von Willebrand factor in head and neck cancer
Article Abstract:
The laboratory investigation of blood from cancer patients often reveals abnormalities in coagulation. This phenomenon is most commonly found in patients with lung cancer or gastrointestinal cancer, among whom complications of bleeding or thrombosis are not rare. The relationship of these coagulation abnormalities to the cancers is not understood. Investigation of 28 patients with head and neck cancer revealed changes in laboratory values that are more subtle than those seen with some other forms of cancer. Common laboratory measures of coagulation include prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and levels of substances such as factor V, factor X, factor XI, factor XII, and antithrombin. These measurements were all within normal range among the patients with head and neck cancer. However, when von Willebrand factor was measured, abnormalities became apparent. von Willebrand factor promotes the adhesion of platelets to connective tissue beneath the endothelium of blood vessels, and serves as a carrier protein for the coagulation factor VIII. von Willebrand factor was elevated among the patients with head and neck cancer. Fifteen of the 28 patients studied have died, and the average elevation of von Willebrand factor was higher among these patients than among the survivors. However, the wide variation among patients prevented this increased elevation from becoming statistically significant. While the assays of the von Willebrand factor were based on immunological techniques, the function of the von Willebrand factor may be measured by the ristocetin-cofactor assay. When this assay was performed, extreme elevation was seen in five patients. All five patients with this extreme elevation died; this distinction was statistically significant. It should be emphasized that the patients included in this study were not a representative sample of head and neck cancer patients, and many had cancer too advanced for surgery at the time of diagnosis. Therefore, the evaluation of von Willebrand factor as a potential prognostic indicator should be undertaken in a prospective study with an appropriately selected population of patients. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Cancer
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0008-543X
Year: 1990
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Psychosexual functioning after the treatment of cancer of the vulva
Article Abstract:
It has been believed that cancer of the female genitalia and its treatment alters sexual function. Cancer of the vulva, which is a portion of the external female genitalia, accounts for 5 percent of all cancers of the female reproductive tract and is commonly treated by disfiguring surgery and radiation therapy. Some studies have reported that as many as 50 to 90 percent of women with cancer of the vulva discontinue sexual activity after radical or extensive vulvectomy, the surgical removal of the vulva. However, another group of researchers concluded that, after radical vulvectomy, 8 of 10 couples accomplished complete or partial sexual rehabilitation and were satisfied with their sexual relationship. Because of these conflicting results, the sexual functioning of 10 women with cancer of the vulva was assessed prior to their receiving treatment to two years later. Sexual functioning was evaluated on admission to the hospital, and at 6, 12, and 24 months after the start of treatment. Measures of sexual function included current sexual behavior, sexual motivation, sexual (dis)satisfaction, and perception of genital sensations of sexual arousal. The responses obtained from patients with cancer of the vulva were compared with those of healthy, female subjects. Although sexual dissatisfaction was noted at six months after the start of treatment, all sexually active women resumed sexual activity within one year. Their satisfaction with sexual interaction was similar to what it was before treatment and to that of healthy women, despite vulvectomy and poor perception of genital sensations of sexual arousal. Satisfaction was based more on intimate, rather than physiologic, arousal aspects of the sexual relationship. These findings suggest that psychological and social factors are more important than physical factors in the sexual rehabilitation of women who are treated for cancer of the vulva. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Cancer
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0008-543X
Year: 1990
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Progress in medical defense against nerve agents. The use of oral mexiletine for the treatment of pain after peripheral nerve injury
- Abstracts: Moricizine for cardiac arrhythmias. Radiofrequency catheter ablation for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Dexrazoxane for cardiac protection against doxorubicin
- Abstracts: Hypothyroidism and goiter in a patient during treatment with interleukin-2. Clinical implication of dermatopathic lymphadenopathy among Japanese
- Abstracts: Quality assurance in the care of the patient with cancer. Performance status assessment in cancer patients
- Abstracts: Myofascial mimic of temporomandibular pain: differential diagnosis and treatment with combination therapy. Multiple sclerosis and early diagnosis: a literature review