[Tests and imaging of the lymphatic system].

Methods for lymphatic imaging are numerous and can be roughly classified as anatomic or functional studies. Direct or indirect lymphographies provide useful informations in case of lymphostasis. Contrast lymphangiography is the only anatomical method giving precise informations either on lymphatic ducts or lymph nodes.

[The importance of lymphography in melanoma].

It is a pity that, in view of its important prognostic value and for technical reasons, or because of problems of interpretation, lymphography should no longer be part of a routine work-up for diagnosing melanoma. Indeed, bipedal lymphography can accurately reveal the extent of node invasion in case of palpable adenopathy. It provides for the monitoring of the retroperitoneal lymph nodes after inguinal curettage has been accomplished.

[Lymphography of the upper limb in malignant melanoma].

Owing to its technical difficulty and to an imperfect knowledge of its semiology, lymphography of the upper limb is rarely used. However, experience makes it easy to perform and of considerable value and reliability for diagnostic purposes. Its main advantage in patients with palpable lymphadenopathy is that lymph node excision can be avoided in many cases provided the subjects are regularly followed up.

MOPP chemotherapy plus irradiation for Hodgkin's disease, stages IA to IIIB. Long-term results of the prospective trial H72 (1972-1976, 334 patients).

From April 1972 to December 1976, 334 patients with Hodgkin's disease, CS IA-IIIB, were prospectively treated with combined chemotherapy and radiation. The 166 stages IA and II2A were clinically staged only; the 168 other patients were randomized to clinical or pathological staging. All patients received 3 or 6 cycles of MOPP followed by Mantle field with or without mediastinal irradiation and/or inverted Y or lumbo-aortic field according to initial stage, presentation and protocol.

Prognostic value of lymphograms in chronic lymphatic leukemia.

Chronic lymphatic leukemia (CLL) is a disease with a prognosis that has previously been difficult to assess. In recent years, this problem has largely been overcome by various classifications based on clinical and hematologic findings. This article presents the results of a study designed to show the value of lymphograms in assessing the prognosis.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma occurring after Hodgkin's disease. Four new cases and a review of the literature.

This article describes four cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas occurring after successful treatment of Hodgkin's disease (HD). The clinical symptoms consisted of digestive disorders, and the histology confirmed an intestinal involvement in these four patients. In all cases patients had diffuse large cell types (intermediate or high grade).

[The advantages of lymphography in malignant melanoma (author's transl)].

The authors report the results of their observations on 27 cases of malignant melanoma having undergone lymphography. They insist on the absence of risk of this examination causing diffusion of the primary tumour and the advantages of lymphography in this particular cases: clinically palpable metastatic adenopathy and high risk malignant melanoma without palpable adenopathy.

[Therapeutic strategy in nonseminomatous cancer of the testis].

The prognosis of non-seminomatous carcinoma of the testis has been revolutionized by the introduction of chemotherapy for both advanced and localised forms of the disease. In the last 15 years, 41 cancers of this type (13 Stage I, 16 Stage II and 12 Stage III) have been treated in our Department. All Stage I cancers received postoperative chemotherapy comprising Velbé, Thiotepa, Rufocromomycine and Methotrexate and all are in remission with an average follow-up period of 8 years.

[Lymphoedema of the upper limb following surgery or radiotherapy. Investigation by indirect radioactive lymphography (author's transl)].

Indirect radioactive isotope lymphography using intravenous 99 m Tc-labelled colloidal antimony sulfide was performed on 76 patients with lymphoedema of the upper limb consecutive to surgery or radiotherapy. The time required to reach 50% of maximum radioactivity was taken as index of the lymphatic flow rate, and the patients were divided into 3 groups depending upon the index (< 20 min; 20-60 min; > 60 min). It appears that in huge lymphoedemas the lymphatic flow rate index may remain subnormal, owing to associated veno-occlusive oedema.

[Stage III and VI Hodgkin's disease. Success and failure of therapeutic protocol H2 65 (author's transl)].

224 patients with stage III and IV Hodgkin's disease (H.D.) have been treated by 6 monthly MOPP courses.

[Results of the radiotherapy in the non Hodgkin's lymphomas treatment (author's transl)].

In our 98 patients all treated by association chemotherapy + cobaltherapy, 37 cases were stages III and IV and 71 cases were of diffuse pathology classification. Meanwhile the results were not so poor: 66% at 5 years survival (all stages) and 69% for stages I and II. The curves of survival rate generally stabilize at 7 years.

[The problem of sterility in men and women after wide area sub-diaphragmatic irradiation (author's transl)].

Sub-diaphragmatic irradiation in an upside down Y pattern for Hodgkin's disease results in sterility in the women. Protection consists of irradiating the lumbar chain only when possible or by displacement of the ovary before irradiation, and laterally for preference. Although subsequent pregnancy is then possible, the genetic risk remains.