Carcinoma coexisting with Manson's schistosomiasis

Summary The coexistence of extensive infestation bySchistosoma mansoni and adenocarcinoma of the rectum in a young native of Puerto Rico is described. No claim for causal relationship can be made on this isolated experience. Nevertheless, it is suggested that the link between inflammation and neoplasia, if such a link exists, is in the nature of hyperplastic polypoid granulomas resulting from an undefined stimulus acting in a susceptible tissue.Acknowledgment is made of the preparation of the photomicrographs at the direction of Dr. Robert C. Horn, Jr.     

Pancreatic exocrine function

Summary 1. Because of the ability of pancreatic lipase to split fats into products which are usually readily absorbed, triolein-I¹³¹ may be used to evaluate pancreatic exocrine function.2. A series of individuals with normal gastrointestinal function excreted less than 2.5 per cent of an oral dose of triolein-I¹³¹ in their stool. Elevated excretion of the product was observed in patients with chronic pancreatitis, malabsorption syndromes, and subtotal gastrectomies.3. The test is economical, easy to perform, and may be run on an outpatient basis.The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Medical Department, or the Naval Service at large.     

What is common gastritis?

Summary As so often happens in clinical areas, better pathologic understandings permit increasing convergence of thinking on the gastritis matter. There is a lot more order to gastritis than once thought. Pathologically, common gastritis can be thought of as one disease, with an acute form, easily distinguished from the chronic form, which shows an intelligible pathologic progression but which is not necessarily progressive.When uncomplicated, gastritis is not responsible for clinical illness. The most common complication is hemorrhage, and this is sometimes very serious. There may occasionally be nutritional implications. It is rather certain that at least a portion of gastric cancer cases are secondary to changes which accompany the atrophic process.