ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Therapeutic options for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are limited. There is emerging evidence that the growth of cancer cells may be altered by very low levels of electromagnetic fields modulated at specific frequencies. METHODS: A single-group, open-label, phase I/II study was performed to assess the safety and effectiveness of the intrabuccal administration of very low levels of electromagnetic fields amplitude modulated at HCC-specific frequencies in 41 patients with advanced HCC and limited therapeutic options. Three-daily 60-min outpatient treatments were administered until disease progression or death. Imaging studies were performed every 8 weeks. The primary efficacy end point was progression-free survival î¶6 months. Secondary efficacy end points were progression-free survival and overall survival. RESULTS: Treatment was well tolerated and there were no NCI grade 2, 3 or 4 toxicities. In all, 14 patients (34.1%) had stable disease for more than 6 months. Median progression-free survival was 4.4 months (95% CI 2.1-5.3) and median overall survival was 6.7 months (95% CI 3.0-10.2). There were three partial and one near complete responses. CONCLUSION: Treatment with intrabuccally administered amplitude-modulated electromagnetic fields is safe, well tolerated, and shows evidence of antitumour effects in patients with advanced HCC.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy , Liver Neoplasms/therapy , Magnetic Field Therapy/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Algorithms , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , Disease Progression , Female , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Magnetic Field Therapy/adverse effects , Male , Middle Aged , Models, Biological , Mouth Mucosa , Radiation Dosage , Treatment Outcome , Young AdultABSTRACT
Giant polyposis is a rare presentation of Crohn's disease (CD) of the colon and can be misdiagnosed as colon cancer. To our knowledge, the sonographic characteristics of conglomerated polyps in colonic CD have not been published. The purpose of this article is to describe sonographic findings in 3 patients with giant polyposis and evaluate the contribution of sonography in establishing this diagnosis. We conclude that sonography can facilitate the diagnosis of giant polyposis in CD by demonstrating associated findings in the large and small bowels that are suggestive of CD.