S.B. Gusberg

Improved chemotherapy for ovarian cancer with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum and adriamycin

In a prospective controlled randomized trial, patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma (FIGO Stage III or IV) were treated with cis‐diamminedichloroplatinum (II), (DDP), alone, DDP and Adriamycin (ADM), or Triethylenethiophosphoramide (ThioTEPA) and methotrexate (MTX). DDP alone produces objective responses in 31% of evaluable patients, ThioTEPA and MTX in 36%. The combination of DDP and ADM produces the best response rate, 80% (.01 2 cm, residual tumors failed to produce their usual adverse effect on prognosis when patients were treated with the two DDP regimens. Patients with poorly differentiated tumors or tumors of unknown grade treated with platinum or DDP‐ADM experienced better survival than similar patients treated with ThioTEPA (P = .01).

The individual at high risk for endometrial carcinoma

Epidemiologic studies can help us recognize high-risk factors in endometrial carcinoma. The definition of high-risk factors, especially at the menopause,can lead to prophylactic measures that may aid in the control of this disease. This recognition of the high-risk patient in the perimenopausal years may be aided by aspiration curettage of ambulatory women, for such a strategy of surveillance is practical and efficient. Increasing acceptance of hormone sensitivity in neoplastic abnormality of the endometrium can also influence us in identifying the patient at risk.

Cellular immunity as a host response to squamous carcinoma of the cervix

Abstract The leukocyte-migration test was used to study the response of peripheral leukocytes to autologous tissue from invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Leukocyte-migration inhibition is demonstrated in 14 patients with invasive squamous carcinoma of the cervix when tested by autologous tumor. Leukocytes from 7 control patients and one patient with adenocarcinoma of the cervix did not demonstrate migration inhibition to cervical carcinoma antigen or to autologous normal cervix. Lymph nodes containing squamous carcinoma cells demonstrate the phenomenon of inhibition when used as the antigen in the migration test. Lymph nodes with no tumor present show no migration inhibition. The study concludes that a cellular immune mechanism is present in the host response to invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. The host response shown by leukocyte-migration inhibition is not demonstrated in response to adenocarcinoma.

Detection of endometrial cancer and its precursors

Any approach to the control of endometrial cancer must include a consideration of the individual at high risk; this will include the obese, the infertile, those with failure of ovulation and dysfunctional bleeding, and those postmenopausal women who are chronic estrogen users. The detection of adenomatous hyperplasia offers us the opportunity to recognize the developmental phase of the disease before invasion is established.

Familial malignant melanoma of the female genitalia: a case report and review.

An additional case of familial occurrence of malignant melanoma is presented, involving mother and son. This is the fourth case of familial occurrence of malignant melanoma in the female genitalia and the first occurring in the vagina reported in the literature. We present a review of the literature concerning the hereditary property of malignant melanoma, including a list of all 92 families and 240 patients reported. The importance of a family history of malignant melanoma for the early diagnosis of this disease in relatives at risk is stressed.

Autoradiographic studies in cervical cancer before and after a test dose of irradiation

Summary 1. H3-thymidine and H3-uridine were incorporated into human cervical carcinoma cells before and after a test dose of irradiation. A description of the short term incubation method developed by one of us (T.Y.) is nresented. 2. Higher percentages of labeled cells were found in the uridine series than in the thymidine series both before and after irradiation.

Current trends in therapeutic termination of pregnancy

A review of therapeutic abortion performed at Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York, during the years 1953-1964 is presented. During this period the total incidence of therapeutic abortions increased from 61 to 99 per 10,000 deliveries. Abortions for psychiatric reasons rose from 24 to 56 per 10,000 deleveries, whereas abortions for medical and genetic reasons remained stable (12 and 18 per 10,000 deleveries, respectively). The incidence of abortions for clearly defined medical and psychiatric reasons was similar for private and ward patients. The incidence of abortions for genetic conditions or malignancies with psychoemotional or social aspects was markedly and consistently higher for private patients.