title: The evolution of the concept of the use of surgical castration in the palliation of breast cancer in pre-menopausal females.
abstract: The understanding of the association of mammalian ovarian function with lactation was common knowledge to dairy-men early in the 19th century or earlier. This thesis reviews the application of these empiric observations to lactation in humans by Beatson of Glasgow, supported by his preliminary laboratory investigations. Beatson noted the cellular anatomic similarity between pre-gestational breast and carcinoma. This study reviews the progressive development of the successful clinical application of castration for the control of inoperable breast cancer by Beatson in pre-menopausal women in 1895. The review terminates with its leading to the monumental work of Huggins in 1941.
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D002369:Castration / Q000266:history*; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000266:history; D006666:History of Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation; D008593:Menopause; D010166:Palliative Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D012606:Scotland