[Diffuse large cell lymphoma: new molecular approaches].

The term lymphoma comprises a group of neoplasias that develop within the lymphatic system and represent one of the most frequent types of cancer worldwide. During the last decade, significant advances on the molecular biology of lymphoma have been achieved, which have been important not only to understand the etiology of this disease, but also in the development of fast and accurate diagnostic and prognostic methods, which in turn, will allow us to develop appropriate treatments for individual patients. Current systems for the classification of lymphomas have also been influenced by new molecular tools, recently developed.

[Laryngeal plasmacytoma].

Solitary plasmocytoma is a rare presentation of plasma cell dyscrasia. About 1% od the patients can present with a extramedullary plasmocytoma; although bone presentation is the most frequent, in some cases, soft tissue can be affected. Radiotherapy remain as the election treatment.

[Hepatic biopsy in acute leukemia].

In 25 patients with acute leukemia that presented chantes in liver function tests, 29 liver biopsies were done by percutaneous needle or peritoneoscopy and directed needle, to determine the nature of the lesion. In one case leukemic infiltration was found; 16 patients showed nonspecific lesions, one, granulomatous hepatitis, one, viral hepatitis; one showed no changes in the biopsy. In these twenty cases the treatment was not modified, the survival time was from 15 to 57 months (median 25 months), and 14 an still in remission.

Pregnancy in patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura.

The obstetric and hematologic problems in 21 pregnancies of 18 patients with ATP are analyzed: one maternal and one fetal death occurred. Urinary estriol and oxytocinase were measured. Eighteen infants were born by vaginal delivery and three by cesarean section.