Chromosomal markers as prognostic indicators in transitional-cell carcinomas of the bladder.

Clinical-cytogenetic correlations were assessed in 79 patients with transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder to whom cytogenetic analysis of the primary tumor had been successful. High-grade (G2+G3) and high-stage (T2-T4) tumors had in general a higher ploidy level and contained more marker chromosomes, including multiple markers, compared to low-grade (G0+G1) and low stage (Ta+T1) tumors. The early recurrence rate (within 7 months) was significantly higher (p<0.05) in patients whose tumors contained marker chromosomes compared to cases without markers. Also, a significantly higher proportion of patients with marker chromosomes died due to their disease during the study period (follow-up time 30 months) compared to those without markers (84% versus 16%, p<0.005). The results confirm and extend previous studies showing that cytogenetic findings may be an important prognostic indicator in bladder cancer patients.

Rhodanese activity and total sulfur content in frog and mouse liver.

The activity of rhodanese was histochemically tested in cryostat sections of the frog (Rana temporaria) and mouse liver. The activity levels were evaluated in sections, and the results were expressed as the ratio of the area of all granules, products of the enzymatic test, to the total analyzed area (area fraction). The present study confirmed the biochemically detected activity of rhodanese, and showed a large pool of endogenous sulfane sulfur donors, substrates for rhodanese, in the frog liver. The area of a single granule corresponded to the size of the mitochondrium, what suggests enzyme localization in this organelle. In view of this it should be considered whether the rhodanese activity, biochemically detected in the cytosolic fraction of the frog liver, results from the enzyme action. The total content of sulfur in cryostat sections of the mouse and frog liver was calculated and compared on the basis of the Energy Dispersion Spectrum (EDS) obtained by a scanning microscope. These studies showed higher total sulfur content in the frog liver than in the mouse liver. The high total content of sulfur in the frog liver in autumn might be associated with sulfur storing for protein biosynthesis during the period of hibernation.

Dendritic cells in bronchial adenocarcinoma.

We studied 28 bronchial adenocarcinomas (including 11 bronchiolo-alveolar carcinomas) stained for S-100 protein by the PAP technique in order to visualize dendritic cells in the neoplastic area. Dendritic cells were found in all cases varying in number from single to multiple and from region to region. Bronchiolo-alveolar carcinomas contained a similar quantity of these cells. The most numerous dendritic cells up to several scores per microscopical low-power field almost in all fragments of the tumour were found in three adenocarcinomas with numerous foci of the squamous cell metaplasia. Normal and metaplastic squamous epithelium of the bronchial mucosa did not show the presence of dendritic cells.

Selected immunohistochemical markers in stromal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract.

We studied immunohistochemical reactions to vimentin, desmin and protein S-100 in 43 cases of stromal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. The material studied included: 1 esophageal tumor, 18 gastric tumors, 19 small intestinal tumors and 5 colonic tumors, classified in 13 cases as benign and in 30 cases as malignant neoplasms of various degree of malignancy. Mean age of the patients was 58.9 years. A positive reaction to vimentin was found in 37 cases, a negative reaction concerned an esophageal tumor, two benign tumors (gastric and small intestinal) and three malignant tumors (gastric and two small intestinal). A positive reaction to desmin was detected in an esophageal tumor and in nine gastric tumors. Only one benign small intestinal tumor and three benign colonic tumors showed a positive reaction to desmin. Protein S-100 was found in an esophageal tumor and in 7 out of 18 gastric tumors and in 12 out of 24 intestinal tumors. Coexpression of vimentin and desmin was found in 8 gastric tumors, only in one small intestinal tumor and in three colonic tumors. Three gastric tumors showing both these reactions were all benign. Coexpression of desmin and protein S-100 was found in 7 out of 43 tumors of the alimentary tract. In six cases these tumors were benign. Basing on the results we may say that the presence of these antigens reflects the degree of differentiation of gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, though it does not allow to choose unequivocally conclusions as to their histogenesis.

Sclerosing hemangioma of the lung--benign sclerosing pneumocytoma.

Three cases of sclerosing hemangioma of the lung were studied. All developed in women aged 28, 32 and 59 years. They had been discovered on routine chest roentgenograms and then surgically removed. In two cases the tumours were solitary, in one case there were six tumours varying in size. The histology of this rare tumour and its various types as well as the results of immunohistochemical studies have been described, partly indicating its epithelial origin.

Amyloidoma and marginal zone malignant lymphoma (MALT type) in the gastric antrum. A case report.

A case of a lymphoma of the marginal zone (MALT type) in the antrum of the stomach concomitant with an amyloidoma immunohistochemically corresponding to amyloid AL has been reported in a 69-year-old woman.

Glomus tumour of the oesophagus.

The authors describe a unique case of glomus tumour (glomangioma) located in the oesophagus in a 79-year-old woman.

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the bronchus.

The authors describe an extremely rare case of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of bronchial mucous glands involving lower lobe of the right lung, which was detected on a routine radiological examination in a 34-year-old woman, and then surgically resected.

Pulmonary Langerhans cell granulomatosis (histiocytosis X) in an adult woman. A case report.

A case of histiocytosis X in the lungs of a 49-year-old woman diagnosed by immunohistochemistry has been described. Reaction to antigen S-100 confirmed the presence of dendritic cells in pulmonary infiltrates and bronchial lavage. The treatment with Encorton and Methotrexat appeared successful.

Pulmonary mucinous cystadenoma of borderline malignancy. A report of two cases.

Two cases of pulmonary mucinous cystadenoma of borderline malignancy with favourable prognosis have been reported. The discussion section contains a review of current opinion about differentiating these neoplasms from mucinous carcinomas.

Mature cystic teratoma of the mediastinum containing a carcinoid. A case report.

We report a case of mature mediastinal teratoma containing mature pancreatic tissue and carcinoid in a 57-year-old woman who underwent a successful surgical operation.

Tracheobronchial amyloidosis.

The authors have described eleven cases of tracheobronchial amyloidosis, in 6 men and 5 women with a mean age of 58.7 years. The follow-up period ranged from several month to six years. The clinical picture and histopathological changes in bronchoscopic and postmortem sections in two patients were described. In all cases immunohistochemical examinations for the presence of amyloid AA, AL, transthyretin (prealbumin) and beta 2-microglobulin were performed. In six cases the presence of transthyretin was found. The remaining reactions were negative. Resorptive giant cells reaction to amyloid was observed in 3 transthyretin positive cases and 1 transthyretin negative case. Four cases with negative amyloid in the examination for the presence of transthyretin accompanied bronchial carcinoma, all these cases were men with a mean age of 63.0 years.

Thymomas and thymic carcinomas. Evaluation of the Müller-Hermelink classification.

In the present study the Müller-Hermelink classification was used to analyze 39 thymomas and 4 thymic carcinomas collected over 20 years at the Chair and Department of Pathomorphology CM UJ. Our series consisted of 10 medullary thymomas (25.6%), 13 mixed (33.3%), 7 organoid (17.9%) and 9 cortical thymomas (23.0%). The mean age of the patients was 50.3 and it was the highest in patients with mixed thymomas-58.4 years and the lowest in patients with organoid thymomas-38.9 years, the difference being statistically significant. In the present series women were predominant (24:15). Myasthenia gravis was observed in 10 patients (25.6%), 5 women and 5 men, in 7 of them it was associated with cortical and organoid thymomas. Medullary, mixed and organoid thymomas were usually of lower stage (I and II), having a better prognosis than cortical thymomas and thymic carcinomas. One organoid thymoma recurring after 7 years evolved into cortical thymoma. Two thymic carcinomas were diagnosed as anaplastic, low differentiated, one as sarcomatous and one as well differentiated squamous carcinoma. The mean age of the patients was 39.7 years. The prognosis in all the patients with thymic carcinoma was poor. Based upon personal experience the authors regard the Müller-Hermelink classification as useful, easy to apply, reproducible and providing important prognostic information.

Visceral leishmaniasis diagnosed by trephine biopsy. A case report.

A case of visceral leishmaniasis has been reported in a 41-year-old man. The diagnosis was made on the basis of trephine biopsy and fine needle aspiration biopsy of the spleen.

[Neuromas of the extrahepatic bile ducts]. / Nerwiaki pozawatrobowych dróg zólciowych.

Authors collected three cases of neuromas situated in the wall of extrahepatic bile ducts, which occluded lumen and caused jaundice. In two cases without any evidence of previous surgery or cholelithiasis, neuroma was localized in ductus choledochus. After excision of ductus choledochus and cholecystectomy, we performed hepaticojejunostomy Roux--en Y. In the last patient, 7 years after cholecystectomy, neuroma localized in hepatic duct was treated by T-tube. In all patients with mechanical jaundice, before operation we had never correctly diagnosed this very rare cause of obstruction of extrahepatic bile ducts.

[Thyroid crisis diagnosed on the basis of anatomic-pathologic examination]. / Przelom tarczycowy rozpoznany na podstawie badania anatomopatologicznego.

Graves-Basedow disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Rhabdomyolysis is occasionally associated with metabolic coma or severe electrolyte disturbances. We describe rhabdomyolysis accompany ing thyroid crisis. A 48-years old man admitted with hypovolemic shock developed rhabdomyolysis, congestive heart failure, hepatic failure and renal failure and then died. It is interesting that correct diagnosis was done on the basis of microscopic examination of specimens of the thyroid gland.

[Value of the Kiel morphological classification in the clinical aspects of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]. / Wartosc morfologicznej klasyfikacji kilonskiej w klinice nieziarniczych chloniaków.

After an estimation of the 3 years treatment results and the survival probability in 99 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas it was found that the use of Kiel classification made possible isolation of two clinical forms differing in their prognosis. The 3 years survival of the low-grade (LG) group involving the lymphocytic, the centrocytic and the centrocytic-centroblastic lymphomas has been obtained in 43%, 40% and 69% of patients, respectively (mean 57%). The high-grade (HG) group involving the centroblastic, the immunoblastic, the lymphoblastic and the nonclassified lymphomas shoved the 3 years survival corresponding to 22%, 20%, 7% and 30%, respectively (mean 19%). In both morphological subgroups (LG and HG) the prognosis was better in patients with the limited extent and extranodal localization of the neoplasm. The only possibility of achieving cure was obtaining of full remission.

[A case of tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma in a young woman]. / Przypadek raka gruczolowato-torbielowatego tchawicy u mlodej chorej.

A case of an adenoid cystic carcinoma of trachea is presented. A 30-year-old non-smoking woman with strong inspiratory dyspnea at rest was admitted to the Dept. of Pulmonary Diseases. At auscultation a respiratory murmur was more silent at right lung and stridor over trachea was heard. CT scan revealed tumor at the bifurcation of the trachea. Bronchoscopy was made and biopsy established the diagnosis: adenoid cystic carcinoma. The tumor was partially removed with rigid bronchoscope and radiotherapy was started. Clinical improvement occurred; in control CT scan tumor vanished. The trachea cancers are rare. Symptoms often mimic asthma or chronic bronchitis. Thus in every patient with chronic cough and dyspnea bronchoscopy should be made. A treatment of choice is primary resection and postoperative radiotherapy.