It would be impossible to enumerate all of the research efforts which seem to hold promise for the future. However, a few of the more promising will be mentioned in brief, to stimulate the hopeful feeling that definite progress is being made along several investigative lines. We still need many answers, but this in no way indicates that we have failed in the overall search for clues to the cancer riddle.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy

One research approach is centered on studies related to the presence of tumor cells in the circulation and in local body cavities. Cells have been found in the peripheral blood and in the abdominal cavity even in patients in whom the lesion appeared to be localized. Therefore anticancer drugs are being injected directly into sites or are being administered intravenously at the time of surgery. By thus combining chemotherapy and surgery scientists hope to reduce the incidence of metastatic spread. Results indicate this method of treatment is worthy of continued study.

Methotrexate in Choriocarcinoma

Using methotrexate and related compounds it is now possible to produce regression of choriocarcinoma in women. This is a rare malignant tumor which arises in retained placental tissue following either normal pregnancy and delivery or abortion with or without hydatidiform mole. Several women treated by the previously mentioned compounds have been reported in complete remission for over 5 years. This is most remarkable, since prior to this, choriocarcinoma which is a fast growing tumor, has been considered uniformly fatal.

Antibiotics and Radiation

Another research endeavor is centered on the combined use of antibiotics and radiation. For example, actinomycin D is being used in combination with X-ray for the treatment of Wilms' tumors of the kidney, retinoblastomas, and certain other tumors. Much interest and effort are currently focused on this research area by physicians and drug companies; we can anticipate hearing more about this.

The National Chemotherapy Screening program is mentioned elsewhere in this publication. However, it should be noted that this program is expanding rapidly. Over 75,000 different compounds have already been tested on animals and approximately 40,000 chemicals per year are currently being studied. Few of the total number of compounds which are screened turn out to be suitable for use in humans, but almost a hundred are currently in use in various hospital centers.

Related Illnesses

Cancer is not always the only problem with which the physician may be faced when the patient presents himself for treatment. The variety of disease conditions which may complicate the picture is almost unlimited. Since cancer is more common among those in the older age groups, many of the patients will inevitably have conditions associated with advancing age-diabetes, arthritis, cardiovascular complications, etc. However, regardless of the patient's age, attention must be given to the health status of the whole individual and not just treatment for his cancer.

The patient may have legitimate complaints of pain or discomfort which are related to something other than his cancer, and it is important that those caring for him pay attention to what he is saying. If this is not done, the patient tends to become discouraged and to feel that he must be hopelessly ill. Furthermore, treatment of concomitant illness may greatly increase the patient's comfort and help to ease the pain which may be associated with his cancer. It is often a remarkable psychological boost when attention is focused on problems about which something can be done.