M. Eskelinen - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by M. Eskelinen

Research paper thumbnail of Clinical Prognostic Factors in Transitional Cell Cancer of the Bladder

Urologia Internationalis, 1993

A cohort of 537 patients with transitional cell cancer of the bladder (TCC) were followed up for ... more A cohort of 537 patients with transitional cell cancer of the bladder (TCC) were followed up for a mean of 9 years and the clinicopathological data were related to prognosis. The T category (p < 0.0001), N category (p < 0.0001) and M category (p < 0.0001) were the most important clinical prognostic factors, followed by the age of the patient (p < 0.0001). Of the histological variables the WHO grade (p < 0.0001), papillary status (p < 0.0001) and the presence of R3-4 cells in voided urine (p = 0.0061) predicted unfavorable prognosis. In Ta-T1 tumors the WHO grade (p < 0.0001), papillary status (p < 0.0001) and the age of the patient (p < 0.0001) had a prognostic value in univariate analysis. In Cox's analysis independent predictors of survival were the T category (p < 0.0001), WHO grade (p < 0.0001), patient age (p < 0.0001), papillary status (p = 0.012) and the presence of symptoms before diagnosis (p = 0.033). In superficial tumors the WHO grade (p < 0.0001) and patient age (p < 0.0001) were independent predictors of survival.

Research paper thumbnail of Ag-NORs related to flow cytometry, morphometry and prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer

Anticancer research

The number of silver stained nucleolar organiser regions (Ag-NORs) was enumerated in the biopsy s... more The number of silver stained nucleolar organiser regions (Ag-NORs) was enumerated in the biopsy specimens of 73 patients with human pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The number of Ag-NORs was related to histological features, S-phase fraction (SPF), DNA ploidy, morphometric nuclear features, clinical stage and survival. Grade I tumours had on average fewer Ag-NORs (mean +/- SD, 5.2 +/- 2.0) than grade II (mean +/- SD, 5.9 +/- 1.6) or grade III (mean +/- SD, 6.6 +/- 2.6) tumours. Patients with low SPF (0-7%) values had lower mean Ag-NORs counts (5.7 +/- 1.0) than patients with a high SPF (7%) (6.6 +/- 2.0) (p = 0.05) and the number of Ag-NORs was related almost significantly to mitotic index (p = 0.09). The Ag-NORs were not related significantly to DNA ploidy or to clinical stage. In survival analysis the number of Ag-NORs predicted prognosis significantly (p = 0.03). From the results we conclude that Ag-NORs are related to several malignant features in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma and t...

Research paper thumbnail of Mitotic activity index, volume corrected mitotic index and human papilloma-virus suggestive morphology are not prognostic factors in carcinoma of the oesophagus

Anticancer research

Radiation treatment, endoscopic dilatations and laser treatment offer an alternative to surgery a... more Radiation treatment, endoscopic dilatations and laser treatment offer an alternative to surgery as palliation in oesophageal cancer, and therefore it is essential to assess the prognostic factors preoperatively in order to select the treatment individually. Mitotic activity index (MAI), volume corrected mitotic index (M/V-index) and histologic evidence for human papillomavirus (HPV) involvement together with other prognostic factors were studied in 61 patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinomas. No patient was lost from follow-up and 18% of patients were alive at the end of follow-up. Evidence for HPV involvement was found in 11 (18%) of 61 patients, which was significantly (p < 0.001) less than in a previous series of Chinese patients. Histological grade (p = 0.025), lymph node status (p = 0.002), presence of distant metastasis (p = 0.004), surgical resection (p = 0.03) and nuclear pleomorphism (p = 0.04) were significant independent prognostic factors in univariate analy...

Research paper thumbnail of Clinical evaluation of serum tumour markers CEA, CA 50 and CA 242 in colorectal cancer

Anticancer research

The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate the clinical value ol serum tumour marke... more The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate the clinical value ol serum tumour markers CEA, CA 50 and CA 242 in patients with colorectal cancer (n = 138) and patients with benign gastrointestinal disease (n = 104). The cutoff levels (90% specificity) determined for each test were 2.5 ng/ml for CEA, 17 U/ml for CA 50 and 17 U/ml for CA 242. The diagnostic sensitivity of the CEA test was 0.63, that of the CA 50 test was 0.30 and 0.30 for the CA 242 test in detecting colorectal cancer. CEA, CA 50 and CA 242 tests were tested in a multivariate analysis to find the best combination of independent predictors of colorectal cancer. The most important predictor of colorectal cancer was CEA followed by CA 242. In order to calculate the contributions of tumour marker tests, a diagnostic score (DS) was developed. The sensitivity of the DS in detecting colorectal cancer was 0.47 with a specificity of 0.88 and an efficiency of 0.67. On the basis of this study, serum CEA and CA 242 se...

Research paper thumbnail of DNA ploidy, S-phase fraction and mitotic indices as prognostic predictors of female breast cancer

Anticancer research

DNA ploidy, S-phase fraction (SPF), mitotic index (MI), volume corrected mitotic index (M/V index... more DNA ploidy, S-phase fraction (SPF), mitotic index (MI), volume corrected mitotic index (M/V index) and standard prognostic factors were related to disease outcome in a series of 363 women with breast cancer followed-up for over 10 years in our clinic. DNA ploidy and SPF were significantly related to histological type, tumour grade and mitotic indices (p < 0.001). In univariate survival analysis, pN status (p < 0.0001), tumour diameter (p < 0.0001), MI (p = 0.001), M/V index (p = 0.0003) and SPF (p = 0.015) predicted survival. In pN(-) tumours. MI (p = 0.059) was related to survival. In pN(+) tumours, tumour diameter (p = 0.0004), M/V index (p = 0.023) and SPF (p = 0.045) predicted survival. In multivariate survival analysis, tumour diameter (p < 0.001). M/V index (p < 0.007), pN status (p = 0.014) and patient age (p = 0.09) were independently related to survival. In pN(-) tumours, tumour diameter independently predicted survival (p = 0.033). In pN(+) tumours, tumour d...

Research paper thumbnail of A decision support system for predicting a recurrence of breast cancer; a prospective study of serum tumour markers TAG 12, CA 15-3 and MCA

Anticancer research

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical value of the preoperative serum tumour ... more The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical value of the preoperative serum tumour markers TAG 12, CA 15-3 and MCA in predicting a recurrence of breast cancer patients. The sensitivity of the TAG 12 test was 54%, that of the CA 15-3 test 15% and that of the MCA test 15% in predicting a recurrence of breast cancer. The most important predictor of breast cancer recurrence was TAG 12. In order to evaluate the contributions of different tumour marker serum test, a stepwise discriminant analysis was carried out. The discriminant function (DF) is DF = TAG 12 x 0.061 - CA 15-3 x 0.1336 - 0.396. The sensitivity of the DF in detecting recurrence of breast cancer was 63% with a specificity of 90% and an efficiency of 75%. In conclusion, the results indicate that a new tumour marker TAG 12 is superior to CA 15-3 and MCA in predicting breast cancer recurrence. In this study the discriminant function including TAG 12 and CA 15-3 was superior to single preoperative tumour marker tes...

Research paper thumbnail of A prospective study of tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS) in breast cancer diagnosis

Anticancer research

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical value of a new tumour marker TPS in ser... more The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical value of a new tumour marker TPS in sera from patients with breast cancer and patients with benign breast disease. The results for TPS were compared with those for TAG 12, CA 15-3 and MCA. The cutoff levels (90% specificity) determined for each test were 108.0 U/1 for TPS, 57.5 KU/1 for TAG 12, 24.8 KU/1 for CA 15-3 and 9.7 KU/1 for MCA. The diagnostic sensitivity of the TPS test was 0.21, for the TAG 12 test it was 0.2, 0.13 for the CA 15-3 test and 0.12 for the MCA test in detecting breast cancer. TPS, TAG 12, CA 15-3 and MCA tests were tested in a multivariate analysis to find the best combination of independent predictors of breast cancer. The most important predictor of breast cancer was TAG 12 followed by TPS. In order to calculate the contributions of tumour marker tests, a diagnostic score (DS) was developed. The diagnostic score (DS) was: DS = TPS x 0.0085 x TAG 12 x 0.0596 - CA 15-3 x 0.0866 - MCA x 0.2938 + 0.1738....

Research paper thumbnail of Sex-Specific Diagnostic Scores for Acute Appendicitis

Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, 1994

The role of clinical and computer-based decisions in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis was stud... more The role of clinical and computer-based decisions in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis was studied in connection with the survey of acute abdominal pain by the Research Committee of the World Organization of Gastroenterology (OMGE). One thousand three hundred and thirty-three patients presenting with acute abdominal pain were included in the study. Twenty-two preoperative clinical history variables, 14 clinical signs, and 3 tests were evaluated in a multivariate analysis to find the best combination of independent predictors of acute appendicitis for males and females. Independent predictors of acute appendicitis in males were tenderness, previous abdominal surgery, rebound, rigidity, location of pain at diagnosis, guarding, and body temperature. To sum up the contributions of the most significant diagnostic factors, a diagnostic score (DS) was built. When the male patients with a DS value between -2.00 and -0.48 were considered nondefined (n = 75, follow-up required before deciding to operate), the sensitivity of the computer-aided diagnosis in detecting acute appendicitis in males was 0.95, with a specificity of 0.89 and an efficiency of 0.91. In males whose leucocyte count was available (n = 476), previous abdominal surgery, leucocytosis, location of pain at diagnosis, tenderness, rigidity, rebound, guarding, rectal digital tenderness, and body temperature predicted significantly acute appendicitis. The DS reached a sensitivity of 0.94 (the cut-off level was -1.74), with a specificity of 0.80 and an efficiency of 0.84. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Research paper thumbnail of Argyrophilic Nucleolar Organizer Regions May Help the Differential Diagnostic Distinction between Chronic Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, 1994

The aim of this study was to determine whether the number of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer reg... more The aim of this study was to determine whether the number of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) could be of diagnostic significance in differentiating between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The number of AgNORs was enumerated in biopsy specimens of normal pancreas, chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The number of AgNORs was lower in patients with normal pancreas than in patients with chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In addition, the number of AgNORs was significantly lower in chronic pancreatitis than in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (p &lt; 0.001). The diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is usually clear. Difficulties can be encountered, however, in cases of chronic pancreatitis, specially when biopsy material is small. Our results suggest that the number of AgNORs may help in distinguishing between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, especially in diagnostically difficult specimens.

Research paper thumbnail of Prognostic Factors after 5 Years Follow-Up in Female Breast Cancer

Oncology, 1992

A consecutive series of breast carcinomas (n = 595) followed up for a minimum of 7.5 years was an... more A consecutive series of breast carcinomas (n = 595) followed up for a minimum of 7.5 years was analyzed for clinical, histological and morphometric prognostic factors after 5-years&amp;amp;#39; follow-up. Tumor size, nodal status, mitotic frequency and patients&amp;amp;#39; age at diagnosis predicted survival at 7.5 years highly significantly (p less than 0.0001). Tubule formation (p = 0.002), histological grade (p = 0.026) and nuclear pleomorphism (p = 0.046) were related to prognosis as well. In N--patients mitotic frequency (p = 0.018) was the best predictor of survival at 7.5 years whereas in N + tumors tumor size (p = 0.0013), tubule formation (p = 0.003) and mitotic frequency (p = 0.0049) were the best predictors of survival at 7.5 years. In univariate survival analysis the age of the patients (p = 0.002), tubule formation (p = 0.005), axillary lymph node status (p = 0.008), lymphocyte infiltration (p = 0.049), mitotic frequency (p = 0.06) and tumor size (p = 0.08) predicted survival after 5 years&amp;amp;#39; follow-up. Tubule formation predicted survival (p = 0.025) in N - patients and in N + tumors the age of the patients was the most important predictor (p = 0.006). In Cox&amp;amp;#39;s analysis tubule formation (p = 0.13), axillary lymph node status (p = 0.033), SD of nuclear perimetry (p = 0.046) and intraductal growth (p = 0.059) predicted survival independently after 5 years&amp;amp;#39; follow-up.

Research paper thumbnail of Mitotic indexes as prognostic predictors in female breast cancer

Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology, 1992

A series of 688 women with breast cancer were followed-up for a mean of 13 years. Tumour size, ax... more A series of 688 women with breast cancer were followed-up for a mean of 13 years. Tumour size, axillary lymph node status, histological grade, histological type and two mitotic indexes (M/V; MAI) were assessed and related to disease outcome. Primary tumour size (P less than 0.0001), the volume-corrected mitotic index (M/V) (P less than 0.0001), the mitotic activity index (MAI) (P = 0.0001), and histological grade (P = 0.0074) predicted axillary lymph node status. Recurrence as well as recurrence-free survival was significantly related to the axillary lymph node status (P less than 0.0001), M/V index (P less than 0.0001), MAI (P less than 0.0001), tumour size (P = 0.0031) and histological grade (P = 0.0208). Multivariate analyses disclosed the tumour size and M/V index as independent predictors of axillary metastasis at diagnosis. Recurrence was related independently to M/V index, axillary metastasis and tumour size. Independent predictors of recurrence-free survival in Cox&amp;amp;#39;s analysis were M/V index and axillary lymph node status. Axillary lymph node status (P less than 0.0001), tumour size (P less than 0.0001), M/V index (P less than 0.0001), MAI (P less than 0.0001) and histological grade (P = 0.0009) predicted survival in that order. Cox&amp;amp;#39;s analysis showed that axillary lymph node status was the most important independent predictor of survival followed by tumour size and M/V index. In a separate Cox&amp;amp;#39;s analysis of axillary-lymph-node-negative patients the M/V index and tumour size were independently related to survival. In conclusion the M/V index is an important prognostic factor in breast cancer and also in axillary-lymph-node-negative breast tumours.

Research paper thumbnail of S152 Impaired Clearance and Unaltered Bioavailability of Three Oral Oxycodone Formulations in Elderly Patients

European Journal of Pain Supplements, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Expression of the tumour-associated antigen CA-242 in transitional cell bladder tumours: a comparison with CA-50

European Journal of Cancer, 1993

Research paper thumbnail of Mesenchymoma of the chest wall in children

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 1991

Research paper thumbnail of A Simple Prediction Score for Diagnosis of Acute Pancreatitis

Research paper thumbnail of Population-Based Molecular Detection of Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2000

PURPOSE: Cancer morbidity and mortality can be dramatically reduced by colonoscopic screening of ... more PURPOSE: Cancer morbidity and mortality can be dramatically reduced by colonoscopic screening of individuals with the hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) syndrome, creating a need to identify HNPCC. We studied how HNPCC identification should be carried out on a large scale in a sensitive and efficient manner. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Colorectal cancer specimens from consecutive newly diagnosed patients were studied for microsatellite instability (MSI). Germline mutations in the MLH1 and MSH2 genes were searched for in MSI(+) individuals. RESULTS: Among 535 colorectal cancer patients, 66 (12%) were MSI(+). Among these, 18 (3.4% of the total) had disease-causing germline mutations in MLH1 or MSH2. Among these 18 patients, five were less than 50 years old, seven had a previous or synchronous colorectal or endometrial cancer, and 15 had at least one first-degree relative with colorectal or endometrial cancer. Notably, 17 (94%) of 18 patients had at least one of these three fe...

Research paper thumbnail of Multivariate analysis of six serum tumor markers (CEA, CA 50, CA 242, TPA, TPS, TATI) and conventional laboratory tests in the diagnosis of hepatopancreatobiliary malignancy

Anticancer research

A prospective study of 277 patients with benign (n = 212) and malignant (n = 65) hepatopancreatob... more A prospective study of 277 patients with benign (n = 212) and malignant (n = 65) hepatopancreatobiliary disease was carried out to evaluate the value of six serum tumour markers (CEA, CA 50, CA 242, TPA, TPS, TATI) and 16 conventional laboratory tests in the distinction between benign and malignant diseases. In univariate analysis, all tumour marker tests except TATI showed significantly (p < 0.001) higher serum values in the patients with malignant disease than in the patients with benign disease. Among the conventional laboratory tests serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase showed significantly. (p < 0.001) higher values in the patients with malignant disease, whereas serum protein and amylase levels were significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the patients with benign disease. In a multivariate analysis, serum bilirubin (p < 0.001), antithrombin III (p < 0.01) and blood hemoglobin (p < 0.05) were the most significant independent predictors o...

Research paper thumbnail of Sapphire probe versus bare fiber in interstitial laser hyperthermia (ILH). An experimental study with Wistar rats

Anticancer research

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a bare laser fiber and a contact sapphire pro... more The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a bare laser fiber and a contact sapphire probe on normal Wistar rat liver in interstitial laser hyperthermia (ILH). We used two different powers (1W and 2W) and eight different exposure times (50s to 900s). The livers were examined after 3 days and in the long-term follow-up group after 2 months. The greatest necrotic lesions were achieved with 600-900J energy (2W, 300-450s) using a bare laser fiber. The diameter of the necrotic lesions plateaued with 2W power setting after 300J energy. Generally, necrotic lesions were greater using a bare fiber than a sapphire probe with equal energy levels. The lesions healed by granulation and fibrosis. No scars or necrotic lesions were found 2 months after treatment when a 1W power setting was used, whereas a power of 2W caused a clear scar in the rat liver. ILH treatment caused necrosis safely and the bare fiber produced a greater necrotic area than the sapphire probe.

Research paper thumbnail of Expression of C-242 antigen in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Anticancer research

This investigation was undertaken in order to analyse the expression of tumor associated antigen ... more This investigation was undertaken in order to analyse the expression of tumor associated antigen CA 242 in normal pancreas, in chronic pancreatitis and in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and to find out if the expression of CA 242 in carcinoma specimens would have prognostic significance. The expression of CA 242 was examined in the tissue specimens by the avidin-biotin-immunoperoxidase technique. According to our results, normal pancreas showed no or only weak staining for CA 242, whereas chronic pancreatitis samples stained somewhat intensely. Five out of 39 adenocarcinomas were negative for CA 242, 5 showed weak staining and 29 showed intermediate or intense staining. Positive staining was found mostly in the ductal cells as well as in intraluminal contents. We found no statistically significant difference of CA 242 expression between different grades. The staining intensity and survival had no clear statistical correlation but all carcinoma patients whose survival time was mor...

Research paper thumbnail of Nuclear morphometry in grading transitional cell bladder cancer compared with subjective histological grading

Anticancer research

A retrospective study was performed comprising 265 bladder cancer patients. The patients were cli... more A retrospective study was performed comprising 265 bladder cancer patients. The patients were clinically followed up for an average of 10 years. The initial tumour biopsies were subjected to morphometric analysis. The mean nuclear area (NA), the standard deviation of nuclear area (SDNA) and the mean area of the 10 largest nuclei (NA10) were measured using IBAS 1&2 image analyzer. The prognostic value of NA, SDNA, NA10, papillary, subjective histological grading (WHO) and clinical stage (UICC) was evaluated. The progress in T-category was related to histological grade (p less than 0.0001), non-papillar growth (p = 0.0023), SDNA (p = 0.0110) and NA10 (p = 0.0305), in that order. The same parameters in addition to NA predicted lymph node involvement and metastasis. Recurrence rate was significantly related to NA10 (p = 0.0250). Non-papillar growth (p = 0.002), clinical stage (p = 0.005), histological grade (p = 0.0120), NA (p = 0.0143), SDNA (0.0383) and NA10 (p = 0.0632) predicted rec...

Research paper thumbnail of Clinical Prognostic Factors in Transitional Cell Cancer of the Bladder

Urologia Internationalis, 1993

A cohort of 537 patients with transitional cell cancer of the bladder (TCC) were followed up for ... more A cohort of 537 patients with transitional cell cancer of the bladder (TCC) were followed up for a mean of 9 years and the clinicopathological data were related to prognosis. The T category (p &lt; 0.0001), N category (p &lt; 0.0001) and M category (p &lt; 0.0001) were the most important clinical prognostic factors, followed by the age of the patient (p &lt; 0.0001). Of the histological variables the WHO grade (p &lt; 0.0001), papillary status (p &lt; 0.0001) and the presence of R3-4 cells in voided urine (p = 0.0061) predicted unfavorable prognosis. In Ta-T1 tumors the WHO grade (p &lt; 0.0001), papillary status (p &lt; 0.0001) and the age of the patient (p &lt; 0.0001) had a prognostic value in univariate analysis. In Cox&#39;s analysis independent predictors of survival were the T category (p &lt; 0.0001), WHO grade (p &lt; 0.0001), patient age (p &lt; 0.0001), papillary status (p = 0.012) and the presence of symptoms before diagnosis (p = 0.033). In superficial tumors the WHO grade (p &lt; 0.0001) and patient age (p &lt; 0.0001) were independent predictors of survival.

Research paper thumbnail of Ag-NORs related to flow cytometry, morphometry and prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer

Anticancer research

The number of silver stained nucleolar organiser regions (Ag-NORs) was enumerated in the biopsy s... more The number of silver stained nucleolar organiser regions (Ag-NORs) was enumerated in the biopsy specimens of 73 patients with human pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The number of Ag-NORs was related to histological features, S-phase fraction (SPF), DNA ploidy, morphometric nuclear features, clinical stage and survival. Grade I tumours had on average fewer Ag-NORs (mean +/- SD, 5.2 +/- 2.0) than grade II (mean +/- SD, 5.9 +/- 1.6) or grade III (mean +/- SD, 6.6 +/- 2.6) tumours. Patients with low SPF (0-7%) values had lower mean Ag-NORs counts (5.7 +/- 1.0) than patients with a high SPF (7%) (6.6 +/- 2.0) (p = 0.05) and the number of Ag-NORs was related almost significantly to mitotic index (p = 0.09). The Ag-NORs were not related significantly to DNA ploidy or to clinical stage. In survival analysis the number of Ag-NORs predicted prognosis significantly (p = 0.03). From the results we conclude that Ag-NORs are related to several malignant features in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma and t...

Research paper thumbnail of Mitotic activity index, volume corrected mitotic index and human papilloma-virus suggestive morphology are not prognostic factors in carcinoma of the oesophagus

Anticancer research

Radiation treatment, endoscopic dilatations and laser treatment offer an alternative to surgery a... more Radiation treatment, endoscopic dilatations and laser treatment offer an alternative to surgery as palliation in oesophageal cancer, and therefore it is essential to assess the prognostic factors preoperatively in order to select the treatment individually. Mitotic activity index (MAI), volume corrected mitotic index (M/V-index) and histologic evidence for human papillomavirus (HPV) involvement together with other prognostic factors were studied in 61 patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinomas. No patient was lost from follow-up and 18% of patients were alive at the end of follow-up. Evidence for HPV involvement was found in 11 (18%) of 61 patients, which was significantly (p < 0.001) less than in a previous series of Chinese patients. Histological grade (p = 0.025), lymph node status (p = 0.002), presence of distant metastasis (p = 0.004), surgical resection (p = 0.03) and nuclear pleomorphism (p = 0.04) were significant independent prognostic factors in univariate analy...

Research paper thumbnail of Clinical evaluation of serum tumour markers CEA, CA 50 and CA 242 in colorectal cancer

Anticancer research

The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate the clinical value ol serum tumour marke... more The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate the clinical value ol serum tumour markers CEA, CA 50 and CA 242 in patients with colorectal cancer (n = 138) and patients with benign gastrointestinal disease (n = 104). The cutoff levels (90% specificity) determined for each test were 2.5 ng/ml for CEA, 17 U/ml for CA 50 and 17 U/ml for CA 242. The diagnostic sensitivity of the CEA test was 0.63, that of the CA 50 test was 0.30 and 0.30 for the CA 242 test in detecting colorectal cancer. CEA, CA 50 and CA 242 tests were tested in a multivariate analysis to find the best combination of independent predictors of colorectal cancer. The most important predictor of colorectal cancer was CEA followed by CA 242. In order to calculate the contributions of tumour marker tests, a diagnostic score (DS) was developed. The sensitivity of the DS in detecting colorectal cancer was 0.47 with a specificity of 0.88 and an efficiency of 0.67. On the basis of this study, serum CEA and CA 242 se...

Research paper thumbnail of DNA ploidy, S-phase fraction and mitotic indices as prognostic predictors of female breast cancer

Anticancer research

DNA ploidy, S-phase fraction (SPF), mitotic index (MI), volume corrected mitotic index (M/V index... more DNA ploidy, S-phase fraction (SPF), mitotic index (MI), volume corrected mitotic index (M/V index) and standard prognostic factors were related to disease outcome in a series of 363 women with breast cancer followed-up for over 10 years in our clinic. DNA ploidy and SPF were significantly related to histological type, tumour grade and mitotic indices (p < 0.001). In univariate survival analysis, pN status (p < 0.0001), tumour diameter (p < 0.0001), MI (p = 0.001), M/V index (p = 0.0003) and SPF (p = 0.015) predicted survival. In pN(-) tumours. MI (p = 0.059) was related to survival. In pN(+) tumours, tumour diameter (p = 0.0004), M/V index (p = 0.023) and SPF (p = 0.045) predicted survival. In multivariate survival analysis, tumour diameter (p < 0.001). M/V index (p < 0.007), pN status (p = 0.014) and patient age (p = 0.09) were independently related to survival. In pN(-) tumours, tumour diameter independently predicted survival (p = 0.033). In pN(+) tumours, tumour d...

Research paper thumbnail of A decision support system for predicting a recurrence of breast cancer; a prospective study of serum tumour markers TAG 12, CA 15-3 and MCA

Anticancer research

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical value of the preoperative serum tumour ... more The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical value of the preoperative serum tumour markers TAG 12, CA 15-3 and MCA in predicting a recurrence of breast cancer patients. The sensitivity of the TAG 12 test was 54%, that of the CA 15-3 test 15% and that of the MCA test 15% in predicting a recurrence of breast cancer. The most important predictor of breast cancer recurrence was TAG 12. In order to evaluate the contributions of different tumour marker serum test, a stepwise discriminant analysis was carried out. The discriminant function (DF) is DF = TAG 12 x 0.061 - CA 15-3 x 0.1336 - 0.396. The sensitivity of the DF in detecting recurrence of breast cancer was 63% with a specificity of 90% and an efficiency of 75%. In conclusion, the results indicate that a new tumour marker TAG 12 is superior to CA 15-3 and MCA in predicting breast cancer recurrence. In this study the discriminant function including TAG 12 and CA 15-3 was superior to single preoperative tumour marker tes...

Research paper thumbnail of A prospective study of tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS) in breast cancer diagnosis

Anticancer research

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical value of a new tumour marker TPS in ser... more The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical value of a new tumour marker TPS in sera from patients with breast cancer and patients with benign breast disease. The results for TPS were compared with those for TAG 12, CA 15-3 and MCA. The cutoff levels (90% specificity) determined for each test were 108.0 U/1 for TPS, 57.5 KU/1 for TAG 12, 24.8 KU/1 for CA 15-3 and 9.7 KU/1 for MCA. The diagnostic sensitivity of the TPS test was 0.21, for the TAG 12 test it was 0.2, 0.13 for the CA 15-3 test and 0.12 for the MCA test in detecting breast cancer. TPS, TAG 12, CA 15-3 and MCA tests were tested in a multivariate analysis to find the best combination of independent predictors of breast cancer. The most important predictor of breast cancer was TAG 12 followed by TPS. In order to calculate the contributions of tumour marker tests, a diagnostic score (DS) was developed. The diagnostic score (DS) was: DS = TPS x 0.0085 x TAG 12 x 0.0596 - CA 15-3 x 0.0866 - MCA x 0.2938 + 0.1738....

Research paper thumbnail of Sex-Specific Diagnostic Scores for Acute Appendicitis

Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, 1994

The role of clinical and computer-based decisions in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis was stud... more The role of clinical and computer-based decisions in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis was studied in connection with the survey of acute abdominal pain by the Research Committee of the World Organization of Gastroenterology (OMGE). One thousand three hundred and thirty-three patients presenting with acute abdominal pain were included in the study. Twenty-two preoperative clinical history variables, 14 clinical signs, and 3 tests were evaluated in a multivariate analysis to find the best combination of independent predictors of acute appendicitis for males and females. Independent predictors of acute appendicitis in males were tenderness, previous abdominal surgery, rebound, rigidity, location of pain at diagnosis, guarding, and body temperature. To sum up the contributions of the most significant diagnostic factors, a diagnostic score (DS) was built. When the male patients with a DS value between -2.00 and -0.48 were considered nondefined (n = 75, follow-up required before deciding to operate), the sensitivity of the computer-aided diagnosis in detecting acute appendicitis in males was 0.95, with a specificity of 0.89 and an efficiency of 0.91. In males whose leucocyte count was available (n = 476), previous abdominal surgery, leucocytosis, location of pain at diagnosis, tenderness, rigidity, rebound, guarding, rectal digital tenderness, and body temperature predicted significantly acute appendicitis. The DS reached a sensitivity of 0.94 (the cut-off level was -1.74), with a specificity of 0.80 and an efficiency of 0.84. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Research paper thumbnail of Argyrophilic Nucleolar Organizer Regions May Help the Differential Diagnostic Distinction between Chronic Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, 1994

The aim of this study was to determine whether the number of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer reg... more The aim of this study was to determine whether the number of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) could be of diagnostic significance in differentiating between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The number of AgNORs was enumerated in biopsy specimens of normal pancreas, chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The number of AgNORs was lower in patients with normal pancreas than in patients with chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In addition, the number of AgNORs was significantly lower in chronic pancreatitis than in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (p &lt; 0.001). The diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is usually clear. Difficulties can be encountered, however, in cases of chronic pancreatitis, specially when biopsy material is small. Our results suggest that the number of AgNORs may help in distinguishing between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, especially in diagnostically difficult specimens.

Research paper thumbnail of Prognostic Factors after 5 Years Follow-Up in Female Breast Cancer

Oncology, 1992

A consecutive series of breast carcinomas (n = 595) followed up for a minimum of 7.5 years was an... more A consecutive series of breast carcinomas (n = 595) followed up for a minimum of 7.5 years was analyzed for clinical, histological and morphometric prognostic factors after 5-years&amp;amp;#39; follow-up. Tumor size, nodal status, mitotic frequency and patients&amp;amp;#39; age at diagnosis predicted survival at 7.5 years highly significantly (p less than 0.0001). Tubule formation (p = 0.002), histological grade (p = 0.026) and nuclear pleomorphism (p = 0.046) were related to prognosis as well. In N--patients mitotic frequency (p = 0.018) was the best predictor of survival at 7.5 years whereas in N + tumors tumor size (p = 0.0013), tubule formation (p = 0.003) and mitotic frequency (p = 0.0049) were the best predictors of survival at 7.5 years. In univariate survival analysis the age of the patients (p = 0.002), tubule formation (p = 0.005), axillary lymph node status (p = 0.008), lymphocyte infiltration (p = 0.049), mitotic frequency (p = 0.06) and tumor size (p = 0.08) predicted survival after 5 years&amp;amp;#39; follow-up. Tubule formation predicted survival (p = 0.025) in N - patients and in N + tumors the age of the patients was the most important predictor (p = 0.006). In Cox&amp;amp;#39;s analysis tubule formation (p = 0.13), axillary lymph node status (p = 0.033), SD of nuclear perimetry (p = 0.046) and intraductal growth (p = 0.059) predicted survival independently after 5 years&amp;amp;#39; follow-up.

Research paper thumbnail of Mitotic indexes as prognostic predictors in female breast cancer

Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology, 1992

A series of 688 women with breast cancer were followed-up for a mean of 13 years. Tumour size, ax... more A series of 688 women with breast cancer were followed-up for a mean of 13 years. Tumour size, axillary lymph node status, histological grade, histological type and two mitotic indexes (M/V; MAI) were assessed and related to disease outcome. Primary tumour size (P less than 0.0001), the volume-corrected mitotic index (M/V) (P less than 0.0001), the mitotic activity index (MAI) (P = 0.0001), and histological grade (P = 0.0074) predicted axillary lymph node status. Recurrence as well as recurrence-free survival was significantly related to the axillary lymph node status (P less than 0.0001), M/V index (P less than 0.0001), MAI (P less than 0.0001), tumour size (P = 0.0031) and histological grade (P = 0.0208). Multivariate analyses disclosed the tumour size and M/V index as independent predictors of axillary metastasis at diagnosis. Recurrence was related independently to M/V index, axillary metastasis and tumour size. Independent predictors of recurrence-free survival in Cox&amp;amp;#39;s analysis were M/V index and axillary lymph node status. Axillary lymph node status (P less than 0.0001), tumour size (P less than 0.0001), M/V index (P less than 0.0001), MAI (P less than 0.0001) and histological grade (P = 0.0009) predicted survival in that order. Cox&amp;amp;#39;s analysis showed that axillary lymph node status was the most important independent predictor of survival followed by tumour size and M/V index. In a separate Cox&amp;amp;#39;s analysis of axillary-lymph-node-negative patients the M/V index and tumour size were independently related to survival. In conclusion the M/V index is an important prognostic factor in breast cancer and also in axillary-lymph-node-negative breast tumours.

Research paper thumbnail of S152 Impaired Clearance and Unaltered Bioavailability of Three Oral Oxycodone Formulations in Elderly Patients

European Journal of Pain Supplements, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Expression of the tumour-associated antigen CA-242 in transitional cell bladder tumours: a comparison with CA-50

European Journal of Cancer, 1993

Research paper thumbnail of Mesenchymoma of the chest wall in children

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 1991

Research paper thumbnail of A Simple Prediction Score for Diagnosis of Acute Pancreatitis

Research paper thumbnail of Population-Based Molecular Detection of Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2000

PURPOSE: Cancer morbidity and mortality can be dramatically reduced by colonoscopic screening of ... more PURPOSE: Cancer morbidity and mortality can be dramatically reduced by colonoscopic screening of individuals with the hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) syndrome, creating a need to identify HNPCC. We studied how HNPCC identification should be carried out on a large scale in a sensitive and efficient manner. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Colorectal cancer specimens from consecutive newly diagnosed patients were studied for microsatellite instability (MSI). Germline mutations in the MLH1 and MSH2 genes were searched for in MSI(+) individuals. RESULTS: Among 535 colorectal cancer patients, 66 (12%) were MSI(+). Among these, 18 (3.4% of the total) had disease-causing germline mutations in MLH1 or MSH2. Among these 18 patients, five were less than 50 years old, seven had a previous or synchronous colorectal or endometrial cancer, and 15 had at least one first-degree relative with colorectal or endometrial cancer. Notably, 17 (94%) of 18 patients had at least one of these three fe...

Research paper thumbnail of Multivariate analysis of six serum tumor markers (CEA, CA 50, CA 242, TPA, TPS, TATI) and conventional laboratory tests in the diagnosis of hepatopancreatobiliary malignancy

Anticancer research

A prospective study of 277 patients with benign (n = 212) and malignant (n = 65) hepatopancreatob... more A prospective study of 277 patients with benign (n = 212) and malignant (n = 65) hepatopancreatobiliary disease was carried out to evaluate the value of six serum tumour markers (CEA, CA 50, CA 242, TPA, TPS, TATI) and 16 conventional laboratory tests in the distinction between benign and malignant diseases. In univariate analysis, all tumour marker tests except TATI showed significantly (p < 0.001) higher serum values in the patients with malignant disease than in the patients with benign disease. Among the conventional laboratory tests serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase showed significantly. (p < 0.001) higher values in the patients with malignant disease, whereas serum protein and amylase levels were significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the patients with benign disease. In a multivariate analysis, serum bilirubin (p < 0.001), antithrombin III (p < 0.01) and blood hemoglobin (p < 0.05) were the most significant independent predictors o...

Research paper thumbnail of Sapphire probe versus bare fiber in interstitial laser hyperthermia (ILH). An experimental study with Wistar rats

Anticancer research

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a bare laser fiber and a contact sapphire pro... more The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a bare laser fiber and a contact sapphire probe on normal Wistar rat liver in interstitial laser hyperthermia (ILH). We used two different powers (1W and 2W) and eight different exposure times (50s to 900s). The livers were examined after 3 days and in the long-term follow-up group after 2 months. The greatest necrotic lesions were achieved with 600-900J energy (2W, 300-450s) using a bare laser fiber. The diameter of the necrotic lesions plateaued with 2W power setting after 300J energy. Generally, necrotic lesions were greater using a bare fiber than a sapphire probe with equal energy levels. The lesions healed by granulation and fibrosis. No scars or necrotic lesions were found 2 months after treatment when a 1W power setting was used, whereas a power of 2W caused a clear scar in the rat liver. ILH treatment caused necrosis safely and the bare fiber produced a greater necrotic area than the sapphire probe.

Research paper thumbnail of Expression of C-242 antigen in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Anticancer research

This investigation was undertaken in order to analyse the expression of tumor associated antigen ... more This investigation was undertaken in order to analyse the expression of tumor associated antigen CA 242 in normal pancreas, in chronic pancreatitis and in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and to find out if the expression of CA 242 in carcinoma specimens would have prognostic significance. The expression of CA 242 was examined in the tissue specimens by the avidin-biotin-immunoperoxidase technique. According to our results, normal pancreas showed no or only weak staining for CA 242, whereas chronic pancreatitis samples stained somewhat intensely. Five out of 39 adenocarcinomas were negative for CA 242, 5 showed weak staining and 29 showed intermediate or intense staining. Positive staining was found mostly in the ductal cells as well as in intraluminal contents. We found no statistically significant difference of CA 242 expression between different grades. The staining intensity and survival had no clear statistical correlation but all carcinoma patients whose survival time was mor...

Research paper thumbnail of Nuclear morphometry in grading transitional cell bladder cancer compared with subjective histological grading

Anticancer research

A retrospective study was performed comprising 265 bladder cancer patients. The patients were cli... more A retrospective study was performed comprising 265 bladder cancer patients. The patients were clinically followed up for an average of 10 years. The initial tumour biopsies were subjected to morphometric analysis. The mean nuclear area (NA), the standard deviation of nuclear area (SDNA) and the mean area of the 10 largest nuclei (NA10) were measured using IBAS 1&2 image analyzer. The prognostic value of NA, SDNA, NA10, papillary, subjective histological grading (WHO) and clinical stage (UICC) was evaluated. The progress in T-category was related to histological grade (p less than 0.0001), non-papillar growth (p = 0.0023), SDNA (p = 0.0110) and NA10 (p = 0.0305), in that order. The same parameters in addition to NA predicted lymph node involvement and metastasis. Recurrence rate was significantly related to NA10 (p = 0.0250). Non-papillar growth (p = 0.002), clinical stage (p = 0.005), histological grade (p = 0.0120), NA (p = 0.0143), SDNA (0.0383) and NA10 (p = 0.0632) predicted rec...