Crude and age-specific incidence of cancer of the stomach, colon, breast, and lung ascertained by autopsy frequency in the Heidelberg area from 1900 to 1975

Abstract

Time independence of the selection of autopsy material of the Institute of Pathology of the University of Heidelberg can be assumed as all factors depending on this selection show a remarkable steadiness during the period covered: The mean age of death of patients on whom an autopsy was performed and was not performed is the same, the sex ratio remains unchanged, the number of persons who died in the Heidelberg area has decreased only slightly, and the percentage of dead patients with last residence in this area that were autopsied also remains unchanged. By documenting all pathoanatomic diseases without separating the cause of death, the crude and age-specific incidence of lung, colon, breast, and gastric cancer can be estimated from the beginning of this century up to the present time. The data given in this paper show a decrease of the risk of gastric cancer at younger ages, a quite steady risk of colon cancer, and a steeply increasing risk of lung and breast cancer. The epidemiologic meaning of these data is discussed briefly.

Transcription phenotype of circulating tumor cells in non-metastatic breast cancer

“…Thus women who live longer will be deemed "cured". This should be considered in the context of the fact that autopsy demonstrated the presence of cancer in humans that was not diagnosed during life (Narod et al, 2015), and also that latent metastases not diagnosed by conventional imaging methods were found in patients with breast cancer (Kayser & Burkhardt, 1980). This, along with an understanding of the metastatic process, is the fundamental basis for the MRD study in breast cancer.…”

Minimal residual disease in breast cancer: an overview of circulating and disseminated tumour cells

“…However, the majority of recurrences occur in the first 5 years after diagnosis; so long term survivors are more likely to be ‘cured’. This should be considered alongside the fact that old autopsy studies have demonstrated the presence of cancers in people who had otherwise been undiagnosed [ 8 ], and that occult metastases undetectable by conventional imaging have been demonstrated in breast cancer patients [ 9 ]. This, alongside understanding the metastatic process, is the fundamental basis for the need to study MRD.…”