A phase 1 safety study of an IRX-2 regimen in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Objectives: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is associated with profound defects in cellular immunity. IRX-2, a primary cell-derived biologic containing multiple cytokines, has enhanced immune responses and induced tumor rejection in preclinical studies. This phase 1 open label study aimed to determine the clinical and laboratory safety of an IRX-2 regimen in patients with HNSCC.

[Primary benign chest wall tumors: results of surgical treatment].

Background: We undertook this study to describe the clinical characteristics of primary benign chest wall tumors and to evaluate the results of surgical treatment.

Methods: We included patients with primary benign chest wall tumors who underwent surgical resection at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología from January 1990 to December 2002. All patients had histological confirmation of benign tumor.

[Open splenectomy: ten-year experience in an oncological referral center].

Background: Open splenectomy is a useful procedure for some diseases with splenomegaly >1500 g. We undertook this study to evaluate open splenectomy morbidity and mortality at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia in Mexico City.

Methods: We reviewed the clinical files of patients with benign and malignant hematological diseases, as well as other diseases, who underwent splenectomy from 1994 to 2005.

Clinical course of insular thyroid carcinoma.

Background: To present the clinical picture and outcome of poorly differentiated insular-type thyroid carcinoma (ITC) compared with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in a Mexican population in order to demonstrate their different biological behavior.

Material/methods: Retrospective, transversal study comparing ITC (G1) with PTC (G2). Assessed variables were: age, gender, size of tumor, previous history of thyroid disease, and outcome.

[Supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglotopexy (CHEP). Preliminary report of the National Institute of Cancer].

Objective: To present the preliminary results in our institute with supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglotopexy (CHEP), as well as to evaluate possible short-term complications.

Methods: This study included eight patients with diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx glottic region (three patients were in stage I, two in II and three in III). Histologic grade was well differentiated in three patients, moderately differentiated in four and poorly differentiated in one.

Is there an indication for palliative surgical procedure of shoulder and upper limb malignancies?

Aims: Major amputation is not a frequent procedure at present, however, there is a group of patients still considered for these treatments. Our objective was to evaluate the results of this surgical intervention as well as to evaluate morbidity, local control, free disease, and palliation.

Methods: The study included 57 patients on whom interscapulothoracic disarticulation (STDI) was carried out at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología were (Mexico City) from 1974 to 1993.