Adenoma of the non-pigmented ciliary epithelium: a rare intraocular tumor with unusual immunohistochemical findings.

A case of adenoma of the non-pigmented ciliary epithelium with smooth muscle differentiation is reported. This uncommon ocular tumor affected a 36-year-old woman, and had caused decreased visual acuity and a total cataract. Ultrasound biomicroscopy disclosed an associated persistent hyperplasic primary vitreous (PHPV).

Uncommon cause of juvenile cataract: adenoma of the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium.

Adenoma of the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium developed in a 36-year-old woman, causing decreased visual acuity and a total cataract in the involved eye. Ultrasound biomicroscopy disclosed associated persistent hyperplasic primary vitreous (PHPV). Sectoral cyclectomy with removal of the mass and intracapsular cataract extraction were performed, and the tumor was submitted for histological examination.

Laminin alpha2 chain-positive vessels and epidermal growth factor in lung neuroendocrine carcinoma: a model of a novel cooperative role of laminin-2 and epidermal growth factor in vessel neoplastic invasion and metastasis.

Capillaries expressing the laminin alpha2 chain in basement membranes may be considered early developing vessels in normal and neoplastic human tissues. Therefore, we investigated whether up-regulation of this extracellular matrix protein favors transendothelial migration of neoplastic cells and then metastasis. In lung small and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas, which exhibit a stronger metastatic tendency among carcinomas, laminin alpha2 chain-positive vessels were more numerous than in carcinoid tumors and supraglottis, breast, and lung non-small cell carcinomas, suggesting a direct relationship between these vessels and metastasis.