Comparison of arteriosclerosis, neoplasms and diabetes as the three main killers of man in the industrialized world
Kaiser, H.E.; Bauer, I.
In Vivo 6(4): 451-466
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0258-851X PMID: 1520847 Document Number: 395883
Arteriosclerosis, neoplasms and diabetes are the three main killers in the industrialized world, complemented by infectious and parasitic diseases in the less developed countries. Neoplasms, the second most frequent killer in the industrializeed world, exhibit the highest diversity of pathologic structures involved. Arteriosclerosis, the first killer in the industrialized world, is more complex, dealing with aberrations of the arterial wall. In contrast to neoplasms, cases are restricted to a closed circulatory system as noted in the various phyla. Neoplasms are also known from the kingdom of plants and fungi, whereas arteriosclerosis is restricted to specific animal phyla, at least theoretically. Even more restricted is the distribution of diabetes which is known only in certain vertebrates. All three disease groups have a substantial impact on man's health.