Malignant neoplasms of the pancreas. A study based on autopsy data from 1953 to 1982 in Bialystok, Poland. I. Frequency, age and sex distribution.

Among 18 751 autopsies in persons over 20 years of age 195 primary malignant neoplasms of pancreas (MNP) were stated (117 in males, 78 in females; the ratio being 1.5 : 1). In the period of the investigation (1953--1982) MNP comprised 1.0% of all autopsies, 4.1% of all malignant neoplasms (MN), and 11.0% of MN of alimentary system (MNAS). The frequency of MNP in all autopsies was from 0.5% during the years 1953--1957 to 1.2% in 1978--1982, in all MN from 2.7% to 4.5%, and in all MNAS from 5.7% to 12.7%, respectively. MNP were observed most frequently at the age of 61--70. The mean age was 63.6 and was higher in females than in males (66.3 and 61.8, respectively), and increased in the period under study from 54.6 to 65.6 (in males from 50.8 to 64.8, in females from 59.3 to 66.8). The significant increase in the incidence of MNP in the population of patients who died in all hospitals in Bialystok (the north-eastern Poland) between 1953--1982 and were autopsied in our Department correlates with data indicating the rise in the incidence of MNP in many countries of the world.

Malignant neoplasms of the pancreas. A study based on autopsy data from 1953 to 1982 in Bialystok, Poland. II. A survey of 195 cases.

Among 195 malignant neoplasms of the pancreas (MNP) diagnosed at autopsy in 1953--1982 the exocrine carcinomas comprised 85.6% and inmular carcinomas 13.8% of cases. MNP were localized most frequently in the head of the pancreas (54.4%), then in the whole pancreas in 14.9%, in the head and the body or in the body and the tail in 20.5%, in the body or in the tail in 10.3% of MNP. There were no infiltrations and no metastases in other organs only in 16 patients (8.2% of MNP). The biliary tracts and duodenum were the most frequent sites of secondary infiltrations. Metastases were most frequent in the liver, then in the liver hilus and mesentery lymph nodes. The concordance of clinical and post mortem diagnosis of MNP was stated in 40.5% cases.

The effect of repeated BCG vaccine administration associated with surgery upon the growth of lung metastases in rats with transplantable Morris 5123 hepatoma.

Eighty four male Buffalo rats bearing transplantable Morris 5123 hepatoma were used for the experiment. Half of the animals were given into the tumor BCG vaccine (final dose 2.2 X 10(6) living mycobacteria), the other 42 rats after BCG underwent surgical removal of the hind leg together with the tumor. Though the immunotherapy reduced the size of lung metastases of the tumor it did not, however diminish the survival rate of the animals. Multiple BCG doses associated with the surgical procedure prevented dissemination of the tumor cells and prolonged the survival of rats up to the 100th day of the follow-up.