C-Met expression pattern in uterine leiomyoma.

AIM: Growth factors take place in the formation and growth of uterine leiomyomas (LMs). Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) contribute to the pathophysiology of LMs when they bind with a specific membrane receptor and transmit a signal into the cell. Little is known about hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor system c-Met in formation and growth of uterine LMs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the c-Met receptor expression on human myometrium and uterine LMs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed on human myometrium and uterine LMs. Expression of c-Met receptor was evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: Overexpression of c-Met was found in all LM cases and in none of normal myometrium samples c-Met overexpression was seen. CONCLUSION: HGF and c-Met receptor complex seem to have role in development of uterine LMs.

Overexpression of c-Met in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the significance of the c-Met / Hepatocyte Growth Factor Receptor (HGFR) expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients from two types of cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (LSIL and HSIL), diagnosed in our clinic were studied with c-Met immunohistochemistry. Of the 21 cases, five were diagnosed as LSIL and 16 as HSIL. Normal cervical mucosas from five patients were studied with c-Met as control cases. RESULTS: Overexpression of c-Met was found in all five of LSIL specimens. C-Met overexpression was observed in 11 cases of HSIL. No c-Met overexpression was seen in any of the five control cases. CONCLUSION: These results revealed that c-Met oncogene overexpression is an important parameter in cervical early oncogenesis and may have a role in malignant transformation of cervical epithelial cells.

The prognostic importance of proliferative activity and oestrogen receptor expression in stage I endometrial carcinomas.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of steroid hormone receptor proliferation index in endometrial adenocarcinoma. In this study, the correlation between oestrogen receptor expression, proliferation index and FIGO grade, age, myometrial invasion, tumour size and menopause status was evaluated in 40 patients with endometrial carcinoma. For this purpose, all tumours were stained immunohistochemically with oestrogen receptor and Ki-67 monoclonal antibodies. Oestrogen receptor expression and proliferation indices were found to be statistically associated with grade, age, menopausal status, vascular invasion and tumour size ( p < 0.001). Quantitative assessment of tumour proliferation and expression of oestrogen receptor were found to be important prognostic indicators in endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Clinical results of a split sample liquid-based cytology (ThinPrep) study of 4,322 patients in a Turkish institution.

PURPOSE: A prospective study was carried out to compare the efficacy of liquid-based cytology (ThinPrep) with the conventional Pap smear using a split-sample design in a Turkish university hospital outpatient gynecology clinic. METHODS: 4,322 consecutive patients were recruited for the study between 2002 and 2003. All the patients underwent conventional Pap tests followed by a ThinPrep test for screening of cervical cancer. The results were evaluated in terms of the Bethesda III classification. All the patients with abnormal tests underwent colposcopy and directed biopsy. RESULTS: While 2.3% of the specimens were unsatisfactory for evaluation in the conventional Pap test group, this rate was 1.7% for the ThinPrep group. Epithelial cell abnormalities were observed in 42 (1.0%) patients in the conventional Pap test group and in 36 (0.8%) patients in the ThinPrep group. ASCUS was observed in 26 patients in the conventional Pap test group whereas the ThinPrep group had 20 cases of ASCUS as the leading cause of abnormal cytology. Biopsy of these cases revealed CIN 1 in two CIN 2-3 in three and cervical/endometrial adenocarcinoma in three patients. The ThinPrep application led to diagnoses of one additional case of CIN 2-3 and one case of adenocarcinoma among the negative or unsatisfactory for evaluation categories of the conventional Pap test group. CONCLUSION: Despite an adverse bias introduced by the split-sample study design, application of ThinPrep showed an improved rate of specimen adequacy and increased sensitivity for more significant cervical precursor lesions over the conventional Pap test.

Microscopic nephrocalcinosis and hypercalciuria in nephrotic syndrome.

Focal calcification is an occasional tubular abnormality seen in minimal-change nephrotic syndrome. Nephrocalcinosis was also reported in premature infants as a consequence of hypercalciuria resulting from long-term furosemide therapy. We describe 4 nephrotic children (3 minimal change, 1 diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis) with transient hypercalciuria and intraluminal calcifications in renal histopathological specimens without radiologic evidence of renal calcification. These children were resistant to corticosteroid therapy and were receiving furosemide therapy along with albumin for management of oedema. Two of the children also had urinary infection. We were concerned that children with nephrotic syndrome are at risk for nephrocalcinosis, and urinary calcium and pH should be monitored carefully during prolonged furosemide use, especially in children with nephrotic syndrome with reduced initial responsiveness to corticosteroid therapy. HUM PATHOL 31:1363:1367.

Fatal polyarteritis nodosa with massive mesenteric necrosis in a child.

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a rare vasculitic syndrome in childhood. There are few reported cases of ischaemic necrosis of the intestine and even fewer survivors in adults. We report the case of a 10-year-old boy with PAN and an acute abdomen that required operative intervention. Evidence was found of mesenteric arteritis with large ischaemic segments resulting in infarction and perforation.