[Signet ring cell cancer of the breast]. / Perstnevidnokletochnyi rak molochnykh zhelez.

A rare case of mammary signet-cell carcinoma which was not diagnosed at life is described. In a woman of 28, an enlargement of the right uterine appendages with pleural and lung metastasis were clinically noted and this was interpreted as ovarian carcinoma with pleural and lung metastasis. Histological examination of ovarian tumour performed during the necropsy allowed one to suggest the metastatic signet-cell carcinoma. No tumours were found macroscopically or histologically in the organs of the alimentary canal. Fibro-cystic mastopathy and no nodes were found macroscopically in the mammary glands. Lobular invasive carcinoma consisting of signet-cell elements containing mucus and carcinomatous lymphangoitis were found histologically. Metastasis to the left axillary, perigastral and pancreatic lymph nodes, lungs, carcinomatosis of pleura were revealed. It is suggested, due to its clinical course and histological structure, to distinguish this form of carcinoma as a separate variety of the lobular invasive carcinoma of the mammary gland.

[Chromosome disorders in retinoblastoma cells]. / Khromosomnye narusheniia v kletkakh retinoblastomy.

The karyotype of 7 unilateral retinoblastomas was studied. Loss or a gain of chromosomes and structural chromosomal changes were observed in all tumors. Modal chromosome number was pseudodiploid in four and near-diploid in three tumors. There were no sex chromosomes (X or Y) in 3 tumors. Four tumors were characterized by the presence of an identical marker chromosome--i(6p). Two other markers--lp+ and 17q+ (probably, not quite identical)--were present in 4 and 3 tumors, respectively. The cells of two retinoblastomas contained both i (6p) and 17q+ markers.