AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Various histogenetic mechanisms have been postulated to explain the biphasic carcinomatous-sarcomatous appearance of malignant mixed mullerian tumors (MMMTs), but the nature of these uncommon neoplasms is still unclear. Some evidence would suggest that MMMT displays similarities with sarcomatoid carcinoma, a tumor arising in extragenital sites that also features a mixed appearance. To gain further insight into the histogenesis of this tumor, we have studied by immunohistochemistry a case of uterine MMMT showing an extensive rhabdomyosarcomatous component. METHODS: A panel of antibodies including reactivity for p53, cytokeratin, vimentin, desmin, muscle actin, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), myoglobin, type IV collagen, laminin, and tenascin was applied to paraffin tumor sections by means of the avidin-biotin complex technique. RESULTS: p53 immunoreactivity was observed in approximately the same number of cells in carcinomatous and sarcomatous tissue. The former stained for vimentin, cytokeratin and EMA, while the latter, in addition to expressing vimentin, desmin, muscle actin and myoglobin, also exhibited immunoreactivity for epithelial markers such as cytokeratin and EMA. At the borders between carcinoma and sarcoma the basement membrane pattern, as seen by staining for type IV collagen and laminin, showed interruptions in correspondence with areas of transition between the two tissues. Antibody to tenascin strongly labeled the sarcomatous tissue immediately around carcinomatous elements. CONCLUSIONS: A similar immunoreactivity for p53 in both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components, expression of epithelial markers in the sarcomatous cells, and disruption of the basement membrane profile in areas of transition between carcinomatous and sarcomatous tissue, would all suggest, as has been postulated for extragenital sarcomatoid carcinomas, an origin from a common epithelial clone and an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation-based mechanism of development for this MMMT. In addition, these findings provide further analogies between these categories of tumors, supporting a unifying nosological concept for MMMTs and sarcomatoid carcinomas of non-genital tract origin.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Recent views on the functional histological classification of malignant lymphomas].

The recent immunological classification of malignant lymphoma (ML) proposed by Lukes and Collins is examined. It is based on morphological changes linked to the dynamics of the reactive or secondary follicular clear centres. B-cells (follicular centre) are small or large and may cleft or not; they may proceed to macrophage or plasma cell types. T cells (around the follicles) are small and round, and have a convolute nucleus. ML types are distinguished by the predominance of one cell element, or by a mixture of cells from the maturative line of the follicular centre, i.e. T-cell (or convolute) lymphomas and B-cell (or follicular centre) lymphomas. Stem cells have none of these features. The classification was applied in a series of 32 non-Hodgkin and 24 Hodgkin ML's. Of the former, 23 were classed as B-cell types: 8 small and 5 large cleft cells; 7 small and 3 large non-cleft cells. The remainder were: 2 B-cell immunoblastic sarcomas, 3 histiocyte ML, 2 small lymphocyte ML, 1 ML with convolute lymphocytes, and 1 case with indeterminate cells ("stem cell lymphoma"). The 24 Hodgkin cases were classified in accordance with Rye's pattern (based on the work of Lukes et al.). It was noted that the numerical prevalence of convolute cells gradually fell, passing from lymphocyte dominance to lymphocyte depletion. At the same time, there was an increase in follicular centre cells and a diminution of plasma cell tending lymphocytes. The problems raised by this new immunological and morphogical classification of ML are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Randomized comparative study using carbocalcitonin i.m. vs carbocalcitonin nasal spray vs ipriflavone x os in the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis].

A comparative study of 90 post-menopausal osteoporotic women, has been carried out. The patients were divided in 3 homogeneous groups. According to 3 different schemes: Group A = 30 patients received carbocalcitonin i.m. 40 UMRC/day/1 month and 40 UMRC/alternating days/2 months followed by 1 month of wash-out for 11 months; Group B = 30 patients received carbolcitonin nasal-spray 80 UMRC/day/1 month and 80 UMRC/alternating day/2 months followed by 1 month of wash-out for 11 months; Group C = 30 patients received ipriflavone x os (600 mg/day/3 months followed by 1 month of wash-out for 3 times). BMC significantly was increased in all Groups after 7 and 11 months. In conclusion, carbocalcitonin and ipriflavone seem to show a similar improving densitometric effect in post-menopausal osteoporosis.

Administration, Intranasal↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Fibroma of the tendon sheath. Description of a case].

One case of fibroma of tendon sheath is described. This tumor is a distinct entity with a characteristic location and histological appearance. The lesion must be distinguished from giant cell tumor of tendon sheath, nodular fasciitis and fibrous histiocytoma. Recurrence rate is 24%. Local excision is the treatment of choice for primary and recurrent lesions.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Epidemiological evaluations of human immunodeficiency virus, herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 and cytomegalovirus infections in drug addicts].

Eighty-eight drug addicts from the "BAN Center" in Torre Annunziata (Naples) and 88 normal subjects pair-matched for age and sex were tested for IgG to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and 2 and cytomegalovirus (CMV). A high prevalence of subjects with antibodies to HSV-1 and CMV (80.7% and 65.9%) were recorded in the control group testifying to the high level of these infections in Campania. Prevalences were higher in drug addicts, and drug abuse was identified as a risk factor for the acquisition of CMV infection (odds ratio = 2.3). Moreover, drug addiction is also a risk factor for HSV-2 and HIV infection as demonstrated by the observation that drug abusers were anti-HSV-2 (9.1 vs. 1.1%, odds ratio = 6.16) or anti-HIV (11.4 vs. 0%, odds ratio = 23.6) positive more frequently than normal controls. Thus, drug addiction is a risk factor for the acquisition of HIV, HSV-2 and CMV infections. This is probably due to similar habits, frequent among drug addicts from our geographic area and uncommon in the normal population, such as tattooing, needle-sharing needlestick and unsafe sex. Some of these habits, such as unsafe sex and tattooing, seem to be, per se, risk factors for the acquisition of both HIV and CMV infections. The data also suggest that HIV infection was probably introduced in Campania more recently than in northern and central Italy where the prevalence of anti-HIV positive cases among drug addicts is definitely higher.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMedDate not supplied