Mammographic density is related to stroma and stromal proteoglycan expression

BACKGROUND: Mammographic density and certain histological changes in breast tissues are both risk factors for breast cancer. However, the relationship between these factors remains uncertain. Previous studies have focused on the histology of the epithelial changes, even though breast stroma is the major tissue compartment by volume. We have previously identified lumican and decorin as abundant small leucine-rich proteoglycans in breast stroma that show altered expression after breast tumorigenesis. In this study we have examined breast biopsies for a relationship between mammographic density and stromal alterations. METHODS: We reviewed mammograms from women aged 50–69 years who had enrolled in a provincial mammography screening program and had undergone an excision biopsy for an abnormality that was subsequently diagnosed as benign or pre-invasive breast disease. The overall mammographic density was classified into density categories. All biopsy tissue sections were reviewed and tissue blocks from excision margins distant from the diagnostic lesion were selected. Histological composition was assessed in sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and the expression of lumican and decorin was assessed by immunohistochemistry; both were quantified by semi-quantitative scoring. RESULTS: Tissue sections corresponding to regions of high in comparison with low mammographic density showed no significant difference in the density of ductal and lobular units but showed significantly higher collagen density and extent of fibrosis. Similarly, the expression of lumican and decorin was significantly increased. CONCLUSION: Alteration in stromal composition is correlated with increased mammographic density. Although epithelial changes define the eventual pathway for breast cancer development, mammographic density might correspond more directly to alterations in stromal composition

Application of CD56, P63 and CK19 immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid

Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid (PTC) is the commonest thyroid cancer. In the recent decades an obvious increase in the incidence of PTC has occurred. The pathological diagnosis of PTC is usually an easy diagnosis in the majority of cases. However since the introduction of follicular variant of PTC and the wide threshold range in interpretation of the clearly set pathological criteria for diagnosis of PTC, between pathologists including experts, the diagnosis in some cases became quite difficult. Unfortunately some cases are unjustifiably over-called as follicular variant of PTC as a result of the wide inter observable variability between pathologists, including thyroid pathologists

Synchronously diagnosed lymph nodal collision tumor of malignant melanoma and chonic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma: case report

Synchronous composite tumors have been described but are uncommon. Moreover, simultaneous occurrence of synchronous tumors in the same tissue or organ is even less common. We report a case of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma and malignant melanoma (MM) occurring synchronously in the same lymph node. Several cases of an association between cutaneous malignancies and lymphoproliferative disorders have been reported. Some of which included CLL and MM, occurring in the same patient often CLL after MM. The risk of having CLL after MM has been reported to be increased. Various genetic and environmental etiologies have been postulated, but have as yet not been proven. To our knowledge this is the first time that synchronous occurrence of these two malignant processes in the same tissue is described. In this case it is important that the melanoma was recognized in the excised lymph node, as this finding had much more critical treatment and long term survival consequences

Composite Multifocal Basal Cell carcinoma and Precursor B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Case report

Synchronous composite tumors though described are uncommon. Moreover, simultaneous occurrence of synchronous tumors involving the same tissue or organ at multiple sites is even less common. We report a case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) occurring simultaneously in multiple skin sites. Several cases showing an association between cutaneous malignancies and lymphoproliferative disorders have been reported. Some of these cases included ALL and BCC and occurred often in the pediatric population with the BCC arising as a post-ALL therapy sequela. Other rare genetic causes may be considered. To our knowledge this is the first time that the synchronous occurrence of these two malignant processes in the same tissue involving multiple sites in an elderly patient is described

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the temporal artery presenting as temporal arteritis: case report and literature review

<span style="font-size: small; font-family: ArialUnicodeMS;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: ArialUnicodeMS;"><p align="left">Hemangioendotheliomas are classified as epithelioid hemangioendothelioma</p><p align="left">(EHE), retiform hemangioendothelioma, composite hemanioendothelioma, Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (with or without Kasabach-Merritt syndrome), and Spindle cell hemangioendothelioma. The latter two types of hemangioendotheliomas usually follow a benign course, in contrast to the other types of hemangioendotheliomas, which are considered as a low grade malignant sarcoma with unpredictable prognosis. EHE's are rare tumors, mostly described in organs particularly the lungs and liver. Though endothelial in origin, EHE's reported to originate from small sized arteries are extremely rare. We report a very rare case of EHE arising from the temporal artery showing a peculiar presentation.</p></span></span

Localized early mesenteric Castleman's disease presenting as recurrent intestinal obstruction: a case report

Primary neoplasms of the mesentery are very rare. They are usually of mesenchymal origin and include desmoid tumor, lipoma, liposarcoma, and fibrosarcoma. Metastatic carcinomas and lymphoma are more common. We report a rare case of localized mesenteric Castleman's disease, presenting as intestinal obstruction. Clinical and radiological findings were suspicious for lymphoma. Localized mesenteric Castleman's disease, though rare, has to be considered in the differential diagnosis of mesenteric tumors, particularly in the young and in the absence of history for other tumor, an abnormal blood picture, or splenomegaly

Malakoplakia in a colonic tubular adenoma: a unique case presentation

Malakoplakia is an unusual characteristic inflammatory condition, it is distinctive feature is the presence of histiocytic cells with eosinophilic granular cytoplasm, often known as “von Hansemann’s histiocytes”, along with the pathognomonic siderocalcific Michaelis-Gutmann bodies (MGBs). We present a case of malakoplakia within a colonic adenoma seen against a background of Enterococcus infection. To our knowledge, this is a unique presentation which has not previous been described

A squamous cell carcinoma arising from scrotal epidermal cyst. A case report and review of 94 cases from the world literature

Epidermal cysts are a common benign skin abnormality, comprising 85–90% of all excised skin cysts. The term epidermal inclusion cyst refers specifically when the cyst resulted from the implantation of epidermal elements in the dermis. Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are common skin lesions; however, a malignant transformation of an epidermal cyst is very rare with incidence of 0.011–0.045%. Few cases of malignant transformation of an epidermal cyst have been reported in the literature so far. This paper presents a case of squamous cell carcinoma arising from a scrotal epidermal cyst

Proteína C reactiva e creatina fosofoquinase no diagnóstico periodontal

Dissertação para obtenção do grau de Mestre no Instituto Universitário Egas MonizA medicina dentária é uma área muito dinâmica da medicina que se encontra em constante evolução e mudança. Os métodos de tratamento e diagnóstico sofrem uma constante alteração e actualização. Assim, é cada vez mais relevante o correto diagnóstico para que o médico dentista reúna o máximo de informação possível de forma a que o tratamento possa ser o mais eficiente e adequado. Sabemos, também, que existe uma tendência por parte dos profissionais de realizar as técnicas às quais está mais familiarizado e, assim, praticar técnicas que podem já estar desatualizadas ou ultrapassadas, não prestando o serviço de excelência que se pretende. A área da periodontologia não é uma excepção e está também em constante atualização pelo que é de extrema importância, apesar de manter os métodos de diagnósticos tradicionais, procurar evoluir para testes laboratoriais de analises específicas de biomarcadores para que o diagnóstico e controlo da patologia possa ser o mais correcto possível. Neste trabalho final o objectivo foi o de aprofundar o estudo do mecanismo da Proteína C Reactiva a par da Creatina Fosfoquinase no diagnóstico de patologias periodontais.Dentistry is a very dynamic area of medicine that is in constant change and development. For this reason, methods of diagnosis and treatment are constantly being changed and updated. Therefore, correct diagnosis is increasingly relevant to allow the dentist to gather as much information as possible in order to provide the most eficient and adequate possible treatment. It is known that professionals have a tendency to carry out the techniques to which they are most familiar with and, thus, practice techniques that may already be outdated and may do not allow them to provide the intended service of excellence. The area of periodontology is not an exception to this trend of continuous update. Consequently, it is of the utmost importance, despite maintaining traditional diagnostic methods, to seek to evolve to speciic laboratory tests of biomarkers in order for the diagnosis and control of the disease be as accurate as possible. The aim of this inal assignment is to deepen the study of the mechanism of Reactive C Protein together with Creatine Phosphokinase in the diagnosis of periodontal pathologies

Expression analysis of the mouse S100A7/psoriasin gene in skin inflammation and mammary tumorigenesis

BACKGROUND: The human psoriasin (S100A7) gene has been implicated in inflammation and tumor progression. Implementation of a mouse model would facilitate further investigation of its function, however little is known of the murine psoriasin gene. In this study we have cloned the cDNA and characterized the expression of the potential murine ortholog of human S100A7/psoriasin in skin inflammation and mammary tumorigenesis. METHODS: On the basis of chromosomal location, phylogenetic analysis, amino acid sequence similarity, conservation of a putative Jab1-binding motif, and similarities of the patterns of mouse S100A7/psoriasin gene expression (measured by RT-PCR and in-situ hybridization) with those of human S100A7/psoriasin, we propose that mouse S100A7/psoriasin is the murine ortholog of human psoriasin/S100A7. RESULTS: Although mouse S100A7/psoriasin is poorly conserved relative to other S100 family members, its pattern of expression parallels that of the human psoriasin gene. In murine skin S100A7/psoriasin was significantly upregulated in relation to inflammation. In murine mammary gland expression is also upregulated in mammary tumors, where it is localized to areas of squamous differentiation. This mirrors the context of expression in human tumor types where both squamous and glandular differentiation occur, including cervical and lung carcinomas. Additionally, mouse S100A7/psoriasin possesses a putative Jab1 binding motif that mediates many downstream functions of the human S100A7 gene. CONCLUSION: These observations and results support the hypothesis that the mouse S100A7 gene is structurally and functionally similar to human S100A7 and may offer a relevant model system for studying its normal biological function and putative role in tumor progression