The term "lymphoma" was originally used by Billroth in 1871 [55], and by Virehow [763] some years before that, for the designation of swelling of lymph nodes that was not due to "eareinoma, sareoma, ehondroma, myxoma, ete." In his paper, Billroth reeounted sueeessful treatment with arsenie (" Fowler's solution") of multiple "lymphomas" that had developed in a 40-year-old woman during a 10-month period. From this report it is not entirely clear if the multiple" lymphomas" deseribed were infeetious or if they were eonsis te nt with what we now mean by "malignant lymphoma." Today, the term "malignant lymphoma" is generally used eolleetively for malignant lymphoproliferative neoplasms that tend to arise in lymph nodes and also eneompasses Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The adjeetive "malignant" seems somewhat superfluous sinee, in addition to Bill roth's original eonnotation, the sense of malignaney is nowadays read into the word "lymphoma." To be sure, true, i. e., malignant, lymphomas have to be differentiated from "pseudolymphomas," or to put it more exaetly, "pseudomalignant lymphomas." In this book, "lymphoma" and "malignant lymphoma" are used interehan geably for malignant neoplastie lymphoproliferative disorders, and "pseudo lymphoma" is used for benign lymphomatous proeesses. Our editorial eonsultant, Dr. M. Leider, disagrees with all of this. In his Dictionary of Dermatological Words, Terms, and Phrases [421] and other works, he maintains that there is no etymologieal basis for words bearing the eontrived suffix"--Oma" or the true Greek suffix"--ma" to denote malignaney
TO THE ENGLISH EDITION Ionizing radiation has played an important role in the treatment of skin diseases for many decades. With strict adherence to modern standards of radiation protection, radiotherapy is a safe and effective method that benefits many patients who cannot be treated adequately by other means. Although indications for dermatologic radiotherapy have decreased significantly due to advances in other therapeutic modalities, many dermatologists feel strongly that ionizing radiation is an integral part of dermatologic therapy that should not be relinquished to other specialties because of the highly specialized anatomic, pathologic, and technologic knowledge required. A recent survey of the National Program for Dermatology showed that 44% of 2,444 responding dermatologists use radiotherapy regularly for various skin conditions, particularly in the treatment of cutaneous carcinomas. Significantly, the American Board of Dermatology has decided to continue its requirement of special knowledge in dermatologic radiation therapy for board certification. Because I have taught this dermatologic subspecialty at various levels, both in Europe and in the United States, I readily agreed to accept Pro fessor Braun-Falco's invitation to cooperate with him and Dr. Lukacs in the preparation of the English edition of this new guide. The text deals mostly with modern concepts of dermatologic radiotherapy and empha sizes practical aspects of treatment. Although it is written as an introduc tion for young dermatologists, it may also be useful to experienced clinicians who want to keep up with recent developments in this field.
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