2424. Hematologic neoplasia associated with primary mediastinal germ-cell tumors.
Between September 1983 and December 1988, we observed 16 cases of hematologic neoplasia associated with mediastinal germ-cell tumors. Twenty-eight similar cases have been reported in the literature. A review of the clinical and cytogenetic details in these patients suggests that the hematologic neoplasia is not the result of cisplatin-based chemotherapy of the mediastinal germ-cell cancer. This syndrome was found only in patients with nonseminomatous mediastinal germ-cell tumors, particularly those with serologic or histologic evidence of yolk-sac elements. The two most common hematologic neoplasms seen in this syndrome were acute megakaryoblastic leukemia and malignant histiocytosis. Consistent cytogenetic abnormalities have not yet been identified, but the finding of the marker chromosome isochromosome (12p) in the mediastinal germ-cell tumor and associated leukemic blasts in one patient suggests that these tumors may arise from a common progenitor cell.
2429. Instruments for the functional assessment of older patients.
Structured assessment instruments are particularly useful in screening for problems that often go undetected in older patients. In addition, such instruments can provide information about conditions and abilities or limitations that are not regularly assessed in standard clinical practice. Often, their administration is delegated to other health professionals, but these tools still provide useful information to the physician. Clinicians should view assessment instruments as they would any other clinical test. They should be familiar with the strengths, weaknesses, and precision of any test used and understand how best to use the test as an adjunct to clinical practice. In addition, clinicians must learn to focus on functional status, in terms of both assessment and outcome, in their care of older patients.
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