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633 cases of myomatosis uteri were studied histologically and histochemically (hematoxylin and eosin, silver impregnation, PAS, Alcian blue, toluidine blue), with particular consideration to small myomas, in order to discover the first evolution stages. Areas of edematous imbibition, which proved to be PAS-, Alcian blue- and toluidine blue negative, have been observed in the 20 per cent about of myomas. Such edematous areas, which may be compared to those remarked in gynecomastia and fibroadenoma as well as in mammary cancer after oestrogen therapy, could be interpreted as « inductive phases » of the oestrogenic stimulation and justify some prompt regressions following hormonal treatment. A fibrollogenetic and angiogenetic activity of myoblasts was also observed The exposed researches suggest the opportunity of associating cortisone and testosterone in the medical treatment of myomas.

An atypical proliferation of the lympatic tissue has been obtained in rats by the combined administration of a lymphocytolytic substance (methyl-bis-beta-chloro-ethylamine) and a carcinogenic substance (acetaminofluorene).

Ten thymic tumours are described (7 thymomas, 1 lymphosarcoma, 1 lymphoepithelioma, 1 cylindrocellular carcinoma). Two asymptomatic thymomas were casually detected by mass radiography and a roentgenological investigation. In 1 case symptoms had been present for 10 years, in 1 for 5 years, and in the others for 3 years to 40 days. Myasthenia was present in 2 thymomas: in 1 of them the patient treated with prostigmine was able to begin pregnancy and to bring it to term. The clinical and radiological diagnosis was correct in 4 cases. The tumour was located in 6 cases in the anterosuperior mediastinum, in 3 in the antero-inferior mediastinum, in 1 in the hilar region. Radical treatment was possible in 3 patients; two of them are alive after 3 and 4 years from operation, the third had a recurrence 9 months after the operation. In 3 cases pleuropulmonary metastases occurred. Roentgen-therapy produced tumour reduction in 3 cases and decrease of the myasthenic condition in 1. Thymomas are easily distinguishable from the other thymic tumours, and those with myasthenia show a higher cellular differentiation. Radiotherapy must be employed as a complement of surgery or when the latter is contraindicated.

A description is given of 8 cases of ovarian thecoma, two of which associated with endometrial cancer, and of 3 cases of thecomatosis, all associated with endometrial cancer. The possibility is pointed out of a differential histological diagnosis between thecomas and ovarian fibromas without any particualr staining methods: the nuclei of thecoma cells are thicker and larger (mean diameter 7 μ) and the nucleoli larger and more evident than those of fibromas.

Four cases of rhinopharyngioma were examined by electron microscopy, special attention being given to the lymphatic tissue adjacent to the tumoral epithelium. The tumor cells showed the typical ultrastructure of the epithelium of rhinopharyngioma (monomorphous population of large cells with clear large nucleus containing one or more nucleoli, cytoplasm with bands of tonofilaments). The lymphatic tissue in 3 of the 4 cases examined did not show any numeric or ultrastructural changes in its cellular components. In the 4th case however, it contained numerous cells which could not be classified definitely according to their morphological characteristics. These cells contained cytoplasmic inclusions of unusual appearance. The inclusions were composed of a finely granular and homogeneous material delimited by a three layered membrane 80 - 90 A in thickness and were intersected internally by membranes of the same thickness arranged sometimes in parallel systems. On the basis of the histochemical characteristics of these membranes, similar to those of the pinocytotic vesicles and to the cellular membrane, these peculiar cytoplasmic inclusions were considered phagosomes. In the lymphatic tissue of the same case, a considerable increase in the number of plasmocytes was observed. The plasma cells had the morphological characteristics of intense secretory activity (very dilated ergastoplasmic cisterns full of dense material sometimes showing a paracrystalline structure). The presence of cells containing peculiar phagosomes and the hyperactivity of the plasmacells were related respectively to a histiocytic activation of various cells of the lymphatic tissue and to an immunological reaction of the plasmocytes, both due to necrosis of the tumor tissue.

98 women with advanced breast cancer underwent adrenalectomy, 88 also ovariectomy; in 56 adrenalectomy was performed in two times. 1) The adrenal weight shows marked variations from case to case. 2) Normal glomerulosa (35,5 %), hypertrophic fasciculata (55 %), and hypertrophic (43 %) or normal (43 %) reticularis are more frequent in the first removed adrenals. Reticularis hypertrophy is more marked in women ovariectomized many years before. The histochemical examination, carried out in 30 cases, shows a prevalence of acid fats on neutral ones and a phospholipids and cholesterol decrease. 3) The adrenals removed by contralateral adrenalectomy show initial hypotrophy followed by hypertrophy of glomerulosa, hypertrophy of fasciculata (70%), initial hypertrophy followed by hypotrophy of reticularis. In the second adrenal a marked decrease of lipids is observed (85 %), especially when a short period of time was elapsed between first and second operation; cholesterol is always decreased. 4) It is interesting to notice the scanty amount of mucopolysaccharides, the frequent (75 %) occurrence of foamy cytoplasms in fasciculata, the presence (in the 39 per cent of the cases) of big nuclei in the same zone. 5) Ovaries show frequently (75 %) cortical hyperplasia, which is very marked in the 50 per cent of the cases. 6) Adrenal metastases have been found in the 35,7 per cent (21,7 % bilaterally), ovarian ones in the 26,1 per cent (15,9 % bilaterally). 7) 52 patients improved after endocrino-surgical treatment, 32 showed no clinical modifications, in 14 a follow-up was not possible owing to various reasons. The biovaro-monoadrenalectomy, followed by controlateral adrenalectomy, gave the best results. The patient's age has no prognostic value. 8) As regards functional meaning of the microscopic features of adrenals and ovaries some hypotheses are advanced in order to explain some histochemical pictures. 9) Hormonal dosages in urine and adrenal homogenate show a higher output of estrogens in the improved cases (67 γ/24 h in 9 improved patiens; 20 γ/24 h in 7 unimproved ones), and a probable correlation between thickness of reticularis and sex steroids amount of adrenals.

A lymphocytolytic hormone (ACTH) and a carcinogenic substance with general and protrected action (AAF) were administared to rats in order to induce hyperdysplastic-neoplastic processes in the lymphatic tissue. Microscopical examinations were performed (at different time intervals) on some organs (liver, spleen, thymus, testis, intestine, kidney, adrenals, lymph nodes) of the animals treated with the carcinogen alone as well as of those treated by the combined administration ACTH + AAF. High dosage (50 U.I. pro die for 10 days) of ACTH did not induce proliferative changes in the lymphatic tissue, except for a slight hyperplasia. True preneoplastic changes were obtained only in the liver of animals submitted to combined treatment.

In 12 patients bearing mammary cancer, hyperplasy of the ovarian stroma has constantly been observed. In 3 cases ovarian micrometastases were present. In most cases menopause was observed to occur later than usually. This observation furtherly supports the hypothesis that folliculine excess is a co-factor of primary importance in the occurrence of mammary canper.