c-MET overexpression as a prognostic biomarker in colorectal adenocarcinoma

There is a need for informative molecular markers that provide prognostic information over and above that given by conventional pathologic parameters. This study examined the expression and potential prognostic value of c-MET in colorectal adenocarcinoma. Two-hundred and thirty cases were evaluable after tissue microarray construction and evaluated for c-MET expression by immunohistochemistry. The results were correlated with standard clinicopathologic prognostic factors. Cases were followed up for 5 years. c-MET was highly expressed in 138 of 230 cases [60%]. In normal tissues a negative or weak reaction was observed. Significantly higher c-MET expression was found in the metastatic group [p=0.04]. No significant association was found in relation to age, sex, tumor site, tumor size, histological type, or tumor grade [p > 0.05]. The 5-year disease free survival for patients with low levels of expression was significantly higher than that for patients with high levels [64% versus 45%, p=0.04]. c-MET seems to be a valuable biomarker in colorectal adenocarcinoma; overexpression is a useful prognostic indicator for metastasis and patient outcome

Medullary carcinoma of the breast: ten year clinical experience of the Kuwait cancer control centre

Medullary carcinomas of the breast account for fewer than 7% of all invasive breast cancers. Some investigators include medullary carcinomas in the favourable histologic subtype, despite its aggressive histologic appearance. However, others fail to confirm its favourable prognosis. This was a retrospective analysis of sixty-one [61] cases of breast cancer cases diagnosed with Medullary Carcinoma, presenting to the Kuwait Cancer Control Center between 1995 and 2005. Median survival time was 122 months and the seven-year disease free survival was 82%. Overall survival rate was not assessed as no case died during the study period. No cases were metastatic from the start and only eight cases developed metastases, local recurrence or contralateral breast primary. 68.8% of the cases were Stage I or IIA [i.e. no lymph node affection]. There is no overt favourable prognosis of medullary carcinoma when compared to invasive ductal carcinoma. prognosis is more related to stage than histologic subtyping. The majority of cases were negative estrogen and progesterone receptor status and node negative

Spiral CT scanning and curved tomography in localization of mandibular canal in relation to lower third molar

Accurate radiographic assessment is a must in cases of impacted lower third molars with proximity to mandibular canal to avoid the high risk of neurovascular bundle injury during surgical removal. This study was conducted as an attempt to assess the relation of horizontally impacted lower third molar to mandibular canal using curved tomography [panoramic radiography] and spiral CT scanning. Fifteen patients were comprised in this study. They were all suffering from horizontally impacted lower third molar. Images of both modalities were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed to reveal relation of the molar to the canal. Out of our results: [1] The most common radiographic features strongly linked to intimate relation [40% of the cases] and highly predicting of contact between horizontally impacted lower third molar and canal are: superimposition of roots on canal and presence of roots just touching the superior border of the canal. [2] Majority of the investigated teeth were not in contact with the canal [60%]. The mandibular canal was most often inferior or buccal or inferiobuccaly to the roots of the horizontally impacted lower third molars. It could be concluded from this study that whenever one of the radiographic criteria predicting close proximity of molar to canal is evident on panoramic radiograph, CT should be performed to clear out the exact location of the canal. Spiral CT allows faster scanning, more resolution and a high degree of accuracy when planning removal of third molar in proximity to the canal, making it possible to formulate a more precise diagnosis and treatment plan