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We studied various tumours of the nervous system by the immunofluorescence technique using an anti-brain specific alpha 2 glycoprotein antiserum (anti-NSA3 antiserum). We found the antigen in 24/27 astrocytomas and 4/4 oligodendrogliomas but in none of the 8 meningiomas tested. There was an identity between the astrocytoma/oligodendroglioma antigen and that of normal brain as shown by the immunoprecipitation technique. By the immunofluorescence technique using inhibition of the antiserum we demonstrated that the tumour antigen is devoid of some specific nervous system determinants present in normal brain.

The authors studied eleven cases of Fibrosing Adenosis of the breast. If the clinical findings and radiologic examination evoke this diagnosis only a histological proof is sure. The difficulties in histological diagnosis, the problems of the histogenesis of fibrosing adenosis are emphasized. The authors recall the excellent prognosis of fibrosing adenosis.

The detection of anti-DNA antibodies was carried out by the electroimmunodiffusion method. The results were compared to those of the immunofluorescent method for anti-nuclear factors. Positive results were obtained with the electroimmunodiffusion method in 86% of the lupus erythematosus cases, 77% of the sero-positive rhumatoid polyarthritis cases and 67% of the scleroderma cases. They are comparable to those obtained by other methods. The electroimmunodiffusion method allowed in 3 out of 54 sera to defect anti-DNA antibodies although no anti-nuclear factor was found.

Twenty-eight rats were given weekly injections of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) for periods of 1-10 weeks. The preneoplastic changes occurring in the descending colon were monitored by transmission electron microscopy. Marked uniformity was observed in the time period of lesion development in the colon induced by the carcinogen especially at the epithelialstromal junction in preneoplastic lesions. Little changes were observed after 3 weeks treatment with the DMH. The greatest changes occurred after 6 weeks treatment, resulting in epithelium and mesenchyme. It has been confirmed that 3 weeks treatment with DMH is subcarcinogenic, whereas 10 weeks treatment results in a high incidence of tumors. These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that a carcinogen may act by inducing alterations in a small number of enterocytes and that colonic tumors arise through stepwise evolutional changes in these cells.

Absence of GFA in established cell lines from glioblastomas promped us to look for this protein from the first replication of malignant cells in vitro and in following subcultrues. Our results show that GFA disappeared during the first twelve replications, often before the fifth replication. No correlation was observed with a morphological transformation of the cells.

An experimental model of colonic cancer can be obtained in rodents by administration of 1-2 Dimethylhydrazine. It produces constant, reproducible lesions, ranging from simple anomalies of secretion to invasive cancers, which are identical to those observed in man. It should be noted that the rats and mice used in these experiments do not present spontaneous colonic tumours. This model has contributed to the substitution of the polyp-cancer sequence by the dysplasia-cancer sequence. All of steps of malignant transformation of the mucosa can be followed by histochemistry of the mucins, by ultrastructural examination of the basement membrane and by labeling of the sub-epithelial connective tissue with hyaluronectin. In man, it is possible to define high risk lesions prior to the appearance of polyps.

An immunoenzymologic method using peroxidase-labeled antibodies has been applied for the localization of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) on frozen sections, on Araldite-embedded sections, and on isolated cell preparations of normal rectocolonic mucosa and of rectal and colonic cancers (adenocarcinomas and one villous tumor). CEA appears as a component intimately associated with the external coating of the striated border of the normal columnar cell and with the external coating of the apical pole of the cancerous cell. CEA is also found as an intracellular component of the normal epithelial cell of the rectocolonic mucosa, mainly the goblet cell. In tumors, it appears as an intracellular component of the mucussecreting cell. Its presence in the cell coat and interior of the cell correlates with the degree of differentiation of the cells, whether cancerous or not. Progressive accumulation of CEA in the normal colonic epithelial cell has been observed in cells undergoing maturation. Its release by the mature goblet cell has also been observed. These results confirm that CEA is a normal glycoprotein constituent of the epithelial cell of the human adult rectocolonic mucosa, synthesized and discharged by this cell. The difference in CEA content, already reported, between the cancerous and the normal rectocolonic mucosa appears quantitative and not qualitative.

The diagnostic value of mammography was evaluated retrospectively in 23 recurrent carcinomas in patients previously treated by partial mastectomy with or without adjuvant radiotherapy. Mammography established accurate diagnosis in 11 of the 23 patients. Mammography should always be performed in addition to clinical and cytological examinations and results must be evaluated jointly. Confrontation of these three investigations may be inconclusive as a result of changes produced by radiotherapy or surgery. The authors recall the necessity of surgical control of any nodular lesion developed in the area of the initial operation, particularly during the first three years.

An antiserum raised in Rabbits against brain glycoprotein precipitated an identical antigen in faetal dermis and intestine extracts, and also in non nervous tumors (breast adenocarcinomas and adenofibromas, ovarian cystadenoma, gastric and colonic adenocarcinomas, hepatomas, malignant melanomas, rhabdomvosarcoma, fibrosarcomas). By the indirect immunofluorescence technique, this antigen was always found associated with the mesenchymal proliferation, either malignant (fibrosarcoma) or reactive (fibrous stroma reaction of carcinomas).

The authors restate their personal researches about several antigen systems, viz. ACE, neurospecific antigens. They point out the complementarity of immunochemistry and immunohistochemistry which implicates a very precise methodology and utilization of rigorously monospecific immune serums with regard to the studied antigen. This conduces to reproducible, responsive and reliable techniques in optic microscopy but much less easily so in electron microscopy. These techniques are still partly experimental; but their application to the study of pathological tissues and especially of tumors may however be considered. The identification of histological types and the correlated evolution is suggested on hand of concrete examples.

The authors poisoned 500 female Wistar rats with a dialy dose of 15 mg/kg, The total dose ranged from 15 mg/kg to 420 mg/kg, according to the group. The animals were either killed when the dose defined for each group and been reached, or allowed to live. In a first series of 6 groups (120 animals), the following facts were noted: tumours deeveloped in all animals left alive, after 28 weeks (total dose of 1/2 D.M.H. = 420 MG/KG). Changes in the mucosa were seen from the 40th day on with, in the descending colon, a punctate abnormality involving two or three glandular tubes, in general at the summit of the folds. This abnormality consisted of basophilia of the upper part of the tubes, with a loss of mucus secretion. All transitional stages were seen between this lesion, hyperplasia of the apex of the tubes, the formation of "polyp seeds" and the appearance of polyps. Carcinomas most frequently developed in polyps but sometimes in flat mucosa. In the ascending colon, changes in mucosecretion were seen after a similar time delay at the base of the glandular crypts.

A case of multilocular cyst of the kidney in a forty-eight old female is reported. The urography-ultrasonography association had shown the heterogeneous character of the renal tumor. The angiography and the computed tomography were alarming. The real diagnosis was established by histologic study after nephrectomy.

The turnover of the colonic mucosa sheds some light on the understanding of the precancerous stages. The colon mucosa operates through a constant and regular epithelial renewal. The regularity of this cycle is controlled by two membranous systems: the basement membrane as a sliding support- coat and the as a brake in the cells progression and thus in the mitosis. Any disturbance, in these system, brings about a large extension of the proliferative area, according to modalities common to all varieties of precancerous, polypous or non-polypous condition. On this poll of undifferentiated cells, with frequent mitosis risks of cancerous changes are, all the higher, that the undifferentiated areas or growing areas are more extended. This explains the unequal tendency to malignancy of colitis, solitary polyps, villous polyps in layers, and multiple polyps.

15 stellar types breast lesions were reviewed and classified according their etiology (fibrosing adenosis, dysplasia, dystrophy, radial scar of Aschoff, fat necrosis). Radio-anatomical confrontation allowed to understand the images given by the varying appearances of the connective skeleton surrounded by adipose lobules. The authors study the diagnosis of the stellar breast lesions and recall the determinant role of connective tissue in the genesis of mammographic stellar images.

1-2 dimethylhydrazine was injected subcutaneously on a weekly basis of 15 mg/kg, during periods ranging from one to twenty-eight weeks into five hundred Wistar rats. Glandular-mucin depletion appears as early as the second injection (sulfomucins disappear). From the sixth week, one observes dysplasia; if the animals are allowed to survive for a longer period all will develop colonic carcinomas, which were found mainly in the left colon. This dysplasia, which is first mild, then moderate, is finally severe in rat mucosa or in the area of polyps. Dysplastic polyps become less frequent when carcinomas increase in number and in size. The average length of survival after cessation of the exposure is inversely proportional to the total dose administered. The glandular mucin depletion-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence characterizes the types of formation of 1-2 DMH induced colonic carcinomas. One of the striking features is the early appearance of this sequence.

An overall survey of the transitional epithelium of the bladder and its carcinomas. This study is based upon the recent literature, in particular the considerable contribution of scanner electron microscopy. a) The transitional epithelium has the reputation of having a simple structure and even behaviour. In fact, it is complex with highly specialised surface cells. It has marked powers of regeneration after aggressions of various types. b) Tumours of the transitional epithelium are defined in relation to rupture of the basal lamina. Invasive carcinomas are classified according to their histological stage of penetration, their pure or partially metaplasic type and their degree defined according to the criteria of Broders. There exists a correlation between these three types of evaluation. Non-invasive carcinomas are either papillary--putting into question the reality of benign bladder papilloma--or flat mucosal and then often associated closely or at a distance with an invasive carcinoma. c) Abnormal regeneration, dysplasia or hyperplasia as a result of aggressions of different types or developing in isolation represent a high risk histologically, implying the need for careful follow-up and surveillance. d) Histopathological study of urothelial or transitional tumours is simple in operative specimens but difficult in biopsies. It requires close cooperation between surgeons and pathologists to ensure correct orientation of the fragments.