Gene expression differences between colon and rectum tumors.

Purpose: Colorectal cancer studies typically include both colon and rectum tumors as a common entity, though this assumption is controversial and only minor differences have been reported at the molecular and epidemiologic level. We conducted a molecular study based on gene expression data of tumors from colon and rectum to assess the degree of similarity between these cancer sites at transcriptomic level.

Experimental Design: A pooled analysis of 460 colon tumors and 100 rectum tumors from four data sets belonging to three independent studies was conducted.

Collecting system involvement by renal tumor: are CT measurements reliable enough?

Objectives: Smaller kidney lesions which are more often detected recently by accidental imaging are amenable for nephron sparing approach whether at open surgery, laparoscopy or ablative techniques. The pretreatment planning is based on multiplanner CT expected to well define the relationship of the lesion to the major renal blood vessels and collecting system (CS). This study is aimed to compare the pre-surgical CT measurements of the distance from tumor to CS to the actual distances observed on radical nephrectomy specimens.

Pathologic predictors of microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer.

Identification of microsatellite unstable (MSI-H) colorectal cancers (CRCs) is important not only for the identification of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome but also because MSI-H CRCs have a better prognosis and may respond differently to 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy. We present 2 nearly equivalent logistic regression models for clinical use that predict microsatellite instability based on the review of 1649 CRCs from patients of all ages collected in a population-based case control study in northern Israel. One hundred ninety-eight of these 1649 tumors demonstrated a high degree of microsatellite instability (12%).

Multidrug resistance-related phenotype and apoptosis-related protein expression in ovarian serous carcinomas.

Objective: Multidrug resistance (MDR) to chemotherapy is a major obstacle in attempts to improve the clinical outcome of ovarian carcinoma patients. The MDR-related phenotype is associated with over-expression of certain drug transporters, such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1), and lung resistance protein (LRP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent and prognostic significance of MDR-related protein expression in ovarian serous carcinomas.

Peripheral lymphadenopathy as the initial manifestation of pericardial mesothelioma: a case report.

Lymphadenopathy is an unusual initial presentation of malignant mesothelioma. We describe a case of extrathoracic lymphadenopathy as the only initial manifestation of primary pericardial malignant mesothelioma. The diagnosis of metastatic malignant mesothelioma was made by excisional biopsy of the supraclavicular lymph node and later confirmed by cytologic examination of pericardial fluid.

Validation of the novel indices of nuclear pleomorphism, polarity and spatial distribution in the grading of urothelial carcinoma.

Objective: To evaluate the role of the novel histomorphometric variables of pleomorphism, orientation and variability of spatial cytologic organization to objectively quantify histopathologic grade in urothelial carcinoma.

Study Design: As a validation model, we chose 51 papillary urothelial carcinomas. Thirty-six (70%) were low and 15 (29%) high grade tumors (World Health Organization grading system).

Morphometrical quantification of spermatogonial germ cells with the 57B anti-MAGE-A4 antibody in the evaluation of testicular biopsies for azoospermia.

The melanoma-associated antigen (MAGE) gene family of cancer-testis antigens is expressed in certain malignant neoplasms and the testis, but not in other healthy tissues. The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of immunohistochemical staining with the 57B anti-MAGE-A4 mouse monoclonal antibody (MAb) in testicular biopsy specimens from patients with nonobstructive azoospermia and obstructive azoospermia (OA). Fifty-four cases of Sertoli cell only (SCO), 30 cases of spermatocytic arrest, 15 cases of hypospermatogenesis, and 10 testicular biopsy specimens with OA (normal spermatogenesis) were evaluated.

Cytotoxic phenotype of intra-epithelial lymphocytes in normal and cryptorchid human testicular excurrent ducts.

Background: Most testicular and epididymal lymphocytes express T-cell markers, but their cytotoxic potential and activation status have not been reported. In this study, distribution of the cytotoxic cells was compared between normal and cryptorchid testes stratified into two groups: the first with complete absence of germ cells [Sertoli cell-only (SCO)] and the second with arrested spermatogenesis (SCA).

Methods: Immunohistochemistry for the T-lymphocyte marker CD3 and cytotoxic markers CD8, TIA-1 and granzyme B was performed on paraffin-embedded sections.

Activated status of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes and apoptosis in testicular seminoma.

Testicular seminoma is characterized by a prominent lymphoid infiltrate and an excellent prognosis. Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) infiltrating seminoma tumour nests constitute a major subset of the lymphoid infiltrate. The objective of this study was to determine whether CTLs express markers of cytotoxic potential and activity and whether the number of activated CTLs correlates with the extent of apoptosis in testicular seminomas, as opposed to non-seminomatous testicular germ cell tumours (NSTGCTs).

Microscopic analysis and significance of vascular architectural complexity in renal cell carcinoma.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of measuring microvessel fractal dimension (MFD) as a parameter of architectural microvascular complexity in localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Forty-nine patients with low-stage clear cell RCC were assessed in a 9-year follow-up retrospective study. Tumor vessels were visualized with the endothelial marker CD34.

A rare simultaneous presentation of testicular mixed germ cell tumor with a contralateral testis torsion.

We report a rare case of a 27-year-old man presenting with an acute scrotum with simultaneous occurrence of testicular tumor and contralateral torsion. Preoperative imaging demonstrated the testicular missed torsion, yet findings were equivocal with regard to the testicular tumor. On scrotal exploration the left testis was found to be ischemic due to threefold rotation.

Urinary cytokeratin 20 as a marker for transitional cell carcinoma.

Objectives: To determine if detection of cytokeratin 20 (CK20) gene expression, by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in urine from transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) patients, can provide a new noninvasive tool for the follow-up of patients with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

Methods: Urine was collected from 95 patients previously diagnosed as TCC during their follow-up, and from 27 healthy volunteers. All patients had a transurethal resection of tumor or biopsies obtained from 'suspicious' areas in the bladder.

Telomerase activity in patients with transitional cell carcinoma: a preliminary study.

Background: Telomerase activity is not detectable in normal cells, and their telomers shorten until the chromosome is unable to replicate. Immortal cells have short but stable chromosomes and increased telomerase activity. Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) has only a few useful markers of diagnostic or prognostic importance.

Synchronous and metachronous contralateral adrenal metastases from primary renal cell carcinoma.

Two rare cases of contralateral adrenal metastases are reported. One with a synchronous presentation where the renal tumor was removed together with a solitary large contralateral adrenal metastasis. The second patient underwent adrenalectomy for a metastatic lesion diagnosed 4 years after nephrectomy performed for renal cell carcinoma of the contralateral kidney.

Leiomyosarcoma of the spermatic cord: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Two cases of spermatic cord leiomyosarcoma are described. Preoperative ultrasound disclosed a paratesticular tumor. Inguinal orchiectomy was performed; there was no adjuvant treatment.

Choriocarcinoma of the bladder. Report of a case of primary tumor or late metastasis of a molar pregnancy.

Choriocarcinoma of the bladder was diagnosed in a 54-year-old woman presenting with macroscopic hematuria 17 years following evacuation of a molar pregnancy. The patient was treated by cystoscopic transurethral tumor resection followed by three courses of triple-agent chemotherapy and total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Six months later a gradual rise in beta-human chorionic gonadotropin levels led to the diagnosis of recurrent bladder tumor at the site of the previous tumor.

Development of vaginal adenosis following combined 5-fluorouracil and carbon dioxide laser treatments for diffuse vaginal condylomatosis.

Background: The management of vaginal human papillomavirus (HPV) lesions may be difficult. We report an unusual long-term consequence of treatment.

Case: A 40-year-old woman presented with vaginal adenosis following treatment of multiple vaginal condylomata by endovaginal applications of 5% 5-fluorouracil cream and vaporization of the remaining subclinical condylomata by CO2 laser.

[Spermatocytic seminoma of the testis].

During 1968-1988, 6 patients with Stage I spermatocytic seminoma were registered at this oncology center. They represent 7% of a total of 83 patients referred for testicular seminoma (mean age 41 years, range 30-75). All 6 underwent high inguinal orchiectomy and 5 received postoperative radiotherapy.

[The vulvar clinic].

Until recently, vulvar diseases have not been given sufficient attention by gynecologists. This might be attributable to the timidity of patients with chronic vulvar pruritus, tumor or dyspareunia, which delays diagnosis and treatment. In addition, the nomenclature of vulvar disease was complicated by having been adapted from various dermatological disorders.

Adenocarcinoma of the renal pelvis. Report of two cases, one with simultaneous transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the renal pelvis is a very rare condition and represents less than 1% of renal pelvic tumors. Hydronephrosis of long duration, stones and inflammation are frequently associated with these tumors. We report 2 cases.

Tetra-amelia with multiple malformations in six male fetuses of one kindred.

An Arab Moslem kindred is reported in which six abnormal male fetuses were born in three closely related sibships. They had amelia, malformed head and other severe skeletal and visceral malformations. The similarities and differences between the developmental and inherent characteristics found in our patients and in families with Roberts syndrome are discussed.