The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-11
RADIUM ONLY GOOD
FOR SHALLOW CANCER
DR.. Czcrny Of Heidelberg Be-
licvcs Knife Will Not Be
Done Away With.
TELLS OF II YEARS WORK
Use of Rays. He Asserts, in Some
Cases Aids Growth
Of TumOrs.
TELLS OF II YEARS WORK

SrPitS. April 1o.--The first authentic
snd extended report on the opinion OF
.he value OF radium and mesothorium In
the treatment OF cancer was given by
pr. Czerny of Heidelberg University. Ger
many's greatest cancer specialist in an
article in the current number OF the
Deptsche Rcruc. A brief excerpt from the
report has already been cabled TO THE
suN. He declares that radium IL OF the
greatest value. but it is premature to say
tina, IT will wholly replace the knife.
with Prof. Werner" says DR.. Cxerny.
4 have used radium in cancer cases since
1909 At first We had only twenty to
forty mll,igrammes. but in the past two
wars We have had 100 to 400 milli-
srsmmes Of mesothoriun. As we have
treated more than 1000 cases in the
Samaritan Hospital in Heidelberg since
1906 We may allow ourselves the privi-
lcee OF drawing conclusions and giving an
opinion. which is to the following effect:
''Nesothorium and radium are about
souai. They destroy up to certain
degree the tumor cells and heal cancer
loca,ed upon or near the surface. Deep
living cancers are not infreQuent and live
cells remain which may cause relapse.
whether. az contended by some German
~,necologists, large doses Of strong fil-
rated rays prevent such recurrence is
dcterninable only after a number OF
yeare.
Local HeaIi"g Power Of Rays.
Tn the case of cancer located deeper
than four or five centimeters the healing
effects of even the Y-rays do not appear
10 reach. The healing power Is local ana
does not insure against return OF the
nsIady and does not protect against nor
prevent metastasis.
.sWhen the intensity OF the radioac-
,lv,ty Is not sufficient to destroy the cancer
cells it works In "A stimulating way. such
sa even to increase the cell ,-o''th Ihere
are some cancers the growth and energy
Of which are so great that they cannot te
reprcssed or checked even by the strongest
avs We have had cases that despite
enormous radiation grew worse.
"Despite this we thoroughly recognize
and acknowledge that radium ana me-
sothorium are a most valuable remedy IN
the treatment Of malignant Erowths' es-
recially IN cases on which IN operation
cannot he performed. In the latter this
remedy j. Indispensable. II appears to US
so,nev hat premature 10 substitute radium-
,he-apv entirely for operations, as some
physicians desire II is advisable. with tire
execution OF skin cancer and perhaps GER
t1in cancers OF the uterus and the rectum,
inst all cancers which can be operated on
without serious LANCER h" removed by
ne knife and then treated by radiuE-
therapy as an after treatment,
We have from the start Used this COM
bination method and we ere still con-
WINGED that In the end 1t ri"es the best
results We treat shallow or superficial
cancers and such as are externally ac-
cessibla with mesothorium and use the
harder htrated Roentgen rays for deeper
growths. such as cancer OF the stomach,
rectum. throat and intestines and multiple
mel sstass.