A reporting system for endometrial cytology: Cytomorphologic criteria-Implied risk of malignancy.

Background: There have been various attempts to assess endometrial lesions on cytological material obtained via direct endometrial sampling. The majority of efforts focus on the description of cytological criteria that lead to classification systems resembling histological reporting formats. These systems have low reproducibility, especially in cases of atypical hyperplasia and well differentiated carcinomas.

Are Thyroid Hormone and Tumor Cell Proliferation in Human Breast Cancers Positive for HER2 Associated?

Objective. This study investigated whether thyroid hormone (TH) levels are correlated to cell proliferation (Ki67), in euthyroid breast cancer patients. Design and Methods.

BCL2L12: a promising molecular prognostic biomarker in breast cancer.

Objectives: BCL2-like 12 (BCL2L12) is a new member of the BCL2 gene family that was discovered and cloned by members of our group and found to be expressed in the mammary gland. Many genes of the BCL2 family were found to be implicated in breast carcinogenesis and to serve as possible prognostic markers. The aim of the present study was the quantification of BCL2L12 mRNA expression in order to assess its value as a prognostic tissue biomarker in breast cancer (BC).

Detection of TMPRSS2-ERG fusion gene in benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The Ets-related gene fusions are among the most common molecular alterations in prostate cancer (PCa) and are detected in more than 50 % of PCas. Transmembrane protease serine 2 and Ets-related gene fusion (TMPRSS2-ERG) is the most frequently identified chimeric gene and has been associated with undifferentiated and invasive phenotypes. TMPRSS2-ERG has also been detected in prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) lesions and more rarely in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) regions mainly in PCa-bearing glands.

Coexistence of intracranial germ cell tumor and craniopharyngioma in an adolescent: case report and review of the literature.

Purpose: We present the case of a patient treated for intracranial germ cell tumor in which elements of craniopharyngioma were found in the residual tumor mass.

Findings: A 17 year old patient presented with a history of secondary amenorrhea. She deteriorated with headache and left eyelid drop, paresis of the abducent nerve and convergent strabismus (Parinaud syndrome).

Dermatomyositis as an early manifestation and a significant clinical precursor of lung cancer: report of a rare case and review of the current literature.

Dermatomyositis represents an idiopathic inflammatory connective-tissue disease, characterized by inflammation of the muscles and the skin. There is a high incidence of malignancy in patients with dermatomyositis. The main purpose of the present paper is to describe and underline the clinical significance of dermatomyositis manifestations as a precursor and early clinical signs of small cell lung cancer.

Real-time ultrasound-guided fine needle cytology of the thyroid gland by capillary action. A modified technique without aspiration.

Purpose: To present a modified technique of real-time (Rt) ultrasound-guided (Ug) fine-needle (FN) cytology of thyroid nodules without aspiration (RtUg-FNNAC).

Methods: We retrospectively studied 958 patients with 1202 thyroid nodules referred to our institution between January 2009-January 2010. The efficacy of RtUg-FNNAC was determined by the number of satisfactory specimens that were obtained.

The International Scoring System (ISS) for multiple myeloma remains a robust prognostic tool independently of patients' renal function.

Background: The International Staging System (ISS) is the most widely used staging system for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). However, serum β2-microglobulin increases in renal impairment (RI) and there have been concerns that ISS-3 stage may include 'up-staged' MM patients in whom elevated β2-microglobulin reflects the degree of renal dysfunction rather than tumor load.

Patients And Methods: In order to assess the impact of RI on the prognostic value of ISS, we analyzed 1516 patients with symptomatic MM and the degree of RI was classified according to the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative-Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) criteria.

Treatment adherence of cancer patients to orally administered chemotherapy: insights from a Greek study using a self-reported questionnaire.

Purpose: The aim of this prospective observational study was to investigate the patterns of treatment adherence to orally administered chemotherapy of patients being treated for cancer.

Methods: Patients were asked to participate in the survey during their visits to the study centers' pharmacists or doctors to obtain their oral medication from April 2008 until May 2009. The data were collected using a self-reported anonymous 7-page long questionnaire, which contained questions about their demographic profile, disease and treatment characteristics, and side-effects and adherence information, both intentional and nonintentional.

Synchronous presentation of GISTs and other primary neoplasms: a single center experience.

Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are common mesenchymal neoplasms of the digestive tract and may occasionally arise within the abdomen without gastrointestinal tract connection. GISTs have recently attracted widespread interest because of the development of effective targeted molecular agents against it. While synchronous occurrence of a GIST with a tumor of different histogenesis was thought to be very rare, it is now apparent that they are more common than previously believed.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the Bartholin's gland in a young patient: eight-year follow-up.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the Bartholin's gland is one of the rarest neoplasms of the female genital tract. Including this report there are 65 cases mentioned in the literature. We report a case of a 36-year-old woman who presented at our hospital after excision of the right Bartholin gland elsewhere which proved to be ACC.

Concomitant gastric adenocarcinoma and stromal tumor in a woman with polymyalgia rheumatica.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare neoplasms (1%) of the gastrointestinal tract and to our knowledge only rare cases of synchronous presentation of gastric carcinomas and GISTs are reported in the literature. A 72-year-old female with a simultaneous presentation of gastric adenocarcinoma and GIST is presented. Moreover, due to polymyalgia rheumatica the patient received corticosteroids as treatment for the last 3 years.

Gall-bladder agenesis presenting with obstructive jaundice and elevated CA 19-9.

We report the case of an 81-year-old man with agenesis of the gall-bladder that presented with choledocholithiasis, obstructive jaundice, and very high CA 19-9 serum level (2765 U/ml). On ultrasound and CT scan, the gallbladder was not visualised and it was assumed shrunken and filled with gall-stones. After repeated unsuccessful endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, the patient was operated on for common bile duct (CBD) stones.

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.

Treatment of malignant colonic obstructions with metal stents and laser.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined endoscopic therapy with self-expanding metallic endoprostheses and laser application in the management of malignant colonic obstruction.

Methodology: Between March 1998 and September 2000, obstruction of the distal colon was diagnosed in a total of 11 patients (6 M, 5 F, age range: 67-87 years, mean: 73). The site of obstruction was located in the rectosigmoid colon (n = 6), in the sigmoid colon (n = 4) and in the descending colon (n = 1).

Colorectal polyp detection with virtual colonoscopy (computed tomographic colonography); the reliability of the method.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to compare the reliability of virtual colonoscopy with conventional colonoscopy in detection of colorectal polyps.

Methodology: Between November 1997 and February 2000, 23 patients (14 males, 9 females) aged 43-86 years (mean: 63) with colorectal polyps who underwent colonoscopy in our endoscopy unit, were referred for virtual colonoscopy. The colon was distended with an enema tube for rectal insufflation and subsequently was scanned by helical CT (Toshiba X-vision) using the following parameters: KV 120, mAs 200, table feed 5 mm/sec, slice thickness 5 mm and reconstruction intervals 2.

Giant benign true cyst of the spleen with high serum level of CA 19-9.

We report the case of a 21-year-old woman with a giant (20 cm) benign mesothelial splenic cyst and a high CA 19-9 serum level (1240 U/ml). The patient underwent resection of the cyst and splenectomy. True non-parasitic splenic cysts are very rare.

Multiple myeloma as the first manifestation of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a case report and review of the literature.

Various hematologic malignancies and solid tumors are increasingly diagnosed in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and may be the presenting manifestation of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Multiple myeloma, however, has never been reported as the presenting manifestation of AIDS. We report on a 34-year-old man who presented with back pain, paresthesias, paraparesis, vertebral bony disease, and an associated soft tissue mass.

Unusual spread of liposarcoma.

Background: The aim of our study was to investigate the unusual pattern of metastatic spread of liposarcoma.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively studied thirty-two patients with liposarcoma (in seventeen located in the retroperitoneum and in fifteen in the extremities) who were managed at our institution over a ten-year period. Six patients with extremity liposarcoma developed local recurrence and or distal metastases and in three the site of the distal spread was other than the lungs.

Drug action on poly(A) polymerase activity and isoforms during U937 cell apoptosis.

The enzyme poly(A) polymerase (PAP; EC 2.7.7.

Colorectal cancer trends by anatomic sides, age and staging. A twenty-year study of 1412 Greek cases.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Greek patients, suffering from colorectal adenocarcinoma, showed the same changes in the side distribution, as has been observed in the patients of many western countries. We retrospectively analysed 1412 consecutive cases of colorectal adenocarcinoma admitted to our institute over in a twenty-year period. The side distribution, the staging and the grade were evaluated in correlation with the age.

Treatment-related acute gastric bleeding managed successfully with surgical devascularization.

Background And Objectives: Patients with gastric lymphoma treated by chemotherapy or radiation therapy are at high risk of developing complications, most commonly perforation or bleeding. In any case of upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding during conservative treatment for gastric lymphoma, thorough investigation is required to exclude other causes of hemorrhage which could be managed appropriately. When the source of bleeding is the tumor, the only effective measure is resection of the stomach, a very dangerous operation in these poor-risk patients.

Competent gastrostomy for patients with head and neck cancer.

This study was performed to evaluate the efficiency and patient satisfaction with a modified Janeway gastrostomy for patients with head and neck cancer and cancer of the upper GI tract and involved 24 consecutive patients with serious malnutrition caused by advanced cancer of these sites. All underwent surgery during which a tube was constructed from the anterior gastric wall with the aid of GIA-75 automatic stapler. The operation was performed under local anaesthesia, with a senior anaesthesiologist, who sedated the patients, in attendance.