We investigated the possibility of preoperative diagnosis and clinical features of mature ovarian teratoma containing malignant elements (MOTME). Between 1982 and 1998 in our hospital, MOTME accounted for 2.0% (5 cases) of the total of 251 patients with mature ovarian teratoma (ages, 37-72; mean age, 60.6). Serum CA19-9, CA125, SCC and CEA levels were high. All cases were strongly suspected malignancies, preoperatively diagnosed using serum tumor markers with diagnostic imaging. Two cases of stage I squamous cell carcinoma and one case of borderline malignancy survived, while the other two advanced cases died within 8 months.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Tumor marker and MR imaging criteria for evaluating the efficacy of cyclic balloon-occluded arterial infusion for advanced cancer of the uterine cervix.

We have already reported satisfactory therapeutic results of cisplatin-based cyclic balloon-occluded arterial infusion chemotherapy (BOAI) enabling treatment by simple total hysterectomy (STH) in patients with advanced cervical cancer of the uterus (cervical cancer), with 2- and 5-year survival rates of 88.9% and 66. 7%, respectively. Considering the fact that 3 to 4 months are needed to complete BOAI, the present study was a retrospective assessment of 18 cervical cancer patients to prepare criteria for the early determination of the efficacy of BOAI in patients who can be treated by STH. The results showed that STH could be performed after the first BOAI in patients with SCC value decreased to 34.3+/-8.2% of the pretreatment value (p=0.0001) and whose tumor size had decreased by 45.1+/-7.5% (p=0.0002).

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Bleomycin, actinomycin-D, and cisplatin treatment of ovarian germ-cell malignancies contributes to reducing adverse drug reactions.

Sixteen ovarian germ-cell malignancy (OGCM) patients between 1983 and 1999 were randomly divided into the BEP group (n=6; bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin) and the BAP group (n=10; bleomycin, actinomycin-D and cisplatin). The patients were evaluated for adverse drug reactions (ADRs) based on severity-grading of the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria. The ADRs in the BAP group were milder than in the BEP group, as seen in regard to alopecia (p=0.0126), low hemoglobin (p=0.0147), and decreased neutrophil count (p=0.0197). The five-year survival rate was 87.5% in the BAP group and 83.3% in the BEP group, and the difference was not significant (p=0.5954). BAP therapy is likely to be more beneficial for OGCM patients than BEP therapy, because ADRs are reduced with no difference in outcome.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Kinetics of plasma platinum in a hemodialysis patient receiving repeated doses of cisplatin.

The pharmacokinetics of cisplatin were studied in a 46-year-old hemodialysis patient treated for uterine cancer with weekly cisplatin. Hemodialysis was performed immediately before, one-hour after, and two-hours after cisplatin administration for two consecutive cycles each. The concentrations of total and free platinum were measured. The decay curve of both total platinum and free platinum showed a biphasic pattern characterized by an alpha-phase and a beta-phase, the same as in non-hemodialysis patients. There were no differences between the individual cycles in the peak platinum concentration or the decay pattern. The plasma platinum concentration decreased to below detection limit 3 months after the final dose.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The significance of thymidine phosphorylase expression in colorectal cancer.

We measured thymidine phosphorylase activity in colorectal cancer tissue and conducted immunostaining to investigate enzyme expression in the tumor tissue. The results showed a correlation between staining ratio of thymidine phosphorylase and cancer progression as well as a correlation between enzyme activity and staining ratios of cancer cells and stromal cells. Since enzyme activity levels can be judged by staining ratios, this method may be useful for assessing cancer malignancy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Diagnosis of metastasis of ovarian clear cell carcinoma to the peritoneum of the abdominal wall by positron emission tomography with (fluorine-18)-2-deoxyglucose.

A 43-year old woman, operated on for ovarian clear cell carcinoma (stage IIc) four years previously was found to have a small mass under the abdominal wall in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. Neither diagnostic imaging (ultrasonography and MRI) nor tumor markers showed any evidence of recurrence, but positron emission tomography revealed a hot spot area, and it was diagnosed as recurrence of the ovarian carcinoma. The postoperative histopathological diagnosis was metastasis of ovarian carcinoma to the peritoneal wall.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Combined diagnostic imaging for retroperitoneal schwannoma.

Retroperitoneal tumors are occasionally encountered by gynecologists, and differential diagnosis from adnexal tumors is important, however, it is difficult in many cases. We report a case in which we preoperatively diagnosed a benign solid tumor in the retroperitoneum of the pelvic cavity on the basis of a variety of diagnostic images, including FDG-PET. Postoperative histological examination showed a benign schwannoma in the pelvis. We discuss the usefulness of FDG-PET combined with MRI and other diagnostic images as a means of differentiating between the characteristics of retroperitoneal tumors.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Excellent results of radiotherapy for neuroendocrine carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the uterine cervix is a rare neoplasm that is associated with a poor prognosis, and there have been no reports of excellent results of radiotherapy to treat it. We report a case of neuroendocrine uterine cervical carcinoma, as stage IIIa (FIGO), in which the patient showed a complete clinical response to radiotherapy.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The usefulness and limits of magnetic resonance imaging in the differential diagnosis of pelvic tumors.

Three cases of benign pelvic tumors are presented (2 leiomyomas and 1 fibroma). All three tumors were suspected of being malignant neoplasms because they were visualized as heterogeneous high signal intensity on T2-weighted images, and thus they were difficult to diagnose preoperatively. One of the leiomyomas was located in the retroperitoneum and had been misdiagnosed as an ovarian tumor. All three tumors exhibited secondary myxoid changes, these changes may have been responsible for the high signal intensity on the T2-weighted MR images. Since benign tumors sometimes mimic malignant tumors on MR images, exploratory laparotomy is essential to make a definitive diagnosis.

Female↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in an adenoid cystic carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the uterine cervix is extremely rare, frequently metastasizes to distant organs, and its prognosis is poorer than squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The reasons for its poor prognosis are unclear. This case had both an ACC and a carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the uterine cervix, so the expressions of CD34, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were investigated in both tumors. Hysterectomy was performed on a 76-year old woman and the uterine cervical tissues immunohistochemically analyzed. Expressions of CD34 were positive in the ACC lesions but negative in the CIS ones and angiogenesis was confirmed in ACCs. Furthermore, expressions of VEGF and COX-2 were shown in ACC, but were absent in CIS. In conclusion, the expression of COX-2 in ACC may induce the expression of VEGF, increase angiogenesis and enhance tumor growth and invasion.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in malignant mesenchymal tumors and related uterine lesions.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in uterine sarcoma cells and carcinosarcoma cells is associated with cell type. Nineteen sections of tissues from uterine sarcomas, carcinosarcomas, and an adenosarcoma, and endometrial stromal sarcomas, were immunohistochemically analyzed for the cellular expression of COX-2. Positive immunostaining for COX-2 was observed in 88.9% (8/9) uterine carcinosarcomas, uterine adenosarcomas but was not observed in uterine sarcomas and the endometrial stromal sarcoma (0/10). But positive immunostaining for COX-2 was observed in some sarcomatoid cells in carcinosarcoma tissue. These findings suggest that some of the sarcoma cells in uterine carcinosarcomas resemble epithelial malignant cells in regard to the increase in COX-2 expression, and support the hypothesis that some uterine carcinosarcomas are combination tumors. This may serve as a basis for new chemoprevention and treatment strategies for uterine carcinosarcomas through the inhibition of COX-2 activity.

Adenosarcoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Transient shrinkage of a uterine leiomyosarcoma treated with GnRH agonist for a presumed uterine leiomyoma: comparison of magnetic resonance imaging finding before and during GnRH agonist treatment.

We present a case of a premenopausal woman treated with GnRH agonist for a presumed uterine leiomyoma. This tumor reduced at first, but subsequent surgical specimens revealed a leiomyosarcoma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), one of the most useful modalities for distinguishing between uterine leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma, was undertaken twice, before GnRH agonist administration and then after 6 months of GnRH agonist administration. Apparent differences were observed between these MRI findings. Tumor-size reduction with GnRH agonist treatment does not always mean that the possibility of a leiomyosarcoma should be ruled out.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗