Gynecology and Metallic Electrolysis.-G. BETTON MASSEY, M. D., Philadelphia. High-Frequency Currents.-WALTER H. WHITE, M. D., Boston. Radiotherapy.-J. D. GIBSON, M. D., Denver. Phototherapy.-MARGARET A. CLEAVES, M. D., New York. Radiography.—HERMAN GRAD, M. D., New York. Thermotherapy.-CLARENCE EDWARD SKINNER, M. D., LL. D., New Haven, Conn. Hydrotherapy.-CURRAN POPE, M. D., Louisville. Dietetics.-SIGISMUND COHN, M. D., New York. Therapeutic Exercise.-WATSON LEWIS SAVAGE, M. D., New York. Psycho-Therapy.—LESLIE MEACHAM, M. D., New York. Mechanical Vibration-Therapy.-FREDERICK H. MORSE, M. D., Melrose, Mass. 1906 A. L. CHATTERTON & CO. VOL. XXIV. AL MAY jka8ud007, 1906. LIBRARY. No. I. CHOICE OF METHODS IN THE TREATMENT OF OPERABLE CASES OF CANCER.* BY G. BETTON MASSEY, M. D., Attending Surgeon, American Oncologic Hospital, Philadelphia. By the expression "operable cases of cancer" reference is made to those malignant growths which are so situated and delimited as to be thought capable of entire removal by a surgical procedure, and which are supposed to be yet free from daughter tumors in other portions of the body. Such classification is, of course, uncertain. The fact remains, however, that the interests of our patients demand a liberal interpretation of the term "operable," even if it involves many instances of defeat to ourselves, for our negative conclusions as to the possibility of cure are liable to be wrong as well as our positive ones, involving the ultimate loss of lives from inaction that might have been saved by a bolder course. The discussion of the proper methods to employ in operable cases of cancer is the most important subject in oncology today, aside from the etiology of malignant tumors, and one that is greatly neglected; for it should be recalled that our voluminous literature on radiotherapy is chiefly concerned with inoperable cases. If we are to cure any considerable proportion of cancerous growths we must cure them in their early stages, and must create a sentiment in favor of early application for relief. No other course will arrest the onward progress of this scourge of humanity. The average medical mind yet turns to the knife as the only surgical procedure known for operable carcinoma and sarcoma; even members of this Association occasionally betray this mental attitude in debate, unmindful of the surgical possibilities * Read at the Fourteenth Annual Meeting of the American Electro-Therapeutic Association at the New York Academy of Medicine, September 19, 1905. |