John W. Pickren

Metastatic tumor to the tongue. Report of twelve cases.

Abstract The authors have reviewed twelve autopsies of metastatic tumors to the tongue. All twelve cases had documented primary tumors in extraoral sites. This rare phenomenon occurred mostly in patients with generalized dissemination of tumor. Four of the twelve patients had clinical manifestations of lingual metastases before death. In this reported series, most metastases were discovered in the basal region of the tongue.

DEVELOPMENT OF LOWER GENITAL CARCINOMAS IN PATIENTS WITH ANAL CARCINOMA: A MORE THAN CASUAL RELATIONSHIP

In a series of 64 anal carcinomas in the female 11 had multiple primaries in the ano‐genital tract. Statistical analysis using control series illustrated that this incidence is more than a casual association of these tumors. In 5 patients the second or third primaries were diagnosed within a period of one year or less (synchronous tumors). In 6 patients the time interval for the appearance of other primaries was of more than one year (metachronous tumors). Of the latter group, 5 had previous x‐ray therapy to the area and the enhancing or primary carcinogenic effect of the ionizing radiation cannot be ruled out. It appears evident, however, that primary tumor in the ano‐genital tract in the female deserves careful investigation and follow‐up if cancer patients are to be kept free of disease.

Squamous-cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth.

This study was based on the analysis of 100 cases of squamous-cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth. The male/female ratio was 4.25:1. The peak incidence in women was in the 50 to 59 year age group; in men there was equal frequency in each age group above 50. The five-year survival rate decreased from 86 per cent to 0 as the stage of disease progressed from I to IV. The five-year survival for all stages of disease was 52.7 per cent. Thirty-three per cent developed new primary malignancies; 22 per cent were of the upper alimentary and respiratory tracts. Distant metastases were present in 21 per cent. Fifty per cent were heavy smokers, 33 per cent were heavy drinkers, 28 per cent were both heavy smokers and heavy drinkers, and 21 per cent were nonsmokers and nondrinkers.

REGULATION OF REGENERATION AND TRANSPLANTATION OF HEMIC TISSUES

Many hypotheses have been advanced on the regulation of the development, differentiation, growth, and function of hemic tissue. Great many technical problems hinder experimental studies in this field. We have attempted to approach some of these problems by studying the regeneration of hemic tissue and examining the fate of auto-, isoand honiografts. We thought that information on related pathologic processes (e.g., splenosis) and potential therapeutic applications might represent additional dividends from these experiments. This is a preliminary report on work in progress; some of these studies will be presented in more detail elsewhere.

Changes in the fibrinolysin system during experimental pulmonary hyaline membrane formation in guinea pigs.

Summary Pulmonary hyaline membranes developed in guinea pigs exposed for several days to 95% oxygen at atmospheric pressures. This process was accompanied by increased antiplasmin activity in plasma and decreased pulmonary plasminogen activator activity. The latter phenomena may promote the formation of alveolar hyaline membranes by interfering with enzymatic removal of fibrin derived from pulmonary exudation. We wish to acknowledge the devoted assistance of G. Hauser, H. B. Lassman, I. B. Mink, and V. Zaniewski.