The cancer journal from Scientific American最新文献

{"title":"Prevention with tamoxifen or other hormones versus prophylactic surgery in BRCA1/2-positive women: a decision analysis.","authors":"V R Grann,&nbsp;J S Jacobson,&nbsp;W Whang,&nbsp;D Hershman,&nbsp;D F Heitjan,&nbsp;K H Antman,&nbsp;A I Neugut","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Recent randomized controlled trials have shown that tamoxifen and raloxifene may prevent invasive breast cancer. This decision analysis study compares the outcomes of chemoprevention with tamoxifen, raloxifene, or oral contraceptives with the outcomes of prophylactic surgery among women with high-risk BRCA1/2 mutations.</p><p><strong>Patients and methods: </strong>We used a simulated cohort of 30-year-old women who tested positive for BRCA1/2 mutations and constructed a Markov model with Monte Carlo simulations, incorporating cumulative breast and ovarian cancer incidence rates from the literature and survival figures from SEER data. We assumed that prophylactic surgery reduces ovarian cancer risk by 45% and breast cancer risk by 90%, that tamoxifen reduces invasive breast cancer risk by 49%, and that raloxifene has similar efficacy and safety in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. We used data obtained from high-risk women by a time trade-off questionnaire to calculate quality-adjusted life-years. We based our cost estimates for hospital and ambulatory care on Health Care Financing Administration payments, the SEER-HCFA database, and the Pharmacy Fundamental Reference.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In our model, a 30-year-old BRCA1/2+ woman could prolong survival by 0.9 years (95% probability interval, 0.4-1.2 years) by having bilateral oophorectomy, 3.4 years (2.7-3.7 years) by having bilateral mastectomy, and 4.3 years (3.6-4.6 years) by having both procedures instead of surveillance alone. Chemoprevention with tamoxifen and raloxifene increased survival by 1.6 years (1.0-2.1 years) and 2.2 years (1.3-2.8 years), respectively. Chemoprevention yielded more quality-adjusted life-years than did prophylactic surgery, even when treatment was delayed to age 40 or 50 years. All these procedures were cost-effective or cost-saving compared with surveillance alone.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Our model suggests that although surgery may yield more substantial survival and cost benefits, quality of life issues may make chemoprevention a more attractive option for young women at high genetic risk.</p>","PeriodicalId":79462,"journal":{"name":"The cancer journal from Scientific American","volume":"6 1","pages":"13-20"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2000-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21549311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Negative margin status improves local control in conservatively managed breast cancer patients.","authors":"E Obedian,&nbsp;B G Haffty","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of final pathologic margin status on breast relapse-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, and overall survival in patients undergoing conservative surgery and radiation therapy for invasive breast cancer.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Between January 1970 and December 1990, 984 patients underwent conservative surgery and radiation therapy at our institution as treatment for invasive breast cancer. After lumpectomy, patients were given radiation therapy to the intact breast with or without treatment to regional nodes with the routine use of electron boost to a total median tumor bed dose of 64 Gy. Pathology reports were available for review in 871 patients. Re-excision was carried out in 294 of these patients. For this analysis, patients were divided into four groups based on final pathologic margin status: negative (n = 278), dose (typically within 2 mm, n = 47), positive (n = 55), or indeterminate (n = 491).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to age, histology, estrogen and progesterone receptor status, tumor location, or total radiation dose. Patients with negative margins were more likely than those with positive margins to have T1 mammographically detected lesions, to have negative nodal status, and to have undergone re-excision. Patients with positive margins were more likely to receive adjuvant chemotherapy or hormone therapy (P = 0.001). As of July 1998, with a median follow-up of 13 years, the median breast relapse-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, and overall survival rates at 10 years for the entire cohort of patients were 86%, 81%, and 76%, respectively. Breast relapse-free survival at 10 years was 98% for patients with negative margins versus 98% for those with close margins versus 83% for those with positive margins versus 82% for those with indeterminate margins. There were no significant differences in breast relapse-free survival between patients with negative and dose margins or between patients with positive and indeterminate margins. Although the negative margin status also conferred an overall survival and distant metastasis-free survival advantage, this difference is confounded by the earlier stage of disease in these patients, and margin status did not influence overall survival in multivariate analysis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In patients undergoing conservative management of breast cancer, negative margin status significantly improves breast relapse-free survival. Close margins appear equivalent to negative margins, and indeterminate margins appear equivalent to positive margins. Adjuvant chemotherapy or hormone therapy did not counteract the adverse impact of positive margin status. Re-excision to obtain dear surgical margins is recommended, even if a radiation boost or adjuvant systemic therapy is planned.</p>","PeriodicalId":79462,"journal":{"name":"The cancer journal from Scientific American","volume":"6 1","pages":"28-33"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2000-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21549223","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pilot study with weekly chemotherapy for patients with extensive small cell lung cancer: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Study (PA586).","authors":"A R Yuen,&nbsp;J Z Fuks,&nbsp;D S Ettinger,&nbsp;A Y Chang,&nbsp;J C Ruckdeschel,&nbsp;S C Phan,&nbsp;R H Blum","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Six of the most active chemotherapy agents in small cell lung cancer were administered sequentially in a weekly fashion in an attempt to optimize the dose and the number of agents received over a 12-week period. The purpose of this study was to estimate the efficacy and to characterize the toxicity of this approach.</p><p><strong>Patients and methods: </strong>Thirty-six patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer received weekly treatments with cisplatin and etoposide (weeks 1, 5, and 11), cyclophosphamide (weeks 2, 7, and 10), vincristine (weeks 2, 4, 7, 8, 10, and 12), methotrexate (weeks 3, 6, and 9), and doxorubicin (weeks 4, 8, and 12). Patients achieving a partial response received a second 12-week course. Patients achieving a complete response received prophylactic cranial radiation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-nine of the 36 patients completed the initial 12-week program over a median of 16 weeks. Hematologic toxicity was most prominent, with two deaths from sepsis and 31 patients having grade 3 or 4 neutropenia The overall response rate was 85%, with 33% of patients achieving a complete response. The median survival was 10.5 months, and the median time to progression was 8.2 months.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This 12-week program, consisting of administration of six active agents for small cell lung cancer, caused significant myelosuppression that resulted in significant treatment delays and dose reductions. Although a high response rate was achieved, the median overall survival of 10.5 months was not significantly longer than expected from other standard two- to three-drug regimens.</p>","PeriodicalId":79462,"journal":{"name":"The cancer journal from Scientific American","volume":"6 1","pages":"34-9"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2000-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21549225","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Should postoperative mammograms be obtained routinely following the surgical excision of a breast cancer?","authors":"D B Kopans","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":79462,"journal":{"name":"The cancer journal from Scientific American","volume":"6 1","pages":"11-2"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2000-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21549310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Elevations in serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels predict relapse in patients with hairy cell leukemia.","authors":"B Arun,&nbsp;B D Curti,&nbsp;D L Longo,&nbsp;D Stevens,&nbsp;W G Alvord,&nbsp;B L Gause,&nbsp;T Watson,&nbsp;W C Kopp,&nbsp;J E Janik","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Interferon-alfa, 2'-deoxycoformycin, and 2-chlorodeoxy-adenosine (2-CdA) are effective in the management of patients with hairy cell leukemia. These agents produce remissions in most patients, but relapses occur with all three drugs. The optimal means to follow patients for relapse after treatment has not been determined.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We retrospectively examined serial serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels (sIL-2R) and absolute granulocyte counts in eight patients with relapsed hairy cell leukemia. All were treated with 2-CdA at the time of relapse. Serum samples were available at 3- to 6-month intervals from 5 to 9 years before relapse and 2-CdA treatment</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>sIL-2R levels increase only in patients who go on to relapse. sIL-2R levels doubled a mean of 17.1 months (range, 4-36 months) before absolute granulocyte count decreased by 50%.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Demonstration of a rising serum sIL-2R level in patients with hairy cell leukemia identified those with an increased risk of relapse who need more frequent observation than patients who maintain a stable sIL-2R level. Early intervention may ameliorate the toxicity of salvage therapy because disease-related neutropenia may be anticipated.</p>","PeriodicalId":79462,"journal":{"name":"The cancer journal from Scientific American","volume":"6 1","pages":"21-4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2000-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21549312","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of concurrent intra-arterial infusion of platinum drugs for patients with stage III or IV uterine cervical cancer treated with radical radiation therapy.","authors":"H Onishi,&nbsp;M Yamaguchi,&nbsp;K Kuriyama,&nbsp;T Tsukamoto,&nbsp;K Ishigame,&nbsp;T Ichikawa,&nbsp;S Aoki,&nbsp;T Yoshikawa,&nbsp;T Araki,&nbsp;A Nambu,&nbsp;T Araki,&nbsp;A Hashi,&nbsp;T Yasumizu,&nbsp;K Hoshi,&nbsp;H Ito","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of concurrent intra-arterial infusion of platinum drugs in patients with stage III or IV uterine cervical cancer treated with radical radiation therapy.</p><p><strong>Patients and methods: </strong>Thirty-three patients with advanced (stage IIIA, 2; IIIB, 28; IVA, 3) uterine cervical squamous cell carcinoma were randomized into a concurrent intra-arterial infusion of platinum drugs with radiation therapy (IAPRT) group (18 patients) and a radiation therapy alone group (15 patients). After altering intrapelvic blood flow by embolization of the superior and inferior gluteal arteries under pelvic angiography, intra-arterial infusion of platinum drug through catheters inserted into both internal iliac arteries was performed concurrently with radiation therapy. One-shot infusion of cisplatin (100 mg/m2) twice with a 2- to 3-week interval was performed in eight patients, weekly infusion of carboplatin (100 mg/m2) via a reservoir five to six times was performed in four patients, and daily shot of cisplatin (10 mg/body) or 21 days via a reservoir was performed in six patients. Radiation therapy consisted of external-beam irradiation of 50 Gy/25 fractions/5 weeks for the whole pelvis with midline block after 30 Gy and intracavitary high-dose-rate brachytherapy using tandem and ovoids of 24 Gy/4 fractions/4 weeks to point A.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The local complete response rate of the IAPRT group was 94% and was significantly higher than that of the radiation therapy group (67%). There were no significant differences in local response in the three drug delivery methods. Two- and 5-year overall survival rates were 54.5% and 44.4% in the IAPRT group, and 74.5% and 50.0% in the radiation therapy group, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups. In the IAPRT group, grade 3 or 4 acute bowel complications were seen in 33% of patients, grade 3 or 4 late bowel complications were seen 44%, and grade 3 or 4 myelosuppression was seen in 33%, and these complications were seen more in the IAPRT group than in the radiation therapy group and caused death in some patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>IAPRT had a better local response than radiation therapy but showed no proof of control over recurrence and had a poorer survival than radiation therapy. There were many local recurrences and distant metastases, contrary to the better first response of the IAPRT group over the radiation therapy group. Complications of the IAPRT group were very severe and made the patient's performance status and prognosis worse than in the radiation therapy group. We need to design some methods to decrease these complications to make use of the good local response acquired with IAPRT. Furthermore, we should re-examine the indication of IAPRT in patients with a large tumor because local recurrence and distant metastasis would be inevitable.</p>","PeriodicalId":79462,"journal":{"name":"The cancer journal from Scientific American","volume":"6 1","pages":"40-5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2000-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21549228","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Translational research offers individually tailored treatments for cancer patients.","authors":"H Bartelink,&nbsp;A C Begg,&nbsp;J C Martin,&nbsp;M van Dijk,&nbsp;L Moonen,&nbsp;L J van 't Veer,&nbsp;P Van de Vaart,&nbsp;M Verheij","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The measurement of the effect of cisplatin on DNA has become feasible with the development of antibodies against DNA adducts. In a phase II dose escalation trial with concomitant radiotherapy and daily cisplatin in lung cancer, we found that patients with high DNA adduct levels measured in the buccal mucosa had a much higher survival rate than patients with a low or undetectable amount of cisplatin-DNA adducts. The use of this assay may therefore allow the selection of individual patients for concomitant treatment with cisplatin and radiotherapy, as has been shown to be effective in randomized trials in patients with lung, head and neck, and cervix malignancies. To predict the response to radiation treatment, assays have been developed for tumor growth potential by measuring the labeling index after intravenous injection of IdUrd or by estimating cyclin D1 expression. Intrinsic radiation sensitivity of human tumors can be estimated by conventional techniques, which are probably too slow or cumbersome for routine use, or with more rapid assays, such as those for chromosome damage with fluorescent probes. These assays should be able to guide us in the adaptation of the individual radiation doses that should be applied and to select patients for an accelerated or hyperfractionated regimen. Pretreatment levels of apoptosis may also be helpful in predicting treatment outcome, although the data so far show inconsistent results. A better understanding of the signal transduction pathways involved in radiation-induced apoptosis may help in the design of studies aimed at modulating the apoptotic response, thereby increasing cell kill. We have recently shown that alkyllysophospholipids, which inhibit mitogenic signaling, induce apoptosis in a variety of tumor cell lines. In combination with ionizing radiation, these compounds cause an enhancement of apoptotic cell kill. This type of a signaling-based intervention could form the basis for new therapeutic strategies. The role of hormonal therapy in breast cancer patients, both in an adjuvant setting and for the treatment of disseminated disease, is becoming increasingly important. The development of a functional assay for the estrogen receptor (ER-FASAY), based on a yeast growth assay, provides a better way than the classical immunohistochemistry assay of estimating abnormal function of the receptor in tumors. These assays are simply examples, illustrating how clinicians could improve the therapeutic outcome for their patients by implementing knowledge obtained in the laboratory in clinical decision making. With further optimization of these assays, this holds the promise for the future that the treatment for each patient can be tailored rationally to the biology of the individual.</p>","PeriodicalId":79462,"journal":{"name":"The cancer journal from Scientific American","volume":"6 1","pages":"2-10"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2000-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21549309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The value of postlumpectomy mammogram in the management of breast cancer patients presenting with suspiciouis microcalcifications.","authors":"A Aref,&nbsp;E Youssef,&nbsp;T Washington,&nbsp;M Segel,&nbsp;C Grigorian,&nbsp;S Bongers,&nbsp;D Bouwman","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>It is recommended that patients with breast cancer who present with mammographically detected microcalcification should undergo postlumpectomy mammogram with magnification views to ensure adequate removal of all clinically demonstrable disease. The value of postlumpectomy mammogram has not been adequately examined in the literature. This report aims to quantify the value of such a study.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Retrospective review identified 90 breast cancer patients referred to our department between 1992 and 1997 who met all of the following criteria: (1) patients were considered for breast conserving management; (2) patients had suspicious microcalcifications on diagnostic mammograms; (3) the mammographic lesions were thought to be removed entirely on postexcision specimen radiographs; (4) surgical excisions were thought to be adequate on the basis of a review of the histologic pathology reports; and (5) postlumpectomy mammograms with magnification views were obtained. Fifty patients had invasive adenocarcinoma and 40 patients had ductal carcinoma in situ. The margins of last resection were clear, close, or focally involved in 70, 13, and seven patients, respectively. Patient records were reviewed to determine whether postlumpectomy mammograms demonstrated residual microcalcifications.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Sixteen patients (17%) were found to have residual microcalcifications on postlumpectomy mammograms. Twelve patients underwent either local re-excision (seven patients) or simple mastectomy (five patients). Re-excision was not performed in four patients. Residual malignant cells were found in eight patients (67% of the re-excision group and 9% of the whole group). Six of these patients had their tumors initially resected with clear margins and the remaining two patients had their tumors initially resected with close margins.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Postlumpectomy mammograms with magnification views detected residual clinical disease in a significant proportion of patients. Our result supports the routine use of this test, even when satisfactory postexcision specimen radiographs and adequate lumpectomy resection margins are obtained. This finding is particularly true for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ.</p>","PeriodicalId":79462,"journal":{"name":"The cancer journal from Scientific American","volume":"6 1","pages":"25-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2000-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21549314","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"How DNA vaccines work.","authors":"","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":79462,"journal":{"name":"The cancer journal from Scientific American","volume":"5 6","pages":"380-1"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21463731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Radiofrequency ablation: a minimally invasive technique with multiple applications.","authors":"A J Bilchik,&nbsp;D M Rose,&nbsp;D P Allegra,&nbsp;P J Bostick,&nbsp;E Hsueh,&nbsp;D L Morton","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of soft tissue, which has recently been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, destroys tumor cells by delivering an electrical current through a 15-gauge needle. This study evaluated RFA for patients with hepatic malignancies considered unresectable because of their distribution, their number, and/or the presence of liver dysfunction.</p><p><strong>Patients and methods: </strong>Between November 1997 and February 1999, 50 patients with 132 unresectable hepatic metastases underwent RFA of tumors from 0.5 to 9 cm in diameter. There were 41 colorectal metastases in 22 patients, 13 hepatomas in seven patients, 37 neuroendocrine metastases in six patients, and 41 noncolorectal metastases in 15 patients. Real-time ultrasonography was used to guide RFA, and lesions were ablated by applying temperatures of approximately 100 degrees C for 8 minutes. Overlapping ablations were used for larger lesions. In patients with multiple lesions, RFA was performed simultaneously with cryosurgery, resection, and/or hepatic arterial infusion.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>RFA was undertaken percutaneously on an outpatient basis in 13 patients (25 lesions). The remaining patients underwent RFA via laparoscopy (21 patients; 58 lesions) or celiotomy (16 patients; 49 lesions); mean hospital stay was 1 and 5 days, respectively. RFA was the sole therapy in 28 patients and was additional therapy in 22 patients. At a median follow-up of 6 months, 27 patients were free of disease, 17 were alive with disease, and six had died of their disease (three colon, three melanoma). Three patients whose disease recurred at a prior RFA site underwent successful percutaneous RFA. Overall, there was a significant postoperative reduction in levels of carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha-fetoprotein, serotonin, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. Intraoperative ultrasonography identified unrecognized hepatic lesions in 12 of 37 patients (32%); these lesions were successfully ablated. When performed with cryosurgery, RFA reduced the morbidity of multiple freezes.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>RFA is a safe and effective alternative for the ablation of unresectable hepatic malignancies and when used adjunctively can reduce the morbidity of cryosurgery. Percutaneous and laparoscopic RFA can be performed effectively with less than 24 hours of hospitalization. Intraoperative ultrasonography is essential for accurate staging.</p>","PeriodicalId":79462,"journal":{"name":"The cancer journal from Scientific American","volume":"5 6","pages":"356-61"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21463726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}