The effect of chemotherapy on status of estrogen receptors in primary tumors and lymph node metastases of human ductal breast cancer.

The aim of the study was the evaluation of ERalpha and ERbeta expression in primary tumors and lymph node metastases of breast cancer as well as the assessment of the influence of preoperative chemotherapy on these receptors with regard to changes in morphological appearance of primary tumors and their metastases. Immunohistochemical examinations were conducted on surgically removed ductal invasive breast cancers and their lymph node metastases of 135 patients. Seventy-one patients were spared preoperative chemotherapy which was administered to other 64 patients.

Increased expression of connexins 26 and 43 in lymph node metastases of breast cancer.

Background: Gap junctions are intercellular channels composed of connexins, which mediate the direct passage of small molecules between neighbouring cells. They are involved in regulation of cell cycle, cell signalling, and differentiation, and probably invasion and metastasis. The role of connexins in the metastatic process is controversial, because some studies indicate that connexin expression is inversely correlated with metastatic capacity.

[Effects of simvastatin only or in combination with continuous combined hormone replacement therapy on lipid levels in hypercholesterolemic women].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of simvastatin only or combined with continuous transdermal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the serum lipid profile in hypercholesterolaemic women.

Material And Methods: The study population consisted of 75 women after menopause, ranging in age from 45 to 62. The patients were divided into five groups: group I--women receiving HRT (Systen Sequi, Cilag); group II--HRT + statin (Systen Sequi, Cilag + Zocor, MSD); group III--HRT (Systen Conti, Cilag); group IV--HRT + statin (Systen Conti, Cilag + Zocor, MSD) and group V--statin only (Zocor, MSD).

Prognostic significance of CD34 expression in early cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

The aim of the study was to evaluate angiogenesis as an independent prognostic factor and to determine the correlation of the microvessel density (MD) with lymph node metastases and survival rate in 73 women operated because of invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix at clinical stages lb and IIa (FIGO). The patients were divided into two groups: I--25 (34.4%) with survival rate <5 years and II--48 (65.

Small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix--an uncommon variant of cervical cancer with neuroendocrine features.

Small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix represents an uncommon variant of cervical cancer with an extremely aggressive biologic behavior, minimum survival chances and rapid and fatal clinical course. This retrospective study included 73 cases of patients treated for invasive squamous carcinoma of the uterine cervix at stages Ib and IIa at the Department of Gynecology in the years 1996-2000. Six patients (8%) with SCC were identified among all cases, sharing the clinical features of young age and early failure of appropriate radical treatment in the presence of apparently low stage disease.