Progesterone receptor in patients with hepatolithiasis.

Altered gallbladder motility by progesterone has been recognized as an important factor in the development of gallstones. There are two types of hepatolithiasis, that occurs de novo in the intrahepatic ducts with an intact gallbladder (primary hepatolithiasis) and that which originates in the gallbladder and the stones migrate into the intrahepatic duct (secondary hepatolithiasis). This study was designed to evaluate the possible role of the progesterone receptor of gallbladder in the pathogenesis of hepatolithiasis. Eighty-four patients with hepatolithiasis (34 patients had primary hepatolithiasis and the other 50 patients secondary hepatolithiasis) were included. Paraffin-embedded specimens of gallbladder were processed to have an immunohistochemical staining for progesterone receptor. Positivity for progesterone receptor of gallbladder specimens was noted in eight patients (23.5%) with primary hepatolithiasis and in 23 patients (46%) with secondary hepatolithiasis. There is significant difference (P = 0.031) in positive rate for progesterone receptor between the primary hepatolithiasis and secondary hepatolithiasis groups. In conclusion, many more patients (46%) with secondary hepatolithiasis show positivity for progesterone receptor of gallbladder specimens than patients with primary hepatolithiasis (23.5%) (P = 0.031). This phenomenon is intriguing and should be of further evaluation and elucidated.

Serum levels of transforming growth factor beta1 in patients with breast cancer.

HYPOTHESIS: Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) may be related to breast cancer progression. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Sixty consecutive patients with invasive breast cancer undergoing surgery were prospectively included and evaluated. The control group consisted of 14 patients with benign breast tumors (7 with fibrocystic disease and 7 with fibroadenoma). INTERVENTION: Venous blood samples were collected before the surgery. Sera were obtained by centrifugation and stored at -70 degrees C until assayed. Serum concentrations of TGF-beta1 were measured by quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay. Data on primary tumor stage, age, estrogen receptor status, lymph node status, distant metastases, and TNM staging (according to the Union Internationale Contre le Cancer) were reviewed and recorded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurements of preoperative serum TGF-beta1 levels in patients with breast cancer. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD value of serum TGF-beta1 in patients with invasive breast cancer was 498.7 +/- 249.7 pg/mL and in the control group was 495.2 +/- 225.5 pg/mL (P =.96). However, there were significantly higher serum levels of TGF-beta1 in patients with more advanced lymph node status (P =.04), more advanced TNM stage (P =.005), and poorer histological grade (P =.02). In multivariate analysis, TNM staging (P =.02) was demonstrated to be the independent factor related to significantly higher serum levels of TGF-beta1. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with more advanced TNM stages were shown to have higher serum TGF-beta1 levels. Thus, serum TGF-beta1 levels may reflect the severity of invasive breast cancer.

Paget disease of the breast--an easily overlooked disease?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Paget disease of the breast has long been recognized as a distinct clinical disease. The clinical manifestations and outcomes of Paget disease of the breast were reviewed to understand its earlier diagnostic clues and achieve an optimal treatment plan. Patients and Methods Thirty-one patients with Paget disease of the breast were included in this study. The postoperative outcomes and possible related prognostic factors were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival was 69%. Nineteen patients (61%, Group A) did not have a palpable breast mass and 12 patients (39%, Group B) had a palpable breast mass. There was significant difference (P < 0.01) in the 5-year overall survival between Group A (94%) and Group B (19%). Group A patients had significantly higher incidences of underlying noninvasive breast carcinoma (73% vs. 8%, P < 0.01) and n0 lymph nodes status (84%vs. 50%, P = 0.043) than those of Group B. CONCLUSIONS: Paget disease of the breast without a palpable breast mass carries a more favorable prognosis. Patients with any nipple complaints deserve a detailed evaluation even in the absence of a palpable breast mass in order not to overlook a favorable disease.

Serum levels of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in patients with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The outcome of breast cancer is usually determined by multiple factors. Circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 has been found to be increased in the circulation of patients with malignancy. This study was designed with the aim of evaluating the prognostic significance of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in breast cancer. METHODS AND MATERIAL: From December 1994 to May 1995, 50 patients with invasive breast carcinoma were included. Venous blood samples were collected before surgery and the serum levels of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 were measured with an enzyme immunoassay method. The data of maximum tumor size, age, estrogen receptor status, lymph node status and TNM staging were collected and evaluated simultaneously with the serum levels of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Fifteen healthy subjects were used as control group. RESULTS: The mean value of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in patient group was 463 +/- 92 ng/ml and that of the control group was 346 +/- 68 ng/ml and the difference was significant (p < 0.01). In univariable analysis, patients with maximum tumor size of 5 cm or greater (p < 0.01), more advanced lymph node status (p < 0.01) and more advanced TNM staging (p < 0.01) were shown to have significantly higher serum levels of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1. However, in multivariable analysis, TNM staging was demonstrated to be the only independent factor (p < 0.01) related to significant, higher serum level of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1. CONCLUSION: Preoperative serum levels of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 may reflect the severity of staging for invasive breast cancer and may be a promising, additive predictor which deserves further investigation.