Showing papers on "Breast cancer published in 1968"

Breast cancer and artificial menopause: a cohort study.

Abstract: A brief review of the literature during the last 50 years suggests that women who undergo artificially induced menopause have a reduced risk of developing cancer of the breast in later life. The study is prospective in that cohorts of women were followed through records from the time of induction on menopause for 20-40 years to determine the incidence of and mortality from breast cancer. The cohorts selected for study included patients 55 years of age or younger at some time during 1920-1940 when they were seen in the Boston area at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital or the Free Hospital for Women. The 3 major classes in the study were natural menopause (1479) artificial menopause (benign conditions 6908) and gynecologic malignancies (radiation and/or surgery 750). Artificial menopause was induced through hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy (3241) partial surgery (retention of at least 1 intact ovary 2149) or radiation (primarily to destroy endometrium 1518). Through hospital and state records the patients were followed from their admissions through December 31 1961. Artificial menopause was found to have a significant protective effect against breast cancer if achieved before age 40 with the removal of both ovaries (women with hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy). Apparently a singly functioning ovary provides enough estrogens and progesterone to maintain a normal hormonal environment. Women who underwent hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy before age 40 were found to have had a chance of developing breast cancer 1/4 of the chance of women in control cohorts (women who underwent cholecystectomy who made up most of natural-menopause group; partial-surgery group). Pelvic irradiation may give some protection against the development of breast cancer. No unusual breast cancer rates (incidence and mortality) occurred for the women with pelvic malignancies which were studied independently of the other cases.

Breast cancer after exposure to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Abstract: Information on breast cancer among survivors of the atomic bombings has now accumulated to the point where a fairly definite carcinogenic effect seems established. In women exposed to 90 r...

The carcinogenicity of multiple intragastric doses of aromatic and heterocyclic nitro or amino derivatives in young female sprague-dawley rats.

Abstract: The carcinogenicity of 35 compounds was evaluated in young female Sprague-Dawley rats 9 months after the oral feeding of 10 doses at the maximally tolerated level. The following compounds were definitely active in causing breast cancer: 2-anthramine, 2,7-fluorenediamine, benzidine, N -6-(3,4-benzo-coumarinyl)acetamide, [α-(2-methylhydrazino)toluoyl]urea, and 7,12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene, the positive control. Weaker responses were elicited by tolidine, thiodianiline, and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitronaphthalene. Biphenyltetramine, 1,3,7-tribromo-2-fluorenamine, 1-anthramine, and nitrofurazone led to a borderline response. One of 132 negative control rats had breast cancer. Single lesions at sites other than the breast, not present in controls, were observed in rats administered: 4,4′-oxydianiline, 4,4′-sulfonyldianiline, 1,3,7-tribromo-2-fluorenamine, 2-anthramine, 1-anthramine, 1-methylaminoanthraquinone, N -methyl- N -2,4,6-tetranitroaniline, N -6-(3,4-benzocoumarinyl)acetamide, diphenylthiohydantoin,[α-(2-methylhydrazino)toluoyl]urea and 7,12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene. 2-Aminoanthraquinone induced cystic changes in the kidneys in a high percentage of the treated rats. Mammary cancer induction in young female Sprague-Dawley rats is a rapid and sensitive technic for detection of the carcinogenicity of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, of polycyclic nitro and amino derivatives, and also of select heterocyclic compounds. Multiple dosing was no more sensitive than a single large dose for pinpointing active compounds. However, repeated treatments increased the percentage of tumor-bearing animals and the multiplicity of the tumors with active compounds.

The search for risk factors in breast cancer.

Abstract: A prospective study of breast cancer risk factors was undertaken in conjunction with an evaluation of periodic breast cancer screening with mammography (soft-tissue X ray) and clinical examination in women 40-64 years old. The screening study was initiated in December 1963 by the Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York in cooperation with 23 of its affiliated medical groups and then began to be accompanied by the risk-factor study. Among 20211 women initially screened a detection rate of 2.72/1000 women occurred as compared with a rate of 1.62/1000 in the control group (no special screening). The risk-factor data concern cancers detected at the initial examination or the first annual reexamination and the cases detected between these examinations (total of 101 cancers). About 81% of initially-screened women had a first annual reexamination. Women participating in the initial screening examinations tended to be younger more educated and generally more concerned about cancer. Ratios of relative risks for variables in which a definite or suggestive relationship with breast cancer existed included never-married vs. married (2.3) 1-2 vs. more pregnancies (2.0) menarche under 12 vs. at 15 or older (1.7) 30 or more years of menstrual activity vs. less than 30 years (1.4) 1 or more breast conditions vs. none (3.1) and history of 1 or more sisters with breast cancer vs. none (1.9). No clear-cut relationship emerged involving age at first and age at last pregnancy age at menopause or interval since last menopause. The somewhat greater risk apparent at first glance for women with some college dissipated when adjustments were made for marriage and parity. No relationship involving duration of breast feeding was noted although only a small proportion of the women had long periods of lactation.

The unique association between salivary gland cancer and breast cancer.

Abstract: In a group of 396 patients with known cancers of the major salivary glands there were seven in whom breast cancers later developed. This represents an eightfold increase in risk beyond the statistical expectation. The probability that these patients with salivary gland cancers later had breast cancer only by chance is about 0.004%; indicating the possibility of common causal factors. We believe that it is important to alert the clinician to the observed but not yet explained significantly high risk for patients with salivary gland cancers to later have breast cancers. We hope that awareness of this risk will direct attention to careful examination of the breasts, since the detection of localized cancer increases the likelihood of cure.

Treatment of Breast Cancer with Medroxyprogesterone Acetate

Abstract: The prolonged administration of large doses of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in the treatment of patients with disseminated breast cancer was studied. The patients consisted of 17 postmenopausal women previously treated with 1 or more hormones (group I) 17 women (oophorectomized or postnatural menopause) who had received MPA prior to the study (group II) and 2 males with breast carcinoma (group III). Patients received MPA intramuscularly (as Depo-Provera 100 mg 3 times weekly 34 patients) or orally (as Provera 100 mg daily 2 patients) in all except 4 cases for a minimum of 5 weeks. Patients were classified as showing objective tumor regression or as being treatment failures. 4 patients because of treatment for neurological complications were judged not evaluable. 5 group-I patients and 2 group-II patients (both greater than 10 years since menopause) experienced objective tumor regression. All 7 patients received the MPA parenterally. By the end of the study mean duration of the objective remissions was 12 months. 3 of the 7 patients continued in remission at writing 2 had succumbed to the disease and 2 were receiving other agents. Site of involvement in these patients was predominantly osseous (3) visceral (2) or soft tissue (2). Mean age of the 7 responders was 69. The mean "free interval" from initial therapy to clinical appearance of distal metastases was 44 months in the responders. All 5 patients from group I had benefited from previous hormonal alterations. Of 10 patients receiving estrogens in combination with MPA immediately after the course of MPA alone 5 demonstrated objective tumor regression 1 who had responded to MPA alone. The best response in this group occurred in a 61-year old man. Most patients had no untoward effects with MPA administration. A fairly extensive discussion of the literature on MPA is included.

Breast cancer in women subsequent to cystic disease of the breast.

Abstract: A study of the effect of surgical or endocrine treatment on 1051 patients (from the National Cancer Institute of Milan between 1937 and 1960) with histologically confirmed diseases on the risk of developing breast cancer revealed that of the 875 who had partial resection of the mammary glands for biopsy only 16 developed breast cancer; 4 out of 101 patients with subtotal mastectomy developed cancer while 5 out of 82 patients on androgen therapy developed cancer. Using Dorn and Cutlers US statistics to compare the incidence of breast cancer in these patients with the general female population the total number of cancers observed was double the expected rate while women on androgen therapy had 4.5 times the expected rate. It thus seemed that extensive excision of mammary tissue and androgen therapy do not necessarily cure the disease but could in fact promote the development of cancer suggesting that the disease may be systemic in nature possibly attributable to hormonal imbalance. It is recommended that patients be periodically examined and a target biopsy be done when there is a clinical or roentgenographic suspicion of cancer in a mastopathic area.

Urinary 17-ketosteroid excretion of women with advanced breast cancer.

Abstract: Various steroids were examined in order to study the relationship between the responsiveness to adrenalectomy and urinary steroid excretion of Japanese women with advanced breast cancer. Sixty-one adrenalectomized cases were followed for more than 1 yr after treatment and used in the study. There was a statistically significant difference in urinary 17-ketosteroids between the responsive and unresponsive cases and between the intermediate and unresponsive cases. The mean values and their standard deviations determined preoperatively in the responsive, intermediate and unresponsive cases were 5.86 ±1.36, 4.04 ±1.79 and 2.83 ±0.91 mg/24 hr, respectively. There was also a statistically significant difference between the responsive and unresponsive cases in the excretion of dehydroepiandrosterone, androsterone and etiocholanolone. Many patients with breast cancer had low excretion of ll-deoxy-17-ketosteroids, but the patients who excreted normal amounts of androgenic steroids responded to an ablative...

Can breast carcinoma be anticipated? A follow-up of benign breast biopsies.

Abstract: 110 women who had undergone biopsy for benign lesions of the breast were studied for subsequent development of breast carcinoma over the following 16-20-period. 10 women in the study developed carcinoma in the same or opposite breast within 16-20 years, a rate of incidence 480% greater than among the general population of women of the same age. Average interval time from biopsy to appearance of malignant tumors was 9 years. The original biopsies were studied and categorized with a view to isolating pathologic factors which might indicate high risk. No factor could be associated with subsequent carcinoma development. The incidence of carcinoma appeared related to years of risk only. It is recommended as a result of this study that all women who undergo biopsies for benign breast lesions should have life-long followup since they seem to be at high risk.

A Hypothesis for the Natural Time History of Breast Cancer

Abstract: Summary A new method of analysis is developed for inferring the natural history of a disease using only the information available on a patient at time of treatment. The technic is applied to the study of breast cancer and has resulted in a coherent theory of breast cancer which accounts for many biologic variables simultaneously. Among the findings are: (a) There are at least four distinct time histories. (b) The four histories divide into two pairs such that the onset of the disease in one pair precedes that of the other pair by eight years. This accounts for the break in age-incidence rate reported by other investigators. (c) Early diagnosis combined with radical mastectomy increases survival time for only one time history, whereas early diagnosis in the other time histories does not result in an appreciable increase in longevity. (d) Radical mastectomy does not appear to be effective in significantly prolonging survival for these latter time histories. (e) The first biological event in time which occurs in the four time histories is that the degree of sinus hyperplasia of the axillary lymph nodes changes from favorable to unfavorable status. (f) The nuclear grade of the primary tumor does not change with time.

Clinical considerations and treatment of in situ lobular breast cancer.

Abstract: In situ lobular carcinoma of the breast is relatively uncommon but represents the earliest of the early cancers which occur in the mammary gland. Because of obscure physical findings, it is rarely diagnosed clinically and frequently missed in gross and quick frozen section examinations. A considerable majority of the breasts show a multicentric origin of in situ lobular cancer and there is a high risk of leaving residual disease after a generous local excision.The frequency and the time at which a breakthrough will occur with resulting infiltration are not known but it seems to be a matter of years rather than months. Only one of the 31 patients listed as having been treated by local excisions in this series is known to have subsequently developed infiltrating cancer in the same breast. Most of these cases, however, were reported as showing only a single or very few microscopic foci of in situ lobular cancer in the multiple fixed sections from a local excision. Quite clearly we need to know more about the...

Breast carcinoma metastatic to the stomach. Report of a case in a male and review of an autopsy series.

Abstract: A male patient with cancer of the breast died of massive gastric hemorrhage. At autopsy a small ulcerated gastric metastasis was found responsible.

Induction of Breast Cancer in Altered Thyroid States

Abstract: THE development of mammary tumours in rats by orally feeding the chemical carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)-anthracene (DMBA) has been shown to be influenced by the hormonal state of the animal1. We previously observed that breast dysplasia could be induced in iodine deficient and propylthiouracil (PTU)-treated rats given oestrogen or testosterone2. Furthermore, the incidence of breast cancer is higher among women with hypothyroidism and in those residing in regions where goitre is endemic3. The present study considers the rate of development of DMBA-induced breast cancer in rats made iodine deficient or hypothyroid.

Carcinoma of the breast in children.

Abstract: CARCINOMA of the breast is uncommon in children and only a few cases have been reported in the literature. The exact incidence cannot be determined although some reports indicated 0.09% or less of all the mammary cancers occurred in patients under the age of 20. 1,2 In a review of 10,000 cases of breast cancer in the Memorial Hospital in New York, only seven cases were found in children, 3 the youngest patient being 3 years old. Although most of the cases reported were in girls, a few breast cancers occurred in boys. 4 In most of the cases, the main finding was a painless nodule discovered by the parents or by the physician during a routine examination. Due to the relatively small amount of breast tissue present in children, the tumor was almost always found near, although discrete from, the nipple. 3 Unfortunately, breast cancer usually was not diagnosed

Sebaceous gland activity in breast cancer.

Abstract: A NUMBER of observations suggest that human breast cancer develops under hormonal influence. Several such observations include: (a) breast cancer is predominantly a disease of women; (b) the administration of oestrogenic materials produces breast tumours in experimental animals1; (c) the course of breast cancer is influenced by ablative endocrine procedures or by the administration of exogenous hormones in both humans and experimental animals2–4; and (d) the length of the menstruating years and the number of pregnancies affect the frequency of the disease in any given population5,6.

Thermography in the Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

Abstract: Although it has been demonstrated that thermography is capable of revealing most large breast carcinomas, its ability to detect and localize “occult” or preclinical lesions is still unknown. The accuracy of the method as compared with mammography also remains in question. In June 1964, a Pyroscan4 was made available to the Department of Radiology, Jefferson Medical College Hospital. A comparative study was initiated, utilizing a serial group of patients referred primarily for mammography. Although a high proportion of specific breast abnormalities was anticipated, the material was expected to be sufficiently diverse to provide some indication of the utility of the procedure from the standpoint of detection and mass screening. Literature The literature on surface temperature determinations as a method of detecting breast carcinomas is limited. In 1956, Lawson (5) reported a series of skin temperature measurements made with a contact thermometer over known carcinomas of the breast. In 1957 he described the ...