Esophageal biopsy findings in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS): clinicopathologic correlation in 20 patients.

We reviewed 20 esophageal biopsy specimens from 180 adult patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Ten (50%) showed superficial Candida infection, and four revealed esophagitis due to cytomegalovirus. Candida was never invasive, even though it was associated with significant ulceration.

Defect in assimilation following combined radiation and chemotherapy in patients with locally unresectable pancreatic carcinoma.

The relative contributions of high-dose irradiation and/or chemotherapy to the nutritional problems of patients with inoperable pancreatic carcinoma were evaluated by study of pancreatic exocrine function and jejunal function and morphologic findings in ten patients before and after treatment. Nutrient assimilation studies included determination of serum carotene levels, D-xylose absorption and fat absorption. Crosby capsule biopsy specimen of jejunal mucosa were evaluated with light microscopy.

Initial levels of CEA and their rate of change in pancreatic carcinoma following surgery chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

CEA levels and their rate of change in 41 patients with pancreatic carcinoma following surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy were determined. Surgical resection, though not curative, was associated with a decrease in CEA level, with approximately half these levels returned to normal. No correlation with survival was noted.

Circulating carcinoembryonic antigen in pancreatic carcinoma.

Circulating CEA levels were determined in 102 patients wtih histologically proven pancreatic carcinoma and 26 patients with chronic pancreatitis. In the group with pancreatic carcinoma eleven patients had resectable tumors, the mean CEA in the nonjaundiced patients was 10 +/- 5 ng/ml while the mean value in jaundiced patients in this group was 27 +/- 40. Thirty-four patients with nonmetastatic locally unresectable disease had a mean serum CEA of 25 +/- 52 with a range of 1 to 250 ng/ml.

Randomized phase II clinical trial of adriamycin, methotrexate, and actinomycin-D in advanced measurable pancreatic carcinoma: a Gastrointestinal Tumor Study Group Report.

Sixty-six patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma were randomized to receive single agent chemotherapy with either adriamycin, methotrexate, or actinomycin-D using conventional dose, route and schedule of administration. All patients had measurable lesions which were used to objective assessment of response. For adriamycin, 2 of 25 patients (8%) evidenced a partial response (2 of 15 (13%) previously untreated patients).

Computerized tomography, diagnostic ultrasound, and radionuclide scanning. Comparison of efficacy in diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma.

Forty-six patients, including 33 with proved pancreatic carcinoma, were studied with computerized tomography (CT), ultrasound (US), and radionuclide (RN) scanning. The results of each scanning procedure were compared with the surgical and clinical findings. The detection rate was 82% for CT, and 92% with US.