Hypophysicteny with radioactive chromic phosphate in treatment of cancer.

Abstract

THE FIRST recorded instance of operative removal of the human hypophysis was reported by Chabanier, Puech, Lobo-Onell, and Lelu in 1936.1The operation was performed on a patient suffering from severe diabetes. A transfrontal approach was employed and the gland was removed by dissection, suction, and coagulation anterior to the optic chiasm. The patient survived, and the diabetes became more manageable. About the same time Elden2reported a case operated upon by Van Wagenen, in which the anterior lobe of the hypophysis had been largely destroyed by coagulation. The patient developed all the clinical manifestations of a severe pituitary deficiency. At autopsy, seven years later, remnants of glandular tissue were found. Hypophysectomies for malignant lesions were reported in 1952 by Perrault, Le Beau, Klotz, Sicard, and Clavel4and by Shimkin, Boldrey, Kelly, Bierman, Ortega, and Naffziger.5In both instances the progress of the malignant disease appeared