ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the significance of the S-phase fraction (SPF) and DNA ploidy, determined by DNA flow cytometry, as prognostic markers in invasive breast cancer. METHODS: Between October 1986 and June 1999, 143 breast carcinoma patients, treated by surgery, were analyzed. Flow cytometry was performed for the identification of the SPF and DNA ploidy, with immunohistochemistry performed on paraffin embedded material for the hormone receptor. Two SPF classes were defined on the basis of the median value (10) by using a log rank test (high SPF>10, low SPF<10). The correlation between SPF and the clinicopathological factors (tumor size, lymph node status, histological grade and steroid receptor status) and between the SPF and 5 yr disease-free survival (DFS) were investigated. RESULTS: DNA ploidy was not associated with tumor size, lymph node status, histological grade, overall survival and DFS. In a univariate analysis, high SPF values were associated with shorter 5 yr DFS in individual groups. In the node negative group, the 5 yr DFS of the low SPF group was higher than that of the high SPF group, but in the node positive group, the SPF values showed statistical significance with the 5 yr DFS. In a multivariate analysis, the SPF was independently associated with the 5 yr DFS in the node negative group. CONCLUSION: These results suggested the SPF is an independent prognostic factor in lymph node negative, estrogen receptor positive and progesterone receptor negative breast cancers.
Subject(s)
Humans , Breast Neoplasms , Breast , Disease-Free Survival , DNA , Estrogens , Flow Cytometry , Follow-Up Studies , Immunohistochemistry , Lymph Nodes , Multivariate Analysis , Paraffin , Ploidies , Prognosis , Receptors, Progesterone , Receptors, SteroidABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Recent studies indicate that Fas and Fas Ligand (Fas-L) are implicated in autoimmune endocrine diseases and tumors of the thyroid. In this study we tried to elucidate the expression stati of Fas and Fas-L in some kinds of thyroid neoplasms, and their relationships with 4 prognostic factors in papillary thyroid cancer (i.e., size, lymph node metastasis, capsule invasion, age). METHODS: 66 cases of thyroid neoplasm including 45 cases of papillary cancer (PTC), 3 of a follicular cancer (FTC), 1 of a poorly differentiated cancer (PDC), 1 of a undifferentiated cancer (UC), 7 of follicular adenoma (FA), and 9 of nodular hyperplasia (NH) were examined, and estimated as negative, weak positive and strong positive about the Fas and Fas-L expression by the immunohistochemical staining intensities. We then collected and compared the differrences between benign and malignant tumors. The expressions of Fas and Fas-L in papillary thyroid cancers were evaluated relating to the differences in the prognostic factors (i.e., the size, lymph node status, capsule invasion, and age of the patients). RESULTS: Malignant thyroid tumors revealed stronger staining intensity than benign neoplasms. In papillary thyroid cancers, Fas-L staining intensities were significantly stronger in the cases with perithyroidal lymph node metastasis, or in those of 45 years old or over than in those with no lymph node metastasis, or younger than 45 years. CONCLUSION: Both Fas and Fas-L are implicated in thyroid tumorigenesis and revealed stronger staining intensities in malignant than benign tumors, and the Fas-L staining intensities may have some prognostic implications at least in papillary thyroid cancers.
Subject(s)
Humans , Middle Aged , Adenoma , Carcinogenesis , Endocrine System Diseases , Fas Ligand Protein , Hyperplasia , Lymph Nodes , Neoplasm Metastasis , Thyroid Gland , Thyroid NeoplasmsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: A heterotopic pancreas is defined as one for which pancreatic tissue is present outside its usual or habitual location and without an anatomic relation either of continuity or of vascularization with the pancreas proper. Most heterotopic pancreases are incidentally encountered during surgery, and on rare occasions, epigastric pain, weight loss, hemorrhage, gastric outlet obstruction, and intussusception have been directly attributable to the presence of a heterotopic pancreas. The purpose of this article is to report the clinical characteristics of the heterotopic pancreas. METHOD: We retrospectively observed 24 patients, who had been pathologically proven to have a heterotopic pancreas, at the Department of Surgery, Korea University Hospital, from Jan. 1990 to Dec. 1998. RESULTS: 16 of the 24 cases were found incidentally during operations due to by other primary diseases; 8 cases were symptomatic. The ratio of males to females was 1.18:1 and most common sites were the stomach and the duodenum (71%). The mean size of the lesion was 1.26 cm, and the sizes in symptomatic cases were larger (mean 1.89 cm) than those in cases where the lesions were found incidentally (mean 0.94 cm). We experienced a case of a ductal adenocarcinoma originating from the heterotopic pancreas in the jejunum of a 73 year old man. CONCLUSION: A heterotopic pancreas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of submucosal tumors, polyps, ulceration, and intestinal tumors, When suspected, an intraoperative frozen section is recommended, and the range and the method of the operation should be decided based on the results of the frozen section.