The PRMT1 gene expression pattern in colon cancer.

The methylation of arginine has been implicated in many cellular processes, such as regulation of transcription, mRNA splicing, RNA metabolism and transport. The enzymes responsible for this modification are the protein arginine methyltransferases. The most abundant methyltransferase in human cells is protein arginine methyltransferase 1. Methylation processes appear to interfere in the emergence of several diseases, including cancer. During our study, we examined the expression pattern of protein arginine methyltransferase 1 gene in colon cancer patients. The emerging results showed that the expression of one of the gene variants is associated with statistical significant probability to clinical and histological parameters, such as nodal status and stage. This is a first attempt to acquire an insight on the possible relation of the expression pattern of protein arginine methyltransferase 1 and colon cancer progression.

Significance of urokinase-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression in human colorectal carcinomas.

Despite the advances in the medical care of colorectal carcinoma patients, the prognosis has improved only marginally over recent decades. Thus, additional prognostic indicators would be of great clinical value to select patients for adjuvant therapy. In the present study, the antigen levels of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its inhibitor PAI-1, and their immunohistochemical staining were compared in paired colorectal tumor (n = 64) and background colon tissue of the same patients with clinical and pathological staging. The antigen levels, measured with an ELISA method, were found to be significantly higher in cancer tissue (mean 1.92 ng/mg protein for uPA and 7.08 for PAI-1) than in corresponding normal mucosa (0.29 ng/mg protein for uPA and 1.11 ng/mg protein for PAI-1). There was a positive correlation between uPA and PAI-1 antigen levels and clinicopathological parameters such as grade (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively), while for Dukes' stage, only PAI-1 correlated positively (p = 0.018). Nodal status correlated positively with uPA but not with PAI-1 antigen levels. Immunohistochemical localization of both antigens was observed mainly in cancer cells and much less in stromal cells. Staining intensity increased from adenoma to adenocarcinoma. The degree of staining was associated with grade, Dukes' stage and nodal status for uPA (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, p < 0.001, respectively) and only with grade for PAI-1 (p = 0.007).

Rectal metastases from lobular carcinoma of the breast: report of a case and literature review.

Metastatic involvement of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract secondary to breast cancer is rare. Reported herein is the case of a 74-year-old woman with metastatic lobular breast carcinoma to the rectum presenting with obstruction. The breast tumour was diagnosed nine years prior to the presentation of rectal metastases. Endoscopy was repeated twice until a diagnosis was established. Examination of endoscopy material revealed infiltration of the rectum by malignant signet ring cells identical to those of the primary breast tumour. The patient did not respond to chemotherapy and underwent laparotomy with a defunctioning colostomy. Literature review revealed only a few more cases of metastatic breast carcinoma to the rectum. Awareness of this condition may lead to accurate diagnosis and early initiation of systemic treatment, thus avoiding surgical intervention.

Presence and possible significance of immunohistochemically demonstrable metallothionein expression in pterygium versus pinguecula and normal conjunctiva.

PURPOSE: To investigate metallothionein (MT) expression in pterygium, pinguecula and normal conjunctiva and define its possible significance in this area of the eye. In order to further elucidate the mechanism of MT expression we correlated it with lymphocyte subpopulations (T4, T8), macrophages (CD68), Langerhans' cells (S100) and the proliferation-associated indices (PCNA, Ki67). METHODS: Eighty-five surgically excised pterygia, 15 pingueculae and 20 normal conjunctivae were immunohistochemically studied by the avidin-biotin (ABC) method. A monoclonal antibody (E9) against a conserved epitope of I and II isoforms of MT was used on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS statistical package. RESULTS: Epithelial MT expression was detected in all 120 cases examined and in most of them both nuclear and cytoplasmic immunoreactivity was present. Nevertheless no statistically significant difference of MT expression was found between the three types of tissue. A statistically significant positive correlation between MT expression and lymphocyte subsets, macrophages and Langerhans' cells was found in pterygium. On the contrary, we did not find any statistical correlation in pinguecula and normal conjunctiva. In all three types of tissues MT expression was also positively correlated with the proliferation-associated indices. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that there is immunohistochemically demonstrable MT expression in the epithelium of pterygium, but also of normal conjunctiva and pinguecula. MT may serve a photoprotective role in this region. In pterygium in particular, the biochemical pathway of MT synthesis seems interestingly to cross the pathways of cell proliferation, inflammation and immune activation.

Correlation of prostate specific antigen immunoactivity (IR-PSA) to other prognostic factors in female breast cancer.

Recently, using an ultrasensitive time-resolved immuno-fluorometric assay, PSA immunoreactivity (IR-PSA) was found in breast tumor cytosols. We retrospectively studied 219 breast cancer patients, measuring IR-PSA in the tumor cytosols, and classified the breast cancers as either PSA positive or PSA negative based on an IR-PSA cut off level of 1 pg/mg. Multivariated analysis showed that IR-PSA is an independent favourable prognostic indicator for postmenopausal, node positive breast cancer patients. Additionally, IR-PSA correlates with reduced risk of relapse in ER+ve tumors and is negatively correlated with mutated p53, which increases the risk of relapse.

Thermal tissue damage following laser and large loop conization of the cervix.

OBJECTIVE: To compare thermal injury zones produced with laser and diathermy loop conization. METHODS: Excisional cervical specimens (cones and cervices) were obtained from 40 consecutive women who underwent abdominal hysterectomy. The subjects were assigned to have either laser or diathermy loop conization (20 in each group). The duration of each procedure was recorded. Histopathologic measurements of thermal injury zones were performed in all specimens. RESULTS: The techniques produced cone specimens of similar depth. The mean depth of thermal injury produced with laser conization in cone specimens (mean +/- standard deviation 0.49 +/- 0.16 mm) and cervical craters (0.58 +/- 0.24 mm) was significantly greater (P < .001) than the corresponding depth in cone specimens (0.22 +/- 0.09 mm) and cervical craters (0.27 +/- 0.11 mm) obtained by diathermy loop excision. The mean time of the two procedures was also significantly different (P < .001); laser conization 11 +/- 4.5 minutes and loop conization 2 +/- 1.2 minutes. CONCLUSION: For routine conization, loop diathermy causes less thermal damage to the specimen and is a faster procedure than laser.

[Bilateral testicular metastasis of an adenocarcinoma of the prostate]. / Métastases testiculaires bilatérales d'adénocarcinome de la prostate.

Secondary testicular tumors are very rare. Since 1935, approximately 200 cases have been documented in the international literature. Testicular metastases of prostatic carcinoma are reported more frequently and other common primary tumor sites are the lung, kidney, colon, stomach and other sites. A review of the literature revealed 43 cases originating from prostatic carcinoma with 4 bilateral cases. The authors add a rare case of bilateral metastasis to the testis originating from prostatic carcinoma. This patient had been treated by transurethral resection of the prostate and bilateral orchidectomy 24 months previously.

Glomus tumor. A histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical study of the various types.

Glomus tumors are benign lesions composed of vessels and glomocytes in varying proportions. The histological appearance of the tumors depend upon the ratio of the vascular to the glomus cells and their differentiation as well as upon the amount and composition of the stroma. The aim of the present study was the establishment of criteria for the distinction of glomus tumor-like malformations from neoplasms with glomus cell differentiation. Using a panel of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies (vimentin, a-smooth muscle actin, desmin, pan-keratin, low molecular weight cytokeratin, EMA, NSE, S-100 protein, Factor VIII, a1-ACT) glomus tumors could be separated into three types: vascular, cellular with myxoid stroma and cellular, solid type. In the first two types the tumor growth is composed of all three components found in normal glomus body, but in a haphazard fashion and thus might be considered as tumor-like malformations. The third type is composed of perivascular arranged cells most of which acquire the phenotypical characteristics of glomocytes. This last tumor probably represent the neoplastic variant of the group of lesions designated by the term glomus tumor.

The detection of glucocorticoid receptors in breast cancer by immunocytochemical and biochemical methods.

Glucocorticoid receptors have been detected in 90 human breast tumors and tumor-like conditions by the immunoperoxidase method using a specific antibody against the glucocorticoid receptor isolated from rat thymocytes. In some of the specimens the [3H]-dexamethasone binding assay was also performed and the results obtained were compared with those of the immunoperoxidase method. When the biochemical method was used, no strict correlation between the degree of binding of [3H]-dexamethasone and malignancy on the basis of histological findings could be demonstrated. In contrast, the immunoperoxidase method was in full agreement with the histological type of the tumor. Thus, nearly all malignant breast tumors (carcinomas) were positive by the immunoperoxidase method to a vary degree. Most of the examined benign tumor-like conditions (fibrocystic disease) were found to be negative. Intermediate situations, such as atypical duct of lobular hyperplasia, papillomatosis etc, were mostly positive. These findings suggest that ther immunoperoxidase method, part from its usefulness for the detection of glucocorticoid receptors in breast tissue, may be used as an early biological marker to detect early conversion of normal to hyperplastic tissue and/or malignancy of the mammary gland.

Histologically positive esophageal margin in the surgical treatment of gastric cancer.

Histologically positive esophageal margins caused by transection of the esophagus in an area involved by disease were encountered in 20 percent of 350 patients undergoing total or proximal subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. There was a significant increase in the incidence of positive margins in patients with neoplasms of the cardia and in those who were managed without frozen-section examination of the resected esophagus. Positive margins were avoided only with resection of 12 cm or more of macroscopically tumor-free esophagus above the primary. Despite the presence of tumor at the margin, anastomotic recurrences appeared in only 23 percent of the patients at risk. Recurrences affected mainly those who had TNM stage I and II lesions. Patients with more advanced disease usually died from metastasis without developing anastomotic recurrence. Positive margins were associated with a poor prognosis that was not influenced by adjuvant postoperative treatment. The avoidance of positive margins by wide esophagectomy is important in patients with TNM stage I and II disease, particularly if the primary lesion is located in the cardia. Patients with positive margins should be watched closely rather than subjected to further treatment.

Gastric carcinoma after treatment of ulcer.

In a study comparing 1,496 gastric cancer patients with 1,496 matched control patients, gastrectomy or simple gastrojejunostomy for ulcer predisposed to gastric cancer whereas medical ulcer treatment did not. Gastric carcinomas after ulcer surgery appeared after age 50 years. The time interval between ulcer treatment and the appearance of gastric cancer gradually decreased as the patients' age approached 50 years. The selection of operated ulcer patients for gastroscopic evaluation should be based on age rather than sex, location of the ulcer, ulcer-cancer interval or type of ulcer operation. Gastroscopy was the most effective diagnostic tool in the management of such patients.