Granular cell tumors of the breast. Steroid receptor analysis and localization of carcinoembryonic antigen, myoglobin, and S100 protein.

Granular cell tumors occur in a variety of sites, including the breast (6%). Origins from histiocytic, myogenic, fibroblastic, and neurogenic elements have been proposed. Female predominance suggests that estrogenic hormones are involved.

Correlation of mean nuclear area with estrogen receptor content in aspiration cytology of breast carcinoma.

Thin needle aspirates of 42 consecutive breast carcinomas were obtained at the time of excisional biopsy. Nuclear diameters of 100 cells from each case were measured, and the nuclear areas were calculated. The concomitantly acquired histologic sections were reviewed and assigned a histologic grade according to the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast Project protocol no.

The correlation of cytologic grade and steroid receptor content in effusions of metastatic breast carcinoma.

The synthesis of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) proteins by mammary carcinoma cells is a manifestation of biochemical differentiation. This study was an attempt to determine whether this acquisition of functional differentiation correlates with cytologic differentiation. Malignant effusions from 30 patients with mammary carcinoma were studied.

Multicentric renal oncocytoma.

Renal cell oncocytomas are benign tumors of tubular epithelial origin. They usually occur as single nodules and may be confused clinically with renal cell carcinoma. We report an unusual case of multiple, discrete renal cell oncocytomas.

Adrenocorticotropin production by a mammary carcinoma.

A patient with clinical hypercortisolism and an infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the right mammary gland is presented. Provocative testing of adrenal function demonstrated the pattern of ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) production. Ultrastructural analysis of the tumor revealed 150-200 nm electron-dense granules that when primarily fixed in OsO4 appeared as membrane-bound, centrally dense cored granules.

Comparison of sex steroid receptor analyses and carcinoembryonic antigen with clinical response to hormone therapy.

This study corroborates previous reports which suggested the efficacy of estrogen receptor (ER) analysis in predicting responses of patients with metastatic mammary carcinoma to hormonal therapeutic manipulation. The predictive value of multiconcentration titration and sucrose density gradient analyses of ERs and progesterone receptors (PRs) are compared. The predictive value of ER analyses can be improved by the discrimination of 8S versus 4S binding species or by the use of PR analysis in combination with ER analysis.

Correlation of estrogen and progesterone receptors with histologic differentiation in mammary carcinoma.

Using a modification of the histologic grading system of the NSABP, we observed a trend towards higher levels of estrogen (E2R) and progesterone receptor (PR) content in well (grade I) and moderately (grade II) differentiated mammary carcinomas. This relationship between receptor content and histologic grade is enhanced by considering estrogen and progesterone receptor simultaneously. The rank correlation between the quantitative levels of E2R and PR was 0.

Apocrine differentiation in human mammary carcinoma.

Six invasive carcinomas that contained apocrine differentiation as the primary morphologic pattern were selected from a series of 1500 prospectively examined breast carcinomas (0.4%). While apocrine features were seen in many breast tumors, these six cases were identified by uniformly fine granular, pale, eosinophilic cytoplasm with apical cytoplasmic projections similar to that seen in apocrine metaplasia.

Adenocarcinoma of Bartholin's gland.

Bartholin's gland carcinoma is an uncommon disease representing 0.1% of all female genital malignant neoplasms. Five Bartholin's gland adenocarcinomas were selected by the criteria of Chamlian and Taylor.

Energy dispersive x-ray detection of thorium dioxide.

Since the recognition of the development of certain malignant neoplasms in association with thorium dioxide (Thorotrast), its presence has been documented by light microscopic appearance and time-consuming autoradiography. Energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis can be used in the rapid documentation of thorium in paraffin-embedded tissues and it is confirmed that thorium is the principal component of the granular deposits described by light microscopy.

Cytologic detection of hepatic metastases.

Cytologic preparations and histologic specimens from 404 liver biopsies were reviewed. The cytologic specimens were prepared from the saline rinsings of the Klatskin biopsy needle. Malignant neoplasms were detected by both methods in 50 cases.

Dirofilaria immitis: a zoonosis of clinical concern.

Dirofilaria immitis, the dog heartworm, is responsible for an endemic zoonosis in the Southeastern United States. The nematode is capable of infesting the lungs of man, causing pulmonary nodules. The epidemiologic, morphologic, and clinical features of D immitis infestation are discussed.