Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms

Although it is stressed by the authors that at best these figures are an informed estimate, and also taking into account the change in denominators, it is nevertheless apparent that a considerable difference exists. Iverson, reporting the finding 'of the joint project, presents convincing data, with statistical analysis, and discusses sampling problems and possible etiologic factors. Choriocarcinoma occurs in men, both in the testis and in extragenital sites. These tumors are of great interest for a number of reasons but two deserve special comment. The first is the puzzling observation of a higher incidence of such tumors in men, compared with similar tumors, of non-trophoblast origin, in women. The second is the possible significance of the finding that approximately one-half of the choriocarcinomas and teratomas in men possess the Barr nuclear chromatin particle, or "female" marker. These and other problems are discussed in the interesting review by N. B. Friedman. The final paper presents the encouraging results obtained by Roy Hertz and his group in the treatment of choriocarcinoma and related trophoblastic tumors in women with the folic acid antagonist, "methotrexate." The rationale of this mode of therapy is based on the high folic acid requirement of tissues of both the fetus and the maternal genital tract. Again it is regrettable that the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences do not contain subject indexes which, it is felt by this reviewer, would contribute appreciably to the usefulness of such publications, especially to the casual reader. The organizers of the conference are to be congratulated for arranging this varied program with an international flavor which includes contributions of a uniformly high standard in nearly all fields of current interest in trophoblast.