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Biomedical subjects

J Palou

Publications and source records attributed to J Palou.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Mortality in testicular cancer: 10 years' experience at a single centre.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the causes of death in patients with germ cell testicular tumours (GCTTs), especially those due to persistent or recurrent tumours, and to determine potentially avoidable deaths. Among 299 patients with GCTTs there were 27 (9%) deaths: 21 (78%) had non-seminomatous GCTTs and 6 (22%) had seminomatous GCTTs. Sixteen deaths (59%) were due to progressive disease, 6 (22%) were treatment-related, 4 (15%) were due to incidental causes, and 1 was a sudden, unexplained death. The analysis of the data led us to the conclusion that some deaths are still potentially avoidable.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Cell adhesion molecule expression in cutaneous lesions of dermatomyositis.

Chronic inflammation seems to play a major role in skin and muscle cell damage in dermatomyositis. Adhesion molecules and their ligands are fundamental in regulating inflammation. We have carried out an immunohistochemical analysis of different activation-inducible adhesion markers in 15 biopsy specimens from dermatomyositis skin lesions. Consistent findings were the increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on endothelial cells, inflammatory cells and focally grouped keratinocytes in contact with subepidermal inflammatory infiltrates. Immunoreactivity for vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) was predominant on endothelial cells of the upper reticular dermis and dermal stellate-shaped cells. E-selectin (endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1) immunoreactivity was less extensive, detected mostly on segments of vessels of the papillary dermis and upper reticular dermis, and sometimes independent of inflammation. This pattern of adhesion molecule expression is similar to that described in other immunemediated dermatoses. The up-regulation of the adhesion molecules appears to play a role in the development and perpetuation of dermatomyositis skin lesions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Kaposi's sarcoma after autologous bone marrow transplantation for multiple myeloma.

We report a case of Kaposi's sarcoma in a patient who underwent autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) for multiple myeloma. Four months after ABMT he presented with numerous asymptomatic, dark blue and purplish macules and nodules on the trunk and lower extremities. Biopsy revealed the typical histologic pattern of Kaposi's sarcoma. The patient died due to disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma while in complete remission of his hematologic malignancy.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1995

Membrane attack complex deposits in cutaneous lesions of dermatomyositis.

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN: The presence of membrane attack complex of complement (MAC) deposits in the intramuscular vasculature of biopsy specimens taken from patients with dermatomyositis (DM) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of this myopathy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of MAC deposition in the skin lesions of patients with DM. Using immunohistochemical methods, we examined 22 biopsy specimens from lesional skin, six biopsy specimens from uninvolved skin, and 12 muscle biopsy specimens from patients with DM for the presence of MAC and vitronectin and CD59, two regulatory proteins of complement. RESULTS: The deposition of MAC was demonstrated in a large percentage of biopsy specimens obtained from the lesional skin of patients with DM. Deposits were found along the dermoepidermal junction in 19 (86%) of 22 biopsy specimens. Deposits on the vessel walls of the dermis were found in 17 (77%) of 22 biopsy specimens; but only in six of these biopsy specimens (27%) were deposits present in more than 10% of blood vessels. In contrast, deposits along the dermoepidermal junction and the vessel walls of the dermis were absent in specimens from uninvolved skin. In 12 muscle biopsy specimens obtained simultaneously from these patients, MAC deposits were found on the vessel walls in nine (75%), but only in six (50%) were deposits found in more than 10% of the intramuscular vessels. The pattern of vitronectin immunoreactivity in skin and muscle biopsy specimens obtained from patients with DM was similar to MAC deposits. The expression of CD59 was normal in all skin and muscle biopsy specimens. CONCLUSIONS: The deposition of MAC was found in a high percentage of biopsy specimens from the lesional skin of patients with DM; it was absent in uninvolved skin. These findings suggest that the complement system may be involved in the pathogenesis of the skin lesions of DM.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Phenotype of glutathione S-transferase Mu (GSTM1) and susceptibility to malignant melanoma. MMM group. Multidisciplinary Malignant Melanoma Group.

The isoenzyme Mu of glutathione S-transferase (GSTM1) is dominantly inherited, and the prevalence of this isoenzyme in the population is about 60%. The lack of GSTM1 has been linked with cancer risk. The frequency of the phenotypes of this isoenzyme in melanoma (MM) patients (n = 197) is reported here. A significantly higher proportion of individuals in the control group (n = 147) had measurable GSTM1 than MM patients (59.1% vs 42%, P = 0.002); there was a higher proportion of positive phenotypes in general among women than among men. Odds ratio analysis indicated that individuals with this polymorphic variant have an approximately 2-fold risk of developing these cancers. GSTM1 phenotype distribution depends on age, smoking habit and tumour pathology. A group of MM patients with dysplastic naevi was also studied.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Angiomyolipoma: the role of puncture-aspiration cytodiagnosis].

Angiomyolipomas (AML) of the kidney are benign tumors easily identified on image studies due to their fat content, but differential diagnosis with renal cell carcinoma may be sometimes difficult. A case of AML with atypical CT feature that were cleared by the characteristic findings on aspiration biopsy cytology is described, and the recent literature concerning controversies of image diagnosis and usefulness of aspiration biopsy cytology of renal AML is discussed.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

Chromosome 9p deletions in cutaneous malignant melanoma tumors: the minimal deleted region involves markers outside the p16 (CDKN2) gene.

We have analyzed 12 microsatellite markers on chromosome 9p in 54 paired cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) tumors and normal tissues. Forty-six percent of the tumors, including two in situ CMMs, showed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at 9p. Only one tumor was homozygously deleted for 9p markers. The smallest deleted region was defined by five tumors and included markers D9S126 to D9S259. Loss of eight or more markers correlated significantly with worse prognosis (P < .002). Among the primary tumors, 87.5% of those with large deletions have a high risk of metastasis, as compared with only 18% of those without deletions or with loss of fewer than 8 markers (P < .001). It was not possible to demonstrate homozygous deletions of p16 in any of the CMM tumors. In four tumors, the LOH for 9p markers did not involve p16. The reported data suggest the existence of several tumor suppressor genes at 9p that are involved in the predisposition to and/or progression of CMM and exclude p16 from involvement in the early development of some melanoma tumors.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Transurethral resection of the intramural ureter as the first step of nephroureterectomy.

Nephroureterectomy is the standard surgical approach for upper urinary tract carcinoma. In 1952 a modified technique was described based on a prior endoscopic disconnection of the intramural ureter as an initial step for subsequent nephroureterectomy via a single lumbar incision. Since October 1989 we performed 31 nephroureterectomies with this technique in 26 men and 5 women (average age 64.5 years). Of the patients 9 had prior bladder carcinoma. The predominant pathological diagnosis of the nephroureterectomy specimens was high grade infiltrating tumor. There were no intraoperative complications except for 1 case of intra-abdominal extravasation detected in the immediate postoperative period and treated conservatively. With an average followup of 20 months, tumor has not recurred at either the resected trigonal area or the retroperitoneum. We believe that our experience assesses the feasibility of this technique to improve and simplify nephroureterectomy, thus, decreasing the morbidity rate and operating time while maintaining the same oncological radicality.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Significance of ureteral carcinoma in situ in specimens of cystectomy.

In a retrospective review of 242 cystectomy specimens performed for bladder carcinoma, ureteral carcinoma in situ was found in 14 patients (5.7%), unilateral in 12 and bilateral in 2. Pathology of the bladder specimen was pT4 (6 cases), pT3 (3 cases), pT2 (1 case), pT1 (3 cases), and pT0 (1 case). In the cystectomy specimen and in previous biopsies, they all had grade 3 tumor, and 85% had bladder CIS. Two patients were lost during follow-up. Seven patients (58.4%) died of metastatic disease without evidence of upper tract recurrence (UTR). Their average survival was 15.8 months (range 4-60). Five patients (41.6%) are alive after an average follow-up of 33.6 months (range 18-72 months). In one case an UTR appeared 53 months after cystectomy. In patients with ureteral CIS and long-term survival, a careful follow-up is advisable. The incidence of UTR is increased in this subgroup (8% global and 20% of survivors) but mortality is due to progressive bladder disease.

Carcinoma in Situ↗
PubMed1994

[Renal angiomyolipoma: diagnostic difficulties and surgical indications in 20 surgically treated patients].

Between 1982 and 1993, 6 male and 14 female patients underwent partial or total nephrectomy due to renal angiomyolipoma (AML). Presentation forms were: in 6 cases (30%) acute pain with severe haematuria or signs of visceral bleeding, 3 (15%) acute pain without other symptoms, 7 (35%) chronic pain associated to haematuria or fever, or isolated haematuria, and in 4 (20%) it was a chance finding. No significant differences were found among tumor sizes considering the severity of the presentation form, but all AMLs with serious signs and symptoms had more than 5 cm diameter. A pre-operative diagnosis of AML was made in 15 (75%) patients, while 5 (25%) underwent surgery for other presumed diagnosis. Nine were conservative procedures of renal parenchyma and 11 were total or radical nephrectomies. There were no significant differences between tumour sizes by treatment performed. The authors review the imaging diagnostic difficulties and the various criteria supporting surgery in AML, and conclude by recommending individualized diagnosis and treatment in patients with AML suspicion of including puncture biopsy or cytology when in doubt, trying to avoid surgery in well characterized tumours, under 4 or 5 cm, provided that they could be followed-up regularly.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Histopathologic findings in cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN: The possible distinction between different types of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) based on histologic features has been largely debated. This study describes the histopathologic features of three distinct subsets of CLE: chronic, annular-subacute, and papulosquamous-subacute. Biopsy specimens from 92 patients with CLE were examined without the clinical diagnosis being known by the examiners. Of them, 36 clinically demonstrated chronic CLE; 32, annular-subacute CLE; and 24, papulosquamous-subacute CLE. RESULTS: In chronic CLE, the dermal changes (basement membrane thickening, dermal colloid bodies, pilosebaceous atrophy, and periappendageal infiltrate) were more frequent, while in annular-subacute CLE, a more severe vacuolation of the basal layer and a greater number of epidermal colloid bodies were seen. In addition, pilosebaceous atrophy and more severe epidermal damage were almost exclusive to chronic CLE and annular-subacute CLE, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although some histologic differences between chronic and annular-subacute CLE exist, histopathologic diagnosis of the CLE subsets can only be accurately established when pilosebaceous atrophy or necrosis of all epidermal layers is observed.

Diagnosis, Differential↗