Analysis of cutaneous melanoma in the province of Vojvodina.

PURPOSE: To analyse the incidence and mortality of melanoma in the province of Vojvodina - the north part of Serbia- from the epidemiologic and clinical point of view. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we used databases of the Cancer Registry of Vojvodina, Oncology Institute of Vojvodina in Sremska Kamenica; Clinical Centre of Vojvodina in Novi Sad; Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina in Novi Sad; and Institute of Public Health of Serbia in Belgrade. RESULTS: The incidence and mortality of melanoma in Vojvodina is permanently increasing over the last three decades. The number of newly diagnosed and deceased patients was higher in men and in women in Vojvodina than in central Serbia. Considering the incidence rate, the region of Vojvodina would be placed in the middle of the European countries. The results are more unfavorable with mortality, especially in male population, similar to the range of higher mortality rates among European countries. CONCLUSION: These upsetting facts call for improvement of primary and secondary prevention. Education of the population, continuous efforts to recognize groups of population at high risk for developing melanoma and detection of early phases of the disease increases the chances for cure and significantly reduces treatment costs.

[Strength required for mobilization of reconstructed flexor tendons in the front paw of the dog].

Adhesions of tendons with surrounding tissue, especially in zone II, are frequent complication at the reconstruction of flexor tendons of the hand. Through knowing of biomechanical incidents between the reconstructed flexor tendon and the surrounding tissue we get significant data for post-operative procedures, and that improves the opportunity for obtaining good functional results. By successive loading of operated flexor digitorum profundus in the experimental animals - dogs, medium values of force necessary for mobilization of tendons obtained on 3. post-operative day are 0 = +/- 3.36 N, 5. day 0 = +/- 6.85 N, 10. day 0 = +/- 9.58 N and 15. day 0 = +/- 10.19 N. It can be concluded that peritendon adhesions occur between 3 and 5 post-operative day. In time, the adhesions get stronger and block the movements of the tendon, and growing force is necessary for their mobilization.

[Immunoglobulins G, A, M and circulatory immune complexes in patients with laryngeal carcinoma].

INTRODUCTION: Malignant tumors of the head and neck represent 5% of all malignancies, of which the most common are tumors of the larynx and oral cavity. In the blood serum of patients with malignant tumors increased levels of immunoglobulins and circulating immune complexes have been detected, with a diverse relevance to the clinical course and prognosis of the disease. AIM: Due to contradictory findings of the correlation between the humoral immune response and the clinical course of the disease, we examined 42 male patients with laryngeal carcinoma. All patients underwent surgery, of which 15 patients were treated postoperatively with radiotherapy. The changes in the levels of immunoglobulins and circulating immune complexes in the blood serum were recorded and evaluated. RESULTS: Analysis of the results showed an immunological disorder of an abnormal level of circulating immune complexes in the blood serum that normalized after the surgical removal of the tumor. The levels of immunoglobulins G and A were abnormal during the whole postoperative period of examination. CONCLUSION: The normalizing of the levels of circulating immune complexes in the blood serum, after surgical removal of the tumor, shows a strong association between the two, and this could consequently mean that it could be used as a prognostic tool, particularly in correlation with other immunological parameters.