Western Medical Review Volume 25, No. 6 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 Excerpt: ...possible method. In the past too many have been satisfied with their own method alone. At present we have not found the real cure for malignancy, but the greatest step in advance has been the proper use of radium and the Roentgen rays. Surgery is just as useful as ever but we should know its limitations. Ultra-radical Operations Ultra radical operations and operations for recurrences are not being advocated and are seldom ever indicated. The cancer field is rapidly changing from ultra-radicalism to one of better judgment. Surgery, radium, Roentgen rays and electric coagulation each have found an important place in the treatment of malignancy, and.by proper co-operation, more cures will be obtained and greater palliation offered than has been attained in the past. Raying should be done so cancer cell proliferation is checked, and, if all the cancer cells cannot be eradicated by the raying, then the remaining latent tissue should be removed either surgically or by electric coagulation. If the malignant cell proliferation is only temporarily checked or rendered latent or put to sleep for a time, then palliation instead of a cure is obtained. The treatment of the adjacent lymphatics is very important and must be done by large quantities of radium or heavy filtered X-ray. In the treatment of malignancy radium, the Roentgen rays, and radium and the rays combined, each have certain advantages as well as certain limitations. The radiation from radium and a Roentgen tube are similar but not identical. There is some difference in the physical properties between the two forms of radiation, as well as a somewhat different physiological action on the tissue. In a great many instances, the same therapeutic result can be accomplished by either form of radiation. The Roent...