[Cranial bone neoplasm in early triassic amphibia].

A neoplasm in cranial bone of an early Triassic amphibian has been investigated. Although no tissue has survived, the cranial flat bone is similar to that in living animals of the same class. Evidence is presented in support of a hypothesis that the neoplasm is a skeletal tumor which consists of non-functional bone and looks like an atypical tumorous bone of skeletal origin.

[Computerized tomography in the diagnosis of soft tissue neoplasms of the extremities and trunk].

Analysis of CT data on 213 patients with soft tissue and trunk tumors has shown that a majority of malignant and benign tumors have a similar picture (except lipoma). Features of the contours of a tumor and its inner structure do not permit the assessment of its nature. The only significant differential-diagnostic sign of malignant soft tissue tumors is destruction of an adjacent bone, noted in 17.

[Computed tomography in assessing the local spread of soft-tissue tumors].

Computed tomographic (CT) data for 213 cases of various soft tissue tumors of the trunk and extremities were analysed to assess the role of the method in evaluating local extension of tumor. CT allowed to reliably identify the degree of tumor interaction with adjacent major vessels. Its data was fully confirmed by surgery in 88.

[Computerized tomography in the surgery of esophageal cancer].

Preoperative X-ray computerized tomography (CT) was performed in 60 patients with carcinoma of the esophagus at the All-Union Oncology Research Centre, USSR AMS in 1986-1989. The method is evaluated on the basis of comparison with the operative findings in determining the depth of invasion of the esophageal wall and adjoining structures by the tumor, metastatic involvement of the lymph nodes below the diaphragm, and metastases in the liver. Informativeness of X-ray CT proved to be highest in patients in whom the tumor had not spread beyond the esophageal wall.

[The diagnosis and treatment of primary malignant tumors of the sternum].

Results of examination and treatment of 24 patients with primary neoplasms of the sternum including chondrosarcoma (18 cases), solitary plasmacytoma (5) and osteogenic sarcoma (1) were analysed. The diagnosis was based mainly on X-ray procedures and was further improved by computed tomography which allowed to precisely evaluate the extent of intrathoracic mass and its relation to adjacent mediastinal structures. Surgery was the main procedure used for the treatment of primary tumors of the sternum.

[Intraosseous highly differentiated osteogenic sarcoma].

A man of 20 developed well-differentiated intraosseous osteogenic sarcoma of the femur. Clinico-roentgenologic, computed tomography and histological findings revealed a number of features uncommon for the tumor: (1) a torpid course, (2) histological appearance typical for parosteal sarcoma, (3) low malignant potential.

[Criteria for evaluating the efficacy of treatment of breast cancer metastases to the bones].

Roentgenography of the cranium, ribs, vertebral column, pelvis and scintigraphy of the skeleton were performed every 3-4 mos in 39 patients with breast cancer metastases to the bones. Criteria of therapeutic efficacy were the following: a complete therapeutic effect, a partial therapeutic effect, stabilization and progression. In osteolytic metastases a complete therapeutic effect was obtained in 72% of the cases.