Focal nodular hyperplasia

Focal nodular hyperplasia is the second most common form of benign liver tumor after hemangiomas. These tumors occur mainly in women between the ages of 20 and 30. Like the other forms of benign liver tumors, they are generally discovered during imaging tests for other conditions. Sometimes referred to as FNH. these tumors usually do not cause symptoms or require treatment. If they are large, doctors may recommend that they be removed surgically to avoid the risk of rupture, but this is very uncommon.

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CANCER

The problem of cancer is being discussed in innumerable papers from all parts of the world because cancer still continues to be the first among human diseases. Many investigators and physicians of all continents carry on extensive research work to find out the aetiology of cancer and its successful treatment.

The term 'cancer' was first used by Gallen (231—201a famous Roman physician who had described the disease of a mammary gland under this term.

Cancer, or Carcinoma, as it is often called, is a malignant tumour which arises from the epithelial cells. A tumour is a mass of new tissue which grows independently from its surrounding structures. A malignant tumour is marie up of connective tissue enclosing epithelial cells. Some tumours remain localized, others rapidly invade healthy tissue and metastasize leading to early death. The incidence of carcinomas comprises 90 % of all malignant tumours, the rest are sarcomas. The symptoms being vague or absent at an earlv stage, cancer is a very dangerous disease for life.

There are considerable variations of opinion regarding the development of cancer, but the final concept concerning all forms of cancer, except certain types, is still unknown. The development of certain types is connected with the so called carcinogenic (causing the cancer) substances and rays. It has been proved that cancer may develop due to contact with certain chemical substances, such as aromatic amines, chromic acids, arsenic acids, anilines and others. Cigarette smoking plays a major part in the aetiology of lung cancer. 96 % of patients with lung cancer were heavy cigarette smokers. Certain viruses are also considered to be carcinogenic. Recently it has been shown that some types of viruses may develop carcinoma. These findings have been confirmed in experiments on animals.

The distribution of different types of cancer vary geographically. The incidence of lung cancer is much higher among Europeans. In non-European countries we find quite different distribution. In South Africa, for example, 50 % of all types of cancer comprise carcinomas of the liver, while in Europe liver-cell carcinomas comprise only one per cent. The high frequency of liver cancers in certain tropical countries could be related to the incidence of viral diseases of the liver in the same countries. Many investigators suggest that viral hepatitis could represent a precancerous disease.

The age significantly affects the incidence of cancer. Susceptibility to cancer increases with age. The most important thing in the prognosis of patients with carcinoma is the grade of malignancy, and. therefore, the sooner the diagnosis is made, the better the prognosis. Each type of cancer is curable if it is timely recognized and proper treatment is administered.

PROGRESS IN CANCER TREATMENT

Progress made in cancer research and treatment is a result of success in biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, immunology and virology. Experimental studies have proved that viruses of animal species may produce malignant tumours in other animals. When test monkeys at the Institute of Experimental Pathology were given suspensions from patients suffering from cancer of hematogenic system, they developed different forms of acute and chronic leukemia. A possible agent of this disease has been isolated and its role in the de-elopment of human cancer is being studied. Our immunologists have found unique early diagnosis llii'lhods for cancer of the liver. The present research aims at accurate early detection for every type of malignant tumours.

Progress has been made in developing drugs that prolong [the cancer patients' lives. Several new preparations can be mentioned — ftorafur used for cancer of the breast and the large intestine, rubomycin used in acute leukemias, bruneo-mycin, ftorbenzotein and others. Currently there is a lot Of research on drug combinations and applications. Some malignant tumours that do not yield to any single preparation have reacted to combinations of drugs.

The cancer control programme includes both social and medical measures. There are many specialized treatment, prevention and research centres where surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are used. The combination of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation (including elementary particle beams and laser pulses) more and more often brings positive results. Further research and development of preventive and curative methods will lead to new achievements.