Expression of Wnt 1 and beta-catenin in epithelial ovarian cancer / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: We were trying to identify the expression of Wnt 1 and beta-catenin in normal ovarian epithelium and epithelial ovarian tumor. METHODS: We used archival formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues from Comprehensive Gynecologic Cancer Center and the Department of Pathology at Bundang CHA Hospital from 2000 to 2005. Immunohistochemical staining for Wnt 1 and beta-catenin was performed on the ovarian epithelial tissues. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 10.1 for Windows and significance was defined as P<0.05. RESULTS: Of 114 cases, the cases were composed of 54 carcinomas, 40 borderline tumors, 12 benign tumors and 8 normal control ovarian tissues. Abnormal nucleocytoplasmic expression of beta-catenin was found in 4 endometrioid carcinomas. The nuclear expression of beta-catenin was found especially in the components of the endometrioid carcinoma (28.6%, P<0.05). Wnt 1 was overexpressed in all 9 clear cell carcinomas, but not frequent in the other types of malignant tumors (P<0.05). We found a statistically significant correlation between beta-catenin nuclear localization and endometrioid carcinomas. And we found a significant correlation between Wnt 1 expression and clear cell carcinomas. CONCLUSION: It does not seem that Wnt 1 over expression directly provoke the nuclear localization of beta-catenin. But, deregulation of beta-catenin and Wnt 1 may play a role in the pathogenesis of ovarian epithelial carcinogenesis of endometriod carcinoma and clear cell carcinoma. Evaluating this avenue of regulation of beta-catenin and Wnt protein in ovarian epithelial carcinoma may provide a new direction for early diagnosis and treatment in ovarian epithelial carcinoma and provide opportunities for making a certain biomarkers.

A Case of Fetal Bilateral Renal Agenesis Diagnosed by Transvaginal Ultrasonography / 대한산부인과학회지

Fetal bilateral renal agenesis is a lethal congenital anomaly characterized by bilateral pulmonary hypoplasia, deformities and death due to severe oligohydramnios. This syndrome is associated with malformations of genitourinary tract, cardiovascular system, vertebral bodies or imperforated anus in more than half of the affected individuals. An early and reliable prenatal diagnosis is extremely important because it may offer options for pregnancy termination as early as possible. The criteria for the ultrasonographic diagnosis of bilateral renal agenesis are severe oligohydramnios, nonvisualization of the bladder, empty renal fossae. But poor sonographic resolution of severe oligohydramnios makes it difficult to diagnose the disease. We present a case of bilateral renal agenesis diagnosed at the 18th weeks gestation by using Transvaginal Ultrasonography and Color Doppler.

Three Cases of Sertoli-Leydig Cell Tumor / 대한산부인과학회지

Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors of the ovary are one of the sex cord-stromal tumors. They are very rare, account for less than 0.5% of all ovarian tumor. These tumors are almost unilateral, and occur predominantly at premenopausal state and rarely at postmenopausal and prepubertal. The most specific symptoms are virilization due to hyperandrogenism but it presents only in 40-50% of the patients, and vast majority of the patients complain for non-specific abdominal symptoms and menstrual disorder including vaginal bleeding. Prognosis and treatment modalities for Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors remain controversial as they are rare and only a few studies have been published. Treatment varies with patients age, tumor stage, and differentiation from unilateral salpingo-oophrectomy and total hysterectomy concomitant with pelvic lymph node dissection, and in occasion, adjuvant chemotherapy. Prognosis is generally favorable with 5-year survival rate of 70-90%. Recurrence is rare. We have experienced three cases of Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor, each of them showed different clinical presentation and histologic findings, so we present them with a brief review of literature.