PAX-5 positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma presenting by dysphagia; a case report

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma [ALCL] is a distinct pathologic entity with characteristic morphologic, im-munophenotypic and cytogenetic features. Obstructive symptoms are rare presentation of ALCL. We report a 16-year-old boy who initially presented with dysphagia. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed severe stenosis with an infiltrative process starting from 24 cm of incisors in lower esophagus Esophageal mucosal biopsy demonstrated lymphomatous involvement that ancillary tests confirmed the diagnosis of ALCL, ALK [kinase-positive], and PAX5 positive. The patient responded to CHOP-based chemotherapy. This case illustrated an unusual presentation of primary Non Hodgkin lymphoma of esophagus

Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor [VEGF] and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor [EGFR] in patients with serous Ovarian Carcinoma and their clinical significance

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] has an essential role in tumor metastasis by inducing the construction of abnormal blood vessels. Epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR] is involved in different parts of cancer growth such as tumor initiation, angiogenesis and metastasis

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of VEGF and EGFR in ovarian cancer in southern Iran and to assess the correlation between expression of these two markers and patients' age, tumor stage, and grade

Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 50 paraffin blocks of serous ovarian adenocarcinomas and 50 paraffin-embedded specimens from control individuals operated for reasons other than malignancy were immunohistochemically stained using anti-human VEGF and EGFR antibodies

Results: A significant difference in the frequency of positive expression of VEGF was observed in ovarian cancer patients [25.0%] compared with the control group [8.0%] [P = 0.023]. A significant difference between EGFR expression in patients [56.8%] and controls [24.0%] was also obtained [P = 0.001]. No significant correlation between VEGF and EGFR expression and patients' age, tumor grade and stage were detected [P > 0.05]

Conclusions: The significant increase in both VEGF and EGFR in the patients with ovarian cancer compared to healthy individuals could have prognostic value. Identifying these markers may be useful for chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic strategies for patients with serous ovarian cancer