Unclassified sarcomas: a study to improve classification in a cohort of Golden Retriever dogs.

Morphologically, canine soft-tissue sarcomas (STSs) resemble human STSs. In humans, proper classification of STSs is considered essential to improve insight in the biology of these tumors, and to optimize diagnosis and therapy. To date, there is a paucity of data published on the significance of detailed classification of STSs in the dog.

'There was no other way things could have been.' Greenlandic women's experiences of referral and transfer during pregnancy.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that referral practices along with midwifery care are a means of heightening the quality of perinatal care and lessening perinatal mortality and morbidity. In 2002, in response to high perinatal mortality and morbidity, a referral system was instituted nationally in Greenland, transferring all at-risk pregnancies to its national referral hospital. Little or no current research has focused on evaluation of the perinatal referral system or on the thoughts, beliefs, opinions and challenges faced by women and Greenlandic families themselves.

Re-evaluation of histological diagnoses of malignant mesothelioma by immunohistochemistry.

Background: In order to provide reliable tissue material for malignant mesothelioma (MM) studies, we re-evaluated biopsies and autopsy material from 61 patients with a diagnosis of MM from the period of 1980-2002.

Methods: Basic positive (Calretinin, EMA, Podoplanin, Mesothelin) and negative (CEA, Ber-Ep4) immunohistochemical (IHC) marker reactions were determined. If needed, more markers were used.

Irradiation of myxoid/round cell liposarcoma induces volume reduction and lipoma-like morphology.

The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical and morphological effects of radiotherapy in the treatment of myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (MLS/RCLS). Thirty-three primary and metastatic MLS/RCLS tumours in 15 patients were treated with radiation therapy. Twenty-seven of the 33 tumours were surgically removed after preoperative radiation (34-46 Gy) while six tumours were treated with radiotherapy alone (44-60 Gy).

The myxoid/round cell liposarcoma fusion oncogene FUS-DDIT3 and the normal DDIT3 induce a liposarcoma phenotype in transfected human fibrosarcoma cells.

Myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (MLS/RCLS) is the most common subtype of liposarcoma. Most MLS/RCLS carry a t(12;16) translocation, resulting in a FUS-DDIT3 fusion gene. We investigated the role of the FUS-DDIT3 fusion in the development of MLS/RCLS in FUS-DDIT3- and DDIT3-transfected human HT1080 sarcoma cells.

Abnormal expression of cell cycle regulators in FUS-CHOP carrying liposarcomas.

Myxoid/round cell liposarcomas (MLS/RCLS) are characterized by chromosome translocations that result in formation of FUS-CHOP or EWSR1-CHOP fusion oncogenes. More than 95% of the tumors carry one of these fusion genes. FUS-CHOP transforms 3T3 cells and causes MLS/RCLS-like tumors in transgenic mice.

Prognostic information in soft tissue sarcoma using tumour size, vascular invasion and microscopic tumour necrosis-the SIN-system.

We have earlier devised a system for soft tissue sarcoma (STS), based on three negative prognostic features: large tumour size, vascular invasion, and microscopic tumour necrosis, the SIN-system. Tumours which exhibit 2 or 3 of these features are categorised as high-risk, the others as low-risk. We have now tested this system for reproducibility both as regards recognition of its components, and as regards prognostic strength in patients from another institution.

Scandinavian Sarcoma Group Osteosarcoma Study SSG VIII: prognostic factors for outcome and the role of replacement salvage chemotherapy for poor histological responders.

From 1990 to 1997, 113 eligible patients with classical osteosarcoma received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of high-dose methotrexate, cisplatin and doxorubicin. Good histological responders continued to receive the same therapy postoperatively, while poor responders received salvage therapy with an etoposide/ifosfamide combination. With a median follow-up of 83 months, the projected metastasis-free and overall survival rates at 5 years are 63 and 74%, respectively.

Similarity of uterine mucosa changes in patients treated by raloxifen and tamoxifen.

Background: Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMS) like Tamoxifen and Raloxifen are used for menopausal symptoms, prevention of cardio-vascular diseases, osteoporosis and mammary carcinoma. Tamoxifen acts as an estrogen inhibitor on the mammary gland, but stimulates postmenopausal uterine mucosa in about 25% of cases while decreasing the risk of osteoporosis.

Materials, Methods And Results: In three menopausal women, 56, 79 and 62 years of age, we found uterine mucosal changes similar to what is found in Tamoxifen-treated patients.

Prognostically important chromosomal aberrations in soft tissue sarcomas: a report of the Chromosomes and Morphology (CHAMP) Study Group.

Cytogenetic analysis has not only provided important information on the pathogenesis of soft tissue tumors but, by disclosing distinct chromosomal rearrangements in different histopathological entities, has also come to serve as a valuable diagnostic tool. Little is known as yet about the potential prognostic impact of cytogenetic features detected in these tumors. A total of 239 benign and 221 malignant soft tissue tumors with clonal chromosome aberrations were subdivided according to general karyotypic features, such as degree of complexity and ploidy level, and rearrangements of specific chromosomal regions.

Correlation between clinicopathological features and karyotype in 100 cartilaginous and chordoid tumours. A report from the Chromosomes and Morphology (CHAMP) Collaborative Study Group.

The evaluation of chondroid lesions requires full integration of clinical, radiographic, and pathological data; tumour typing is often a challenge for the diagnostic pathologist. Although a variety of chromosomal abnormalities have been documented in chondroid lesions, the potential usefulness of cytogenetic analysis remains unclear. This study has critically reviewed and analysed 117 karyotyped samples from 100 patients with cartilaginous and chordoid tumours.

Fine-needle aspiration features of pilomatrixoma.

Background: Pilomatrixoma (PMX) is a benign skin neoplasm of hair matrix origin. The fine-needle aspiration (FNA) features of PMX frequently lead to a misdiagnosis of carcinoma.

Methods: Nine cases of PMX in which a preoperative FNA was performed were reviewed.

Clinicopathologic re-evaluation of 100 malignant fibrous histiocytomas: prognostic relevance of subclassification.

Purpose: Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) has been regarded as the most common soft tissue sarcoma (STS) in adults. Yet its true nature and the validity of this diagnostic concept have increasingly been questioned. Available data suggest that most patients with MFH can be subclassified into specific STS types, but the clinical relevance of such categorization has been argued.

Fine-needle aspiration characteristics of hibernoma.

Background: Hibernoma is a rare, benign lipomatous tumor with features of brown fat. The preoperative diagnosis of hibernoma is difficult at times because its clinical, radiographic, and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) characteristics overlap with those of liposarcoma.

Methods: The preoperative FNA findings of eight surgically excised hibernomas from seven patients (three men and four women, ages 24-60 years) were reviewed.

Cytogenetic-morphologic correlations in aneurysmal bone cyst, giant cell tumor of bone and combined lesions. A report from the CHAMP study group.

Aneurysmal bone cyst and giant cell tumor of bone are relatively rare bone tumors that sometimes coexist. We examined the karyotypes of 3 aneurysmal bone cysts, 12 giant cell tumors, and 3 combined lesions. All aneurysmal bone cysts showed involvement of chromosome segments 17p11-13 and/or 16q22.

Recurrent chromosome aberrations in fibrous dysplasia of the bone: a report of the CHAMP study group. CHromosomes And MorPhology.

The nosologic status of fibrous dysplasia (FD), a well-known and relatively common bone lesion, is controversial. Information collected by the CHromosomes And MorPhology (CHAMP) study group on published and unpublished cases of fibrous dysplasia shows the presence of clonal chromosome changes in at least a proportion of these lesions. The chromosome aberrations found in FD lesions have been quite variable and have included both structural and numerical changes.

Cytogenetic, clinical, and morphologic correlations in 78 cases of fibromatosis: a report from the CHAMP Study Group. CHromosomes And Morphology.

Whether fibromatoses are neoplastic or reactive lesions has long been controversial and the relationship, if any, between the superficial and deep forms (desmoid tumors) are poorly understood. Clinical, pathologic, and cytogenetic data of 78 cases of fibromatosis were analyzed and correlated with each other. The results demonstrate that clonal chromosome aberrations are a common feature of this entity, being present in 46% of desmoid tumors, although less frequent in the superficial types (10%).

Cytogenetic evidence of clonality in cutaneous benign fibrous histiocytomas: a report of the CHAMP study group.

Aims: Cutaneous benign fibrohistiocytic tumours are among the most common soft tissue lesions. Their biological nature, in particular whether they are neoplastic or reactive, has long been disputed. Some morphological subtypes can be confused with sarcoma.

Cytogenetic characterization of peripheral nerve sheath tumours: a report of the CHAMP study group.

The findings of characteristic, sometimes pathognomonic, chromosome aberrations in several types of soft tissue tumours have not only added to our understanding of the mechanisms behind the genesis of these tumours, but have also revealed the importance of cytogenetic analysis as a diagnostic tool. For many soft tissue tumours, including peripheral nerve sheath tumours, the number of analysed cases is, however, still very low, precluding evaluations of the clinical or biological significance of different chromosomal patterns. As part of an ongoing project aiming at identifying clinical-histopathological-cytogenetic correlations among soft tissue tumours, a series of 46 benign, the vast majority of which were located in the extremities, and 20 malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (BPNSTs and MPNSTs, respectively) that had been successfully analysed by chromosome banding techniques were evaluated with regard to clinical, morphological, and cytogenetic features.

Comparative cytogenetic study of spindle cell and pleomorphic leiomyosarcomas of soft tissues: a report from the CHAMP Study Group.

Leiomyosarcomas (LMS) of soft tissues frequently show complex karyotypic changes, and no specific aberration has been identified. The aim of this study was to search for recurrent chromosome aberrations in soft tissue LMSs and to correlate these, if present, with morphological and clinical parameters. From a series of soft tissue sarcomas thoroughly reexamined cytogenetically and histopathologically, 45 LMSs were retrieved; 35 were classified microscopically as spindle cell, 3 as epithelioid, and 7 as pleomorphic.

Unique cytological features and chromosome aberrations in chondroid lipoma: a case report based on fine-needle aspiration cytology, histopathology, electron microscopy, chromosome banding, and molecular cytogenetics.

Chondroid lipoma is a rare, benign tumor that may mimic soft-tissue sarcoma clinically. Its histopathologic features may resemble hibernoma, myxoid liposarcoma, myxoid chondrosarcoma, and other lipomatous or chondroid neoplasms. In this study, a chondroid lipoma was analyzed by fine-needle aspiration cytology, histopathology, electron microscopy, chromosome banding, and metaphase fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Diagnosis and tumor response in osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma, according to treatment protocols SSG II, SSG VIII, ISG/SSG I, SSG IV and SSG IX.

114 patients with osteosarcoma in the extremities had been reported to the SSG II trial, 132 to the SSG VIII trial and, until October 1998, 99 to the ISG/SSG I trial. The SSG IV trial included 53 patients and the SSG IX trial 104 patients until October 1998. In the SSG II trial, 19% were good responders (grades III and IV) as compared to 51% in the SSG VIII trial.