Cancer / illustrated by 1000 cases from the registers of the Middlesex Hospital.

  • Nunn, T. W. (Thomas William), 1825-1909.
Date:
1899
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Cancer / illustrated by 1000 cases from the registers of the Middlesex Hospital. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    Structure of Cancer. In the category of tumours, cancer holds a numerical pre-eminence* and stands histologically alone. On histological examination of a cancer we see three elements : 1, large cells, in juxtaposition, but not coherent, generally in groups ; 2, much smaller cells—scattered; and 3, a fibrillary tissue, a matrix or stroma endowed with blood, lymph vessels, and nerve; the degree of vas- cularity, by the way, determining the tangible features of the particular tumour. (Vide Plate I., Figs. 1 & 2.) Compared with sarcoma, for example, although cancer has some outside appearances in common with sarcoma, in its life history there is this well-marked difference—the salient characteristic of sarcoma is an active, rapid growth, an unlimited reproduction of non-deciduous cells, a repe- tition of the same tissue elements. A sarcoma crumbles down by its sheer bulk, and from extrinsic causes under- goes inflammation and ulceration; the accidental occur- rence of these processes alone curtails its exuberance. * Eoger Williams tabulated 15,481 primary tumours: 54-4 per cent, were cancers; 24 7 per cent, non-malignant tumours: 11-4 per cent, were cysts ; 9*4 per cent, sarcomas. B