Superior performance of liquid-based versus conventional cytology in a population-based cervical cancer screening program.

Objective: Liquid-based cytology may offer improvements over conventional cytology for cervical cancer screening. The two cytology techniques were compared in a group of 86,469 women who participated in a population-based screening program. Using a nation-wide pathology database containing both cervical cytology and histology records for all patients, we compared the outcome of the two screenings methods with regard to the detection rate of histological proven abnormalities and the determination of the true false-negative rates for both methods.

Genomic profiling by array comparative genomic hybridization reveals novel DNA copy number changes in breast phyllodes tumours.

Breast phyllodes tumour (PT) is a rare fibroepithelial tumour. The genetic alterations contributing to its tumorigenesis are largely unknown. To identify genomic regions involved in pathogenesis and progression of PTs we obtained genome-wide copy number profiles by array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH).

A metastasis of an adenocarcinoma in a BRCA1 mutation carrier, a diagnostic problem not solved by morphology alone.

To increase awareness of the possible coexistence of an ovarian and breast carcinoma in a BRCA1 mutation carrier, we describe a patient with primary ovarian cancer who developed distant metastases after 3 years and again after 6 years. Surprisingly, at that time an occult breast carcinoma was identified to be the origin of the 2 metastatic locations as confirmed by molecular analysis. Eventually the patient could be treated accordingly.

Androgen pathway dysregulation in BRCA1-mutated breast tumors.

Background: Using array analysis for screening RNA from BRCA1-mutated and sporadic breast tumors, we observed that AIGF/FGF-8 expression was lost in BRCA1-mutated breast tumors. Since this growth factor is induced by androgens, we studied the androgen receptor (AR) expression in BRCA-mutated tumors and in matched sporadic breast tumors.

Methods: Paraffin embedded breast tumors of carriers of a BRCA1 mutation (n=41, median age of patients at time of surgery was 41 years [range 28-59 years]) or a BRCA2 mutation (n=14, median age 41 years [range 31-85 years]) were analyzed for the presence of ER-alpha, PR, P53 and AR using standard immunohistochemical techniques.

Surveillance with microsatellite analysis of urine in bladder cancer patients treated by radiotherapy.

Objectives: The interpretation of cystoscopy and cytology may be troublesome in bladder cancer patients previously treated by radiotherapy. We evaluated polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular cytology by microsatellite analysis (MA) and routine urine cytology (RUC) and expert urine cytology (EUC) as modes of surveillance for patients previously treated by radiotherapy with curative intent.

Methods: Eighty-one voided urine samples were obtained from 49 patients prior to cystoscopy and subjected to MA, RUC and EUC.

Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer patients. A preoperative staging procedure.

Currently, axillary lymph node dissection is increasingly being replaced by the sentinel node procedure. This method is time-consuming and the full immunohistochemical evaluation is usually only first known postoperatively. This study was designed to evaluate the accuracy of preoperative ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirations (FNAs) for the detection of non-palpable lymph node metastases in primary breast cancer patients.

Increased transplant-related morbidity and mortality in CMV-seropositive patients despite highly effective prevention of CMV disease after allogeneic T-cell-depleted stem cell transplantation.

We evaluated the efficacy, toxicity, and outcome of preemptive ganciclovir (GCV) therapy in 80 cytomegalovirus (CMV)-seropositive patients allografted between 1991 and 1996 and compared their outcome to 35 seronegative patients allografted during the same period. Both cohorts were comparable with respect to diagnosis and distribution of high- versus standard-risk patients. All patients received a stem cell graft from an HLA-identical sibling donor, and grafts were partially depleted of T cells in 109 patients.

Immunocytochemical detection of prognostic markers in breast cancer; technical considerations.

The purpose of this study was to establish a good technical procedure for immunocytochemical (IC) staining of prognostic markers in breast cancer specimens. The influence of various preparation, fixation and storage methods on ER, P53 and Ki-67 IC staining was assessed, using cells of two breast cancer cell lines T47D (ER/P53+) and ZR-75-ER (ER+, P53-). In addition we searched for a suitable transport medium.

Altered expression of p53 and its regulated proteins in phyllodes tumours of the breast.

The histological characteristics of phyllodes tumours of the breast are often not related to their clinical outcome. Additional studies must therefore be performed to investigate the possible relationship of cell biological parameters to the biological behaviour of these tumours. The expression of Ki-67, p53, and its regulated proteins has been studied in 19 primary phyllodes tumours, from patients with known follow-up, using immunohistochemical and molecular biological techniques.

Immunocytochemical staining of effusions; an external quality control study in The Netherlands.

In The Netherlands an external quality control study of immunocytochemical (IC) staining of effusions was initiated, consisting of three test rounds. The 12 participating laboratories received samples of malignant effusions (runs 1, 2 and 3), and five unstained control specimens prepared from the same material in runs 2 and 3. The laboratories used their own protocols to prepare and stain the samples ('in-house' specimens).

The clinical significance of androgen receptors in breast cancer and their relation to histological and cell biological parameters.

To analyse the clinical significance of the presence of androgen receptors (AR) in breast carcinomas, clinical and histological parameters of 153 primary breast carcinomas (median follow-up 46 months) were examined. Oestrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) levels were determined in cytosol preparations using enzyme immunoassay assays and in cryostat sections by immunohistochemistry. AR and Ki-67 levels were only determined immunohistochemically.

Quality control of immunocytochemical staining of effusions using a standardized method of cell processing.

Objective: To improve the quality and reproducibility of immunocytochemical staining of effusions by using a standardized method of cell processing.

Study Design: The study included the specimens of 108 effusions (44 benign, 56 adenocarcinoma metastases and 8 mesotheliomas). Hemorrhagic effusions were lysed using isotonic ammonium chloride.

[Good results in periodic screening in women with increased risk of breast cancer; retrospective study].

Objective: To determine the efficiency of surveillance among women with a high risk of breast cancer by semiannual breast examination and annual mammography.

Setting: 'Dr. Daniel den Hoed' Cancer Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Immunohistochemical determination of androgen receptors in relation to oestrogen and progesterone receptors in female breast cancer.

The expression of oestrogen (ER), progesterone (PR) and androgen (AR) receptors in female breast cancer was investigated by immunohistochemistry on snap-frozen tissue specimens of a series of 100 breast cancers. For detection of the AR we used a recently developed mouse monoclonal antibody specific for the N-terminal domain of the human AR. Expression of AR was compared with that of ER and PR as well as with tumour grade and age.

Ki-67 staining in histological subtypes of breast carcinoma and fine needle aspiration smears.

Thirty four cases of invasive breast carcinoma were analysed for heterogeneity of Ki-67 reactivity in a tumour, and proliferative activity in various histological subtypes was compared. The growth factions determined in areas of central and peripheral tumour were the same. Mucinous and lobular carcinoma showed lower Ki-67 activity than ductal carcinomas.

Prognostic scoring using cytomorphometry and lymph node status of patients with breast carcinoma.

Applying morphometry on FNA smears may lead to meaningful prognostic subgrouping of breast carcinomas. A statistical analysis of the cytomorphometric and clinical data of 73 patients with breast carcinoma was performed. By multivariate analysis, taking into account various prognostic factors, it was shown that variations in nuclear area and the presence of axillary metastases were the most important prognosticators.