79 research outputs found
Tumor necrosis is associated with increased alphavbeta3 integrin expression and poor prognosis in nodular cutaneous melanomas
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Tumor necrosis and apoptotic activity are considered important in cancer progression, but these features have not been much studied in melanomas. Our hypothesis was that rapid growth in cutaneous melanomas of the vertical growth phase might lead to tissue hypoxia, alterations in apoptotic activity and tumor necrosis. We proposed that these tumor characteristics might be associated with changes in expression of cell adhesion proteins leading to increased invasive capacity and reduced patient survival.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A well characterized series of nodular melanoma (originally 202 cases) and other benign and malignant melanocytic tumors (109 cases) were examined for the presence of necrosis, apoptotic activity (TUNEL assay), immunohistochemical expression of hypoxia markers (HIF-1 α, CAIX, TNF-α, Apaf-1) and cell adhesion proteins (α<sub>v</sub>β<sub>3 </sub>integrin, CD44/HCAM and osteopontin). We hypothesized that tumor hypoxia and necrosis might be associated with increased invasiveness in melanoma through alterations of tumor cell adhesion proteins.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Necrosis was present in 29% of nodular melanomas and was associated with increased tumor thickness, tumor ulceration, vascular invasion, higher tumor proliferation and apoptotic index, increased expression of α<sub>v</sub>β<sub>3 </sub>integrin and poor patient outcome by multivariate analysis. Tumor cell apoptosis did also correlate with reduced patient survival. Expression of TNF-α and Apaf-1 was significantly associated with tumor thickness, and osteopontin expression correlated with increased tumor cell proliferation (Ki-67).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Tumor necrosis and apoptotic activity are important features of melanoma progression and prognosis, at least partly through alterations in cell adhesion molecules such as increased α<sub>v</sub>β<sub>3 </sub>integrin expression, revealing potentially important targets for new therapeutic approaches to be further explored.</p
Agreement between MRI and pathologic breast tumor size after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and comparison with alternative tests: individual patient data meta-analysis
Different outcome in node-positive breast cancer patients found by axillary ultrasound or sentinel node procedure
Re-biopsy of partially sampled thin melanoma impacts sentinel lymph node sampling as well as surgical margins
Medical factors influencing decision making regarding radiation therapy for breast cancer
Christina A Dilaveri,1 Nicole P Sandhu,1 Lonzetta Neal,1 Michelle A Neben-Wittich,1,2 Tina J Hieken,3 Maire Brid Mac Bride,1 Dietlind L Wahner-Roedler,1 Karthik Ghosh1 1Division of General Internal Medicine, 2Department of Radiation Oncology, 3Division of Subspecialty General Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA Abstract: Radiation therapy is an important and effective adjuvant therapy for breast cancer. Numerous health conditions may affect medical decisions regarding tolerance of breast radiation therapy. These factors must be considered during the decision-making process after breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy for breast cancer. Here, we review currently available evidence focusing on medical conditions that may affect the patient–provider decision-making process regarding the use of radiation therapy. Keywords: cardiac devices, connective tissue disease, prior radiatio
Does BMI Affect the Accuracy of Preoperative Axillary Ultrasound in Breast Cancer Patients?
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