Penile cancer: impact of age at diagnosis on morphology and prognosis.

PURPOSE: In order to describe epidemiological and pathological features of penile cancer in a high-risk area of Brazil. METHODS: We reviewed the experience (378 patients from 1997 to 2007) of Hospital Aristides Maltez from Salvador, Bahia-the main institution in the state which provides oncologic treatment for penile cancer in the public health system. RESULTS: The present series showed a high rate (17 %) of patients less than 40 years at the time of diagnosis. Cancer-specific death rate in this age group was 19 % (in contrast to 11 and 13 % in the 41-60 and >60 age groups). Squamous cell carcinomas in younger patients were also more likely to exhibit infiltrative growth pattern, perineural invasion, and recurrence. CONCLUSION: Regardless of tumor subtypes, penile carcinoma in Northeastern Brazil had more aggressive features and behavior when presented at younger age. This observation should be confirmed in other large series from endemic areas of penile cancer.

Density of mast cells and microvessels in minor salivary gland tumors.

The aim of this study was to investigate the density of mast cells and microvessels in minor salivary gland tumors. Forty-one cases of minor salivary gland tumors (pleomorphic adenoma, n = 10; adenoid cystic carcinoma, n = 11; mucoepidermoid carcinoma, n = 10; and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma) were investigated using immunohistochemistry for mast cell tryptase and von-Willebrand factor. Density of mast cells was higher in mucoepidermoid carcinoma; however, no differences in the number of these cells were observed between the different types of tumors (p > 0.05). The number of mast cells was higher in periparenchymal areas in all tumors, but the difference was not significant (p > 0.05). Mucoepidermoid carcinoma showed the largest number of periparenchymal mast cells, whereas pleomorphic adenomas showed the smallest number of intraparenchymal mast cells (p > 0.05). The highest microvessel density was observed in mucoepidermoid carcinomas, being this difference statistically significant when mucoepidermoid carcinoma was compared to pleomorphic adenoma (p = 0.0034) and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (p = 0.004). Microvessel density was significantly higher in adenoid cystic carcinoma when compared to pleomorphic adenoma (p = 0.0406) and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (p = 0.0123). Comparison of mast cells and microvessel densities showed no significant difference between tumors. A quantitative difference in mast cells and microvessels was observed, particularly in mucoepidermoid carcinoma, a finding supporting the aggressive behavior of malignant salivary gland tumors without myoepithelial differentiation. Further studies are needed to determine the role of mast cells in angiogenesis, as well as in the development and biological behavior of these tumors.