Genetic polymorphisms in DNA repair and damage response genes and late normal tissue complications of radiotherapy for breast cancer.

Breast-conserving surgery followed by radiotherapy is effective in reducing recurrence; however, telangiectasia and fibrosis can occur as late skin side effects. As radiotherapy acts through producing DNA damage, we investigated whether genetic variation in DNA repair and damage response confers increased susceptibility to develop late normal skin complications. Breast cancer patients who received radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery were examined for late complications of radiotherapy after a median follow-up time of 51 months. Polymorphisms in genes involved in DNA repair (APEX1, XRCC1, XRCC2, XRCC3, XPD) and damage response (TP53, P21) were determined. Associations between telangiectasia and genotypes were assessed among 409 patients, using multivariate logistic regression. A total of 131 patients presented with telangiectasia and 28 patients with fibrosis. Patients with variant TP53 genotypes either for the Arg72Pro or the PIN3 polymorphism were at increased risk of telangiectasia. The odds ratios (OR) were 1.66 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-2.72) for 72Pro carriers and 1.95 (95% CI: 1.13-3.35) for PIN3 A2 allele carriers compared with non-carriers. The TP53 haplotype containing both variant alleles was associated with almost a two-fold increase in risk (OR 1.97, 95% CI: 1.11-3.52) for telangiectasia. Variants in the TP53 gene may therefore modify the risk of late skin toxicity after radiotherapy.

Dietary phytoestrogen intake and mammographic density -- results of a pilot study.

The influence of dietary phytoestrogens provided by Western diets on mammographic density is not well established. Soy and soy products as source of isoflavones were found to be inversely associated with high mammographic density, a marker for breast cancer risk. Another class of phytoestrogens, the lignans, which are more frequent in Western diets, are rarely investigated. Within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort in Heidelberg (EPIC-Heidelberg) we explored the feasibility of mammogram collection and measurement of mammographic density in order to investigate the association between dietary phytoestrogen intake and breast density patterns. Wolfe classification was used to summarize mammographic density. Dietary habits were assessed by means of a validated food frequency questionnaire. - Out of the 505 randomly selected women, 317 (63%) returned the questionnaire and 310 (61.4%) women provided informed consent to collect mammograms. Dietary intake of seven women with dense patterns (DY) was compared with 47 women without dense patterns. A high dietary intake of fibre (p-value = 0.008) and secoisolariciresinol (p-value = 0.043) is inversely associated with non-dense breast patterns. This is also observed for a high dietary intake of soy-products (p-value = 0.004) and, in tendency, genistein (p-value = 0.069). After adjustment for energy intake and age the groups of dense and non-dense mammographic patterns were different regarding the intake of carbohydrate (p = 0.032), soy-products (p = 0.020), fibre (p = 0.046), and secoisolariciresinol (p = 0.027). - Our results suggest an inverse association between dietary lignan intake and breast density, similar to the findings for isoflavones. To our knowledge this is the first report on this association, but due to the risk of chance finding, this has to be confirmed in a study with sufficient statistical power.

Gemcitabine, epirubicin and docetaxel as primary systemic therapy in patients with early breast cancer: results of a multicentre phase I/II study.

Developing primary systemic chemotherapy (PST) regimens that induce higher pathological complete response (pCR) rates remains a challenge in operable breast cancer. We recruited 77 eligible patients into a multicentre phase I/II study to evaluate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), toxicity and efficacy of preoperative gemcitabine day 1 and 8 (800 mg/m(2) fixed dose), epirubicin and docetaxel on day 1 (doses escalated from 60 mg/m(2)) (GEDoc), repeated 3-weekly for 6 cycles with filgrastim support. MTD for epirubicin was 90 mg/m(2) and for docetaxel 75 mg/m(2). Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) included febrile neutropenia and grade 3 diarrhoea. Clinical response rate was 92%, pCR rate was 26%. 79% of patients had breast-conserving surgery. Grade 3/4 leucopenia was the main toxicity, occurring in 55 (87%) of 63 patients treated at the MTD. Non-haematological toxicity caused no serious clinical problems. In conclusion, GEDoc is highly active as PST. Efficacy and toxicity compare favourably with other effective combinations.

A new noninvasive approach in breast cancer therapy using magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound surgery.

An ideal vision of modern medicine includes tumor surgery with the human body remaining completely intact. A noninvasive therapy could avoid infections and scar formation; it would require less anesthesia, reduce recovery time, and possibly also reduce costs. This study investigated whether human breast cancer can be effectively treated with a novel combination of image guidance and energy delivery, noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided focused ultrasound (FUS). We have developed a FUS therapy unit guided by MRI for the treatment of human breast tumors in a clinical 1.5 T MR scanner. With interactive target segmentation on MRI, defined volumes could be noninvasively treated in a single session with on-line MR temperature control. The ultrasound waves were focused through the intact skin and resulted in the localized thermal tissue ablation at a maximum temperature of 70 degrees C. The therapy principle was first demonstrated in sheep breast in vivo and was then applied in a patient with core biopsy-proven invasive breast cancer 5 days before breast-conserving surgery. MRI proved suitable to delineate the breast cancer, served as stereotactic treatment planning platform, and delineated the FUS-related tissue changes such as interruption of tumor blood flow. Furthermore, MRI localized the hot spot in the tumor and measured temperature elevation during the treatment. This allowed us to monitor the efficacy and safety of FUS therapy. Immunohistochemistry of the resected specimen demonstrated that FUS homogeneously induced lethal and sublethal tumor damage with consecutive up-regulation of p53 and loss of proliferative activity. This effect was realized without anesthesia and damage to the surrounding healthy tissue or systemic effects. Overall, our results show that noninvasive MRI-guided therapy of breast cancer is feasible and effective. Thus, MRI-guided FUS may represent a new strategy for the neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or palliative treatment in selected breast cancer patients and in patients with other soft-tissue tumors.

[Assessment of mammography screening and its introduction in Germany in the Statutory Early Diagnosis Program]. / Wissensstand zum Mammographie-Screening zur Einführung in Deutschland in das gesetzliche Früherkennungsprogramm.

Malmö, in the south of Sweden, has, over the past 15 years, achieved a reduction in the mortality rate of 10% as a result of adjuvant drug treatment (adjuvant chemo- and hormone therapy). The drop in the mortality rate by means of a quality assured early diagnosis programme, reduces the mortality rate for breast cancer by 34% so that in South Sweden these methods have reduced the death rate for breast cancer by a total of 44% although the incident rate has increased by 1.25%. It follows that a quality assured early diagnosis programme is by far the most effective method of reducing the mortality rate for breast cancer, whereby breast cancer constitutes the main cause of death from cancer in women. The effectiveness of early diagnosis is dependent on experience with these methods whereby the learning curve, even in the case of specialists, does not reach a maximum until there has been at least 6-8 years experience and a minimum of 8000 patients have been seen. A reduction in the mortality rate can only be achieved if a large number of the population takes part (in Sweden, 89% of women contacted) and only applies to the age group 40-70. In the case of younger women (40-50 years) the reduction in the death rate in Sweden lies at 30%. For cost-benefit reasons this age group has not yet been recommended for routine screening in Sweden, apart from in clinical studies. Screening is only effective with complete quality control of technical equipment and personnel as stipulated in the European guidelines for screening mammography (August 1997 edition, EU Commission (EUREF). The risks of radiation exposure, with a threshold value of 5 mGy per breast (X-ray in two planes), is so minimal that it is as yet not measurable. The induction of breast cancer through annual screening mammography is estimated theoretically at 4 indicated cases of breast cancer to 1 million female years. Theoretically these induced cases of breast cancer can be cured by early diagnosis. A reduction in the mortality rate of 34% is a tremendous advantage for women. Since breast cancer is the main cause of death in women between the ages of 38 and 51 and screening considerably cheaper than other preventive measures (cervical smear, dialysis in kidney disease, safety belts, medication to lower cholesterol levels) the introduction of quality assured screening is an essential priority towards improving the health of women in society today. It has been proved (Netherlands) that the cost of screening is far lower than the expense incurred in the treatment of women in the metastatic stage of their cancer illness before death.

Clinical experiences with direct magnification mammography with the DIMA Plus M11. / Klinische Erfahrungen mit der direkten Vergrösserungsmammographie mit dem Gerät DIMA Plus M11.

OBJECTIVE: The evaluation of mammographies carried out by conventional technique (standard imaging and focal imaging with 1.9x magnification) should be compared with a direct magnification image (standard imaging with 1.7x magnification, focal imaging with 4x magnification and preparation imaging with 7x magnification) provided by the mammographic device DIMA Plus M11 of the company feinfocus Medizintechnik. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Out of over 1,000 mammographies (DIMA technique) 50 histologically proved cases were selected for evaluation. Within a three months period these cases underwent conventional standard mammography as well as 1.9x magnification and DIMA-mammographies. The second X-ray was carried out when it was necessary for a pre-operative marking. RESULTS: When mammographies of mammaries, which were radiologically transparent and easily compressible, where taken by DIMA-technique, they showed a distinct advantage, especially in unclear micro-calcification cases, in comparison to the mammographies carried out by the conventional standard imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Direct magnification images carried out by DIMA Plus M11 provide a better breast cancer diagnostic. This refers in particular to focal images with 4x magnification and to digital mammography, which is yet being developed.

Extensive and predominant in situ component in breast carcinoma: their influence on treatment results after breast-conserving therapy.

Intramammary tumour recurrence is one of the most important problems in breast-conserving therapy. We reviewed a series of 957 patients treated with breast-conserving therapy for primary invasive breast carcinomas between 1 January 1985 and 31 December 1992 at the University of Heidelberg. All histological slides were re-evaluated for risk factors with special emphasis on the extent and subclassification of the in situ tumour and the margin status. Six parameters were identified as significant risk factors for intramammary recurrence in the univariate analysis, including extensive or predominant in situ component (EIC, with at least twice the greatest dimension of the invasive tumour component), histological grade, angioinvasion, lobular tumour type, involved resection margin and lymph node status. The presence of an EIC was statistically correlated with low tumour grade, tumour at the resection margins and in re-excision specimens and with multifocal tumour invasion. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that EIC (relative risk (RR) = 1.9), tumour grade (RR = 1.76), angioinvasion (RR = 1.34), lobular tumour type (RR = 1.65) and young age (< or = 40 years, RR = 1.39) were independent predictors of local recurrence. When combining these factors in a linear model, the simultaneous presence of at least two of the five risk factors predicted a 5-year risk of intramammary recurrence of 20.9% compared with a risk of only 1-5% when none or one of these risk factors were identifiable. We conclude that the risk of subsequent intramammary recurrence after breast-conserving therapy can be estimated from a scoring system that includes four histological risk factors and the patient's age.

PDR brachytherapy with flexible implants for interstitial boost after breast-conserving surgery and external beam radiation therapy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: For radiobiological reasons the new concept of pulsed dose rate (PDR) brachytherapy seems to be suitable to replace traditional CLDR brachytherapy with line sources. PDR brachytherapy using a stepping source seems to be particularly suitable for the interstitial boost of breast carcinoma after breast-conserving surgery and external beam irradiation since in these cases the exact adjustment of the active lengths is essential in order to prevent unwanted skin dose and consequential unfavorable cosmetic results. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and morbidity of a PDR boost with flexible breast implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-five high risk patients were treated with an interstitial PDR boost. The criteria for an interstitial boost were positive margin or close margin, extensive intraductal component (EIC), intralymphatic extension, lobular carcinoma, T2 tumors and high nuclear grade (GIII). Dose calculation and specification were performed following the rules of the Paris system. The dose per pulse was 1 Gy. The pulse pauses were kept constant at 1 h. A geometrically optimized dose distribution was used for all patients. The treatment schedule was 50 Gy external beam to the whole breast and 20 Gy boost. PDR irradiations were carried out with a nominal 37 GBq 192-Ir source. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 30 months (minimum 12 months, maximum 54 months). Sixty percent of the patients judged their cosmetic result as excellent, 27% judged it as good, 11% judged it as fair and 2% judged it as poor. Eighty-six percent of the patients had no radiogenous skin changes in the boost area. In 11% of patients minimal punctiform telangiectasia appeared at single puncture sites. In 3% (2/65) of patients planar telangiectasia appeared on the medial side of the implant. The rate of isolated local recurrence was 1.5%. In most cases geometrical volume optimization (GVO) yields improved dose distributions with respect to homogeneity and compensation of underdosage at the margins of the implant. Only in 9% of patients was the dose distribution impaired by GVO. However, GVO causes a number of substantial changes of the dose distribution which have consequences for its application. CONCLUSIONS: The interstitial CLDR boost of the breast can be replaced by the PDR technique without severe acute and late complications and without deterioration of the cosmetic results.

[Imaging methods for evaluating the response of breast carcinoma to preoperative chemotherapy]. / Bildgebende Verfahren zur Beurteilung des Ansprechens des Mammakarzinoms auf eine präoperative Chemotherapie.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with epirubicin and cyclophosphamide makes breast conserving therapy possible in patients with large tumors, which are primarily not suited for this treatment. The regression of the tumor can be followed by mammography, ultrasound and MRI. Mammography is reproducible and easily available. Tumors, which cannot be measured mammographically, usually can be followed with ultrasound. MR allows imaging of the tumor independent of structure and density of the parenchyma. In addition the measurement of functional parameters is possible. All methods are restricted in the imaging of tumor residuals after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, because imaging of small microscopic foci of invasive or even non invasive tumorresiduals is hardly possible. Of special concern are tumor specific microcalcifications, which only can be shown on mammograms, in this respect. They do not regress under chemotherapy, even if the invasive tumor regresses, and they typically hint for non invasive tumor residuals. For planning surgery the pretherapeutic tumor extent always has to be taken into account, because of the restricted ability to image small tumor residuals.

[Cost-benefit analysis in mammography screening]. / Kosten-Nutzenanalyse beim Mammographie-Screening.

The Swedish Mammography-Screening trials have shown a long-term reduction in the mortality rate in women aged between 50-69 of up to 30%. The lower reduction in mortality observed in women aged 40-49 was not statistically significant. Long-term observation over 20 years) has shown that a radiation dose of 2.4 mGy for a 2-view-mammography per breast does not lead to an increase in occurrence of breast cancers. The advantage of screening with regard to a reduction in death rate, frequent use of breast cancerving therapy and the reduction by half in the average size of the tumor compared to control groups results in: A recommendation for quality controlled screening in Germany from the age of 50 to 70. The possible advantage for younger women must be examined in further trials. Screening in the form of a de-centralized check-up system is to be carried out by practising doctors in co-operation with hospitals which will be responsible for double findings, assessment of difficult cases and continuous cost evaluation. Quality assurance centres, reference and training centres are required. The mammography in curative check-ups will also benefit from a screening programme.

[Diagnostic value of Doppler ultrasound in evaluation of breast tumors]. / Diagnostische Wertigkeit der Dopplersonographie bei der Beurteilung von Mammatumoren.

Angiogenesis is an essential condition for tumor growth. Therefore, it seems to be of interest to prove if blood flow and vascularization of breast tumors give information concerning their dignity. Consequently, 205 patients with palpable and/or mammographically detected breast tumors were examined prior to surgery by doppler sonography for blood flow in the area of the tumor. In 174 patients of this group the corresponding area of the contralateral breast was also screened by doppler ultrasound. With third doppler generation angiodynography tumors can be visualized as B-images with simultaneous information on vascularization. An integrated doppler system shows the detected blood flow in form of a doppler curve, also allowing quantification according to doppler criteria (Resistance Index RI). Blood flow detection in the tumor itself was successful in 71% of all malignancies, whereas in only 6.6% of the 76 benign lesions (n = 5) blood flow was found in the central tumor area. In the area surrounding the tumor blood flow was detected in 83% of all carcinomas, but only in 29% of benign findings. Blood flow could be detected significantly higher in malignancies than in benign lesions (p = 0.003). Blood flow detection in the tumor itself was a highly specific (93%) method of discrimination between malignant and benign breast tumors. Further quantification by means of doppler parameters only increases insignificantly specificity, quantification of blood flow in the area surrounding the tumor using the RI and the comparison with the contralateral breast could improve the diagnostic value as our findings RI < 8 for benign vs. > or = 8 for malignant lesions demonstrated. Detection of malignant tumors showed a sensitivity of 80%, a specificity of 90%, and a positive predictive value of 93%. In patients with breast cancer (histologically confirmed) the detection rate of blood flow in tumors and surrounding areas was independent of tumor size or nodal status.

[What is the reliability of conventional ultrasound mammography and color coded ultrasound in diagnosis of breast tumors?]. / Welche Sicherheit bietet die konventionelle Mammasonographie und farbcodierte Sonographie in der Diagnostik von Mammatumoren?

To establish the diagnostic relevance of sonographic blood supply measurement for tumor's nature evaluation, 192 women with suspect unilateral breast findings were examined on the preoperative day with color coded sonography (MEM color technique). A combination of evaluation in B-scan and color mode resulted in a sensitivity of approx. 96% in cases of malignant tumors (121 histological findings of breast cancer). Specificity in the 71 patients with a histologically benign diagnosis was of over 90%. Despite an essential improvement in dignity diagnosis, histologic proof is, however, necessary, even in cases of benign findings at the diagnosis. Since a 100% certainty in the differentiation of benign and malignant tumors will never be achieved with ultrasound techniques, biopsy specimen will have to be taken. Thus additional measurements of tumor blood flow seems of no clear advantage for the patient. In our opinion, the essential contribution of blood flow diagnosis of malignant tumors lies rather in the evaluation of tumor prognosis, since the differences in the blood supply of malignant growths are indicators for their biological behavior.

[Experimental microendoscopy of the milk duct system (ductoscopy)]. / Experimentelle Mikroendoskopie des Milchgangsystems (Duktoskopie).

According to recent reports, the microendoscopic lactiferous duct investigation (ductoscopy) could improve diagnosis in case of pathological nipple discharge. However, the description of a reproducible and reliable methodology, suitable for thorough evaluation of the lactiferous duct is missing so far. Therefore, the pressure study developed a procedure, that may serve now as an experimental basis for further clinical evaluation. Access to the mamillary duct is primarily gained using atraumatic flexible teflon catheters. Corresponding to the diameter of the duct, either a semirigid 0.87 mm fiberendoscope can be successfully introduced via a 1.2 mm catheter, or a flexible 0.50 mm fiberendoscope via a 1.0 mm catheter. A controlled distension using few milliliters of ringer's lactate is the prerequisite for clear visualization of the intraductal space and protection against iatrogenic wall lesions. Metal microtocars are available as prototypes. They carry a somewhat higher risk to perforate, but are advantageous when pointing at an intraductal structure and using the microtrocar as a mark for microdochectomy.

[Hysteroscopic endometrium ablation in "high-risk" situations and in hemorrhagic diathesis]. / Hysteroskopische Endometriumablation in "high-risk"-Situationen und bei haemorrhagischer Diathese.

A hysteroscopic endometrial ablation (HEA) under maximal anesthesiologic surveillance was performed on 34 high-risk patients (group I: chronic anticoagulant therapy n = 26; group II: endogenous coagulopathy n = 8) with therapy resistant meno-metrorrhagia to avoid a hysterectomy (HE). Total amenorrhea, or a least hypomenorrhea respectively cyclic spotting could be attained primarily in 22 patients (group I: 19; group II: 3), after a repeat procedure in further 6 patients (4 in group I, 2 in group II). Subjective evaluation of surgical results (overall 22 patients primarily satisfied, 6 secondarily) also differed between the two subgroups (group I: p < 0.01 primarily satisfied; p < 0.05 secondarily satisfied vs. p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 in group II). A HE had to be performed on two patients due to extensive adenomyosis uteri interna (group II). The significantly better results in the anticoagulation group were probably due to the basic illness. Larger groups will, however, be necessary before any conclusions from this difference can be drawn. No surgical or anesthesiological complications occurred. There also were no major postoperative complications (1 endomyometritis, 2 cervical stenoses). Endometrial ablation was found to be a valuable treatment alternative for this specific group of patients with severe coagulopathy, thrombo-embolic or thrombotic disease.

Breast tumors: computer-assisted quantitative assessment with color Doppler US.

PURPOSE: To compare quantified measurements with color Doppler ultrasonography (US) with those obtained with conventional duplex US in the differential diagnosis of suspect lesions in the breast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A computer-assisted protocol was used to calculate the color pixel density (CPD) and the mean color value (MCV) in US images of breast lesions. These results were compared with conventional results in the examination of 25 patients (aged 29-78 years) with carcinomas and 32 patients (aged 23-73 years) with benign lesions of the breast. RESULTS: The sensitivity of maximum flow velocity in helping identify carcinomas was 60% and the specificity was 70%. In color Doppler US, the sensitivity for MCV in helping identify carcinomas was 92% and the specificity was 78%; for CPD the sensitivity was 64% and the specificity was 91%. Combining MCV and CPD did not improve differentiation. CONCLUSION: Computer-assisted image analysis may be superior to conventional duplex US in helping differentiate between carcinomas and benign lesions.

[A pharmacokinetic analysis of Gd-DTPA enhancement in MRT in breast carcinoma]. / Pharmakokinetische Analyse der Gd-DTPA-Anreicherung in der MRT beim Mammakarzinom.

Dynamic Gd-DTPA enhanced MR of the breast was performed in one single slice in 27 patients with suspicious nodular lesions. The results could be histologically verified in all cases. A rapid spin-echo sequence with a time resolution of 8.75 s was used for the dynamic examination. The signal changes were analysed using a pharmacokinetic model which allowed parametrization of the contrast enhancement and transformation of the data into colour coded parameter images. The parameters allowed reliable distinction of 9 benign from 18 malignant lesions (p < 0.05 for "amplitude", p < 0.001 for "k21"). One fibroadenoma could not be distinguished from the carcinomas. Lymph node metastases and the pharmacokinetic parameter amplitude correlated significantly (p < 0.05).

[Growth rate of breast cancer, implication for early detection and therapeutic effects]. / Wachstumsgeschwindigkeit des Mammakarzinoms, Bedeutung für Früherkennung und Therapieeffekte.

Numerous trials have shown, that breast cancer have highly variable rates of growth. It is assumed, that the rates (relative growth rates) decelerate with increasing tumour size. The Universities of Heidelberg and Louisville carried out a retrospective statistical analysis of the mammographically measured growth rates of 448 screening patients until breast cancer diagnosis. The analysis did not include fast-growing carcinomas appearing between mammograms for which only one mammogram was available or some cancer, where growth was not detectable by mammography. Generalized logistic curves provided the best fit to the data on the increase in tumour size, as observed in mammograms. Large variations in individual tumour doubling times were found, from extremely fast-growing to extremely slow-growing tumours. The results are relevant for patient prognosis, for the evaluation of therapy, and for screening strategies.

[Surgical hysteroscopy: complications, safety aspects, education and training]. / Operative Hysteroskopie: Komplikationen, Sicherheitsaspekte, Ausbildung und Training.

Hysteroscopy has become an integral part of the overall gynaecological surgical concept. On the one hand the experience of our study group as well as a literature survey have demonstrated that results of hysteroscopic metroplasty, resection of submucous myoma and synechiolysis are at least comparable to those of conventional procedures, the advantages of minimal invasive surgery being evident. However, increasing complications, even with a lethal outcome, due to deficient technical equipment or insufficient training of the surgeon are reported. Yet, a survey of complications in literature and in our own series of hysteroscopies (n = 200), shows a median complication rate below 1%. Knowledge of possible complications, symptoms and management alternatives is, however, a first requirement for application of these minimal access procedures. The second major precondition being a well structured training program for surgeon and assisting team. With the recently developed in-vitro-simulation trainer, the HysteroTrainer, training of the entire spectrum of hysteroscopic procedures, including laser and high frequency electrosurgical applications, is now feasible. The simulator may also be employed for security checking of the complex hysteroscopic equipment.

[Thermal preparation techniques in gynecologic endoscopy--technical, experimental and clinical results (n=2000)]. / Thermische Präparationstechniken in der gynäkologischen Endoskopie--technische, experimentelle und klinische Ergebnisse (n = 2000).

A comparative study on thermal, mainly laser and high frequency electrosurgical techniques, was conducted. Indications, handling and morphometric results were correlated. Morphometrical findings suggest that minimal thermal tissue damage is associated by a decrease in the hemostatic effect. Additional bipolar coagulation is necessary when using the carbon dioxide laser or high frequency electrodes. As thermal tissue lesion is concerned, the two techniques differ only slightly, by fractions of millimeters. Concerning clinical handling and practicability at our department, as well as in the centers participating at the European Consensus Study on Lasers in Gynaecology, high frequency electrosurgery has proven the method of choice for endoscopic ablative procedures. The carbon dioxide laser (at laparoscopy) and the Nd:YAG contact laser (at hysteroscopy) are preferentially employed for reconstructive surgery (e.g. the carbon dioxide laser for treatment of distal tubal pathology or endometriosis, the Nd:YAG contact laser for hysteroscopic synechiolysis).

[Blood supply of malignant and benign tumors of the internal genitals]. / Die Durchblutung maligner und benigner Tumoren des inneren Genitale.

Malignant tumours differ mostly from benign lesions in their blood supply. This fact can be used in the sonographic diagnosis of the tumour status. This, however, depends on the availability of ultrasound equipment, capable of demonstrating this difference, which can only be detected in smallest blood vessels, in which the blood flow is extremely slow. We employed the Sonolayer SSH 140A (Toshiba, Japan) and the Quantum 2000 (Siemens, Germany) for diagnosis of lesions of the female inner genital tract. Both instruments could visualize the slow blood flow velocities in the tissues examined. Diagnosis of blood circulation in tumours of the inner genital tract thus seems less dependent on the technology employed as is the case in examining the breasts. 41 patients with ovarian tumours, 31 with endometrial pathology, and 33 with cervical lesions were examined preoperatively. Findings were correlated to histology. The lowest resistance index (RI) measured was evaluated. The following RI values were found: Ovarian tumours: malignant 46%, benign 78% (49%). Tumours of the corpus uteri: malignant 54%, benign 65% (55%). Cervical lesions: malignant 55%, benign 79% (58%). Results in premenopausal women with non-malignant lesions are specified in brackets. Pre- and postmenopausal status proved essential. When compared to breast findings, the difference between benign and malignant tumours of the inner genital tract is less pronounced due to the fact, that, physiologically, these tissues are characterised by a higher blood supply. Differentiation was thus almost impossible in premenopausal women. However, in menopausal patients, a highly significant difference between benign and malignant tumours was found, which could serve as basis for tumour status prognosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)