Prognostic role of plasma vitamin D and its association with disease characteristics in germ cell tumours.

Background: Testicular cancer is the most common malignancy among young men. Vitamin D has pluripotent effects on cancer pathogenesis and plays a role in the metastatic cascade. The aim of this study is to analyze plasma vitamin D in association with clinico-pathological findings and prognosis in patients with germ-cell tumors (GCTs).

Characteristic CT features of pheochromocytomas - probability model calculation tool based on a multicentric study.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the CT features of adrenal tumors in an effort to identify features specific to pheochromocytomas and second, to define a feasible probability calculation model.

Methods: This multicentric retrospective study included patients from the period 2003 to 2017 with an appropriate CT examination and a histological diagnosis of an adrenal adenoma, pheochromocytoma, adrenocortical carcinoma, or metastasis. In total, 346 patients were suitable for the CT image analysis, which included evaluation of the largest diameter, the shape of the lesion, the presence of central necrosis and its margins, and the presence of an enhancing peripheral rim ("ring sign").

Prognostic value of serum carbonic anhydrase IX in testicular germ cell tumor patients.

Despite the fact that testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are one of the most chemosensitive solid tumors, a small proportion of patients fail to be cured following cisplatin-based first line chemotherapy. Upregulation of carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) in various solid tumors is associated with poor outcome. The current prospective study investigated the prognostic value of serum CA IX level in TGCTs.

Endoscopic treatment of praecancerous colorectal lesions and early colorectal cancer.

Endoscopic mucosal resection or piece meal polypectomy are the methods of choice for the treatment of unifocal visualized lesion. Thermal ablative techniques are indicated for flat adenomas as a adjunct therapy after an imcomplete EMR or piece meal polypectomy. Photodynamic therapy using ALA photosensitisation is effective in the treatment of multifocal lesions and also in combination with EMR or thermal ablative techniques.

Synaptophysin negative central neurocytoma.

Background: Central neurocytoma is a rare primary brain tumour, mostly localised in the lateral ventricles in relation to the foramen of Monro.

Objectives: To report a case of a rare central neurocytoma with a complete loss of Synaptophysin expression and provide the differential diagnosis.

Methods And Results: We describe a case of a 34-year old man with a headache, unsteady gait and dim vision.

Immunity profile in breast cancer patients.

Objectives: Despite the multifactorial pathogenesis of malignant transformation, it is assumed that deficiency in some immune mechanisms plays a considerable role in its development.

Background: Chronically activated immune cells exert tumour-promoting effects directly by influencing the proliferation and survival of neoplastic cells, as well as by indirect modulation of neoplastic microenvironments in favour of tumour progression.

Patients And Methods: We refer to results of two separate investigations that aim to monitor the immune functions in patients with breast cancer.

Advanced detection and measurement of cells on membrane from peripheral blood by laser scanning cytometry (LSC) in early stage breast cancer patients.

Background: The aim of our study was the potential detection of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in early stage breast cancer patients. Our approach was cell microfiltration through polycarbonate membrane as a concentration method suitable for CTC selection in peripheral blood. The isolated cells on membrane were further analysed by laser scanning cytometry.

Chromatin texture, DNA index, and S-phase fraction in primary breast carcinoma cells analysed by laserscanning cytometry.

Objectives: Laser scanning cytometry (LSC) is a slide-based technique capable of measuring a number of biological parameters both in immobilised cell suspensions and in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections.

Background: High proliferation rate in surgically removed breast tumours is an unfavourable prognostic factor. In node negative cases it can help distinguish patients with higher risk for distant metastases from those with a lower risk.

Candida glabrata fungemia in a tertiary cancer institution in Slovakia.

Because of controversial data on virulence and mortality, six cases of fungemia caused by Candida glabrata were reviewed in a single cancer institution within 8 years. Risk factors and outcome of C. glabrata, Candida albicans, and other non-albicans Candida spp.