Showing papers by "American Cancer Society published in 1985"

Probabilities of eventually developing or dying of cancer--United States 1985

Abstract: The usual measures of the magnitude of the cancer problem are annual incidence and mortality data We present another measure of the magnitude of the cancer problem We computed the probabilities at birth and at various ages of developing or dying of the disease within 10 years, 20 years, or total lifetime and show the trends that have occurred in these data since 1975 These probabilities were computed for males and females and among whites and blacks for 1975 and 1980, and projected to 1985 The data indicate a continuing, albeit modest, increase in the probabilities of eventually developing cancer in each of the four sex-race groups, both excluding and including carcinoma in situ White males now show the highest probability at birth of eventually developing cancer, and black females, the lowest, with the figures for the other two groups being intermediate Larger increases were seen for males between 1980 and 1985 (more than three percent) than for females (two percent or less) A child born in the US in 1985 has more than one in three chances of eventually developing invasive cancer (exclusive of epidermoid skin cancer) By site, for males the largest probabilities and the largest increases in the probabilities are for eventually developing lung and prostate cancer For women, the largest eventual probabilities are for breast cancer, almost one in 10 for white females and one in 14 for black females The largest increases are seen for lung cancer and cancer of the colon-rectum The probability of eventually dying of cancer is increasing among the four sex-race groups and is now greater for males of both races than for their female counterparts For males born in 1985, the chances of eventual death from cancer are almost one in four, and for females, almost one in five With the long-term, downward trends in terms of other causes of death--most specifically, decreases in mortality from cardiovascular diseases--the effect on the population at large is greater longevity This situation, in turn, leaves more people longer time to be exposed to cancer risks Thus, while the probabilities of developing or dying of cancer are seen to increase, the increases should be viewed in light of the increasing numbers of people available for such an occurrence(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Human interferon alpha in malignant lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease. Results of the American Cancer Society trial.

Abstract: Forty-nine patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or Hodgkin's disease were entered into a multi-institutional phase II trial to evaluate the antitumor activity of human interferon alpha, prepared from buffy coats. Interferon alpha was administered intramuscularly in doses of 1 X 10(6) u, 3 X 10(6) u or 9 X 10(6) u daily for 30 days. Objective partial responses were seen in 3 of 18 patients with nodular lymphoma, all at the 9 X 10(6) u dose. Interferon alpha was not observed to be of therapeutic benefit in the other subtypes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or Hodgkin's disease. The major toxicities consisted of fatigue, fever, myalgias and weight loss. Serum interferon levels obtained 3 to 4 hours after injection varied widely, even among patients treated at the same dose level. Despite the relatively low doses of interferon used and the brief period of administration, this study extends the earlier observations of the antitumor effect of interferon in nodular lymphoma. These results are discussed in relation to the cumulative experience in human lymphoma using alpha interferons induced in human leukocytes and those produced in bacteria by recombinant DNA techniques.

Retiform differentiation in ovarian sertoli-leydig cell tumors. A clinicopathologic study of six cases from a gynecologic oncology group study

Abstract: This report analyzes six ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors that showed retiform differentiation. The patients were young (6-29 years; average age, 17). The tumors were all limited to one ovary, and the patients have remained disease-free, with one exception, a patient who died of recurrent neoplasm 3.5 years after operation. On microscopic examination, the retiform areas were predominant in three cases and focal in the other three. The retiform areas consisted of an irregular anastomosing network of spaces lined by cuboidal cells, often with papillary formations and sometimes with tubules compressed to form slit-like spaces. In three cases the retiform areas appeared mature, and in three they were less differentiated. All tumors also had areas of typical Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor of either poor or intermediate differentiation. In the patient with metastatic disease, the metastases had a pure sarcomatoid pattern without any retiform areas.

Percutaneous silastic catheter insertion in patients with thrombocytopenia.

Abstract: A retrospective analysis of 33 patients with malignancy and thrombocytopenia of less than 100,000/microliter who underwent percutaneous Silastic (Evermed) catheter insertion is presented. Thirty-seven catheter insertions were performed in these patients during a 2-year period. The insertion technique includes intraoperative platelet transfusion for patients with platelet counts of less than 50,000/microliter, the use of general anesthesia for infants and children, and intravenous sedation with local anesthesia in adults. Minimizing the dissection required for the subcutaneous catheter tunnel is achieved with a modified shunt-tunneling device. The majority of catheters were placed by the subclavian approach. Fifty-nine percent of the procedures took place when the platelet count was less than or equal to 30,000/microliter. There was no mortality related to the procedure. Four complications directly related to the technique (arterial puncture, 3; cervical hematoma, 1) and eight related to the catheter occurred without serious sequelae. With appropriate precautions, percutaneous placement of Silastic catheters can be performed safely in patients with thrombocytopenia. This technique produces less tissue injury than operative venotomy, may be performed more rapidly, obviates sacrifice of the vein that is used and, consequentially, allows for multiple subsequent insertions via the same vein.

Increased dihydrotestosterone receptor levels in high-stage renal adenocarcinoma.

Abstract: Primary renal adenocarcinoma tissue, metastatic deposits, and normal kidney parenchyma from 16 patients were assayed for sex hormone receptors by dextran-coated charcoal adsorption and sucrose gradient centrifugation techniques. Dihydrotestosterone receptors (DHTR) were found in all renal carcinomatous tissue (20/20) and in 93% (13/14) autologous normal kidneys analyzed. Testosterone receptors were found in 84% (16/19) of tumors and 93% (14/15) or normal kidneys analyzed. Estrogen receptors in small amounts (ER) were detected in only 5% (1/19) of tumors and in 7% (1/15) of normal kidneys. Progesterone receptors (PR) in low quantities were detected in 30% (6/20) of renal tumors and in 40% (6/15) of normal kidneys. DHTR levels in high-stage tumors (T3, T4) were significantly elevated over levels in autologous normal kidney, whereas in low-stage tumors localized to the kidney (T1 and T2 tumors) DHTR levels were not significantly different from autologous normal kidney. The mean levels of DHTR in high-stage kidney tumors were significantly elevated over levels in low-stage tumors (P less than 0.001). DHTR estimation in renal neoplasms may help in biologic staging of renal adenocarcinoma and could define a group of patients in whom anti-androgen therapy may be worth a trial.

Primary transitional cell carcinoma of the female urethra with features of clear cell adenocarcinoma.

Abstract: Primary malignant urethral neoplasms are unusual in women. Those of mixed histologic type are so rare as to define adequate documentation. We report the case of an elderly black woman with an urethral carcinoma which had features of a transitional cell carcinoma as well as clear cell adenocarcinoma. The histologic and ultrastructural features are presented and the histogenesis is discussed. Although the patient had both high grade and high stage disease and failed initially after external beam radiation therapy, she is alive and well, without evidence of recurrent disease, 19 months after anterior exenteration.

Radiation oncology. Programs for the present and future.

Abstract: Radiation oncology in 1984 continues to make major advances in the multidisciplinary clinical programs. This has been possible by virtue of the radiation oncologist, who is an active participant in these clinical programs. The changing role for the radiation oncologist has dictated a greater participation in the primary management of the patient's disease process and also participation in multidisciplinary research programs.