Wilms Tumor of the Kidney Among Koreans: A Clinicopathologic Study of 12 Proved Cases

Twelve cases of Wilms tumor proved by histological examination are recorded and the literature is reviewed because of the paucity of the reports on this neoplasm occurring in Koreans. The average age incidence was 4.2 years; the youngest patient was 9 months of age and the oldest one was 23 years of age. Three fourths of the patients were children under three years of age. Seven were males and five were females. The incidence of Wilms tumor among all renal cancers was 57 per cent and this is much higher than that reported in the foreign literature. This high incidence may be attributed to a much higher incidence of this neoplasm among Korean infants and children. The most prominent clinical finding was abdominal swelling and a palpable mass, but fever, hypertension, irritability, hematuria and cough were other common symptoms. Hypertension was encountered in 89 per cent of the cases. The common laboratory findings were anemia, leukocytosis, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and proteinuria. Gross and microscopic findings are described. All specimens were much 1arger than the normal kidney. The largest specimen, kidney plus tumor, weighed 1,800 gm. The tumors were composed of well formed tubules. solid islands of dark staining undifferentiated cells presumably of mesoblastic origin and various elements of stromal cells. The proportion of each element varied markedly from case to case and also in different parts of the same tumor. Nests of squamous cells, some of them forming pearls, and cystic structures identical with epidermal cysts were observed in three of our 12 cases, but unequivocal striated muscle cells as well as bone or cartilage were found in none of our cases. Some nests of squamous cells observed in tubules suggested that they were derived from metaplasia of the lining epithelium.

A Statistical Survey of Neoplasms Among Koreans: A Second Report

A statistical survey of neoplasms collected from the files of surgical and autopsy specimens examined in the department of pathology during the 52 months preceeding August 1961, was made and the results compared with the previously reported data. The total number of specimens surveyed in this study was 7,978, among which benign neoplasms accounted for 480 cases and malignant neoplasms for 1,107. Carcinomas of the stomach and uterus occupied the highest frequency among the malignant tumors. The incidence of benign tumors of the uterus was significantly higher than that reported by others. A detailed analysis of the various data on benign and malignant tumors is listed in the tables.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising in Benign Cystic Teratoma of the Ovary; Report of Two Cases

Two cases of squamous cell carcinoma arising in benign cystic teratoma of the ovary are reported because of the rarity of this condition. No similar cases have been recorded yet in Korean literature. Furthermore, two different co-existing malignant tumors were encountered in one of these cases; a squamous cell carcinoma arising in a benign cystic teratoma of the right ovary and a serous cystadenocarcinoma of the opposite ovary. The latter metastasized to the right ovary. Important points in diagnosis and management of this complication in the operating room are briefly discussed.