Organization of the fibrous connective tissue of the fallopian tubes in fertile and climacteric periods: a scanning electron microscopic and stereologic study.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) of the fallopian tubes is subject to several changes due to hormonal influences and aging. However, there is a lack of studies regarding its arrangement in older women. We aimed to analyze the organization of ECMcomponents, including collagen and elastic fibers, in the fallopian tube's ampulla from young and old women by means of scanning electron microscopical and stereological methods. Twenty-one samples were analyzed: 12 from female cadavers in a fertile age (G1) and 9 from the climacteric period (G2). Masson's trichrome stain was used to observe collagen and smooth muscle, while Weigert's Fuchsin-Resorcin was employed to observe elastic fibers. Statistical analysis was performed by the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test with the aid ofthe R© software. The tissue was also fixed for scanning electron microscopic analysis in a modified Karnovsky solution and the three-dimensional organization of fibrous connective tissue was observed and compared. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.01) were found in all stereologic comparisons of the extracellular matrix between the groups, which revealed a higher volumetric density of the fibrous tissue in the climacteric group. Scanning electron microscopy showed degenerative alterations of extracellular matrix. According to our results, aging caused significant changes to the elements of the extracellular matrix and the smooth muscle of the fallopian tubes.

Synchronic renal cell carcinoma associated with fibromixoid sarcoma: A rare finding.

INTRODUCTION: Renal cell carcinoma comprises over 90% of renal cancers, thus, it is the most common form of renal neoplasia. This carcinoma can often present itself in a variable fashion, ranging from incidentalomas to metastatic diseases. Furthermore, the most common metastasis associated with this type of carcinoma occurs in the lungs, bones or liver. We aim to report a case of renal cell carcinoma which presented together with a fibromixoid sarcoma. CASE PRESENTATION: A 50 year-old woman presented with hematuria, weight loss, asthenia and right lumbar pain that started 7 months prior to the consult. CT scan was performed and revealed a solid injury of 10 cm in the right kidney together with a mass in the left flank. Total right nephrectomy was promptly performed and the patient was submitted 3 months later to a tumoral resection of the abdominal wall. Histopathological findings revealed a primary renal cell carcinoma and the second, metastatic tumor was shown to be a fibromixoid sarcoma. The patient was not submitted to chemotherapy and is currently under follow-up with the surgery and oncology staffs, without showing any symptoms. DISCUSSION: Renal cell carcinoma usually presents itself together with secondary tumors on the lungs and bones. The association of this type of carcinoma with a fibromixoid sarcoma of the abdominal wall is rare and poorly reported in the literature. CONCLUSION: This case reports shows a successful treatment regarding this rare association, which can help other physicians to re-evaluate their medical conduct.