ABSTRACT
In 1983, lung cancer exceeded breast cancer as the leading cause of death in American women. Between 1950 and 1985 there was a 500% increase in lung cancer deaths in women, and this trend is not expected to improve in the next decade. There is no corresponding increase in the overall incidence of lung cancer in the general population of the United States. Cigarette smoking is clearly the primary risk factor in this group and the role of passive smoking remains controversial. Various other etiologic factors, including a shift in occupational exposure, may play a minor role in the development of lung cancer in years after smoking cessation. If the incidence of smoking in American women was reduced to pre-1950 levels, it is estimated that lung cancer in women would once again become a rare finding after the year 2000.
Subject(s)
Lung Neoplasms/epidemiology , Smoking/adverse effects , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/etiology , Middle Aged , Tobacco Smoke Pollution/adverse effects , United StatesABSTRACT
Catrix-S is an acidic mucopolysaccharide complex derived from bovine tracheal cartilage. This material was administered by weekly subcutaneous injection (5.0-7.5 g/week) to nine patients with progressive metastatic malignancy. One complete response was seen in a patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the lungs. Eight patients had progression of their disease. No undue toxicity and no consistent immunologic alteration was noted.
