Thomas Hodgkin and Hodgkin's disease: two paradigms appropriate to medicine today

Article Abstract:

Thomas Hodgkin was born in 1798 into a devout Quaker family. He attended medical school in Edinburgh and then studied in Paris, under the great Rene Laennec. He returned to Britain and became involved in the study of diseases of the heart valves, which direct the flow of blood through the heart. Between 1825 and 1837, Hodgkin was the Inspector of the Dean and Curator of the Museum at Guy's Hospital in Britain. There he made several medical contributions, including the description of what later became known as Hodgkin's disease. Hodgkin became involved in the nonmedical concerns over the social welfare of Eskimos and Native Americans as affected by the fur trade in Canada. His views were not approved by a member of the administration at Guy's Hospital and Hodgkin was turned down for a medical position. Hodgkin then devoted his life to the plight of natives of all countries, and later died in Jaffe in 1866. in addition to social concerns, Hodgkin became involved in medical and legal issues. The history of the description of Hodgkin's disease is discussed. Hodgkin's disease is thought to consist of both a malignant and infectious component. Studies suggest that early exposure to infectious agents may protect against the development of Hodgkin's disease later in life. Although the infectious agent has not been identified, it is thought that this agent may activate the immune system and the growth and development of cancerous cells. The treatment of Hodgkin's disease using radiation and a variety of anticancer agents is discussed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Hodgkin's disease, Causes of, History, Hodgkin, Thomas

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Radiation oncology

Article Abstract:

A new treatment for prostate cancer could boost survival rates. The treatment involves blocking androgen production for a short period followed by radiation. Thirty-six percent of one group of men who received this treatment were alive 5 years later compared to 15% of those who received radiation alone. Androgen blockade may increase the sensitivity of the cancer to radiation or the two may act independently. Higher radiation doses can now be used to treat many cancers because scientists have developed collimators that can focus the radiation better. An advance in gene therapy for cancer involves attaching part of the early growth response 1 (EGR1) gene to a gene that produces tumor necrosis factor. EGR1 is switched on by radiation and in turn switches on the production of tumor necrosis factor. The technique has been tested in mice with apparent success.

Research, Innovations, Prostate cancer, Gene therapy, Radiotherapy

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Tales of the Unnatural: Return From the Dean(d)

Article Abstract:

A former dean of a medical school offers advice to physicians who are contemplating a deanship. Deans spend much of their time in meetings and offerring what amounts to psychiatric counseling. They may be perceived to be out of the loop and may receive no patient referrals. They may lose touch with medical research and require remedial training when they leave the post. It may be better to avoid becoming a dean.

Personal narratives, Deans (in schools), Deans (Education)

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