Radioguided surgery of breast cancer: radiation protection survey.

The aim of this study was to estimate the radioactive risk for surgical staff performing radioguided sentinel lymph node (SN) biopsy and to calculate the contamination level in the operating room for assessment of the possible need for specific radiation protection procedures. We studied 20 patients who were selected for quadrantectomy and SN biopsy. The day before surgery a volume of 0.

Sentinel lymph node identification in breast cancer: feasibility study.

The aim of the study was to evaluate in our institute the technique of sentinel node (SN) identification and biopsy in the surgical treatment of early breast cancer. Between June 1998 and November 1999 54 patients (age range, 31-75 years) where studied. Inclusion criteria were age less than 75 years, indication for conservative surgery, absence of palpable axillary nodes, Karnofksy index >70.

[Bone marrow scintigraphy with 99mTc nanocolloid. A complement to bone scintigraphy with 99mTc MDP in oncologic diagnosis].

We compared the results of bone marrow scintigraphy (SMO) with those of conventional bone scintigraphy (SO) obtained in patients suffering of malignant neoplasms. SMO was carried out using nanometer-sized particles (nanocolloid) labelled with 99mTc, known to target the phagocitic properties of the medullar reticulo-endothelial cells. The results of the two investigations carried out in 148 patients agreed with each other.

[Evaluation of the effects of thymopentin on the incidence of leucopenia in patients treated with chemotherapy for breast carcinoma].

Random additional treatment with Thymopentine was administered to a group of 46 mastectomised women in order to assess its possible anti-leucopenic efficacy in relation to cytotoxicity caused by anti-blastic drugs. Results reveal a certain degree of efficacy in reducing the incidence of leucopenia when treatment was administered continuously from the start to the end of chemotherapy. This aspect plays an extremely important role in avoiding the protraction of the normal interval between one cycle of anti-blastic chemotherapy and the next.

[Scintigraphy of the bone marrow for the evaluation of injuries caused by antiblastic agents].

For various reasons the well-known myelopoietic damage caused by cancer chemotherapy is not easy to quantify by means of usual diagnostic procedures. The bone marrow scan with a Tc 99m-nanocolloid rapidly cleared by the phagocytic action of the RES, which has a topographic extension similar to red marrow, has been used for many years to evaluate the inflammatory and neoplastic diseases, both localized and diffuse. Such examination was thus performed in patients undergoing cytostatic therapy, either to follow-up metastatic lesions or to evaluate a tissue damage due to different drugs.

[Scintigraphy of bone marrow for the evaluation of injuries caused by antiblastic radiotherapy].

A nanocolloid marked with 99mTc was used to perform 100 bone marrow scintiscans in 72 patients given radiotherapy for tumours. The compound is taken up by the cells of the phagomonocytic system whose distribution in the bones is similar to that of the erythropoietic marrow. With doses over 30 Gy a more or less marked reduction in captation by the marrow involved in radiation was always noted.

[Course of the serum determination of 4 tumor markers in viral hepatitis].

The radioimmunological method was used to measure the serum levels of 4 tumour markers--CEA, TPA, Ca 19-9 and Ferritin--in 20 hepatitis patients. Blood levels of bilirubin and transaminase were assayed at the same time. Patients with high levels of bilirubin and transaminase also revealed pathological levels of all 4 markers, especially TPA and ferritin which fell towards normal levels once the acute attack was over.

[Computerized processing of static scintigraphic gamma camera images. Experimental results and clinical applications].

Two different phantoms were used to carry out several scintigraphic experiments with a gamma camera linked to a computer. Each image was subjected to several types of electronic processing. The contrast was assessed in certain pre-established areas in order to obtain an indication of the efficacity of the various techniques.

[Scintigraphy in the study of varicocele].

Varicocele which is relatively common after puberty may cause even severe alterations to fertility. Sequential Isotopic Scrotal Angiography (SISA) was used for the diagnosis of this condition in both the recognition and confirmation phase. This dynamic and static survey based on the use of 99mTc-pyrophosphate proved able to discriminate between the various degrees of varicocele.

[Advantages and limitations of combined assays of 4 serum markers in various types of malignant neoplasms].

CEA, TPA, GICA and Ferritin were assayed in 700 cancer patients (230 assays in 181 breast cancers, 75 in 57 lung cancers, 114 in 70 cervico-facial neoplasms, 131 in 95 uterovaginal tumours, 444 in 225 colorectal tumours, 106 in 72 gastric cancers). Groups were divided into stages and the results of all possible associations were assessed. Only the most significant are reported.

[Lymphoscintigraphy. Comparison of 2 microcolloids labeled with Tc99m].

The physical and chemical properties of two colloids labelled with 99mTc used for lymphoscintigraphic investigations for some time are reviewed. The advantages of human albumin nanocolloids over sulphated microcolloids are described and discussed. These mainly consist of more rapid, larger-sale endolymphatic transport.

The usefulness of sequential isotopic angiography of the scrotum for study of the varicocele.

132 patients were examined by Sequential Isotopic Scrotal Angiography (SISA) to determine whether or not they had primary varicoceles. The results with SISA were more reliable than those of clinical examination and scrotal telethermography. It is a rapid, simple and essentially harmless procedure that also provides pictures that can clearly present the situation to the patient.

[Lung cancers synchronous and metachronous with primary malignant neoplasms in other sites].

A series of 19 cases are reported in which, with the exception of one case, two primary malignant tumours developed at different times, one of which in the lung. Some details of this occurrence are discussed in relation to similar findings in the international literature. The average interval between the two tumours was found to be 7.

[Evaluation of vesico-ureteral reflux in children with computerized isotopic cystography in association with urodynamic tests].

Method and results are presented for the cystoscintigraphic detection with 99mTc-DTPA, associated with urodynamic examination for the evaluation of the vesicoureteral reflux, involving a relatively simple execution. The use of this method is advised in Pediatrics because of its low gonadal dose, thorough examination and least aggressiveness.

[Malignant tumors preceding or following breast cancer].

Using the records of the Cancer Clinic of Biella Hospital that date back more than 25 years, a retrospective survey was conducted into 65 patients suffering from two primary malignant neoplasms one of which affected the breast. Graphs and tables illustrate; the frequency, location, histological type, staging, the age of the patient and the date of the onset of the first neoplasia, any previous family history of cancer, the interval between the two neoplasias and the type of treatment given during this interval. Particular attention is paid to cases in which both neoplasias were breast tumours, and brief remarks on certain aspects of such cases are presented.

[Index of splenohepatic uptake of 99mTc-MMA in the diagnosis of diffuse hepatopathy].

A sequential scintigraphic technique for the evaluation of liver and spleen granulopexic function is described. The spleno-hepatic uptake index revealed by computerised scintiscanning proved a reliable indicator of moderate and especially severe diffuse hepatopathy. The test is quickly and easily performed and is also practical since it uses the same radioactive bolus injected for static scintigraphy.

[Evaluation of thallium-201 distribution in myocardial scintigraphies performed after exertion].

Various techniques are described for the electronic processing of myocardial scintigraphic images using 201Thallium taken at various intervals after muscular exertion. The techniques serve to improve image definition and contrast, making them more representative of the physiopathological reality. The advantages and limitations of certain computer techniques for the measurement of radioactive distribution in the left ventricular myocardium are also discussed.

[Value and limitations of the gastric secretion function test with 99mTc-pertechnetate].

The technique and results of the gastric secretion test using 99mTc-pertechnetate to investigate functional organic gastropathies are described. The test is fairly simple, well tolerated and an alternative to gastric probing. If performed with a computerised gamma chamber it can indicate the volume of the secretion.

[Reduced uptake of 99mTc methylenediphosphonate by bone irradiated for neoplastic lesions].

Some cases of more or less evident reduction in 99mTc MDP take-up by bone subjected to cobalt therapy for skeletal and extraskeletal neoplastic diseases are presented. On the basis of acquired experience, stress is laid on the diagnostic and prognostic importance of correct assessment of bone scintigraphic changes after irradiation treatment. Some pathogenetic theories in this phenomenon are discussed.