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Vascular anomalies are divided according to the contemporary system of classification into two groups: tumors and malformations. However, there is no consensus on juvenile angiofibroma's place in that system. The general characteristics of selected markers of angiogenesis and tissue remodeling are presented in the series in the context of current knowledge in the field of pathophysiology of vascular lesions. The mentioned markers are currently the subjects of multidirectional studies in oncology, as they take part in the process of neoangiogenesis and proliferation of tumors. Nevertheless, they have not been widely examined in vascular lesions. The indirect goal of that series is to indicate the possible research direction on vascular lesions to determine their molecular profile, to create a more specific system of classification, and above all to develop new diagnostic and treatment methods.

Objective: The thorough knowledge about anatomy and morphology of the stapedial artery is of such importance to the laryngologist. In rat this artery persists throughout life. The following study was performed to analyze the morphology and course of stapedial artery in rat., Methods: 30 Wistar rats weighing 300-400 g were used to analyze the stapedial artery. After the anesthetic induction with ether, the lethal doses of thiopental were administered. The stapedial arteries were dissected after latex injection and an immersion and preservation in 9% formalin solution., Results: The stapedial artery branches off internal carotid artery and course through the stapes. After that it gives middle meningeal artery and continues in a bony canal laterally to the tegmen tympani. In the orbit stapedial artery gives off ophtalmic artery to supply mainly the orbit structures (muscles, lacrimal gland and eyeball) and the infraorbital artery with palatine artery. Additionally, the ophtalmic artery gives off the central retinal artery., Conclusion: Our study reveals that the stapedial artery and its distal branches are the only vessels supplying all tissues of the orbit, including the eyeball in rats.

Endometrial carcinoma is among the most frequently diagnosed gynecological malignancies in highly developed countries. Research has been conducted for 20 years to define the molecular pathology of this disease and much is already known, but adequate prognostic, diagnostic, and monitoring markers are still missing. Recently, mitochondrial research opened a new perspective. The participation of abnormalities of those organelles and mutations of the mitochondrial genome has been defined in some types of cancer and is still under investigation. MtDNA mutations are also found in endometrial adenocarcinoma, although their impact on cell physiology has not been determined so far. Some processes involving mitochondria are widely known and described in numerous papers. These include electron transport and apoptosis, but others await further research. A forward genetics approach has been used in a wide spectrum of projects in which cancer tissue samples were collected from subjects with defined diagnoses and metabolic abnormalities and mtDNA mutations were checked. Thanks to this approach, characteristic patterns of mitochondrial disruption have been assigned to specific types of cancer. This review focuses on the molecular characteristics of endometrial adenocarcinoma with special focus on mitochondrial abnormalities. Research on cancer molecular pathology in endometrial adenocarcinoma may lead to the development of specific screening and/or diagnostic markers.

Data reported until today suggested a pivotal role of nuclear DNA mutations in the process of carcinogenesis. Recently more and more authors claim that disruption of mitochondrial DNA should not be excluded from this analysis. mtDNA have been reported in many cancers of head and neck region. Mitochondrial D-loop has been proven to be mutation hot - spot with majority of mutations in the positions 303 to 315 of poly-C tract. Data show that 37% of patients with premalignant lesions and 62% with carcinoma in situ are positive for mtDNA mutations. Moreover mutations in genes encoding ND2, ND5, COIII, CYTB, and ATP6 were observed in 17% of patients. Mutations in mitochondrial rRNA genes occured in similar number of cases. Neoplastic cells undifferentiation and disease progression is accompanied by multiplication of mtDNA number and increased mtDNA content. mtDNA content corellates with the stage of the disease. mtDNA mutations faciliate cell proliferation and inhibit apoptosis by increasing the production of ractive oxygen species (ROS). Cells harbouring mutated mtDNA have increased proliferation rate, as increased ROS concentration may act as an endogenous growth factor.

Recently published papers report a large number of mitochondrial DNA mutations in many different cancer types, but their significance for electron transport chain proteins remains unknown. This review covers structural mutations of mitochondrial genes, choosing prostate cancer, esophageal cancer and epithelioma as research models. As all mitochondrial genes encode subunits of the electron transport chain, the review focuses on the consequences of structural mutations on cell metabolism.

Unlabelled: Glutathione S-transferase (GST, EC 2.5.1.18) is one of the most important enzymes protecting cells against toxic, electrophilic compounds. It occurs in isoenzymes, expression of which changes in various pathological conditions including neoplasia. The aim of the present study was to analyze the expression pattern of GST pi, mi4 and alpha in human tongue and floor of mouth squamous cell carcinomas., Material and Methods: The studies were conducted on tissue samples obtained from surgery. RT-PCR was used to determine the GSTs-mRNA expression, and Western blotting to study GST pi protein expression., Results: Indicated statistically significant differences in GST pi mRNA expression in tumor and control tissues. GST pi expression was raised in tumors on both mRNA and protein levels, whereas mRNA-GSTmi4 and alfa expression was diverse., Conclusion: Increased level of GST pi expression indicates its role in carcinogenesis.

Introduction: Submucosal arytenoidectomy is one of many surgical techniques used in the treatment of the median bilateral vocal fold paralysis. The technique evolved from the large extralaryngeal operation to the endoscopic, intralaryngeal procedure. Gradually it excluded tracheostomy from the methods of treatment of dyspnoea caused by bilateral vocal fold paralysis., Materials and Methods: We present two patients with bilateral vocal fold paralysis with dyspnoea, caused by the neoplastic mass primarily localised in the left lung. In both cases the nonmicrocellular carcinoma was diagnosed. Both patients had the left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy for more than 18 months and the right nerve palsy for 10-14 days before admission, with concomitant dyspnoea., Results: Both patients were successfully extubated, 24 hours after the operation. The breathing improved significantly. None of the patients had to be reintubated or tracheotomized., Conclusions: The Authors conclude, that the arytenoidectomy with laterofixation should be the method of choice in the treatment of the bilateral vocal fold paralysis caused by the lung cancer. The method does not exclude the upper airway from the respiratory tract which is of special importance for the patients with the lung problems.

Introduction: Esthesioneuroblastoma is a malignant tumour arising from the olfactory epithelium located in the upper part of the nasal cavities. Recent clinical and preclinical studies shed more light on etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of this rare malignancy., Material and Methods: A systematic review of PubMed/Medline and available Polish literature., Results: Molecular studies indicate basal progenitor cells of the olfactory epithelium as the origin of esthesioneuroblastoma. Tumour symptoms are related to its location and typically include: epistaxis, nasal obstruction, olfactory and ophtalmic disturbances as well as craniofacial pain. Esthesioneuroblastoma should be differentiated from embryonic rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, melanoma, lymphoma, and pericytoma. A combination of surgery and radiotherapy seems to be the optimum approach to treatment. More aggressive treatment regimens are promising but require further studies., Conclusions: Esthesioneuroblastoma is a rare malignant tumour arising from the olfactory epithelium. Early diagnosis and interdisciplinary approach to treatment is vital in the management of the tumour.

Carcinoma planoepitheliale of larynx is the most common cancer present in the upper part of the respiratory system. The molecular mechanism of this cancer generation is unknown and there is no a specific marker for its early diagnosis. The properties, physiological function, as well as the results of studies on genetic polymorphism indicate that glutathione-S-transferase (GST) may play an important role in etiology of this cancer. In the present work the studies on expession of GST isoenzymes pi, alfa, mu4, and mu5 in larynx cancer (carcinoma planoepitheliale laryngis) were performed. Specimens of larynx cancer and their corresponding normal adjacent tissues were obtained from patients by surgery. Expression was studied on the level of mRNA using RT-PCR method. The results indicated raised expression of GST pi (the major isoform in larynx) and lowered expression of GSTs mu4 and alfa in cancer as compared with the control tissue. No expression of GST mu5 was observed in tumor and normal larynx tissues. Obtained results indicate various mechanism in regulation of GSTs expression in cancerous and normal larynx tissues. They also indicate a special role of GST pi in larynx carcinogenesis.