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Neurodevelopment is highly affected by perinatal ethanol exposure (PEE). In the adult brain, neurogenesis takes place in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus and in the subventricular zone. This work aimed to analyze the effect of PEE on the cellular types involved in adult dorsal hippocampal neurogenesis phases using a murine model. For this purpose, primiparous female CD1 mice consumed only ethanol 6% v/v from 20 days prior to mating and along pregnancy and lactation to ensure that the pups were exposed to ethanol throughout pre- and early postnatal development. After weaning, pups had no further contact with ethanol. Cell types of the adult male dorsal DG were studied by immunofluorescence. A lower percentage of type 1 cells and immature neurons and a higher percentage of type 2 cells were observed in PEE animals. This decrease in type 1 cells suggests that PEE reduces the population of remnant progenitors of the dorsal DG present in adulthood. The increase in type 2 cells and the decrease in immature neurons indicate that, during neurodevelopment, ethanol alters the capacity of neuroblasts to become neurons in the adult neurogenic niche. These results suggest that pathways implicated in cell determination are affected by PEE and remain affected in adulthood.

Background: Limited knowledge exists on outcomes of children exposed prenatally to chemotherapy for breast cancer (BC). The purpose of this study was to compare long-term neurocognitive, behavioral, developmental, growth, and health outcomes of children exposed in-utero to chemotherapy for BC. Methods: This is a multi-center matched cross-sectional cohort study involving seven cancer centers across the region of Southern Ontario (Canada), and the Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto, Ontario). Using standardized psychological and behavioral tests, we compared cognitive and behavioral outcomes in children exposed to chemotherapy during pregnancy for BC to age-matched pairs exposed to known non-teratogens. Results: We recruited 17 parent-child pairs and their matched controls. There were more preterm deliveries in the chemotherapy-exposed group compared to controls (p

Abstract Background Limited understanding of the cancer biology of metastatic sites is a major factor contributing to poor outcomes in cancer patients. The regional lymph nodes are the most common site of metastasis in most solid cancers and their involvement is a strong predictor of relapse in breast cancer (BC). We have previously shown that ezrin, a cytoskeletal–membrane linker protein, is associated with lymphovascular invasion and promotes metastatic progression in BC. However, the efficacy of pharmacological inhibition of ezrin in blocking cancer cell migration and metastasis remains unexplored in BC. Methods We quantified ezrin expression in a BC tissue microarray (n = 347) to assess its correlation with risk of relapse. Next, we developed a quantitative intravital microscopy (qIVM) approach, using a syngeneic lymphatic reporter mouse tumor model, to investigate the effect of systemic ezrin inhibition on cancer cell migration and metastasis. Results We show that ezrin is expressed at significantly higher levels in lymph node metastases compared to matched primary tumors, and that a high tumor ezrin level is associated with increased risk of relapse in BC patients with regional disease. Using qIVM, we observe a subset of cancer cells that retain their invasive and migratory phenotype at the tumor-draining lymph node. We further show that systemic inhibition of ezrin, using a small molecule compound (NSC668394), impedes the migration of cancer cells in vivo. Furthermore, systemic ezrin inhibition leads to reductions in metastatic burden at the distal axillary lymph node and lungs. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that the tumor ezrin level act as an independent biomarker in predicting relapse and provide a rationale for therapeutic targeting of ezrin to reduce the metastatic capacity of cancer cells in high-risk BC patients with elevated ezrin expression.

Perinatal ethanol (EtOH) exposure is associated with high incidence of behavioral disorders such as depression and anxiety. The cerebral areas related with these consequences involve the corticolimbic system, in particular the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and cingulate cortex, although the latter has not been thoroughly studied yet. Different animal models of prenatal or perinatal EtOH exposure have reported morphofunctional alterations in the central nervous system, which could explain behavioral disorders along life; these results focus on youth and adolescents and are still controversial. In the light of these inconclusive results, the aim of this work was to analyze adult behavior in CD1 mice perinatally exposed to low concentrations of EtOH (PEE) during gestation and lactation, and describe the morphology of the cingulate cortex and amygdala with a view to establishing structure/function/behavior correlations. Primiparous CD1 female mice were exposed to EtOH 6% v/v for 20 days prior to mating and continued drinking EtOH 6% v/v during pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, male pups were fed food and water ad libitum until 77 days of age, when behavioral and morphological studies were performed. Mouse behavior was analyzed through light–dark box and open field tests. Parameters related to anxious behavior and locomotor activity revealed anxiogenic behavior in PEE mice. After behavioral studies, mice were perfused and neurons, axons, serotonin transporter, 5HT, CB1 receptor (CB1R) and 5HT1A receptor (5HT1AR) were studied by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry in brain sections containing cingulate cortex and amygdala. Cingulate cortex and amygdala cytoarchitecture were preserved in adult PEE mice, although a smaller number of neurons was detected in the amygdala. Cingulate cortex axons demonstrated disorganized radial distribution and reduced area. Serotonergic and endocannabinoid systems, both involved in anxious behavior, showed differential expression. Serotonergic afferents were lower in both brain areas of PEE animals, while 5HT1AR expression was lower in the cingulate cortex and higher in the amygdala. The expression of CB1R was lower only in the amygdala. In sum, EtOH exposure during early brain development induces morphological changes in structures of the limbic system and its neuromodulation, which persist into adulthood and may be responsible for anxious behavior.

Limited knowledge exists on outcomes of children exposed prenatally to chemotherapy for breast cancer (BC). The purpose of this study was to compare long-term neurocognitive, behavioral, developmental, growth, and health outcomes of children exposed in-utero to chemotherapy for BC. This is a multi-center matched cross-sectional cohort study involving seven cancer centers across the region of Southern Ontario (Canada), and the Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto, Ontario). Using standardized psychological and behavioral tests, we compared cognitive and behavioral outcomes in children exposed to chemotherapy during pregnancy for BC to age-matched pairs exposed to known non-teratogens. We recruited 17 parent-child pairs and their matched controls. There were more preterm deliveries in the chemotherapy-exposed group compared to controls (p < 0.05). Full Scale IQ of children in the chemotherapy group was significantly confounded by maternal IQ and prematurity. Exposed children born at term were not different in cognitive outcomes. Children from both groups were similar in their developmental milestones, pediatric anthropometric measurements and health problems. There were no cases of autoimmune cytopenia. This is the first Canadian prospective comparative study designed to assess pediatric cognition following prenatal exposure to chemotherapy for BC. Chemotherapy was not found to be neurotoxic in this cohort and did not affect pediatric health. The decision to plan a preterm birth for initiating or continuing chemotherapy treatment must be taken into consideration in context of pediatric implications. While these results may assist in such decision making, replication with a larger sample is needed for more conclusive findings. • Limited knowledge exists on outcomes of children exposed prenatally to chemotherapy for breast cancer (BC). • We compared cognitive and behavioral outcomes in children exposed to chemotherapy during pregnancy for BC to controls. • FSIQ of children in the chemotherapy group was significantly confounded by prematurity. • Chemotherapy was not found to be neurotoxic and did not affect pediatric health. • Pediatric implications of planned preterm birth for further treatment should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: To identify the information that post-menopausal women with hormone-receptor positive, early-stage breast cancer want, to help them decide among six treatment options for adjuvant-endocrine therapy. Methods: We surveyed women with early-stage breast cancer who were eligible for adjuvant endocrine-therapy 3–18 months earlier. Participants rated the importance of getting each of 95 questions answered before this decision is made (options: essential/desired/not important/avoid). For questions rated essential or desired, participants identified the purpose(s) for having the question answered: to help them understand, make the decision, plan, or other. Participants indicated the role they played in their actual decision and the role they would prefer if the decision was made today. They also indicated whether they felt they had had a choice of endocrine therapy treatments. Results: 188 of 343 questionnaires were returned (response rate 55%). Mean age was 67 yr (range 38–88 yr); 76% were married, and 39% had secondary school education or less. On average, respondents rated 18 questions (range 0–94) essential for decision making. Each question was rated essential for decision making by ≥7% of participants but only 1 question by >50%. Regarding roles, 89% of respondents had participated in their actual decision and would want to again; an additional 9% had not participated in their actual decision but would want to at the time of the survey. The percentage of respondents who felt they had no choice of endocrine therapy treatments varied between centres, 25% vs 41% and 49%. Conclusions: Most patients want to participate in the decision but they vary widely in the amount and which specific details they want to help them make the decision. Implication: The wide variation in questions considered important means the support should be tailored to the needs of the individual patient. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

BACKGROUND: A systematic review was undertaken to evaluate the evidence for the use of trastuzumab as (neo)adjuvant therapy for women with HER-2/neu-positive breast cancer and to develop and support recommendations pertaining to its use across five domains: as a single-agent therapy, in combination with chemotherapy, methods to identify women who will benefit from it, adverse events associated with it, and optimal dose, schedule, and duration. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposia proceedings, and the Cochrane Library were searched through May 2007 for reports of randomized controlled trials that met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Eight randomized trials, described across 23 citations, were identified. All six trials of adjuvant trastuzumab reported significantly improved disease-free survival (DFS) while 4 of 6 adjuvant trials showed significant improvement in overall survival (OS) for patients treated with trastuzumab over those that were not. Two trials of trastuzumab in the neoadjuvant setting reported significantly better pathological complete response (pCR) in patients treated with trastuzumab although both studies were limited by small sample size, and longer follow-up is needed. CONCLUSION: Although the optimal duration, schedule, and timing of adjuvant trastuzumab remains undefined, the bulk of the available evidence supports that adjuvant trastuzumab be offered for 1 year to all patients with HER-2-positive and node-positive or high-risk node-negative (tumour 1cm in size) primary breast cancer who are receiving or have received (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: A systematic review was undertaken to evaluate the evidence for the use of trastuzumab as (neo)adjuvant therapy for women with HER-2/neu-positive breast cancer and to develop and support recommendations pertaining to its use across five domains: as a single-agent therapy, in combination with chemotherapy, methods to identify women who will benefit from it, adverse events associated with it, and optimal dose, schedule, and duration. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposia proceedings, and the Cochrane Library were searched through May 2007 for reports of randomized controlled trials that met the inclusion criteria. Results: Eight randomized trials, described across 23 citations, were identified. All six trials of adjuvant trastuzumab reported significantly improved disease-free survival (DFS) while 4 of 6 adjuvant trials showed significant improvement in overall survival (OS) for patients treated with trastuzumab over those that were not. Two trials of trastuzumab in the neoadjuvant setting reported significantly better pathological complete response (pCR) in patients treated with trastuzumab although both studies were limited by small sample size, and longer follow-up is needed. Conclusion: Although the optimal duration, schedule, and timing of adjuvant trastuzumab remains undefined, the bulk of the available evidence supports that adjuvant trastuzumab be offered for 1 year to all patients with HER-2-positive and node-positive or high-risk node-negative (tumour ⩾1cm in size) primary breast cancer who are receiving or have received (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A non-ulcerated granulomatous lesion of the large bowel mucosa has been found in 11 patients, nine of whom already had or eventually developed classical features of Crohn's disease. These lesions, which are multiple, consist of small well-circumscribed raised erythematous plaques surrounded by normal mucosa. At biopsy there is focal haemorrhage of the lamina propria, rupture of the crypts, release of mucus, and frank granulomatous reaction with giant cell formation. The lesion may be reversible or be followed by the classical mucosal ulcerations. They may occur in the presence or the absence of classical lesions of Crohn's disease elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract. As this non-ulcerated lesion may occur in isolation, it may provide the initial clue to the diagnosis of Crohn's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The necrosis of EMT-6 mammary murine tumors induced by photodynamic therapy (PDT) with Photofrin (PII) or disulfonated aluminum phthalocyanine (AlPcS2) was studied. Attention was given to the spontaneous evolution of angiogenesis and necrosis of such tumors in order to determine the most appropriate moment for treatment. On day 6 after tumor cell inoculation, mice were injected with photosensitizer followed by exposure to red light 24 h later, at which time optimal dye concentrations were reached in the tumor. Animals were sacrificed 3 h or 24 h after illumination and tissues were prepared for histology. Prominent cytopathic alterations were already observed at 3 h and there was massive necrosis at 24 h. In the case of PII vascular damage, congestion and hemorrhage were already present at 3 h and these changes account for the subsequent tumor necrosis through hemorrhagic infarction. With AlPcS2 these early vascular alterations were much less evident and only focal at 24 h, suggesting that AlPcS2-PDT mediated tumor necrosis involves to a large extent direct tumor cell damage.

We studied repair of a longitudinal incision of the right medial meniscus in 44 rabbits after the transfer of a pedunculated synovial flap, without immobilization of the knee. The left medial meniscus was used as the control, after creating the same lesion without synovial flap. Healing was analyzed by histologic studies, including India ink perfusion after 8, 12, 24, and 48 weeks. In three quarters of the cases, the meniscus showed healing with vascularization of an originally avascular zone.

CDI, C57B1/6 and DBA2 mice were subjected to dimethyl hydrazine (DMH) carcinogenesis to determine incidences of various types of tumors developing internally in the three strains. The animals were also screened for skin angiosarcomas. Skin lesions histologically similar to cutaneous AIDS associated Kaposi's sarcoma were observed in CD1 mice. Angiosarcomas predominated over colorectal tumors in C57Bl/6 and DBA2 mice, whereas the reverse was true for CD1 mice. The visceral angiosarcomas had both histological similarities and differences with visceral AIDS associated Kaposi's sarcoma.

Dimethylhydrazine (DMH) induces colonic cancer and angiosarcomas in mice. In order to determine pertinence of mouse angiosarcoma as a model to AIDS associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), we investigated if immune dysfunction occurred during tumor development by DMH. Outbred CD1 male mice received once weekly DMH a 20 mg/kg body weight dose s.c. for 33 weeks. Every two weeks initially and then every week groups of DMH-treated and control animals were sacrificed to determine a) peripheral blood and splenic T cell subset ratio b) 4-day plaque forming cell (PFC) response to i.p. sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and c) mitogenic response of spleen cells to Concanavalin A (Con A) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). No change in T helper/T suppressor + cytotoxic T cell (Th/Tsupp. + CTL) and mitogenic response to spleen cells to Con A was noted whereas PFC response of animals to SRBC and mitogenic response of spleen cells to LPS decreased. These data suggest that either infection with T cell depleting virus such as LP:BM5 or immunosuppressive drugs affecting T cell function, such as steroids may be required to bring the immune status of DMH treated animals closer to that of AIDS associated KS bearing human subjects.

Scleronodular type of Hodgkin's disease: experience at the Centre hospitalier universitaire de SherbrookeThe nodular sclerosis type of Hodgkin's disease appears to be a distinct clinical entity. However, the incidence, the initial localization of the tumour and the survival of the patients are variable. The present study was carried out on a group of 17 patients, all French Canadians living in the province of Quebec, from a total of 31 with Hodgkin's disease, an incidence of 55%. There were more males (10) than females (7). The mean age of the group was 37 years, but that of the females was lower than that of the males. The mediastinum was involved at the onset in 47% of the patients. The initial staging (according to the classification of Rye) in 76% of the patients was I or II.Four patients showed disease below the diaphragm. The lungs were infiltrated three times, the spleen six times, and the liver five times. The duration of survival of the 17 patients was twice that of the patients with the three other types of the disease.

The antitumor activity of either cortisone-heparin or cortisone-maltose tetrapalmitate combination or both was tested against two animal tumor models. The first model was orthotopically implanted bladder tumor established in syngeneic Fisher 344 rats. Shrinkage and growth arrest of the tumors were induced by cortisone and amplified by its combination with either heparin or maltose tetrapalmitate (MTP). The second model was trocar implanted C3HBA mammary tumor piece s.c. in syngeneic LPS and MTP responder C3H/HeN and non responder C3H/HeJ mice. The tumor was sensitive to growth inhibition by cortisone-MTP in the C3H/HeN but not by cortisone alone or cortisone-heparin. Tumor implanted in C3H/HeJ was much less sensitive to cortisone-MTP. Cortisone could be replaced by 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, but not by cortexolone.

Primary bladder tumors induced in Fischer 344 inbred rats by N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]formamide were transplanted in syngeneic rats by the intravesical, s.c., i.v., and orthotopic routes. Attempts were made to establish bladder cancer cell lines in vitro. No success was achieved in transplantation by either the s.c., i.v., or intravesical routes when primary tumor cells were transplanted as cell suspensions. Cell suspensions of primary tumors also failed to grow in culture. However, orthotopic implantation into the bladder submucosa gave 45% success. Tumor fragments obtained from either the primary tumor or its lung metastases resulted in 10.6 and 36% tumor takes, respectively, when implanted s.c. However, after one orthotopic passage in the bladder submucosa, the tumor cells injected as cell suspension grew s.c. in 14% and orthotopically in 79% of the animals. Tumor fragments obtained from orthotopic tumors and implanted s.c. resulted in 15% tumor takes. After the second orthotopic passage, tumor cells could be grown in cultures and orthotopically in 100% of animals. The technique of orthotopic implantation as well as the usefulness of this tumor model for bladder cancer studies are described.

A 48-year-old man with accelerated hypertension developed right-sided ischemic colitis. There was no evidence of another cause of vascular inadequacy. Microscopically, the bowel showed ischemic alterations of different stages. The arterial alterations of different stages. The arterial vessels showed minimal changes. In older lesions, fibrosis was prominent and the mucosa was atrophic. In more recent lesions, some vessels of the submucosa were plugged with fibrin and the overlying mucosa was infiltrated by nonorganized hemorrhage and cellular elements.

Complementary antitumor treatments are required to increase the cure rate achieved by surgery and/or radiotherapy by avoiding future recurrences and metastases. The growth of most solid tumors, particularly carcinomas, depends upon the simultaneous development of internal tumor vasculature to allow the proliferation of tumor cells. Inhibition of tumor vascularization is an indirect means of limiting tumor expansion. Daily administration of cortisone and maltose tetrapalmitate (MTP) abolished growth of implanted syngeneic C3HBA mammary tumor. Gross and macroscopic examination of these tumors revealed that tumor growth was prevented. Histological examination demonstrated lack of vascularization within the neoplastic tissue. We believe that this combination in an appropriate form could provide a prophylactic treatment regimen after conventional antitumor treatments in humans.

A case of chondrosarcoma of the hand recurred 4 times over a period of 32 years. Forty-seven cases of hand chondrosarcomas have been found in the literature. Histological diagnosis is difficult in differentiating chondrosarcomas from benign chondromas. Pain and swelling are the main symptoms of recurrence. The diagnosis is established by arteriography and excisional biopsy. Extraskeletal hand chondrosarcomas do not metastasize and other hand chondrosarcomas do so only rarely. Block excision of localized amputation is the treatment of choice.

The prophylactic effect of maltose tetrapalmitate (MTP), a newly developed non specific immunoadjuvant in preventing or delaying bladder cancer induction by N-[4(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl] formamide (FANFT) or in reducing the growth rate of the induced tumor was compared to other well-known immunoadjuvants (BCG, C. parvum, levamisole and pyran copolymer). The evaluation of the prophylactic role of immunoadjuvants demonstrated that MTP, levamisole and C. parvum were the most effective in prolonging animal survival. MTP was found superior to either of them in reducing the tumor size. The development of lung metastasis was lower in the group receiving MTP or C. parvum. Next, MTP was studied for its therapeutic effect against primary FANFT induced tumor. The subcutaneous (s.c.) and oral routes of MTP administration and their combination with intravesical route were tried. Combinations of intravesical with s.c. or oral MTP were most effective in reducing tumor size, obtaining lower metastases along with greater mononuclear lymphocyte infiltration in the primary tumor.

A/J mice were given ethyl carbamate to accelerate and to raise to 100 percent the incidence of lung tumours at 34 weeks (day 237) of age. The animals were then divided into groups which received the following treatments: group 1, no treatment; group 2, MTP alone; group 3, radiotherapy alone; group 4, cyclophosphamide alone; group 5, radiotherapy + MTP; group 6, MTP + cyclophosphamide; group 7, radiotherapy followed by cyclophosphamide and group 8, MTP and radiotherapy together followed by MTP and cyclophosphamide. Except for radiotherapy, which was given for 5 consecutive days, MTP and cyclophosphamide were continued till the death of the animals. The treatment efficacies were evaluated by the number and size of tumour nodules, taking into consideration the survival time of the animal. Animals in groups receiving cyclophosphamide died earlier (between days 290 and 315) due to its toxic effects, and half of the radiotherapy-MTP were sacrificed at day 314 for comparison. Although cyclophosphamide alone and radiotherapy plus cyclophosphamide demonstrated antitumour activity, the number of tumour nodules and the nodule diameter were reduced most effectively in group 8 (receiving MTP, radiotherapy and cyclophosphamide). Among the animals in the non-cyclophosphamide group, radiotherapy alone was ineffective. MTP given before and after radiotherapy (group 5) kept tumour volume in control although this group died suddenly. The animals receiving only MTP died between day 430 and 470. The number of tumour nodules and the nodule diameter in the MTP group were, however, significantly reduced when compared to controls or radiotherapy group animals dying at or near the same time.

C3HBA mammary tumor (H-2k) was implanted s.c. by trocar in MTP responder C3H/HeN (H-2k) and non-responder C3H/HeJ (H-2k) female mice. One half of the animals received MTP i.p. The size of the tumor was measured everyday. Tumor growth was slightly slower in the C3H/HeJ than in the C3H/HeN. MTP treatment was effective only for the tumor implanted in the C3H/HeN. Microscopic and microscopic visualization of the tumor 1, 2, 3, and 15 days after tumor implantation and MTP treatment revealed poor vascular development in the MTP-treated C3H/HeN compared to untreated controls at days 2 and 3.

Sixty CDl mice received dimethylhydrazine 20 mg/kg s.c. once weekly for 26 weeks to induce colorectal cancer. At this time the animals harbored frank colorectal cancer and early epidermoid cancer. The animals were divided into six groups that were subjected to the following treatments: none, MTP immunotherapy (MTP) alone, radiotherapy (R) alone, difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) chemotherapy alone and combinations of R+DFMO and R+DFMO+MTP. Criteria of evaluation of treatment efficacy were: number of colorectal tumor lesion and their staging at death, the incidence and size of anal cancer at death and survival time. Radiotherapy alone was marginally effective and MTP treatment was moderately effective in preventing anal cancer and reducing the number of colorectal tumors as well as their size. DFMO was exceptional in preventing anal cancer in a majority of animals and increasing animal survival; the latter effect was due to its preventive action against pyelonephritis, the major cause for animal death. However, in DFMO treated animals, the incidence of angiosarcoma increased from 10-16% (in the absence of DFMO) to 35-50% (in the presence of DFMO). The most effective treatment of the colorectal tumor was the triple combination of R + DFMO + MTP.

Therapeutic effects of radiotherapy (R), chemotherapy, and maltose tetrapalmitate (MTP) immunotherapy alone and in combinations were tried against 4' dimethylaminoazobenzene (DAB) induced primary liver cancer in Wistar rats in three separate protocols. Rats were fed a low protein synthetic diet containing 0.06% DAB for 90-120 days. Around 90 days, liver cancers developed in all the animals. In the first protocol, animals were either left untreated or treated with cyclophosphamide (Cy), MTP (i.p. or oral) and Cy plus oral MTP. Rats in the MTP (i.p.) group maintained a steady liver weight but neither Cy nor Cy + MTP influenced the survival time or liver weight. In the second protocol, R as well as a 3-drug combination at 2 dose levels were tried alone and with MTP before or soon after cessation of DAB feeding. Survival times were decreased by R and chemotherapy due to combined toxicities of DAB and treatments and were partially restored by MTP. In the third protocol, MTP, R, and Cy were each tried alone and in combinations, 21 days after cessation of 100-day DAB feeding. Increase in survivals were obtained by each treatment, although tumor weight was best controlled by triple R+ Cy + MTP combination.

A case of pleomorphic lipoma of the tongue in a 60-year-old woman is reported. Recently described by Enzinger (1977), pleomorphic lipoma is a rare benign tumor, occurring mostly in elderly males. The subcutaneous tissues of the neck and back are the most common sites involved. Differentiation from some histological variants of liposarcoma remains difficult. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice. To our knowledge, this is the first case of pleomorphic lipoma of the tongue reported in the English literature.