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J C Cheville

Publications and source records attributed to J C Cheville.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Cancer volume of lymph node metastasis predicts progression in prostate cancer.

Clinical outcome is variable in prostate cancer patients with regional lymph node metastasis. We studied 269 patients who had regional lymph node metastasis at the time of radical retropubic prostatectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy at the Mayo Clinic between January 1987 and December 1992. Two hundred fifty-three (94%) patients received androgen deprivation therapy within 90 days of radical prostatectomy. Patients ranged in age from 47 to 79 years (median, 67 years). Median follow-up was 6.1 years (range, 0.3-10.5 years). Nodal cancer volume (size) was measured by the grid-counting method. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the impact of numerous clinical and pathologic findings on systemic progression-free survival. Systemic progression was defined as the presence of distant metastasis documented by biopsies or radiographic examinations (abdominal computerized tomography, plain radiographs, or bone scan). Five-year progression-free survival was 90%. In predicting systemic progression using Cox multivariate analysis, only nodal cancer volume added significantly to the model containing the primary cancer variables (Gleason score, cancer volume, and DNA ploidy). The relative hazard rate for a doubling in nodal cancer volume was 1.6 (95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 2.0; p < 0.0001). Spearman rank analysis showed a correlation between nodal cancer volume and Gleason score of the primary cancer, the number of positive nodes, the aggregate length of metastases, and the largest nodal cancer diameter (correlation efficient = 0.37, 0.63, 0.96, and 0.95, respectively). Our data indicate that nodal cancer volume was the most significant nodal determinant of progression to distant metastasis in lymph node-positive prostate cancer patients. We recommend that the diameter of the largest metastasis be evaluated in patients with metastases, because this is a more powerful predictor of patient outcome than current methods, which recommend mere counting of the number of positive nodes.

Aged↗

Expression of p27kip1 in prostatic adenocarcinoma.

p27kip1 (p27) protein is an inhibitor of cyclin and cyclin-dependent kinase complexes and prevents progression of cells from G1 to the S phase of the cell cycle. p27 might have tumor suppressor activity, and decreased p27 expression is associated with aggressive tumor behavior in several human malignancies. The object of this study was to evaluate p27 expression in prostatic adenocarcinoma treated by radical prostatectomy and to assess its association with numerous morphologic and clinical features. One hundred thirty-eight prostatic adenocarcinomas were evaluated for p27 expression by quantifying nuclear immunohistochemical staining. p27 expression was tested for association with patient age, family history of prostate cancer, preoperative serum prostate-specific antigen level, Gleason score, extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle involvement, lymph node metastases, tumor-node-metastasis stage, DNA ploidy by flow cytometric analysis, and subclinical biochemical failure. p27 expression was analyzed as a continuous variable, and we also classified the tumors as low expressors (< 50% of cells p27 positive) or high expressors (> 50% of cells p27 positive) for comparison. Patients with adenocarcinomas that exhibited low p27 expression had higher mean Gleason scores than did high expressors (7 vs. 6.2, respectively; P = .002). Low p27 expression correlated with positive surgical margins (P = .05), seminal vesicle involvement (P = .007), lymph node metastasis (P = .03), and aneuploid cancers (P = .003), but it did not correlate with subclinical biochemical failure. p27 expression correlated with a number of prognostic morphologic features in prostatic adenocarcinoma, and the evaluation of p27 expression might provide additional prognostic information.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Inhibin A is a sensitive and specific marker for testicular sex cord-stromal tumors.

We compared the expression of inhibin A, chromogranin, synaptophysin, S-100 protein, cytokeratins AE1/AE3, 7, and 20, and estrogen and progesterone receptors in testicular sex cord-stromal tumors: 11 Sertoli cell tumors, 3 Sertoli cell adenomas (nodules), 26 benign Leydig cell tumors, 7 malignant Leydig cell tumors (defined clinically by metastatic behavior), and a variety of germ cell tumors. Inhibin was the most sensitive marker, expressed in 91% of the Sertoli cell tumors and 100% of the Sertoli cell adenomas and Leydig cell tumors. The non-neoplastic Sertoli and Leydig cells invariably stained for inhibin. Conversely, no germ cell tumors were immunoreactive. One testicular tumor of the adrenogenital syndrome was immunoreactive. Neuroendocrine marker immunoreactivity was variable. Chromogranin was expressed in the non-neoplastic Sertoli and Leydig cells, 82% of the Sertoli cell tumors, 92% of the benign Leydig cell tumors, and 43% of the malignant Leydig cell tumors. Synaptophysin was expressed in the non-neoplastic Sertoli and Leydig cells, 45% of the Sertoll cell tumors, and 70% of the Leydig cell tumors, in approximately similar proportions between the benign and malignant Leydig cell tumors. S-100 protein was expressed in 64% of the Sertoli cell tumors, 8% of the benign Leydig cell tumors, and none of the malignant Leydig cell tumors. Cytokeratins AE1/AE3 were expressed in 64% of the Sertoli cell tumors and 42% of the Leydig cell tumors, with similar proportions in the benign and malignant cases. Estrogen and progesterone receptor expression were identified in 24 and 39% of benign and malignant Leydig cell tumors, respectively. We conclude that inhibin is a characteristic marker for Sertoli and Leydig cells and that it serves to differentiate testicular sex cord-stromal tumors from germ cell tumors.

Adolescent↗

The focus of "atypical glands, suspicious for malignancy" in prostatic needle biopsy specimens: incidence, histologic features, and clinical follow-up of cases diagnosed in a community practice.

This study was undertaken to determine retrospectively the prevalence and histologic features of the atypical foci that are suspicious for but are not diagnostic of a malignancy in contemporary prostate needle biopsy specimens reported in a community practice. Histologic features were examined in detail to identify features that prevented an unequivocal diagnosis of carcinoma. Of 1,009 prostate needle biopsy specimens obtained between January 1, 1993, and August 1, 1995, the diagnosis of an atypical focus suspicious for malignancy was made in 48 (4.8%). In review of the biopsy specimens diagnosed as benign, an additional 7 cases (0.7%) were identified. The following histologic features were identified in 54 cases: enlarged nucleoli, 54 (100%); enlarged nuclei, 45 (83%); intraluminal eosinophilic secretions, 40 (74%); infiltrative growth, 37 (68%); small acinar proliferation, 37 (68%); intraluminal basophilic mucin, 23 (42%); amphophilic cytoplasm, 18 (33%); high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, 17 (31%); and crystalloids, 12 (22%). Corpora amylacea were not identified. The foci contained from 1 to 67 acini (mean, 20.7). Although each atypical focus showed most of the features of adenocarcinoma, an unequivocal diagnosis of malignancy was not given owing to four features: the small size of the focus, the small number of cells with enlarged nucleoli, the clustered growth pattern, and the presence of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia within many of the foci. At initial examination, 36 of 41 patients (83%) had an elevated serum concentration of prostate-specific antigen (mean, 10 ng/mL), and 20 (49%) had abnormal findings on a digital rectal examination. Twenty-five patients (46%) underwent additional sampling of the prostate, and 15 of these (60%) were found to have adenocarcinoma; the remaining 30 patients did not undergo a subsequent biopsy. Patients with subsequent cancer had higher mean serum concentrations of prostate-specific antigen and change in concentrations of prostate-specific antigen than those whose repeat biopsy results were negative; no other clinical or histologic differences were observed between these two groups. To the community pathologists in this study, the lack of prominent nucleoli, the small size of the focus, clustered acini, and/or adjacent high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia prevented an unequivocal diagnosis of malignancy. If a prostate needle biopsy specimen is reported as containing an atypical focus suspicious for malignancy, a subsequent biopsy is warranted given the high predictive value for adenocarcinoma.

Aged↗

p53 expression in placentas with hydropic change and hydatidiform moles.

Hydatidiform moles result from abnormal fertilization and have been divided into partial and complete forms based on morphologic, cytogenetic, and clinical features. Little is known about their pathogenesis or malignant transformation. We applied an immunohistochemical marker for the p53 tumor suppressor gene product to placentas with hydropic change and hydatidiform moles to determine whether abnormal p53 gene product accumulation occurs in molar gestations. Ploidy of these placentas was determined by flow cytometry and fluorescence in situ hybridization. The mean percentages of p53-positive cells was determined by counting 200 cytotrophoblastic and proliferating trophoblastic cells. The staining intensity was graded on a scale of 1+ (faint) to 3+ (strong). The mean percentage of p53-positive cells for the placentas were as follows: 8.9% +/- 10.5 for hydropic change; 28.0% +/- 13.2 for partial mole; and 41.0% +/- 19.6 for complete mole. There was a significant difference in p53 expression between hydropic change and partial mole (P = 0.05) and hydropic change and complete mole (P = 0.0008). Although there was a difference between partial mole and complete mole, this did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.15). Hydatidiform moles exhibited 2+ to 3+ staining intensity, whereas hydropic placentas exhibited weaker intensity (1-2+). The finding of p53 gene product overaccumulation in partial and complete moles suggests that p53 gene mutations or alternatively, post-transcriptional changes in the p53 gene product occur resulting in inactivation and stabilization of the protein. This may play a role in uncontrolled trophoblastic proliferation and neoplastic transformation.

Female↗

Leiomyosarcoma of the prostate. Report of 23 cases.

BACKGROUND: Leiomyosarcoma of the prostate is a rare neoplasm that accounts for less than 0.1% of prostate malignancies. Previous reports of this neoplasm consisted of single case studies or small series, often combined with cases of rhabdomyosarcoma. The relationship of prognosis with histologic and immunohistochemical findings has not, to the authors' knowledge, been described in a large series of cases, and the efficacy of various treatments is uncertain. METHODS: The authors undertook a clinicopathologic study of all cases of prostate leiomyosarcoma observed at their institution from 1929 to 1994. Twenty-three cases were retrieved from the files of the Department of Pathology, Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN), and clinical follow-up was available for 14. Immunohistochemical studies, including actin, desmin, S-100 protein, keratin, and vimentin were performed for 18 cases. RESULTS: Patients ranged in age from 41 to 78 years, with a mean of 61 years. Presenting symptoms included urinary obstruction (100%), perineal pain (25%), burning on ejaculation (7%), and weight loss (7%). The neoplasms ranged from 3.3 to 21 cm (mean, 9 cm) in greatest dimension and were often associated with necrosis. Seven tumors were Grade 2, 10 Grade 3 and 6 Grade 4 (Broders' grading system; scale, 1-4). Mitotic figure counts varied from 2 to 24 per 10 high power fields. Fifteen of 15 (100%) cases were immunoreactive for vimentin, 10 of 16 (63%) were immunoreactive for actin, and 3 of 15 (20%) were weakly reactive for desmin. Keratin expression was observed in 4 of 15 cases (27%), and S-100 protein was negative in all cases. Treatment varied, and usually included a combination of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and radical prostatectomy or cystoprostatecomy. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 72 months, with a mean of 19 months. Ten patients died from tumor 3 to 72 months (mean, 22 months) after diagnosis. Four patients were alive, including three with residual tumor and one without evidence of tumor at 2, 4, 30, and 4.5 months, respectively. Local recurrence occurred in 10 of 11 patients, including 5 who had gross residual tumor present after surgery. Metastases developed up to 40 months after surgery (mean, 10.3 months), and most frequently involved the lungs. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that prostate leiomyosarcoma has a varied histologic appearance ranging from spindled cell neoplasm reminiscent of smooth muscle to pleomorphic sarcoma. Epithelioid features may be present. Most tumors are immunoreactive with antibodies to vimentin and actin, and reactivity with antikeratin antibodies does not exclude the diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma. Prostate leiomyosarcoma has a poor prognosis, although the length of survival is variable. Radical surgery was the treatment of choice in the current series, but complete excision was difficult in most cases and did not result in cure.

Adult↗

Carcinosarcoma of the prostate. Report of 21 cases.

BACKGROUND: Carcinosarcoma of the prostate is an unusual malignancy characterized by adenocarcinoma intimately admixed with sarcoma. METHODS: The authors reviewed the clinical and pathologic findings of 21 cases of carcinosarcoma of the prostate from the files of the Mayo Clinic. RESULTS: Patient age ranged from 50 to 89 years (mean, 68 years). Ten patients (48%) had a previous diagnosis of prostatic acinar adenocarcinoma 2-73 months (mean, 33 months) before the diagnosis of carcinosarcoma, 8 of whom had received androgen deprivation therapy and/or radiation therapy in the interim. The Gleason score of adenocarcinoma ranged from 7 to 10 (mean, 9; median, 9). The sarcomas consisted of osteosarcoma (13), leiomyosarcoma (5), fibrosarcoma (1), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (1), and rhabdomyosarcoma (1), and the grade of the sarcoma component ranged from 2 to 4 (mean, 4; median, 4). Adenocarcinoma was the dominant histologic pattern in 7 cases and sarcoma in 14. Immunohistochemical staining revealed cytoplasmic reactivity for prostate specific antigen or keratin in 16 of 16 cases in the adenocarcinoma component. The sarcoma component was positive for vimentin in 16 of 16 cases, actin in 8 of 16 (focal in 2), S-100 protein in 2 of 16, and desmin in 1 of 16. At the time of diagnosis of carcinosarcoma, 11 patients had metastases, including 4 with metastatic adenocarcinoma before the diagnosis of carcinosarcoma. Treatment varied, and nonsurgical therapy was ineffective. Sites of metastases included lung (10 cases), bone (7), brain (4), liver (1), and peritoneum (1). Follow-up ranged from 1 to 107 months after the diagnosis of carcinosarcoma (mean, 34 months; median, 10 months). Mean time to tumor progression was 23 months (range, 1-96 months; median, 18 months). Eighteen patients died of carcinosarcoma from 2 to 107 months (mean, 34 months; median, 9.5 months) after diagnosis. Five-year survival was 41%, and 7-year survival was 14%. Progression and survival were not affected by histologic pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Carcinosarcoma of the prostate is an aggressive malignancy, regardless of histologic type.

Aged↗

Ploidy analysis by flow cytometry and fluorescence in situ hybridization in hydropic placentas and gestational trophoblastic disease.

Placentas with hydropic change may be hydropic degeneration (HD) or gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), partial (PM) or complete (CM) hydatidiform mole. The separation of HD from PM and PM from CM by histological findings may be problematic in some cases and can be clarified with ploidy analysis. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using a probe to chromosome 7 (D7Z1) was applied to tissue cut from paraffin blocks from 10 histologically representative cases each of HD, PM, and CM on which ploidy had been previously confirmed by flow cytometry from paraffin embedded tissue. Villous stromal cells and nonproliferative trophoblast were examined for number of signals/cell and percentage of cells/placenta with three hybridization signals. The mean number of hybridization signals/cell was HD 1.14; PM 1.79; and CM 1.17, with statistical significance between HD and PM (P < .0001), and PM and CM (P < .0001). The mean percentage of cells/placenta with three hybridization signals was HD 1.10%, PM 23.1%, and CM 2.11%, with statistical significance between HD and PM (P < .0001), and PM and CM (P < .0001). In addition, there was no overlap in the mean percentage of cells with three hybridization signals between HD and PM, and PM and CM. Chromosome 2 probe (D2Z1) was applied to tissues that had three chromosome 7 signals to exclude trisomy, and in all cases three signals were present confirming triploidy in PM. FISH can identify diploid and triploid hydropic placentas in paraffin-embedded tissue to assist in differentiating HD from PM, and PM from CM.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 2↗

Postatrophic hyperplasia of the prostate. A histologic mimic of prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Clusters of atrophic prostatic acini that display proliferative epithelial changes are referred to as postatrophic hyperplasia (PAH). PAH is histologically similar to adenocarcinoma and may cause diagnostic confusion. Despite the importance of distinguishing PAH from carcinoma, the last systematic study of this lesion was reported > 40 years ago, and many contemporary pathologists are unfamiliar with this lesion. We reviewed 100 consecutive whole-mount radical prostatectomy specimens removed for carcinoma to determine the incidence of PAH. In addition, 11 prostatic needle biopsy specimens with PAH were evaluated to further characterize the lesion in limited specimens. PAH was identified in 18 radical prostatectomies (18%), including 10 unicentric and eight multicentric cases. It was found exclusively in the peripheral zone in all but two cases, which had additional involvement of the transition zone. PAH consisted of a microscopic lobular cluster of small acini with irregular atrophic-appearing contours lined by cuboidal cells with mild nucleomegaly and micronucleoli; mildly enlarged nucleoli were focally present in 39% of cases. Within the small acinar cluster, a larger dilated acinus was usually present centrally, which was lined by flattened to cuboidal epithelial cells. The basal cell layer at the periphery of each acinus was invariably present but often inconspicuous. Immunohistochemical staining for high-molecular-weight keratin (antibody 34 beta E12) showed the presence of an intact basal cell layer in seven of 10 cases and a focally fragmented basal cell layer in three other cases. PAH was associated with patchy chronic inflammation in 16 of 18 prostatectomy cases; stromal changes were present in all cases, ranging from smooth atrophy to dense sclerosis with compression of acini. No intraluminal basophilic mucin was identified, but two needle biopsies showed PAH with focal mucinous metaplasia. Crystalloids were not seen in any case. Focal partial acinar involvement by high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia was present in adjacent acini in two cases. Adjacent acini also invariably showed typical changes of atrophy. In the needle biopsy specimens, PAH showed the same features as those in prostatectomies, but often only a portion of the lesion was sampled. PAH is distinguished from carcinoma by its characteristic architecture, intact or fragmented basal cell layer, inconspicuous or mildly enlarged nucleoli, and adjacent acinar atrophy with stromal fibrosis or smooth muscle atrophy. Distinguishing PAH from carcinoma is most difficult in needle biopsy specimens in which only a portion of the lesion is sampled, and awareness of this entity assists in this distinction.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Trisomy 7 in keratoacanthoma and squamous cell carcinoma detected by fluorescence in-situ hybridization.

Keratoacanthoma (KA) is generally considered to be a clinically and histologically distinct entity, but it often remains difficult to separate from well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (WDSCC). Recently, trisomy 7 has been identified in squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. In this study, we examined classical KA (n = 6), WDSCC (n = 7) and squamous cell carcinoma with KA-like features (SCC-KA) (n = 8) for trisomy 7 by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) to determine if this chromosomal abnormality is unique to squamous lesions diagnosed as WDSCC, or shared by both KA and SCC. In addition, the pertinent clinical-histopathologic findings were summarized. Trisomy 7 was identified in one KA, one SCC-KA and two WDSCC. This study demonstrates that there is a chromosomal abnormality shared by KA and SCC, providing further evidence that KA is most likely a form of SCC. Further studies are required to determine if trisomy 7 in these lesions is of prognostic significance.

Aged↗

Histopathological features and p53 nuclear protein staining as predictors of survival and tumor recurrence in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis.

PURPOSE: We determine which histopathological features are predictive of recurrence and cause-specific survival in renal pelvic transitional cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Univariant and multivariant analysis was done on material from 67 patients. RESULTS: Univariate and multivariate analysis identified lamina propria invasion, grade 3 tumors and capillary-lymphatic invasion as predictors of disease-specific survival. Multicentric disease was the sole independent predictor of recurrence. Multicentric disease and lamina propria invasion were independent predictors of recurrence-free survival. Also, p53 over-expression was not statistically associated with any of the studied prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Histopathological features remain the cornerstone of prognostic assessment for renal pelvic transitional cell carcinoma.

Adult↗

Microsatellite instability in adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

Instability of dinucleotide tandem repeat sequences has been reported to play a major role in the carcinogenic pathway of familial colon cancer, as well as a potential role in the carcinogenesis of other sporadic neoplasms. To determine the frequency of short tandem repeat instability in adenocarcinoma of the prostate, we studied 40 tumors that were stratified according to tumor grade. The tissue samples were screened with di-, tri- and tetranucleotide markers spanning a wide range of chromosomal loci, including an androgen receptor gene trinucleotide repeat. Microsatellite instability was observed overall in only one of the 40 (2.5%) prostate adenocarcinomas studied. This replication error-positive tumor demonstrated repeat length alterations at two loci. Five other tumors showed an alteration in microsatellite size at a single locus. These tumors were not considered to have the microsatellite instability phenotype. All changes were identified either within tetranucleotide sequences or within the androgen receptor gene repeat (4 or 20 total markers analyzed). Both repeat length expansions and contractions were identified. The replication error-positive case also included separate metastatic nodal tissue. Additional microsatellite analysis of the metastatic tumor tissue revealed allelic patterns identical with the normal tissue control. Our data indicate that microsatellite instability is rare in prostate adenocarcinoma. Therefore, observation of this low replication error frequency suggests that most prostate carcinomas develop in the absence of widespread accumulation of somatic mutations in short tandem repeat sequences. Additionally, these genetic alterations appear to occur more often in tetranucleotide repeat sequences as well as in an androgen receptor gene trinucleotide repeat.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Utility of Gomori methenamine silver stains in bronchoalveolar lavage specimens.

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) with Gomori methenamine silver (GMS) stain is commonly used to detect Pneumocystis carinii and fungal organisms as causes of infectious pulmonic disease in immunosuppressed patients. However, several reports have indicated that GMS stains are not any more sensitive than conventional cytologic stains in detecting Pneumocystis organisms in select patient populations, such as those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). To examine the utility of GMS stains in our laboratory, we retrospectively reviewed 243 BALs from 188 patients. Sensitivity of the GMS stain for Pneumocystis and for fungi detection was 100%. Sensitivity for Pneumocystis and for fungi detection by Papanicolaou stain alone was 79% and 88%, respectively; by Diff-Quik stain alone it was 68% and 88%, respectively; and by combined Papanicolaou and Diff-Quik stains it was 79% and 100%, respectively. In four additional cases, fungi were detected by other methods (culture, biopsy) and not by BAL. The GMS stain result was correlated with a number of risk variables to determine which variables were associated with GMS positivity. Using stepwise logistic regression, Pneumocystis positivity by GMS stain correlated (P < 0.0001) only with the variable of history of AIDS or AIDS risk factors. Fungal organism positivity by GMS stain correlated (P = 0.02) only with the variable of history of BAL positivity for fungus. Cost savings analyses were performed, estimating the cost of the GMS stain at $45 (total cost of GMS in 243 BALs was $10,935).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Use of proliferative markers Ki-67 (MIB-1) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PC10) in transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis.

Segmental renal resection and improved endourological techniques have resulted in conservative treatment options for transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis. These techniques have increased the need for more objective measures of biological behavior. We applied two immunohistochemical markers of cellular proliferation, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA; PC10) and Ki-67 (MIB-1), to 58 archival cases of renal pelvic transitional cell carcinomas and correlated the percentage of positive cells to grade, stage, and survival, and to one another; mitotic counts (mitoses/10 high-power fields) were also performed. Expression of PCNA showed a significant difference between grades 1, 2, and 3 tumors (P = 0.05) and between superficial (Ta, T1) and invasive tumors (T2-4) (P = 0.02). There was a significant overlap, however, in the percentage of cells staining between the grades as well as the stages. PCNA staining did not correlate with survival and did not identify a subset of patients with low-stage, low-grade tumors with a poorer prognosis. The Ki-67 score exhibited a stronger correlation with grade (P = 0.001), and there was a trend of increasing Ki-67 expression with higher stage tumors, but this did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.10). Ki-67 showed comparable findings to PCNA with regard to survival and overlap in staining between the grades and stages. Mitotic counts did correlate with grade (P = 0.003) but not stage or survival. This study demonstrates that cellular proliferation, as determined by the immunohistochemical markers, Ki-67 and PCNA, is related to grade and, to a lesser extent, stage, but the use of these markers as measures of biological behavior in clinical practice may be limited.

Adult↗

Atheroemboli-associated polyps of the sigmoid colon.

Atheroemboli-associated inflammatory type polyps localized to a portion of the sigmoid colon occurred in a 68-year-old diabetic man presenting with a 2-year history of bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain. The patient underwent segmental resection of the sigmoid colon. The specimen contained 15 polyps ranging from 0.3 to 1.9 cm in greatest dimension, localized to an 8-cm length of sigmoid colon. The polyps had an edematous submucosa with a superficially ulcerated mucosa. Microscopically, arterioles within the submucosa of the polyps contained organized atheroemboli. The overlying mucosa was largely replaced by granulation tissue, with foci of coagulation necrosis present in residual mucosa. The remainder of the bowel was unremarkable. The histologic diagnosis of atheroembolization to the gastrointestinal tract is difficult, requiring the inclusion of submucosa with atheroemboli in the biopsy tissue. Ischemic ulcers and erosions as well as inflammatory polyps related to atheroemboli may require deeper biopsy for etiologic diagnosis.

Aged↗

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a widely utilized assay for specifically amplifying small fragments of DNA. Multiplex PCR is the amplification of more than one DNA fragment per reaction and has many potential uses. When more than one primer set per reaction tube is utilized, the total number of tubes in any one experiment may be reduced, conserving expensive reagents and decreasing possible contamination. Multiplex PCR allows for an assay of the gene of interest and assures that the amplification process proceeds as expected with the use of a companion control genome primer set. Multiplex PCR is useful in assaying DNA extracted from samples of immunocompromised patients in which more than one infectious agent may be suspected such as simultaneous EBV and CMV detection. Multiplex PCR offers many advantages over single reaction PCR and has been found to be an useful adjunct in our laboratory.

Base Sequence↗

Silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions in the differentiation of prostatic hyperplasia, intraepithelial neoplasia, and adenocarcinoma.

Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) are loops of chromosomal DNA that ultimately direct the development of the nucleolus. These NORs are associated with argyrophilic acidic nonhistone proteins which have allowed the demonstration of NORs by a simple silver stain. This staining technique has been used to examine the number of silver-stained NORs (AgNORs) in malignant and benign conditions, and, in general, AgNOR numbers are increased in malignant tissues when compared with normal or benign conditions. More recently, this technique has been applied to premalignant lesions with varying results. We applied this silver stain to prostate lesions where nucleolar features are of diagnostic importance. The stain was applied to ten cases of prostatic hyperplasia, ten cases each of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) grades 1 through 3, and ten cases each of low grade, intermediate grade, and high grade adenocarcinoma. The counting was performed by image analysis. A significant mean difference did exist between low grade and the two higher grades of adenocarcinoma. There was no significant difference in AgNOR counts per nucleus in hyperplasia, PIN, or adenocarcinoma or between the three grades of PIN. The AgNOR silver stain is not useful in the differentiation of hyperplasia, the three grades of PIN, and adenocarcinoma. Also because of overlap among the three grades of adenocarcinoma, it is not useful in the differentiation of these lesions.

Adenocarcinoma↗