[Association of EGFR expression with angiogenesis and chemoresistance in ovarian carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the association of EGFR expression with angiogenesis and chemoresistance in ovarian cancer. METHODS: Immunohistochemical PV-6000 staining was used to detect the expression of EGFR, LRP protein and MVD in 102 ovarian tumor specimens. RESULTS: EGFR, LRP positive rates and MVD in borderline and malignant ovarian specimens were significantly higher than those in the normal and benign ones (P < 0.01). EGFR positive expression rate in stage III-IV carcinoma tissues, poor differentiation and with ascites was higher than that in stage I-II carcinomas of well differentiation and without ascites (P < 0.05). MVD was related to histological grade, residual tumor and ascites, LRP positive expression had no correlation with the clinicopathologic parameters (P > 0.05). The effective rate of chemotherapy in patients with EGFR and LRP-positive expression were 57.1% and 53.7%, respectively, significantly lower than that in cases with EGFR and LRP-negative expression (85.0% and 90.9%, P < 0.05). In the 64 cases with complete data, the three-year survival rate was 53.0%. The survival time was shorter in the cases with EGFR and LRP-positive expression, poor differentiation, ascites and chemoresistance (P < 0.01), and only LRP-positive expression and chemotherapeutic effect were independently related to survival time (P < 0.05). There was a correlation between EGFR and MVD (r = 0.548, P < 0.01), EGFR and LRP positive expression (P = 0.020). CONCLUSION: The expression of EGFR in ovarian cancer is related to angiogenesis and chemoresistance. EGFR and LRP-positive expression are related to chemoresistance, and detection of the two proteins may be helpful in guiding chemotherapy choice for ovarian cancer. LRP-positive expression and chemotherapeutic effect may be independent prognostic factors.

[Diagnosis and treatment of penile verrucous carcinoma: a report of 4 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the diagnosis and treatment of penile verrucous carcinoma. METHODS: The clinical and pathological data of 4 patients with penile verrucous carcinoma were analyzed. RESULTS: The patients ranged in age from 42 to 76 years (average 52). All the tumors showed exophytic papillary lesions, the biggest being 2.1 to 5.8 cm in diameter. The lesions were confined to the glans penis in two cases and invaded the shafts in the other 2 (1 accompanied by syphilis). One patient, whose tumor was small (1.4 cm in diameter) and confined to the glans penis, underwent glandectomy. One with a larger tumor confined to the glans penis and the other 2 with the shafts involved underwent partial penectomy, including the one accompanied by syphilis, who underwent the operation after treated by Benzathine benzylpenicillin. Histopathological examination of the specimens showed that the tumor cells were mostly well-differentiated and the surgical margins were tumor free in all the 4 cases. HE stain was performed in all the specimens. Microscopic examination revealed papillomatosis and hyperkeratosis of the epithelium, with bulbous projections into the lamina propria consisting of well-differentiated squamous epithelial cells. Marked invasion of the stroma by lymphocytes was noted. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 7 years (average 4.6), revealing no recurrence. The result of the rapid plasma regain (RPR) test was negative but that of the Treponema pallidum passive-particle-agglutination (TPPA) test remained positive in the blood of the patient accompanied by syphilis after treatment. CONCLUSION: Verrucous carcinoma of the penis is characterized by low malignant potential and locally aggressive nature. It seldom develops metastasis to regional lymphonodes or distant areas. Glandectomy or partial penectomy can be chosen for its treatment, with favorable prognosis.