Polyamine levels in gynecologic malignancies.

Polyamines are closely related to many aspects of cell growth. Since increased amounts of polyamines in the urine of human cancer patients were reported in 1971, polyamines have been studied from the standpoint of tumor markers. In this study, polyamines in erythrocytes, plasma and urine were determined in 42 controls and 105 patients with gynecologic malignant tumors. The changes in polyamine levels were investigated before and after treatment. With advances in the stage of uterine cervical cancer, the frequency of abnormal levels of polyamines (concentrations greater than two standard deviations above the mean control level) became greater, and reached nearly 80% in recurrent and ovarian cancer. In the early stage of cancer, the diagnostic value was low. Comparison with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was also performed. The polyamines lack specificity for malignant diseases, but they can be used to some extent as a tumor marker in the gynecologic field.</p

Immunohistochemical analysis of P-glycoprotein expression in diverse histological types of epithelial ovarian tumors.

P-glycoprotein is a transmembrane protein which acts as an energy-dependent drug efflux pump for a variety of anti-cancer drugs. The mdr-1 gene which encodes P-glycoprotein was successfully cloned in 1986. To investigate P-glycoprotein expression in diverse ovarian tumors, including benign, low malignant potential and malignant, immunohistochemical study was done using a monoclonal antibody (C 219). Overall, 8 out of the 59 epithelial ovarian tumors (13.6%) expressed P-glycoprotein. It was noted that 5 of the 12 mucinous tumors were found to express P-glycoprotein, while none of the 31 serous tumors were immunohistochemically positive. In 10 malignant ovarian tumors, P-glycoprotein immunostaining was examined both prior to and after chemotherapy. Nine of them did not express any P-glycoprotein before or after chemotherapy. However, one tumor expressed P-glycoprotein after six courses of multidrug resistance-related drug administration. These findings indicate that P-glycoprotein expression is not so common in ovarian tumors, regardless of their malignant potential. Nevertheless, the results suggest a strong association between P-glycoprotein expression and certain histological cell types in epithelial ovarian tumors. It is also possible that P-glycoprotein appears as a result of chemotherapy, but such a phenomenon can not occur unless chemotherapy is administered at high doses for a long period of time.</p

Splenic Metastasis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Metastasis from various neoplasms to the spleen is very rare and most of the cases are found at autopsy. We report a patient presenting with uterine cervical cancer with splenic metastases. A 49-year-old woman presenting with genital bleeding was referred to our hospital and diagnosed with stage IIB cervical cancer. She underwent concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) consisting of 50 Gy whole pelvis irradiation, high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy 24 Gy/4 fractions and six weeks of paclitaxel and carboplatin administration. Ten months after the initial therapy, CT revealed recurrence at spleen. Although she received 5 courses of nedaplatin, enlargement of the tumor was noticed. She underwent a splenectomy and the result of histology was compatible with metastasis of cervical cancer

A Case of Adenosarcoma of the Uterus

Adenosarcoma is a rare tumor which consists of benign glandular epithelium and malignant mesenchymal component. Here we report a case of adenosarcoma of the uterine corpus. Case Presentation. A 59-year-old woman presented with vaginal bleeding and visited a local clinic. She had a uterine tumor pointed out and was referred to our hospital. Ultrasound scans revealed a large heterogeneous mass occupying the whole uterine cavity. Cytological test of endometrium was performed but the result was negative. A fractional endometrial curettage revealed no malignancy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a heterogeneous solid tumor of 77 × 76 mm. Total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed. On gross examination, the tumor was arising from the uterine body and occupied the whole uterine cavity. Histopathological examination revealed phyllodes-like architecture on low magnification　and　periglandular cuffing of tumor cells. The lesion was confined to the uterus. Histopathological final diagnosis was adenosarcoma. Her postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged without postoperative treatment and remains alive without disease 6 months after the surgery

Splenic Metastasis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Metastasis from various neoplasms to the spleen is very rare and most of the cases are found at autopsy. We report a patient presenting with uterine cervical cancer with splenic metastases. A 49-year-old woman presenting with genital bleeding was referred to our hospital and diagnosed with stage IIB cervical cancer. She underwent concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) consisting of 50 Gy whole pelvis irradiation, high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy 24 Gy/4 fractions and six weeks of paclitaxel and carboplatin administration. Ten months after the initial therapy, CT revealed recurrence at spleen. Although she received 5 courses of nedaplatin, enlargement of the tumor was noticed. She underwent a splenectomy and the result of histology was compatible with metastasis of cervical cancer