ONCOPROTEINS AND TUMOR SUPPRESSOR PROTEINS IN CONGENITAL SACROCOCCYGEAL TERATOMAS

Congenital sacrococcygeal teratoma SCT is the most common germ cell tumor of infancy and childhood with a female preponderance. Most SCTs are diagnosed at birth, are benign, and consist of fully differentiated, mature tissues. Tumorigenesis of SCTs remains poorly understood. Almost nothing is known about possible oncogene activation or tumor suppressor inactivation in these rare tumors. We describe the presence of various oncoproteins and tumor suppressor proteins in eight cases of congenital SCT. The following oncogenes were examined: ras family c-H-, c-N-, and c-K-ras , early genes fos, jun , and tumor suppressor genes p53 and nm23-H-1 . There was no relationship between the intensity of expression of these oncoproteins and tumor suppressor genes and the following parameters: tumor size, age, and survival of the patients. We did not observe any difference, however, between the expression of the examined oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes nm23 and p53 in immature and mature teratomas. Our findings suggest that the ras family of oncogenes, fos and jun oncogenes, and nm23 and p53 tumor suppressor genes are present in congenital SCT, indicating a possible role in genesis and development of these tumors.     

Morphometric analysis of renal arteries in patients with renal cell carcinoma

The aim of this study was to analyze morphometric parameters of renal arteries (longest diameter and tunica media thickness) in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), to look into their relationship to tumor necrosis and to compare them with morphometric parameters recorded in a control group. We analyzed archival cases of RCC diagnosed in 2003 that also contained routinely sampled specimens of distal segments of renal artery. The control group consisted of specimens from both renal arteries obtained from 16 patients at routine autopsy during 2004-2005. Autopsy, as well as further histological analysis, did not disclose any malignant disease in the control group. Morphometric analysis of diameter and thickness of the renal artery tunica media was performed using Issa 3.1 software (Vamstek 2002, Zagreb, Croatia). The comparison of tunica media thickness showed that renal arteries from RCC cases were significantly thicker compared to distal parts of renal arteries in the control group (p=0.0002). Although renal artery samples from cases with necrotic tumor areas were thicker than those without tumor necrosis, the difference was not statistically significant. It is concluded that significantly thicker tunica media characterizes renal arteries in the group of patients with RCC when compared with the control group.     

DNA ploidy analysis and cell proliferation in congenital sacrococcygeal teratomas

BACKGROUND: Congenital sacrococcygeal teratoma is the most common germ cell tumor in infants and children. It usually is diagnosed at birth, is benign, and consists of fully differentiated mature tissues. Congenital sacrococcygeal teratomas (SCTs) also may contain immature tissues, most commonly of neural origin. The proportion of malignant teratomas increases with advancing age, but the relation between mature and immature SCTs is not well understood. Thus, it is very important to determine proliferative activity, DNA ploidy, and DNA index to predict biologic behavior of these tumors. METHODS: DNA ploidy and cell proliferation were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67 were analyzed immunohistochemically on paraffin embedded tissue. RESULTS: All the tumors that were surgically treated within 3 months after birth, including immature teratoma, were diploid. Strongly positive PCNA immunostaining was found in both immature teratomas, and weakly positive PCNA was found in nine cases. Weak positivity for Ki-67 was observed in 2 cases, and moderate positivity was observed in 6 cases including immature teratomas. CONCLUSION: The value of flow cytometry in the prediction of biologic behavior of congenital SCT should be analyzed further. Our results suggest that Ki-67 and especially PCNA may reflect the proliferative activity of these tumors.     

TP53, Bcl-2 and growth hormone receptor expression in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

The incidence and prevalence of premalignant and malignant skin lesions including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin are increasing worldwide. The aim of the study was to determine TP53, Bcl-2 and growth hormone receptor (GHR) expression in SCC and to investigate relative importance of these proto-oncogenes in its biological behavior. Expression of TP53, Bcl-2 and GHR was determined by immunohistochemistry in 27 SCC specimens and adjacent perilesional skin. The relative proportion of immunoreactive cells was counted with semiquantitative method. TP53 positivity was detected in 24 (89%), Bcl-2 in 18 (67%) and GHR in 25 (93%) of 27 SCC specimens investigated. In comparison with perilesional skin, TP53 and GHR positivity was significantly increased, and Bcl-2 positivity significantly decreased in SCC. Increased TP53 expression in SCC lesions implies that Tp53 mutation is an early and crucial event in its development. Increased GHR expression suggests a role of growth hormone in the development of SCC.     

The potential value of (Myo)fibroblastic stromal reaction in the diagnosis of prostatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Reactive stromal changes that occur in different human cancers probably are involved in local tumor spreading. The aim of this study was to analyze changes of the stroma in prostatic carcinoma and to establish their possible diagnostic significance. METHODS: For the definition of reactive stroma in prostate cancer Mallory trichrome method and immunohistochemical analysis of vimentin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and desmin were performed. RESULTS: Compared with adjacent peritumoral tissue and stroma in benign prostatic hyperplasia, reactive stroma in prostate cancer showed increased vimentin expression, and decreased desmin expression (P < 0.05). Mallory method also showed more pronounced desmoplastic reaction in stroma of prostatic adenocarcinoma (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that a reactive stroma, which occurs in prostatic carcinoma, could be clearly shown by Mallory method and confirmed by immunohistochemistry. We suggest that Mallory trichrome method may be used as a helpful additional diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of suspicious cases of prostatic adenocarcinoma.     

Parachordoma: a case report

Parachordoma is a very rare soft tissue tumor with histological features similar to chordoma and chondrosarcoma. It should be distinguished from metastatic chordoma and extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma because of its different treatment and prognosis. In this paper we report one case of parachordoma in a 20-year-old female patient. The tumor occurred in the subcutaneous tissue of the left hand as a painless, fixed, slow-growing mass. Pathologic analysis revealed a tumor composed of lobules of cells with variably vacuolated cytoplasm (physaliphorous cells) separated by fibrous septa, predominantly arranged in peculiar small or large alveolar structures. Immunohistochemistry showed positive staining of the tumor cells with cytokeratin 8/18, S-100 protein and vimentin. The patient is well and without recurrence 20 months after surgery.     

Perceived social support as a moderator of the relationship between caregiver well-being indicators and psychological symptoms

The present study examined the moderating role of perceived social support in caregiver well-being indicators-psychological symptoms relationship. The data obtained from 100 caregivers of children with leukaemia revealed that the caregivers who were more able to satisfy their basic needs, and perform their daily activities, reported lower levels of psychological symptoms if they perceived higher levels of social support. However, perceived social support did not alleviate the level of psychological symptoms of the caregivers who reported lower levels of satisfaction of basic needs and performance on daily activities. The findings were discussed in the light of the literature.