Port site metastasis by exfoliated cells from occult cholangiocarcinoma a case report

A forty year old man underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gall stones. The histological report of removed gall bladder was benign. The patient presented with a nodule at port site one year after the cholecystectomy. The nodule was removed and histopathology revealed adenocarcinoma. Histopathological review of the removed gallbladder again revealed a benign result. All investigations for diagnosis of primary remained equivocal. The patient again presented with obstructive jaundice three months after removal of the nodule. Investigations [CT Scan and ERCP] revealed a nodule at hilum of biliary ducts causing obstruction at that level with dilatation of intrahepatic Nary ducts. Brush cytology revealed hilar cholangiocarcinoma. This case illustrates that exfoliated cells of bile duct tumour metastasized by transluminal route and caused port site metastasis after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patient is referred to hepatobiliary surgeon for further treatment

Polyamines in human breast cancer, effects of an anticancer drug

The polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine are ubiquitous amines, involved in cell growth and tumourogenesis. Their catabolism occurs via acetylation by Polyamine acetyl transferase [PAT], a cytosolic enzyme. Methyl glyoxal Bis [guanyl hydrazone] MGBG, is an antineoplastic agent known to inhibit polyamine biosynthesis. We studied the effect of MGBG on cell growth, polyamine content and PAT enzyme in ZR-75-1 cells a breast cancer cell line in culture. The cells were grown in monolayer for up to 120h. Twe cell growth was determined by estimating total protein content by the method of Lowry et al [1951]. Polyamines were analysed using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. PAT activity was assayed using [H]3 acetyl CoA and spermidine [3mM] as substrate. PAT activity was significantly increased [P <0.001] in MGBG-treated cells. It could be that MGBG exerts its cytotoxic effect on breast cancer cells by induction of their catabolism along with inhibition of their biosynthesis