Publications by authors named "Linda F Carson"
Objective: To estimate whether a rapid recovery program would reduce length of stay among patients undergoing laparotomy on a gynecologic oncology service.
Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled trial comparing an enhanced recovery after surgery protocol with routine postoperative care among women undergoing laparotomy on the gynecologic oncology service. Protocol elements included: preoperative counseling, regional anesthesia, intraoperative fluid restriction, and early postoperative ambulation and feeding.
Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of cancer therapy with few efficacious treatments.
Methods: We enrolled 70 patients with CIPN in a randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled, cross-over trial to determine if photobiomodulation (PBM)±physiotherapy reduced the symptoms of neuropathy compared to sham treatment. At the conclusion of follow-up, sham-arm patients could cross-over into a third arm combining PBM and physiotherapy to determine if multimodal treatment had additive effects.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to evaluate how retroperitoneal (RP) exploration impacts progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in stage IIIC epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients who had optimal debulking surgery.
- Data from the GOG-182 study included 1871 patients, with 689 undergoing RP exploration and the remaining 1182 not, leading to the classification into three groups based on tumor characteristics and RP exploration.
- Results showed that patients who had RP exploration experienced significantly better PFS (18.5 vs 16.0 months) and OS (53.3 vs 42.8 months), highlighting the potential survival benefits of RP exploration during primary surgery.
Objective: We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and tolerability of hyperthermic intraperitoneal carboplatin (HIPEC-carboplatin) following secondary cytoreduction for recurrent, platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer.
Methods: In a single institution prospective, pilot study, ten patients underwent secondary cytoreductive surgery followed by HIPEC-carboplatin at 1000 mg/m(2). Consolidation (6 cycles) was with platinum-based regimens.
Objectives: Despite increased use of integrative medicine in cancer therapy, little data exist on its efficacy. This prospective, randomized, pilot trial sought to evaluate the feasibility of combined modality integrative medicine (CM-IM) in women with ovarian cancer (OvCA) and evaluate its effects on quality of life (QoL), chemotherapy toxicity and immunologic profiles.
Methods: Women with newly diagnosed OvCA requiring chemotherapy were offered enrollment.
Objective: To determine the disease characteristics and comorbidities predictive of vulvar cancer specific mortality and five year overall survival among older women, ages 65 and above.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of women diagnosed with vulvar cancer at a single regional cancer center from 1989 to 2003, with a follow up to 2009. Treatment records were extracted for: demographics and treatment information, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status and Charlson comorbidity index score.
Objective: To determine feasibility and efficacy of administering docetaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy followed by pelvic radiotherapy and then consolidation chemotherapy in patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.
Methods: Patients with surgically staged III-IV (excluding IIIA from positive cytology alone) endometrial cancer or biopsy confirmed recurrent disease were eligible. Treatment consisted of 3 cycles of docetaxel (75 mg/m²) and carboplatin (AUC 6) on a q21 day schedule followed by involved field irradiation (45 Gy)± brachytherapy and three additional cycles of docetaxel and carboplatin.
Objectives: (1) To determine the response rate of advanced, recurrent, or persistent carcinoma of the cervix to ifosfamide, paclitaxel, and carboplatin chemotherapy; (2) to determine the progression free interval and survival rate in patients treated with this regimen; (3) to describe the toxicities associated with this regimen; and (4) to evaluate the quality of life of patients while on treatment.
Methods: Eligible patients had histologically proven stage IVB, recurrent, or persistent carcinoma of the cervix not amenable to curative treatment with surgery and/or radiation therapy. Chemotherapy was given on day 1 of a 28-day cycle: mesna (600 mg/m(2)) prior to ifosfamide (2 g/m(2)), paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2)), carboplatin (AUC 5).
Background: Natural killer (NK) cells derived from patients with cancer exhibit diminished cytotoxicity compared with NK cells from healthy individuals. We evaluated the tumor response and in vivo expansion of allogeneic NK cells in recurrent ovarian and breast cancer.
Methods: Patients underwent a lymphodepleting preparative regimen: fludarabine 25 mg/m(2) × 5 doses, cyclophosphamide 60 mg/kg × 2 doses, and, in seven patients, 200 cGy total body irradiation (TBI) to increase host immune suppression.
Background: The primary objective was to study the antitumor activity of prolonged subcutaneous dosing of systemic 852A, a Toll-like receptor-7 agonist (TLR-7), in recurrent breast, ovarian and cervix cancer. Secondary objectives included assessment of safety and immune system activation.
Methods: Adults with recurrent breast, ovarian or cervix cancer failing multiple therapies received 0.
Objective: Effective patient -clinician communication at diagnosis is important, yet decreased provider time for face-to-face interactions makes traditional paradigms in cancer care difficult. We evaluated the effects of an educational video on patients' distress, cancer knowledge, coping skills and attitudes regarding learning about cancer at the time of ovarian cancer diagnosis.
Methods: An educational video was developed in which oncology professionals, women with ovarian cancer, and their relatives discussed cancer information and experiences.
Objective. The goal of treating recurrent ovarian cancer is disease control while minimizing toxicity. Fulvestrant, a novel estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist, has proven clinically beneficial and well-tolerated in treating recurrent breast cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To determine if pelvic examination affected management in patients undergoing first-line chemotherapy for ovarian cancer and to determine a threshold of change in tumor size reliably detectable by pelvic examination.
Study Design: We reviewed 501 encounters among 47 women with ovarian cancer to see if pelvic examination prompted a management change. Clinicians then evaluated synthetic model "tumors" and were retested at intervals of 3-48 hours to determine change needed for reliable detection.
Background: Thalidomide is an antiangiogenic agent with immune modulating potential. The objective of this study was to determine response rates among women who were treated for recurrent ovarian cancer using topotecan with or without thalidomide.
Methods: Women were enrolled in this multicenter, prospective, randomized phase 2 trial between April 2001 and July 2005.
Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in heavily pretreated patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.
Methods: Patients with recurrent ovarian cancer were treated with intravenous bevacizumab 10 mg/kg every other week plus oral cyclophosphamide 50 mg daily until disease progression or undue toxicity. Adverse events were graded according to the NCI Common Toxicity Criteria.
Background: Lymphatic and hematologic metastases are rare in microinvasive cervical cancers (FIGO stage IA1), supporting a role for conservative treatment. Cervical conization followed by prolonged surveillance is an accepted treatment in patients with low-risk features and negative surgical margins. This option is particularly appealing for younger or nulliparous patients, in whom fertility may be highly desired.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To determine progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in women with completely resected stage I or II carcinosarcoma of the uterus treated with adjuvant ifosfamide and cisplatin, and to assess the toxicity of this regimen.
Methods: Eligible patients had histologically confirmed carcinosarcoma (mixed mesodermal tumor) and no postoperative radiotherapy following complete resection for clinical stage I or II disease. They were to have adequate renal, hepatic, and hematologic functions and performance status of 2 or less.
Introduction: Endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESS) are a rare gynecologic malignancy. The optimal management of this cancer remains unclear, although previous reports have failed to demonstrate a clear benefit to adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation. With the successful application of directed biological therapy in other sarcomas, a review of the behavior and biology of this disease is warranted.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To estimate the effect of preoperative diagnostic hysteroscopy on peritoneal cytology in patients with endometrial cancer.
Methods: A total of 256 charts were reviewed. Two cohorts were established based on diagnosis by hysteroscopy or blind endometrial sampling via either endometrial biopsy or dilatation and curettage (D&C).
Objectives: To determine toxicity and establish a maximum tolerated dose of outpatient therapy with ifosfamide, paclitaxel, and carboplatin in women with advanced and recurrent cervical cancer.
Methods: Eligible patients had stage IVB, recurrent or persistent cervical cancer that was not amenable to curative treatment with surgery or radiation therapy. A dose escalation through four dose levels was planned.
Objectives: Based on the reduced morbidity seen in our retrospective study, we undertook a prospective, randomized trial to determine whether transposition of the sartorius muscle improves post-operative morbidity in women with squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva undergoing inguinal-femoral lymphadenectomy.
Methods: Patients with squamous carcinoma of the vulva requiring inguinal-femoral lymphadenectomy were randomized to undergo sartorius transposition or not. All patients received perioperative antibiotics, DVT prophylaxis, and closed suction surgical site drainage.
Objectives: To assess the antitumor activity of Temozolomide, a novel alkylating agent, in patients with persistent or recurrent ovarian or primary peritoneal carcinoma who have failed other second-line chemotherapy agents. To identify the nature and degree of toxicity of Temozolomide in this group of patients.
Methods: Temozolomide was administered orally at an initial dose of 150 mg/m(2) daily for 5 days, every 4 weeks.
Objectives: Studies in several solid tumors have shown that the presence of occult metastasis in the bone marrow or peripheral blood is highly predictive of decreased disease-free and overall survival. Our objective was to determine the incidence of circulating ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer cells in the peripheral blood at the time of disease diagnosis, or recurrence, and to determine the prognostic significance of these occult metastasis.
Methods: Peripheral blood was drawn preoperatively from 91 women thought to have newly diagnosed or recurrent epithelial ovarian or primary peritoneal carcinoma.
Objectives: From May 1993 until June 1997, the Gynecologic Oncology Group undertook a study of women with cancer of the cervix (Stage IA, IB, and IIA) who were about to undergo radical abdominal hysterectomy, pelvic lymphadenectomy, and aortic lymph node sampling. Immediately before this surgery, laparoscopy was performed and removal of the lymph nodes was attempted. There were two objectives: (1) to obtain information on the adverse effects and difficulties associated with laparoscopic lymph node removal and (2) to determine the adequacy of the lymph node removal.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: The aim of this study was to determine cervical cancer cell sensitivity to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis based on human papillomavirus (HPV) status.
Methods: CaSki (HPV-positive) and C33A (HPV-negative) cells were treated with camptothecin or cisplatin. Cellular viability was determined by trypan blue exclusion.