Histology as a prognostic factor in early gastric cancer.

Of 431 patients with gastric cancer observed in our institution, 23 (5.3%) had early gastric cancer (EGC). Macroscopic presentation, histology, depth of invasion, and lymph node involvement were evaluated in all the cases. All patients underwent surgery and an intensive follow-up was performed. Five of the 23 patients progressed, and the risk factors were examined. Histology seemed to be the main prognostic factor in our study, since intestinal type of EGC was associated to a significantly better prognosis. Total gastrectomy is indicated in the proximal localization of EGC, and should perhaps be performed also in cases presenting undifferentiated histology.     

Premalignant lesions and nonsquamous malignancy of the penis and carcinoma of the scrotum.

Premalignant lesions of the penis include cutaneous horn, balanitis xerotica obliterans, and leukoplakia. The true incidence of progression of each of these to squamous-cell carcinoma is unknown. Bowenoid papulosis, erythroplasia of Queyrat, and Bowen's disease are histologically identical to in situ carcinoma. Although the first is consistently benign, the latter two regularly evolve into invasive cancer. Malignant scrotal lesions include squamous-cell carcinoma, liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, basal-cell carcinoma, extramammary Paget's disease, erythroplasia of Queyrat, malignant melanoma, and metastases. Hemangioma can be confused with carcinoma.     

Expression of the Human Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain VH6 Gene Element by Fetal B Lymphocytes

Fetal B lymphocytes in mice and humans use a limited number of the available V_H gene segments. Mouse fetal B cells primarily utilize 3' V_H elements, suggesting that the localization of these elements determines their rearrangement frequency. The previously reported non-random usage of human V_H genes has been more difficult to explain. In this study the authors analysed the expression of the most proximal 3' human V_H element (V_H6) using a monoclonal antibody (JE-6). V_H6 expression was assessed in various B cell differentiation stages from fetal liver, bone marrow and spleen at 12–20 weeks of gestation. The authors demonstrate that the level of V_H6 expression does not exceed a stochastic usage frequency. This suggests that the localization of V_H6 does not significantly promote its expression during human fetal life, and that other factors must affect the usage of V_H genes during human fetal development.