Lung cancer histologic type and family history of cancer
Article Abstract:
Lung cancer occurs in a variety of types. The most common is squamous cell carcinoma, in which the cancerous cells have a microscopic appearance reminiscent of the tiled cells of squamous epithelia. In contrast, adenocarcinomas are cancers in which the cells resemble secretory cells. In a review of the pathological characteristics of 300 cancers of the trachea, bronchi, and lungs, researchers found 39.3 percent were squamous cell carcinomas and 25 percent were adenocarcinomas. The squamous cell carcinoma was more common among men; 45 percent of male patients had this type of cancer, in contrast with 22 percent of women. Other histologic types of lung cancer observed included large cell, found in 10.3 percent of the cases, and small cell, found in 25.4 percent. The average age for all types of lung cancer was 60 years or more, except for large cell lung cancer. The average age for large cell lung cancer was 58, 4.6 years less than the average for small cell lung cancer. Of the 300 patients in this study, 258 were interviewed to determine if other family members had also suffered from lung cancer. After calculations were made to take into account the variations in family size among the patients, it was found that a family history of lung cancer was 2.2 times more likely among the patients with small cell cancer than among patients with adenocarcinoma. Similarly, the likelihood of a family history including lung cancer was 1.5 times greater among the patients with small cell cancer than among the patients with large cell or squamous cell carcinoma. These findings suggest that some differences might exist in the family history among patients with the different types of lung cancer. However, these differences were not statistically significant in the present study, which may be due to the small number of patients involved. A larger study would be necessary to determine if the apparent relationship between the histologic type of lung cancer and the family history is indeed valid. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Cancer
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0008-543X
Year: 1992
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Radiographic microcalcification and parenchymal pattern as indicators of histologic "high-risk" benign breast disease
Article Abstract:
While mammography has greatly improved the opportunities to diagnose breast cancer in its early stages, much more needs to be learned about the interpretation of mammogram. Unfortunately, large gaps exist in the knowledge about the mammographic interpretation of some features. This is due to the fact that most of what is known about mammographic interpretation has been learned by comparing mammograms to subsequent biopsy specimens or to material obtained on mastectomy or lumpectomy. Therefore, little information exists about the correlation of mammographic appearance and histological features of cases in which a biopsy is not performed. This lack of knowledge is particularly significant, since some histological patterns are clearly benign, but at the same time are considered to represent a high risk for developing into cancer. Researchers have attempted to learn more about the mammographic appearance of breast tissue by the mammographic examination of bodies in the medical examiner's office. A total of 486 women were examined; in these cases, there was no sampling problem, since every breast was available for histopathological examination, regardless of its appearance on the mammogram. The investigators classified the breast tissue according to the radiological patterns described by J.N. Wolfe. The researchers found that the radiographic appearance of microcalcifications and the so-called Wolfe P2/Dy parenchymal pattern correlated with ductal hyperplasia and lobular calcification, two histological features that have a high risk of cancerous transformation. However, these features need not precede the development of breast cancer, and breast cancer is sufficiently common that it is not clear that any diagnostic improvements can be obtained by identifying individuals with these features as having high risk for the disease. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Cancer
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0008-543X
Year: 1990
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