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This review concerns the development and progression of one of the forms of peripheral lung cancer--bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma (BAC). The study is based on the comparison of roentgenological, histological, immunohistochemical examinations and results of surgical treatment of 482 patients with this tumor. Morphological and clinical variants of BAC are defined. It is confirmed that their biological behavior may vary within the forms and differ from common adenocarcinoma. A close correlation exists between clinicoroentgenological picture and histological form of BAC.

A CT-examination of 87 patients with various types of central cancer of the lung was carried out. Computed-tomography scanning is a highly-sensitive method of radiodiagnosis which detects respiratory system lesions, stage, predominant area of involvement and condition of adjacent tissues. On the basis of CT-related features of tumor, type and stage can be identified to choose optimal therapy and follow-up.

The report discusses the data on the complex radiation examination of 40 lung cancer patients at different stages of postoperative follow-up. Standard X-ray procedures and CT of thoracic organs were carried out. Considerable advantages offered by CT were recorded in the assessment of the pleural cavity, the remaining part of the lung and mediastinal organs. CT evidence played an important role in making differential diagnosis of relapse and other postoperative changes.

A program for thorough complex examination of individuals who liquidated Chernobyl power accident consequences provides objective diagnostic information and early diagnosis of both general and oncologic diseases. The program covers examination in regional Medical Centers giving highly qualified medical care for the liquidators. Regional and county hospitals can participate in the program, concerning also individuals exposed to radiation during other radiation accidents.

The end-results of extended radical radiotherapy for stage II-III Hodgkin's disease with apparent factors of risk of relapse in the lung and/or liver are presented. The procedure included prophylactic irradiation of both organs. Ten-year relapse-free survival in the lung-irradiation group was 85.9%, overall 10-year survival--94.0%; the liver-irradiation group--90.0 and 94.7%, respectively. Preventive irradiation was shown to significantly decrease the influence of such risks as extended lesions of the mediastinum and spleen. Relapse in the lung was recorded in one case (1.6%) only, with no tumor progression defected in the liver. Significant increase in 5- and 10-year relapse-free survival was established in the lung-irradiation group, as a result of a comparison of the study group and that of controls who showed characteristic signs of intrathoracic risk. Significant difference in overall survival was recorded for the first three years only. As far as the liver-irradiation factor is concerned, the rise in both categories of survival was significant for the 10 years. It is suggested that patients with stage II-III Hodgkin's disease receive prophylactic irradiation whenever they reveal significant signs of risk of relapse in the lung and/or liver.

A correlation was established between the end-results of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally-advanced breast cancer and pathological response of tumor cells. Also, the end-results correlated with CR or PR and pathological response. Only a small proportion of patients with tumor progression were registered as stage III or IV of pathological response (0.6 and 0.8%, respectively).

The history of radiation application for breast cancer diagnosis in Russia is illustrated by an experience gained at the Center. It was concerned with designing specialized X-ray equipment as well as development of Standards to be used at mammographic stations. Teaching programs were devised for training X-ray diagnosis specialists with all necessary qualification to operate high-tech equipment of a mammographic station and to use a wide range of radiation and invasive procedures.

A relationship between the dynamics of growth and pathological response of tumor cells and the number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy courses was established. As a result, there was no correlation between increase in overall and disease-free survival, on the one hand, and stage, on the other. An interval between neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery longer than 4 weeks had a negative effect on overall tumor response and duration of disease-free period.

336 patients with locally-advanced breast cancer underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Increase in T- and N-indices (change of stage after neoadjuvant chemotherapy) proved an important prognostic factor. Survival rates correlated with clinical effect and dropped as it diminished. This tendency was clear in both groups. There was no relationship between stage and overall and disease-free survival rates at early stages but later they declined as T- and N-indices decreased.

Based on results of comprehensive examination of 20,000 females with different breast diseases in a specialized mammological room, the paper presents the most informative invasive techniques that combine diagnostic and therapeutical potentialities, such as ductography, cystography using various sclerosing solution, various types of needle biopsies under X-ray guidance, stereotactic computer devices, ultrasound study, and various labeling modes for nonpalpable formation before surgery. It shows in expedient to make a comprehensive examination under the conditions of a mammological room where the advantages of this or that invisable intervention, including those without a dosage load, are rationally, without duplicating, used depending on the diseases detected, which increases the significance of preoperative diagnosis up to 95-98%, including that of nonpalpable formations by substantially reducing the proportion of surgical interventions into the breast.

Breast fibroadenomas are a common disease in females, mainly in those aged 20-40 years. For differential diagnosis of fibroadenomas, it is expedient to apply a comprehensive approach whose leading role is played by mammography. The histological structure of fibroadenomas determines their X-ray and sonographic signs. Indications for choosing a surgical treatment are identified by X-ray and sonographic manifestations of fibroadenomas of various histological structure and by typical changes at a follow-up.

The paper deals with the diagnosis of demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system, including multiple sclerosis, by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The low-magnetic induction tomographs "Obraz" ("Image") and "Ellips" ("Ellipse") made in Russia were used to perform MRI of the brain in 255 patients diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis. Whether low-magnetic induction MRI can detectfocal changes in the brain in the presence of multiple sclerosis was assessed; the tomographic signs of the disease were clarified and classified. There was a relationship between the detection of focal changes in the brain and the duration of the disease. Particular emphasis is laid on the cases of various abnormalities at MRI, which clinically mask multiple sclerosis. The cases are summarized and a list of conditions to be particularly emphasized while making a differential diagnosis is drawn up.

A case of chronic granulomatosis is reported. Its clinical manifestations were affection of the urinary tract with pseudotumors of the urinary bladder and ureteral obstruction. Recommendations for treatment of similar diseases are presented.

Radiation as a method of treatment was carried out in 16 (25.0%) out of 64 patients with tracheal adenocystoma (radical dosage of 50-70 Gy (12) and palliative--40-48 Gy (4). The dosimetric profile consisted of the cervical, cervico-thoracic, thoracic and bifurcation sections of the trachea. Complete resorption of tumor was registered in 12, partial--3, no effect in 1 cases. Three-, five- and ten-year survival was 65.2 +/- 12.6; 55.9 +/- 13.5 and 10.4 +/- 13.1%, respectively.

The effectiveness of therapy of pancreato-biliary cancer in jaundice patients has been raised due to introduction of sparing slightly-invasive (percutaneous, transhepatic) procedures for suppression of choleostasis and restoring biliary return to intestine. Also, such measures as pancreato-digestive anastomosis, radical surgery to compensate jaundice-related functional and morphological disorders and changes in the liver as well as perfection of procedures of combined and radiation therapy were used.

6,212 lung cancer patients have been examined and treated. The data on surgical and combined treatment of 2,702 patients have been analyzed. Postoperative complication incidence has dropped to 5.4% in recent years. End results have improved due to use of organ-saving, reconstructive and plastic procedures for the bronchi and trachea in conjunction with radiotherapy.

The report deals with such present-day invasive procedures of breast examination as X-ray-controlled puncture, puncture using X-ray contrast, Cytoguide video-accessory unit controlled puncture biopsy, "pistol-needle" application, ultrasound aiming puncture, pneumocystography, ductography and preoperative interstitial marking of nonpalpable masses. If latest invasive procedures are used during complex examination of the breast, diagnostic accuracy can be raised to 95-97%.

Surgery for primary multiple malignant tumors of the respiratory system was carried out in 141 patients. Reconstruction, plastic operations and sparing resections were performed in 79 cases (68.5%). Five-year survival after radical surgery was 43.8%.

Experience has pointed to a rather low potential of traditional procedures of roentgenography and tomography in detecting small foci (ca. 4-5 cm in dia.). Metastases are often not seen in the shadow of the ribs, diaphragm and cardio-vascular complex. X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a method of choice for early diagnosis and further tracking tumor process in the lung. Superior spatial resolution offers complete summation-free visualization of the lung parenchyma. Provision of more data, including information on "occult" pathology in the lung, is instrumental in confirming or rejecting diagnosis of solitary tumor.

Relatively low morbidity of tuberculosis of the lung (2 per 1,500) and comparatively high morbidity of ling cancer were reported in 1995-1997 among the liquidators of Chernobyl nuclear power station disaster. Risk of malignant disease involved in X-ray check-ups of the chest has been identified. Low diagnostic value of photoroentgenography for lung tumors has been reported.

The results of 3-year combined and surgical treatment of 173 patients with rectal tumors are discussed. Single dose of 7.5 Gy was administered to 83 patients on the eve of radical surgery. Ninety patients in control received radical surgery alone. One-, two- and three-year radical cure rates in the study group were higher by 22.9, 21.2 and 29.3%, respectively, while 3-year recurrence-free survival in the same group was 2.7 times that in the surgical patients.

Treatment of squamous-cell tracheal tumors was given to 85 patients. Surgery was carried out in 48 (56.5%), radical resection--22 (25.9%). Distant metastases detected preoperatively in 19 (22.4%) patients were an absolute contraindication for radical surgery. Combined therapy was received by 14 cases without any grave postoperative complications. Three- and five-year survival after combined and surgical treatment was 59.9 +/- 10.5 and 40.9 +/- 10.5%, respectively. Radiation was given to 48 (56.5%) patients. This group included 26 cases of palliative operations and exploratory laparatomy. Three- and five-year survival after radiation was 30.1 +/- 6.7 and 27.6 +/- 6.7%, respectively.

The efficacy of different combinations of radiotherapy and mastectomy after Madden was compared in 411 patients with stage II breast tumors. The least likelihood of local reccurence (4.5 +/- 1.3%) was recorded after single exposure before mastectomy and with/without adjuvant irradiation of the regional lymphatics (group I); it appeared 1.5 times as high (7.0 +/- 2.1%) after mastectomy + postoperative irradiation (group II) while the highest frequency (14.8 +/- 5.4%) was registered after surgery alone (group III). Relapse-free 10-year survival was observed in 63.5 +/- 4.7 (group I), 77.4 +/- 4.6 (group II) and 46.2 +/- % (group III), respectively, the difference between group I and II being significant. Therefore, postoperative radiotherapy in conjunction with mastectomy (Madden) should be recommended for stage II breast carcinoma when the breast cannot be salvaged.

234 ultrasound-controlled punctures were performed for diagnostic purposes. Bulk renal material was sampled in 98.4% and neoplasia diagnosed by morphological analysis in 96.8%.

Application of computed (CT) and magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) provided means of precise sitting of tumor and identifying boundaries of adjacent tissue involvement. The study established certain characteristics of CT detection of bone damage. It also showed MRT superiority in visualizing the soft-tissue component of neoplasm and distinguishing between tumor tissue and concomitant secondary inflammation.

Detailed review of literature and analysis of 4 authors's cases of the trachea non-Hodgkin lymphoma and lymphogranulomatosis are presented.

4 cases of melanoma of the respiratory tract (trachea and bronchi) are analysed clinico-morphologically. A case of melanoma with a primary multiple location (trachea and the main bronchus), rapid recurrence after surgery and radiation therapy is described in detail. Melanocytic nature of the tumor is proved immunohistochemically.

Different combinations of radical mastectomy, radiotherapy and cycle polychemotherapy were compared in 330 patients with T2N2 and T3-4N0-2M0 breast cancers: preoperative radiotherapy followed by surgery and adjuvant chemo-hormonal therapy (CT/HT)-118: neoadjuvant polychemotherapy (neCT) combined with preoperative radiation, surgery and adjuvant CT/HT-105; surgery, postoperative radiotherapy (PoRT) and adjuvant CT/HT-51, and neoCT followed by surgery, PoLT and adjuvant CT/HT-56. Advantage offered by postoperative radiotherapy proved significant only in the T2N2 and T3N1M0 groups and only in cases of combined PoLT and neoadjuvant polychemotherapy. Neoadjuvant polychemotherapy proved advantageous only in combination with postoperative surgery, and, on the whole, its application was as effective as adjuvant administration of cytostatic drugs. However, considering significant increase in recurrence-free survival in neoCT-sensitive patients within the first years of follow-up, one can expect to obtain higher stable effect in application of methods leading to more frequent complete regression.

One-photon emission computed tomography (OPECT) was used to examine 87 patients with the epileptiform syndrome. Eighty five patients had impaired drug distribution which was suggestive of varying degree cerebral circulatory disorders. OPECT with a Tc-99m-gm-pao used in patients with the epileptiform syndrome revealed the morphological substract of brain structures. OPECT findings in the patients suggested the brain structural microcirculatory changes to be diffuse and focal, of varying magnitude. There was no clear correlation between clinical manifestations and OPECT and CT findings.

Analyzing about 1000 cases of metastatic lesion of the lung indicated that the incidence of metastases was 12.9% (117 patients). Computed tomography (CT) enhances the informative value of X-ray studies in solitary metastases. CT detects tumor nodes invisible on routine X-ray films due to their small sizes (up to 1.0 cm) or location in the areas undetectable by other studies (behind the first rib, clavicle, in the posterior phrenicocostal sinus, behind the heart shadow). The sensitivity and accuracy of CT as to small solitary metastatic lymphs in the lung were 97.4 and 89.4%, respectively, which were higher than those of X-ray study (60.0 and 55.3%) and longitudinal tomography (80.0 and 68.0%) at a virtually equal specificity in the three types of studies. The high diagnostic value of a complex radiation study, including CT, and its simplicity make it possible to identify solitary metastatic formations, which is of great importance in choosing adequate but less aggressive treatment.

A complex methods was used to examine 39 females with the microcalcinates grouped in the breast. The diagnostic efficiency of a number of mammographic and sonographic signs was comparatively evaluated. Ultrasonography was shown to be advisable in differentially diagnosing cancer and sclerosing adenosis. A combination of mammography and sonography may establish an accurate diagnosis in 78% of cases.

New procedures of radical radiotherapy for localized breast tumors have been developed. They offer high precision and a close fit of irradiation fields. Conservative treatment was given to 108 patients. Five- and ten year-survival, recurrence-free, following radical chemoradiation therapy was 30.2 and 14.1%, respectively: overall survival--33.6 and 15.5%, respectively. No signs of locoregional progression of tumor was observed in 77.5%. An evaluation of the results of complex treatment including obligatory mastectomy and those of conservative therapy revealed obvious advantages of the former in dealing with T3N1-2M0 tumors. However, no advantage was recorded in the treatment of T4N1-2M0 tumors. Radical chemo-radiotherapy of localized T4N1-2 tumors or respective single supraclavicular lymph nodes may be considered an alternative to modalities including mastectomy, provided all procedural and technological requirements are met.

Mathematical procedures have been employed which enable to carry out automatic selection within small groups of patients with primary non-Hodgkin's disease, with a view to choose between chemoradiation, radiation or drug therapy. The study included 670 patients, aged 15-79, who were followed up for 1-10 years. Groups were formed on the basis of the following prognostically-significant parameters: sex and age, histological pattern and stage, primary localization and maximal size of tumor (involvement of the mediastinum, bone marrow and peripheral blood). Each group was conceived on the basis of two or three parameters. The efficacy of each therapeutical modality was assessed using the data on overall and recurrence-free survival. A computerized program was used for making prognosis for each patient which, in turn, determined the choice of the most effective type of treatment.

Based on quantum chemistry and chemical kinetics, the paper formulates basically new concepts of the possibility of controlling biochemical reactions in biological tissues by simultaneously making abnormal human visceral foci, in cancer diseases in particular, exposed to two rays via radiation and optic laser radiations. The paper also presents experimental findings of the channeling of X-ray and fluxes of charged particles along the fiber wave guides. It considers the circuit engineering of a medical endoscopic device that concurrently transmits optic laser radiation and fluxes of penetrating radiation into the viscera.

84 tracheal tumors the correct diagnosis of which was established during roentgenoendoscopical investigation combined with urgent cytological diagnosis are reported. Cytological fast diagnosis can be considered a reliable method of morphological diagnostics.

Detailed cytological, histological and electron microscopic characteristics of pulmonary carcinoid tumors are listed on the basis of surgical clinic material. Various variants of the carcinoid tumors structure, their differential diagnosis are presented.

Late outcomes of radiation and chemoradiation treatments and chemotherapy were analysed in 255 patients with low-grade generalized non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). In terms of total and relapse-free survival, chemoradiation treatment regimen yields the best results, as compared to chemotherapy. There is a general trend to improve the late outcomes when each of two components of the chemoradiation regimen is intensified. Chemoradiation treatment improves late outcomes not only in primary patients, but in patients with relapses after radiation or chemical therapy. Complete remissions are one of the most important predictors of total and relapse-free survival. There is a small group of patients with a diffuse lymphocytic type of NHL (about 10-15%). which is characterized by extremely slow disease progression and enlargement of individual lymph organs (tonsils, lymph nodes, spleen) in whom long-term total and relapse-free survival can be achieved by local radiation therapy.

The remission rates were analysed during radiation and chemoradiation treatments and chemotherapy of 255 patients with low-grade generalized non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Complete remission was achieved in 15.3% of patients, partial remission was in 82.4%. No effect was seen in 2.3% of patients. The rate of complete remissions was 4.2% for radiation treatment, 29.5% for chemoradiation, and 10.6% for chemotherapy. Chemoradiation treatment regimen was the most effective for this group of patients, in all morphological types and chiefly in Stage III. The intensified chemoradiation regimen improves the immediate outcome of treatment; a combination of series polychemotherapy with radiation applied to all diseased lymphatic collectors in a cumulative radiation dose of 30-40 Gy. The effect of the chemoradiation regimen is virtually completely revealed in the combination of three series of polychemotherapy and radiation therapy; the continued chemotherapy does not increase the rate of complete remissions.

Two hundred-thirty patients were operated on for peripheral lung cancer TIN0M0 in 1960-1990. Pheumonectory was performed in 3 cases, lobectomy-123, segmentectomy-40, wedge-like resection-57 and removal of tumor-in 7 cases. Limited resection in 20 patients was not followed by radiation therapy, Radiation treatment was given to 15 patients preoperatively, 53-postoperatively and 16 patients-pre-and postoperatively, Five-year survival after combined treatment was recorded in 70.5%, while without this treatment-68.7%. Local recurrences following limited intervention were usually detected 3-5 years later, regional and distant metastases developing within the first 24 months. A reverse correlation was established between extent of surgery and local recurrence incidence. Reoperation such as lobectomy or pneumonectomy is feasible in cases of timely diagnosis. The highest 5-year survival rates were registered for segmentectomies carried out in combination with postoperative radiotherapy (77.2%). Prognosis proved best in cases of adenocarcinoma and tumor arising in the cicatrix. Paliative surgery appeared preferable for primary tumor 1.5 cm in diameter and less. Even in small-size malignancy, removal of tumor is not radical enough, Wedge-like resection is admissible in small-size subpleural lesions only. Preoperative radiotherapy results proved inferior to those of other procedures of combined treatment. Pronounced radiation-induced pneumonitis involving re-hospitalization for symptomatic treatment occurred in 7 (5.5%) cases of lobectomy combined with radiotherapy and in 2 (1.9%) cases of limited resection.

The incidence of axillary lymph nodal metastases in breast cancer is proportional to the size of a focus: To is 25 +/- 25%, T1-33 +/- 17%, T2-55 +/- 7%, T3-65 +/- 11%, the choice of the optimum treatment regimen requires more accurate preoperative detection of metastatic lymph nodes. Ultrasound technique (its accuracy is 80%, sensitivity-88%) is of the most diagnostic value in the detection of metastatic lymph nodes. The absence of echographic signs supports the nonspecific nature of changes. Palpation is preferable in nonspecific axillary lymph nodal lesions. The status of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer may be correctly assessed by comprehensive clinical and ultrasonic studies of the axillary area wherein, supplementing each other, each technique yield the maximum information.

The authors stated that WHO classification allows identification of two groups of morphological variants of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: low- and high-grade malignancy. These differ by principal clinical characteristics, incidence of complete and partial remissions, survival duration. The analysis of clinical course, long-term and short-term treatment outcomes is provided for 674 patients with the above lymphomas.

Regular investigations on application of hyperthermia in oncology have been carried out since the second half of the 1950s. The usage of distant tissues heating faces considerable difficulties in maintenance of therapeutic temperature in the whole volume of the tumor. Thus, the use of interstitial hyperthermia is promising, especially, ferromagnetic hyperthermia which causes damage not only to central but also to peripheral zones of tumors. Light and electron microscopies have not revealed specific features of cell damage by which ferromagnetic hyperthermia might differ from other methods of antitumor treatment.