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Objectives: Tobacco and alcohol are the main etiological factors common to laryngeal cancers. However, the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) constitutes an alternative risk factor according to several studies. In Tunisia, despite the annual increasing incidence of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), the prevalence and prognostic significance of HPV have never been explored. In this study, we sought to highlight HPV DNA in 70 biopsies of laryngeal cancer, and to analyze the status of HPV infection in association with p53, p16, survivin, and IGF-1R expressions. Methods: HPV high risk (HPV HR) DNA was detected in tumors by in situ hybridization. However, the expression of p53, p16, survivin and IGF-1R were stained by immunohistochemistry test. The correlations of HPV status with clinicopathological parameters, overall survival, disease-free survival and proteins expressions were statistically evaluated. Results: HPV HR DNA was detected in 39 out of 70 (55.71%) laryngeal tumors. HPV+ patients have a better overall survival ( P = .081) and long disease-free-survival ( P = .016) with a low rate of recurrence ( P = .006) than HPV– patients. No significant correlations were found between HPV HR status and clinicopathological parameters (all P > .005). Moreover, HPV+ tumors were not associated with expression of p53, p16 and survivin. However, HPV HR status correlates with weak to moderate IGF-1R expression ( P = .043). Conclusion: The substantial detection of HPV HR in LSCC tumors suggest that this virus plays an important part in laryngeal cancer in Tunisia. It is a good prognostic factor. In addition, HPV infection could act to block the pathway of IGF-1R expression.

Hypericum genus is traditionally known for its medicinal use and its therapeutic and antioxidant effects. However, the toxic effect of this plant has not been much explored. Our study aimed at investigating the effect of Hypericum humifusum (Hh) leaf extracts on oxidative stress parameters in male rats. For it, we first focused on the phytochemical analysis of the aqueous and methanolic extracts of Hh leaves. Hence, Wistar rats were treated per gavage for 30 days and divided into Control (1 mL/rat, distilled water), A200 group (200 mg/kg body weight (bw) aqueous extract), A400 group (400 mg/kg bw aqueous extract), M10 group (10 mg/kg bw methanolic extract), M20 group (20 mg/kg bw methanolic extract). The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, steroids, carbohydrates, and phenolic compounds. Biochemical and histological investigations were performed in plasma and liver tissue. Liver tissue homogenates were used for the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. At the same time, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were assayed in plasma samples. Histological study was also conducted in liver. We showed that Hh extracts reduced relative liver weight and increased ALT, AST, LDH activities in treated groups compared to control group. These results were associated with an increase of MDA levels and a decrease of antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT and SOD) in liver tissues of treated rats. Histology of liver demonstrated several alterations showing necrosis, altered hepatocytes and lymphocyte migration mainly in A200 group and dilated sinusoids, foamy appearance of hepatocytes and lymphocyte accumulation in the other treated groups. This original work indicated that chronic consumption of Hh leaf extracts has no antioxidant effect but instead it induces oxidative stress and enhances markers of cell damage which was confirmed by histological study of liver rats.

Eccrine hidradenoma (EH) is a rare benign cutaneous neoplasm, believed to arise from the distal excretory duct of the eccrine sweat glands. We report an exceptional lesion of eccrine hidradenoma localized to the breast and clinically mimicking a carcinoma of the breast. Aim: We aim to describe the pathological characteristics of this lesion. We report the case of a 59 year old woman. She presented with a right-sided breast nodule. Physical examination, found a mobile firm nodule retracting the skin. By ultrasound examination, the tumor was heterogeneous and measured 11 mm in great diameter. A local surgical excision of the nodule was performed. By histological exam, the diagnosis of EH was retained. The complement of immunohistochemistry was not requested. This tumor is usually confined to the dermis or subcutaneous layer without. EH of the breast is an uncommon site. Histopathological confirmation is necessary and wide excision of these tumors is the treatment of choice.

The aim of this study was to describe the clinico-epidemiological and histopronostic characteristics of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and to evaluate the therapeutic results in tunisian women.We reported the results of a retrospective study including 90 patients treated for TNBC between Junuary 2008 and December 2009 in the Salah Azaiz Institute of Tunis.TNBCoccured in 14% of diagnosed breast cancers. The mean age at diagnosis was 53.67 years. Family history of breast cancer was reported in 10% of cases.The majority of tumors were classified as T2 (41%) and associated with invasive ductal carcinoma histological type (99%) and SBR grade-II (54%). Tumor lymph node metastases were detected in 44% of patients.Among operated patients, 46% of patients underwent conservative surgery and 54% radical surgery. Chemotherapy and postoperative radiotherapy were given in97% and 80%of patients, respectively. After a median follow-up of 33.51 months, 61% of patients remained free of disease, 12% hadloco-regional recurrence, 9% had disease progression during chemotherapy and 21% developed systemic disease.TNBC diagnosis is often made in the advanced stage and has a tendency to recur after treatment. The variable responseto chemotherapy is due to the molecular tumor heterogeneity. The development of targeted therapies is necessary to improve outcome of chemoresistant TNBC.

The evaluation of the proliferation in the mammary carcinomas provides useful prognostic and predictive information for subsequent management. The purely morphological evaluation of proliferative activity was represented by the evaluation of mitotic index. New analytical methods were gradually developed and performed. Among these methods, evaluation of Ki67 by immunohistochemistry is particularly interesting. Its expression is significantly increased in the cell cycle.To correlate the mitotic index as a classic method of assessing cell proliferation and Ki 67 proliferation index detected by immunohistochemistry to identify the most reliable proliferative marker.We studied 200 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma breast over a period of 12 months of 2014. We identified in each case the SBR grade, Ki67 proliferation index and the mitotic index. Correlation between the two parameters was identified using the Spearman test. A result is considered significant when p0.01. The distribution of these markers by SBR gradewas studied using the ANOVA method.Ki67 is significantly correlated to the mitotic index. Although these two methods are dependent, Ki67 is the most sensitive and bonded to SBR grade. Determination of Ki67 provides interesting information that could replace the mitotic account. It provides reliable and reproducible data that can be incorporated into a prognostic score.Ki67 is a more efficient marker mitotic index, reflecting the cell proliferation.

Mucinous carcinoma is a particular type of breast cancer characterized by the presence of extracellular mucin and is linked with a more favorable prognosis than invasive breast carcinoma of no special type. It accounts for 1 to 7% of all breast cancers. We propose in this work to study at first the clinic-pathological characteristics and the evolution of 48 cases of mucinous carcinomas. Secondly, we propose to identify through a review of recent literature, the therapeutic management of these carcinomas.This is a retrospective study, conducted in Salah Azaiez carcinological institute, interesting 48 cases of mucinous carcinoma collected over 19 years. Clinical, radiological and pathological information were collected from medical records.The mean age of our patients was 57 years. The tumor was single in 41 cases and in 7 cases bifocal. Mammographic aspects were favor of malignancy in 33 cases (75%). It was mixed subtype in 14 cases and pure in 34 cases. Lymph node involvement was noted in 14 cases. The number of metastatic lymph nodes ranged from 1 to 11 with an average of 3. Hormone receptors were positive in 35 tumors (73%). The HER2 showed overexpression in 5 cases. Surgery consisted of a radical treatment for thirty-two patients (66%). Overall survival at 5 years was 75.3% and 59.3% at 10 years. Disease-free survival was 74% at 5 years and 58% at 10 years.Mucinous carcinoma consists of two distinct subtypes: pure and mixed with different prognosis. Larger data samples with longer follow-up are necessary to achieve an improved understanding of this particular tumor.

Recently, there has been increasing interest in Hypericum ( Hypericaceae ) genus. The first part of the present study focused on the phytochemical analysis of the methanolic and aqueous extracts of Hypericum humifusum leaves. The second part of the study investigated the effect of Hypericum humifusum leaf extracts on male reproductive parameters. 30 male rats were grouped into control (1 mL/rat, distilled water), treated by 200 mg/kg body weight (bw) aqueous extract (A200), 400 mg/kg bw aqueous extract (A400), 10 mg/kg bw methanolic extract (M10) and 20 mg/kg bw methanolic extract (M20) groups. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, steroids, carbohydrates, and phenolic compounds. After thirty-day treatment, body and reproductive organs were weighed. Testes in all rat groups were processed for biochemical assays and histopathological examinations. Epididymis sperm analyses were also performed. Testicular tissue homogenate samples were used for Malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) measurements. We showed that Hh extracts induced a severe seminiferous tubular damage with an increase in the percentage of empty seminiferous tubules. Epididymis sperm analysis revealed a significant reduction in density and viability of sperm with alteration of spermatozoa morphology. Also, we found that Hh leaf extracts decreased plasma total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides levels. These results were associated with an increase of MDA levels and a decrease of catalase and SOD activities in testis tissues. Our finding revealed that chronic consumption of Hh extracts induces disruption of normal spermatogenesis by alteration of sperm density, viability, and morphology. This action may be due to an inhibition of the antioxidant-defense system.

Summary Aims The objective of this study was to compare the protein expression profile between well-differentiated (papillary) and undifferentiated (anaplastic) thyroid carcinoma in Tunisian patients. Methods This first Tunisian retrospective study concerned data of 38 thyroid cancer cases (19 papillary carcinoma PTC and 19 anaplastic carcinoma ATC) collected at Salah Azaiez Institute of Tunisia. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate tumor expression of different molecular markers (p53, Ki67, E-cadherin, cyclin D1, bcl2, S100 and Her-2). The molecular expression was correlated with the clinicopathological characteristics of the tumors. Results There were 6 differentially expressed markers when comparing anaplastic thyroid carcinoma ATC with papillary thyroid carcinoma PTC. Expression of p53 and Ki67 were significantly increased in 16 and 18 ATC cases respectively, the Ki67 expression was lost in PTC. Cyclin D1, E-cadherin, bcl2 and S100 were overexpressed in PTC tumors; however, they were significantly decreased in ATC. The last marker, Her-2 was expressed in one case of PTC only. Conclusion Our results, similar with findings of other ethnic groups, showed alteration in expression of molecular markers associated with tumor dedifferentiation, indicating loss of cell cycle control with increased proliferative activity in ATC carcinoma. These data support the hypothesis that ATC may derive from dedifferentiation of preexisting PTC tumor.

Aim The objective is to report the correlation between pathology and molecular subtype classifications of breast cancer in Tunisian women. Methods This retrospective study concerned data of 966 breast cancer cases collected from 2007 to 2009 at Salah Azaiz Institute of Tunis. These cases were classified by an immunohistochemistry test for estrogen and progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status in the four molecular subtypes, namely luminal A, luminal B, HER2+ and triple negative. The molecular classifications were correlated with the clinicopathological characteristics of the tumors. Results Luminal A (50.7% of cases) was the most common subtype, with triple negative subtype 22.5%, luminal B 13.4% and HER2+ 13.4%. Triple negative and HER2+ subtypes were significantly associated with large tumor size (>5 cm, P

Because nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has a close association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), measuring serum EBV DNA and anti-EBV serum marker concentrations could be a feasible method for NPC diagnosis, monitoring and probably screening especially in a community at risk. The aim of this study was to determine the EBV pattern in sporadic NPC and in high risk NPC Tunisian families in order to evaluate their risk factors and help for NPC screening. The rates of anti-EBV antibodies and EBV DNA were determined in the serum of 47 healthy members randomly selected from 23 NPC multiplex families with two or more affected members, 93 healthy Tunisian community controls chosen with the same age, sex and geographic origin as unaffected individuals and 66 EBV positive sporadic NPC patients whose serum was available before and after treatment. Unexpectedly, significant lower concentrations of anti-EA (Early Antigen) IgG and anti-VCA (Viral Capsid Antigen) IgG were found in unaffected members from NPC families than in healthy controls while viral loads were negative in all the tested sera. For sporadic NPC patients, anti-EA IgG and anti-VCA IgA concentrations were significantly higher than in healthy controls and these rates decreased after treatment. The level of EBV DNA load varied according to the condition of the tumour. This study suggests that in the Tunisian NPC families, screening for malignancy is based on serum concentrations but not on EBV DNA load while in the sporadic NPC group, serologic markers and EBV DNA load are complementary for diagnosis and follow-up.

Resume Introduction Les angiosarcomes du sein sont des tumeurs vasculaires rares. Elles representent 0,4 % de l’ensemble des tumeurs malignes du sein et 3 a 9 % des sarcomes mammaires. Patients et methode Il s’agit d’une etude retrospective portant sur dix cas d’angiosarcome (neuf femmes et un homme) du sein colliges au service d’immuno-histocytologie de l’hopital Salah Azaiez sur une periode de 31 ans entre 1977 et 2007. Resultat La moyenne d’âge etait de 40 ans. Le mode de decouverte a ete un nodule du sein avec un etat general conserve dans tout les cas. La taille moyenne de la tumeur etait de 5,5 cm. La mammographie a revele une masse bien limitee dans cinq cas. Une mastectomie a ete pratiquee chez huit patients associee dans quatre cas a une radiotherapie et dans un cas a une chimiotherapie. Le traitement conservateur a ete indique dans deux cas. L’examen histologique a montre un aspect typique d’angiosarcome dans huit cas. La survie sans recidive allait de quatre mois a 13 ans. Deux patientes ont ete perdues de vue apres le diagnostic d’angiosarcome. Quatre de nos patients n’ont pas developpe de recidive locale ou de metastase a distance. Deux patientes ont developpe une recidive locale ou de metastase a distance. Deux patientes ont developpe une recidive locale apres huit et 18 mois. Une patiente a developpe une metastase osseuse apres 29 mois. Conclusion Les angiosarcomes du sein sont des tumeurs rares qui posent un probleme diagnostique differentiel avec les angiomes. En consequent, une surveillance rapprochee et reguliere s’impose pour les tumeurs vasculaires.

The impact of garlic, known for its antioxidant activities, on iron metabolism has been poorly investigated. The aim of this work was to study the effect of crude garlic pre-treatment on iron-mediated lipid peroxidation, proliferation and autophagy for 5 weeks. Rats were fed distilled water or garlic solution (1 g/kg body weight) by gavage for the first 3 weeks as pre-treatment and received a basal diet supplemented or not with ferrous sulfate (650 mg Fe/kg diet) for the last 2 weeks of treatment. Immunohistochemistry labeling and ultrastuctural observations were used to evaluate the iron deleterious effects in the liver. Iron supplementation induced cell proliferation predominantly in non parenchymal cells comparing to hepatocytes, but not apoptosis. In addition, iron was accumulated within the hepatic lysosomes where it triggers autophagy as evidenced by the formation of autophagic vesicles detected by LC3-II staining. It also induced morphologic alterations of the mitochondrial membranes due to increased lipid peroxidation as shown by elevated iron and malondialdehyde concentrations in serum and tissues. Garlic pre-treatment reduced iron-catalyzed lipid peroxidation by decreasing the malondialdehyde level in the liver and colon and by enhancing the status of antioxidants. In addition, garlic reduced the iron-mediated cell proliferation and autophagy by lowering iron storage in the liver and protected mitochondrial membrane. Based on these results, garlic treatment significantly prevented iron-induced oxidative stress, proliferation and autophagy at both biochemical and histological levels due to its potent free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties.

Objective The aim of this review is to study natural history, presentation, treatment and prognosis of head and neck liposarcomas. Methods We carry a retrospective study about 15 patients diagnosed and treated in our department between 1969 and 2001. Therapeutic modalities included surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Results Tumors were mostly localized at the neck (4 cases) and the scalp (3 cases). Cervical lymphadenopathy was found in 1 case. Chest X-ray found showed metastases in 2 cases. Histological types of liposarcomas were the following: myxoid (5 cases), well differentiated (4 cases), pleomorphic (4 cases), round cell (1 case) and dedifferentiated (1 case). Twelve patients underwent surgery. Complete excision was performed in 7 cases. In the other 5 cases, exeresis was incomplete and 4 of them received postoperative radiotherapy. Three patients were not operated because of vascular involvement (1 case) or metastasis (2 cases), and they all received radiotherapy alone. After initial treatment, complete remission was achieved in 7 cases (46.7%). A recurrence occurred in 8 cases (53.3%). Two of these patients were reoperated and another one received chemotherapy. In the other 5 cases, the tumor was uncontrollable and no additional treatment has been proposed. Five-year survival rate was 87% for patients who underwent surgery alone, 75% for those who underwent surgery and postoperative radiotherapy, and 0% for those treated by radiotherapy alone. Conclusion The mainstay of treatment of head and neck liposarcomas is surgical excision and the prognosis is largely determined by the histological grade and the clinical stage.

Objective: Breast carcinoma in men represents 1% of all breast cancers. The micropapillary carcinoma (MPC) of the breast is a morphologically distinctive form accounting for 2.7% of ductual carcinoma in which the tumor cells are arranged in morule-like clusters. A pure MPC of the breast is very rare. This report describes a pure micro papillary carcinoma in a 36-year old man, with clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical features. Methods: We present a case of this rare type of breast cancer diagnosed in a male patient and summarize the current literature to date. The patient presented with a painless mass measuring 1 cm in great diameter adhering to superficial and deep planes. A microbiopsy was performed and the final histopathology revealed a pure MPC of the male breast in more than 50% of tumor’s volume. On immunohistochemical investigations of the specimen, tumor’s cells stained for GCDFP15 and showed high expression of estrogen, progesterone antibodies. We had completed by lumpectomy with axillary dissection which found 14 lymph nodes including 2 metastatic lymph nodes. Results: The MPC differs histologically from conventional papillary carcinoma of the breast, which typically exhibits a complex arborescent growth pattern within cystically dilated duct-line space. A secondary MPC of the breast must be researched as a differential diagnosis of primary MPC, especially micropapillary variant of transitional carcinoma of the bladder and MPC of the lung. Immunohistochemically, the positivity of GCDFP-15 in breast cancers and the positivity of TTF-1 in lung cancers are useful in distinguishing them. Conclusion: MPC is a special subtype of invasive ductal carcinoma with an aggressive nature. Despite the small number of studies, MPC of the breast is undoubtedly not rare. Recognition of this relatively rare entity is important in predicting metastasis to lymph nodes and distant sites regardless of tumor size. Axillary and distant metastasis should be evaluated to determine the therapeutic strategy.

Background In the Tunisian population, as yet a limited number of BRCA1/2 germline mutations have been reported in hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer. These mutations are located in a few exons of BRCA1/2 . The aim of the present study was to search for these mutations in 66 unrelated patients with hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer in order to assess the interest in such a targeted approach for genetic testing in Tunisia. Materials and Methods Blood specimens from the 66 Tunisian patients, with family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer, were collected at the Salah Azaiz Cancer Institute of Tunis. The exons 5, 20 and part of exon 11 of BRCA1 as well as part of exons 10 and 11 of BRCA2 were analyzed by Sanger sequencing. Results 12 patients had deleterious mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes (18%), including a novel frame-shift mutation of BRCA1 (c.3751dup; 3780insT). Four distinct BRCA1 mutations were detected eight patients: c.5266dup (5382insC) and c.211dup (330insA) each in three patients, c.3751dup (3870insT) and c.4041_4042del (4160delAG) each in one patient. The four remaining cases all carried the same BRCA2 mutation, c.1310_1313del (1538delAAGA). Besides these deleterious mutations, eight polymorphisms and unclassified variants were detected, one of them being never reported ( BRCA1 c.3030T>G, p.Pro1010Pro). Conclusion In this study, we show that targeting relevant exons in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes allows detection of a substantial percentage of mutations in the Tunisian population. Therefore such an approach may be of interest in genetic testing of high-risk breast and ovarian cancer families in Tunisia.

Many researchers have focused on the preventive and curative effects of garlic (Allium sativum), particularly on cardiovascular diseases and cancer. However, its impacts on the male reproductive system have not been clearly defined. In this study, the effect of chronic consumption of two garlic fractions was tested: one soluble in water (aqueous solution obtained by grinding and centrifugation) and the other one precipitated by ethanol (alcoholic precipitate obtained by precipitation of the aqueous solution), on different variables of male rats' reproductive functions. These two fractions were targeted to try to identify the nature of the active garlic compounds responsible for the different modifications observed on testicular parameters. The observation of seminiferous tubules of rats treated with garlic fractions showed an increased number of tubules deprived of spermatozoa. In addition, garlic fractions induced apoptosis of testicular germ cells (TdT-mediated dUTP-X nick-end labeling [TUNEL] approach) and a decrease of serum testosterone levels and seminiferous tubule DNA concentrations. In summary, our histological and molecular results suggest that one or several substances, soluble in water and precipitated by alcohol, impaired spermatogenesis.

The objective is to report the correlation between pathology and molecular subtype classifications of breast cancer in Tunisian women.This retrospective study concerned data of 966 breast cancer cases collected from 2007 to 2009 at Salah Azaiz Institute of Tunis. These cases were classified by an immunohistochemistry test for estrogen and progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status in the four molecular subtypes, namely luminal A, luminal B, HER2+ and triple negative. The molecular classifications were correlated with the clinicopathological characteristics of the tumors.Luminal A (50.7% of cases) was the most common subtype, with triple negative subtype 22.5%, luminal B 13.4% and HER2+ 13.4%. Triple negative and HER2+ subtypes were significantly associated with large tumor size (5 cm, P 0.001), younger age (40 years, P 0.03) and high grade (P 0.001). Conversely, there was no correlation with the lymph node status.Our data demonstrated that the luminal A subtype, associated with a favorable prognosis, was the most frequent subtype in the Tunisian population; however the triple negative subtype occurred at a high incidence in Tunisia compared to Western countries. The molecular subtypes are correlated to the tumor size, histological grade and patient's age.

Swyer syndrome is a distinct type of pure gonadal dysgenesis characterized by a 46 XY karyotype in female phenotypic patients. It shows an abnormality in testicular differentiation. It is usually revealed by primary amenorrhea. The tumor that usually develops in Swyer syndrome is gonadoblastoma. Although gonadoblastoma is considered benign, the risk of malignant germ cell tumor development is high.The aim of this report is to stress on the risk of occurrence of malignant germ cell tumors on these dysgenesic gonads.We present the clinical, sonographic and endocrine findings in the case of a 13 year-old phenotypic young girl with a 46 XY karyotype and gonadal dysgenesis. The patient underwent surgery for adnexal torsion. An examination of the gonads revealed gonadoblastoma associated to dysgerminoma. The treatment and the follow up are detailed.The presence of Y chromosome in the karyotype of a patient presenting a gonadal dysgenesis must lead to prophylactic bilateral gonadectomy in order to avoid a malignant transformation. Gonadectomy must be followed by a hormone replacement therapy.

Oral tongue cancer remains an aggressive tumour in Tunisia, and patients often present with locally advanced disease, leading to high mortality. The molecular pathway of its tumorigenesis is not yet understood. This study aimed to assess the biologic significance of p53, heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), Ki67, and CD34 and their influence on survival in patients with tongue cancer.Archival tissues from 68 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue were examined for p53, Hsp70, Ki67, and CD34 by immunohistochemistry and correlated with 5-year survival.p53 and Ki-67 were detected in 55% and 77% of tumours, respectively; a significant association between p53 and Ki67 expression was found (p = .038). Forty-seven percent of cases of tongue cancer expressed Hsp70, and only 9% of tumours expressed CD34 angiogenic factor. No significant correlation was noted between survival and expression of p53, Hsp70, Ki67, and CD34 in patients.None of the markers p53, Hsp70, Ki67, and CD34 demonstrated prognostic significance for 5-year survival in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.

The aim of this review is to study natural history, presentation, treatment and prognosis of head and neck liposarcomas.We carry a retrospective study about 15 patients diagnosed and treated in our department between 1969 and 2001. Therapeutic modalities included surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.Tumors were mostly localized at the neck (4 cases) and the scalp (3 cases). Cervical lymphadenopathy was found in 1 case. Chest X-ray found showed metastases in 2 cases. Histological types of liposarcomas were the following: myxoid (5 cases), well differentiated (4 cases), pleomorphic (4 cases), round cell (1 case) and dedifferentiated (1 case). Twelve patients underwent surgery. Complete excision was performed in 7 cases. In the other 5 cases, exeresis was incomplete and 4 of them received postoperative radiotherapy. Three patients were not operated because of vascular involvement (1 case) or metastasis (2 cases), and they all received radiotherapy alone. After initial treatment, complete remission was achieved in 7 cases (46.7%). A recurrence occurred in 8 cases (53.3%). Two of these patients were reoperated and another one received chemotherapy. In the other 5 cases, the tumor was uncontrollable and no additional treatment has been proposed. Five-year survival rate was 87% for patients who underwent surgery alone, 75% for those who underwent surgery and postoperative radiotherapy, and 0% for those treated by radiotherapy alone.The mainstay of treatment of head and neck liposarcomas is surgical excision and the prognosis is largely determined by the histological grade and the clinical stage.

Aim: To investigate the effects of crude garlic on adult male rat reproductive functions. Methods: Thirty male rats were divided into five groups: group 1 (untreated) and groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 were fed for 30 days with 5%, 10%, 15% and 30% crude garlic, respectively. Testes and accessory organs were weighed and some markers were assessed. Light and electron microscopy observations were also performed. Results: A significant decrease was observed in the body weight of groups 4 (14%; P < 0.01) and 5 (20%; P < 0.01); of the prostate weight in group 5 (29.1%; P < 0.05) and of seminal vesicle weight in groups 3 (14.4%; P < 0.01), 4 (18.3%; P < 0.01) and 5 (27.3%; P < 0.01). In contrast, testis and epididymis weights were unchanged. In epididymis tissue, the alpha glucosidase activity and the spermatozoa density were unchanged. The treatment resulted in a significant decrease in testosterone serum levels in groups 3 (77.3%; P < 0.01), 4 (77.3%; P < 0.01) and 5 (90.9%; P < 0.01), associated with a significant increase in LH serum levels (P < 0.01). Testicular histology showed a dose-dependent increase in the percentage of empty seminiferous tubules. Moreover, testicular function was affected; a significant decrease in phosphatase acid activity (P < 0.01) and testosterone (P < 0.05) contents were observed. Conclusion: Crude garlic consumption during 1 month reduced testosterone secretion and altered spermatogenesis at 10%, 15% and 30% doses.

Angiogenesis is a significant prognostic factor in breast cancer, but the factors that control angiogenesis in vivo are not well defined.The purpose of this study was to investigate P53 expression in breast cancer and to examine the relationship between P53 overexpression and the degree of angiogenesis.A total of 52 paraffin-embedded tumors were evaluated immunohistochemically for expression of P53 and CD34 angiogenesis factor.The majority of P53 positive cases (82%) demonstrated high level of microvessel density (MVD); 18% demonstrated no CD 34 expression. In contrast there was no variation of CD34 expression among P53 negative tumors.This data suggests that microvessel density is promoted by P53 overexpression in breast cancer, and is correlated with high histologic grade.

We report the case of a special form of rhabdomyosarcoma called "lymphadenopathic" which was reported only two times in the literature. This lymphadenopathic alveolar RMS shows lymph nodes as clinical manifestation mimicking lymphoma with an unknown primary neoplasm. In the case we report, clinical examination, and radiological studies revealed superficial and deep located lymph nodes in association with bilateral pleural effusion. Conventional histological examination showed lymph node infiltration by a metastatic tumour having alveolar pattern. Some of tumour cells were round with multilobed off-centred nucleus and eosinophilic cytoplasm containing fibril material with longitudinal and transverse striation indicating a muscle nature of the tumour proliferation. The immunohistochemical study showed intense and diffuse immunoreactivity of tumour cells for vimentin and a discreet immunostaining by desmin. These findings were compatible with the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis by alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma.

Using serologic and molecular methods, 45 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients were typed for HLA class I and class II and were compared to 100 unrelated normal Tunisians. Our results showed that the antigen frequency of HLA-B13 and allelic frequencies of DRB1*03, DRB1*15 were significantly higher in the NPC patients than in the control group (15.5 vs. 4; 26.4 vs. 11.5, and 14.4 vs. 6.5%, respectively) probably indicating a positive association with NPC. Moreover, we observed that HLA-A23 was absent in our NPC sample and was present in 18% of normal controls, and HLA-DRB1*11 was less frequent among the patients compared to the controls (5.5 vs. 14%) suggesting a protective effect of this association with NPC.

Conflicting opinions exist concerning clinical and pathological presentation, as well as evolution and prognosis, of breast cancer in young women. The roles of associated pregnancy and lactation on these parameters is also unclear. These two conditions are studied in the present work through the comparison of two breast cancer patient age groups: patients under the age of 30 (Group A) and premenopausal patients aged 45–49 (Group B). Rapidly growing and/or inflammatory breast cancer (rapidly progressing breast cancer: RPBC) — a special form of Breast Cancer with a poor prognosis very frequent in the Tunisian breast cancer population — was more often present among Group A patients. This difference is a consequence of the more frequent association of this breast cancer group with pregnancy or lactation; nearly all the cases of breast cancer associated with pregnancy or lactation are RPBC. For breast cancer without the pregnancy/lactation association, the younger group generally shows poorer histological grading and more severe evolution. The number of patients in our study is not really sufficient to allow statistically significant conclusions, but it does seem clear that young age and associated pregnancy/lactation are aggravating factors in Tunisian breast cancer patients.

Based on two pretreatment evaluations, doubling time (DT) was calculated in 75 cases of invasive breast cancer (BC). The cases studied were more or less equally distributed between three DT groups: fast-growing tumors (DT less than 90 days), intermediate cases (DT between 90 and 180 days), and slow-growing tumors (DT greater than 180 days. A correlation was found to exist between DT and patient age and, to an even greater extent, between DT and pathologic prognostic indicators such as histologic grading and nuclear grade. Inflammatory symptoms were not associated with DT, but were closely related to the size of the tumor and regional lymph node involvement. The date of detection of distant metastases depended heavily on the DT of the BC:BC with shorter DT = earlier metastatic spread. The presence of inflammatory signs was also decisive: within each DT category, inflammatory BC metastases were both more frequent and precocious.