Gender-related differences in target organ damage in untreated patients with essential hypertension.

We examined the gender-related differences in target organ damage in 220 untreated patients with essential hypertension (106 men and 114 women). As the indices of target organ damage, we examined the left ventricular mass index and the intima-media thickness in the carotid and femoral arteries obtained from echocardiography. In a multiple regression model, there was a significant positive correlation between the intima-media thickness and age in both groups. In men, there was a significant positive correlation between the left ventricular mass index and age, as well as the diastolic blood pressure, and body mass index. In women, there was a significant positive correlation between the left ventricular mass index and age, as well as plasma renin activity and smoking. In conclusion, there are gender-related differences in the contributing factors, which relate to left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with essential hypertension.

Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the ascending colon: report of a case.

We report a rare case of primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the ascending colon. A 66-year-old man presented to our hospital with epigastralgia, and abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography showed a large soft-tissue mass in the ascending colon. Barium enema and endoscopic examination showed a huge tumor in the ascending colon. At laparotomy, we found a tumor in the ascending colon and performed a right hemicolectomy with en bloc lymph node dissection. The resected specimen contained a tumor measuring 14.5 x 8.0 x 4.5 cm, the cut surface of which was yellowish. Based on histological and immunohistological studies, the tumor was diagnosed as MFH of the ascending colon. To our knowledge, only 20 cases of colorectal MFH, including our case, have been documented, which we review following this case report.

[Weekly paclitaxel administration and intraabdominal CBDCA injection possibly beneficial treatment for recurrent breast cancer associated with metastatic ovarian cancer and peritoneal dissemination after operation--a case report].

A 46-year-old woman who had received mastectomy for breast cancer 6 years earlier complained of abdominal distension. Computed tomography and ultrasonography revealed massive ascites and ovarian swelling of both sides. She was diagnosed as having primary ovarian cancer and peritoneal dissemination, and underwent a total hysterectomy as well as ovarectomy on both sides. After surgery, she received a sequential chemotherapy, ie, intraabdominal injection of carboplatin (CBDCA 300 mg/m2) and div administration of paclitaxel (PTX 180 mg/m2) as a standard regimen for advanced ovarian cancer. However, detailed histological examinations showed that the ovarian cancer had metastasized from her breast cancer. It is well-known that breast cancer easily metastasizes to the bone, liver, pleura and lymph node, but rarely to the ovarium or peritoneum when chemotherapy is conducted. Therefore, no standard therapy has been established for breast cancer metastasizing to the ovarium. Our patient received 4 cycles of weekly administration of PTX (PTX 80 mg/m2, 3 consecutive weeks, 1-week break), followed by oral administration of doxifluridine+anastrozole on an outpatient basis. No evidence of recurrence of breast cancer has been noted 1 year after surgery. This result suggests that weekly administration of PTX and intraabdominal injection of CBDCA might be beneficial in the treatment of recurrent breast cancer associated with metastatic ovarian cancer and peritoneal dissemination after operation.

[Weekly administration of paclitaxel might be beneficial against TS-1-resistant recurrent gastric cancer--a case report].

At one year after postoperative adjuvant therapy consisting of TS-1, UFT, and PSK, lymph-node metastasis and recurrent suprarenal metastasis were confirmed in a patient with Stage IV gastric cancer. Despite TS-1 therapy (120 mg/body, 4 consecutive weeks, 2-week break), the therapeutic effect remained PR, and the severity of adverse reactions, such as skin symptoms, leukopenia, and diarrhea, ranged from grade 1 to 3. Although this therapy was continued intermittently, the therapeutic effect worsened to PD and, as a result, the therapy was discontinued. Next, in accordance with the treatment of recurrent and advanced breast cancer, weekly paclitaxel (PTX 80 mg/m2, 3 consecutive weeks, 1-week break) administration was performed on an outpatient basis. CR was achieved after 4 cycles. In addition, no adverse reactions were seen. Therefore, the weekly administration of PTX for the treatment of recurrent gastric cancer resistant to 5-FU anticancer agents is extremely useful, as the antitumor effect of this therapy was great, no adverse reactions were seen, and it can be performed on an outpatient basis.

Pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma associated with familial adenomatous polyposis.

A 45-year-old woman presented with asymptomatic solid tumor in the lower right lobe of the lung. Histologically, the tumor comprised a monolayer of surface cells and round stromal cells displaying sclerotic areas. Immunohistochemical studies suggested a diagnosis of sclerosing hemangioma. Interestingly, morular lesions were also observed. Analyses of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract showed mild familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and numerous fundal gland polyps, indicating attenuated FAP (AFAP). All components of the sclerosing hemangioma displayed aberrant nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of beta-catenin. However, such findings were much weaker in adenomas of the GI tract and were barely observed in fundal gland polyps. These results strongly suggest an association between sclerosing hemangioma and the AFAP. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the second report of lung tumor associated with FAP and is the first describing an association with sclerosing hemangioma. A new category of FAP-associated lung tumors may be indicated.