ABSTRACT
Ascites formation is commonly associated with cancer, although it is also present in other diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of vascular endothelial growth factor as a malignancy marker in ascites of different etiologies. The levels of VEGF in 32 malignant and in 31 non-malignant ascites were determined by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). VEGF levels were significantly higher in malignant than in non-malignant ascites (median=1265.9 pg/ml x 114.6 pg/ml; p<0.0001). We observed 72% sensitivity and 90% specificity, using 662 pg/ml as a cut-off value. Therefore, this approach can be used as a marker for a first screening to discriminate between malignant and nonmalignant ascites.
Subject(s)
Ascites/metabolism , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Neoplasms/metabolism , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism , Ascites/pathology , Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasms/pathology , ROC Curve , Sensitivity and Specificity , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/analysisABSTRACT
1. Lymph node aspirates from 17 patients with an initial cytologic diagnosis of lymphoma (11 cases) or with suspected lymphoma (6 cases) were studied by immunocytochemistry, which led to a final diagnosis. Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated a B-cell phenotype in 10 cases, one case of anaplastic large cell Ki-1+ lymphoma, one lymphoblastic lymphoma negative for B and T cell markers, one large-cell unclassified lymphoma, and one inconclusive case. Three of the cases with suspected lymphoma were diagnosed as reactive lymphadenitis. 2. Combined cytomorphology and cytochemistry permitted a conclusive diagnosis in 13 out of 14 cases of lymphoma. Histology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the cytologic diagnosis. The inconclusive case was diagnosed as a T pleomorphic, small-cell lymphoma by histology. 3. The accuracy of cytomorphology associated with immunocytochemistry is high. However, the diagnosis of low-grade lymphomas, especially of a T phenotype may be difficult.
Subject(s)
Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/diagnosis , Biopsy, Needle , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Immunophenotyping , Lymphoma, B-Cell/diagnosis , Lymphoma, B-Cell/pathology , Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/pathology , Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/diagnosis , Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/pathologyABSTRACT
1. Lymph node aspirates from 17 patients with an initial cytologic diagnosis of lymphoma (11 cases) or with suspected lymphoma (6 cases) were studied by immunocytochemistry, which led to a final diagnosis. Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated a B-cell phenotype in 10 cases, one case of anaplastic large cell Ki-1+ lymphoma, one lymphoblastic lymphoma negative for B and T cell markers, one large-cell unclassified lymphoma, and one inconclusive case. Three of the cases with suspected lymphoma were diagnosed as reactive lymphadenitis. 2. Combined cytomorphology and cytochemistry permitted a conclusive diagnosis in 13 out of 14 cases of lymphoma. Histology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the cytologic diagnosis. The inconclusive case was diagnosed as a T pleomorphic, small-cell lymphoma by histology. 3. The accuracy of cytomorphology associated with immunocytochemistry is high. However, the diagnosis of low-grade lymphomas, especially of a T phenotype may be difficult.
