In vitro granulocyte production in patients with Hodgkin's disease and lymphocytic, histiocytic, and mixed lymphomas.
(25/338)
The in vitro granulocyte colony formation (CFU-C) was examined in 19 untreated patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease and in 25 untreated patients with histiocytic, lymphocytic, and mixed lymphomas. The patients with Hodgkin's disease and diffuse histiocytic, lymphocytic, and mixed lymphomas produced decreased numbers of granulocyte colinies, whereas patients with nodular histiocytic, lymphocytic, and mixed histiocytic-lymphocytic lymphomas showed normal granulycote colony growth. The acute response of CFU-C to combination chemotherapy (MOPP) is described in two patients followed with sequential marrow cultures through their indiction chemotherapy. The long-term effect of MOPP chemotherapy was examined in five patients who had completed chemotherapy 1.5-6 yr priot to in vitro examination. (+info)
Observer error in histological assessment of marrow hypocellularity.
(26/338)
Observer error in the assessment of marrow hypocellularity was studied by examining histological sections from 37 mice having normal or reduced marrow cellularity and comparing the estimated cellularity with a previously measured value. For marrows or mild or moderately reduced cellularity the subjective estimate of cellularity was almost valueless both in terms of accuracy and reproducibility. Only severely hypocellular marrows, having a cellularity of less than 17% of normal, could be recognized as being abnormal with some degree of accuracy and reproducibility. (+info)
Gamma heavy chain disease: rapid, sustained response to cyclophosphamide and prednisone.
(27/338)
A patient, CAL, with gamma heavy chain disease is presented who has had a complete remission lasting over 2 yr with combination chemotherapy consisting of pulsatile cyclophosphamide and prednisone. The patient exhibited many features of an atuoimmune process including a vasculitis, low serum complement levels, a positive antiglobulin (Coombs) test, Raynaud's phenomenon, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca. The CAL paraprotein was found to have several previously undescribed characteristics. It reacted with antisera to Fd, Fab, and Fab', suggesting that most of the Fd portion of the molecule was intace. CAL protein consists of two polypeptide chains of molecular weight 49,000 covalently linked to form a dimer of 95,000 molecular weight. The covalent linkage suggests that the hinge region of this gamma heavy chain is intact. (+info)
Clinical staging of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
(28/338)
A method of clinical staging of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has been proposed which is based on the concept that CLL is a disease of progressive accumulation of nonfunctioning lymphocytes: stage O, bone marrow and blood lymphocytosis only; stage 1, lymphocytosis with enlarged nodes; stage II, lymphocytosis with enlarged spleen or liver or both; stage III, lymphocytosis with anemia; and stage IV:lymphocytosis with thrombocytopenia. Analysis of 125 patients. in the present series showed the following median survival times (in months) from diagnosis: stage 0, is greater than 150; stage I 101; stage II, 71; stage III, 19; stage IV, 19, The median survival for the entire series was 71 mo. The prognostic significance of the stage remained even after adjustment was made for age and sex. However, both sex and age were shown to be poor predictors of survival after adjustment for stage. The method of staging proved to be a reliable predictor of survival whether used at diagnosis or during the course of the disease. The proposed staging system was an equally accurate indicator for survival when applied to two other previously published studies of large series of patients (+info)
Studies on pure red cell aplasia. VII. Presence of proerythroblasts and response to splenectomy: a case report.
(29/338)
An 18-yr-old female with chronic active hepatitis developed a severe anemia due to a lack of red cell production. Her bone marrow showed many large proerythroblasts but an almost complete lack of more mature erythroblasts. Incubation of the marrow cells in a normal medium with erythropoietin concentrate led to increased erythropoiesis as indicated by the development of mature erythroblasts as well as a ninefold increase in hemoglobin synthesis. The patient's plasma was cytotoxic for erythroblasts. Following splenectomy, a remission of the disease occurred. This study indicates that in some cases the anemia associated with abundant marrow proerythroblasts and the absence of mature erythroblasts has the same pathogenesis as pure red cell aplasia and that splenectomy may be beneficial when there is a lack of response to immunosuppressive drugs. (+info)
Invasive procedures carried out in conscious children: contrast between North American and European paediatric oncology centres.
(30/338)
AIM: To define practice in managing repeated invasive procedures in selected paediatric oncology centres in North America and Europe, especially the United Kingdom; to define and contrast concerns that shape policy making, and to contrast practice, particularly regarding procedures performed on conscious patients. METHODS: Postal survey: 118 centres of the Pediatric Oncology Group and the United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group received questionnaires. RESULTS: 68 questionnaires (58%) were returned (52 from North America, 12 from Europe). For all procedures, North American centres tended to use less effective techniques than European, especially for bone marrow procedures. Many North American centres reported performing these on conscious patients on at least three quarters (25%) or half (30%) the occasions. In contrast, corresponding figures for the European centres were 6% and 0%. CONCLUSIONS: Many bone marrow procedures are still carried out in the conscious patient despite the safety and effectiveness of modern anaesthetic and deep sedation techniques. There appears to be a greater reluctance to offer these to patients in North American centres than in European ones. This may reflect a misperception that the risks of adverse effects are high. Several non-pharmacological techniques are used, but they remain uncommon. (+info)
Epithelial cells in bone marrow of breast cancer patients at time of primary surgery: clinical outcome during long-term follow-up.
(31/338)
PURPOSE: To evaluate the detection of epithelial cells in bone marrow of breast cancer patients as an indicator of metastatic disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1989 and 1994, bone marrow biopsies were performed on 393 breast cancer patients during primary surgery. Specimens were stained immunocytochemically for epithelial cells expressing cytokeratins or the epithelial membrane antigen. The long-term outcomes of these patients were analyzed in this study. RESULTS: In 166 of 393 patients, epithelial cells were found in bone marrow (BM) aspirates. These patients were designated BM+. The rate of tumor recurrence or cancer-related death was significantly higher in BM+ patients than in BM- patients. Multivariate analysis using the Cox regression model revealed BM status as a prognostic parameter independent of tumor size and axillary lymph node status. However, tumor size and axillary lymph node status were clearly superior prognostic parameters. CONCLUSION: Disseminated epithelial cells in BM are associated with poor clinical outcome in breast cancer patients. However, the presence of these cells is not a sufficient parameter to predict growing metastases in the majority of patients, suggesting that epithelial cells in the BM of breast cancer patients at the time of surgery have limited metastatic potential. The role of these cells needs to be further evaluated. (+info)
Bone marrow aspiration.
(32/338)
Bone marrow aspiration biopsies are carried out principally to permit cytological assessment but also for immunophenotypic, cytogenetic, molecular genetic, and other specialised investigations. Often, a trephine biopsy is carried out as part of the same procedure. Bone marrow aspirations should be carried out by trained individuals who are aware of the indications, contraindications, and hazards of the procedure. They should follow a standard operating procedure. The operator should have made an adequate assessment of clinical and haematological features to ensure both that appropriate indications exist and that all relevant tests are performed. For the patient's comfort and safety, the posterior iliac crest is generally the preferred site of aspiration. Films of aspirated marrow and, when appropriate, films of crushed particles should be made and labelled. Once thoroughly dry, films should be fixed and stained. As a minimum, a Romanowsky stain and a Perls' stain are required. A cover slip should be applied. The bone marrow films should be assessed and reported in a systematic manner so that nothing of importance is overlooked, using a low power, then intermediate, then high power objective. A differential count should be performed. An interpretation of the findings, in the light of the clinical and haematological features, should be given. The report should be signed or computer authorised, using a secure password, and issued in a timely manner. (+info)