Histopathology of the thymus of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma in complete clinical remission

The histologic features of thymuses from three patients who underwent thymectomy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoblastic lymphoma in complete clinical remission are described. The thymuses from all three patients were fibrotic with a variability in the appearance of the lobules. Some of the lobules consisted predominantly of epithelial cells with small numbers of mature appearing lymphocytes, while other lobules were expanded and composed predominantly of cells having morphological features of immature lymphoid cells consistent with residual or recurrent disease.     

p27 Protein and cancers of the gastrointestinal tract and liver: an overview

GOALS: The purpose of this review is to look at the evidence presented in the literature on the immunoexpression of p27 in cancers of the gastrointestinal tract and liver. BACKGROUND: Cell cycle proteins have been shown to play an important role in the oncogenesis of many tumors. Several of these proteins have been examined in concert and in isolation, and some have been put forward as putative tumor markers. p27, which is an important inhibitory protein in the cell cycle and belonging to a group of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, has also been studied in several malignancies, most notably breast, lung, bladder, and prostate cancers. Considerable work has also been done on the expression of this protein in cancers occurring within the gastrointestinal tract. RESULTS: Cancers occurring in the major sites of the gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, and colorectum) and liver show a similar pattern with regard to p27 protein levels. p27 emerges as a statistically significant predictor of survival and tumor behavior. It has been suggested that p27 loss occurs early in the carcinogenesis process, with dysplastic epithelium having decreased expression. The more aggressive, metastasizing cancers tend to lack p27 expression as well. Some studies have also invoked the subcellular localization of p27 (cytoplasmic versus nuclear) as also being of prognostic value. CONCLUSION: Therefore, in gastrointestinal and hepatic cancers, low p27 expression is regarded as an important adverse prognostic factor.     

Rapid leukaemic evolution in a cutaneous blastic NK-celllymphoma initially diagnosed as pseudolymphoma

This study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of G-CSF (Granulocyte colony stimulating factor) administration to 37 patients with neutropenia following intensive combination chemotherapy. The patients were divided into two subgroups including solid tumors given ifosfamide and etoposide combination chemotherapy (IMET subgroup) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients treated with mitoxantrone and cytarabine. Control group consisted of 31 acute myeloid leukemia patients. G-CSF was started on the first day of absolute neutropenia until the absolute neutrophil count was above 1000/mm³ for two consecutive days. G-CSF was found to be effective for early recovery of neutrophil count. Expected response was achieved within 14 days in 91.5% of the courses with a median of fifth day of G-CSF treatment. In conclusion, this study showed the efficacy of G-CSF in early recovery of neutrophil count without any reduction in the incidence of febrile episodes and documented rates of bacterial and fungal infections in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.     

Percutaneous biliary drainage: complications of 118 consecutive catheterizations

We have reviewed our experience with 118 biliary catheterization procedures in 109 patients from 1979 to 1984. Major complications (septic shock, hemorrhage, subphrenic abscess, and formation of an arteriovenous fistula) occurred in five patients (4.2%), three of whom died (2.5%). Minor complications occurred in 41 patients. Our success rate using the procedure was 97%. The complications that occurred are described.