Lorna D. Johnson

Epidemiologic evidence for the spectrum of change from dysplasia through carcinoma in situ to invasive cancer.

From a prospective study of precancerous lesions at the Boston Hospital for Women and from studies in the literature, evidence is examined for a relationship between dysplasia and carcinoma in situ. Epidemiologic observations indicate that dysplasia is the precursor of carcinoma in situ. The discovery rate of cervical epithelial abnormality (consisting of the combined rates of dysplasia, carcinoma in situ and invasive cancer) is constant throughout the decades from 20 to 70 years of age; the incidence of carcinoma in situ is 22 times greater in populations with dysplasia than in populations with negative cytology; in all age groups, entrance‐into the population with cervical epithelial abnormality is by way of dysplasia. The course of dysplasia in patients studied for periods up to 9 years is one of regression and recurrence. There is suggestive evidence that carcinoma in situ evolves from dysplasia during a period of recurrence.

Family history as a risk factor for ulcerative colitis–associated colon cancer in cotton-top tamarin

BACKGROUND & AIMS Little is currently known about the relationship between family history of colon cancer and ulcerative colitis-associated colon cancer. A nested case-control study was performed to evaluate the association between family history of colon cancer and spontaneously occurring colon cancer in cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus). METHODS Subjects were chosen from a colony of cotton-top tamarins held in captivity between 1968 and 1995. The cancer status of parents and grandparents was compared for 48 animals with colon cancer and 58 controls, all with histological confirmation of ulcerative colitis. Multivariate odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS A parental history of colon cancer was positively associated with risk of colon cancer (multivariate odds ratio, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-6.3). Risk also increased as an animals total number of family members with colon cancer increased (multivariate odds ratio, 1.7 for each increase in the total number of family members with cancer; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.8). CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that cotton-top tamarins with ulcerative colitis are at significant increased risk for developing colon cancer if they have a family history of colon cancer. Further investigation of this relationship in both tamarins and humans is warranted.

The Effect of Perinatal and Juvenile Mortality on Colony-Born Production at the New England Regional Primate Research Center

Deforestation of primate habitats and local human predation, together with previous exportation of large numbers of primates for research, pets, and testing facilities, have created a crisis in animal populations in the wild. Of the colonies remaining in captivity, it is probable that those in research institutions and captive-breeding facilities offer the best hope for the reconstitution of sufficient numbers of animals to be relocated to natural habitats.

The effect of heterologous gonadotropins on the fecundity of rhesus monkeys

Ovarian stimulation with heterologous gonadotropins over a period of a single month did not depress the fecundity or fecundability of 50 rhesus monkeys as compared to 60 untreated monkeys in a timed breeding colony. The birth rates, seasonality of births, interbirth intervals, and waiting time to the next pregnancy were not significantly different before treatment, after treatment, or among the untreated. The stillbirth rate was not increased after treatment.

Adenocarcinoma, Colon, Cotton-Top Tamarin

Early noninvasive colonic adenocarcinoma in the tamarin may not be visible grossly or may be indistinguishable from the lesions of chronic active colitis, with which it occurs. Occasionally a small, white mucosal plaque or ulcer may be seen. In more advanced invasive cases there is desmoplasia with thickening of the wall, constriction of the lumen and occasional adhesions to adjacent viscera. Dilatation of the colon may be present proximal to fibrotic constrictions. Colonic, ileocolic and peripancreatic lymph nodes are often enlarged, white and firm. Foci of adenocarcinoma are often multiple and may occur at any site in the cecum, colon and rectum; the most common sites are the colorectal junction and the proximal colon near the ileum. Polyps are not seen. Perforation of the colon wall due to invasion of neoplastic cells may result in peritonitis and septicemia.