Radiological impacts of the amang processing industry on neighbouring residents.

The processing of amang (one of a number of tin-tailing products) for its valuable minerals has associated with the radiological and environmental problems. The processing and stockpiling of amang and ilmenite in open-air spaces, subject as it is to environmental influences, gives rise to a potential for affecting residents in adjacent area. A case study was carried out in a residential area neighbouring a typical amang plant to investigate the radiological impact to the residents. The average Effective Dose rates, calculated based on the contributions of Effective Dose rates from inhaled suspended radioactive dust, radon-thoron and their progeny, and external gamma radiation, were determined for selected houses. Results show that the occupants of those houses received Effective Dose rate, which cannot be differentiated from background. The major contributor to the average Effective Dose rate came from external radiation sources. Inhaled radon and its progeny was the second major contributor.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine tumors, usually small cell (oat cell) carcinomas, are almost always primary in the lungs and are highly malignant. Similar tumors have recently been described to occur in various extrapulmonary sites, such as the uterine cervix and prostate. We report a primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast in a female first diagnosed by fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Search of the literature revealed only three other reports of small cell carcinoma of the breast, one in a male and two in a female, thus making this the third documented case of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast in a female. CASE: A 45-year-old, black female presented with a firm, nontender mass at the tail of her left breast. FNAB showed atypical epithelial cells with pale nuclei and inconspicuous nucleoli. An excisional biopsy performed one week later showed microscopically a predominantly solid and syncytial pattern of small cells that appeared spindly in places. It had a high mitotic count, and the stroma was rich in lymphocytes and plasma cells. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies confirmed the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Small cell (neuroendocrine) mammary carcinoma is a rare entity but does occur and can be diagnosed by FNAB. It does not differ essentially from other mammary neoplasms with regard to prognosis.