Real time RT-PCR approach for the evaluation of ERBB2 overexpression in breast cancer archival samples: a comparative study with FISH, SISH, and immunohistochemistry.

We tested the reliability of real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions as an alternative method for the assessment of ERBB2 status in paraffin-embedded tissues of 83 patients with breast cancer and 20 non-neoplastic controls. PCR was also compared with the immunohistochemical (IHC) HercepTest score and with fluorescence (FISH) and silver (SISH) in-situ hybridization, in 42 selected cases. ERBB2 mRNA was overexpressed in 26/83 (31%) breast cancer samples, using a cutoff calculated as the mean value of the controls plus 3 SD or with the receiver operating curve.

Thorough intraoperative analysis of breast sentinel lymph node biopsies: histologic and immunohistochemical findings.

Background: We report the use of a thorough intraoperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy screening procedure for patients with small N0 breast tumors.

Methods: Sixty-eight consecutive female patients with monofocal stage I or "small" stage II (ie, 2.1-3.

[Volvulus of the gallbladder].

The gallbladder volvulus is a very rare but extremely dangerous event. Described for the first time by Wendel in 1898, it affects more frequently the female sex, particularly in old age. The clinical case of a patient affected by this pathology, personally observed, is presented and the initial symptoms, diagnostic procedures and surgical intervention are described in detail.

Neoplastic involvement of nipple-areolar complex in invasive breast cancer.

The neoplastic involvement of the nipple-areolar complex was histologically studied in 1,291 available consecutive mastectomy specimens with primary invasive breast carcinoma. Tumor involvement of the nipple-areolar complex was found in 150 specimens (12 percent) and was not suspected on gross examination in 99 patients (8 percent). A significant finding of our study was the relatively high rate of tumor foci in the nipple-areolar complex (7 percent) in those patients with early invasive stage I or II breast carcinoma eligible for conservative therapy.

Juvenile papillomatosis (epitheliosis) of the breast. A clinical and pathologic study of 13 cases.

The clinical and pathologic findings of 13 patients with juvenile papillomatosis (JP) (epitheliosis) of the breast are analyzed. The average age was 25 years, with a range from 15 to 42. Family history of breast carcinoma was observed in 33%.

Mammary carcinoma with argyrophilic cells: an immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study.

The immunohistochemical and ultrastructural findings of 7 primary argyrophilic tumors of the breast are described. Five cases were selected because of a growth pattern reminiscent of a "carcinoid" tumor and 2 were obtained from 70 consecutive common carcinomas. All patients were females (mean age 68.

Cystic lesion of the kidney with ultrastructural evidence of mesothelial origin.

A case of cystic renal mesothelioma in a 55 year-old woman is described. The patient had only intense pain in the left lumbar region. The tumor macroscopically appeared as a cystic multilocular mass, 20 cm.

Primary endocrine carcinoma of the parotid salivary gland associated with a lung carcinoid: a possible new association.

An endocrine carcinoma of the left parotid salivary gland in a 58-year-old woman is reported. The tumour displayed a large argyrophilic cell-component and at ultrastructural level endocrine-like granules (ELG) were evident. As endocrine-paracrine cells are not normally present in the parotid, it is suggested that the endocrine elements may have been derived from an anomalous differentiation of the ductal epithelial stem cells.

[Isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate in atypical liver resection in rats and rabbits: surgical technic and histostructural observations (author's transl)].

The authors examined the behavior of isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate in connection with atypical liver resection in rats and rabbits, both in terms of immediate hemostatic results and in regard to possible tissue toxicity and degradability of the monomer through serial histological examinations of the cut surface over time.

[Isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate in resection of the upper pole of the kidney in rats and rabbits: surgical technic and histological followup (author's transl)].

The authors explored the possibility of using isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate, a fast-setting plastic adhesive, for controlling parenchymal bleeding after resection of the upper pole of the kidney in rats and rabbits. They describe the immediate results of this technic and histological findings elicited at various removes after experimental surgery.