Publications by authors named "Ravi A Shankar"

Objectives: Androgens, especially dihydrotestosterone, have been postulated to modify the risk of prostate cancer. 3-Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase1 (HSD3B1) and uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase 2B17 (UGT2B17) are enzymes that inactivate dihydrotestosterone in the prostate and may affect dihydrotestosterone concentration in prostatic tissue. The purpose of this study was to determine whether polymorphisms in HSD3B1 and UGT2B17 increase the risk of prostate cancer.

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Breast reconstruction is an option for women undergoing modified radical mastectomy due to a diagnosis of breast cancer. In certain patients, breast reconstruction is performed by insertion of a temporary tissue expander prior to the placement of permanent breast implants. Some of these patients, following mastectomy, may require chest wall irradiation to prevent loco regional relapse.

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More than two-thirds of the patients with osseous metastases experience debilitating bone pain, requiring some form of pain relief. Analgesics are limited in their efficacy. Palliative application of hemi-body external beam radiation therapy in the treatment of multiple osseous metastases also is limited due to toxicity associated with large treatment ports.

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