Ovarian cancer: insights into genetics and pathogeny.

Starting from the information on ovarian cancer provided by the mainstream publications, we construct a review focusing on the following issues: (i) the genetic profile, (ii) the role of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the acquirement of malignant features, (iii) the controversial hypothesis regarding the origin, and (iv) the involvement of the immune system in the tumoral microenvironment. Advances in the decipherment at the genetic level in the pathogenic mechanisms progressively lead to the idea of a genetic signature for the ovarian cancer. Moreover, the complementary approaches oriented towards the decryption of the intrinsic structure of the expressed molecules and, implicitly, the development of proteomics open new perspectives for an early diagnosis and an appropriate treatment. The research on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (mainly those exploring the signaling pathways responsible for the switch between the loss of the epithelial characteristics and the gain of a mesenchymal cell phenotype, with results in the amplification of differentiation, motility and tumoral invasion) allow a deeper understanding of the complex pathogenic mechanism which governs ovarian carcinogenesis. The classic conception of ovarian cancer pathogeny, based on the role of the ovarian surface epithelium, is currently reconsidered, and a novel hypothesis is formulated, which supports direct involvement of the Fallopian tubes for the serous type. Although recent research suggests the implication of immune/inflammatory cells by specific mechanisms in ovarian cancer pathogenesis, there is yet reliable evidence concerning their modality of direct action and/or modulation of tumoral growth. Thus, ovarian carcinogenesis remains a research challenge, due to still numerous unknown factors involved in the malignant transformation sequences, originating from the genetic-molecular alterations and reflected by cellular and tissue expression patterns.

Adenomyxoma of eccrine sweat gland--case report.

Although eccrine adenoma is usually situated on the distal portions of the extremities, we present a case localized in the vicinity of a mammary gland near axilla. The clinical diagnosis was of a mammary fibroadenoma with associated apocrine type of adenomere, supported by a myxomatous stromal tissue. The diagnosis was of an eccrine adenomyxoma. We continue with a review of the problems of microscopical differential diagnosis.

[Carcinosarcoma of the corpus uteri--a case report]. / Carcinosarcomul corpului uterin--consideratii pe marginea unui caz.

Sarcomas account for fewer than 5% of all cancers of the uterine corpus. We present the last classification of The International Society of Gynecology Pathologists for pure sarcomas and also for mixed epithelial-nonepithelial tumors of the uterine corpus. The paper concerns with the study of a case of carcinosarcoma, treated in the III-rd Clinic of Gynecology from Iasi. This morphological diagnostic represents the most common epithelial-nonepithelial tumor affecting the uterus. Immunohistochemistry with EMA confirms the theory of the combined tumor with a unique origin.

[Adenocarcinoma of an eccrine sweat gland--the diagnostic problems]. / Adenocarcinom de glanda sudoripara ecrina--probleme de dignostic.

Eccrine adenocarcinomas rarely present a clinical aspect that suggests a malignancy. We present a case of an adenocarcinoma of an eccrine sweat gland with a moderate degree of differentiation associated with a verruca vulgaris (papilloma). The verrucous tissue contained a large number of melanocytes giving the macroscopical aspect of a malignant melanoma. The light microscopy elucidated the problems of diagnosis. The immunological status may be responsible for this association between a benign tumour of the epidermis with a viral histogenesis and the carcinoma of an eccrine sweat gland.