Molecular detection of tyrosinase transcripts in peripheral blood from patients with malignant melanoma: correlation of PCR sensitivity threshold with clinical and pathologic disease characteristics.

Background: Positive molecular detection of tyrosinase transcripts (TYR mRNA) in RNA extracts of peripheral blood (PB) samples from patients with malignant melanoma provides evidence of disease dissemination.

Methods: Total RNA extracted from PB was quantified and subjected to RT-PCR under ultra-sensitive and reduced-sensitivity PCR conditions using SSRT-II. Positive TYR mRNA detection in 78 melanoma patients and 40 healthy volunteers was correlated with clinical stage, Breslow's evaluation of tumor thickness, Clark's assessment of tumor invasion, the location of the primary tumor site, and tumor histology.

Update of the role of surgery in the multimodal treatment of MALT gastric lymphomas.

Background: Primary gastric non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a well-defined clinicopathological entity with a distinct histological spectrum and indolent course. Its optimal management still remains controversial. In this study we present our experience with surgery being part of the multimodal treatment and we compare our results with those referred to in the world literature.