Solitary Colorectal Cancer Metastasis to the Pancreas.

INTRODUCTION: Secondary pancreatic metastasis from other solid organ malignancy is rare and accounts for less than 2% of all pancreatic tumors. The aim of this study is to highlight that colorectal metastatic disease in the pancreas could be in selected cases an indication for surgery rather than for palliative chemotherapy. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 62-year-old Caucasian female with a history of rectal adenocarcinoma. Four years ago, the patient underwent low anterior resection of the rectosigmoid, post neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, with adjuvant chemotherapy. During her follow-up, imaging examinations revealed a lesion in the pancreatic neck with features indicating primary pancreatic cancer. Near-total distal pancreatectomy with en bloc splenectomy was performed. Histopathology revealed metastatic disease compatible with colorectal adenocarcinoma as the primary cancer. Second-line chemotherapy was decided from the institutional tumor board. The patient remains disease free one year later. CONCLUSION: Pancreatic lesions in patients with a history of extrapancreatic malignancy should raise suspicions of metastatic disease. Surgical intervention is a legitimate treatment option for these pancreatic lesions, since they represent solitary disease deposits and of course in the context of multidisciplinary meeting decisions, and after proper and extensive staging investigations.

Modification of reproductive function in the rat by 3-methylcholanthrene.

Repeated exposure of adult female Wistar rats to 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) (25 mg kg(-1) b.w., i.p., 2xwk, 1 mo) was associated with a significant increase in estrus cycle length. In addition, an increased frequency of females with constant diestrus and abnormal cycles was observed. Young females which had been exposed to MC prepubertally or whose parents had been treated with MC before and during mating also demonstrated cycle prolongation and an increased incidence of constant diestrus and abnormal cycles. These changes in female reproductive function were not associated with measurable changes in plasma sex hormone levels. In contrast, MC exposure in adult males was associated with significant reductions in circulating plasma testosterone levels. The present data also suggest that the offspring of parents who had been exposed repeatedly to MC before and during mating are also affected. Although the central nervous system in offspring of MC-treated parents appeared to be intact, their oral body temperature was significantly lower.

Ligands of four receptors in the nuclear steroid/thyroid hormone superfamily inhibit induction of rat cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase-3 (ALDH3c) by 3-methylcholanthrene.

Using six ligands that bind to four different receptors in the nuclear steroid/thyroid hormone superfamily, we have examined the effects of these chemicals on induction of the cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH3c) activity by 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) in rat liver and uterus. In contrast to negligible activities in the untreated rat, ALDH3c enzyme activities are induced after a single dose of 3MC. Hepatic ALDH3c induction is decreased 60% to 90% when 3MC is administered together with any of the following ligands: estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, hydrocortisol, diethylstilbestrol, or tamoxifen. None of these same doses of chemicals, administered alone, affects ALDH3c enzyme activity. In addition, when these ligands are injected 2 days after 3MC, no changes are observed in liver or uterus ALDH3c induction. These results suggest that ligands that bind to different receptors in the nuclear steroid/thyroid hormone superfamily might inhibit the ALD3H3c induction process by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; the molecular mechanism(s) of this inhibitory effect is not yet understood.

[Clinicostatistical study of the reasons for placing and replacing restorations]. / Klinikostatistike melete ton aiton topotheteses kai antikatastases emphraxeon.

This article presents the results of a clinical study conducted in the department of Operative Dentistry of the University of Athens. The reasons for placing and replacing restorations, the restorative material used, patient's age and sex, teeth and surfaces involved and age of replaced restorations were the variables studied in 1520 restorations. The results revealed that 53.2% of the restorations were placed for the first time. 92.6% of the new restorations were placed due to primary caries. Secondary caries were the reasons for the 35% of the replaced with amalgam restorations. Secondary caries and color mismatch were the reasons for the 25% and 23.2% respectively of the replaced with composite restorations.