Prostate cancer stroma: an important factor in cancer growth and progression

Reactive stromal changes that occur in different human cancers might play a role in local tumor spreading and progression. Studies done on various human cancers have shown activated stromal cell phenotypes, modified extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, and increased microvessel density. Furthermore, they exhibit biological markers consistent with stroma at the site of wound repair. In prostate cancer, stroma is composed of fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, endothelial cells and immune cells. Predominant cells in the tumorous stroma are, however, fibroblasts/ myofibroblasts. They are responsible for the synthesis, deposition and remodeling of the ECM. Epithelial tumorous cells, in interaction with stromal cells and with the help of various molecules of ECM, create a microenvironment suitable for cancer cell proliferation, movement, and differentiation. In this review, we discussed the role of different stromal components in prostate cancer as well as their potential prognostic and therapeutic significance

GIGANTIC EPIDERMOID CYST OF THE SUPRASELLAR REGION – case report

Tumori selarne i supraselarne regije se klinički obično prikazuju ispadima vidnog polja ili bitemporalnim hemianopsijama. Prikazana je epidermoidna cista, rijedak tumor te regije, koja se klinički prezentirala epileptičkim napadajem i promjenama kognitivnih funkcija. Resekcijom je tumor bitno smanjen, a histološki je utvrđena epidermoidna cista. Postoperativni oporavak bolesnice je bio zadovoljavajući, a uz antiepileptičku terapiju postigla se potpuna kontrola napadaja.Rare tumor of the sellar-suprasellar region is presented, an epidermoid cyst non-specifically presented with epileptic seizures and cognitive dysfunction. Neuroradiology detected a large tumor, which was resected and histologically confirmed as an epidermoid cyst. Post-operative recovery was satisfactory, and antiepileptic therapy contributed to full seizure control

Miastenija gravis udružena s timomom i aplastičnom anemijom: prikaz slučaja

Myasthenia gravis is associated in 10 to 15 percent of patients with thymic tumors, rarely with aplastic anemia. We report a 45-year-old male diagnosed with myasthenia gravis ­associated with thymoma. We started treatment with pyridostigmine. After thymectomy, the patient ­received 30 irradiation sessions. In the postoperative course, he had mild worsening of myasthenia gravis, which improved with prednisone. Five months later, he developed severe aplastic anemia. He was dependent on blood supplement. After allogeneic transplantation of bone marrow, he improved but later he ­developed graft versus host disease. Myasthenia gravis was under good control with 480 mg of ­pyridostigmine per day.Miastenija gravis (MG) je u 10% do 15% bolesnika udružena s tumorima timusa, rijetko s aplastičnom anemijom. Prikazujemo 45-godišnjeg bolesnika s MG udruženom s timomom. Liječenje je započeto piridostigminom. Nakon timektomije je provedeno 30 zračenja. Poslijeoperacijski je imao blago pogoršanje MG koje se povuklo uz terapiju prednizonom. Pet mjeseci kasnije je razvio tešku aplastičnu anemiju. Postao je ovisan u krvnim derivatima. Nakon alogenične transplantacije koštane srži došlo je do poboljšanja, ali je kasnije razvio reakciju transplantata protiv primatelja. MG je bila dobro kontrolirana uz 480 mg piridostigmina na dan

Biopsy quantitative patohistology and seral values of prostate specific antigen-alpha (1) antichymotrypsine complex in prediction of adverse pathology findings after radical prostatectomy

In this prospective study we examined the utility of parameters obtained on prostate needle biopsy and prostate specific antigen-alpha(1)-antichymotripsine complex (PSA-ACT) to predict adverse pathologic findings after radical prostatectomy. 45 consecutive patients assigned for radical prostatectomy due to clinically localized prostate cancer were included in the study. Prostate biopsy parameters such as number of positive cores, the greatest percentage of tumor in the positive cores, Gleason score, perineural invasion, unilaterality or bilaterality of the tumor were recorded. PSA-ACT was determined using sandwich immunoassay chemiluminiscent method (Bayer, Tarrytown, New York). We analyzed relationship of preoperative PSA, PSA-ACT and quantitative biopsy parameters with final pathology after prostatectomy. Adverse findings were considered when extracapsular extension of cancer (pT3) was noted. Postoperatively, 29 (64.4 %) patients were diagnosed with pT2 disease and 16 (35.6 %) with pT3 disease. There was a significant difference in localized vs. locally advanced disease in number of positive biopsy cores (p<0.001), greatest percentage of tumor in the core (p=0.008), localization of the tumor (p=0.003) and perineural invasion (p=0.004). Logistic regression was used to develop a model on the multivariate level. It included number of positive cores and PSA-ACT and was significant on our cohort with the reliability of 82.22%. The combination of PSA-ACT and a large scale of biopsy parameters could be used in prediction of adverse pathologic findings after radical prostatectomy. Clinical decisions and patients counselling could be influenced by these predictors but further confirmation on a larger population is necessary

Impact of positive surgical margins after radical prostatectomy on disease progression and adjuvant treatment in pathologically localized prostate cancer

The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of margin positivity in clinically and pathologically localized prostate cancer (pT2) after radical prostatectomy on biochemical recurrence and time to adjuvant treatment. We analyzed data from 371 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. At the mean follow up of 36 (25-54) months, impact of margin positivity in pT2 patients on prostate specific antigen (PSA) recurrence and time to introduction of adjuvant treatment was noted. Out of 371 radical prostatectomies there were 277 (74.6%) pT2 and 94 (25.4%) pT3 (locally advanced) prostate cancers. Mean age was 67.6 years, mean Gleason score 6.78, mean preoperative PSA 11.45 ng/mL. Out of 277 pT2 pts., 233 (84%) had negative (SM-) and 44 (16%) positive surgical margins (SM+). Only 3% of SM- pts. had biochemical relapse (BCR). Among pT2 patients with SM+, 18 (41%) had BCR while 26 were free of recurrence at 3 years follow up. Positive surgical margins had an adverse impact on biochemical progression free survival (3% SM- vs. 41% SM+; p<0,001). No difference was found in age, preoperative PSA, Gleason score or follow up between BCR-SM+ and BCR+SM+ patients. Mean time to PSA recurrence in surgical margin positive pT2 patients was 15.7 months. Surgical margin status pT2 disease has an impact on biochemical progression but only 41% of margine positive patients show biochemical recurrence at 3 yr follow up. Not all SM+ patients need to receive treatment after radical prostatectomy. Longer follow up should be awaited to see the impact on overall survival in this group of patients

Impact of positive surgical margins after radical prostatectomy on disease progression and adjuvant treatment in pathologically localized prostate cancer

The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of margin positivity in clinically and pathologically localized prostate cancer (pT2) after radical prostatectomy on biochemical recurrence and time to adjuvant treatment. We analyzed data from 371 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. At the mean follow up of 36 (25-54) months, impact of margin positivity in pT2 patients on prostate specific antigen (PSA) recurrence and time to introduction of adjuvant treatment was noted. Out of 371 radical prostatectomies there were 277 (74.6%) pT2 and 94 (25.4%) pT3 (locally advanced) prostate cancers. Mean age was 67.6 years, mean Gleason score 6.78, mean preoperative PSA 11.45 ng/mL. Out of 277 pT2 pts., 233 (84%) had negative (SM-) and 44 (16%) positive surgical margins (SM+). Only 3% of SM- pts. had biochemical relapse (BCR). Among pT2 patients with SM+, 18 (41%) had BCR while 26 were free of recurrence at 3 years follow up. Positive surgical margins had an adverse impact on biochemical progression free survival (3% SM- vs. 41% SM+; p<0,001). No difference was found in age, preoperative PSA, Gleason score or follow up between BCR-SM+ and BCR+SM+ patients. Mean time to PSA recurrence in surgical margin positive pT2 patients was 15.7 months. Surgical margin status pT2 disease has an impact on biochemical progression but only 41% of margine positive patients show biochemical recurrence at 3 yr follow up. Not all SM+ patients need to receive treatment after radical prostatectomy. Longer follow up should be awaited to see the impact on overall survival in this group of patients

Apoptotic markers (P53, Bcl-2 and Bax) expression in renal oncocytoma and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma

Background and Purpose: Renal oncocytoma (RO) and eosinophilic variant of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) have overlapping morphologic, immunohistochemical, histochemical and ultrastructural features. Their distinction is mandatory since RO is a benign tumor, while ChRCC is a low-grade malignant tumor which has metastatic potential and may undergo sarcomatoid transformation. The aim of this study was to determine expression of P53, Bcl-2 and Bax in ROs and ChRCCs and to explore whether these markers could be useful in differential diagnosis of RO and ChRCC. Patients and Methods: We analyzed 61 cases (28 ChRCCs and 33 ROs) by immunohistochemistry using primary antibodies to P53, Bcl-2 and Bax. The staining percentage and staining intensity scores were multiplied to give immunohistochemical staining index (ISI). Results and Conclusion: All specimens showed positive reaction for Bcl-2 and Bax. There was no significant difference in the ISI for Bcl-2 and P53. Statistical analysis showed significant difference in the ISI of Bax between ROs and ChRCCs. Moreover, cases of ROs had cytoplasmic pattern of reaction for Bax, while the pattern of reaction for Bax in cases of ChRCCs was membranous. Further studies are needed to confirm the possible use of Bax immunostaining in differential diagnosis of RO and ChRCC