Clinical
Experience with the Practice of
Insulin Potentiation Therapy: Best Case Series
by Donato Perez Garcia y Bellon,
M.D., Donato Perez Garcia, Jr., M.D., and SGA, M.D.
at Monitoring and Evaluation
Approaches for Integrated Complementary and Alternative Medicine Cancer Practices,
Bethesda Hyatt Regency, Bethesda, MD., USA. August 4 - 6, 1997
Published on IPT by permission of Donato Perez Garcia,
M.D.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST: CASE 1
II. CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST: CASE 2
III. METASTATIC CANCER OF THE BREAST
IV. -CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX: CASE 1
V. CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX: CASE 2
VI. LARGE CELL ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE LUNG
VII. ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE PANCREAS
VIII. HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA
IX. EWINGS SARCOMA OF THE BONE
FIGURES
Where available, figures are shown as thumbnails. Click
on thumbnail to see larger image.
** Case I Ca of Breast
Figure I.1 - Bilateral Mammogram, May 23, 1985.
Figure I.2 - Excisional Biopsy/Pathology Report, June 1, 1985.
Figure I.3 - Bilateral Mammogram, October 26, 1986.
** Case II Ca of Breast
Figure II.1 - Xeromammogram, February 3, 1989.
Figure II.2 - Xeromammogram, June 15, 1989.
** Case III Breast
Figure III.1 - Letter from Dr. M. Fink, January 22, 1992.
Figure III.2 - Letter from Dr. M. Fink, January 28, 1992.
Figure III.3 - Liver Ultrasonogram, January 9, 1992.
Figure III.4 - Liver Ultrasonogram, January 21, 1992.
** Case IV Cervix - 1
Figure IV.1 - Pap Test, October 15, 1971.
Figure IV.2 - Cervical Biopsy, November 4, 1971.
Figure IV.3 - Pap Test, January 17, 1972.
Figure IV.4 - Cervical Biopsy, January 28, 1972.
** Case V Cervix - 2
Figure V.1 - Cervical Biopsy, March 5, 1970.
Figure V.2 - Pap Test, April 25, 1970.
Figure V.3 - Cervical Biopsy, May 12, 1970.
** Case VI Ca of Lung
Figure VI.1 - Initial Chest Xray - Mexico, September 9, 1985.
Figure VI.2 - CAT Scan of the Chest - Mexico, September 10, 1985.
Figure VI.3 - Chest Xray - Scripps Clinic, October 17, 1985.
Figure VI.4 - Lung FNA for Cytology - Scripps Clinic, October 18, 1985.
Figure VI.5 - Final Chest Xray - Mexico, March 4, 1986.
** Case VII Pancreatic Ca
Figure VII.1 - Ultrasonogram of the liver and bile ducts, October 22,
1986.
Figure VII.2 - Abdominal CAT Scan, October 27, 1986.
Figure VII.3 - FNA of Pancreas - M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, December 15, 1986.
Figure VII.4 - Ultrasonogram of the liver and bile ducts, April 22, 1987.
Figure VII.5 - Ultrasonogram of the liver and bile ducts, June 5, 1987.
** Case VIII Lymphoma
Figure VIII.1 - Biopsy Report (review of original slides), June 20, 1985.
Figure VIII.2 - Initial Chest Xray, March 15, 1985.
Figure VIII.3 - Final Chest Xray, July 22, 1985.
** Case #9 Ewing's Sarcoma
Figure IX.1 - Initial Xray of Left Arm, August 17,1970.
Figure IX.2 - Open Biopsy/Pathology Report, July 24, 1970.
Figure IX.3 - Interim Xray of Left Arm, following 8 weeks of treatment.
Figure IX.4 - Follow-up Xray of Left Arm, 8 years post-treatment.
I. - CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST: CASE 1
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This is the case of a fifty-three year old
female who discovered a mass in her right breast in May of 1985. A mammogram ordered by
her treating physician reported findings suspicious for malignancy (figure I.1). An
excisional biopsy of the breast mass was done on 6/1/85 revealing an infiltrating ductal
adenocarcinoma (figure I.2). Following surgery, the patient was prescribed a course
of radiation therapy. She received only three of her scheduled radiation treatments and
was subsequently lost to follow-up. This patient received no other form of treatment in
the management of her disease.
She next sought medical attention for her
condition in August of 1986 - some fourteen months later. At this time the patient
presented to the Drs. Perez Garcia with complaints of pain, swelling, and ulceration in
her right breast with foul smelling discharge. She also complained of pain, swelling, and
immobility in her right arm, frequent low-grade fevers, and a weight loss of thirty pounds
(fourteen kg) over the previous two months.
- PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: The patient appears older than her stated age. She
is pale and weak and in moderate distress due to pain in her right breast and arm.
Height: 5 feet 4 inches (1.62 m). Weight: 165 lbs (73.4 kg).
Blood pressure: 170/110 mm Hg. Pulse: 80/ min. and regular.
Temperature: 37.6o C. Respirations: 16/min.
Head & Neck: Poor oral hygiene with multiple dental caries and missing molars.
Bilateral tender cervical lymphadenopathy with two 1 cm lesions on the right, and three 1
cm lesions on the left.
Chest: There is a 3 cm node palpable in the right supraclavicular fossa which is
tender. The lung fields are clear. The heart sounds are normal, without murmurs or extra
sounds. The heart rate and rhythm are normal.
Breasts: The right breast is extensively involved with a neoplastic/inflammatory
process, principally in its upper outer quadrant. There is an approximately 6 - 8 cm mass
in the breast which is contiguous with tumor mass involving the patients right
axilla. The breast mass is firm, tender, and adherent to the underlying fascia. The
overlying skin is erythematous and ulcerated around the areola, with a foul smelling
whitish discharge. The left breast and axilla are normal.
Abdomen: Soft without masses or organomegaly. The bowel sounds are normal.
Pelvic exam: Normal introitus. Cervix appears normal. Uterus anteverted and
anteflexed. There are no adnexal masses or tenderness.
Extremities: There is obstruction to venous/lymphatic outflow from the right upper
extremity due to axillary involvement with tumor. The right arm is swollen in its whole
extent and has a dark reddish-brown discoloration. The arm is immobilized in extension
with slight flexion at the elbow.
Central nervous system: Grossly normal.
- LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS:
Hgb 12.0 gm%. Hct 39%. RBC 3.2 x 106/mm3.
WBC 12,300/mm3 with a normal differential count. Glucose 70 mg%. Sodium 134 meq/L.
Potassium 4.2 meq/L. Chloride 98 meq/L. BUN 18 mg%. Creatinine 1.1 mg%. Calcium 8.0 mg%.
Phosphorous 3.9 mg%. Cholesterol 200 mg%. Total protein 5.8 gm%. Albumen 3.2 gm%. Globulin
2.4 gm%. Bilirubin (total) 0.4 mg%. SGOT 38 mU/L. LDH 140 mU/L. Alkaline phosphatase 50
mU/L. Urinalysis showed a trace of protein and 5 - 10 WBC/HPF. The chest xray was normal.
The patient refused all other investigations ordered (bone scan, brain scan, liver-spleen
scan,).
As best as could be determined from the
available clinical and laboratory data, this patient had a Stage IIIB recurrent carcinoma
of the breast (T4C N2 M0). On August 19, she began a series of weekly treatments with IPT
during which she received the following medications: regular insulin - 15 units IV;
Genoxal (Schering - cyclophosphamide 500 mg/25 ml) 1.0 ml IV; Methotrexate (Lederle -
methotrexate 50 mg/20 ml) 3.0 ml IV; and Fluorouracil (Roche -5-fluorouracil 200 mg/10 ml)
5.0 ml.
Upon completion of twelve weekly treatments
with this regimen, the patient was relieved of all her complaints and abnormal physical
findings. There was no more pain in her right breast or arm, and the ulcerated area around
the areola had healed leaving some residual thickening in the skin. There were no palpable
masses in either breast, and no palpable cervical or supraclavicular lymphadenopathy. The
pretreatment involvement of the patients right axilla with tumor had resolved
completely, and there was a concomitant return to normal size, color, and functional
capacity of the affected arm.
During the entire course of this
patients treatment, she experienced no adverse reactions from the chemotherapeutic
agents used, nor from the insulin administration. A control mammogram done on October 28,
1986, reported "...a slight thickening in the skin in the right retroareolar area.
Actually no calcifications or tumor masses are identified. It is considered that there
exists a notable improvement and/or cure" (figure I.3). This patient continues
with regular follow-up examinations, and to date (4/92) has shown no evidence of
recurrence of her disease.
BILATERAL MAMMOGRAM: May 23, 1985. (translation)
In the right retroareolar region, in the
midline between the quadrants, is seen a dense tumor approximately 2 cm. in diameter with
a diffuse inferior border, and without any precise calcifications. There is increased
vascularization of this area. There is evidence of moderate bilateral ductal ectasia and
fibrocystic breast disease.
CONCLUSIONS: -The first possibility is cancer of the right breast. - Moderate
bilateral fibrocystic disease. - Possible bilateral ductal ectasia.
PATHOLOGY REPORT (translation)
Macroscopic description : In the intraoperative period, one segment of breast
tissue measuring 2 cm in its greatest diameter was received. Slices of this revealed a
central gray zone being 0.5 cm in its greatest dimension. On frozen section, an invasive
ductal carcinoma was identified. The surgical suite was informed. Afterwards, various
segments of breast and adipose tissue of normal appearance were received measuring 2 cm in
greatest dimension. All the tissue received is included for study by stained section.
Microscopic Section: The presence of a malignant neoplastic process of epithelial
origin, and of the size described, is confirmed. There is no capsule, but its margins are
well defined. There is proliferation of epithelial cells of ductal origin and invasion of
the fibrous stroma where there is a desmoid reaction. There is also perivascular and
perilymphatic infiltration. The segments of fatty tissue received last contained no tumor.
DIAGNOSIS: Infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the right breast.
BILATERAL MAMMOGRAM: OCTOBER 26, 1986. (translation)
This control examination shows a slight thickening of the skin in the right retroareolar
area, very likely in relation to the treatment performed. No actual calcifications or
tumor lesions are identified. It is considered that there exists a notable improvement
and/or cure. In addition, there is evidence of moderate bilateral fibrocystic disease and
the beginnings of fatty infiltration.
II. - CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST: CASE 2
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This is the case of a thirty-two year old female who first noticed a painless lump in her
right breast in November 1988. She sought medical attention two months later when she
developed nipple discharge and the lesion became painful and tender. A needle biopsy done
at the Central Military Hospital in Mexico City reported an infiltrating ductal
adenocarcinoma. The patient was advised to have a mastectomy, but she refused this and
instead sought treatment from the Drs. Perez Garcia. A xeromammogram was done confirming
the presence of the mass in the right breast (figure II.1). At the time of her
presentation, this patient had received no previous treatment in the management of her
disease.
- PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: The patient appears her stated age and is in no
acute distress.
Height: 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 m). Weight: 142 lbs (62.8 kg).
Blood pressure: 142/85 mm Hg. Pulse: 78/ min. and regular.
Temperature: 37.4o C. Respirations: 16/min.
Positive physical findings are restricted to examination of the patients breasts and
axillae:
Breasts: There is a 2 cm tender mass in the upper outer quadrant of the right
breast. A thin purulent nipple discharge is expressible from the nipple.Two small 1 cm
nodes are palpable in the right axilla. The left breast and axilla are normal.
A chest xray and bone scan were negative,
and there were no abnormalities in the patient's hematology or biochemistry. This
patient's disease was classified as stage IIB (T2 N1 M0). Treatments were begun the day
following her xeromammogram which was taken on February 3, 1989. She received a total of
eight treatments, twice a week for two weeks and then once a week for four weeks. In these
treatments the patient was given the following medications: regular insulin 18 units IV;
Genoxal (Schering - cyclophosphamide 500 mg/25 ml) 1.0 ml IV; Methotrexate (Lederle -
methotrexate 50 mg/20 ml) 3.0 ml IV; and Fluorouracil (Roche - 5-fluorouracil 500 mg/10
ml) 2.0 ml IV.
This course of treatment resulted in a clinical remission evidenced by complete regression
of the breast and axillary masses. There were no adverse effects produced during this
course of therapy, either from the anticancer drugs or from the insulin. A control
xeromammogram done at the time of this patient's three month follow-up examination on June
15, 1989 showed no evidence of tumor (figure II.2). The patient continues with
regular follow-up to the present and remains in a good state of health, free from any
signs or symptoms of her disease.
III. - METASTATIC CANCER OF THE BREAST
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This is the case of a patient with
metastatic breast cancer of the liver who was treated with the IPT protocol by Dr. Michael
Fink of the Klinikum Furth in Furth, Germany (Postfach 25 45, 8510 Furth, Germany). Dr.
Fink had for some years been working on the concept of insulin-recruitment of breast
cancer cells to enhance the effects of chemotherapy. He had come across publications on
IPT appearing in the scientific medical literature, and a sharing of information ensued
between ourselves and this German physician/researcher.
A copy of the IPT protocol for breast cancer
was sent to Dr. Fink on December 16, 1991. According to this protocol, subjects receive
(intravenously) regular insulin 0.3 units/kg body weight, followed by cyclophosphamide 15
mg/m2, methotrexate 5 mg/m2, and 5-fluorouracil 75 mg/m2, followed again by an infusion of
glucose solution. These treatments are given twice a week for three weeks, and weekly
thereafter for six to nine weeks according to the clinical response.
Dr. Fink's treatment of this patient began
in mid-January of 1992. The information about this case was communicated to us informally,
by letters (figures III.1 & III.2), thus there is no comprehensive
clinical information on the case - except for the history of breast cancer with metastases
to the liver documented by ultrasonography.
Following applications of the IPT protocol,
it was observed by liver ultrasound examinations that this patient's liver metastasis was
reduced to seventy percent of its original size after one week (two treatments), and to
eighty percent of this residual size after the second week of treatment (figures III.3
& III.4). Thus, overall, the liver metastasis was only fifty-six percent of its
initial size after two weeks of treatment using sub-therapeutic doses of anticancer agents
administered during a period of insulin-induced hypoglycemia. In this particular patient's
case, subsequent IPT treatments failed to provide further reductions in the size of the
liver lesion, and it was therefore decided to switch the patient to a more conventional
chemotherapy protocol using high-dose epirubicin.
This case presentation is illustrative in
two important regards. First, it indicates the potentiating effect that insulin can have
on the effects of low or sub-therapeutic doses of chemotherapeutic agents. Second, the
clinical failure evident in this case points out the great difficulty encountered in
treating cases of recurrent malignant neoplastic disease. As is evident from the several
cases described in this "Best Case Series", optimal clinical results with the
practice of IPT are obtained in the treatment of newly diagnosed cases of malignancy. The
years of clinical experience with IPT have produced results which mirror those of
conventional oncologic practice. Clinical outcomes are always poorer in those cases where
patients have already undergone some course of conventional anticancer treatment, such as
extensive surgery, high-dose toxic chemotherapy, and/or radiation.
IV. - CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX: CASE 1
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This is the case of a forty year old female
with a six month history of vaginal bleeding accompanied by vaginal discharge and burning.
She also complained of increasingly severe lower abdominal pains. Ten years earlier, the
patient had undergone a partial hysterectomy, leaving her cervix intact. On October 15,
1971, she consulted with a gynecologist who performed a Pap test which was reported as
Class IV, strongly suspicious of invasive epidermoid carcinoma (figure IV.1). This
diagnosis was confirmed by a cervical biopsy done on November 4 (figure IV.2). The
patient presented to Dr. Perez Garcia for treatment of her disease on November 16, 1971.
This patient received no other form of treatment in the management of her disease.
- PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: The patient is a forty year old female appearing her
stated age, and in no acute distress.
Height: five feet two inches (1.57 m). Weight: 100 pounds (44.5 kg).
Blood Pressure: 108/68 mm Hg. Pulse: 75/min. Temperature: 36oC.
Positive physical findings are restricted to examination of the abdomen and pelvis.
Abdomen: Soft. No liver, spleen, or kidneys palpable. No masses. There is diffuse
mild tenderness, most marked in the suprapubic area. The bowel sounds are normal.
Pelvic examination: Vaginal introitus is morphologically normal with evidence of
fetid, bloody vaginal discharge. There is blood and discharge in the vaginal vault. The
visualized cervix is deformed and ulcerated by a tumor mass two to three cm. in diameter,
and is very tender to palpation. There is no uterine fundus palpable, and there are no
adnexal masses.
The patient began a course of IPT treatments
on November 16, 1971. The medications she received during her treatments were: regular
insulin - 20 units IV; Endoxan (Asta Werke - cyclophosphamide 100 mg/ml) 1.0 ml IM. After
nine weekly treatments the patients physical examination revealed no evidence of
tumor. A repeat Pap test on January 17, 1972, was reported as negative (figure IV.3),
and a repeat biopsy on January 28, 1972, reported chronic cervicitis without mention of
any neoplastic changes (figure IV.4). The patient tolerated her IPT treatments
without adverse effects from either the anticancer medications or the insulin. She
remained in a good state of health, free from any signs or symptoms of her disease, for at
least five years - after which she was lost to direct follow-up. News of this patient's
continued survival and good health was received via testimony from several
patient-referrals over the ensuing years.
V. - V. - CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX: CASE 2CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX: CASE 2
V. - CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX: CASE 2CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX: CASE 2
V. - CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX: CASE 2CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX: CASE 2
V. - CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX: CASE 2CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX: CASE 2
V. - CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX: CASE 2
CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX: CASE 2
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This is the case of a twenty-two year old
female complaining of a three month history of lower abdominal pain, dysuria, leukorrhea,
and occasional intermenstrual bleeding. The patient was G2 P2 A0 and her last pregnancy
was completed in September, 1969, with a normal, full-term vaginal delivery. Her treating
physician discovered a mass in the patients vagina, and performed a biopsy. This
reported a carcinoma of the cervix, mixed type adenoacanthoma (figure V. 1). The
patient presented to Dr. Perez Garcia for the treatment of her disease on March 18, 1970.
This patient received no other form of treatment in the management of her disease.
- PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: The patient is a twenty-two year old female in moderate
distress complaining of lower abdominal and perineal pain. She also complains of dysuria,
tenesmus, leukorrhea, intermenstrual bleeding, and a weight loss of eighteen pounds (8 kg)
over the last month. She appears older than her stated age.
Height: five feet six inches (1.69 m). Weight:117 pounds (51.7 kg).
Blood Pressure: 172/78 mm Hg. Pulse: 80/min and regular. Temperature:
36.5oC.
Positive physical findings are restricted to examination of the abdomen and pelvis.
Abdomen: The abdomen is flat and moderately rigid with some guarding and tenderness
in the lower abdomen. There are no masses or organomegaly. The bowel sounds are normal.
Pelvic Examination: Normal introitus with blood-stained, fetid vaginal discharge.
The visualized cervix is enlarged and irregularly deformed by a six cm mass which is
ulcerated and bleeding. Bimanual examination confirms the size of the lesion and reveals
it to be tender and hard to the touch. The uterine fundus is retroverted and not palpable.
There are no adnexal masses.
Beginning on March 18, 1970, the patient
began a series of nine treatments with IPT, receiving the following medications: regular
insulin - 20 units IV; Endoxan (Asta Werke - cyclophosphamide 100 mg/ml) 1.0 ml IM. This
course of treatment was tolerated without adverse effects from either the anticancer drugs
or the insulin. After the patients last treatment, she was examined and found to be
free of all symptoms and signs of her disease. A Pap test was done and reported as
negative (figure V.2). A repeat biopsy was subsequently done and reported,
"chronic cervicitis with leukoparakeratosis and foci of squamous metaplasia. No signs
of anaplasia are observed" (figure V.3). This patient has remained in good
health, free from her disease, and has gone through another full-term pregnancy which she
delivered vaginally.
VI. - LARGE CELL ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE LUNG
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This is the case of a forty five year old
non-smoking female who developed a left Horners syndrome in March of 1985. The
diagnosis and etiology of this condition eluded a number of physicians who were consulted
about it until September of that year. By that time, the patient had developed a
persistent cough and a dull aching pain over her left posterior hemithorax, and she had a
weight loss of 15 pounds (6.6 kg). An xray (figure VI.1) and a CAT scan (figure VI.2)
of the chest demonstrated an infiltrate in the lower lobe of the patients left lung.
A percutaneous needle biopsy of this lesion done at the Central Military Hospital in
Mexico City reported a large cell adenocarcinoma of the lung.
In October, the patient went to the Scripps
Clinic in La Jolla, California, to consult on the management of her disease. Chest xrays
(figures VI.3) and cytologic studies of fine needle aspirates confirmed the
diagnosis of large cell adenocarcinoma of the lung (figures VI.4). After a
discussion of treatment options available at the Scripps Clinic, the patient elected to
return to Mexico City to receive IPT treatments from the Drs. Perez Garcia. Apart from the
diagnostic work-up performed there, the patient received no treatment modalities for her
disease during her stay in California.
- PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: The patient is a forty-five year old female
complaining of a chronic, non-productive cough, weight loss, and a persistent pain over
her left hemithorax.
Height: 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m). Weight: 140 lbs (62 kg).
Blood pressure: 98/60 mm Hg. Pulse: 108/ min. and regular.
Temperature: 37.6o C. Respirations: 18/min.
Positive physical findings were restricted to examination of the patients head and
neck, and of her chest.
Head & Neck: There was anisocoria with miosis of the left pupil and ptosis of
the left upper eyelid, consistent with a left Horners syndrome. The rest of the
HEENT was unremarkable.
Chest: The respiratory excursions were full, and there was no dyspnea, cyanosis, or
clubbing of the fingers. There were decreased breath sounds over the left hemithorax
posteriorly and laterally with a few crepitations.
The patient began treatments with IPT in
January of 1986. In these treatments she received the following medications: regular
insulin 15 units IV; Genoxal (Schering - cyclophosphamide 500 mg/5 ml) 1.0 ml IM;
Methotrexate (Lederle - methotrexate 50 mg/20 ml) 3.0 ml IV. There were no untoward
side-effects of these treatments - neither from the chemotherapeutic agents nor from the
insulin. Clinically, the patients cough and back pain resolved following her first
few treatments. She regained the weight she had lost, however the Horners syndrome
persisted unchanged.
After the eighth IPT treatment, a control
chest xray was done. This reported a significant reduction in the size of the lesion in
the left lower lobe, and a disappearance of the satellite lesions which had previously
been seen in the left lung (figure VI.5). This positive change in the patient's
xray, as well as the resolution of her symptoms, had been accomplished with just the
sub-therapeutic doses of anticancer drugs and the insulin. The patient continued with
several more of her IPT treatments and was thereafter lost to follow-up. When last seen
she was in good clinical condition, free from all symptoms of her disease.
VII. - ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE PANCREAS
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This is the case of a sixty-four year old
female who developed scleral icterus in September of 1986. This was followed by the
appearance of jaundice and symptoms of nausea and anorexia. In October the patient sought
consultation with her physician about these complaints, and an ultrasound examination of
the liver and bile ducts was done on October 22. This reported a normal liver parenchyma
without evidence of metastasis, the presence of cholelithiasis, and dilatation of the
intra and extrahepatic bile ducts due to extrahepatic obstructive jaundice. The
differential diagnosis was cancer of the head of the pancreas versus cancer of the ampulla
of Vater (figure VII.1). On October 27 a CAT scan of the abdomen was done,
confirming suspicions of a pancreatic cancer (figure VII.2). The patient was
apprised of the possible diagnosis and the poor prognosis under her circumstances.
In December, the patient went to the M.D.
Anderson Cancer Center in Houston,Texas, to be treated for her condition. There she had a
choledochoduodenostomy performed. During the intraoperative period a needle biopsy was
taken from tissue in the head of the pancreas, and this reported an adenocarcinoma (figure
VII.3). Apart from this palliative surgical procedure (choledochoduodenostomy), the
patient received no other form of treatment for the management of her disease.
In January, 1987, the patient presented to the Drs. Perez Garcia for treatment of her
condition with IPT.
- PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: The patient is a
sixty-four year old female complaining of a three months history of nausea, anorexia,
scleral icterus and jaundice, and a weight loss of 12 kg (27 lbs). She states that her
jaundice has diminished somewhat since her surgery in December, 1986.
Height: 5 feet 3 inches (1.6 m). Weight: 104 lbs (45.9 kg).
Blood pressure: 190/130 mm Hg. Pulse: 90/ min. and regular.
Temperature: 37.3o C. Respirations: 18/min.
Head & Neck: There was some slight residual scleral icterus, otherwise the
HEENT were normal.
Chest: Several supraclavicular lymph nodes are palpable on the left and these are
slightly tender. The lung fields are clear. The second heart sound is augmented in
intensity, otherwise the heart sounds are normal without murmurs or extra sounds. The
heart rate and rhythm are normal.
Abdomen: Soft and scaphoid. No liver, spleen, or kidneys are palpable. There is a
firm, tender mass palpable in the epigastrium. The bowel sounds are normal.
Central nervous system: Grossly normal.
On January 15, 1987, the patient began a
series of IPT treatments. The medications administered included: regular insulin 12 units
IV; Genoxal (Schering - cyclophosphamide 500 mg/25 ml) 0.5 ml IM; Methotrexate (Lederle -
methotrexate 50 mg/20 ml) 0.4 ml IV; and Fluorouracil (Roche - 5-fluorouracil 500 mg/10
ml) 0.2 ml IV. The patient underwent a total of eighteen treatments which she tolerated
without adverse effects - either from the chemotherapeutic agents or the insulin.
Clinically, her condition improved with this therapy. All her gastrointestinal symptoms
abated and she was able to regain her lost weight. Her abdominal exam became essentially
normal, and the supraclavicular lymphadenopathy and scleral icterus likewise cleared.
On April 22, 1987, an ultrasound examination
of the liver and bile ducts was done which reported a tumor in the head of the pancreas
measuring 32 x 30 mm (figure VII.4). A repeat examination done on June 5 reported
the body and tail of the pancreas to be normal in size with areas present in the head of
the pancreas compatible with tissue necrosis (figure VII.5). Following the
ultrasound examination in June, the patient began to take treatments on a once-a-month
basis instead of once weekly. After her last treatment on October 2, 1987, this patient
was lost to further follow-up. At that time, she was observed to be in a good state of
health without any complaints or signs of her previously diagnosed condition.
VIII. - HODGKINS
LYMPHOMA <Return
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This is the case of a forty-five year old
male who began experiencing fever and night sweats in November of 1984. Over an ensuing
period of three and a half months he also developed dyspnea, dizziness, and a sharp pain
in the right posterior hemithorax. A weight loss of 12 kg (27 lbs) accompanied the
evolution of all these symptoms. The patient had a 23 pack-year history of cigarette
smoking. Previous health history included a hemorrhoidectomy in 1974, and a L5-S1
laminectomy in 1980. The patient first presented with this history to the Central Military
Hospital in Mexico City in late January of 1985.
- PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: The patient was a forty-five year old male appearing
older than his stated age, complaining of fatigue, dyspnea, posterior chest pain, and
weight loss as above.
Height: 5 feet 11 inches (1.8 m). Weight: 156 lbs (69 kg).
Blood pressure: 130/75 mm Hg. Pulse: 105/ min. and regular.
Temperature: 100oF orally (37.8oC). Respirations: 24/min.
Head & Neck: The HEENT were normal. The patient had a prominent mass visible on
the right side of his neck. On palpation, this mass was seen to consist of two contiguous
masses which were tender, each measuring approximately 2 cm in diameter.
Chest: The lung fields are clear to percussion and auscultation in all fields. The
heart sounds are normal, without murmurs or extra sounds. There is a sinus tachycardia at
105/min. The peripheral pulses are present and equal bilaterally.
Abdomen: Soft without masses or organomegaly. The bowel sounds are normal. Stool
examination for occult blood was negative.
Central nervous system: Grossly normal.
- LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS:
Hgb 12.0 gm%. Hct 36%. RBC 3.4 x 106/mm3. WBC 15,400/mm3 with a normal
differential count. Platelets 701,000/mm3. Glucose 110 mg%. BUN 11 mg%. Creatinine 0.9
mg%. Urinalysis was negative. Sputum for cytology was negative for malignant cells. Bone
marrow aspiration showed no malignant infiltration. Liver/spleen scan was negative. AP and
lateral chest xray revealed a dense 6 cm mass with irregular contours localized to the
right hilar region. Chest tomograms confirmed the presence of the mass confined to the
posterior mediastinum and producing extrinsic compression of the right inferior bronchus.
Bronchoscopic examination revealed an extrabronchial mass compressing the right inferior
bronchus. A biopsy specimen was obtained from the cervical mass. Pathological examination
of specimens from the bronchoscopy and the cervical node reported a Hodgkins
lymphoma, stage II-B (figure VIII.1).
The patient was started on a
conventional-dose chemotherapy regimen consisting of cyclophosphamide, adriamycin,
vincristine, bleomycin, metclopramide, and prednisone. Following only one cycle of the
prescribed course of treatment, the patient refused to go on because of severe
side-effects of nausea, vomiting, weakness, and malaise. In February of 1985, the patient
presented to the Drs. Perez Garcia for management of his condition with IPT. Apart from
the one cycle of high-dose chemotherapy this patient had received no other form of
treatment for his disease.
With the exception of evidence of the recent
cervical node biopsy, there was little change in physical findings from those described
above. The Hgb was 9.0 gm% with a Hct of 32%, RBC 2.8 x 106/mm3, and WBC 17,500/mm3. The
patient received a total of twenty-two IPT treatments at weekly intervals. The medications
administered in these treatments included: regular insulin - 15 units IV; Genoxal
(Schering - cyclophosphamide 500 mg/5 ml) 3.0 ml IM; Methotrexate (Lederle - methotrexate
50 mg/20 ml) 0.5 ml IM; Blanoxane (Bristol Meyers - bleomycin sulfate 15 units/5 ml) 0.2
ml IV; Adriamycin ( Adria Laboratories - doxorubicin 10 mg/5 ml) 0.2 ml IV; Decadron
(dexamethasone 4 mg/ml) 0.2 ml IV.
The patient tolerated his treatments without
adverse effects, either from the chemotherapy agents or the insulin. The residual cervical
mass disappeared, his chest pain, dyspnea, and weakness were relieved, and he gained
weight up to 90 kg (203 lbs). All hematologic parameters returned to normal values. His
pretreatment chest xray demonstrates the right hilar mass (figure VIII.2).
Subsequent chest xrays showed a gradual reduction in the size of the right hilar mass. A
chest xray taken following this patient's final treatment showed the right hilum to be
essentially clear of the neoplasm (figure VIII.3). Follow-up xrays at yearly
intervals have shown no recurrence of the chest lesion. Clinically the patient remains in
good health up to the present time(4/92).
IX. - EWINGS SARCOMA OF THE BONE
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This is the case of a three year old female who was treated
for an apparent fracture of her left wrist in June of 1970. When the cast was removed, it
was observed that the swelling and pain were still present. A repeat xray demonstrated a
gross deformity of the left distal radius (figure IX.1), and a subsequent biopsy
reported a Ewings tumor of the bone (figure IX.2). The parents were apprised
of the grave prognosis in the case, and that there was little that could be done with any
expectation of saving the childs life. The parents brought their child to Dr. Perez
Garcia for a trial of IPT treatments. This patient received no other form of treatment in
the management of her disease.
- PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: The patient was a three year old female in distress due
to pain and swelling of her left wrist. She had a history of frequent febrile episodes and
a recent weight loss of 9 pounds (4 kg).
Height: 3 feet 7 inches (1.06 m). Weight: 40 pounds (18 kg).
Blood pressure: 80/40. Pulse 90/min. and regular.
Temperature: 37oC. Respirations: 20/Min.
Head & Neck: There is bilateral cervical and supraclavicular lymphadenopathy,
tender, averaging one to two cm in size. HEENT otherwise normal.
Chest: Lung fields clear. Heart sounds normal without murmurs or extra sounds.
Normal sinus rhythm.
Abdomen: Soft without masses or organomegaly. Bowel sounds normal.
Nervous system: Grossly normal.
Extremities: The distal left forearm is swollen with a fifteen degree varus
deformity. The area is exquisitely tender to the touch. There are two small epitrochlear
nodes palpable at the left elbow.
The child received a total of seventeen
treatments for her disease, beginning on August 18, 1970. These were tolerated without
incident or drug-related side-effect. The medications administered during these treatments
were: regular insulin - 5 units IM; and Endoxan (Asta-Werke - cyclophosphamide 100 mg/ml)
0.3 ml IM.
After the eighth treatment, an xray was
taken of the left wrist and demonstrated good bone neoformation with reestablishment of a
more normal contour to the distal radius (figure IX.3). Upon completion of the
series of treatments, the child was clinically well in all respects. An xray of this
subjects left arm eight years post-treatment shows no abnormalities (figure
IX.
PATHOLOGY REPORT (translation)
Clinical Information: Tumor of the left forearm, radius and ulna with areas of
rarefaction. Two months in evolution, afebrile, without pain. Consistency is soft. There
is invasion of soft tissues. Inguinal and popliteal nodes are palpable.
Macroscopic Description: During the surgical procedure, numerous fragments of
tissue were received, pinkish in color and friable in consistency, measuring up to 0.5 cm.
in largest diameter. From the frozen section a diagnosis was made of "malignant tumor
of bone, probably Ewings Sarcoma". Specimens are included for parafin fixing
and stained section.
Microscopic Description: In the fixed and stained sections a neoplastic process is
identified, very cellular consisting of polyhedric cells with round or ovoid nuclei. There
are scant mitoses and the cytoplasm is eosinophillic. The cells appear in dense clusters
within a thin fibrous stroma, which is well vascularized. There is perivascular
infiltration by tumor elements within the tumor. The biopsy does not include normal bone.
DIAGNOSIS: - Ewing's tumor of the distal third of the left radius.
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