the remaining 2% of cases. In conclusion, the WHO classification of NHL was properly utilized at the Lymphoma Registry, Mumbai, India, and geographic differences were noted in the distribution of NHL subtypes at the LR as compared to the rest of the world. Precursor T lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma was more common in India (7%) than the rest of the world (1-4%), and indolent B-cell NHLs (29%) were less common than in the West. As compared to China and Japan, peripheral T-cell lymphoma (4.6%), extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma, nasal type (0.5%) and extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT-lymphoma) (2.6%) were less common, but follicular lymphoma (15%) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (5%) were more common. This suggests that the distribution of the B-cell and T-cell lymphomas in the Indian population, except for lymphoblastic lymphoma, lies in between the Western world (mainly Caucasian) and the Orientals.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in children: ten years' experience at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.

Abstract: Purpose To evaluate the disease characteristics and outcome of children with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. Methods and materials Between 1990 and 2000, 81 pediatric patients with a diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated at the Tata Memorial Hospital. The median age was 14 years. The male/female ratio was 2.8:1. Of the 81 patients, 32 (39%), 21 (26%), and 28 (35%) had T1-T2, T3, and T4 (TNM International Union Against Cancer staging system, 1997), respectively. Ninety-one percent presented with nodal metastasis. Thirty patients (37%) had lymph nodes >6 cm, and 45 (56%) had bilateral nodes at presentation. Histologically, 77 patients (95%) had undifferentiated carcinoma. Eighty-five percent received neoadjuvant multiagent chemotherapy containing bleomycin, methotrexate, and cisplatin, followed by radiotherapy (RT). Results After a median follow-up of 50 months, the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rate for the entire group was 45% and 54%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier curves were used for evaluation of prognostic factors and were compared using the log–rank test. Nodal status had a significant impact on DFS ( p = 0.021) and OS ( p = 0.006). Complete responders to chemotherapy had superior DFS ( p = 0.000) and OS ( p = 0.000). RT doses >60 Gy resulted in better DFS ( p = 0.020) and OS ( p = 0.012). Combined chemotherapy plus RT resulted in improved DFS ( p = 0.457) and OS ( p = 0.296), although the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion Combined modality management using chemotherapy and RT resulted in satisfactory locoregional control and OS in pediatric patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Nodal involvement, response to chemotherapy, and RT dose were important prognostic factors.

Oligoclonal T-cell populations in an inflammatory pseudotumor of the pancreas possibly related to autoimmune pancreatitis: an immunohistochemical and molecular analysis

Abstract: Inflammatory pseudotumors (IPT), also known as inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMT), are benign inflammatory processes that may have an infectious etiology and are very rare in the pancreatico-biliary region. Recent studies suggest a biological distinction between IPT and IMT, the latter being a true neoplastic process. We describe a case of pancreatic IPT, originally diagnosed as malignancy, which presumably recurred 4 months after the operation. Histologically, the tumor consisted of a smooth muscle actin and CD68-positive spindle cell population and a more abundant mononuclear inflammatory cell population, primarily composed of macrophages and T-lymphocytes. Inflammatory cells were the source of connective tissue growth factor and transforming growth factor-β1 and tended to accumulate around nerves and blood vessels, as well as around residual pancreatic parenchymal elements, where an intense angiogenetic response was detected. Comparative genomic hybridization analysis of the tumor showed no chromosomal imbalances. Polymerase chain reaction-based analysis of T-cell receptor γ gene rearrangement revealed an oligoclonal pattern. These findings suggest that the pathogenesis of aggressive cases of IPT could be related to the development of an intense and self-maintaining immune response, with the emergence of clonal populations of T-lymphocytes. The relation of the pancreatic IPT to autoimmune pancreatitis is emphasized.

Concurrent intra-medullary and intra-cranial tuberculomas.

Abstract: Although tuberculosis of the central nervous system is well known, the incidence of intra-medullary tuberculomas is low and a combination of intra-medullary with intra-cranial tuberculomas is extremely rare. This communication reports a case of disseminated (intra-medullary, intra-cerebellar and intra-cerebral) tuberculomas in a six-year-old girl initially presenting with a spinal tumour syndrome. Conservative treatment with anti-tuberculous medications and a short course of injectable steroids resulted in complete resolution of her symptoms.

Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia following dactinomycin therapy in a child with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma: the unresolved issues.

Abstract: :The authors report a case of severe dactinomycin-induced thrombocytopenia in a child with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. The phenomenon is consistent with an immune process leading to the formation of platelet-specific antibodies. This study shows that this can be induced even with the first do

Florid reactive periostitis of the hands

Abstract: Reactive periostitis of the hand can be a confounding lesion on both radiological and histological grounds. An erroneous diagnosis of a malignant tumor, particularly an osteosarcoma, is a possibility. Two cases of florid reactive periostitis of the hand mistaken for osteosarcoma are reported here to illustrate this entity and caution against a diagnostic pitfall.

Multiple sclerosing hemangiomas of the lung

Abstract: Multifocal sclerosing hemangioma of the lung is a rare entity. While solitary pulmonary lesions by themselves are uncommon and few reports have been described, multifocal bilateral lesions are rare and limited instances have been cited in indexed medical literature. We herewith describe a case of multiple sclerosing hemangiomas of the lung, in a patient who also had a vascular malformation over the calf.

Experience with telepathology at a tertiary cancer centre and a rural cancer hospital.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Telepathology allows quick and timely access to an expert opinion, no matter where the patient is located. We analysed the experience with the use of telepathology between a tertiary cancer centre and a rural cancer hospital. METHODS: Ninety-three cases were analysed in which static telepathology was used to obtain a consultation between Tata Memorial Centre and Nargis Dutt Memorial Cancer Hospital at Barshi, a rural area. RESULTS: Successful teleconsultation was achieved in all cases. A diagnosis was offered in 92 cases (98.9%) and was deferred in 1 case (1.1%). Complete concordance, clinically unimportant minor discrepancy and hedged diagnosis were obtained in 83 cases (90.2%). Major discrepancies were encountered in 9 cases (9.7%). The number of images per case ranged from 3 to 27 (average: 7 images). Images were of diagnosable quality in 89.2% of cases. Most of the cases (77.4%) were reported within 3 days; 32.2% were reported within 8 hours (a single working day) and 45.1% within 1-3 days. CONCLUSION: Telemedicine can be effectively used to bridge the gap between medically underprivileged, geographically distant rural areas and advanced centres using the static store and forward methodology.

Carcinoma of Uterine Cervix Primarily Presenting as Carcinomatous Meningitis: A Case Report

Abstract: Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in India. The frequency of distant metastasis varies from 38 to 60% in various clinical and autopsy studies, with the liver, lung and bones being the most common sites in order of decreasing frequency. Patients with cancer of the cervix presenting with carcinomatous meningitis is rare; only three cases have been reported so far in the English language of published medical reports (Medline search). Carcinomatous meningitis is an uncommon but devastating complication of malignancy. Most patients with meningeal carcinomatosis fare poorly; there is a rapid decline and death occurs within weeks after symptoms develop. The aim of treatment of carcinomatous meningitis is to palliate the patient’s symptoms and to improve the quality of life. We report a case of a woman with carcinoma cervix, whose initial presentation was carcinomatous meningitis.

Hemangioma of base of tongue.

Abstract: Although vascular malformations of the tongue comprise a significant portion of head and neck angiodysplastic lesions, hemangioma of base of tongue is rare. We report a case of hemangioma of base of tongue extending to the supraglottis, which necessitated an extended supraglottic laryngectomy. Patient had an uneventful recovery and at three year, follow-up has a normal speech and no difficulty in swallowing or aspiration. More importantly, there was no recurrence of hemangioma or bleeding. Although hemangiomas may be treated by various conservative methods, occasionally patient may require surgical excision as in the present case due to the repeated bleeding episode and difficult access. A high index of suspicion and radiological investigations should be performed if the clinical presentation is atypical for malignancy, as in our case.

Static telepathology consultation service between Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai and Nargis Dutt Memorial Charitable Hospital, Barshi, Solapur, Maharashtra: an analysis of the first 100 cases.

Abstract: Telepathology is the practice of pathology at a distance. Static telepathology is employed to achieve teleconsultation between a tertiary cancer referral centre, Tata Memorial Centre and a sister concern in rural area viz. Nargis Dutt Memorial Cancer Hospital, Barshi, Solapur. This is an analysis of the first 102 cases. Two transcontinental consultations have not been included in statistical analysis. A diagnosis was offered in 99 (99%) cases; whereas it was deferred in only I (1%) case. Clinically important or relevant diagnosis were achieved in 93/ 99 (93.93%) of cases. Major discrepancies were encountered in 6/99 (6.06%) of cases. A total of 79% of cases were reported within 3 days, of which 32% were reported within 8 hours (a single working day) and 47% within 1-3 days. Telemedicine can be used effectively to bridge the gap between medically underprivileged, geographically distant rural areas and advanced centers with technical expertise using cheaper static store and forward methodology.

Gliosarcoma occurring 8 years after treatment for a medulloblastoma

Abstract: We present a rare case of a gliosarcoma occurring 8 years following treatment for a medulloblastoma. The patient was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma at the age of 13 years. We considered the possibility of a radiation-induced tumour and present evidence supporting this view. The second cerebral tumour was excised and confirmed to be a gliosarcoma. The tumour bed was re-irradiated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT). She remained well for 6 months, after which there was clinicoradiological progression. During long-term follow-up of patients with medulloblastomas, the possibility of radiation-induced neoplasms must be borne in mind.

Angiosarcoma of the pleura.

Abstract: Angiosarcoma is a rare, highly malignant tumor arising from endothelial cells of small blood vessels. They usually occur in the skin, deep soft tissues, breast and liver. Pleural angiosarcomas are extremely rare and are restricted to case reports in medical literature. It is very difficult to distinguish them from malignant mesotheliomas on clinical, radiological and even histopathological features. Immunohistochemistry is valuable in making the diagnosis, showing negative reactivity for mesothelial markers and positivity for vascular markers. Prognosis is generally dismal except in occasional cases where the disease is localized and amenable for surgical resection. We report a 55-year-old man who presented to us with chest pain, cough and hemoptysis and was diagnosed to have a pleural angiosarcoma.

Primary Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma of the Bone: A Single Institution Experience

Abstract: Primary non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of the bone is an unusual entity. Twenty-five patients with diffuse large cell lymphoma of the bone were registered at the Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) from August, 1991, to May, 2002. Pain at the local site and soft tissue swelling were the commonest symptoms. Involvement of the bones in the lower half of the body was more frequent than the bones in the upper half. Osteolytic lesions and an associated soft tissue mass were the common radiological findings. Nineteen patients received CHOP chemotherapy and five received COP chemotherapy. Twenty-three patients received involved field radiotherapy. The overall response to therapy was 96%. On follow-up, two patients had a nodal relapse. One patient died of progressive disease, and one patient died of cryptococcal meningitis. There were no deaths due to treatment-related toxicity. The mean progression free survival was 9.39 yr and the overall survival was 11.66 yr. The median overall survival has not been reached. At last follow-up, 21 patients were being following up at TMH and are free of disease. Conclusion: Primary bone lymphoma is a malignancy that is highly curable with a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Isolated splenic metastasis from non small cell lung cancer.

Abstract: Lung cancer is amongst the commonest cancers in the world. Most patients present in advanced stages precluding curative treatment. Distant metastases usually occur in the liver, brain, bones and adrenals. Isolated splenic metastases are rare and are restricted to anecdotal reports in medical literature. We report a middle-aged man who presented to us with locoregionally advanced non small cell lung cancer, progressed on neoadjuvant chemotherapy and developed isolated splenic metastasis.

Palliative radiation therapy for painful vertebral metastases: a practice survey.

Abstract: Painful vertebral metastases are a frequent manifestation of malignancies in their advanced stages and are a common cause of morbidity, causing pain, a reduction in mobility, and an impaired quality of life (QOL). External beam radiation therapy (RT) has long been recognized to be an effective treatment modality in the palliation of such painful bony metastases. Although several randomized trials and two meta-analyses published to date have addressed the issue of an optimal dose fractionation schedule for pain relief in patients with bony metastases, to our knowledge none of these studies has been conducted for spinal irradiation alone. In addition, the majority of these trials are confounded by widespread heterogeneity in the prescription parameters to the spine, thereby resulting in large variations of dose at depth (region of interest) and making comparisons difficult. Nearly 500 patients with bone metastases are referred annually to the Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), the apex oncology training institute and the most comprehensive cancer care center in India. The choice of fractionation for such palliative RT is likely to have logistic, financial, and resource implications, particularly for busy centers with long waiting times, and is in need of urgent reappraisal. Because the spine is the most common site of such painful bony metastases, we conducted a survey of the patterns of practice for palliative spinal irradiation. The primary aim of the current study was to assess the practice patterns for palliative spinal RT that are most prevalent among the radiation oncologists of India in general and compare these patterns with the practice at our institution.

The carcinoma of parathyroid gland.

Abstract: Parathyroid carcinoma constitutes less than 1% of primary hyperparathyroidism. The exact etiology is not known. Prior radiation to neck, chronic renal failure and genetic factors are thought to play a role. The male to female ratio is one. Parathyroid carcinomas are slow growing, have a tendency to recur locally and metastasize late. 95% of parathyroid carcinomas are functioning. The major distinguishing features of malignant hyperparathyroidism are presence of a palpable mass in the neck and features of severe hypercalcemia. By far the most important test to diagnose primary hyperparathyroidism is serum level of Immunoreactive PTH. The diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism is essentially clinical and biochemical. Biopsy is not necessary before definitive surgery. CT scan appears to be the best investigation for detecting the primary tumor, its local extent and metastases. Most of the symptoms are attributable to hypercalcemia, which needs to be treated aggressively. Early surgery with 'en bloc' resection of the tumor is the only potentially curative treatment. Parathyroid carcinoma is traditionally said to be resistant to radiotherapy. Various chemotherapeutic agents have been used with partial anecdotal responses. The 5-year survival is about 50% and 10-year survival varies from 13-49%.