Occult Cancer (occult + cancer)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


In Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer, Screening MRI of the Contralateral Breast Detects Mammographically Occult Cancer, Even in Elderly Women: The Mayo Clinic in Florida Experience

THE BREAST JOURNAL, Issue 2 2010
Johnny Ray Bernard Jr MD
Abstract:, The role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer is somewhat controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of synchronous, occult contralateral breast cancer detected by MRI but not by mammography or clinical breast examination in women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, including those aged 70 years or older at our institution. MRI results for women with newly diagnosed breast cancer who underwent bilateral breast MRI after negative mammography and clinical examination between February 2003 and November 2007 at Mayo Clinic in Florida were reviewed. The prevalence of pathologically confirmed contralateral carcinoma diagnosed solely by MRI was determined and analyzed in the context of age, family history, menopausal status, breast density, and primary-tumor characteristics. Logistic regression was used to explore the association between contralateral carcinoma and potential patient risk factors. A total of 425 women were evaluated, of whom 129 (30%) were aged 70 years or older. A contralateral biopsy was recommended and performed solely on the basis of MRI in 72 of the 425 women (17%). Sixteen of these 72 women (22%) had pathologically confirmed carcinoma, including seven in the older subgroup. The prevalence of clinically and mammographically occult contralateral carcinoma detected by MRI was 3.8% (16/425) overall and 5.4% (7/129) in the group of older women. When potential risk factors for contralateral breast cancer were evaluated, postmenopausal status was the only significant predictor of contralateral cancer detected by MRI (p = 0.016). We concluded that contralateral breast screening with MRI should be considered in postmenopausal women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, even those aged 70 years or older at diagnosis. [source]


Methods for detecting coronary disease: epidemiology and clinical management

ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 2 2002
O. Faergeman
ABSTRACT The epidemic of atherosclerotic disease in wealthy countries had probably begun by 1900. Although a few physicians understood how atherosclerosis/thrombosis of the coronary arteries caused angina pectoris and myocardial infarction, the medical community did not accept that relationship until the 1920s. In wealthy countries, the epidemic peaked in mid-century, and it is now advancing in poor countries and in countries becoming affluent. Two recent developments in methods for disease detection, however, will profoundly affect not only our understanding of the epidemic of atherosclerotic disease, but also our management of patients. A redefinition of the clinical diagnosis of myocardial infarction, a well-used but imperfect measure of the epidemic, was published in September 2000. Criteria employed for about 50 years have now been replaced by criteria based on sensitive biochemical markers of necrosis of as little as 1 g of myocardium, accompanied by chest discomfort or electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, or following coronary artery intervention. The new criteria, adopted by the major societies of cardiology in Europe and the United States, is likely to increase the apparent incidence and prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD). In the beginning of the twentieth century, diagnosis of CHD required an autopsy. In the end it was carried out by angiography as well, but it could not be applied to large proportions of the population. That has now been changed by new, non-invasive methods of computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and patients, however, asymptomatic, will expect treatment for a disease that physicians have detected. Coronary artery disease (CAD) will be to CHD what occult cancer is to cancer. [source]


Symmetrization reduction mammaplasty combined with sentinel node biopsy in patients operated for contralateral breast cancer

JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 1 2006
Peter Schrenk MD
Abstract Background and Objectives: Occult invasive cancer found in reduction mammaplasty specimen in the contralateral breast in breast cancer patients requires axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) to assess the lymph node status. Routine Sentinel node (SN) biopsy in these patients may avoid secondary ALND when an occult cancer is found and the SN is negative in the permanent histological examination. Methods: One hundred sixty-nine breast cancer patients underwent contralateral reduction mammaplasty for symmetrization and with SN biopsy of the non-cancer breast. SN mapping was done using a vital blue dye alone (n,=,136) or in combination with a radiocolloid (n,=,33). Results: A mean number of 1.4 SNs (range 1,3 SNs) was identified in 158 of 169 patients (identification rate 93.5%). One of 158 patients revealed a positive SN but no tumor was found in the reduction mammaplasty/mastectomy specimen, whereas the SN was negative in 157 patients. Histological examination of the 169 reduction mammaplasty specimen revealed 5 occult invasive cancers and 4 patients with high grade DCIS but due to a negative SN biopsy the patients were spared a secondary ALND. Conclusion: The small number of patients with occult contralateral cancers may not warrant routine SN mapping in patients scheduled for contralateral reduction mammaplasty. J. Surg. Oncol. 2006;94:9,15. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Venous thromboembolism and subsequent short-term risk of an occult cancer

JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 2 2008
H. T. SØRENSEN
[source]


Who is at risk for occult cancer after venous thromboembolism?

JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 12 2006
M. M. J. BECKERS
[source]