[Large cell calcifying sertoli cell tumor [LCCSCT]: a case report]

A 25-year-old man referred to our urologist with chief complaint of right testicular pain of one month duration. Ultrasonography of the testis was performed two times within eight days. The results of ultrasound showed a tumor in the lower pole of the right testicle. In the first ultrasound, tumor size was 7 mm and in the second one it was 7.6 mm. Tumor markers were measured which showed normal alpha-fetoprotein and beta HCG levels. Right orchiectomy was performed. Histological analysis showed that the tumor was consisted of neoplastic cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and round nuclei, fibrotic stroma and calcific bodies. The incidence of testicular tumors is only 5 cases per 100,000 men; and less than one percent of testicular tumors are related to Sertoli cells. The results of a review study showed that only 61 cases of large cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumor have been reported until 2005. This tumor can produce estrogen which leads to breast enlargement, sexual impotence and acromegaly in men. However, examinations revealed that our patient did not have any of these problems. In most cases this tumor occurs in childhood and patients younger than 20 years of age, but our patient was 25-year-old. LCCSCT is a rare sex cordstromal tumor with a low malignant potential. A favorable prognosis can be achieved with radical orchiectomy

[Malaria epidemiology in Iran from 1941 to 2006]

Malaria threatens more than half of the world's population in about 100 countries. During the period 1921-1951 malaria was one of the most important public health issues in Iran, no other disease causing as much financial loss and mortality as malaria did. The objective of this study was to investigate malaria epidemiology in Iran during the period 1940-2006 [65 years], in the hope that the information and experience will be used in the future. This study included a review of the available literature on the subject, as well as a study of health systems, existing records, and analysis of data and information on malaria in Iran. Data were collected from three main sources: national or international electronic sources [26 sources]; non-electronic sources, including theses, journal articles, and various documents and reports, as well as data obtained from the national malaria surveillance system [a total of 180]; and interviews with five informed and expert individuals. In addition, national documents prepared by the Center for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, during the previous 6 months were made available to, and used by, the research team. The findings show that, despite several annual fluctuations, the trend of incidence of the disease during the 65-year period, from 1940 to 2006, was a downward trend. The incidence declined from 250-333 per 1000 people in the early 1940's to 0.22 per 1000 people in 2006. The changes in incidence of malaria show that elimination of malaria is a possible and feasible goal. The experiences achieved in controlling this disease can be utilized for controlling other diseases as well.