Primary Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Testis

Ovarian-type surface epithelial neoplasms of the testis and paratestis are uncommon, and the mucinous subtype is particularly rare. These tumors represent a counterpart to ovarian cancer. Malignant tumors have the potential for metastatic spread and are often fatal. The case of a 59-year-old man with testicular mucinous adenocarcinoma is presented. Computed tomography indicated involvement of the paraaortic and pelvic lymph nodes, so chemotherapy was initiated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second paper regarding responsiveness to chemotherapies used in ovarian cancer

Factors related to employment in childhood cancer survivors in Japan: A preliminary study

PurposePrevious research has revealed vocational and academic difficulties in childhood cancer survivors, and explored impact of survivors' medical history and physical function on vocational and academic status. However, we often encounter survivors with similar diagnoses and late effects but different academic or employment statuses. This raises the question of what affects academic attainment and employment other than treatment or late effects. This study aimed to explore factors associated with childhood cancer survivors' employment status and academic achievement.MethodsComprehensive health check-up and questionnaire survey were conducted for 69 survivors who were over the age of 18 and participated in St. Luke's Lifetime cohort study. We obtained survivors' biological function using comprehensive health check-up, neurocognitive states, quality of life, transition readiness, and family function. We conducted univariate analysis (Mann–Whitney U tests or chi-square tests) to compare the differences between the regular workers/students and non-regular workers/unemployed groups. The variables with p-values <0.1 were used as independent variables multivariate logistic regression to explore predictors of employment status and academic attainment.ResultsResult of the univariate analysis, intelligence quotient, SF-8 PCS, transition readiness, family function were used for multivariate logistic regression as independent variables. The stepwise likelihood method was conducted; intelligence quotient (odds ratio [OR] = 1.100; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.015–1.193; p = 0.021), transition readiness (OR = 0.612; 95% CI 0.396–0.974; p = 0.038), and family function (OR = 2.337; 95% CI 1.175–4.645; p = 0.015) were found to be associated with survivors' regular workers/students in the final regression model.ConclusionLong-term follow-up of pediatric cancer survivors requires the provision of total care, which supports physical, psychological, and social functions to improve health, readiness for transition to self-management, and family functioning

Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Change Vascularity

Several molecular targeted agents have been approved for clinical use for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). A case of a 32-year-old woman with mRCC is presented. These tumors could change vascularity by administration of molecular agents. We could select a drug timely based on findings of computed tomography. To our knowledge, this is the first report that tumor’s character change induced by molecular targeted agents can be detected and the efficacy of molecular targeted agents can be predicted

Complete mitochondrial DNA sequences of two endemic subspecies, Salvelinus leucomaenis imbrius and Salvelinus leucomaenis pluvius (Salmonid, White spotted charr) in Japan

The complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences of two endemic subspecies of the White spotted charr (Salvelinus leucomaenis) in Japan were determined. The complete mtDNA sequences of two individuals of S. l. imbrius and S. l. pluvicus were analyzed and compared with those of other charrs in GenBank. The whole mtDNA sequences of S. l. imbrius and S. l. pluvicus were 16,655 bp in length. The whole mtDNA sequence comparisons between S. leucomaenis in Japan and other charrs in GenBank, including charrs from East Asia to North American, revealed that S. l. imbrius and S. l. pluvius in Japan belonged to a different group from S. curilus (syn. S. alma krascheninnikovi), which is sympatric with S. leucomaenis in Hokkaido. Furthermore, it was discovered that the Japanese subspecies had 8 nucleotide deletions and four nucleotide insertions compared with S. curilus

Mean platelet volume and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio are associated with shorter progression-free survival in EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma treated by EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

BACKGROUND:A growing body of evidence supports the role of platelets in cancer metastasis, escape from immune surveillance, and angiogenesis. Mean platelet volume (MPV), which reflects platelet turnover, is reported routinely as part of automated complete blood count. Accumulating evidence suggests that MPV is a useful biomarker in several diseases including cancer. However, its role in cancer patients receiving molecular targeted therapy has not been described in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS:We retrospectively analysed the prognostic impact of MPV in advanced or recurrent EGFR mutant lung adenocarcinoma treated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) has been previously reported to be a poor prognostic factor in EGFR mutant non-small cell lung cancer and was also included as a covariate. RESULTS:Using the previously described Cutoff Finder algorithm, the cut-off points for MPV and LMR that best predicted progression free survival (PFS) of EGFR-TKI were determined as 10.3 and 2.8, respectively. The median PFS was 14.7 and 8.2 months in MPV low and high groups (p = 0.013, log-rank test). The median PFS was 13.5 and 6.2 months in LMR high and low groups (p < 0.001, log-rank test). MPV and LMR were independently distributed (chi square test) and the multivariate analysis using Cox's proportional hazards regression model revealed that high MPV, low LMR, and pleural effusion were significant predictors for shorter PFS. CONCLUSION:MPV and LMR, measured as part of routine complete blood count, can be utilized to predict the outcome of EGFR-TKI therapy with no additional costs. Our results suggest a mechanism of EGFR-TKI resistance which is associated with the functional status of the platelets