RELIEF BY RADIUM

Southland Times, Issue 17306, 31 March 1913, Page 2

RELIEF BY RADIUM

ENCOURAGING CANCER TREATMENT. Encouraging results have been obtained by the treatment of certain cases of cancer with radium at the London Radium Institute, -which has issued Its first report. The 539 cases which received treatment from the opening of the institute on August 14th, 1911. to December 31st, 19X2, are summarised as follow: — Apparently cured .. .. .. 63 Cured 28 Improved 245 Not improved 70 Abandoned' treatment .. ; 88 Deacl 55 In the detailed report of the effects of the radium treatment on the different types of cancer the epitheliomata, or skin cancers, are divided inte , two classes: —(1) Those on the face, body, or arms, with or. without extensive ulceration. In which cures were readily obtained, and (2) those attacking not the skin, bwt the tongue, lips, or mouth, where the results were “almost universally disappointing.” In the latter group of cancers temporary improvement was quite frequently seen, but the radium appeared to have no effect in preventing or delaying the appearance of secondary growths in the glands of the neck and elsewhere. A number of cases previously declared to be Inoperable became so much better under the treatment that an operation for the complete removal of the growth became possible. The result of the radium treatment of cancers of the breast is, according to the report, "on the whole encouraging.” Warning is given, however, that radium treatment should never bo used to take the place of an operation if this is possible.