Nucleolar organizer regions in ovarian tumors: discrimination between carcinoma and borderline tumor.

Nonhistone nucleoproteins associated with the nucleolar organizer region (NOR) can be visualized by a silver-staining technique on paraffin-embedded tissues. The number of black dots (Ag NORs) appearing on the nuclei are thought to reflect cell differentiation of certain tumors and can be used as an adjunct in predicting their evolution. We applied this method to determine if Ag NORs counts could be used as a diagnostic aid in borderline tumors of the ovary. Thirty-two cases of adenocarcinomas, 25 cases of borderline tumors, and 14 cases of adenomas were selected from Bouin-fixed archival material after histological examination. Both mean values of Ag NORs counts demonstrated a progressive increase from adenomas to borderline tumors and to carcinomas; the differences were statistically significant. Using discriminant analysis, all cases of benign and malignant tumors except one adenoma and one carcinoma were discriminated as belonging to an individualized group. No difference was found between borderline tumor with peritoneal implants and those without peritoneal implants. The results indicate that the Ag NORs counting procedure may be useful in distinguishing borderline tumors from carcinomas and adenomas. Ag NORs counts cannot, however, predict the clinical behavior of borderline tumors of the ovary.

Hypopharyngeal sebaceous carcinoma: a case report.

A hypopharyngeal squamous-cell carcinoma with sebaceous differentiation is reported. In the primary as well as the metastatic lymph nodes, the tumor showed basaloid, squamous, and sebaceous cells. In addition, immunostaining for S-100 protein and vimentin manifested scattered cells showing cytoplasmic processes suggesting myoepithelial cells. An exhaustive review of the literature revealed only one similar case previously reported. The probable origin from the minor salivary glands is discussed.

[Hoffmann-Zurhelle superficial cutaneous lipomatous nevus. Apropos of a case]. / Le naevus lipomateux cutané superficiel d'Hoffmann et Zurhelle. A propos d'une observation.

The authors report a case of lipomatous naevus present for 35 years, and therefore probably congenital, in a 48 year old female patient. This bulging lesion was 2.5 cm in diameter with a slightly encephaloid appearance. The authors reviewed the limited literature on the subject in order to more clearly define this hamartomatous lesion which has a constant histological appearance, but very variable clinical and macroscopic features.

[Bronchial cytology in the diagnosis of broncho-pulmonary cancer in Tunisia]. / Apport de la cytologie bronchique dans le diagnostic du cancer broncho-pulmonaire en Tunisie.

The authors present a retrospective study of 287 pulmonary cytologic exams censed in Pasteur Institute - Tunis between 1970 and 1986. These 287 exams consist of 145 bronchic aspiration liquids and 142 spittles. A systematic exam was practiced in patients presenting a pulmonary symptomatology suggesting little or not at all broncho pulmonary cancer. 40 of these exams present cancerous cells (15 cases) or suspected cancerous cells (25 cases). The biopsy confirms a malignant tumor in 25 patients (5%). These results should urge us toward a cytologic exam not only in adults presenting any respiratory symptomatology, but also in subjects at high risk, especially smokers. Localising the tumor is necessary for the biopsy. This biopsy will lead us to determine the histologic type and consequently the adequate therapy.

[Fibro-inflammatory polyposis of the stomach: apropos of a case]. / Le polype fibro-inflammatoire de l'estomac: à propos d'un cas.

The stomach fibro-inflammatory-polyp is distinguished from the eosinophilic granuloma by some authors because of their geographic assessments. It is an inflammatory affection represented by a pseudo tumoral lesion. We present a case concerning a woman, 62 years old, who presented since 10 years a Biermer anaemia; a neoplastic affection was suspected, and then denied by histopathologic exam. We shall discuss the pathogenic and therapeutic data proposed by the literature. Recently, the treatment of this benign lesion consists in endoscopic resection. There no recurrence or malignant degeneration.