ABSTRACT
AIM: Twin pregnancies are at greater risk of obstetrical and perinatal adverse outcome compared to singletons. In addition, expecting twins can have particular psychological consequences on both parents. The aim of our study was to interview women with a twin pregnancy and their partners in order to assess their feelings and emotions related to the twins and to evaluate the opportunity to activate an information group about the theme of twin pregnancy, and a development of twins and family management. METHODS: Twenty patients with an uncomplicated twin pregnancy and their partners answered 9 questions in a semistructured interview, set on the basis of the psychological and social issues reported in the literature on couples expecting twins. Emerging themes and key words were extracted from the interviews and analysed. RESULTS: Quantitative analysis showed that women were, in most cases, shocked at the time of the diagnosis of twinning, while men tried to minimize the worries of their partners. Women reported some fears related to the practical management of the future life, but they declared to feel not different from women expecting singleton, confirming the data reported in the literature. Seventy percent of the women were interested in meeting other parents with twins. Qualitative analysis frequently indicated the defence mechanism of rationalisation and negation of the worries concerning the pregnancy risks and the future care of their babies. Their answers seem to hide fears and doubts that are confessed with difficulty. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests the importance for hospital staff to create an atmosphere of calm and to demonstrate empathy and understanding, with the aim to help and allow the mothers to express their fears.
Subject(s)
Denial, Psychological , Fear , Rationalization , Twins , Adult , Emotions , Female , Humans , Male , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Outcome , Reproductive History , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
The histologic features of regression may be found in some basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), and it is known that T-cell infiltrates have a significant role in host defense against this tumor. We examined 945 hair follicles (HFs) adjacent to 150 regressing BCCs of skin for the presence of inflammatory infiltrates and compared the results against 315 HFs in 50 samples of normal skin. Focal T-cell infiltrates localized mainly to the upper portion of the HFs were found in 14.5% of the follicles adjacent to regressing BCCs. A statistically significant increase of inflammation in HFs was observed in BCCs with active regression compared with BCCs with inactive and mixed regression (P < 0.05). An increase in the number of HFs involved by T lymphocytes was also found in regressing BCCs compared to normal skin ( P < 0.00005). These data suggest that the damage to the follicles is concordant with active regression of BCCs. We speculate that the immune-mediated regression of BCCs is not only specifically directed to the cells of the tumor but may also induce activated lymphocytes with cytotoxic capability to cross react with the follicular epithelium.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Basal Cell/pathology , Hair Follicle/pathology , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , T-Lymphocytes/pathology , Antigens, CD/analysis , Humans , Immunophenotyping , Remission, Spontaneous , T-Lymphocytes/immunologyABSTRACT
Granular cell tumor of the esophagus, also called Abrikossof's tumor, is a rare and mostly benign neoplasm which is associated with cancer in 11% of cases reported in the literature. We report herein a 48 year-old-man with granular tumor of the esophagus and carcinoma of the papilla of Vater. it is a unreported association.
Subject(s)
Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology , Granular Cell Tumor/pathology , Adenocarcinoma/complications , Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Ampulla of Vater/pathology , Common Bile Duct Neoplasms/complications , Common Bile Duct Neoplasms/pathology , Diagnosis, Differential , Esophageal Neoplasms/complications , Granular Cell Tumor/complications , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Endometrial carcinoma is rare in women under 40 years of age. The incidence in this age group has been variously reported to be from 1% to 8% of all cases of endometrial carcinoma. Women at high risk, as a result of excess estrogenic stimulation are those with polycystic ovaries, long-standing estrogen users and functioning granulosa cell tumors and thecomas. We report two cases of young women with endometrial carcinoma and polycystic ovaries (Stein-Leventhal syndrome).
