[Evaluation of quality of life in patients with advanced colorectal cancer treated with topotecan]. / Ocena jakosci zycia chorych z zaawansowanym rakiem jelita grubego leczonych topotekanem.

UNLABELLED: During last years a few new directions appeared in therapy of advanced colorectal cancer. Topotecan, a camptothecin analog, seems to be one of the promising novel drug in these cases. Its unique mechanism of action is connected with inhibition of the nuclear enzyme topoizomerase I. Assessing therapeutic effects of new cytotoxic drugs we should consider their impact on survival time and quality of life as well. The aim of our study was the attempt to assess the quality of life of patients with advanced colorectal cancer (IV stage in TNM scale), treated by topotecan. Clinical trial was performed in the group of 10 patients. Topotecan was administered intravenously at 1.5 mg/m2/day for 5 days and repeated every 21 days. Quality of life assessment was performed at special time points using Rotterdam Symptom Checklist. We observed improvement in quality of life in six out ten patients having advanced colorectal cancer. Two patients did not show any change in quality of life and two patients with progression of disease demonstrated lower quality of life during topotecan treatment. CONCLUSION: Topotecan has a positive influence on quality of life of patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Further study are needed to confirm this observation.

[The influence of early childhood experiences on depression among medical students. Preliminary study]. / Wplyw negatywnych doswiadczen z okresu dziecinstwa na wystepowanie depresji u studentów medycyny--doniesienie wstepne.

The aim of this study was an attempt to estimate depression prevalence in medical students. Simultaneously we tried to asses the impact of early negative experiences on the level of depression in that population. We examined 92 third year medical students of the Silesian Academy of Medicine (54 women and 38 men) at the age from 20 to 24. Frequency and intensification of depression were assessed by using Beck Depression Inventory. Early experiences including negative and positive ones were estimated with the use of a self prepared repertory test called "biographical path", based on Personal Construct Theory of George Kelly. The obtained results indicated that 25% of examined students had depression symptoms. These students were exposed more frequently to early negative experiences than students without depression. In childhood depressive students were under pressure of their environment to score successes. If they did not realise these expectations they were exposed to discontent and frustration of their parents. Depressive students came less frequently into contact with other people and acquired independence later than non depressive students.

[Follow up results of radical correction of Fallot's syndrome]. / Wyniki odlegle korekcji calkowitej zespolu Fallota.

In the years 1981-1989 in the Department of Cardiosurgery, Institute of Cardiology, Medical Academy in Lódz, 39 patients with Fallot's syndrome were subjected to radical correction of the congenital heart disease. In 18 cases the correction was preceded by a palliative operation carried out on the average four years before the radical correction of the congenital heart disease. During the early postoperative period seven patients died which accounted for 17%. Out of 39 patients treated surgically, 32 were in I or II haemodynamic grade according to NYHA.