[Use of Xanthii spinosi herba in treatment of benign prostate hypertrophia]. / A Xanthii spinosi herba alkalmazása a jóindulatú prosztata megnagyobbodás kezelésében.

The aim of our study was to asses the efficacy of Xanthii spinosi herba in the treatment of rats with benign prostate hypertrophia induced under experimental conditions. Benign prostate hypertrophia (BPH) was induced by per oral (p.o.) administration of testosterone undecanoate (40 mg Undestor capsules) in concentrations of 15 mg/ kg/day and 35 mg/ kg/day. Drug induced BPH was treated with Xanthii spinosi herba as infusion and tincture. Drug induced benign prostate hyperplasia in rats was accompanied by a series of physical changes, like weight increase and shinier fur, and also by behavioral changes (increased appetite, aggression, increased libido). Prostate size was higher in all groups of animals treated with testosterone undecanoate compared to the control group. The morphopathological study of the organs taken from slaughtered animals, showed some microscopic changes in the prostate. In animals treated with Xanthii spinosi herba (infusion and tincture) we observed a decrease in volume of the prostate, while the microscopic changes were absent.

Histopathological and immunohistochemical features of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most frequent mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Major advances in their definition and classification and the understanding of their molecular mechanisms have recently been made. These advances have become a model of targeted therapy in oncology. The diagnosis of GISTs relies on histological arguments - proliferation of spindle cells, seldom of epithelioid cells or both spindle and epithelioid cells - and on immunohistochemical arguments - expression of CD117 usually associated with CD34 expression. The evaluation of the prognosis is essential and based on a simple algorithm using two prognostic parameters, tumor size and mitotic index. The aim of this paper is a complex histopathological assessment, using both classic and modern (immunohistochemistry) techniques, of the GISTs comprised in the study. GISTs occur mainly in older adults (median age 60-69 years), anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract but also retroperitoneal. Most of them were nodular (75%), tumor necrosis and mucosal ulceration being the most frequent encountered secondary alterations; these modifications proved to be significantly correlated with large tumor size and high malignancy. Immunohistochemical evaluation revealed that 77 (97%) cases of GISTs presented a positive reaction for CD117, 50 (63%) cases were positive for CD34, 19 (24%) were positive for SMA and only 10 (13%) were positive for S100. Immunohistochemical evaluation remains an important tool of pathology in the diagnosis of GISTs, in the differential diagnosis from other gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors and represents the gold standard for diagnosis of these tumors and an eligibility criterion for imatinib therapy.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: review on morphology, diagnosis and management.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most frequent mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Major advances in their definition and classification and the understanding of their molecular mechanisms have recently been made. These advances have become a model of targeted therapy in oncology. The diagnosis of GISTs relies on histological arguments--proliferation of spindle-shaped cells in 70% of cases, of epithelioid cells in 20%, histological variants are rare--, and on immunohistochemical arguments--expression of CD117 in 95%, usually associated with CD34 expression in 70% of cases. Most GISTs are associated with molecular abnormalities in low target genes: KIT and PDGFRA. The differential diagnosis of GISTs includes the other mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, such as leiomyomas, leiomyosarcomas, schwannomas and intra-abdominal fibromatosis. The evaluation of the prognosis is essential and is based on a simple algorithm using two histoprognostic parameters, tumor size and mitotic index. The treatment of localized GISTs is surgical resection and that of advanced or unresecable GISTs is based on the use of targeted therapy, imatinib, which is a pharmacological antagonist of the c-kit protein. Proper understanding and utilization of the diagnostic criteria and classification of GISTs by pathologists are essential for good patient management.