A perspective on physician-assisted dying.

This article discusses legalization of physician-assisted dying. Already much of the public is in favor of it, as are many physicians. Recent court decisions have so highlighted the diversity of thought on this issue that many people question whether there needs to be an absolute right or wrong.

Local recurrence in the conservatively treated breast cancer patient: a correlation with age and family history.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships among young age at diagnosis, family history status, and local recurrence in breast cancer patients treated with lumpectomy and radiation therapy.

Methods: Between January 1970 and December 1990, 984 early-stage breast cancer patients were treated with conservative surgery and radiation therapy at Yale-New Haven Hospital. All patient data, including demographics, staging information, treatment, and outcome variables were entered into a computerized database.

Prognostic significance of mammographic detection in a cohort of conservatively treated breast cancer patients.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of nonpalpable mammographically detected breast cancer in a cohort of conservatively treated breast cancer patients.

Methods And Materials: The records of 953 patients with invasive stage I and II breast cancer treated with conservative surgery and radiation therapy prior to January 1990 were reviewed. Mode of presentation with reference to clinical and mammographic findings was recorded.

Reappraisal of the role of axillary lymph node dissection in the conservative treatment of breast cancer.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was (1) to review systemic therapy practice patterns to assess how information regarding nodal status currently influences systemic therapy decisions, and (2) to review long-term outcome of patients who do not undergo axillary dissection compared with patients who do.

Methods And Materials: For the current practice patterns portion of the study, the records of 292 patients who presented in the past 3 years with invasive breast cancer and underwent conservative surgery were reviewed to determine systemic therapy administered with respect to patient age, primary tumor size, clinical nodal status, and presenting symptoms. For the long-term outcome portion of the study, the records of 955 patients with invasive breast cancer who underwent conservative surgery and radiation therapy before December 1989 were reviewed.

Optical breast lesion localization fiber: preclinical testing of a new device.

Preclinical testing was performed of an optical breast lesion localization fiber to guide surgical excision. The prototype device comprised dual 0.010- inch (0.