A loss of c-kit expression is associated with an advanced stage and poor prognosis in breast cancer

To evaluate the c-kit expression in breast cancer, 217 invasive ductal carcinomas of the breast were immunohistochemically stained for c-kit protein. The c-kit expression was positive in 59 (27%) of 217 tumours, while the c-kit expression was negative in 158 (73%) of 217 tumours. There was a significant correlation between a negative expression of the c-kit protein and lymph node metastasis (P<0.0001), and the incidence of a negative expression of the c-kit protein increased as the number of the metastatic lymph nodes increased (P=0.0003). The c-kit expression did not significantly correlate with the tumour size, nuclear grade, oestrogen receptor status, MIB-1 counts and p53 protein expression. A univariate analysis indicated the patients with the negative c-kit expression to have a worse disease-free survival (DFS) than those with the positive c-kit expression (P=0.0041), while a multivariate analysis determined lymph node metastases and the MIB-1 counts to be independently significant factors for DFS. In conclusion, a loss of the c-kit expression was found in about three-fourth of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast and was associated with lymph node metastases. The prognostic implications of the c-kit expression seem to be due to fact that a loss of the c-kit expression is associated with an advanced stage of breast cancer

Case Report Synovial Cysts of the Temporomandibular Joint: An Immunohistochemical Characterization and Literature Review

Synovial cysts of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are very rare, and to date, only 12 cases of a synovial cyst in the TMJ region have been reported in the literature. In this paper, we present the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of one such lesion affecting a 48-year-old woman, presented with a mass in the left preauricular region. We describe the usefulness of immunohistochemical analysis for recognizing the synovial lining, which allowed for clear differentiation between ganglion and synovial cysts. Immunohistochemical analyses can be used to diagnose synovial cysts with certainty; however, using at least two markers is advisable to distinguish the two existing synovial cell subtypes. Our findings indicate that synovial cysts of TMJ possess an internal lining dominated by type B (fibroblast-like) synoviocytes

High-level microsatellite instability is not involved in gallbladder carcinogenesis

The molecular alterations involved in the pathogenesis of gallbladder cancer are not yet well defined. Our aim was to determine the microsatellite status of gallbladder carcinomas and its possible correlation with alterations in K-ras and p53 genes as well as the clinicopathological characteristics of these tumors. A group of 37 gallbladder carcinomas was analyzed for alterations in a proposed panel of mononucleotide and dinucleotide markers of microsatellite instability. Somatic frameshift mutations at repeated sequences in the coding regions of TGF-βRII, Bax, hMSH3, hMSH6 were also examined. The findings were correlated with the presence of K-ras and p53 alterations, and tumors&apos; clinicopathological features. Microsatellite instability and/or LOH was observed in 9 gallbladder carcinomas. Cases showing microsatellite instability displayed alterations only in dinucleotide markers and were classified as MSI-L carcinomas. A subset of gallbladder carcinomas is characterized by low-level instability, based on the analysis of the above mentioned panel of markers. The pathway of microsatellite instability seems to play a minor role in the pathogenesis of gallbladder cancer. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Tratamento de cisto mesentérico quiloso Mesenteric chylous cyst treatment

INTRODUÇÃO: Cistos mesentéricos são tumores abdominais raros, que podem acometer pacientes de todas as faixas etárias, sendo mais comuns em mulheres na quarta década de vida. Essas neoplasias são geralmente assintomáticas e diagnosticadas por acaso. Seu tratamento é baseado na retirada do cisto, por laparotomia ou laparoscopia, embora em alguns casos possa ser necessária a ressecção de segmento intestinal. O prognóstico é bom e a recorrência é baixa. RELATO DO CASO: Mulher de 40 anos de idade, obesa, hipertensa e diabética, apresentou história de dor abdominal contínua de pouca intensidade no hipocôndrio esquerdo e epigástrio, sem irradiações, durante cerca de três meses. Após um mês do início dos sintomas percebeu massa em andar superior do abdome palpável desde o epigástrio até o flanco esquerdo, de consistência endurecida, pouco móvel, superfície regular e dolorosa. A tomografia computadorizada de abdome evidenciou formação cística de paredes finas e lisas, medindo 12,9 x 11,6 x 9,9 cm, situada em flanco esquerdo, em região mesentérica, deslocando estruturas adjacentes, sugestiva de cisto mesentérico. À laparotomia evidenciou-se massa cística, com aproximadamente 10 cm de diâmetro, de parede fina e lisa, cor amarelada, com vasos tortuosos na superfície, sem aderência à estruturas adjacentes, localizada no mesojejuno a cerca de 50 cm da flexura duodenojejunal. O cisto foi completamente retirado e seu conteúdo era líquido brancacento e inodor, sugestivo de quilo. O exame anatomopatológico revelou cisto mesotelial benigno mesentérico. CONCLUSÃO: O tratamento desses cistos consiste basicamente na sua retirada ou descapsulação, que pode ser realizado de preferência por via laparoscópica.<br>INTRODUCTION: Mesenteric cysts are rare abdominal tumors that may occur in patients at any age and are more common in women at the age of forty. They are generally free of symptoms and incidentally found. The treatment is based on cyst ressection, by laparotomy or laparoscopy, although the enterectomy may be necessary. The prognosis is usually good and the recurrence is rare. CASE REPORT: Women 40 years of age, obese, hypertensive and diabetic, had a history of continuous abdominal pain of low intensity in the left hypochondrium and epigastrium, without irradiation, for about three months. After a month of onset of symptoms noticed a mass in the upper abdomen palpable from the epigastrium to the left flank with a hard consistency, little mobility, smooth surface and painful. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed cystic formation with thin smooth wall, measuring 12.9 x 11.6 x 9.9 cm, located on the left flank in the mesenteric region, displacing adjacent structures, suggestive of mesenteric cyst. At laparotomy a cystic mass was found, with approximately 10 cm in diameter, yellowish, with tortuous vessels on the surface, without adherence to adjacent structures, located in mesojejunum about 50 cm from the duodenojejunal flexure. The cyst was completely removed and its content was whitish and odorless liquid, suggesting a chylo. Pathology revealed benign mesothelial mesenteric cyst. CONCLUSION: - The treatment of these cysts consists basically of their withdrawal or decapsulization, which can preferably be achieved by laparoscopy