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The paper deals with the major research trends at the Laboratory since its establishment including fundamental theoretical and applied problems, perspectives and approaches to their solution.

The paper discusses results of a descriptive epidemiologic study of cancer mortality in the following three groups of retired women: (1) physicians of all specialties, (2) physician's assistants, midwives and nurses, and (3) practical nurses. Cancer mortality proved significantly increased in all the groups studied: 1.5, 1.3 and 1.1 higher, respectively. Moreover, the physician group was characterized by significantly higher mortality from rectal cancer, breast cancer and hemoblastoses (3.1, 4.2 and 2.6 times higher, respectively). Mortality rates for lung and breast cancer were 1.6 and 1.2 times higher in the nurse group whereas that for cervical cancer was increased in the practical nurses.

The paper discusses the results of an epidemiologic case-control study dealing with the risk of development of acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia in patients treated with radio- or chemotherapy. Out of 165 patients with primary multiple metachronous tumors, primary Hodgkin's disease, lymphosarcoma and breast, ovarian and testicular cancer, 18 developed secondary acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia; in 13, the primary tumor had been Hodgkin's disease, in 4--breast cancer and in one--testicular cancer. Relative risk (RR) of acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia proved higher in patients who had undergone radiation (RR = 6.4) or chemotherapy (RR = 1.9). Combination of those two procedures carried a higher risk, too (RR = 5.9). Relative risk of acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia proved the highest in patients treated with adriamycin (11.3) and nitrogen mustard (9.9) and much lower for cyclophosphamide (RR = 1.5).

The paper is concerned with a comparative evaluation of the costs of radical operative treatment of lung cancer in a specialized clinic versus the extent of surgery. The mean cost of surgical treatment of a lung cancer patient proved to be 495.58 roubles: pneumonectomy--563.71, partial resection of the lung--466.59 roubles.

The paper deals with an analysis of social and occupational rehabilitation of 1,031 females radically operated on for breast cancer. The term of follow-up ranged 5-26 years. On primary examination for disability rating 449 females (43.5%) were awarded Group 1-2 and 50 (4.9%)-Group III. 376 females (36.5%) did not apply for disability rating and went to work. 156 women (15.1%) were on pension or housewives. 822 females (79.7%) returned to employment, 285 (34.6%) of them being Group II invalids. 698 females (84.9%) went to work shortly after treatment. 619 women (60%) were beneficiaries on the rolls-378 (36.6%) of them received disability and 241 (23.4%) old-age benefits.

The paper discusses cytological classifications of precancer and cancer of the endometrium, esophagus and malignant lymphomas presented by cytologists from five Soviet research institutes of oncology. The classifications were based on the data of 4400 cases in conformity with WHO histologic classifications.

The paper deals with an analysis of the schemes of treatment of patients suffering from malignant tumors of the intestinal and respiratory tract, breast, cervix and corpus uteri in different Union Republics of the USSR within 1970-1980. This period witnessed noticeable improvements including increased effectiveness of the said schemes, extension of indications for surgery and development and integration of new drugs with practice.

The paper deals with the analysis of methods used in oncological establishments of the USSR in 1968-1972 and 1974-1980 to treat 19,864 patients with gastric cancer. Stage I or II tumors were identified in 10%, stage III-38 and IV-in 52% of cases. Radical treatment was performed in 34% of hospitalized patients. Surgery remains the most frequent procedure to be used for the treatment of stomach cancer including stage IV. Higher rate of radical treatment can be assured if, on the one hand, fewer patients refuse from operation and, on the other, fewer refusals are justified by concomitant pathology and old age.

The paper deals with the data on relative five-year survival in most frequently occurring cancers reported by The All-Union Center for the Evaluation of Effectiveness of Cancer Treatment for the USSR (1974-1980). The data were compared with those of a similar SEER (USA) program for 1973-1979.

The paper discusses procedures used at Soviet oncological establishment for the treatment of 11,089 cases of lung cancer within 1968-1972 and 1974-1980. Stage I-II cancer was diagnosed in 24%, while stage III--in 41 and stage IV--in 35%. Radical treatment was carried out in 20%. Radiation, chemotherapy and chemoradiation treatment were most frequently used in 1974-1980 (18, 20 and 10% of patients, respectively).

The paper discusses some problems of standardization of diagnostic reports made at different stages of cytologic examination in the course of mass gynecologic screenings. The stages were as follows: (1) sorting-out of pathologic and normal material, (2) primary cytologic diagnosis, (3) final cytomorphologic diagnosis. A cytomorphologic classification based on the degree of atypia of cervical epithelium and on histo-cytological correlations is suggested.

The paper deals with the preliminary results of a randomized study on the efficacy of health resort and sanatorium treatment of patients who underwent surgery for stomach tumors. Out of the total number of the patients who had applied for the treatment and had been examined by local oncologists, 35.4% proved to have recurrences and metastases, while the treatment was contraindicated in 25.6% of cases. It is recommended that practising oncologists should consult specialized oncological establishments in each particular case of application for health resort or sanatorium treatment.

The paper discusses the tumor characteristics and long-term results of treatment of 6875 cases of rectal cancer admitted to oncological institutions of the USSR within 1968-1980. Stage I-IIa ("minimal") tumors were detected in 9.4% of patients. Organ-saving procedures (local excision included) were performed in 57%. Five-year actuarial survival following surgery was 63% according to the All-Union Center for Research on Effectiveness of Cancer Treatment and 74%--according to the N. N. Petrov Research Institute of Oncology data.

The predictive value of risk factors of stomach cancer was studied on the basis of the results of a complex genetico-epidemiologic survey conducted with a view to identifying the group at risk. An optimal combination of these factors and the multifactor method of mathematical statistics were used in working out a decision instruction. Application of the latter offers an 80% credibility in selecting persons at high risk for stomach cancer development. The paper deals with the findings on a significant relationship between stomach cancer development and genetic and familial factors as well as on indications at certain changes in gastrointestinal function observed before clinical manifestation of the disease. The results point to the efficacy of complex clinical, genetic and epidemiologic studies conducted for prediction of neoplasms caused by a set of factors.