Request for Funding

Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2002

Student Summer Research Projects 2002
UTSW Center for Breast Care

Contact: Susan J. Hoover, M.D.
214-648-1453
Susan.Hoover@UTSouthwestern.edu

#1 (one student project)
Project Type: patient-based/basic research

Brief Description of Project: Evaluation of the factors that influence minority and underprivileged populations' entrance into clinical trials as compared to the private sector. This would involve written patient questionnaires and student interviewing of patients at both the PMH Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic and at the UTSW Center for Breast Care. The student would then compile data for database entry and evaluation.

#2 (one to two students project)
Project Type : patient-based/basic research; this a multi-level project that can accommodate one to two students.

Brief Description of Project: Evaluation of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in the breast cancer patient as it relates to:

Tumor Size-What is the accuracy of SLNB in predicting the tumor status of the remainder of the axillary lymph nodes upon axillary dissection in T3 tumors and in induction chemotherapy patients?
Other Axillary Lymph Node Metastases-Does the nature of the primary tumor and the nature of the SLN metastasis (grossly positive/ immunohistochemistry positive only/etc.) predict the tumor status of the remainder of the axillary lymph nodes?
Special Circumstances-What is the accuracy/surgical outcomes in SLNB performed in pregnancy, mulitcentric tumors, reduction mammoplasty, free silicone injection patients, breast implants, previous breast/chest radiation therapy?

This project would involve entry into and evaluation of patient information from the breast cancer database.

#3 (one student project)
Project Type : patient-based/basic research

Brief Description of Project: Comparison of outcomes in patients undergoing mastectomy with and without the usage tumescent injection for raising of skin flaps--measuring of mastectomy flap viability, operative cost analysis, complications, cosmesis. The student would compile data for database entry and evaluation.

#4(one student project)
Project Type : patient-based/basic research

Brief Description of Project: Evaluation of patients who have undergone genetic testing for BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 and how the outcomes of their testing affected their treatment, surveillance, family dynamics/further testing. This would involve close interaction with the breast center genetics division with a combination of patient interviews and questionnaires. The student would also compile data for database entry and evaluation.

#5 (one student secondary project)
Project Type : patient-based/basic research

Brief Description of Project: Evaluation of nipple/areolar sensitivity in patients undergoing breast conservation therapy and radiation therapy. This would involve physical examination of this subset of breast cancer patients combined with patient interview/questionnaire. The student would compile data for database entry and evaluation.

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