Elizabeth A. McGrew

Prognostic significance of cancer cells in the circulating blood: A ten year evaluation

Abstract Seven per cent of 767 patients with cancer studied more than five and as many as ten years ago in our laboratory had positive blood samples. A similar frequency of positive blood samples was obtained when only those patients considered “curable” were tabulated, or those patients studied before, during, and after operation. The survival rate in the entire group of 767 patients was not different with regard to positive or negative blood samples, being 13 and 12 per cent, respectively. The survival rate for “curable” patients with positive blood samples was no different from the survival rate for those with negative blood samples; it was 32 per cent for each category. Although there is no apparent difference in the five to ten year survival rates of all 767 cancer patients, regardless of whether the blood samples are positive or negative, a definite trend is apparent in the decreased survival of patients with a shower of circulating cancer cells during or after operation. Only two of twenty-three patients (8 per cent) with showers of cancer cells demonstrated during operation were alive and well five to ten years postoperatively as compared with a 16 per cent survival (26 of 182) of patients with negative blood samples at all times before, during, and after operation. Also, vascular metastases developed in 39 per cent of those patients with showers of circulating cancer cells during operation as compared with only 18 per cent of those patients with all negative blood samples.

Cytopathologic study as an aid to the diagnosis of vesicular dermatoses

Abstract The differential diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris, erythema multiforme, bullous pemphigoid, herpes simplex, bullous lichen planus, and Dariers disease may be greatly aided by the study of smears made by scraping the lesions which occur in the oral cavity. The nature of the cytopathologic changes and the number, variety, and arrangement of cells in the smear must be thoughtfully correlated with the clinical features of each case and with the known histopathologic characteristics of the diseases in order to identify the specific disease. Early diagnosis is important, for the prognosis and therapy differ for the different conditions.

Definitive cytopathologic characteristics of primary oral melanoma

Abstract A case of melanoma of the floor of the mouth, in which a definitive cytologic diagnosis from smears was possible, is reported.

Fatal agranulocytosis due to Tridione therapy

Abstract Fatal agranulocytosis due to Tridione therapy has been described. The oral findings of ulceration and bleeding may be the earliest sign of toxic effect. Awareness of this may lead dental practitioners to suspect injury to bone marrow in susceptible patients receiving anticonvulsant drugs. Consultation sultation and close cooperation with the physician handling the case are indicated in these instances.