Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-12
LATEST REPORT ON CANCER.
Conclusions as to the Disease by
English Research Committee.
From the New York Herald

From the New York Herald.
The great interest manifested by the pub
lie In the study of cancer is again revived
by the recent report of the conclusions OF
the English general committee of the Con-
Ger Research Fund, as cabled to the Herald
from London To such, however, as may
have expected some new and startling dis
coveres to the nature of the. disease, It's
mode of propagation and the hope for its
radical cure the results of the invest ga
tons made by the learned experts in Dues
ton will prove somewhat Disappointing.
The committee has scarcely done moe than
confirm certain long-accepted views without
being able to offer any new ones be 1ring on
the prevention or treatment of the dreadful
malady.
We are simply told that cancer is rot an
infectious ailment, is not tranSmlSSiDle from
one species to another, Is not caused by
parasite, that radium has been found TO eS-
ercise no curative effect, that serum tas
been discovered from which good results
are hoped and that the cancer cell can ie-
acquire powers of self-propagaton. Thus
the real cause of malignant growths Is Yet
undiscovered. The Herald, in discussing the
various phases of this question, in connec-
ton with the numerous alleged curative
specifics for the disease, has taken precise
iy such a ground. So far the real mystery
is great as ever. No one, as yet, can ia
form us why a malignant growth impIantS
itself in one person and not i'll another, why
it develops on its own account and why It
SO often reappears in spite Of local extirpa-
ton.
For a while the parasitic theory not only
promised a solution of the problem, but
raised the hope that serum would be dis
covered which would finally settle the ques-
ton of positive cure. But the fundameu
difficulty rested quite naturally on the ac-
tual demonstration of the parasite. On the
other hand, the disheievers in such possi-
biltty maintain that cancer in its mode OF
propagation is very different from such a
disease as diphtheria. in which antitoNin has
such beneficial effects. The former Is an
active, independent cell growth, while the
dlphtherltlc membrane Is mere deposit
and the consequence of a direct poison act
ing primarily on the tissues affected. one
Is an entirely new growth, the other "a sim
pie degenerative process. In one an actual
living tissue must be destroyed while In
the other simply poison must be neutral
lied
Regarding the limited prevalence of cam
cerouS affections the conclusions of The
committee are at variance with the views
of American surgeons. In this country the
disease is said to be increasing. DIR. RowelI
Park of Buffalo, "a leading authority on the
subject, has expressed Sucn an opinion and
therein lie is supported by other leading ex-
perts. The melancholy fact is based on
statistics from different sources. Certain
localities are singled out having a pre-
d1spoSing influence, and one particular re-
gfon is designated the cancer belt" But
whatever may be the truth in the matter
we must admit that the affection is a Veiit-
able scourge everywhere, killing its thou
sands yearly.
Whatis wanted is some new light on its
treatment This, alas, seems not to be
forthcoming. We are not surprised to learn
that radium has proved failure, especially
in the more malignant cases. Neither has
the X-ray done much more than cure the
milder forms of skin invasion. The new
serum mentioned by the commission is
hardly likely to promise much, as its use
must be merely experimental ard must
only be based on the assumption that there
is some poison In cancer which the injection
of the fluid may possibly counterfeit So
far, however, no such toxin has been dis
covered Nor has internal medication
awaited anything
What then, is the conclusion that is
forced upon US? We must still submit to
surgical operation as the one and last re-
sort The hope of benefit by this procedure
rests on the belief that cancer at it's be-
ginning is a mere local affair and as such
may be radically extirpated. The greatest
danger is in delaying such treatment The
Prince of Wales, who presided at the an
nual meeting of the committee gave the
true practical turn to the proceedings when
he urged the public to consult the sur
geons on the first appearance of any can
cerOus symptoms"