Central neurocytoma: proton MR spectroscopy and diffusion weighted MR imaging findings.

Purpose: To present proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) findings of central neurocytoma (CN).

Methods And Materials: Imaging findings of seven patients with the histopathological diagnosis of CN (five male and two female; age range, 21-28 years of age) were evaluated retrospectively. In addition to conventional magnetic resonance imaging features, we also assessed the metabolite ratios and tumor normalized apparent diffusion coefficient (NADC), which was calculated by dividing the tumor apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values by normal ADC.

Survival benefit with GM-CSF use after high-dose chemotherapy in high-risk breast cancer.

Aims And Background: The role of high-dose chemotherapy in breast cancer has not been fully defined. It has been concluded that new trials should focus on defining potential subgroups that are more likely to benefit from high-dose chemotherapy. We compared survival differences in patients receiving human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) or granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) after high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell support.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) expression and angiogenesis in glioblastoma.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), the key enzyme that catalyzes the first steps in the biosynthesis of the prostaglandins from arachidonic acid, appears to play a role in the regulation of progression, invasiveness and angiogenesis of various neoplasms. We analyzed the immunohistochemical expression of Cox-2 and angiogenic parameters (microvessel density (MVD) and vascular patterns) in 54 glioblastomas. We also examined their relation with prognosis.

The effect of radiologic imaging studies on the risk of secondary malignancy development in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma.

Purpose: Recently, reports have been published, which suggest that diagnostic radiologic imaging studies could play a role in the risk of secondary malignancy development in patients with cancer. The aims of our study are to calculate the average amount of accumulated radiation dose gained by means of radiologic imaging studies performed intensively in diagnosis and follow-up of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma and to evaluate whether this amount of accumulation accounts for a real risk for secondary malignancies.

Patients And Methods: This study consists of 15 male patients, whose mean age was 23.

Impact of c-erb2 status on survival after high dose chemotherapy in high-risk breast cancer patients.

Objective: To investigate the impact of c-erb2 status on survival after high-dose chemotherapy.

Methods: Between March 1997 and June 2004, a total of 54 women with breast cancer who has at least 8 metastatic lymph nodes underwent high-dose chemotherapy with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Gulhane Military Medical School, Ankara, Turkey. Archival specimens were analyzed by fluorescent in situ hybridization to determine the impact of c-erb2 status after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation on survival.

Malignant peripheral primitive neuroectodermal (pPNET) of tongue.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are relatively rare tumors. Tumors that once would have been diagnosed as Ewing's sarcoma are now often designated as peripheral neuroepithelioma or synonymously PNET. This paper reports a case of PNET located orally on the tongue, which is, to our knowledge, the first case reported in medical literature.

Primary glioblastoma multiforme in younger patients: a single-institution experience.

Aims And Background: To report our experience of patients with primary glioblastoma multiforme of young age by evaluating the characteristics, prognostic factors, and treatment outcomes.

Patients And Methods: Seventy patients with primary glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) treated at our department between 1996 and 2004 were studied. The male-female ratio was 2.

The value of postoperative radiotherapy in renal cell carcinoma: a single-institution experience.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of postoperative irradiation in renal cell carcinoma.

Patients And Methods: Forty patients with localized renal cell carcinoma admitted to our hospital between 1986 and 1999 were evaluated. All patients were initially treated with radical nephrectomy.

Assessment of quality of life of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with EORTC QLQ-C30 and H&N-35 modules.

Purpose: The current study reports on long-term quality of life (QoL) status after conventional radiotherapy in 187 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients from 14 centers in Turkey.

Patients And Methods: Patients with the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, who were treated in 14 centers in Turkey with minimum 6 months of follow-up and were in complete remission, were asked to complete Turkish versions of EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire and the HN-35 module. Each center participated with the required clinical data that included age at diagnosis, gender, symptoms on admission, follow-up period, treatment modalities, radiotherapy dose, and AJCC 1997 tumor stage.

Treatment of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma with radiotherapy.

Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (PCBCL) are rare and constitute 5-10% of all cutaneous lymphomas. In patients with PCBCL presenting with solitary or localized skin lesions, radiotherapy is the preferred treatment. Two patients who were treated with 4 MeV electrons, both obtained remission for 51 months.

Retrospective analysis of 74 cases of seminoma treated with radiotherapy.

Background: Standard post-orchiectomy radiotherapy (RT) is accepted as a standard management option for stage I seminoma.

Methods: Retrospective evaluation of 74 patients with stage I seminoma was performed according to the Royal Marsden staging system. All of the patients underwent RT in the Radiation Oncology Department of Gülhane Military Medical Academy between 1974 and 1995.

Total skin electron beam therapy for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: Turkish experience with translational technique.

Mycosis fungoides is the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. In our department, between January 1995 to January 2001, we treated eleven patients with mycosis fungoides by total body skin electron irradiation to evaluate its influence. According to our knowledge, our department is the only center in Turkey capable of applying total skin electron beam therapy.

The effect of leptin on engraftment in patients undergoing peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

Aim And Background: To evaluate the alterations of serum leptin levels during stem cell transplantation and its possible role in engraftment. Thirty-two patients (19 male, 13 female) with various hematological and solid tumors and 28 healthy subjects (15 male, 13 female) as a control group were enrolled in the study.

Methods: Serum leptin levels were measured on the day before administering G-CSF, at the time of leukapheresis harvest, on day +1st and +7th after transplantation and on the day of leukocyte engraftment.

Preliminary results of radiotherapy with or without weekly paclitaxel in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: In this study our objective was to evaluate the therapeutic significance of concurrent paclitaxel and radiotherapy compared with radiotherapy alone.

Patients And Methods: Patients with stage III A/B NSCLC were randomly assigned to receive either radiotherapy alone (group 2) or concurrent weekly paclitaxel with radiotherapy (group 1) in GMMA. Radiotherapy was given as a split-course schedule with the total dose of 56 Gy.

Megestrol acetate for cachexia and anorexia in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a randomized study comparing two different doses.

Background: The primary aim of the study was to compare two different dose levels of megestrol acetate, administered for cancer-related anorexia and cachexia for 3 months.

Methods: From August 1996 to December 2000, 119 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer were randomized to take 160 mg/day or 320 mg/day of megestrol acetate for 3 months at the Gülhane Military Medicine Academy of Ankara, Turkey. Patients were controlled at biweekly periods.

Six gray single dose radiotherapy in the treatment of metastatic bone pain.

Bone metastases are observed in approximately 50% of patients with cancer and these are essential to influence the quality of life. As one of the most effective means of therapy for patients with bone metastases, radiotherapy can be applied as fractional and single dose. In this prospective study, we analyzed the pain relief after 6 Gy single dose irradiation in 62 patients with painful bone metastases.

An optimization method for reference dose point of rectum in brachytherapy of gynecological neoplasms.

Rectum reference dose points have a direct impact on the morbidity seen in gynecological intracavitaty radiotherapy. The aim of this study is to obtain less morbidity by marking rectum with radio opaque solution. Fourteen patients with gynecological cancer who underwent external radiotherapy received 15 Gray (Gy) intracavitary radiotherapy.