Prognostic value of desmoplastic reaction and lymphocytic infiltration in the management of breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain whether the prognostic value of desmoplastic reaction and lymphocytic infiltration are a good prognostic index to estimate survival in breast cancer patients. METHODS: From 1987 to 1994, the authors have evaluated the prognostic value of desmoplastic reaction and lymphocytic infiltration related to rode state in 34 patients with breast cancer. For statistical analysis and comparison of means the "t"-test was used. The significance level was 0.01. RESULTS: The group of patients with abundant desmoplastic reaction shows an overall survival rate lower than the group with poor desmoplastic reaction (p < 0.01) and the survival of the group with abundant desmoplastic reaction was related to lymphnodal status. CONCLUSIONS: Many prognostic factors have been shown during these years, some connected to patient, some connected to neoplasm and others connected to the treatment. Recently many other prognostic factors have been recognized, among which the possible prognostic role of desmoplasia has been carefully valued. Certainly, today the prognostic value of desmoplastic reaction and lymphocytic infiltration cannot take the place of usual prognostic factors in the evaluation of breast cancer patient yet the desmoplastic reaction is a good prognostic index to estimate the survival in these patients.

Tamoxifen, megestrol acetate, and beta interferon in endometrial cancer.

22 patients with endometrial cancer were studied. Twelve (54.5%) between 45 and 66 years were treated for six days before surgery with 160 mg per os of Megestrol acetate administered twice daily plus Beta interferon 3,000,000 IU- on alternate days for a week, plus Tamoxifen--two cp of 10 mg daily for six days. Before and after surgery and associated medical therapies the steroid receptor values (ER and PgR) were checked. After treatment an average increase was observed of the ER (19 fmol/mg) and PgR (17 fmol/mg). Of the twelve patients one died of a stroke during the study (8.33%); five (41.67%) showed complete remission (CR); four (33.34%) a partial remission (PR) and two (16.67%) were not responders (NR).

Puberal hormonal status and vaginal microbiology.

The Autors have examinated endocrine function in girls during puberal age. Have been showed datums relative to cultures effected on vaginal secrets withdrawn from little girls in prepuberal age. They have also studied polimicrobic vaginal flora related to sexual hormone levels. Have been controllated correlations between vaginal microbic status and cytohormonal response at different hormonal situation. The Doderlein presence is as much greater so higher is the oestrogen and progesterone (E/P) ratio, while the Doderlein bacillus isn't present when E/P ratio is lower. Perhaps in puberal age other factors than oestrogen and progesterone levels, could influence vaginal polymicrobic flora.

[Endometrial carcinoma with simultaneous endometrioid carcinoma of the ovary. Report of two clinical cases]. / Carcinoma dell'endometrio e simultaneo carcinoma endometrioide dell'ovaio. Presentazione di due casi clinici.

The paper reports two cases of simultaneous endometrial carcinoma and endometrioid carcinoma of the ovary. The clinical and pathological characteristics are examined. Both patients underwent radical surgery with an intraoperative examination for metastatic involvement of the lumbo-aortic, iliac and infundibulo-ovarian lymphonodes. Surgery was followed by antiblastic (cisplatin, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide), hormonal (progestogens) and immuno-modulating (thymostimulin treatment). The two patients (respectively approximately 10 and 7 years after the operation) both enjoy good health.

[Carcinoma of the vulva. Report of a case originating from Bartholin's gland]. / Carcinoma della vulva. Considerazioni su di un caso a partenza dalla ghiandola del Bartholin.

A case of vulvar carcinoma arising from Bartholin's gland is described. At admission the patient showed a large suppurated swelling of the left labium maior. The neoformation reached the groin of the same side. Malignant cells were detected in biopsy specimens of both the vulvar swelling and the lymphonodes. The histological test showed a vulvar carcinoma arising from Bartholin's gland. The vulvar swelling and the ulcerated lesion were removed and the patient was treated with radiotherapy, chemotherapy (bleomicina) and immunomodulant therapy (Timostimoline). Pulmonary methastases were detected eighteen months after the operation and the patient died two years later.

[Determination of squamous cell carcinoma antigen in the blood of patients with cancer of the uterine cervix]. / Dossaggio dell'antigene "Carcinoma squamocellulare" (SCC) nel siero di pazienti affette da cancro del collo dell'utero.

The RIA method has been used to assay the squamous cell carcinoma antigen in the serum of twenty-four patients suffering from cervical cancer. The results obtained showed expressive differences between the levels in women with metastatic relapse and in those in remission, but the SCC antigen is particularly useful in the therapeutic monitoring, since it can assess of the current treatment.

[Correlation of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and serum and tissue alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in malignant tumors of the female genital tract]. / Correlazioni tra antigene carcinoembrionario (CEA) ed alfa-fetoproteina (AFP) sierico e tissutale nei tumori maligni della sfera genitale femminile.

The Authors have carried out determinations of AFP in the serum and of CEA in serum and in surgically removed tissue of 67 patients with genital tract's malignant tumors. As the results obtained among values of pre and post operatory CEA and tissue concentrations are incongruous, they believe useful, within the monitoring of patients with gynecological cancer, dosing CEA in the serum and also on the surgical section trying to reduce so the minimum positive false and negative false. Finally the repeated dosage of these antigens allows to follow the local replaced or the metastasis after some month, before the symptoms are clear.