Abnormal Fhit expression in malignant and premalignant lesions of the cervix.

Genetic analysis of cervical cancer has demonstrated frequent allelic loss in the 3p chromosomal region. The newly described gene FHIT is located at chromosome region 3p14.2, and its expression has been demonstrated previously by reverse transcription-PCR to be abnormal in a majority of cervical cancer cell lines. In this study, 98 different lesions of the cervix were examined for Fhit expression by immunohistochemical staining. Whereas normal cervical epithelium demonstrated diffuse, moderate to intense cytoplasmic staining, many pathological lesions of the cervix displayed reduced or absent Fhit expression. Sixty-one percent of squamous carcinomas and 40% of adenocarcinomas of the cervix had abnormal Fhit expression. Sixty-five preneoplastic lesions of the cervix were examined. Eleven of 33 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and 1 of 12 low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions had abnormal Fhit expression. In summary, Fhit expression is frequently abnormal in both glandular and squamous cervical cancers, with a higher frequency of Fhit alterations observed in squamous lesions. In addition, abnormal Fhit expression can be detected in some preneoplastic lesions of the ectocervix. Alterations in Fhit expression may be an important marker of early progression in the development of cancers of the cervix.

Cystoscopy after computed tomography scan to identify bladder invasion in cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical utility of cystoscopy to rule out bladder invasion in cervical cancer patients who have had pelvic computed tomographic (CT) scan. METHODS: We reviewed charts of 49 patients at Walter Reed and Tripler Army Medical Centers who had International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage II or greater cervical cancer and who underwent both cystoscopy and CT scan before treatment. Data retrieved included diagnosis, race, age, cystoscopy results, and CT scan reports. These patients were evaluated and treated between January 1, 1991, and September 1997. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 50 years. Seven of the women were Asian, five black, six white, one Hispanic, and 30 Pacific Islander. There were 40 squamous cell carcinomas and nine adenocarcinomas. There were 25 stage II, 20 stage III, three stage IV, and one recurrent stage II carcinomas. Three patients with bladder invasion were identified by cystoscopy and all also were identified with possible bladder invasion by CT scan. Two additional cases of possible invasion seen on CT scan proved not to be invasion with cystoscopy. The positive predictive valve of CT scan in predicting bladder invasion was 60% (three of five). The negative predictive valve of CT scan in predicting bladder invasion was 100%. CONCLUSION: The utility of performing cystoscopy to rule out bladder invasion in a patient with no evidence of bladder involvement on CT scan is low and might not be necessary.

Large cell neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma: a report of two cases and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Large cell neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma is a rare malignancy. These tumors appear to mimic the aggressive behavior of small cell neuroendocrine tumors. Metastasis and recurrent disease are common. Due to the low incidence of these tumors, optimal therapy has not been delineated. CASES: Two patients presented with large cell neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma, stage IB1 and IIA, at our institution from 1997 to 1999. We describe the clinical course for these two patients and review the relevant literature for the management of large cell cervical carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Unlike squamous cell carcinoma, early-stage large cell neuroendocrine tumors of the cervix are aggressive. Disease recurrences are frequent and distant metastasis is common. Multimodal therapy should be considered at the time of initial diagnosis.