Wang Yuan'er (1932-1992) was a native of Jiangxi province. He graduated from Medical Treatment Department of Wuhan Medicine College in 1957. In 1967, he received his master degree from Capital University of Medical Sciences with a major in gynecological tumor. He had been working in Department of Gynecology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital since graduation. He was vice dean and professor of Department of Gynecology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital since graduation. Since early 1970s, under leadership of Prof. Song Hongzhao, he had been engaged in clinic research on Choriocarcinoma and malignant hydatidiform mole. He also made some research on gestational trophoblast disease, cytoplasmic inheritance, cure and immunization. He was awarded "Physician of the Year" by China Medicine Forum in 1988. He published more than 40 pieces of theses. He was also one of the writers of treatises: Diagnosis and Treatment of Choriocarcinoma and Gynecological Tumor.
CURATIVE TREATMENT OF CHORIOCARCINOMA
Song Hongzhao
(Department of OB/GYN, Peking Union Medical College Hospital)
Abstract
Choriocarcinoma is a highly malignant cancer of women. It is characterized by early and widespread metastasis. Once it is diagnosed, patients usually die within one year. For a long time, there was no satisfactory treatment.
Since 1949, a comprehensive study of this disease has been carried out. Through an effort of nearly 40 years, several chemotherapeutic agents were proved to be very effective for this disease. Up to the end of 1985, a total of 1400 cases were treated. The mortality rate has been reduced from more than 90% to less than 15%. All survivors were followed up periodically for more than 5 years. Repeated examinations with modern techniques revealed no sign of residual disease, indicating that they are cured. Among them about one sixth belonged to very late cases with generalized metastases all over the body, including brain, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, and intestine. All have returned to work. About one fifth of the patients who were young and desirous of child-birth were treated with chemotherapy alone without removal of uterus. 86.7%of them became pregnant after recovery with a total of 387 live births. All babies are growing up normally. Twenty married and 15 gave birth to normal third generation. Cytogenetic study of the peripheral lymphocytes of one third of the second generation and half of the third generation randomizedly selected revealed no deviation from normal in chromosomal number and aberrations. The eldest grand-children was now 8 years old. There was no increase of incidence of obstetric problem of mother and incidence of recurrence.
Besides, some other studies were also conducted. The outstanding achievements are as follows.