Evaluation of endoscopic biopsy in gastric lesions with a special reference to the significance of mast cell density.

Various studies have shown the role of mast cells in chronic inflammatory states and in tumor growth. The study is designed to have an idea of the relationship of mast cell density (MCD) to gastric ulcer and cancer, to verify whether mast cell accumulation occurred in the two conditions especially in Indian patients and thus postulate that therapeutic strategies against mast cell mediators could be useful in treatment. Also, we want to review literature and attempt to explain our findings. A total of 240 patients, who underwent their first endoscopy and biopsy for a span of 21/2 years were studied retrospectively. Out of these, 210 cases that were either gastric ulcers or cancer were chosen for this MCD study. Biopsies were sectioned and stained routinely. Toluidine blue stain and copper grid was used to calculate MCD. Student's t-Test was used to calculate the statistical significance of MCD. MCD in benign ulcers was much higher than in control subjects. MCD in well-differentiated cancers showed MCD higher than control. Poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma showed lower MCD than well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. It was concluded that the accumulation of mast cells in gastric ulcers is an inflammatory response. MCD is increased in well-differentiated gastric cancers, which may be a mast cell mediated immune response or mast cells may have a role in tumor angiogenesis and produce factors for tumor progression. Poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma apparently lacks mast cell mediated anti-tumor response in some unexplained way.

B cell lymphoma with unusual clinical cutaneous presentation.

Cutaneous B cell lymphoma (CBCL) is a lymphoproliferative disorder of neoplastic B cell of the skin. These are rarer than T cell lymphomas. Commonly, the presenting features of CBCL are plaques or nodules. Here is a case report of CBCL with a very unusual presentation of cutaneous horns. The patient was managed by a combination chemotherapy and local radiotherapy only. He is disease-free for about the last five years. The case has been presented because of its rarity and its management protocol.

Coexistence of a mature teratoma and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma in the same ovary--a case report.

A case of right sided abdominal lump with pain in a 45 years female was presented. Radiological investigation revealed a multiloculated cystic mass with a few mural nodules arising from right ovary. The tumor was removed by exploratory laparotomy and histopathological examination showed coexistence of dermoid cyst with mucinous cystadenocarcinoma in the same ovary. Left ovary and uterus was healthy and there was no tumor extension or omental deposits. Postoperative period was uneventful.