Showing papers by "American Cancer Society published in 1969"

Coronary heart disease, stroke, and aortic aneurysm.

Abstract: Data were obtained from a prospective epidemiological study of over 1,000,000 men and women who were traced for approximately six years after they answered detailed questionnaires. The analysis was confined to the records of 804,409 of the subjects who at the time of enrollment met the qualifications: age 40 to 79; no history of heart disease or stroke; no history of cancer diagnosed within the preceding five years; and not sick. During the course of the study, 14,819 of the subjects died of coronary heart disease, 4,099 died of stroke (cerebrovascular lesions), and 519 died of nonsyphilitic aortic aneurysm. Death rates from these three diseases were analyzed in relation to sex, age, diabetes, high blood pressure, body weight, change in weight, exercise, cigarette smoking, sleep, and nervous tension.

Cancer of the breast. Statistical and epidemiological data

Abstract: This article provides statistical and epidemiological data on breast cancer incidence mortality and end-results including material on various systems of clinical staging and trends with time in broad categories of types of treatment. Among women in the United States the breast is the leading site of cancer in both incidence and mortality. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among 40-44 year old women and a frequent cause from ages 30 to 34. It is 100 times as frequent in women as in men. Single women have a relatively greater risk of 1.35-2.3 to 1 compared to ever-married women; infertile ever-married women have a risk of 1.15-1.6 to 1 as compared to fertile women; fertile women under age 35 have a higher rate. Women with 3 or more children have a lower rate by 1.5-2 times and women with a first pregnancy after age 25 have a double risk over those with a first pregnancy before age 20. Excess risk has been found in those less than 12 years at menarche compared with those 15 and older at menarche. Also those with 30 or more years of menstrual activity have greater risk. Those who have nursed 3 or more years have a reduced risk. Artificial menopause may reduce risk 50-60% particularly if produced before age 37. A history of cancer among mothers or sisters of patients doubles the risk and cystic disease of the breast increases the risk 2.64 times. Endocrine factors and genetic influences are considered important. The world-wide probability of breast cancer occurrance rises with advancing age but in the United States the largest number of cases occur for age groups 45-49 through 55-59. Detailed rates are given by country and by regions of the United States. Breast cancer rates have been found to be inversely related to cervical cancer rates; however cancers of the body of the uterus ovary or colon do not show this variation. Various studies give 5-yr survival rates ranging from 38% to 61-71%. In more recent years reported survival rates are increasing. Differences between the International system and the American system of classification are noted; a major difference is that tumors exceeding 5 cm diameter and with no evidence of spread are assigned to Stage 3 under the International system and to Stage 1 under the American. Pathologic information frequently modified clinical evaluation and may be a better index of prognosis. Of cases among men survival rate adjusted for age was about the same as for women; for negro men less. Among women the left breast was more frequently involved by among men it was the right. Immunochemical detection techniques earlier detection methods newer hormones ways of increasing host resistance and especially prevention are under study.

Granular cell myoblastoma of the common bile duct.

Abstract: Two cases of granular cell myoblastoma of the common bile duct are reported. One tumor caused extrahepatic cholestasis and another was an incidental finding at autopsy. These are the second and third cases reported involving the common bile duct.

An evaluation of thermography in the detection of breast cancer. A cooperative pilot study.

Abstract: A collaborative study of 3,518 patients in several medical centers was designed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of thermography as compared to mammographic and clinical examinations. For 862 patients who had breast surgery or a biopsy, the sensitivity and specificity was 0.823 and 0.784 respectively for physical examinations, 0.721 and 0.798 for thermographic reading with clinical data, and 0.703 and 0.807 for mammography. Of additional interest was the observation that each of the procedures (physical examination, mammography, and thermography) selects different subgroups of cases. The results indicate that further evaluation of thermography as a screening technique for breast cancer is warranted. Such evaluation should be in the form of a controlled clinical trial.

Ischemic dilatation of the colon

Abstract: Ischemic colitis may present as dilatation of the colon, often seen in acute ulcerative colitis. Clinical history and radiographic findings usually suffice to differentiate these two lesions. Prompt surgical treatment is indicated for ischemic dilatation. Two cases are presented to show that ischemic colitis may progress to transmural gangrene, without striking clinical change. Repeated barium enema and plain abdominal films are required for the management of patients with ischemic colitis, who do not promptly recover. The progression from thumb printing to ulcerative and pseudopolypoid changes on barium enema, or the development of dilatation in a segment of ischemic colon, indicates necrosis and requires immediate surgical treatment.

Iatrogenic perforation of retention cyst of the pancreas.

Abstract: A case of iatrogenic perforation of a huge (7 L.) retention cyst of the pancreas is presented. Attention is given to pathologic characteristics of such cysts and their differentiation from pseudocysts and neoplastic cysts. The clinical presentation and problems attendant on perforation are reviewed. This lesion was treated by excision. The rationale for therapy is discussed.

Viruses and cancer.

Abstract: The causal role of viruses in animal cancers has been known for more than 50 years. Viruses have been proven to be the cause of cancer in fowl, mice, frogs, and rabbits. These viruses have been isolated and identified, and many have been photographed. The ultimate proof of their causal role has been firmly established: filtrates from the virus-infected cancer tissue have been injected into healthy animals and they have induced cancer in these animals. As to the viral cause of cancer in man there is only a suspicion, but a stiong one, backed by persuasive evi dence and by the knowledge that in many other fundamental respects the development of cancer in the higher animals and in man is generally very similar. Virus particles (individual units of virus) have been found in several dif ferent types of human cancer tissue, and, in some cases, photographed. How ever, their presence alone cannot be taken as proof of a causal role. The only certain way to prove this would be to exti-act a filtrate from human cancer tissue, inject it into healthy humans, and see whether it induces cancer in the recipient. This, for obvious reasons, is not possible. Therefore, research must rely on indirect proof. Such proof is beginning to accumulate and there is widespread conviction among scientists

Control of abdominal wall digestion after ileostomy breakdown--a complication of obesity: report of a case.

Abstract: Treatment of a severe complication of ileostomy in an obese patient has been presented. Control of the corrosive ileal drainage allowed the ulcerated area to heal by secondary intention. The key role of karaya gum powder is emphasized.