A historical review of head and neck cancer in celebrities.

INTRODUCTION: The illnesses of celebrity patients always receive more attention from the general public than those of ordinary patients. With regard to cancer, this fact has helped to spread information about the four major malignancies: breast cancer, prostatic cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer. Head and neck cancer, on the other hand, is still not well recognised by the lay public, although the risk factors are similar to those of lung cancer. It was the objective of this analysis to identify cases of celebrity patients, the description of which could help to increase awareness of head and neck cancer, its symptoms and risk factors. METHODS: The Internet and medical literature databases were searched for celebrity patients who had suffered from head and neck cancer. RESULTS: The search revealed numerous famous head and neck cancer patients. However, only seven cases were documented well in the medical literature. Among the identified persons were one emperor, two United States presidents, a legendary composer, a world-renowned medical doctor, an outstanding athlete and an extraordinary entertainer. In spite of their exclusive position in society, these patients did not have a better prognosis compared with ordinary patients of their time. Only two of the group experienced long term survival and only one was cured. None of these influential figures used their influence to fund research or to promote knowledge about their respective diseases. CONCLUSION: The identified cases could help increase public awareness of head and neck cancer. Similar to activities in other oncologic fields, current celebrity head and neck cancer patients should be encouraged to discuss their diseases openly, which could have a positive effect on public health.

Blunt chest trauma with tracheobronchial rupture.

The unusual complex of physiological problems associated with rupture of the tracheobronchial tree complicating blunt chest trauma is discussed. The mechanics of injury leading to rupture are abrupt compression of the chest with consequent fixation of the cervical trachea where it enters the mediastinum, separation of the lungs, and fracture of the bronchus over the vertebral bodies. Treatment by aspiration thoracentesis, tracheotomy, and thoracotomy with primary repair as well as expectant therapy are discussed. Two cases, one treated expectantly and one treated by thoracotomy, both with complete recovery, are presented.

Brainstem evoked response audiometry.

Brainstem evoked response audiometry is useful in the identification of threshold levels as well as in the diagnosis of eighth nerve tumors. The instrumentation is a modification of the electroencephalograph and an averaging computer; 3,000 clicks, 16/s, are presented and averaged for each printed response. Evoked responses can be obtained from a patient who is unable or unwilling to respond to conventional behavioral testing; best results are obtained from quiet or asleep patients.

Tonsillectomy in Maine: regulation versus education as modulators of medical care.

The reduction in the rate of tonsillectomy, using the state of Maine as an example, and the causes thereof are addressed. Are federal and state regulations required to change the behavior of physicians and the public, or is education of greater importance? A study of tonsillectomy in the state of Maine was based on data covering a period of approximately 30 years. The data were based on direct contact with hospitals, in which we achieved the cooperation of virtually all of the hospitals of Maine, encompassing 98% of the hospital beds. These data were placed in context by information provided by the Maine Health Data Service, and by information for the northeastern United States, for the eastern United States, and for the entire United States, from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The operation of tonsillectomy and its variants, including adenoidectomy, has declined remarkably in the past 30 years, most drastically in the past eight years. It now occupies only 4.5% of the total operative admissions for the State, where it formerly was 17%. It now has a populational incidence for the State of 3.3 operations per thousand population per year, whereas it formerly was at a level of about 10.0. From this study, as well as from physicians in Maine, to whom an informal questionnaire was sent, it is clear that this reduction has come about largely because of education of physicians and the public. Increased awareness by the public, pediatricians and general practitioners of the limitations of this operation has been significant. In addition, there is a general sense of improved general health of young people in Maine, with fewer chronic respiratory infections. Some negative opinions were expressed, including the possibility that peritonsillar abcesses may be more frequent in the future and that some pediatricians and general practitioners overuse antibiotics. Federal regulations, state regulations, Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross or Blue Shield regulations concerning tonsillectomy were not instituted at any point in the State of Maine, during the period under study. There were no alterations in payment, second opinion programs or other restrictions or constraints placed on the operation at any level of official or hospital regulation. Formerly performed in large numbers by general practitioners, family practitioners, and general surgeons, the operation(s) is now predominantly carried out by trained otolaryngologists, largely board certified. Evidence is presented to support the view that concentration of this operation in the hands of fewer, more highly trained surgical specialists has been positively associated with its sharper indications and declining frequency. The conclusion is offered that increased education of physicians, both specialists and general practitioners as well as family doctors, and of the public as a whole, is the most important single factor in producing this significant alteration in the behavior of the health care system in the State of Maine. Effective limitation of the operation to specialists has been an important feature both of this educational process and of the more rational use of the operation(s).

Nasopharyngeal irradiation treatment of hyperplastic adenoids.

Radiotherapy treatment in childhood is an important cause of thyroid cancer. In the 1930 to 1950 era, radium irradiation of the nasopharynx was used to control hyperplastic adenoids. Because of the technical characteristics of this applicator, sufficient radiation was not applied to the thyroid by this technique to stimulate the development of thyroid malignancies. No malignancies have been reported thus far as a result of this treatment.

Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy: incidence and mortality, 1968--1972.

To determine the number of tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies (T-As) from 1968 to 1972 and their associated morbidity and mortality rates, a questionnaire was sent to all the hospitals listed in the Directory of the American Hospital Association (6,759). The data were analyzed and statistical projections were made. An analysis was also made of the summary report of the "Study on Surgical Services for the United States," with regard to the incidence of T-A was also made. The results are presented in the following report.

Globus hystericus -- office evaluation by phychological testing with the MMPI.

Ninety-nine patients, twenty-three men and seventy-six women, who complained of a lump in the throat were evaluated with the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, which revealed that these patients had a higher than average score on the depression and the hypochondriasis scales. The intensity of this finding was greater in males. One must never overlook the possibility of a neurotic patient also having serious organic disease.