A Sarcoma at the Site of Previous Extravasation of Adriamycin

We report the case of a 66-year-old man presenting with a high-grade pleomorphic sarcoma at the left elbow 16 years after the extravasation of adriamycin given for a malignant ifbrous histiocytoma of the tibia.We suggest that this sarcoma originated in a multistep way over many years, out of the chronic inflammatory tissue that developed due to a non-specific cellular damage at the nuclear level, interfering with normal cell replication necessary for normal healing tissue healing. As a result, the non-healed chronic inflammatory tissue transformed over several years into a preneoplastic mesenchymal tumour and later into a high-grade pleomorphic sarcoma

ZIC1 gene expression is controlled by DNA and histone methylation in mesenchymal proliferations

AbstractRNA and protein analysis revealed the consistent upregulation of the neural transcription factors ZIC1 and ZIC4 in desmoid tumors and other fibroproliferative disorders. The 5′ flanking region of the ZIC1 promoter was unmethylated in desmoid tumor fibroblasts, while a hypermethylated ZIC1 promoter was found in human and mouse cell lines not expressing the gene. In addition, expressing cells showed a H3K4me2 at the ZIC1 promoter, whereas non-expressing cells showed higher levels of H3K9me2 in the same region. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing ZIC1 expression in mesenchymal proliferations and a role for DNA methylation in the control of ZIC1 expression

Functional evaluation of conventional 'Celsite(R)' venous ports versus 'Vortex(R)' ports with a tangential outlet: a prospective randomised pilot study

GOAL OF WORK: Totally implantable venous access ports are widely accepted in cancer patient treatment, but withdrawal occlusion (WO) can hamper the use of the device. A newly designed Vortex(R) VX port, with a tangential outlet, should allow better clearance of the chamber, thereby reducing occlusion of the device. The present study compared the Vortex(R) port to the classically shaped Celsite(R) port with regards to functional complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred cancer patients were included in a prospective, randomised controlled trial and randomly assigned to the implantation of a Vortex(R) or a Celsite(R) port. Insertion details such as used vein, catheter tip position and infusion or aspiration abilities were recorded. Data were collected concerning ease of access, and functional evaluation was performed each time the port was accessed, regarding the ability to infuse fluids with a syringe and to withdraw blood by measuring the filling time of a Vacutainer(R) blood tube. MAIN RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients received a Celsite(R) port, and 101 had a Vortex(R) port. Demographic variables and insertion details were comparable in both groups. All functional complications, including WO, total occlusion, sluggish inflow and sluggish withdrawal, were higher in the Celsite(R) group (16.12%) than in the Vortex(R) group (11.36%). This difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that functional problems occurred less frequently in Vortex(R) compared to Celsite(R) ports. Differences were small and not significant, which indicates that functional problems may be related to other factors.status: publishe

V-Y Bilateral gluteus maximus myocutaneous advancement flap in the reconstruction of large perineal defects after resection of pelvic malignancies

Objective: To evaluate the role of the VY bilateral gluteus maximus myocutaneous flap (GLM) in the reconstruction of large perineal defects after wide surgical resections for pelvic malignancies. Patients and Methods: twelve consecutive patients (7 females. 5 males), of mean age 59 years (36 - 78), with primary or recurrent pelvic malignancies (rectal, anal, vulvar carcinoma), underwent either abdomino-perineal rectum excision with partial sacrectomy or total pelvic exenteration. The perineal defect was reconstructed by means of a GLM flap. Intraoperative blood loss, operative time, hospital stay, postoperative complications and long-term outcome were retrospectively assessed. Results: One patient died postoperatively. All the remaining patients had at least one early and/or late complication. After a mean follow-up of 31.2 months, seven patients were alive. No major functional impairment in daily activities was observed. Five patients experienced a slight discomfort in either walking, sitting or cycling. Conclusion: GLM flap is a useful technique for the repair of perineo-pelvic defects after abdomino-perineal rectum excision with partial sacrectomy.status: publishe

Prognostic significance of nm23-protein expression in malignant melanoma. An immunohistochemical study

status: publishe