Serum human chorionic gonadotropin is associated with angiogenesis in germ cell testicular tumors.

BACKGROUND: Germ cell testicular tumors have survival rate that diminishes with high tumor marker levels, such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). hCG may regulate vascular neoformation through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Our purpose was to determine the relationship between hCG serum levels, angiogenesis, and VEGF expression in germ cell testicular tumors. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 101 patients. Serum levels of hCG, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and lactate dehydrogenase were measured prior to surgery. Vascular density (VD) and VEGF tissue expression were determined by immunohistochemistry and underwent double-blind analysis. RESULTS: Histologically, 46% were seminomas and 54%, non-seminomas. Median follow-up was 43 +/- 27 months. Relapse was present in 7.5% and mortality in 11.5%. Factors associated with high VD included non-seminoma type (p = 0.016), AFP > or = 14.7 ng/mL (p = 0.0001), and hCG > or = 25 mIU/mL (p = 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, the only significant VD-associated factor was hCG level (p = 0.04). When hCG levels were stratified, concentrations > or = 25 mIU/mL were related with increased neovascularization (p < 0.0001). VEGF expression was not associated with VD or hCG serum levels. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that relates increased serum hCG levels with vascularization in testicular germ cell tumors. Hence, its expression might play a role in tumor angiogenesis, independent of VEGF expression, and may explain its association with poor prognosis. hCG might represent a molecular target for therapy.

Importance of the preoperative evaluation of multifocal and multicentric breast cancer with magnetic resonance imaging in women with dense parenchyma.

BACKGROUND: The presence and detection of multifocal and multicentric disease significantly increases the risk of recurrence and changes the best therapeutic approach in patients with breast cancer. Mammography has low sensitivity to detect multiple malignant foci in patients with dense breast parenchyma. We prospectively evaluated Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as part of preoperative assessment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Women with clinical and radiological suspicion of breast cancer and dense breast parenchyma (> 75% dense tissue) were included. All patients underwent mammography, ultrasonogram and MRI prior to surgery. Surgical specimens were used for the detection of multifocal and multicentric disease. Patients who required neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy were excluded. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were evaluated. Histological diagnosis was confirmed in 14 patients, multifocal and multicentric disease was found in five and two patients, respectively. Sensitivity and accuracy to detect multiple malignant foci were 42 and 64%, respectively, for mammography plus ultrasound and 100 and 92% for MRI (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MRI is more sensible and has a better accuracy than mammography plus ultrasound to detect both multicentric and multifocal breast cancer in women with dense breast parenchyma. MRI can improve preoperative assessment of breast cancer in this group of patients.