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Results obtained during the first 5 years of a randomized study of postoperative radiotherapy (50 Gy) are presented. Criteria for randomization were fulfilled in 494 of 861 patients with Dukes' B and C tumors, when the trial was closed. Severe complications from radiotherapy approximated 10%. Probability of survival without local failure within 24 months was significantly higher after radiotherapy in patients with Dukes' C tumors, and the time of local failure was delayed 1 year. Patients with Dukes' B tumors had no benefit from radiotherapy. Risks of distant metastases and death were not influenced by radiotherapy in the main groups. Plasma-CEA measurements were evaluated blindly, and radiotherapy changed the critical levels of CEA for detection of recurrent cancer. It was concluded that patients with Dukes' C tumors may benefit from radiotherapy and plasma-CEA levels are influenced by radiotherapy, which may be important, when these are used in screening for recurrent cancer.

Pleomorphic (giant cell) carcinomas have been described in the lungs, thyroid, pancreas, and gallbladder. Two pleomorphic carcinomas of the small bowel and two of the large bowel are presented. On light microscopic study, the carcinomas were solid, without squamous or glandular differentiation. The tumors were composed of the following three cell types: gemistocytic (giant) cells, smaller polygonal cells, and spindle cells, with identical immunohistochemical reactions. A panel of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies was applied. All tumors were found to coexpress keratin and vimentin. A positive reaction for neuron-specific enolase (NSE) was found in three tumors and a positive reaction for chromogranin was found in one tumor. On electron microscopic study, intracytoplasmic whorls of intermediate filaments were seen in the perinuclear area. Dense core "neurosecretory" granules were rarely seen. Intestinal pleomorphic carcinomas are histologically identical to pulmonary giant cell carcinomas. The prognosis is poor due to early tumor spread, with only a few months of postoperative survival. The pleomorphic carcinomas have some of the differentiation characteristics of carcinoid tumors and are best regarded as poorly differentiated variants of neuroendocrine carcinomas.

This paper describes the first reported Scandinavian case of massive unilateral oedema of the ovary. It represents the tenth such case in the literature. The probable pathogenesis is partial torsion of the mes-ovarium. If suspected clinically, such ovaries might be conserved.