Association of b7-h4 gene polymorphisms in urothelial bladder cancer

Background/aim: We aimed to study polymorphisms of the B7-H4 gene in order to evaluate a possible association in urothelial carcinoma, as it is highly expressed in cancer tissues. Materials and methods: In this study B7-H4 gene rs10754339, rs10801935, and rs3738414 SNPs were studied by PCR-RFLP method in paraffin-embedded tumor specimens from 62 urothelial carcinoma patients and in a control group including 30 patients without bladder cancer. Results: We detected that the rs10754339 polymorphism was more frequent in the cancer patients when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Only the rs3738414 polymorphism showed a statistically significant difference in frequency between pathologic diagnostic groups. Conclusion: The rs10754339 AA genotype distribution was found to have a higher frequency whereas the rs3738414 AG genotype distribution was lower in the bladder cancer group (P < 0.05). None of the genotype distributions showed a significant difference from the control group for the rs10801935 polymorphism. We conclude that B7-H4 has the potential to be a useful prognostic marker in urothelial carcinoma

Multiparametric MRI guidance in first-time prostate biopsies: what is the real benefit?

PURPOSEWith the increased recognition of the capabilities of prostate multiparametric (mp) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), attempts are being made to incorporate MRI into routine prostate biopsies. In this study, we aimed to analyze the diagnostic yield via cognitive fusion, transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided, and in-bore MRI-guided biopsies in biopsy-naive patients with positive findings for prostate cancer screening.METHODSCharts of 140 patients, who underwent transrectal prostate biopsy after the adaptation of mp-MRI into our routine clinical practice, were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with previous negative biopsies (n=24) and digital rectal examination findings suspicious for ≥cT3 prostate cancer (n=16) were excluded. T2-weighted imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging were included in mp-MRI. Cognitive fusion biopsies were performed after a review of mp-MRI data, whereas TRUS-guided biopsies were performed blinded to MRI information. In-bore biopsies were conducted by means of real-time targeting under MRI guidance. RESULTSBetween January 2012 and February 2014, a total of 100 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria underwent TRUS-guided (n=37), cognitive fusion (n=49), and in-bore (n=14) biopsies. Mean age, serum prostate specific antigen level, and prostate size did not differ significantly among the study groups. In TRUS-guided biopsy group, 51.3% were diagnosed with prostate cancer, while the same ratio was 55.1% and 71.4% in cognitive fusion and in-bore biopsy groups, respectively (P = 0.429). Clinically significant prostate cancer detection rate was 69.1%, 70.3%, and 90% in TRUS-guided, cognitive fusion, and in-bore biopsy groups, respectively (P = 0.31). According to histopathologic variables in the prostatectomy specimen, significant prostate cancer was detected in 85.7%, 93.3%, and 100% of patients in TRUS-guided, cognitive fusion, and in-bore biopsy groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONIn the first set of transrectal prostate biopsies, mp-MRI guidance did not increase the diagnostic yield significantly

Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: A case series and review of the literature

Purpose: Metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC) is a rare aggressive type of breast cancer, which accounts for less than 1% of breast tumors. Since its recognition as a distinct pathological entity in 2000, number of MBC patients has been increasing over years. We aimed to report a series of 7 cases of MBC treated in our clinics. Materials and methods: Between 2006 and 2015, 7 cases with diagnosis of MBC were retrospectively reviewed. Patients' characteristics, clinicopathological features and types of surgery were evaluated. Results: All patients were female with a median age of 51(40–65) years. Median tumor size was 40 mm (35–85 mm). Two patients had breast-conserving surgery and 4 patients had mastectomy. One patient received chemotherapy due to extensive metastatic disease at the time of presentation. Only one patient had one positive sentinel lymph node with no other involvement in the non-sentinel nodes. Two patients had spindle cell carcinoma, 2 patients had pure epithelial type, and 3 patients had mixed epithelial and mesenchymal type MBC. Most common component of MBC was squamous cell metaplasia that was found in 4 out of 7 patients. Six patients had triple negative tumors except the patient with disseminated disease. This patient had estrogen receptor positive, progesterone receptor negative tumor with human epithelial receptor-2 (HER2) over-expression. Median Ki67 score measured in 5 patients was 57% (40–95%). Conclusion: Our small series is consistent with the literature. MBC rarely metastasize to axillary lymph nodes despite large size and are usually triple negative with high Ki-67 scores indicating aggressiveness and lack of response to hormonal therapy. Larger series of patients are needed to find and test new biomarkers to develop potential targeted therapy for subgroups of the disease

Menstruel Siklus Sırasında Fallop Tüplerinde Lüteinizan Hormon ve Seks Steroid Hormon Reseptörlerinin Ekspresyonu

Amaç: Luteinizan hormon reseptörleri daha önce tubada gösterilmekle birlikte henüz buradaki rolleri tam olarak bilinmemektedir. Menstruel siklus sırasında kadın genital sistemi östrojen ve progesteronu içeren seks steroidlerinin dalgalanan düzeylerine maruz kalırlar. Biz bu çalışmada Luteinizan hormon, östrojen ve progesteron reseptörlerinin tubada siklik varyasyonlarını araştırdık. Materyal ve Metod: Bu çalışmaya benign nedenlerle opere olan 20 olgu dahil edildi. Menstruel siklusun farklı fazlarına sahip olguların Fallopian tüpleri seçildi. Daha sonra bu tüplere immunohistokimyasal boyama uygulandı. Bulgular: Lüteinizan hormon reseptörlerinin ekspresyonları menstruel siklusun farklı fazlarına göre değişiklik göstermemekteydi. İstatiksel analiz sonuçlarına göre östrojen ve progesteron reseptörü ekspresyonunda fazlar arasında fark izlenmedi. Ama progesteron reseptör boyanma yoğunluğu belirgin olarak lueal fazda folliküler faza göre daha yüksekti. Sonuç: Bu çalışmada Fallop tübündeki Lüteinizan hormon, östrojen ve progesteron reseptör ekspresyonlarının folliküler faz ile luteal faz arasındaki farklılıklarını araştırdık. Bu bilgilerin normal tüp fonksiyonlarını anlamada önemli olduğunu düşünmekteyiz

Conspicuity of Peripheral Zone Prostate Cancer on Computed Diffusion-Weighted Imaging: Comparison of cDWI1500, cDWI2000, and cDWI3000

Introduction and Objective. Disadvantages associated with direct high b-value measurements may be avoided with use of computed diffusion-weighted imaging (cDWI). The purpose of this study is to assess the diagnostic performance of cDWI image sets calculated for high b-values of 1500, 2000, and 3000 s/mm2. Materials and Methods. Twenty-eight patients who underwent multiparametric MRI of the prostate and radical prostatectomy consecutively were enrolled in this retrospective study. Using a software developed at our institute, cDWI1500, cDWI2000, and cDWI3000 image sets were generated by fitting a monoexponential model. Index lesions on cDWI image sets were scored by two radiologists in consensus considering lesion conspicuity, suppression of background prostate tissue, distortion, image set preferability, and contrast ratio measurements were performed. Results. Lesion detection rates are the same for computed b-values of 2000 and 3000 s/mm2 and are better than b-values of 1500 s/mm2. Best lesion conspicuity and best background prostate tissue suppression are provided by cDWI3000 image set. cDWI2000 image set provides the best zonal anatomical delineation and less distortion and was chosen as the most preferred image set. Average contrast ratio measured on these image sets shows almost a linear relation with the b-values. Conclusion. cDWI2000 image set with similar conspicuity and the same lesion detection rate, but better zonal anatomical delineation, and less distortion, was chosen as the preferable image set