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Show Pag Tlmas-Thursda- y, January 21, 1982 The physician aims the lasers pinpoint beam at a lesion, pushes a button and disintegrates it instantaneously. An increasingly popular surgical instrument, the laser offers a new way to treat preinvasive and cancerous lesions of the female reproductive tract. The hospital recently purchased a carbon dioxide laser with an Eccles Foundation donation to the Deseret Foundation, the hospitals development division, announces David B. Wirthlin, hospital administrator. Two LDS Hospital physicians, Dr. Gary H. Johnson and Dr. W . Gary Smith, plan to evaluate the lasers effectiveness in treating preinvasive cancer of the vulva, vagina and cervix. Both physicians are gynecologic oncologists, subspecialists in obstetrics and gynecology who receive additional training in their field and must pass vigorous national tests. They are qualified in surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, and can offer centralized cancer treatment to SALT LAKE CITY women. As the regions only board-certifie- d gynecologic oncologists, they see patients from throughout Utah and the Inter- - mountain Region by referral only. The new carbon dioxide laser safely vaporizes extremely small lesions. Each woman is treated on an outpatient basis and receives local anesthestic or no cervix. anesthetic for the The physicians works with the laser a special a colposcope, theough stereoscopic optical instrument that light source and. possesses a magnifies the surface that it views 15 times. The laser is not a panacea. Its an experimental method used to cure preinvasive cancer in the cervix, vulva and vagina. Its usefulness still must be proven, Dr. Johnson explains. The laser appears advantageous in treating preinvasive cancer of the vagina, since its difficult to operate in such small spaces. The laser can discretely destroy abnormal tissue, the cancer specialist says. These cancers are more rare than preinvasive cancer of the cervix. In the cervix, the laser may promote more rapid healing and less scarring than method of the current ' treatment choice cyrocauterization, the physician says. That conclusion must be tested, however. pain-insensiti- ve high-intensi- ty In cryocauterization, a nitrous oxide probe is placed against the cervix. The tissue temperature drops to minus 97 degrees Centigrade. An ice ball forms, and the abnormal tissue sloughs off. The probe destroys a larger amount of tissue than the laser. Women who are treated with cryocauterization experience a vaginal discharge for approximately 14 days. Dr. Johnson reports 87 percent of the women who undergo cryocauterization remain free of disease during significant follow-u- p periods. Because cryocauterization is so effective, the gynecologic oncologists must evaluate the lasers role in preinvasive cancer of the cervix, Dr. Johnson points out. Cost effectiveness should also play a role in the evaluation, he says. Both procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. However, laser treatment is more expensive. The laser cost $25,000, while cryocauterization equipment carries a $400 price tag. tax issue. One method of partially meeting the increases asked for in the Governors request would be to increase property taxes at the local level, therefore transferring over $20 million from state to local governments. If the total severance tax package were adopted it would generate a like amount. The first week of the Utah Legislatures 44th Budgetary session drew to a close after several bills were passed on for vote by both consideration by a two-thir- ds houses. The abbreviated budget session is the last regularly scheduled meeting to Novembers general election of the reapportioned Legislature. More than 100 bills were prefiled by lawmakers. Those which are not of budgetary nature must pass an enabling resolution by both houses to be able to be brought up for debate. The process of enabling resolutions came under fire this week when Legislators claimed time was wasted on discussing whether or not to bills. Balancing discuss Governor Mathesons proposed $1.8 billion budget for next year is the main task lawmakers need to conclude before the January 30 deadline. The Governor is asking Legislators to make between $25 and $35 million in tax increases to balance the budget. Most of the legislators agree with the general thrust of the Governors budget, but several disagree with his proposals for increases, both for state employees and property taxes. There is also widespread division on the severance non-budgeta- ry The Governor has also asked for a $5 increase in drivers licenses and a $5 in yearly auto registrations, along with increases for large truck permits. If passed, these increases would partially fund the need for highway and road maintenance, both at the state and local levels. The legislature will probably be quite conservative in its actions, but some of the above will undoubtedly be passed, which means increases in taxes to some extent. Your opinions are welcome in regards to these issues and any others that are being deliberated. Do not hestitate to conduct myself or any of the other legislators with your suggestions. Senator William T. Bill Barton, Twelfth District, Salt Lake County, 3940 W est 4 1 00 South, Granger, UT 84120. in--cre- ov When You Need Assistance... We are always here to take care of those many details that arise when death occurs. Just one call places our entire staff and facilities at your service. uncra SHOVELIN OUT When your neighbors in Fallon, Nevada woke up January 5, they found 12 inches of snow to greet them, the heaviest recorded snowfall since May 6, 1964 when 6 inches covered the ground. This picture was taken at the Maine-Williaintersection in downtown Fallon. ms ome 8525 West 2700 South, Magna Phono: 250-262- 4 |