Radiation treatment of carcinoma of the vulva, 1950-1980

A retrospective study of all patients with carcinoma of the vulva treated by radiation therapy at the A. Maxwell Evans Clinic of the Cancer Control Agency of British Columbia, between 1950 and 1980, is reported. Sixty-eight patients, representing 30% of all referred patients with vulvar cancer, were analyzed for survival, recurrence patterns, complications, and clinical features. This group is companion to a series of patients treated with operation reported in 1979. The data confirm a major role for radiation therapy both in palliation and in combined radiotherapy-operation. For 13 cases, radiotherapy with curative intent was used in combination with operation resulting in a 5-year actuarial survival of 92%, with acceptable posttreatment morbidity. The advantages of preoperative radiotherapy, particularly for posterior vulvar lesions, are suggested by the data, and the need for a reappraisal of the role of radiotherapy in vulvar carcinoma is stressed.     

Incidence of ectopic pregnancy in Rochester, Minnesota, 1950-1981

Trends in the occurrence of ectopic pregnancy from 1950 through 1981 were evaluated in the defined population of Rochester, Minnesota. The average ratio of ectopic pregnancies to live births was 1:171. The ratio declined from 1:141 to 1:217 from 1955-1959 to 1970-1974 and increased sharply to 1:122 by 1975-1980. Similarly, the average age-adjusted incidence rate of ectopic pregnancies per 100,000 women of childbearing age was 49 over the period studied. A peak rate of 79 per 100,000 was reached in 1955 to 1959, and a trough of 30 per 100,000 occurred in 1970 to 1974; this was followed by a sharp increase to 49 per 100,000 in 1975 to 1981. Methods of measuring ectopic pregnancy are contrasted, and possible risk factors are suggested.