[en] In 1980, on the basis of fundamental and clinical data, a protocol was developed at the Institut Gustave-Roussy, alternating eight monthly courses of chemotherapy (CHVP) and two or three radiotherapy sequences to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of unfavourable histologies, mainly stage II, presenting bulky tumours. Systemic, haematological and digestive tolerances were satisfactory. For 19 previously untreated stage II patients, overall survival and relapse-free survival after 30 months were 85 and 65%, respectively. Three of the relapses were observed in patients who did not receive the alternating schedule in an optimal way; this suggests that these results can be further improved. (orig.)

[en] Toward the end of the second paragraph in the Discussion section, there is a word missing in the sentence.

[en] This paper reports on thirty-five patients with glioma treated with synchronized chemo and radiation therapy between 1984 and 1988. Eighteen patients had glioblastoma, six had grade III astrocytoma, and three had low-grade astrocytoma. No specimen was obtained in eight patients. Vincristine and ACNU were administered on days 1 and 2, respectively. Radiation therapy was performed with a dose of 3 Gy on days 3 and 4 and with a dose of 1.5 Gy from day 5. Patients received two courses of treatment, with a total dose of 57 Gy. Leukocytopenia occurred in eight patients, thrombocytopenia in four, liver function abnormalities in four, eruption in two, and pneumonia in one. Among 18 glioblastomas, treatment resulted in complete response in six, partial response in one, and no change in seven and was not evaluable in four because of total resection of tumors. The survival rates were 94% at 1 year and 24% at 2 years. This study indicated that the synchronized chemo- and radiation therapy could improve the local control and survival rate of patients with glioma

[en] Febrile neutropenia is probably the most common oncologic emergency in patients who are treated with antineoplastic therapy. Fever in neutropenic patient should be promptly managed on the basis of local epidemiology of bacterial infections, assessment of patient´s and treatment´s risk factors, using the basic diagnostic procedures and therapeutic options. This review brings the general information and guidelines for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of febrile neutropenia according to recent recommendations. (author)

[en] We present a simple guidewire insertion technique and a new way of prepping for the procedure for readvancement of partially retracted Hickman catheters with the aid of a stiff hydrophilic guidewire.

[en] The introduction of cytotoxic chemotherapy and later the combination of cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiation therapy in cancer treatment is briefly reviewed. The combination of cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiotherapy has led to clinical pitfalls; the proportion of normal tissue complications has increased without significant increases in the proportion of patients cured. Some examples of the poor results obtained so far from this combination therapy are discussed. (U.K.)

[en] Published in summary form only

[en] Published in summary form only

[en] Between 1966 and 1988, 149 patients were treated with radiotherapy for localized extranodal lymphoma. The average total dose given was 39.8 Gy for low grade diseases and 48.7 Gy for all other disease. Of the 149 patients, 60 also received adjuvant chemotherapy. Twenty-four had low grade lymphoma, 109 had intermediate grade disease, and 16 had high grade disease, histologically. The distribution of histological grade and T/B phenotype varied with the primary site. Low grade lymphomas were found mainly in the orbit, and T-cell lymphomas were found in the nasal cavity and nasopharynx. The 5-year survival rates according to tumor location were 89 percent for oral cavity, 86 percent for paranasal sinus, 83 percent for thyroid, 69 percent for orbit, 47 percent for Waldeyer's ring (WAR), 44 percent for testis, 23 percent for CNS, 21 percent for oral cavity and 60 percent for other sites. Histological grade and T/B phenotype both had prognostic importance. Combined chemo-therapy significantly improved the survival rate only for disease with intermediate or high grade histology. Other prognostic factors according to the primary site were the bulk of lymph node for WAR disease, the radiation dose for CNS disease, bone erosion for orbital disease, stridor for disease of the thyroid, and the tumor stage for disease of both the testis and the thyroid. (author). 32 refs.; 1 fig.; 5 tabs

[en] Published in summary form only