Oestrogen receptor status determines oncological benefits of laparoscopic oophorectomy.

A meta-analysis of over 3000 patients in 1992 demonstrated that ovarian ablation in women less than 50 years of age produces a highly significant reduction in both disease recurrence and mortality. Laparoscopic ovarian ablation has been offered to premenopausal women at the University College Hospital in Galway for 12 years. A review of 136 cases with follow-up and examination of disease-free survival and mortality is presented.

The predictive of tumour markers CA 15-3, TPS and CEA in breast cancer recurrence.

The predictive values of tumour markers Carcinoma-Associated Antigen CA 15-3, Tissue Polypeptide Specific Antigen (TPS) and Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) in recurrence of breast cancer are unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the predictive value of these markers in our population of 1448 patients with diagnosed breast cancer. Data and mean follow-up of 4.

Comparison of different anti-inflammatory agents in suppressing the monocyte response to orthopedic particles.

Three different anti-inflammatory agents--diclofenac, dexamethasone, and N-acetylcysteine--were compared to evaluate their effectiveness in suppressing monocyte-macrophage cell culture activation and mediator release (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] and interleukin-1beta [IL-1beta]) in response to polymethylmethacrylate particulate debris. N-acetylcysteine and diclofenac were most effective in suppressing TNF-alpha and IL-1beta expression by the monocyte-macrophages. Dexamethasone reduced TNF-alpha expression but was not as effective suppressing IL-1beta expression.

Cystosarcoma phyllodes of the breast: a clinicopathological study of 11 cases.

Eleven cases of phyllodes tumour were managed at a single institute over 12 years period. All patients were females, the mean age was 48 years, painless breast lump was the commonest presentation, the left breast was affected in (55%), the upper outer quadrant was the most commonly involved site (60%). Four cases were malignant and the remaining 7 were benign.

Soluble adhesion molecules (E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) in breast carcinoma.

Adhesion molecules are important in cell-cell and cell-basement membrane interactions. They are intimately involved in inflammatory reactions and a role in tumour progression has been postulated. E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) play a role in cell adhesion to the vascular endothelium, and may have a role in tumour cell dissemination.

The acute phase response in breast carcinoma.

Background: The acute phase response follows tissue injury, trauma or infection and maintains homeostasis. It may also be activated in patients with malignancy and studies have suggested that it is associated with a poor prognosis. This study examined C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) in patients with breast carcinoma, both at presentation and during follow-up, to assess the value of the acute phase proteins in patient management.

Inhibition of polymethylmethacrylate particle-induced monocyte activation and IL-1beta and TNF-alpha expression by the antioxidant agent N-acetylcysteine.

We investigated the effectiveness of an antioxidant agent, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), in suppressing macrophage activation and mediator release in response to particulate debris. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) particle-stimulated monocyte-macrophages were cultured alone and with varying concentrations of NAC. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) expression in the resultant cultures were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays.

The prognostic significance of CD44s and CD44v6 expression in stage two breast carcinoma: an immunohistochemical study.

Aims: Expression of the v6 variant isoform of CD44 has been causally associated with the development of metastases. This study, using immunohistochemical techniques, examined the prognostic significance of CD44s and CD44v6 expression.

Methods: A cohort of 109 women presenting with stage 2 breast cancer, with a minimum follow-up of 5 years, were assessed.

Prognostic implications of p53 and bcl-2 expression in 108 women with stage two breast cancer.

Background: The mortality and morbidity of patients with breast cancer can vary even between individuals with similar histological stage at diagnosis. Identification of those individuals with prognostically poorer tumours is an essential prerequisite in planning adjuvant therapies. Some prognostic indices of tumour size, grade, oestrogen receptor status and nodal status are well established.

Bilateral choroidal metastases as the initial presentation of breast carcinoma.

A 64 year old female presented with a right eye visual impairment. On examination, the visual acuity was decreased on the right side. Slit lamp examination showed bilateral non-pigmented choroidal lesions.

Timing of pre-emptive tenoxicam is important for postoperative analgesia.

Purpose: In this prospective randomized study, a comparison was made between the efficacy of 20 mg tenoxicam, administered either, 30 min preoperatively or at induction of anesthesia, for the relief of postoperative pain in patients undergoing ambulatory breast biopsy.

Methods: Seventy-three patients were recruited and all received a standard anesthetic consisting of induction with 2 mg x kg(-1) propofol followed by 5 microg x kg(-1) alfentanyl. No premedication was administered and at the end of the procedure the wounds were infiltrated with 10 ml of bupivacaine (0.

The prognostic value of the tumor marker CA 15-3 at initial diagnosis of patients with breast cancer.

CA 15-3 has been most widely used as a serum tumor marker in follow-up and detection of breast cancer recurrence. In this study we have specifically focused upon the prognostic implications and utility of preoperative CA 15-3 levels. We have identified on our database 414 patients with breast cancer in whom serial levels of the serum tumor marker CA 15-3 had been determined at diagnosis and follow-up.

The androgen receptor exon 1 trinucleotide repeat does not act as a modifier of the age of presentation in breast cancer.

The CAG repeat in exon 1 of the androgen receptor (AR) genes has been postulated as both a susceptibility allele and phenotypic modifier in BRCA1-associated breast cancers. We have analysed this repeat in a set of 178 breast cancer cases who have been selected only for age of presentation at 65 years or less. No effect of repeat length on age of presentation was found and there was no association between repeat length and family history.

Are elevated levels of the tumour marker CA19-9 of any clinical significance?--an evaluation.

CA 19-9 is a tumour marker which has been used widely in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Elevated levels are associated with advanced disease at presentation and disease progression during follow-up. CA19-9 levels may also be elevated in a variety of other malignant and benign conditions.

Primary small intestinal tumours: increased incidence of lymphoma and improved survival.

Small intestinal malignancies are rare and may have a delayed presentation owing to insidious growth. We have reviewed the case notes of 25 patients presenting with primary small bowel tumours over a 10-year period. Abdominal pain, weight loss and vomiting were the most common symptoms.

Mucin-like carcinoma associated antigen (MCA) at presentation with breast cancer.

The usefulness of serum measurements of mucin-like carcinoma associated antigen (MCA) in 100 women at presentation with breast cancer was evaluated. Peripheral venous blood was drawn and MCA values determined by radioimmunoassay. Twenty women presenting with benign breast disease and 20 normal women served as controls.

Mammographic assessment of the symptomatic nonsuspicious breast.

Background: Evidence from breast screening programs demonstrates the value of mammography in the detection of asymptomatic breast cancer.

Methods: This study prospectively assessed the role of mammography in the management of 585 patients presenting to a breast clinic, over a 1-year period, with symptomatic breast disease and without clinical or cytological evidence of malignancy.

Results: Eighteen (3%) of these patients had breast cancer.

Thyroid disease in the west of Ireland: an atypical incidence of neoplasia.

This study was established to review the spectrum of thyroid disease presenting to a regional centre in the West of Ireland. Over a ten year period 414 thyroidectomies were performed. The most common histological diagnosis was nodular goitre (238 patients).

Argon-enhanced cutting and coagulation confers advantages over conventional electrocautery for mastectomy.

In this prospective randomized study we have compared argon-enhanced electrosurgery with conventional diathermy in a consecutive series of 50 patients undergoing mastectomy. The groups were comparable in age, menopausal status, tumour size, stage and specimen size. Patients undergoing mastectomy using argon diathermy had significantly less blood loss intraoperatively (521 (67)ml vs 824 (59)ml; P<0.

Laparoscopic oophorectomy: a prospective evaluation in pre-menopausal breast cancer with particular reference to incidence and severity of menopausal symptoms.

Laparoscopic oophorectomy offers potential advantages over other methods of ovarian ablation. In this prospective study the technique, complications and side-effects have been assessed in 69 consecutive patients. Menopausal symptoms were assessed using two scoring systems - the Kupperman index and the Women's Health Questionnaire.

Tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS) in breast cancer--an initial evaluation.

Tissue Polypeptide Specific-Antigen (TPS), a marker of cell proliferation, was evaluated in 258 patients, 216 with breast carcinoma and 42 with benign breast disease. TPS was measured pre-operatively in 98 patients and correlated with stage of disease showing a progression from Stage I through to Stage IV disease. TPS increased with increasing tumour size, however, TPS levels did not correlate with the number of involved lymph nodes.

Synchronous metastatic breast cancer in a husband and wife.

We present the first reported case of synchronous metastatic breast carcinoma in a husband and wife.

Unilateral breast masses in men over 40: a diagnostic dilemma.

Background: Breast enlargement in men is a common condition with advancing age. The main problem in this age group is to differentiate gynecomastia or benign enlargement from carcinoma.

Patients And Methods: Over a 14-year period, 60 patients > or = 40 years old were operated on four unilateral breast masses (11 carcinoma, 49 gynecomastia) at the University College Hospital, Galway, Ireland.