Challenges of utilizing immunostains to facilitate the diagnosis and management of metastatic adenocarcinoma.

Women presenting with metastases from an unknown primary site represent a growing diagnostic challenge. Treatment is based upon the results of several diagnostic radiographic modalities that may locate the occult primary and determine the extent of metastatic tumor burden. Immunostaining represents another modality that can be used to facilitate identification and management of occult primary carcinoma.

Genomic instability of human aberrant crypt foci measured by inter-(simple sequence repeat) PCR and array-CGH.

Aberrant crypt foci (ACF) are the earliest identifiable neoplastic lesions in the colon. Thirty-two ACFs were examined for genomic instability in forms detectable either by inter-(simple sequence repeat) PCR or by array comparative genomic hybridization [array-CGH]. One-fourth of ACFs revealed moderate instability by inter-(simple sequence repeat) PCR; none showed amplifications or deletions on array-CGH.

A BALB/c murine lung alveolar carcinoma used to establish a surgical spontaneous metastasis model.

Line-1, a weakly immunogenic lung tumor cell line derived from the BALB/c mouse, metastasizes spontaneously to the lungs of mice following subcutaneous administration. The parameters that influence metastasis as well as the progression of metastatic lung disease following surgical resection of primary subcutaneous tumors were characterized. Histological analysis of the lungs obtained from mice bearing different size subcutaneous tumors demonstrated that >90% of the mice developed micrometastatic disease in the lungs when the tumor exceeded 650 mm3 in size.

Cancer immunotherapy with interleukin 12 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-encapsulated microspheres: coinduction of innate and adaptive antitumor immunity and cure of disseminated disease.

Tumor cells, injected s.c., were maintained until spontaneous metastases to the lungs were established in all of the mice.

Predictive factors associated with long-term survival in patients with neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas.

Background: Neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas are rare tumors. We identified predictive factors that are associated with long-term survival (> or=5 years).

Methods: Fifty patients with a diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas were retrospectively evaluated.

High-grade dysplasia within Barrett's esophagus: controversies regarding clinical opinions and approaches.

Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia is a well-known risk factor for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma, which has become the predominant form of esophageal cancer in the United States. This review addresses four major fundamental issues that shape our treatment decisions regarding high-grade dysplasia within Barrett's esophagus: (1) the poorly defined natural history of high-grade dysplasia in its progression to adenocarcinoma, (2) the potentially high morbidity and mortality of esophageal resection for high-grade dysplasia, (3) the difficulty in detecting cancer among dysplastic cells during endoscopy, and (4) the controversial role of endoscopic mucosal ablative therapy for high-grade dysplasia. Until there are more accurate surveillance methods, better biochemical or molecular markers in predicting cancerous progression, or more effective minimally invasive methods of treatment, esophagogastrectomy must be considered the standard means of managing patients with Barrett's esophagus and high-grade dysplasia.