Dynamics of morbidity, histological structure, contingents and survival of patients with malignant tumors of the lip (population-based study).

Introduction: Malignant tumors of the lip (C00) are rare tumor, and mainly affect men. Annually in Russia there are nearly 3000 new cases of malignant tumors of the lip (2011 - 2013). In 2000 there were registered more than 5000 cases. The positive dynamics of morbidity and mortality from this location was marked. Separately to analyze the dynamics of mortality from malignant tumors of the lip cannot be performed because the State Statistics Committee provides only aggregated data for all three-digit rubrics - malignant tumors of the lip, oral cavity and pharynx (S00-14). From 2000 to 2013 the number of deaths in this group according to both sexes increased from 8980 to 9445 or by 5.2%. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) the incidence rate of the population in various countries is also small (except Australia). Aims and objectives: To conduct a study of prevalence of malignant tumors of the lip at the population-based level and to estimate survival rates. Methods: For the first time in Russia there were estimated the rates of morbidity and survival of patients with malignant tumors of the lip by international standards. Paying attention to limited parameters that characterize malignant tumors of the lip in the state report, the main focus was aimed at database of Russia's first Population-based Cancer Registry of St. Petersburg working according to international standards. For the first time in Russia there is presented dynamics of a 5-year observed and relative survival of patients with malignant tumors of the lip. Results: For the first time in Russia there is provided the structure of morbidity of malignant tumors of the lip according to the 4th digits of ICD-10. There is underlined its stable distribution with decreasing of С00.9 rubrics (undefined parts of lips), showed a significant reduction in morbidity and average relative 5-year survival closed to the European rates.

[Anticancer propaganda: myth or reality?].

The authors raise a very important problem of anticancer propaganda aimed at the early detection of cancer to be solved nowadays by means of screening and constructive interaction between oncologists and the public. To increase the level of knowledge of the population in this area it is necessary to expand the range of its adequate awareness of tumor diseases. Only joint efforts can limit the destructive effect of cancer on people's minds, so that every person would be responsible for his own health, clearly understanding the advantages of early visit to a doctor. This once again highlights the need of educational work with the public, motivational nature of which allows strengthening the value of screening in the whole complex of measures to fight cancer.

Morphological changes in human skin melanoma treated by high-energy pulsed neodymium laser radiation.

PURPOSE: The neodymium (Nd) laser irradiation has been successfully applied to the treatment of slightly elevated skin melanoma. At the same time the histologic aspects of such a treatment have not been precisely investigated. The aim of this study was to retrace the histological features in human primary cutaneous melanomas after 1060 nm high energy mono pulsed Nd laser treatment in the dynamic healing of the affected tissues. METHODS: Histologic analysis of cutaneous melanomas irradiated by Nd laser was carried out. Tissue specimens were taken before and immediately after exposure to laser and 1 hour, and 1, 2 and 3 days after wards. Also the wounds that appeared after the scab fell off and the scars formed following laser irradiation were also the subject of histologic analysis at 2, 4 and 6 months post-treatment. RESULTS: The Nd laser irradiation caused coagulation necrosis of melanoma, epidermis and dermis with skin appendices and superficial layers of subcutaneous fatty tissue. Foci of laser destruction were characterized by strict locality and efficient separation from the adjacent tissues, by the presence of stasis, thrombosis and coagulation of blood and lymphatic vessels. There was an increase of lymphocytes, macrophages and histiocytes in the area damaged by laser as well as in wounds and scars. CONCLUSION: The pulsed Nd laser induces acute photothermal damages of melanoma tissue, which differs from the usual thermal lesions and the most critical difference of the effect of this modality is gain of immunocompetent cells in the affected tissue after laser beam application.

High-energy neodymium laser radiation for the treatment of face cutaneous melanoma.

This study retrospectively evaluated the curative efficacy of two powerful pulsed Neodymium (Nd) lasers (lambda = 1060 nm, pulse duration 1 and 4.5 msec, maximum pulse energy 700 and 1000 J, respectively) for the treatment of 47 patients with histologically confirmed stage I cutaneous melanoma of the face who were followed-up 5 years and more. The estimated 5-year survival rate was 82.9%. Regional and distant metastases developed in 23.4% of the patients. There were no cases with local recurrences. High-energy pulsed Nd laser radiation is effective in treating flat and / or slightly raised cutaneous stage I facial melanomas, while the therapeutic result is also accompanied by positive cosmetic result.

[White lie--is it still necessary in communication with cancer patients?].

An issue important for communication between doctors and cancer patients is raised. To increase general awareness of the disease, patients should be better informed and be given more access to decision-making concerning their treatment. A lay person will neither feel responsibility for his or her health nor withstand the pernicious psychological pressure unless he or she clearly understands the benefit of timely medical advice and deadly consequences of a belated one.

[Cancer can be "restricted" using the international program "Reach to Recovery"]. / Rak mozhno "ogranichit'", ispol'zuia pomoshch' mezhdunarodnoi programmy "Reach to Recovery".

An important problem of communication between oncologists, society and cancer patients is discussed using the instance of breast cancer patients. It is suggested that higher general awareness of cancer can raise the cultural standards of the population. Cancer patients can improve the quality of their life by accessing the experience of the Reach-to-Recovery Program which envisages recruiting selected and specially-trained people who had cancer. The first detailed descriptions of the goals, objectives, regulations and problems involved in volonteer oncologists work are starting to appear on the pages of scientific journals in Russian. The practical success of this international program are illustrated by the achievements of the Association Nadezhda which has been active in St. Petersburg for 10 years. The damaging effect of cancer diagnosis on morale can be effectively dealt with only by joint effort. Each member of society must be aware of his or her responsibility for his or her own health and fully realize all advantages of early medical advice as well as devastating consequences when it is sought too late.

[Breast cancer as a social problem and common aspects with other oncologic patients]. / Rak molochnoi zhelezy kak sotsial'naia problema i voprosy obshcheniia s onkologicheskimi bol'nymi.

Problems of peculiar relationships between oncologists, society and general public, on the one hand, and cancer patients, on the other, are discussed with respect to breast cancer. It is suggested that if one's right to take care of one's life is to be honored, cancer patients are to have access to more information on their disease must doctor should be prepared to give away more of it in their conversations. Once one is aware of responsibility for one's health, the advantages of an earlier visit to a doctor and, conversely, the tragedy of a belated call become quite apparent. Such awareness is not feasible unless society becomes the patients ally in every-day activities of cancer control. This approach calls for a revision of somewhat out-dated deontological principles as well as measures aimed at getting the public to change their attitudes towards cancer patients. Simultaneously, the medical profession must receive an education in dealing healthy people and cancer patients. The engagement of former cancer patients, who have an experience of a program of social rehabilitation, will make the efforts to cure those who are still sick more meaningful and boost their morale.

Supportive care in cancer patients in St. Petersburg.

The supportive care programme in St. Petersburg has existed for more than 10 years and works mainly with breast cancer patients. It includes physical procedures, psychotherapy and support given by volunteers of the Hope/ Nadezhda Association, who operate in accordance with the Reach to Recovery International Programme. In the last stages the pain relief service is activated and has good results. The Anticancer/Antirak Society in St. Petersburg provides cancer patients with help and information. Our experience with this kind of care is described and some outcomes are reported.

[The problem of non-medical support of breast cancer patients after radical surgery and its practical solution]. / Problema nemeditsinskoi podderzhki bol'nykh rakom molochnoi zhelezy posle radikal'nogo lecheniia i eë prakticheskoe reshenie.

The paper deals with the role of social and psychological support of breast cancer patients by volontiers who formerly suffered the same disease. The volontiers were selected and trained on the basis of the guidelines of the international program The Road to Recovery. Considering his experience gained with the running of the Nadezhda (Hope) Association, St. Petersburg, the author deems socializing with cancer patients possible and desirable. It will promote their standing in society and improve the quality of their life.

[The possibilities for improving the quality of life of cancer patients]. / Vozmozhnosti uluchsheniia kachestva zhizni onkologicheskikh bol'nykh.

The authors emphasize the need for the society and its formations to participate in social rehabilitation of cancer patients. Participation of volunteers from groups of social-psychological support might be a way toward the solution of the problem.

[Quality of life of cancer patients: a method for evaluating physical, social and psychological adaptation of women with cancer of the breast and uterine body]. / Kachestvo zhizni onkologicheskikh bol'nykh: metodika izucheniia fizicheskoi, sotsial'noi, i psikhologicheskoi adaptatsii zhenshchin pri rake molochnoi zhelezy i tela matki.

The paper describes a procedure for evaluating quality of life of patients with breast and uterine cancer and discusses the rationale for its use. The method was used in 161 cases. A correlation was established between the results provided by the procedure and those of psychologic tests.