Mammographic and sonographic spectrum of non-puerperal mastitis.

The goal of this study was to explore possible specific mammographic and sonographic features in women with non-puerperal mastitis (NPM), in order to make an accurate diagnosis and prevent unnecessary surgical procedures. From a group of 93 patients with NPM diagnosed between 1987 and 1992, the mammograms of 41, the sonograms and cytology of 47, and the histology of seven patients were retrospectively reviewed. Follow-up was performed on those without histology.

Role of tumor-derived fibroblasts in the growth of primary cultures of human breast-cancer cells: effects of epidermal growth factor and the somatostatin analogue octreotide.

In the present study we have investigated the role of human breast-cancer-derived fibroblasts in the proliferation of primary cultures of epithelial cells derived from the same tumor. For this purpose, a co-culture system, using Transwell tissue-culture inserts with microporous membranes was employed. Fibroblasts and epithelial cells were enriched according to differences in their density on Percoll density gradients.

Somatostatin receptor-dependent growth inhibition of liver metastases by octreotide.

Rats were administered the somatostatin analogue octreotide 15 micrograms intraperitoneally twice daily for 4 weeks after intraportal injection of somatostatin receptor-positive pancreatic tumour cells (CA-20948) and somatostatin receptor-negative colonic tumour cells (CC531). Octreotide significantly inhibited the growth and development of somatostatin receptor-positive tumour cells in the liver. The median number of liver tumours was 286 (range 146 to greater than 500) in the treated animals and more than 500 (range 250 to in excess of 500) in the controls (P < 0.

Somatostatin-receptor scintigraphy in primary breast cancer.

Somatostatin-receptor (SS-R) scintigraphy successfully shows primary cancers and distant metastases in most patients with carcinoids, islet cells tumours, and paragangliomas. Previous in-vitro studies indicated that somatostatin receptors are present in human breast cancers. We report positive scintigraphy with [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide in 39 of 52 primary breast cancers (75%).

Somatostatin receptor-positive primary breast tumors: genetic, patient and tumor characteristics.

In a series of 87 primary breast tumors, somatostatin receptor (SSR) expression was detected by in vitro autoradiography in 58 tumors. In 41 tumors the SSR expression was homogeneous and in 17 it was heterogeneous. Although the tumors were not selected by the investigators upon entry in the study, examination of the tumor and patient characteristics showed that a pre-selection had taken place for small tumors.

111In-octreotide scintigraphy in oncology.

Various tumors of neuroendocrine origin that have amine precursor and decarboxylation (APUD) characteristics can be visualized in vivo after intravenous injection of the somatostatin analogue [123I-Tyr3]-octreotide. However, the relatively short effective half-life of this compound and the high background of radioactivity in the abdomen are drawbacks in its application. Therefore, an 111In-coupled somatostatin analogue ([111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide) was developed.

111In-octreotide scintigraphy in oncology.

Various tumors of neuroendocrine origin that have amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation (APUD) characteristics can be visualized in vivo after intravenous (IV) injection of the somatostatin analogue, [123I-Tyr3]-octreotide. However, the relatively short effective half-life of this compound and the high background of radioactivity in the abdomen are drawbacks to its application. Therefore, an 111In-coupled somatostatin analogue ([111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]- octreotide) was developed.