K-ras mutation in the endometrium of tamoxifen-treated breast cancer patients, with a comparison of tamoxifen and toremifene

The putative presence of a mutation in codon 12 of the K-ras gene was investigated in the endometrium of tamoxifen (TAM) and toremifene (TOR)-treated breast cancer patients. DNA was extracted from fresh cytologic samples of the endometrium in 86 TAM and 21 TOR-treated breast cancer patients. Mutations were detected by enriched PCR and an enzyme-linked mini-sequence assay (ELMA). K-ras mutation was found in 35 TAM-treated endometrial samples, and in only one TOR-treated endometrium (P<0.003). In 24 premenopausal patients, K-ras mutation was found in seven (43.8%) of 16 patients with less than 47 months of TAM treatment, while none was found in eight patients with more than 48 months of TAM treatment (P<0.03). In 62 postmenopausal-amenorrheic patients, K-ras mutation was found in three (15.8%) of 19 patients with less than 23 months of TAM treatment, while it was found in 16 (61.5%) of 26 patients with 24–47 months of TAM treatment and nine (52.9%) of 17 patients with more than 48 months of TAM treatment (P=0.002). The presence of K-ras mutation is significantly influenced by the duration of TAM treatment and menstrual status of the patients. TOR may have a lower potential genotoxicity than TAM

An unusual location of retroperitoneal epidermoid cyst in a child: case report and a review of the literature

We report the case of a 4-year-old girl presenting with the retroperitoneal epidermoid cyst. The lesion presented as an intra-abdominal cyst on physical examination and was followed up with more specific investigations by ultrasound and computed tomographic scanning. The final diagnosis was obtained only after laparotomy where the cystic mass was completely excised and pathological examination was done. The patient is well at 3-year follow-up. epidermoid cyst of the reteroperitoneal space, although rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of incidentally discovered intra-abdominal cysts during investigation of irrelevant illnesses or during routine abdominal ultrasound scan

Electrocoagulation versus suture after laparoscopic stripping of ovarian endometriomas assessed by antral follicle count: preliminary results of randomized clinical trial

PURPOSE: The assessment of ovarian reserve by antral follicle count (AFC) following electrocoagulation versus suture after laparoscopic stripping of ovarian endometriomas. ----- METHODS: Forty-five patients between 18 and 35 years, with unilateral endometriomas were randomly analyzed. Laparoscopic cystectomy was performed by the stripping method. Ovarian hemostasis was obtained either by suturing (group A, n = 23) or by bipolar electrocoagulation (group B, n = 22). AFC was performed by ultrasound on the third day of the three postoperative menstrual cycles. The sum of AFC was compared between sutured (A1) and electrocoagulated (B1) ovaries, as well as between intact ovaries of both groups (A0: intact ovaries in sutured group, B0: intact ovaries in electrocoagulated group). ----- RESULTS: The median of AFC was significantly lower in operated ovaries than in intact ovaries in both groups of patients, regardless of suturing [A1 median: 12 (range 9-19) vs. A0 median: 21.0 (range 15-27), p < 0.05] or electrocoagulation [B1: 5.0 (2-10) vs. B0: 18.5 (8-29), p < 0.05]. The median AFC was significantly higher in sutured ovaries than in electrocoagulated ovaries [A1: 12 (9-19) vs. B1: 5.0 (2-10), p < 0.05]. ----- CONCLUSION: Our preliminary data show that operation on ovarian endometriomas could reduce ovarian reserve. The AFC value suggests that the ovarian reserve was less reduced in sutured ovaries than in those electrocoagulated. Suturing as a method of hemostasis could be a better choice after stripping ovarian endometriomas

Effect of menopause on hormonal receptors in ampullae of the fallopian tube with a special reference to the p53 signature

Rie Urabe,1 Toru Hachisuga,1 Taeko Ueda,1 Toshinori Kawagoe,1 Tomoko Kurita,1 Seiji Kagami,1 Masanori Hisaoka,2 Yoshihisa Fujino3 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2Department of Pathology and Oncology, 3Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Japan Objectives: Age-related changes in the expression of hormonal receptors have not been well examined in the fallopian tube (FT). We herein report the effect of menopause on the hormone receptors in ampullae of the FTs (AFTs), in comparison with cortical inclusion cysts (CICs) of the ovary.Methods: A total of 84 AFTs and 16 fimbriae of FTs, which were obtained from 26 premenopausal and 58 postmenopausal women; and 27 postmenopausal CICs were immunohistochemically studied for the expression of p53, Ki-67, estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-&alpha;), and progesterone receptor A (PRA). Apoptotic cells were identified using a TUNEL assay.Results: Postmenopausal AFTs showed a significantly lower labeling index (LI) for Ki-67 (P&lt;0.001), apoptosis (P=0.03), and PRA (P&lt;0.001) than premenopausal AFTs. No significant correlation with immunohistochemical markers was found in premenopausal AFTs, but the LI for PRA was positively correlated with that for Ki-67 (P=0.004) and inversely with that for p53 (P=0.023) in postmenopausal AFTs. The expression of immunohistochemical markers was closely correlated between ampullae and fimbriae of the FT. The p53 signature (p53S) was detected in five postmenopausal AFTs (mean age: 70.2 years) and was not detected in any CICs. The immunohistochemical profile of p53S was low expression of Ki-67, apoptosis, and PRA, and high expression of ER-&alpha;. The expression of PRA in CICs was significantly higher than that in AFTs (P=0.001).Conclusion: The expression of PRA was significantly lower in postmenopausal AFTs than in premenopausal AFTs, whereas the expression of PRA was well preserved in postmenopausal CICs. Keywords: fallopian tube, progesterone receptor, estrogen receptor, p53 signature, apoptosi

Case for diagnosis Caso para diagnóstico

Vascular leiomyoma are uncommon benign smooth muscle tumors which generally present as a single painful nodule in the lower limbs. We report a case of vascular leiomyoma on the second finger of the left hand, an unusual location for this tumor.<br>Angioleiomiomas são tumores benignos raros derivados da musculatura lisa vascular, que geralmente se apresentam como nódulo doloroso solitário nos membros inferiores. Relata-se um caso de angioleiomioma no segundo quirodátilo esquerdo, localização incomum deste tumor