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A Malpica

Publications and source records attributed to A Malpica.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Near real time in vivo fibre optic confocal microscopy: sub-cellular structure resolved.

We have built a fibre optic confocal reflectance microscope capable of imaging biological tissue in near real time. The measured lateral resolution is 3 micro m and axial resolution is 6 micro m. Images of epithelial cells, excised tissue biopsies, and the human lip in vivo have been obtained at 15 frames s-1. Both cell morphology and tissue architecture can be appreciated from images obtained with this microscope. This device has the potential to enable reflected light confocal imaging of internal organs for in situ detection of pathology.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Vessels within vessels in the myometrium.

We have encountered a peculiar vascular architecture in the myometrium wherein arteries are found free-floating within cleft-like spaces. Using different colored dye injections in the uterine arteries and veins, we demonstrated that these spaces are venous channels. This was confirmed by immunoperoxidase staining for CD34, which enhanced the cells lining these spaces. A review of 81 hysterectomy specimens showed that this vascular architecture was present in 42 cases (52%), while it was identified in the parenchyma of only two mastectomy specimens among the 45 specimens from different organs studied. A strong association existed between the presence of this architecture and history of menorrhagia (p = 0.0116). This peculiar vascular architecture might be important in the pathogenesis of menorrhagia and the development of intravenous leiomyomatosis. Pathologists should also be able to recognize these spaces as vascular channels in the event that malignant cells are identified within them.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor: report of a case presenting as a primary ovarian neoplasm.

BACKGROUND: Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is an intra-abdominal malignancy that typically has extensive peritoneal spread at the time of diagnosis. We report a case of DSRCT with involvement of the ovary and omentum as well as an elevated CA-125 level at presentation. CASE: A 23-year-old female presented to another institution with a pelvic mass and a CA-125 level of 140 U/ml. During tumor reductive surgery the right ovary, omentum, and liver were found to be involved. Initial histologic examination favored an undifferentiated small cell carcinoma of the ovary. The patient received two cycles of Taxol and cisplatin chemotherapy and was referred to the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Upon review of the pathology material at the time of the referral, a diagnosis of DSRCT was made. Despite two additional cycles of chemotherapy, the tumor progressed, and the patient returned home. CONCLUSION: DSRCT may mimic an ovarian primary tumor by presenting with involvement of the ovary and an elevated CA-125 level, and should be included in the differential diagnosis of ovarian neoplasms in young patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting as a vaginal mass in a patient with a history of intestinal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.

Vaginal involvement in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is uncommon and is often secondary to disseminated disease. Primary disease at this site is quite rare. We present here an unusual case of a patient who developed a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma presenting as a vaginal mass after having been treated for primary intestinal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma 4 years earlier. Combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy for the intestinal MALT lymphoma produced complete remission that lasted for 2 years. Chemotherapy given for the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with secondary vaginal involvement produced a second complete remission. The second remission was consolidated with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation. Although the patient died from complications related to the transplant procedure, the disease was in complete remission at the time of her death. Given the rarity of primary intestinal MALT lymphoma and primary vaginal lymphoma, no standard treatment has been established. Treatment options have included chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery, given alone or in combination.

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMed2001

Serous tumors involving extra-abdominal/extra-pelvic sites after the diagnosis of an ovarian serous neoplasm of low malignant potential.

The involvement of extra-abdominal/extra-pelvic sites by serous tumors after the diagnosis of an ovarian serous neoplasm of low malignant potential is extremely rare. In this study we present the clinicopathologic features of 12 such cases seen at our institution during a period of 19 years (1980-1999). The patients' age ranged from 19 to 50 years (mean 33 years). By FIGO staging the original ovarian tumors were distributed as follows: stage I, 4; stage II, 2; stage III, 5; unknown stage, 1. All patients were treated surgically. Ten patients also received adjuvant therapy (radiotherapy, 2; chemotherapy and radiotherapy, 4; chemotherapy, 3; intraperitoneal 32P, 1). The interval between the diagnosis of the ovarian neoplasm and the subsequent tumor involving an extra-abdominal/extra-pelvic site ranged from 4 to 240 months (mean 124 months). Sites of extra-abdominal/extra-pelvic involvement and the number of cases were as follows: left neck lymph nodes (LNs), 4; left and right neck LNs, 1; pleura, 2; lung, 1; mediastinum, 1; chest wall, 1; axillary and chest LNs, 1; and vertebral body, 1. Eight patients were treated with chemotherapy, 1 with radiotherapy, 2 with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and 1 with surgery alone. Follow-up ranging from 5 months to 18 years was available in 11 patients. Six patients died of disease and 5 patients were alive with no evidence of disease. In this small series of cases, no definitive clinical or pathologic feature related to the occurrence of extra-abdominal/extra-pelvic serous tumors was found. Based on the LN involvement and the endosalpingiosis seen in some cases, these tumors might develop from circulating neoplastic serous cells or from areas of endosalpingiosis involving extra-abdominal/extra-pelvic sites.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Ovarian mixed-epithelial carcinomas with a microcystic pattern and signet-ring cells.

Primary ovarian carcinomas with unusual histologic patterns can be difficult to differentiate from metastases. In this study, we reviewed 15 cases of mixed-epithelial carcinoma (12 serous, 1 serous and endometrioid, 1 endometrioid, 1 undifferentiated) with a predominant microcystic pattern and signet-ring cells. The patients' ages ranged from 31 to 78 (mean 58) years. The microcystic component in 11 patients had features of high-grade carcinoma and in 4 patients had features of low-grade carcinoma associated with areas of borderline tumor. The tumors in all 15 patients showed a predominant microcystic growth pattern composed of small cysts that were variable in size and shape. Signet-ring cells were also present in all cases (diffusely in nine cases, focally in six cases) within the neoplastic epithelial proliferation. Mucin was present in the lumina of some of the microcysts and in the cytoplasm of most of the signet-ring cells. A microcystic pattern and mucin-containing signet-ring cells can be seen as small foci or as a predominant component in primary epithelial nonmucinous ovarian carcinomas. It is important for pathologists to recognize these unusual findings in ovarian neoplasms, because they may produce a confusing apperance, even potentially suggesting a metastasis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Understanding the contributions of NADH and collagen to cervical tissue fluorescence spectra: modeling, measurements, and implications.

OBJECTIVE: At 380 nm excitation, cervical tissue fluorescence spectra demonstrate characteristic changes with both patient age and the presence of dysplasia. A Monte Carlo model was developed in order to quantitatively examine how intrinsic NADH and collagen fluorescence, in combination with tissue scattering and absorption properties, yield measured tissue spectra. METHODS: Excitation-emission matrices were measured for live cervical cells and collagen gel phantoms. Fluorescence microscopy of fresh tissue sections was performed to obtain the location and density of fluorophores as a function of patient age and the presence of dysplasia. A Monte Carlo model was developed which incorporated measurements of fluorophore line shapes and spatial distributions. RESULTS: Modeled spectra were consistent with clinical measurements and indicate that an increase in NADH fluorescence and decrease in collagen fluorescence create clinically observed differences between normal and dysplastic tissue spectra. Model predictions were most sensitive to patient age and epithelial thickness. CONCLUSIONS: Monte Carlo techniques provide an important means to investigate the combined contributions of multiple fluorophores to measured emission spectra. The approach will prove increasingly valuable as a more sophisticated understanding of in vivo optical properties is developed.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Autofluorescence microscopy of fresh cervical-tissue sections reveals alterations in tissue biochemistry with dysplasia.

Fluorescence spectroscopy offers an effective, noninvasive approach to the detection of precancers in multiple organ sites. Clinical studies have demonstrated that fluorescence spectroscopy can provide highly sensitive, specific and cost-effective diagnosis of cervical precancers. However, the underlying biochemical mechanisms responsible for differences in the fluorescence spectra of normal and dysplastic tissue are not fully understood. We designed a study to assess the differences in autofluorescence of normal and dysplastic cervical tissue. Transverse, fresh tissue sections were prepared from colposcopically normal and abnormal biopsies in a 34-patient study. Autofluorescence images were acquired at 380 and 460 nm excitation. Results showed statistically significant increases in epithelial fluorescence intensity (arbitrary units) at 380 nm excitation in dysplastic tissue (106 +/- 39) relative to normal tissue (85 +/- 30). The fluorophore responsible for this increase is possibly reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Stromal fluorescence intensities in the dysplastic samples decreased at both 380 nm (102 +/- 34 [dysplasia] vs 151 +/- 44 [normal]) and 460 nm excitation (93 +/- 35 [dysplasia] vs 137 +/- 49 [normal]), wavelengths at which collagen is excited. Decreased redox ratio (17-40% reduction) in dysplastic tissue sections, indicative of increased metabolic activity, was observed in one-third of the paired samples. These results provide valuable insight into the biological basis of the differences in fluorescence of normal and precancerous cervical tissue.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

A randomized clinical trial of 4-hydroxyphenylretinamide for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix.

PURPOSE: Previous trials of topical trans-retinoic acid treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grades 2 and 3 led to a statistically significant regression of CIN 2, but not CIN 3. We tested N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4-HPR), a promising oral retinoid that has been shown to induce apoptosis through nonretinoic receptor acid-mediated pathways, for its toxicity and efficacy against CIN 2/3. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: In a blinded randomized trial, 4-HPR at 200 mg/day for 6 months (with a 3-day/month drug holiday) was compared with placebo in patients with biopsy-proven CIN-2/3 [high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HGSILs)]. Patients were treated with placebo or 4-HPR for 6 months, biopsied, and then followed for an additional 6 months. At the 12-month end point, they underwent either loop excision if a histological lesion was present or a biopsy from the original area of the lesion if no lesion was present. RESULTS: An interim analysis of blinded data showed a significantly worse prognosis at 12 months for one group. When the code was broken because of the poorer outcomes, we discovered that the 4-HPR treatment arm was performing more poorly than was the placebo at 6 and 12 months (25 versus 44% response rates at 6 months; 14 versus 50% at 12 months). Toxicity was not significant in either arm. CONCLUSIONS: 4-HPR at 200 mg/day with a 3-day/month drug holiday is not active compared with placebo in the treatment of HGSIL. Because 4-HPR is active in the laboratory, the lack of effect in our trial may indicate that higher doses are needed in patients to achieve comparable results.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Laser scanning confocal microscopy of cervical tissue before and after application of acetic acid.

OBJECTIVES: The use of high-resolution in vivo confocal imaging may offer a clinically useful adjunct to standard methods for the diagnosis and screening of epithelial precancers. This study assesses the feasibility of real-time confocal reflectance imaging of cervical tissue and the use of acetic acid as a contrast agent to increase visualization of cell nuclei. STUDY DESIGN: A confocal microscope was used to image cervical cells and colposcopically normal and abnormal cervical biopsy specimens. Images were obtained before and after the application of 6% acetic acid. RESULTS: The confocal imaging system resolved subcellular detail throughout the entire epithelial thickness. Normal and abnormal tissues were clearly able to be differentiated. Addition of acetic acid enhanced nuclear signal in all acquired images. CONCLUSION: High-contrast reflected light images of cervical tissue are attainable in near real time. Acetic acid significantly increases light scattering from cell nuclei, which may partially explain why acetowhitening occurs.

Acetic Acid↗
PubMed2000

Synchronous primary cancers of the breast and cervix: planning multidisciplinary primary treatment [clinico-pathological conference].

Multiple metachronous primary malignancies are becoming increasingly frequent; however, multiple synchronous primary malignancies are still unusual. We report the case of a 61-year-old woman with synchronous stage IIIB ductal carcinoma of the left breast and FIGO stage IB2 squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. The patient was treated initially every 4 weeks with a 24-h intravenous infusion of paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) followed by a 1-h infusion of carboplatin (area under the curve of 5 mg/ml x min) with concurrent irradiation of the pelvis. Significant toxic reactions including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea required hospitalization or outpatient intravenous fluids and antiemetics. After four cycles of chemotherapy, the breast cancer was in complete clinical remission, and the patient underwent a modified radical mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection. Pathologic findings revealed a few microscopic foci of residual infiltrating ductal carcinoma exhibiting a marked treatment effect; none of the 14 axillary lymph nodes removed showed evidence of metastatic tumor. A near-complete pathologic response of the breast cancer and a complete clinical response of the cervical cancer were obtained. Adjuvant chemotherapy for the breast cancer was then initiated, followed by radiation and hormonal therapy.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed2000

Primary vulvar and vaginal extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma/peripheral neuroectodermal tumor: diagnostic confirmation with CD99 immunostaining and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

Two cases of extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma/peripheral neuroectodermal tumor arising in unusual, superficial sites are reported. One tumor involved the vaginal wall of a 35-year-old woman, and the other neoplasm arose in the dermis of the vulva in a 28-year-old woman. The tumors showed characteristic microscopic features of Ewing's sarcoma/peripheral neuroectodermal tumor with nodular monotonous proliferations of undifferentiated, small, round, hyperchromatic cells with a low mitotic index. Rare rosette-like formations were apparent only in the vulvar neoplasm. The tumors displayed intense immunoreactivity in a membranous pattern for CD99, the cell surface glycoprotein encoded by the MIC2 gene. Genetically, the tumors expressed the EWS/FLI-1 chimeric transcript, derived from the t(11;22)(q24;q12) chromosomal translocation. Both patients had localized disease treated with wide local excision; one received postoperative chemotherapy, and the other received chemotherapy and radiotherapy. To date, 18 and 19 months after diagnosis, neither patient has had clinical evidence of local recurrence or metastasis. To our knowledge, these are the first reported cases of vaginal and vulvar Ewing's sarcoma/peripheral neuroectodermal tumor, confirmed with molecular genetic analysis, in the English literature.

12E7 Antigen↗
PubMed2000

Primary ovarian rhabdomyosarcoma associated with clear cell carcinoma of the ovary: a case report and review of the literature.

The clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical findings of a case of coexistent primary ovarian rhabdomyosarcoma and clear cell carcinoma of the ovary are reported. The tumor was detected in a 41-year-old premenopausal woman who had a 1-year history of pelvic pain. On physical examination, a 14.0-cm left adnexal mass was found for which a hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and staging biopsies were performed. The tumor was composed of solid and cystic areas, and two distinct microscopic components were identified: clear cell carcinoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. Immunoperoxidase studies demonstrated that the neoplastic cells in the latter component were positive for desmin, muscle-specific actin, and myoglobin. A biopsy taken from the pelvic peritoneum revealed rhabdomyosarcoma (FIGO stage IIB). Despite two cycles of chemotherapy, the disease persisted in the pelvis 4 months after diagnosis.

Actins↗
PubMed2000

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma involving the vulva.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) involving the vulva are rare. We report the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical findings of six cases of vulvar NHL. The age of the patients ranged from 43 to 71 years (mean 60 years), and 5 presented with a vulvar mass. Two patients had neoplasms localized to the vulva, and two patients had a history of NHL that secondarily involved the vulva; in another patient the stage was unknown, and the sixth patient had stage IVA mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome involving the vulva. Each tumor was classified according to the revised European-American classification of lymphoid neoplasms: four were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, one was peripheral T-cell lymphoma, and one was mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome. Two patients were treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, one patient received chemotherapy and phototherapy, one patient was treated with chemotherapy, and in two patients the treatment is unknown. Clinical follow-up, available for 4 cases, ranged from 7 months to 5 years. One patient with low-stage NHL responded to therapy, but relapsed and died of disease 2 years later. Two patients with generalized NHL that secondarily involved the vulva died of disease 7 months and 5 years, respectively, after the diagnosis of vulvar involvement was established. The patient with mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome is alive with disease at 4 years. The three patients in this study who died and our review of the literature indicate that NHL involving the vulva is usually an aggressive disease.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Androgenic adult granulosa cell tumor in a 13-year-old prepubertal patient: a case report and review of the literature.

We report the clinicopathologic findings of an unusual case of adult granulosa cell tumor with androgenic manifestation in a 13-year-old prepubertal girl. The patient had never had a menstrual period and presented with a 1 year history of hirsutism. Physical examination was only remarkable for an increase in facial and abdominal hair, both with a male pattern of distribution. A pelvic ultrasound demonstrated a 6.0 cm right adnexal cyst. Plasma testosterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels were elevated. The patient initially was treated with monophasic oral contraceptive pills for 3 months and owing to lack of response, she underwent an exploratory laparotomy in which a left ovarian tumor, 7.0 cm in greatest dimension, and a 6.5 cm right paratubal cyst were found. A wedge biopsy of the left ovary and subsequent left oophorectomy with right salpingectomy were performed. No gross evidence of disease outside the ovary was noted. Microscopic examination of the left ovarian tumor revealed the typical features of an adult granulosa cell tumor. No tumor was seen outside the ovary. Six days after surgery, plasma testosterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels were in the normal range. Nine months postoperatively, the patient shows no evidence of disease. To our knowledge, this represents the first case of a prepubertal patient with an adult granulosa cell tumor with androgenic manifestations reported in the English literature.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗
PubMed2000

Autofluorescence patterns in short-term cultures of normal cervical tissue.

Fluorescence spectroscopy has potential to improve cervical precancer detection. The relationship between tissue biochemistry and fluorescence is poorly understood. The goal of this study was to characterize normal cervical autofluorescence, using fresh tissue short-term tissue cultures and epithelial cell suspensions. Transverse, short-term tissue cultures were prepared from 31 cervical biopsies; autofluorescence images were obtained at 380 and 460 nm excitation. Fluorescence excitation-emission matrices were measured from normal, precancerous and cancerous cervical cell suspensions. Observed fluorescence patterns contrast those reported for frozen-thawed tissue, and were placed into groups with (1) bright epithelial and weak stromal fluorescence; (2) similar epithelial and stromal fluorescence; and (3) weak epithelial and bright stromal fluorescence. The average ages of women in the groups were 30.9, 38.0 and 49.2 years. Epithelial fluorescence intensity was similar in Groups 1 and 2, but weaker in Group 3. Stromal intensity was similar in Groups 2 and 3, but weaker in Group 1. The ratio of epithelial to stromal fluorescence intensity was significantly different for all groups. EEMs of cell suspensions showed peaks consistent with tryptophan, reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) and flavin adenine dinucleotide. Short-term tissue cultures represent a novel, biologically appropriate model to understand cervical autofluorescence. Our results suggest a biological basis for the increased fluorescence seen in older, postmenopausal women.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the vulva: clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of four cases, one with fibrosarcomatous change, and review of the literature.

Only 18 cases of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) of the vulva have been reported. This article describes the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical findings of four additional vulvar DFSPs. The median patient age was 54 years (range, 36 to 69 years) and the most common clinical presentation was a slowly growing vulvar mass. The tumors occurred in the left paraclitoral area (1 case), right labium majus (1 case), left labium majus (1 case), and mons pubis (1 case). The tumor size, known in three cases, ranged from 1.2 to 5.0 cm in greatest dimension. Microscopically, the tumors were composed of bland spindle cells with oval or wavy nuclei arranged in a cartwheel pattern; in one case, fibrosarcomatous areas were apparent. CD34 immunostaining was positive in the three cases in which it was performed; positive staining was also seen in the area of fibrosarcoma. Estrogen and progesterone receptor immunostains were negative in three cases. Of the three patients who underwent surgery, one had tumor recurrences every 2 to 4 years for 18 to 20 years but has remained free of tumor in the 7 years since the last excision, one was free of tumor for 12 years before dying of an unrelated cause, and the other has been free of disease for 6 months. The fourth patient refused treatment and has persistent disease in the vulva. This study shows that the behavior of DFSP in the vulva is similar to its behavior in its more common locations.

Adult↗