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Angiogenesis in the primary tumor is known to be necessary for tumor progression in adenocarcinomas of the colon. However, whether angiogenesis in the primary tumors of patients with colorectal cancer affects their prognosis has yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between selected pathoclinical parameters and overall survival of resectable colorectal cancer patients with the expression of angiogenesis-promoting factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor (Flt-1), and microvessel density (MVD) in the primary tumor. VEGF and Flt-1 expression were assessed, as well as MVD (with anti-CD34) by immunohistochemistry in 139 archived primary colorectal cancer tissue samples. These results were compared with the overall survival of the patients and potential prognostic pathoclinical parameters. A higher MVD in the tumors expressing Flt-1 (P=0.04) was identified. However, there was no correlation between the pathoclinical parameters of colon cancer and Flt-1 expression, VEGF expression, or MVD in the tumor. Furthermore, the intensity of VEGF expression, Flt-1 expression and tumor MVD did not correlate with the overall survival of the patients. Therefore, although increased expression of VEGF and Flt-1 was correlated with an increased expression of MVD in the primary tumors of resectable colorectal cancer patients, these factors were not correlated with prognostic pathoclinical factors and overall survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duodenal fistula is a significant ongoing surgical problem. Minimal invasive treatment might be an alternative to conventional open surgery. This study aimed to investigate whether addition of gentamicin to fibrin adhesive can augment current surgical methods. Having established a fistula, the defect was closed using the following: simple suturing, suturing covered with fibrin sealant only, or suturing with fibrin sealant mixed with gentamicin. Bursting pressure and macroscopic and microscopic examination were evaluated on the second and sixth day after surgery. The study demonstrated there was no significant difference in overall outcome between the 3 groups. However, on macroscopic examination, the mixture of antibiotic and fibrin adhesive decreased formation of adhesions and abscesses. Microscopically, there was decreased inflammation, improved granulation, and earlier onset of fibrin filament deposition, possibly leading to enhanced wound healing. The addition of gentamicin to fibrin sealant can be a useful adjunct to standard surgical closure in duodenal fistula management. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To assess the impact of micrometastases in sentinel and non-sentinel lymph nodes on long-term survival rates of patients treated for colorectal cancer (CRC). Data of 57 patients diagnosed with CRC and treated in the Department of Surgical Oncology in Gdansk in the years 2002-2006 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinico-histopathological data were analyzed using chi-square tests. The effect on long-time survival rates was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival probability estimates. Identification of the SLN was performed using the blue dye staining method. All regional lymph nodes were subject to standard histopathological examination. Additionally in 32(56.14%) patients whose nodes were found negative for metastases on standard staining further immunohistochemical analyses were performed. In the analyzed group SLNB was performed in 42(73.7%) patients with colon cancer and in 15(26.3%) with rectal cancer. Identification of the SLN was possible in 45(78.9%) patients. The sensitivity of SLNB was 33%. False negatives were found in 66%. SLNB is a feasible method in CRC patients. We presume that lack of micrometastases in the SLN and non-SLN cannot be regarded as a prognostic factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a relatively seldom adult solid tumor accounting for 3% of malignancies. The most common histological type of RCC (70-80% of renal neoplasms) is clear cell carcinoma. Almost 30% of patients present metastatic disease at diagnosis while 20% present locally advanced tumors. Patients with RCC can have late recurrences in unusual localizations, such the skin, thyroid or pancreas. The authors present a case of pancreatic multiple metastases of renal cell carcinoma 18 years after a renal tumor excision. A total pancreatectomy was undertaken. The patient presented temporary high volume ascites after surgery as well as diabetes. One year after the pancreatectomy the patient developed detectable multiple hepatic metastases treated with high frequency ablation. The above-presented case supports the thesis of applying an aggressive surgical strategy in selected cases of late renal cell carcinoma metastases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary malignant melanoma of the head and neck region are rare: they constiute only about 1% of all cases of malignant melanoma. The authors describe the case of primary laryngeal melanoma in a 54-year-old man. Clinical examination revealed tumor of the left half of the larynx. Total laryngectomy with radical neck dissection was performed. Histopathological diagnosis of the tumor was made on a surgical specimen, based on immunohistochemical analysis. The patient remains in good condition 22 months after the surgery, with no evidence of recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disease characterized by an accumulation of surfactant components in lung alveoli. In diagnosis and monitoring of the disease high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is usually used. Unfortunately, repeated exposure to CT scanning may be associated with an increased risk of radiation. We present a patient in whom repeated transthoracic lung ultrasonography (TLUS) brought parallel to HRCT data in assessing PAP extent. It may indicate that TLUS might be potentially a relevant tool in monitoring of PAP.

Neuroblastoma (NB) represents one of the most common paediatric tumours. Despite advance in NB research and treatment, the outcome of the patients from the high-risk group remains poor. PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway which is involved in oncogenesis and cancer progression of many tumours, in parallel constitutes the target for the biologically based oncological therapy. In this study we analyzed the status of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling route in the primary tumour tissue samples from a group of 39 high-risk NB. The pathway activation state was assessed immunohistochemically using antibodies with specificity towards PI3Kp85, PI3Kp110, phospho-AKT, phospho-mTOR, phospho-p70S6K and phospho-4EBP1. Moreover, expression of PTEN, bcl2 and cyclin D1 was examined. We found that most of tumours were positive for PI3Kp85 and PI3Kp110, as well as for p-AKT, p-mTOR and its downstream effectors p-p70S6K and p-4EBPI. PTEN was expressed in all cases, bcl2 and cyclin D1 staining was found in more than 90% of examined NB. Statistical analysis revealed that p-AKT expression was correlated with p-mTOR and strong cyclin D1 labelling. Furthermore, high expression of p-4EBP1 was significantly associated with p-p70S6K expression, high cyclin D1 and lower differentiation of the tumour. PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway activation is a common event in high-risk NB and it seems that this group of patients may benefit from targeted therapy with kinase inhibitors.

Recently it was demonstrated that the elevated concentration of glucose but not lack of insulin is responsible for suppression of equilibrative nucleoside transporter (ENT1) in diabetic rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). The present study was undertaken to determine the signaling pathway utilized by glucose to regulate the expression of ENT1 in the primary culture of rat CFs. Pretreatment of CFs with Go 6983, an isozyme non-selective PKC inhibitor, prevented the high glucose (25 mM) effect on ENT1 mRNA level and nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBTI)-sensitive adenosine uptake. Similar effect was observed with a cell-permeable PKC-zeta pseudosubstrate, whereas Go 6976 a selective inhibitor of Ca(2+)-dependent PKC-alpha and PKC-beta isozymes had little effect on high glucose-induced suppression of ENT1 mRNA level. Incubation of CFs with nitric oxide (NO) donors (SNAPE, SNP) or NO synthase inhibitors (L-NAME, L-NMMA) prior to exposition of CFs to high glucose did not change the glucose effect on ENT1 mRNA level. The high glucose-induced suppression of ENT1 expression was blocked by PD9859 (an inhibitor of MEK), whereas neither wortmannin (an inhibitor of PI3K) nor rapamycin (an inhibitor of mTOR) affected the glucose action on ENT1 transcript level. Highly effective in preventing the high glucose effect on ENT1 mRNA level were GW 5074 (an inhibitor of Raf kinase) and SB 203580 (selective p38 MAPK inhibitor). These findings indicate that high glucose suppresses the expression of ENT1 in CFs by NO independent manner involving the signaling through PKC-zeta, Raf-1, MEK, and p38 MAPK pathways., ((c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Noninvasive fungal sinusitis (fungus ball) is usually found in one sinus and the most frequently is caused by Aspergillus. Diagnostic criteria are based on histopathology, and fungal cultures are frequently negative. The clinical symptomatology mimics chronic rhinosinusitis and radiology, specially CT and MRI are helpful for making decision of surgery. The authors present 4 cases of fungus ball of the paranasal sinus. In one case clinical symptoms, endoscopic examination of nasal cavity and CT scans suggested foreign body in the maxillary sinus. In other case clinical and radiological evidences made us to thing of neoplasmatic disease of the frontal sinus. In remaining two cases mycetoma was found in the sphenoid sinus. Surgical removal was the treatment in all cases and followed by systemic antifungal therapy in one case because of bone destruction. Histopathology revealed hyphae of Aspergillus without evidence of tissue invasion, fungal cultures in two cases were negative, an in other two Aspergillus fumigatus culture were obtained.

The aim of the study was to determine microscopic angiogenic parameters of neuroblastoma (NB) Schwannian stroma-poor tumours. Furthermore the associations between vascular parameters and clinicopathological features of tumours and basic prognostic factors were analysed. Examined tissue samples from 62 NB came from 39 untreated and 23 chemotherapy pretreated tumours. The clinicopathological data comprised: patients' age, gender, survival, tumour site and stage, tumour histology and MYCN status.The morphological analysis of the angiogenic potential concentrated on examination of vascular patterns - classical type or pathological angiogenesis with mural microvascular proliferation (MVP). The quantitative study included semi-automatic assessment of vascular density (VD) in CD34 stained tumour sections. Pathologic angiogenesis with MVP, including simple and/or glomeruloid type, was encountered in 25 cases and was more frequent in differentiating histology subtype and extraadrenal tumours. VD value ranged from 56 to 385 vessels/mm2 (median 149). Higher VD was connected with younger patient's age. In untreated tumours VD was significantly higher in infants than in children over one year of age. Pathologic type angiogenesis and lower VD were found to be associated with shorter survival. Our study confirmed high vascularization of NB and revealed common occurrence of vascular pattern with MVP. Angiogenic potential in the analysed group showed diversity related to some clinicopathological tumour features. This points toward heterogeneity of NB tumours in vascular aspects, possibly affecting tumours' reactivity to antiangiogenic therapy.

Background: Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common neoplasm of the major salivary glands. There are three subtypes of malignant PA: carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA); carcinosarcoma (true malignant mixed tumor) and metastasizing pleomorphic adenoma. The most common subtype of malignant PA is CXPA which develops in primary or recurrent PA. For proper diagnosis of CXPA, a statement of coexistence of pleomorphic adenoma and carcinoma (or carcinoma after prior PA surgery) is needed. Own material is presented because of rarity and clinicopathologic specificity of this neoplasm., Methods: Retrospective analysis of the medical data of 19 patients who were treated at our department because of CXPA from 1990 to 2002 was done. The following clinical factors were evaluated: age, sex, symptoms (time of lasting, evolution), tumor size, invasion of the adjacent structures and facial nerve, neck nodes, clinical stage, treatment outcome. One pathologist reviewed histological material of 18 out of 19 patients who had been operated and pathological factors such as sensitivity and accuracy of fine needle aspiration biopsy, grade, histology and proportion of malignant component in tumor, lymph nodes metastases were analyzed., Results: There were 11 men and 8 women, the mean age was 57 years. In 15 cases, tumor was localized in the parotid and in 4 in the submandibular gland. Two patients had history of prior surgery of PA. Duration of symptoms of benign PA was from 2 to 40 years (mean 17.8 years). Symptoms of malignant transformation occurred in 15 patients, the most common were rapid enlargement of tumor, pain and facial nerve palsy. Tumor size varied from 2 to 20 cm with a mean of 6 cm. In 14 patients, the neck was evaluated clinically as No, in 5, examination identified enlarged lymph nodes. Adjacent structures were invaded by neoplasm in 5 cases. Sensitivity and accuracy of fine needle aspiration biopsy in detection of malignant character of PA were 60% and 46% respectively. 17 out of 18 tumors reviewed by the pathologist were high grade. Only in 6 patients, proportion of carcinoma in the mass was less than 50%. The most common malignant component in CXPA was adenocarcinoma (9 cases) and undifferentiated carcinoma (6 cases). Pathologic examination showed metastases to the lymph nodes in 7 out of 10 patients with prior neck dissection. 16 patients were treated surgically (12 of them had also radiation therapy) and 3 patients underwent only (chemo)radiotherapy. Determinate survival at 5 years was 73.6% and in the group treated surgically (alone or with postoperative irradiation) 87.5%., Conclusions: Malignant transformation of PA occurs in 5 to 25% untreated patients, usually after 15-20 years and warning symptoms are present in the most cases. Fine needle aspiration biopsy has insufficient sensibility and accuracy in detection of malignant character of PA. Clinical picture and histopathological examination determinate the diagnosis of CXPA. Proper histological classification of malignant component can be found difficult. Surgical treatment (alone or with postoperative irradiation), if possible, allows to achieve good locoregional control of CXPA. 5-years survival varied between 30 to 76%. The best method of prevention and treatment of CXPA is early and radical removal of all major salivary glands tumors.

A group of 119 cases of cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumours was studied looking at the pathological composition, relative incidence of tumour types, their radiological features and the pathological-radiological correlations. Tumours with preoperative radiological diagnosis and verified pathologically were analyzed. Histopathologically the material consisted of 77 schwannomas and 42 non-acoustic tumours. Radiological retrospective evaluation of CT and/or MRI documentation was performed in 84 patients. The tumours were classified according to Koos's staging scale. Diagnostic discrepancies (histopathological vs radiological) according to the clinical stage of CPA tumours were analyzed. In our series non-acoustic tumours made up 37% of CPA lesions. Sharp tumour-pyramis angle and intracanalicular fraction are not exclusive features of schwannomas. Tumours in stage IV are the most heterogeneous and diagnostically difficult group.

Aim: To investigate the influence of neutrophil adhesion molecule blockade with monoclonal antibody (MoAb CD11b) and E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration on experimental acute pancreatitis (AP)., Methods: AP was induced by four ip injections of cerulein (Cn) at 1-h intervals. MoAb CD 11b and LPS were administered at the beginning of the experiment., Results: The neutrophil count and chemiluminescence were diminished at the beginning of AP. The oxidative stress parameters were found within the pancreatic gland. MoAb CD 11b used for AP resulted in a significant reduction of pancreatic infiltration and pancreatitis oxidative stress parameters. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) was not detected in AP animals, whereas high serum IL-6 concentration was noted only in animals receiving LPS., Conclusion: Neutrophils are involved in pancreatic damage in the early stage of AP. Neutrophil infiltration reduction protects the pancreatic gland from destruction during AP. LPS does not change the early course of Cn pancreatitis in rats.

The routine multidisciplinary management of colon cancer is based mainly on tumor staging, histology, grading and vascular invasion. In this approach, important individual information derived from molecular characteristics of the tumor may be missed, especially since significant heterogeneity of molecular aberrations in cancer cells has been observed, and recognition of every of relationships between them may be of value. K-RAS, C-MYC and C-ERBB2 are protooncogenes taking part in carcinogenesis and tumor progression in the colon. They influence cell proliferation, differentiation and survival. K-RAS point mutation, as well as amplification of C-MYC and C-ERBB2 were searched in 84 primary colon adenocarcinomas resected with curative intent. Multiplex polymerase-chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism were performed to assess codon 12 K-RAS point mutation. Amplification of C-MYC and C-ERBB2 genes was evaluated by densitometry after agarose gel separation of the respective multiplex PCR products. No relation was found among mutated and/or amplified genes, and between searched molecular aberrations and pathoclinical features. In multivariate analysis, nodal status appeared to be the only independent prognostic indicator. In colon adenocarcinoma, codon 12 K-RAS point mutation and amplification of C-MYC and C-ERBB2 seem to occur independently in the process of tumor progression. Amplification of C-ERBB2 tends to associate with more advanced stage of disease. Concomitant occurrence of codon 12 K-RAS mutation, C-MYC and C-ERBB2 amplification was of no prognostic value in respect to survival.

Microvascular proliferation (MVP) is one of the histopathological hallmarks of glioblastoma (GB). In this study angiogenic potential in GB was analysed according to the morphology of MVP and by assessment of vascular density. The analysis of relations of vascular parameters to chosen clinical features was performed. Tissue samples from 46 GB cases were examined. The clinical data included: patients' age (32-78 years), gender (17 women, 29 men), location (frontal lobe--13, temporal--18, parietal--14, two lobes--1) and tumour size in CT (2-9 cm). Tumour vascularisation was analysed morphologically and quantitatively. Histologically two types of MVP were distinguished: simple and glomeruloid. In vascular hot spots vessel density was assessed on sections immunostained for vWf. Simple type proliferation was found in all cases. Glomeruloid proliferation was found in 33 cases with mean age of patients 59.5 yrs, while in the group without glomeruloids mean age was 48 yrs (statistically significant difference, p < 0.01). Mean vascular density value in examined GB was 150.4 vessels/mm2 (median 141.5; SD--56.4) and younger age was related to higher vascular density (correlation coefficient R = -0.35; p = 0.017). Vascular parameters were related only to the patients' age among the analysed clinical data. The presented results show that morphologically microvascular proliferation is more intense in older GB patients, since higher vascular density is related to younger age. This observation may suggest the diversity of GB angiogenic potential depending on patients' age.

Chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic adenocarcinoma represent two pathologic phenomena with marked production of connective tissue stroma containing numerous small blood vessels. The aim of this study was to characterise quantitatively the vascular supply of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and fragments of the periductal tissue collected from patients with chronic pancreatitis. The study material included 18 cases of pancreatitis and 22 cases of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Microvessels were marked using monoclonal anti-CD34 antibodies. The number of blood vessels in the fibrous stroma was significantly higher in the chronic pancreatitis samples compared to the pancreatic carcinoma group (mean vessel count 298 and 194 vessel/mm2; median 251 and 187 vessel/mm2 respectively; p<0.01). Distributions of the vascular diameter in both studied groups were very similar. The obtained results suggest that the development of vascular network accompanying chronic pancreatitis is more effective in some parts of pancreas compared to angiogenic intensity in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.