It is not worth while to attempt to analyze here the 685 cases of epithelioma mentioned, many of which were small and very superficial, and easily cured. There were, however, many cases which were originally classed as epithelioma which sooner or later, either with or without a previous surgical operation, took on such a malignant action, with a destruction of tissue, as would at once class them with carcinoma. In reality, as you know, carcinoma is but an aggravated or malignant new growth of epithelial cells, from the skin or glandular organs, infiltrating the surrounding tissue; while sarcoma is a somewhat similar malignant proliferation of connective tissue cells.
The ordinary distinction between epithelioma proper and carcinoma is, therefore, vague and not scientific, and for the present will probably have to rest on the basis of a superficial, or deep cellular, disturbance. But, for the reasons already given, I protest against including all instances of epithelioma under cancer, as in the propaganda for early operations, and I do not include the mass of them in my studies as to the results of treatment. Inasmuch as the border line between the superficial and deep epithelial misbehavior is often so indistinct, it is difficult to designate as carcinoma all that might possibly belong there, but certain of them should be mentioned. In looking over the records of my patients in private and public practise I find at least 80 with the diagnosis of epithelioma whose disease was so malignant in its course that they should certainly be included in the carcinomatous class; these, therefore, appear in the following table, which gives also the sex and location of the cases, both of carcinoma and sarcoma:
_Carcinoma_ _Male_ _Female_ _Total_ Breast 1 147 148 Uterus 8 8 Stomach 7 5 12 Liver 2 2 4 Lip 19 3 22 Mouth and tongue 17 3 20 Pharynx and esophagus 2 1 3 Jaw and neck 10 10 Nose 5 3 8 Orbital region 3 1 4 Penis 5 5 Other localities 12 17 29 ——— ——— ——— 83 190 273
_Sarcoma_ Head, face and neck 12 6 18 Trunk 5 6 11 Extremities 3 4 7 ——— ——— ——— 20 16 36 Totals 103 206 309
CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST.—Of the 147 cases of carcinoma of the breast in females the right breast was affected 64 times, the left breast 77 times, and both breasts 6 times. Of these cases 74 had never been admitted to surgical operation; 59 had been operated on once, 12 twice, 1 three times, and 1 four times, with recurrence, or rather with continued development of the disease. In 28 cases a surgical operation was advised and performed by various surgeons, either before internal treatment or after a trial for a greater or lesser period; in eight of these it seemed wise to have an operation after a more or less faithful trial of medical treatment. I may here remark that it is very difficult to hold all patients firmly to the dietary and medical requirements necessary to remove the disease, and many dropped off after a short trial, while quite a number, 77, were seen only a few times or in consultation, and were thus lost sight of. There were 101 married or widowed females with cancer of the breast and 41 single, and 5 unknown. The average age was almost 50.