Impacto de la pandemia COVID-19 en el tiempo entre la detección de lesiones premalignas de cuello de útero y su tratamiento

Introducción: la pandemia por COVID-19 ha afectado la salud de la mujer y en particular a los derechos sexuales y reproductivos. En el contexto de cambios asistenciales por la pandemia COVID 19, podría verse afectado el tamizaje y seguimiento de las lesiones premalignas de los cánceres de cuello de útero (CCU), poniendo en riesgo su diagnóstico oportuno y tratamiento precoz. El objetivo de este estudio es reportar los tiempos transcurridos entre el resultado de screening patológico y el tratamiento de lesiones premalignas de CCU, cotejando con los plazos establecidos por la ordenanza ministerial vigente y comparando los tiempos observados antes y durante la pandemia. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, analítico, de corte transversal, mediante un análisis comparativo antes y después de la pandemia por COVID-19. Se incluyeron usuarias a quienes se les realizó conización quirúrgica en el Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell en dos períodos de tiempo: 1 de marzo de 2019 a 29 de febrero de 2020, y 1 de marzo de 2020 a 28 de febrero de 2021. Resultados: la media en días observada desde el PAP hasta la conización fue de 245 para el primer periodo y de 242 para el segundo. El porcentaje de pacientes que cumplen con la ordenanza ministerial en ambos períodos no supera el 5%. Conclusiones: no se evidenció una mayor demora en el seguimiento y tratamiento de estas usuarias durante la pandemia por COVID-19, sin embargo los tiempos observados superan ampliamente los establecidos por Ordenanza Ministerial en los periodos pre pandemia y durante la misma.

Introduction: the COVID-19 pandemic has affected women's health in general, and in particular their sexual and reproductive rights. Within the context of changes in health care services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the screening and follow up of cervical precancerous lesions could be affected, and in turn, this could prevent timely diagnosis and early treatment. This study aims to report the period of time be-tween pathological findings in screening tests and the treatment of precancerous lesions of cervical cancer, analyze it within the context of deadlines set in the Ministry of Health regulations in force, and compare it to pre-pandemic deadlines and time frames during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: observational, analytical and transversal study conducted by means of analyzing the situation before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The study included users who underwent surgical conization at the Pereira Rossell Hospital during two periods of time: Between March 1, 2019 and February 29, 2020 and between March 1, 2020 and February 28, 2021. Results: average number of days from the PAP test until conization was 245 days for the first period and 242 for the second one. The percentage of patients that comply with the Ministerial decree in both periods is lower than 5%. Conclusions: the study found time to treatment in the follow up and management of users did not increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the times ob-served widely exceed the deadlines set in the ministerial decree in both periods, that is before and during the pandemic.

Introdução: a pandemia de COVID-19 afetou a saúde das mulheres e em particular os direitos sexuais e reprodutivos. No contexto das mudanças na saúde devido à pandemia de COVID 19, o rastreamento e o acompanhamento das lesões pré-malignas do câncer de colo de útero (CCU) podem ser afetados, colocando em risco o diagnóstico oportuno e o tratamento precoce. Objetivo: descrever os tempos decorridos entre o resultado do rastreamento patológico e o tratamento das lesões pré-malignas do CCU, comparando-os com os períodos estabelecidos pela atual Portaria Ministerial, e comparar os tempos observados antes e durante a pandemia. Métodos: foi realizado um estudo observacional, analítico e transversal por meio de uma análise comparativa antes e após a pandemia de COVID19. Foram incluídos as usuárias que realizaram a conização cirúrgica no Hospital Pereira Rossell em dois períodos de tempo: 1º de março de 2019 a 29 de fevereiro de 2020 e 1º de março de 2020 a 28 de fevereiro de 2021. Resultados: a média de dias observados do PAP à conização foi de 245 para o primeiro período e 242 para o segundo. O percentual de pacientes que cumprem a Portaria Ministerial em ambos os períodos não ultrapassa 5%. Conclusões: não houve evidência de maior demora no acompanhamento e tratamento desses usuários durante a pandemia por COVID-19, porém os tempos observados superam em muito os estabelecidos por Portaria Ministerial nos períodos pré-pandemia e durante a mesma.

Caracterización de pacientes con lesiones premalignas de esófago / Characterization of patients with esophagus premalignant lesions

Introducción: Los tumores de esófago constituyen lesiones benignas o malignas, que afectan las diferentes capas del órgano. Objetivo: Caracterizar a pacientes con lesiones premalignas de esófago halladas en endoscopia bucal, según variables seleccionadas. Métodos: Se efectuó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal en el Servicio de Gastroenterología del Hospital General Docente Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso de Santiago de Cuba, durante el 2015. El universo estuvo constituido por 57 pacientes de 20 años y más, con diagnóstico endoscópico e histológico de lesión premaligna de esófago. Las variables analizadas fueron: edad, sexo, lesiones premalignas de esófago, grado de esofagitis y diagnóstico histológico. Resultados: La endoscopia mostró un predominio de la esofagitis por reflujo en los pacientes de 62 años y más (61,7 %), así como del grado A de la clasificación de los Ángeles en ambos sexos (39,7 y 30,1 % de mujeres y hombres, respectivamente). Según el diagnóstico histológico primaron la esofagitis crónica (48,4 %) y la esofagitis crónica con displasia (17,1 %). Conclusiones: La identificación de pacientes con lesiones premalignas de esófago constituye el punto de partida para futuras acciones preventivas e intervencionistas, con vistas a disminuir la incidencia del cáncer de esófago.

Introduction: The esophagus malignancies constitute benign or malignant lesions that affect the different layers of the organ. Objective: To characterize patients with esophagus premalignant lesions found in oral endoscopy, according to selected variables. Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in the Gastroenterology Service of Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso Teaching General Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, during 2015. The universe was constituted by 57 patients aged 20 and over, with endoscopic and histologic diagnosis of esophagus premalignant lesion. The analyzed variables were: age, sex, esophagus premalignant lesions, degree of esophagitis and histologic diagnosis. Results: The endoscopy showed a prevalence of the esophagitis by reflux in patients aged 62 and over (61.7 %), as well as of the grade A of Los Angeles classification in both sexes (39.7 and 30.1% of women and men, respectively). According to the histologic diagnosis there was a prevalence of chronic esophagitis (48.4 %) and chronic esophagitis with dysplasia (17.1 %). Conclusions: The identification of patients with esophagus premalignant lesions constitutes the starting point for future preventive and interventionists actions, aimed at diminishing the incidence of esophagus cancer.

Differential expression profile of circRNAs in oral leukoplakia / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#To investigate the differences and clinical significance of circRNA expression profiles in oral leukoplakia (OLK) tissues and normal oral mucosal (NOM) tissues.@*Methods@# High-throughput sequencing was used to detect differentially expressed circRNAs in 6 pairs of OLK and NOM tissues, and qRT-PCR was used to verify the expression of 10 circRNAs screened in 6 pairs of OLK and NOM tissues. The ring formation of circRNA was verified by RNase R digestion and Sanger sequencing, and the target circHLA-C was further verified by qRT-PCR in 20 pairs of OLK and NOM tissues. CircHLA-C was visualized using the UCSC genome browser (genome.ucsc.edu). The function of differentially expressed circRNAs was analyzed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. TargetScan and miRanda predicted the downstream miRNAs and mRNAs of the target circRNAs, and a ceRNA network related to the identified circRNAs was constructed in Cytoscape.@* Results@#Sequencing analysis showed that 366 circRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in OLK tissues, including 65 upregulated and 301 downregulated circRNAs. After qRT-PCR verification, 7 of the 10 screened circRNAs were expressed consistent with the sequencing results. The upregulated circHLA-C was confirmed to be a real circRNA with back-splice junction sites by RNase R digestion and Sanger sequencing. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between circHLA-C and the degree of OLK dysplasia. ROC curve analysis suggested that circHLA-C had potential value in diagnosing OLK with high accuracy and specificity.@*Conclusion@#CircRNA was significantly abnormally expressed in OLK tissues, and the upregulation of circHLA-C may be related to the degree of OLK dysplasia, providing guiding value for the diagnosis of OLK in the future.

Prospective study of colposcopic screening of unhealthy cervix

Background: The study was conducted to screen women who have abnormal vaginal discharge with Pap smear to do histopathological analysis of colposcopically directed biopsies.Methods: A prospective analytical study carried out in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology. The patients were randomly selected who fulfilled the selection criteria and was carried out to study the correlation of Pap smear and colposcopy in women with unhealthy cervix.   Results: Among all patients 13% were between 20-29 years, 38% were between 30- 39%, 31% belonging to 40-49 years group and 18% was between 50-59%.  Among 100 Women studied, 33% were illiterates, 55% had primary/high school education and 12% had Higher education Majority of the patients (68.7%) of CIN occurred in the age group of 30-49years, 41.7% with CIN were paragrvida 2, 43.8% with CIN were paragravida 3 and 18.6% were greater than paragravida 4 showing high incidence of CIN in multiparity.The incidence of CIN was found to be high among the lower income group 87.5%.The major presenting complains in the study patients were white discharge per vagina.Conclusions: Colposcopy was found to be useful in understanding the morphology of the cervical lesion, both of the neoplastic and nonneoplastic ones and was very helpful in planning their management. Cytology is an accepted method for screening for cervical cancer and the value of colposcopy has been recognized. Hence it may be better to utilize cervical cytology smear with colposcopy should be offered as a diagnostic method in all patients with unhealthy cervix.

Prevalencia de queilitis actínica en pescadores artesanales,Valdivia, Chile / Prevalence of actinic cheilitis in artisanal fishermen, Valdivia, Chile

El objetivo de este trabajo consistió en determinar la prevalencia de Queilitis Actínica en pescadores artesanales de la ciudad de Valdivia, Chile. Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal durante los meses de noviembre 2014 a abril 2015. La muestra fueron 180 pescadores previamente seleccionados a través de una muestra aleatoria simple, quienes fueron evaluados mediante un examen clínico y además completaron un cuestionario referente a datos personales y hábitos de salud. El 38,8 % de los pescadores artesanales presentó Queilitis Actínica. El 64,4 % de los pescadores revisados no utiliza protección solar mientras trabaja y todos los casos se ubicaron en el labio inferior. Los pescadores artesanales de la ciudad de Valdivia presentaron una prevalencia de Queilitis Actínica superior a las reportadas a nivel nacional. Nuestros resultados sugieren la implementación de políticas de salud pública centrados en la prevención de Queilitis Actínica en pescadores artesanales de la ciudad de Valdivia.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of actinic cheilitis in fishermen in the city of Valdivia, Chile 2015. A descriptive observational cross-sectional study was realized from November 2014 to April 2015. The sample included 180 fishermen, previously selected through a simple random sample. The subjects were evaluated by clinical examination and also completed a questionnaire on personal data and health habits. Of the total fishermen surveyed 38.8 % presented Actinic cheilitis. Furthermore, 64.4 % of the fishermen interviewed reported they do not use sun protection while working and all cases were located in the lower lip. The fishermen in Valdivia showed a higher prevalence of Actinic cheilitis than that found nationally. Our results suggest the implementation of public health policies focusing on the prevention of actinic cheilitis in artisanal fishermen in the city of Valdivia.

Transition of Oral Leukoplakia into Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report with Literature of Review.

Th e oral cancer is major health problem worldwide with the incidence of 500,000 new cases per year and considered as 4th most common cancer in world and 1st in India. Among all oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is reported to be the most common malignant tumor involving oral cavity which is commonly associated with tobacco chewing habit in India and other parts of Asia and smoking habit in western countries. Oral leukoplakia is a white, non-scrapable, keratotic lesion in the oral mucosa which represents the most prevalent precursor lesion of oral SCC hence clinical diagnosis of oral leukoplakia associated with tobacco habit is very important for the prevention of oral cancer. Here, we report a case of oral SCC, which was reported to be transformed from existing oral leukoplakia lesion.

Estudio comparativo de factores de riesgo en mujeres con citología vaginal positiva / Comparative Study of Risk Factors in Women with Positive Pap Smear

Introducción: el cáncer cervicouterino es la segunda causa de muerte en la mujer a nivel mundial, y la principal por enfermedades malignas en las mujeres de los países en desarrollo. Mundialmente, cada año se reportan alrededor de 500 000 nuevos casos y cerca del 80 % corresponde a los países en desarrollo. Mueren anualmente 272 000 mujeres por esta causa. Objetivo: describir los factores de riesgo en mujeres con citología vaginal positiva. Métodos: estudio descriptivo retrospectivo sobre las lesiones premalignas y el cáncer cérvico uterino, así como el comportamiento de los diferentes factores de riesgo asociados a dichas patologías en el Policlínico Docente "Dr. Mario Escalona Reguera" perteneciente al municipio La Habana del Este, en el periodo comprendido entre enero de 2008 a diciembre de 2010 comparado con el periodo de enero de 2011 a diciembre de 2013. Resultados: la mayor frecuencia de alteraciones citológicas correspondió a la neoplasia intraepitelial cervical I (44,3 por ciento) en el periodo 2008-2010, manteniéndose este comportamiento en el 2011-2013 con el 63,2 por ciento. El mayor por ciento de citología positivas fue en edades entre los 25-39 años, con un 55,7 por ciento de frecuencia. Los antecedentes obstétricos más frecuentes fueron la multiparidad y el aborto. Predomina el grupo de mujeres con referencia de más de 4 compañeros sexuales, 93 casos (80,9 por ciento). Conclusiones: las mujeres jóvenes son las más afectadas. Las relaciones sexuales en edades tempranas (antes de los 20 años) aumentan el riesgo de cáncer de cuello uterino(AU)

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death in women worldwide, and the main malignant disease in women of developing countries. Globally, each year about 500,000 new cases are reported and about 80% are in developing countries. 272 000 women die a year as a result. Objective: Describe risk factors in women with a positive Pap smear. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study of premalignant lesions and cervical cancer was conducted, as well as the behavior of associated different risk factors with these diseases at Dr. Mario Escalona Reguera Teaching Polyclinic in Havana del Este, from January 2008 to December 2010 compared with the period January 2011 to December 2013. Results: More frequent cytological abnormalities corresponded to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia I (44.3 percent) in 2008-2010. This behavior was maintained in 2011-2013 to 63.2 percent. The highest percentage of positive cytology was between the ages of 25-39 years, with a 55.7 percent frequency. The most common obstetric history were multiparity and abortion. The group of women with more than 4 sexual partners, 93 cases (80.9 percent) was higher. Conclusions: Young women are most affected. Sexual intercourse at an early age (before age 20) increases the risk of cervical cancer(AU)

Lesiones cervicofaciales precancerosas y cánceres cutáneos no melanomas del paciente geronte / Premalignant cervicofacial lesions and nonmelanoma skin cancer in elderly patient

Introducción: el envejecimiento poblacional constituye el principal problema demográfico actual y perspectivo de la población cubana. El cáncer de piel, así como las lesiones premalignas de este órgano protector son cada vez más frecuentes en los adultos mayores. Objetivo: determinar el comportamiento clínico-epidemiológico del cáncer de piel y las lesiones premalignas en los gerontes de un área de salud. Método: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, analítico, de corte transversal en los pacientes gerontes del consultorio No. 3 del policlínico Adrián Sansaric del municipio Artemisa, en el período comprendido entre marzo y noviembre de 2011. El universo estuvo constituido por 481 adultos mayores y la muestra quedó conformada por 100 pacientes, aquellos que presentaron alguna lesión premaligna y/o maligna en la región cervicofacial. Resultados: la lesión premaligna más frecuente fue la queratosis senil con 95 por ciento y como lesión maligna, el carcinoma basocelular con 12 por ciento. Los principales factores asociados a estas fueron el color de la piel blanca, los pacientes de 80 años y más, la exposición al sol y las ocupaciones de riesgo, estas dos últimas presentes en los pacientes con carcinoma basocelular, se encontró significación estadística entre el tipo de lesión con el color de la piel blanca (X2= 6,7 con p═ 0,03). Las lesiones premalignas aparecieron en la región geniana en el 75,0 por ciento y en la frontal en el 62,5 por ciento, mientras que las lesiones malignas se presentaron en la región nasal en 50 por ciento de los casos. Conclusiones: se encontró una elevada prevalencia de lesiones premalignas y malignas en la piel de la región cervicofacial en los adultos mayores de 65 años, lo que atenta contra una longevidad satisfactoria y la estética de estos(AU)

Introduction: aging is currently the main demographic problem for Cuban population. The frequency of skin cancer and other premalignant lesions in this protective organ has increased in recent years, especially in elderly patients. Objective: to determine clinical and epidemiological behavior of the aforementioned lesions in elderly patients. Method: an observational and descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011, between March and November, with patients from the area of the Adrian Sansaric polyclinic in the municipality of Artemisa. A sample of 100 patients showing premalignant and/or malignant lesions in the cervicofacial region was selected from an initial population of 481 elderly patients. Results: the most frequent premalignant and malignant lesions were senile keratosis (95 percent) and the basal cell carcinoma (12 percent), respectively. Skin colour, age, sun exposure and occupational risk were the main factors associated with these lesions. Patients aged 80 or more, with white skin, increased sun exposure and occupational risk were the most susceptible. Premalignant lesions were located in the genian (75 percent) and frontal (62.5 percent) regions while the malignant lesions were more frequent in the nasal region (50 percent). Conclusions: premalignant and malignant lesions in the skin show a high prevalence among elderly patients which significantly threaten their longevity and aesthetics(AU)

A review of Indian literature for association of smokeless tobacco with malignant and premalignant diseases of head and neck region.

In India, about 60% of tobacco users use smokeless tobacco (ST) alone. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common cancers in India. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) monograph (Vol 89) found a significant association between ST use and oral cancer. However, only a few articles from India were included in this monograph. To overcome this lacuna, we have reviewed the articles published from India investigating the association between ST use and malignant and premalignant diseases of head and neck region. Data collection has been performed by computer-aided search of the MedLine and PubMed databases using different combinations of the key words. For malignant lesions, only cohort and case control studies were considered for review. For premalignant lesions and dental diseases other than case control studies, some cross-sectional studies have also been reviewed. Studies found a significant association between ST use and cancer of the oral cavity. The association was stronger for the buccal mucosa compared to tongue and for females compared to males. Significant association noted between cancer of the hypopharynx and oropharynx with ST use but no definitive association noted for cancer of the larynx and nasopharynx. Some dental disease and oral premalignant conditions were also associated with ST use. Indian studies suggest ST use is strongly associated with cancer of the oral cavity, oropharynx and hypopharynx.

Immunohistochemical Study for the Syndecan-1, E-cadher in and Beta-catenin Expressions in Epidermal Tumors / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Syndecan-1, E-cadherin and beta-catenin are cell adhesion molecules that are primarily expressed on the surface of adult epithelial cells. The expressions of them appear to be inversely correlated with tumor aggressiveness and invasiveness. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the expressions of syndecan-1, E-cadherin and beta-catenin in tissue sections of normal sun-damaged skin, cutaneous premalignant lesions and squamous cell carcinoma in all stages of the evolution of lesions associated with sun exposure. METHODS: Ten normal skins from patients with actinic keratosis, 10 cases of seborrheic keratosis, 5 cases of actinic keratosis, 5 cases of Bowen's disease, 5 cases of keratoacanthoma without dysplatic cells, 5 cases of keratoacanthoma with dysplastic cells in an invasive margin, 5 cases of poor-differentiated squqmous cell carcinoma and 5 cases of acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma were investigated. The specimens were assessed for the syndecan-1, E-cadherin and beta-catenin expressions using a semi-quantitative method in which the intensity of membranous staining was evaluated. RESULTS: In almost all the cases the expression of the E-cadherin and beta-catenin was very similar. These adhesion molecules were progressively reduced in the epidermis of normal sun-damaged skin through premalignant lesions to squamous cell carcinoma. Also, the expression of syndecan-1 was similar to the E-cadherin and beta-catenin expressions except for a normal expression in premalignant lesions. But all three adhesion molecules were diminished with decreasing cell differentiation. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that syndecan-1, E-cadherin and beta-catenin are expressed similarly in the epithelium, and that the decreased expression of these adhesion molecules is associated with malignant transformation.

Immunohistochemical Study for the Syndecan-1, E-cadher in and Beta-catenin Expressions in Epidermal Tumors / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Syndecan-1, E-cadherin and beta-catenin are cell adhesion molecules that are primarily expressed on the surface of adult epithelial cells. The expressions of them appear to be inversely correlated with tumor aggressiveness and invasiveness. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the expressions of syndecan-1, E-cadherin and beta-catenin in tissue sections of normal sun-damaged skin, cutaneous premalignant lesions and squamous cell carcinoma in all stages of the evolution of lesions associated with sun exposure. METHODS: Ten normal skins from patients with actinic keratosis, 10 cases of seborrheic keratosis, 5 cases of actinic keratosis, 5 cases of Bowen's disease, 5 cases of keratoacanthoma without dysplatic cells, 5 cases of keratoacanthoma with dysplastic cells in an invasive margin, 5 cases of poor-differentiated squqmous cell carcinoma and 5 cases of acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma were investigated. The specimens were assessed for the syndecan-1, E-cadherin and beta-catenin expressions using a semi-quantitative method in which the intensity of membranous staining was evaluated. RESULTS: In almost all the cases the expression of the E-cadherin and beta-catenin was very similar. These adhesion molecules were progressively reduced in the epidermis of normal sun-damaged skin through premalignant lesions to squamous cell carcinoma. Also, the expression of syndecan-1 was similar to the E-cadherin and beta-catenin expressions except for a normal expression in premalignant lesions. But all three adhesion molecules were diminished with decreasing cell differentiation. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that syndecan-1, E-cadherin and beta-catenin are expressed similarly in the epithelium, and that the decreased expression of these adhesion molecules is associated with malignant transformation.

Identification of human papillomavirus in vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia / 临床检验杂志

Objective To evaluate the rate and types of human papillomavirus (HPV) in vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN).Methods We detected HPV DNA in 67 lesion tissues collected from 40 VIN patients with PCR based reverse line blot hybridization and DNA sequencing. The PCR using GP5/GP6 primers in HPV L1 region resulted in a 150-bp fragment. When the PCR did not amplify the target DNA,another PCR using SPF1/SPF2 primers was performed to amplify the 65-bp fragment.Results HPV DNA amplified with primers GP5/GP6 was positive in 52.2% (35/67) of the lesions. Of the 32 negative lesions,26 (81.2%) were positive for HPV DNA amplified with SPF1/SPF2 primers. The total positive rate was 91.0% (61/67). Ninety percent of the HPV belonged to high risk types. Sequencing data showed that the genotypes of 31 mono-infection lesions were the same as those of the reverse line blot results,yet the sequences in 4 multi-infection samples could not be determined. Of the 26 SPF PCR products,24 could be sequenced. 80.6% (25/31) patients with multiple lesions displayed the same genotype,suggesting HPV in the different lesions from the same patient was monoclonal.Conclusion The high risk type of HPV is associated with vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia and may play an important role in the development of invasive vulvar carcinoma.

A case presentation of verrucous carcinoma originated from verrrucous lekoplakia

Tumor Angiogenesis and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression in Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Angiogenesis is an essential requirement for development, progression, and metastasis of malignant tumors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the important angiogenic factors. Recently the role of angiogenesis has been known in premalignant lesions. This study was performed to determine whether the angiogenesis and VEGF expression were increased in association with histological grade of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and to see the relationship between the angiogenesis and VEGF. Immunostainings for factor VIII and VEGF were performed on 52 cases of cervical neoplasia (12 cases of CIN I, 11 cases of CIN II, 15 cases of CIN III, 7 cases of microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma, and 7 cases of invasive carcinoma) and 5 cases of normal cervix. The results showed a significant increase of microvessel count from normal cervix through CIN grades to invasive squamous cell cacinoma. VEGF expression was increased in proportion to the CIN grades. There was no significant correlation between microvessel count and VEGF expression. In conclusion, the tumor angiogenesis is an early event in tumorigenesis of uterine cervix. In addition, no significant relationship between the microvessel count and VEGF expression in CIN suggests the possibility of other growth factors affecting mainly angiogenesis of premalignant lesion of uterine cervix.

Four Cases of Intrahepatic Biliary Cystadenoma and Cystadenocarcinoma

A biliary cystadenoma (BC) and a cystadenocarcinoma (BCA) are rare neoplasms of the liver. Among 178 patients with primary liver neoplasms who underwent surgery during the last two years at our department, there were only one case of BC and three cases of BCA. The BC case was a 57-year-old female with 15-cm-sized multilocular cystic mass containing mucin. That patient, who had undergone a simple excision of a liver cyst 6 years earlier under the diagnosis of a cystadenoma, received a repeated wedge resection and is still doing well, no recurrence, 41 months after the resection. One BCA case was a 59-year-old female with an 8-cm-sized multilocular cystic mass. She underwent an extended left lobectomy and is still alive, without recurrence, 55 months later. Another BCA case was 77-year-old female with multiple multilocular masses which had degenerated due to sclerotherapy; the masses were removed by a wedge resection. She has been alive 35 months without recurrence. The other BCA case was a 37-year-old female with a 10-cm-sized unilocular mass with lung metastasis. She underwent an extended left lobectomy and survived 22 months. Malignant transformation of a BC to a BCA is well documented, and recurrence is the rule following incomplete resection. Complete resection of a BC and radical resection of a BCA seem to offer a chance for long-term survival.