Small cell carcinoma of the anus: a case report

Small cell carcinoma of the anus is a very rare but aggressive tumour. We present a case of a 60-year old lady with small cell carcinoma of the anus. She had no metastatic disease on presentation. She had chemotherapy and radiotherapy but developed distant metastasis after completion of treatment. Immunohistochemistry is required to make a diagnosis. Chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment for small cell carcinoma of the anus with or without metastatic disease. Radiotherapy is for local control and relief of symptoms

HER 2/neu protein expression in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND: Conflicting data exist about the prevalence of HER-2/neu overexpression in colorectal cancer ranging from 0 to 83 %. In our study we tried to clarify the extent of expression and its relationship to clinicopathological parameters. METHODS: This study involved 77 specimens of malignant colorectal cancer lesions of surgically resected patients. HER-2/neu immunohistochemistry was performed using the Hercep-Test Kit. RESULTS: Out of 77 specimens, 56 were Her-2/neu negative (70%), 20 (26%) showed a barely immunostaining (1+), only 1 (1%) was moderately (2+) and 2 (3%) were strongly positive (3+). Her-2/neu staining (moderately and strongly positive) was only detected in primary tumours of patients with confirmed metastases. No relationship was found between membranous HER-2 expression and patients' gender or differentiation. The median survival time of patients with positive HER-2/neu immunostaining was 21 versus 39 months in patients without HER-2/neu expression (p = 0.088). CONCLUSION: The c-erbB protein expression was observed in colorectal cancer but rarely in the therapeutic range (2+ and 3+). There was no significant association with tumour grade, gender, localization of the primary tumour or survival. These data indicate that c-erbB-2 is unlikely to play a major role in the therapeutic management of colorectal cancer

Predictive value of expression of p16INK4A, retinoblastoma and p53 proteins for the prognosis of non-small-cell lung cancers

The predictive value of expression of p16INK4A, retinoblastoma (Rb) and p53 proteins for prognosis was evaluated in 76 patients with non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) that were potentially curatively resected between 1990 and 1995, using the results of immunostaining analyses of these proteins as reported in our previous study (Kinoshita et al, 1996). Of these NSCLCs, 22 (29%) lacked p16 protein expression and eight (11%) Rb protein, while 30 (39%) showed positive (altered) p53 protein expression. Survival of patients with p16-negative tumours was not significantly different from that of patients with p16-positive tumours (5-year survival rates 67% and 72% respectively, P = 0.8), nor was survival of patients with Rb-negative tumours significantly different from that of patients with Rb-positive tumours (5-year survival rates 42% and 69% respectively, P = 0.9). Moreover, survival of patients with p16/Rb-negative (either p16- or Rb-negative) tumours was not significantly different from that of patients with p16/Rb-positive (both p16- and Rb-positive) tumours (5-year survival rates 67% and 68% respectively, P = 0.7). In contrast, survival of patients with p53-positive (altered) tumours tended to be shorter than that of patients with p53-negative (unaltered) tumours (5-year survival rates 56% and 78% respectively, P = 0.06). In univariate analysis of potential prognostic factors, p16, Rb and p16/Rb proteins were not significant prognostic factors in the present cohort of potentially curatively resected NSCLCs. Altered p53 protein status tended to be a negative prognostic factor (P = 0.06 by the univariate analysis). These results indicate that loss of p16 protein alone, or in combination with loss of Rb protein, does not predict the clinical outcome of patients with resected NSCLCs. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

Age-related differences in breast cancer treatment

Background: More than half of the cases of breast cancer treated in the United States occur in women over age 65. This study investigates age-related differences in breast cancer therapy.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/41398/1/10434_2006_Article_BF02303540.pd

Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the mesentery: a case report and review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mucinous cystic neoplasms arise in the ovary and various extra-ovarian sites. While their pathogenesis remains conjectural, their similarities suggest a common pathway of development. There have been rare reports involving the mesentery as a primary tumour site.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A cystic mass of uncertain origin was demonstrated radiologically in a 22 year old female with chronic abdominal pain. At laparotomy, the mass was fixed within the colonic mesentery. Histology demonstrated a benign mucinous cystadenoma.</p> <p>Methods and results</p> <p>We review the literature on mucinous cystic neoplasms of the mesentery and report on the pathogenesis, biologic behavior, diagnosis and treatment of similar extra-ovarian tumors. We propose an updated classification of mesenteric cysts and cystic tumors.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the mesentery present almost exclusively in women and must be considered in the differential diagnosis of mesenteric tumors. Only full histological examination of a mucinous cystic neoplasm can exclude a borderline or malignant component. An updated classification of mesenteric cysts and cystic tumors is proposed.</p