Non-cystic solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas showing nuclear accumulation and activating gene mutation of beta-catenin.

Solid-pseudopapillary tumor (SPT) is an unusual pancreatic neoplasm that is characterized by a mixture of solid and cystic components and a fibrous capsule. Recently, the tumorigenesis of SPT has been reported to be associated with gene mutations of beta-catenin, which is a molecule participating in the Wnt signaling pathway. Reported herein is the case of a 53-year-old woman with SPT.

Umbilical metastasis from breast cancer related with tumor marker elevation.

We describe a 53-year-old woman with tumor marker abnormality caused by an umbilical metastasis from breast cancer. She had undergone breast conservation therapy (BCT) for breast cancer (T2N1M0) 9 years previously. Umbilical metastasis was detected 9 months after tumor marker elevation was first noted.

Localization of thymidine phosphorylase in breast cancer tissue.

Thymidine phosphorylase levels are higher in some human cancer tissues than in adjacent normal tissue. However, the ultrastructural localization of thymidine phosphorylase in cancer tissue has been demonstrated only in advanced gastric and colorectal cancer. We investigated the localization of thymidine phosphorylase in breast cancer tissue by immunohistochemistry and its ultrastructural localization by immunoelectron microscopy.

Localization of thymidine phosphorylase in advanced gastric and colorectal cancer.

Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) is known to be more concentrated in human cancer tissues than in adjacent normal tissue based on findings using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry. However, the ultrastructural localization of TP in cancer tissues has not previously been demonstrated. We investigated the localization of TP in gastric cancer and colorectal cancer tissue by ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and immunoelectron microscopy.

CT findings of breast cancer with clinically complete response following neoadjuvant chemotherapy--histological correlation.

In breast cancer patients, several regimens of neoadjuvant chemotherapy have been developed in order to achieve prognostic advantages for individual patients. Though some percentages of breast cancer patients show clinically complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the histopathological specimens of these patients demonstrate a considerably high frequency of the existence of residual disease. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer patients showing clinically complete response (cCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, using thin-section (5 mm) helical CT (prone position) with bolus injection of contrast agent.

Thin-section CT evaluation and pathologic correlation of therapeutic effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for axillary lymph nodes of clinically node-positive breast cancer patients.

In breast cancer patients, the number of surgically resected metastatic axillary lymph nodes has been considered to correlate closely with patient prognosis. Therefore, if metastatic lymph nodes could be controlled by neoadjuvant chemotherapy pre-operatively, we would be able to select a more appropriate regimen of post-operative chemotherapy for the individual patient and expect prognostic advantages of each patient with node-positive breast cancer. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for metastatic lymph nodes of node-positive breast cancer patients, using thin-section (5 mm) helical CT (prone-position) with bolus injection of contrast agent.

Three-dimensional demonstration of cystic duct by helical CT scanning.

Background/aims: We evaluated the usefulness of helical CT scanning with drip-infusion cholangiography for the delineation of choleductal anatomy in preparation for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methodology: One hundred and five cases underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholecystolithiasis in our department from March 1993 to July 1998. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was carried out in 58 cases and helical CT scanning with drip-infusion cholangiography, including, three-dimensional CT in 31 cases.

Breast-conservation treatment for bilateral breast cancer in five Japanese women.

Between August 1989 and September 1999, breast-conservation treatment (BCT) was performed in 250 of 256 breast cancer patients. Five of the 250 patients had bilateral breast cancer, and 4 with synchronous bilateral breast cancer of the 5 were concomitantly treated by chemo-endocrine therapy before simultaneous breast-conservation surgery for bilateral breast cancer. Chemotherapy was performed using cyclophosphamide, pirarubicin, and 5-fluorouracil, while endocrine therapy was performed using an antiestrogen agent (tamoxifen or toremifene).