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Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation Current News & Research

Research in Fetal Therapy

The UCSF Fetal Treatment Center has been on the forefront of fetal treatment research since it's inception. The first open fetal surgery in the world was performed at UCSF over 2 decades ago and we continue to dedicate ourselves to research and innovation.

Fetal Treatment Center in the News

Current CCAM Research

• Effect of tracheal occlusion on fetal lung growth and development
• Techniques of temporary tracheal occlusion
• Development of small animal models
• Effect of tracheal occlusion on surfactant production
• Optimal timing and duration of tracheal occlusion
• Prognostic indicators for fetal CDH:  the lung-head ratio (LHR)
• Investigation of Prenatal Steroids for Treatment of Prenatally Diagnosed CCAMs (see below)

CCAM Prenatal Steroid Clinical Trial

In a few cases where fetal surgery to remove the CCAM is not possible and the fetus is still too immature to delivery, we give steroids to the mother. We have seen hydrops resolve after steroid treatment in a few cases, and we are currently studying the biology of this potential treatment to see if it will help shrink the CCAM.

You may be eligible to be considered for this clinical trial. For more information please visit Investigation of Prenatal Steroids for Treatment of Prenatally Diagnosed CCAMs

• Homeobox Profiles of Fetal and Childhood Masses and Tumors, including Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of the Lung, Neuroblastoma, Wilms’ Tumor, and Hepatoblastoma - Lee, Hanmin

Current General Fetal Treatment Research

• Preterm Labor Factors in Patients Undergoing Fetal Surgery - Lee, Hanmin

  Study analyzing fetal surgery and preterm labor.

• Maternal Outcomes of Fetal Surgery - Lee, Hanmin

  Study analyzing the maternal risks of fetal surgical interventions.

  Publications:

  Golombeck K, Ball RH, Lee H, Farrell JA, Farmer DL, Jacobs VR, Rosen MA, Filly RA, Harrison MR. Maternal morbidity after maternal-fetal surgery. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Mar;194(3):834-9.

• Adhesive and Tensile Properties of Amniotic Membranes - Harrison, Michael

  Examination of a novel preventive “presealant” to protect amniotic membranes during fetal surgery.

  Publications:

  Cortes RA, Wagner AJ, Lee H, Clifton MS, Grethel E, Yang SH, Ball R, Harrison MR. Pre-emptive placement of a presealant for amniotic access. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2005 Sep;193(3 Pt 2):1197-203

• Evaluation of Thoracoscopic and Laparoscopic Techniques for Pediatric and Fetal Congenital Defects - Lee, Hanmin

  Study evaluting recent advances in fetal treatment.

  Publications:

  Cortes RA, Farmer DL. Recent advances in fetal surgery. Semin Perinatol. 2004 Jun;28(3):199-211.

  Ball RH. Invasive fetal testing. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2004 Apr;16(2):159-62