Carl Arnold Ruge
Encyclopedia
Carl Arnold Ruge was a German pathologist who was a native of Berlin
. For most of his career he was associated with clinical work done at the Charité
-Berlin. From 1882 until 1912 he was director of the pathological institute at the gynecological clinic at the Charité. He worked closely with Karl Ludwig Ernst Schroeder
(1838-1887), who was director of the gynecology clinic. Ruge was a nephew of pathologist Rudolf Virchow
(1821-1902).
Ruge pioneered microscopic diagnostics in the field of gynecology. With his associate Johann Veit
(1852–1917), he is credited with establishing the groundwork for contemporary gynecological pathology and histology
. In the 1870s the two men introduced the surgical
biopsy
as a necessary diagnostics tool. From their biopsies, they demonstrated that there were too many cases of unnecessary surgeries for cervical cancer
, and proved that physicians were often incapable of detecting cancer
without the aid of a biopsy. Ruge is also credited for contributions made concerning early detection of uterine cancer
.
Ruge is also credited with having first defined varicose veins
as "any dilated, elongated and tortuous vein irrespective of size".
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. For most of his career he was associated with clinical work done at the Charité
Charité
The Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin is the medical school for both the Humboldt University and the Free University of Berlin. After the merger with their fourth campus in 2003, the Charité is one of the largest university hospitals in Europe....
-Berlin. From 1882 until 1912 he was director of the pathological institute at the gynecological clinic at the Charité. He worked closely with Karl Ludwig Ernst Schroeder
Karl Ludwig Ernst Schroeder
Karl Ludwig Ernst Friedrich Schroeder was a German gynecologist . He studied medicine at the Universities of Würzburg and Rostock. He earned his doctorate in 1864, and became an assistant to Gustav Veit at the University of Bonn. Afterwards he practiced medicine at the University of Erlangen and...
(1838-1887), who was director of the gynecology clinic. Ruge was a nephew of pathologist Rudolf Virchow
Rudolf Virchow
Rudolph Carl Virchow was a German doctor, anthropologist, pathologist, prehistorian, biologist and politician, known for his advancement of public health...
(1821-1902).
Ruge pioneered microscopic diagnostics in the field of gynecology. With his associate Johann Veit
Johann Veit
Johann Veit was a German gynecologist. He was the son of obstetrician and gynecologist Gustav Veit ....
(1852–1917), he is credited with establishing the groundwork for contemporary gynecological pathology and histology
Histology
Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...
. In the 1870s the two men introduced the surgical
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
biopsy
Biopsy
A biopsy is a medical test involving sampling of cells or tissues for examination. It is the medical removal of tissue from a living subject to determine the presence or extent of a disease. The tissue is generally examined under a microscope by a pathologist, and can also be analyzed chemically...
as a necessary diagnostics tool. From their biopsies, they demonstrated that there were too many cases of unnecessary surgeries for cervical cancer
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is malignant neoplasm of the cervix uteri or cervical area. One of the most common symptoms is abnormal vaginal bleeding, but in some cases there may be no obvious symptoms until the cancer is in its advanced stages...
, and proved that physicians were often incapable of detecting cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
without the aid of a biopsy. Ruge is also credited for contributions made concerning early detection of uterine cancer
Uterine cancer
The term uterine cancer may refer to any of several different types of cancer which occur in the uterus, namely:*Uterine sarcomas: sarcomas of the myometrium, or muscular layer of the uterus, are most commonly leiomyosarcomas.*Endometrial cancer:...
.
Ruge is also credited with having first defined varicose veins
Varicose veins
Varicose veins are veins that have become enlarged and tortuous. The term commonly refers to the veins on the leg, although varicose veins can occur elsewhere. Veins have leaflet valves to prevent blood from flowing backwards . Leg muscles pump the veins to return blood to the heart, against the...
as "any dilated, elongated and tortuous vein irrespective of size".