[Atherosclerosis in victims of cancer].

Atherosclerotic changes in aortas and coronary arteries of victims of cancer were investigated within framework of 2 epidemiological studies of men aged 20-59 years in Malmo, Prague, Riga, Tallin, Yalta and of women aged 40-59 years in Malmo, Riga and Yalta conducted in 1963-1966 (first study) and 1985-1989 (second study) years. The first study included 763 men and 419 women and the second - 744 men and 293 women with malignancies. Control group comprised practically healthy victims of accidents. Extent of atherosclerosis depended on localization of cancer. Compared with controls men with lung and stomach cancer had greater area of raised lesions in aorta and coronary arteries, those with bowel cancer - in coronary arteries. In women with lung cancer area of raised lesions exceeded that of controls only in aorta. Proportion of lung cancer among all tumors was higher in the second compared with the first study (in men 32.7 and 23.2%, in women 10.6 and 4.8%, respectively). Among victims of lung cancer extent of atherosclerosis was greater in smokers compared with nonsmokers.