PARADOXICAL INFLUENCE OF LIGHT RAYS AS A CAUSATIVE AND AS A CURATIVE FACTOR IN CANCER OF THE SKIN

The title of my paper requires elucidation from two standpoints. First, it is not my intent to take a definite position as to the ultimate etiologic factor in the production of cancer of the skin. Rather, I shall attempt to show to what extent radiant energy is able to produce a predisposition to the development of malignant degeneration and to demonstrate the mechanism of its activity in this direction. It is apart from my purpose to prove that the cellular damage caused by various rays is able alone to cause cancer, as it is obvious that one may be dealing merely with a soil made favorable for the development of cancer rather than with rays as an immediate causative agent. It shall be my purpose to attempt to explain whether the paradoxical effect of light rays in the causation of malignant degeneration and in its cure is the result of