This report presents the findings of an epidemiological study of laryngeal cancer in Japan, based on 6,360 cases treated and registered during the 10-year period from 1960 through 1969. The number of the patients increased 1.5 times from 1960 to 1969. Geographically the absolute number of recorded cases was proportional to the population density; in other words, it was larger in heavily urbanized areas and smaller in rural regions. An anatomical classification revealed that the incidence of supraglottic and glottic cancer was about equal (3,121 and 3,176 cases), and subglottic cancer was only 1 percent of the total. Histologically, 98.6 percent were of the squamous cell carcinoma and 1.4 percent were of the basal cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma, etc. As to the age and sex distribution, the majority of the patients were 50 to 70 years old, and those in their 60's were most numerous. The ratio between men and women was 9.6 to 1. 56.1 percent of the patients surveyed were found to have a blood relation with a history of cancer and 31 percent were engaged in occupations where they used their voices frequently. Smoking habits were found in 96 percent of the patients surveyed and as many as 52 percent came under category of heavy smokers. Cigarette smoking might be regarded as a significant factor in laryngeal cancer, while alcohol consumption was not as significant a causal factor as smoking. The living environment had no explicit relationship to laryngeal cancer in the above-mentioned period of years.

Patients with cancer are concerned about the effects of the COVID-19 vaccination. We conducted an online survey on the COVID-19 vaccination status and side effects among patients with cancer in Japan between 8 and 14 August 2021. We included 1182 female patients with cancer aged 20–70 years and registered on an online patient website. Of the patients, 944 had breast cancer, 216 had gynecological cancer, 798 were undergoing drug/radiation therapy, and 370 were in follow-up. At the time of the survey, 885 patients had already received at least one dose. Of these, 580 had also received their second dose. The incidence rate of side effects was equivalent to previous reports. In patients with breast cancer, problems such as the onset or worsening of lymphedema or axillary lymphadenopathy metastasis requiring differential diagnosis were encountered following vaccination. A total of 768 patients were concerned about the vaccine at some point, and 726 consulted with their attending physicians about the timing or side effects of the vaccination. Of the 110 patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, 75 adjusted the timing of the vaccination based on their therapy. The cross-analysis revealed that 81% of those who consulted their physician had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination compared with 65% of those who had not consulted their physician. Consulting with a physician about the COVID-19 vaccination was found to alleviate the concerns of patients with cancer and encourage them to get vaccinated.

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A 77-year old woman was admitted to our hospital with a chief complaint of an uncomfortable feeling in the lower abdomen of one month's duration. Computed tomography demonstrated small intestine herniated into the right greater sciatic foramen. Elective laparoscopic surgery was performed because her abdominal symptom was thought to be caused by the sciatic hernia. During surgery, the sciatic foramen defect was identified, and the defect in the foramen was repaired with a mesh plug and patch. Sciatic hernias are very rare, and laparoscopic repair for sciatic hernias has not often been reported in Japan. This case is presented and discussed in the context of a review of the literature on sciatic hernia.

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