Cytokeratins 7 and 20 and mucin core protein expression in esophageal cervical inlet patch.

Cervical inlet patch (CIP) is defined by the presence of gastric mucosa within the first few centimeters of the esophagus. Several endoscopic series have demonstrated a frequent association of CIP with Barrett's esophagus (BE) suggesting a pathogenetic link. A histochemical study reporting the presence of acid mucin in CIP, including sulfomucin, supports this hypothesis.

Histopathologic aspects of photodynamic therapy for dysplasia and early adenocarcinoma arising in Barrett's esophagus.

The efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) is currently evaluated for the treatment of superficial neoplasms arising in Barrett's esophagus (BE). An accurate assessment of this technique requires the evaluation of biopsies before and after treatment. However, despite the importance of pathology, only a limited number of studies have systematically assessed the mucosal changes after PDT.

Direct evidence that the VEGF-specific antibody bevacizumab has antivascular effects in human rectal cancer.

The effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) blockade on the vascular biology of human tumors are not known. Here we show here that a single infusion of the VEGF-specific antibody bevacizumab decreases tumor perfusion, vascular volume, microvascular density, interstitial fluid pressure and the number of viable, circulating endothelial and progenitor cells, and increases the fraction of vessels with pericyte coverage in rectal carcinoma patients. These data indicate that VEGF blockade has a direct and rapid antivascular effect in human tumors.

EUS-guided photodynamic therapy of the pancreas: a pilot study.

Background: Photodynamic therapy of pancreatic cancer by using percutaneously placed light catheters has been reported. The feasibility and safety of EUS-guided photodynamic therapy of the pancreas was studied in a porcine model.

Methods: After injection of porfimer sodium, a 19-gauge needle was inserted into the pancreas, the liver, the spleen, and the kidney under EUS guidance.

Endoscopic mucosal resection for gastric epithelial neoplasms: a study of 39 cases with emphasis on the evaluation of specimens and recommendations for optimal pathologic analysis.

Endoscopic mucosal resection of gastric neoplasms is a curative technique that avoids surgery and its potential complications. Infrequently performed in the West, the limitations, pitfalls and challenges provided by this new therapeutic modality are not well known by general surgical pathologists. We evaluated a series of 39 endoscopic mucosal resections and assessed the correlation between original biopsies and final diagnoses, depth of excision, status of deep and lateral margins, artifactual changes and recurrence rate.

Role of lymphocytic immunophenotyping in the diagnosis of gluten-sensitive enteropathy with preserved villous architecture.

Clinically significant gluten-sensitive enteropathy (GSE) can be associated with architecturally normal small bowel villi and evenly distributed increased intraepithelial T lymphocytes (IELs). This distribution pattern of IELs has been shown to be a sensitive feature of GSE but to be of relatively low specificity, thus limiting its usage as a diagnostic marker. We demonstrate herein the potential diagnostic role of IEL immunophenotyping.

Pathologic spectrum and prognostic significance of underlying liver disease in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Although controversy persists about the influence of cirrhosis on the incidence of portal vein invasion and other prognostic indicators of recurrence and survival (e.g., histologic grade, mitotic activity, multiplicity), it is clear that the degree of cirrhosis is important for the long-term survival of patients with HCC.

Mediastinal epithelioid hemangioendothelioma resected by hemi-plastron window technique.

We report a case of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma arising from the left brachiocephalic vein in the anterior superior mediastinum of a 41-year-old man. The tumor was resected by local excision using a novel approach, the "hemi-plastron window" technique. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and no recurrence of tumor 28 months after surgical treatment.