Radiation-induced carcinoma of the rectum

Carcinomas and sarcomas are known to develop after radiation therapy. A complete review of the literature regarding appearance of carcinoma of the rectum following radiation therapy to the pelvis was undertaken. The average interval between irradiation and diagnosis of the rectal cancer was 15.2 years, the range being from one year, two months to 33 years. We present a case of carcinoma of the rectum arising as two separate primaries 46 years after irradiation for an epidermoid carcinoma of the cervix. There were many pathologic changes related to the radiation therapy.

[Determination of microelements in the human placenta. III. Commun.: atomic-absorption spectrophotometric determination of Zn, Cu, Cd, Mn, Fe, and Mg contents of human placentas (author's transl)]

In human placentas from the West Berlin area is the content on Zn, Cu, Cd, Mn, Fe, and Mg determined by means of the flameless and the flame atom absorption spectrophotometry, respectively.

[Determination of microelements in human placenta II. Commun.: Spectrophotometric determination of zinc content in human placenta (author's transl)]

The zinc content of human placenta is determinaed by means of an improved combined dithizone-zincon-method. The results obtained are given as follows: 11.13 +/- 0.62 ppm in the fresh and 64.98 +/- 3.34 ppm in the dried material.

[Determination of microelements in placenta I. Commun.: spectrophotometric determination of copper content of human placentas (author's transl)]

The copper content of human placenta determined by means of the Bathocuproinemethod lies at 1,21 +/- 0,18 ppm in the fresh and 7,06 +/- 1,04 ppm in the dried material. Furthermore an improved generally applicable method for decomposition of biological materials that prevents the volatilization of trace elements is described.