[Superior vena cava compression syndrome. Apropos of 69 cases]

Sixty-nine patients with a superior vena cava syndrome were treated by radiotherapy. Forty were also given chemotherapy before or after irradiation. Twenty-nine had bronchial carcinoma, thirteen had other solid tumors, fourteen had lymphosarcoma and thirteen had no histological diagnosis. Subjective improvement was recorded in 86% of cases and the objective response rate was 41%. The response was obtained in a mean period of 4 weeks and its duration was 39 weeks for lymphosarcomas and only 6 weeks for solid tumors. Overall 1 year survival was 18%. Poor results obtained in superior vena cava syndrome incites recommendation of more intensive radiochemotherapeutic management.

[Surgical treatment of pulmonary metastases in adult patients (author's transl)]

During the period 1968-79, a total of 90 thoracotomies for lung metastases was performed in 76 adult patients (42 men and 34 women, aged from 16 to 72 years) treated at the Gustave Roussy Institute, Paris. Forty-three had carcinoma, 29 had sarcoma and 4 had melanoma. Thoracotomy was performed once in 64 patients, twice in 10 patients and 3 times in 2 patients. Complete resection could be performed in 88%. The operative mortality rate was 1.1%. Four benign lesions were encountered. The survival rate was 56% at 2 years and 43% at 3 years. Several prognostic factors were identified. The indications for pulmonary metastasectomy within the overall strategy of metastatic cancer treatment are discussed.

[Comparison of chronic respiratory diseases in an agricultural versus urban environment (author's transl)]

A longitudinal investigation was conducted simultaneously in Normandy and in the West-Paris region. Based on more than 2000 subjects in Normandy and 1500 in the Paris (St. Lazare) area, the frequency of a bronchial syndrome was established as 21 and 26% respectively; obstructive respiratory failure, 4 and 2% respectively; and restrictive respiratory failure, 1%. The typical elements of risk (tobacco, age, socio-professional sphere) reappear in this study. Alcoholism also seems to be a contributing factor. In a longitudinal investigation, the study of new cases which are in progress will help to identify the onset of the disease and its facilitating circumstances. In the future, the study of the flow-volume curve should be included in epidemiological investigations.