A rare case of microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma arising in mature cystic teratoma of the ovary.

Malignant transformation of a mature cystic teratoma (MCT) of the ovary is rare, with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) being the most common type. The authors report a novel case of microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma arising in a mature cystic teratoma of the ovary. A 56-year-old woman presented with a 12-cm mass, which was diagnosed as a left ovarian mature cystic teratoma preoperatively by ultrasonography. Subsequently, laparoscopic surgery for the ovarian tumor was performed. The pathologic diagnosis was microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma arising in a mature cystic teratoma of the ovary. Appropriate staging surgery was then performed, with no evidence of malignant tissue except for the removed left ovary. Microinvasive SCC arising in MCT of the ovary is extremely rare, and, to the best of the authors' knowledge, this has not previously been reported in the literature.

Clinical usefulness of concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) for gynecological cancer patients with refractory massive ascites due to cancerous peritonitis.

PURPOSE: Cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) is intended to treat patients by ultrafiltration and reinfusion of their refractory ascites. In the CART system, bacteria and cancer cells in removed massive ascites are filtrated. Then, water is removed in the condenser, resulting in a higher protein concentration. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical usefulness of CART in the treatment of refractory massive ascites in patients with cancerous peritonitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CART was performed 13 times in four patients with ovarian and endometrial cancer. RESULTS: Autologous protein with a higher concentration was intravenously administered. The amount of aspirated and condensed ascites was 3,190 +/- 1,086 ml (975 4,500 ml) and 538 +/- 249 ml (100 - 860 ml), respectively. Condensed albumin, albumin concentration, and concentration time were 43.2 +/- 25.8 g, 8.2 +/- 3.3 g/dl, and 73.3 +/- 24.8 min (28 - 122 min), respectively. CART was effective in maintaining serum albumin concentrations, and it is possible to repeat infusion. During CART, patients performance status was 1-2 and vital signs were stable except for mild elevations in body temperature. Daily life was maintained without serious side-effects. CONCLUSIONS: The use of CART for gynecological cancer patients with refractory massive ascites due to cancerous peritonitis contributes to improvements in quality of life and relief of symptoms. With autologous infusion of condensed ascites, patients can avoid infection, allergic reactions, and administration of expensive blood products.

Safety and efficacy of a splenectomy during debulking surgery for Müllerian carcinoma.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of a splenectomy and to analyze the prognostic factors of Müllerian carcinoma with spleen metastasis. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 11 patients with Müllerian carcinoma who underwent a splenectomy between 1997 and 2007. The treatment outcome of these patients was examined and the possible prognostic factors were investigated by univariate analysis. RESULTS: Four and seven patients underwent a splenectomy for primary and recurrent disease, respectively. A complete resection was achieved in eight patients. A blood transfusion was not required and only two mild postoperative complications were observed. The median and five-year survivals of all patients following treatment were 39 months and 39%, respectively. Older patients (> or = 60 years old) and patients with a poor performance status (PS2) had a poorer prognosis by univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: A splenectomy can be performed safely and effectively during debulking surgery for appropriately selected patients with primary or recurrent Müllerian carcinoma.

A polypeptide containing 55 amino acid residues coded by the pre-S region of hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid bears the receptor for polymerized human as well as chimpanzee albumins.

The receptor for polymerized human and chimpanzee albumins has been identified on a hepatitis B surface antigen polypeptide of approximately 31,000 daltons. The polypeptide, designated P31, is composed of the major polypeptide of hepatitis B surface antigen (P22) and an additional, as yet unidentified, amino acid sequence. We split P31 with cyanogen bromide and obtained a polypeptide of approximately 8000 daltons (P8) that contained carbohydrate. P8 could bind to polymerized human and chimpanzee albumins, but not to polymerized albumins from animals without susceptibility to hepatitis B virus. The amino acid composition of P8 closely resembled that of 55 amino-acid sequence coded by the pre-S region in the deoxyribonucleic acid of hepatitis B virus. Using monoclonal antibody against P8, a solid-phase sandwich radioimmunoassay was developed for the specific determination of hepatitis B surface antigen bearing the receptor for polymerized albumin in the serum of patients with hepatitis B virus infection.