A single centre experience in Turkey for comparison between core needle biopsy and surgical specimen evaluation results for HER2, SISH, estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors in breast cancer patients.

Background: Breast carcinoma diagnosis can be made with core-needle biopsy (CNB), but there are controversies regarding the evaluation of hormone receptor (HR) status in needle biopsy specimens. When preoperative neoadjuvant therapy is required in breast cancer cases, the CNB specimen should be evaluated to decide on the treatment. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to compare the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and silver in situ hybridization (SISH) results of the CNB specimens and surgical specimens (SS) of our breast carcinoma cases. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included cases diagnosed with breast cancer in our center for approximately 1 year between 2017 and 2018. About 97 cases with both CNB specimens and SS were included in the study. Data such as the ER, PR, HER2, and SISH evaluation results in CNB and SS, age distribution and histopathological type, metastatic lymph nodes, lymphovascular invasion, tumor size, and grade of the tumor were recorded. The data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, Armonk, NY, USA) software. Results: All of the cases were female and 70.1% of them were aged over 45. About 27.8% of the cases were aged 31-45 years, and 2.1% were aged under 30. When evaluated according to the histopathological type of the tumor, 71.1% of cases were invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), 8.2% were invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), 6.2% were IDC + ILC, 11.3% were another carcinoma, and 3.1% were in situ carcinoma. 12.4% of the cases were Grade I, 43.3% were Grade II, and 20.6% were Grade III. 43.3% of our cases' tumor size were ≤2 cm and 56.7% >2 cm. 50 (51.5%) of these cases had no lymph node metastasis. It was found out that 36 (37.1%) of the cases had 1-4 metastatic lymph nodes and 11 (11.3%) of them had 5 and more metastatic lymph nodes. It was found out that 44 (45.4.%) of the cases had no lymphovascular invasion and 53 (54.6%) of them had a lymphovascular invasion. When HR statuses in CNB and SS were compared, ER was found to have a sensitivity of 96.1% and a specificity of 100%. PR was found to have a sensitivity of 94.2% and a specificity of 66.7%. HER2 was found to have a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 73.4%. Conclusion: ER evaluation results are reliable in deciding on needle biopsy material. PR may show the heterogeneous distribution in HER2 tumor. Thus, if PR and HER2 results in needle biopsy material are negative, assessments should be repeated in SS.

Cardiac Masses: Pathological and Surgical Features - A Multicenter Study.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to review the surgical excision results and pathological diagnostic features of rarely observed intracardiac masses in the light of the literature. Diagnosis and treatment approaches and complications were evaluated. METHODS: Forty patients (26 females, mean age 52.1±18.1 years, and 14 males, mean age 48.1±20.5 years), who had undergone surgery for intracardiac mass between January 2008 and December 2018, were included in this study. The patients' data were analyzed retrospectively from the medical records of both centers. RESULTS: When the pathological diagnoses were examined, 85.8% of the masses (n=35) were observed to be benign (benign tumor + hydatid cyst) and 14.2% (n=5) were malignant tumors. The masses were most commonly located in the left atrium (75%, n=30), and this was followed by the right ventricle (12.5%, n=5), right atrium (7.5%, n=3), and left ventricle (5%, n=2). Of the patients, 7.5% (n=3) died during the early postoperative period, while the remaining 92.5% (n=37) were discharged with healing. In the histopathological diagnosis of the patients, in whom in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events were observed, there was malignancy in two cases. CONCLUSION: Intracardiac masses, which have pathological features, are severe life-threatening problems. In-hospital mortality is frequent, especially in malignant tumors.

High Doses of Boron Have No Protective Effect Against Nephrolithiasis or Oxidative Stress in a Rat Model.

Boron plays roles in the metabolism of calcium, vitamin D, steroid hormones, healthy bone development, and maintenance of cell membranes. The biological effects of boron are dose-dependent but follow a U-shaped pattern, rendering it important to define the active range. The studies of Bahadoran et al. on rats and Naghii et al. on humans showed that low doses of boron (3 and 10 mg/day) prevented kidney stone formation. The aim of this study was to determine whether high doses of boron have an anti-urolithiatic or antioxidant effect on nephrolithiasis in an experimental rat model. The study was conducted on 50 adult male Wistar rats randomized to five groups. Nephrolithiasis was induced with water containing 0.75% ethylene glycol (EG) and 2% ammonium chloride (AC). This treatment was given to animals in all groups for 10 days, except the positive and negative controls. Simultaneously, groups 2, 3, and 4 were given boric acid via gavage at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day (equivalent to 4/8/16 mg boron respectively) as the source of boron. Animals in the negative and positive control groups were given 6 µL/g distilled water without boric acid. At day 10, intra-cardiac blood samples were drawn from all animals. The right and left kidneys were removed for biochemical and histopathological examinations, respectively. The groups were compared with respect to serum urea, creatinine, calcium, phosphorous, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), serum paraoxonase (PON1) activity, tissue calcium and oxalate levels, and stone burden as determined by histopathological examination. Serum urea and creatinine levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively), while serum calcium and phosphorous levels were significantly lower (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively), in animals given EG/AC compared to negative controls. No significant differences were detected in serum calcium, phosphorous, urea, or creatinine levels between animals treated with boron and positive controls (p > 0.05). Serum PON1 activity was significantly lower in animals given EG/AC than in negative controls (p < 0.001), while no significant difference in serum PON1 level was detected between rats treated with boron and positive controls. No significant differences were detected in vitamin D, TAS, TOS, tissue calcium, or tissue oxalate levels among groups. No stone formation was detected on histopathological examination in negative controls. No significant differences were found in stone formation between rats treated with boron and positive controls. Based on this study, high doses of boron had no protective effect against nephrolithiasis and oxidative stress.

Can Laws Be a Potential PET Image Texture Analysis Approach for Evaluation of Tumor Heterogeneity and Histopathological Characteristics in NSCLC?

We investigated the association between the textural features obtained from 18F-FDG images, metabolic parameters (SUVmax, SUVmean, MTV, TLG), and tumor histopathological characteristics (stage and Ki-67 proliferation index) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The FDG-PET images of 67 patients with NSCLC were evaluated. MATLAB technical computing language was employed in the extraction of 137 features by using first order statistics (FOS), gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), gray-level run length matrix (GLRLM), and Laws' texture filters. Textural features and metabolic parameters were statistically analyzed in terms of good discrimination power between tumor stages, and selected features/parameters were used in the automatic classification by k-nearest neighbors (k-NN) and support vector machines (SVM). We showed that one textural feature (gray-level nonuniformity, GLN) obtained using GLRLM approach and nine textural features using Laws' approach were successful in discriminating all tumor stages, unlike metabolic parameters. There were significant correlations between Ki-67 index and some of the textural features computed using Laws' method (r = 0.6, p = 0.013). In terms of automatic classification of tumor stage, the accuracy was approximately 84% with k-NN classifier (k = 3) and SVM, using selected five features. Texture analysis of FDG-PET images has a potential to be an objective tool to assess tumor histopathological characteristics. The textural features obtained using Laws' approach could be useful in the discrimination of tumor stage.

Immunohistochemical expression profiles of BRAF (V600E/VE1) in serrated colon polyps in Turkish population.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Colon carcinoma, as one of the most common cancers, has been investigated for genetic alterations. Besides well-known adenoma-carcinoma sequence, it is recently found that BRAF mutation had an important role particularly in early stages of adenocarcinomas with serrated features. There are no any studies concerning immunohistochemical expression status of BRAF V600E (VE1) antibody in serrated polyps in the Turkish population. The objective of this study is to observe the immunohistochemical staining of BRAF V600E (VE1) antibody in colon polyps in the Turkish population and investigate the frequency of presence of mutated BRAF proteins indicating malignant potential. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 59 cases of serrated polyps (27 cases of hyperplastic polyps, 18 cases of sessile serrated adenoma/polyps and 14 cases of traditional serrated adenomas) and 10 tubular adenomas, and 10 samples of normal colonic mucosa were immunohistochemically evaluated for the presence of BRAF V600E mutated proteins with the VE1 antibody. Results were statistically compared. RESULTS: All SSA/Ps; 92.8% of TSAs; 37% of HPs were stained positively. Of the 27 hyperplastic polyps, all GCHPs were negative but 10 of 12 MVHPs (83.3%) were weakly positive with the VE1 antibody. Cases in control groups and tubular adenomas didn't show any cytoplasmic staining. CONCLUSION: Serrated adenoma/polyps have been gaining much more importance because of their malignant potential. Their frequency is also relatively high in the Turkish population and they should be carefully handled. Detection of BRAF V600E status can be easily achieved immunohistochemically by VE1 antibody. It is easily applicable and reproducible method and it might be helpful in identifying serrated lesions of the colon in addition to morphological features.

Cytogenetic damage of radiotherapy in long-term head and neck cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: To evaluate cytogenetic damage of radiotherapy (RT) and chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in long-term head and neck cancer survivors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 20 patients treated with RT (10 patients) or CRT (10 patients) for head and neck cancer. Nine healthy volunteers were included as control subjects. Cytochalasin B-blocked micronucleus (CBMN) assay was used to evaluate cytogenetic damage. To evaluate micronucleus (MN) by CBMN, the venous blood samples were drawn median 68 months (range 60-239 months) after the completion of treatment (RT or CRT) for head and neck cancer. RESULTS: Nuclear division index (NDI) and number of MN in mononuclear and binuclear lymphocytes were significantly higher in patients with head and neck cancer than in control subjects [1.19 (1.08-1.47) vs. 1.07 (1.04-1.14), p < 0.001; 11.0 (2.0-22.0) vs. 1.0 (0-3.0), p < 0.001 and 15.0 (5.0-45.0) vs. 9.0 (2.0-15.0), p = 0.020, respectively]. NDI and number of MN in mononuclear lymphocytes were significantly lower in control subjects compared patients received CRT and those received only RT, but there was no significant difference between patients received CRT and those received only RT. Number of MN in binuclear lymphocytes was significantly lower in control subjects compared to patients received CRT, but there was no significant difference between control subjects and those received only RT. Also there was no significant difference between patients received CRT and those received only RT in terms of number of MN in binuclear lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: MN frequency of mononuclear and binuclear lymphocytes in medical follow-up of patients with head and neck cancer after RT could be important in evaluating cytogenetic damage of RT. However, further investigations are needed to provide quantitative correlations between MN yields and the clinical features in post-radiotherapy period.

Is Human Kallikrein 11 in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Treated Chemoradiotherapy Associated with Survival?

PURPOSE: Involvement of human kallikreins (hKs) in human cancers has been reported and several hKs are promising biomarkers of various cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of hK11 expression in patients with non-metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 44 patients with NSCLC. hK11 expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The estimation of disease-free and overall survival by Kaplan-Meier was 11 months and 17 months, respectively. The estimation of overall survival by Kaplan-Meier was significantly higher in patients with hK11 strongly positive (2+) than in those with hK11 weakly positive (1+) (20 months vs. 11 months, p=0.032). Although not statistically different, the estimation of disease-free survival by Kaplan-Meier was higher in patients with hK11 strongly positive (2+) than in those with hK11 weakly positive (1+) (12 months vs. 9 months, p=0.113). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the overall survival rates were significantly associated with response to chemoradiotherapy and the degree of staining with hK11. CONCLUSION: The stronger hK11 expression in NSCLC appears to be associated with better survival rates. hK11 may be a prognostic biomarker of NSCLC.

Stewart-Treves Syndrome after Bilateral Mastectomy and Radiotherapy for Breast Carcinoma: Case Report.

Stewart-Treves syndrome is an angiosarcoma that occurs because of chronic lymphedema, which in most cases is a complication after mastectomy with axillary node dissection and postoperative radiation. Prognosis for this rare tumor is poor. The best therapy is early and radical excision. Chronic lymphedema seems to be an important pathogenic factor. We report a 59-year-old patient with chronic lymphedema and lymphangiosarcoma of the left upper limb who had a left modified radical mastectomy with axillary node dissection and postoperative radiation nine years ago. Additionally, the patient underwent a right modified radical mastectomy with axillary node dissection and postoperative radiation one year ago. In this report, we present a case of Stewart-Treves syndrome after the patient was operated for bilateral breast carcinoma, a review of literature, and principles of treatment.

Radionuclide imaging for breast cancer diagnosis and management: is technetium-99m tetrofosmin uptake related to the grade of malignancy?

There are different scoring systems available for determining the grade of breast cancer malignancy. Breast cancer tumors have been described for grades 1-3 using the modified Nottingham-Bloom-Richardson grading system. Determining the grade is very important for the clinicians to choose the best treatment options. Technetium-99m methoxy isobutyl isonitrile ((99m)Tc-MIBI) and pentavalent (99m)Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid ((99m)Tc(V)-DMSA) scintigraphy have been used and are under evaluation for being prognostic factors for breast carcinoma. Radionuclide breast imaging not only visualizes the lesion site but also reflects specific biological and functional lesion features, including perfusion, proliferative potential, metabolic activity and receptor status.

Rate of metastasis in examined lymph nodes as a predictor of extracapsular extension in patients with axillary node-positive breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The status of the axillary lymph nodes is an important factor in the prognosis and treatment of breast cancer. Extracapsular extension (ECE) is the spread of lymphatic tumor cells beyond the capsule of an axillary lymph node. Recent studies have demonstrated that ECE is a strongly unfavorable prognostic factor. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we investigated whether the rate of metastasis among examined lymph nodes can be used to predict ECE in patients with axillary node-positive breast cancer. METHODS: The subjects were 95 women with axillary node-positive breast cancer. The numbers of lymph nodes removed (examined) and lymph nodes involved were recorded. The cut-off values, area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated with the receiver operating characteristic curve technique for ability of the rate of metastasis to examined lymph nodes to predict ECE. RESULTS: The rate of metastasis to examined lymph nodes was significantly greater in patients with ECE than in patients without ECE [0.57 (0.03-1.00) vs. 0.22 (0.04-1.00), respectively, p: 0.001]. Similarly, the presence of vascular infiltration was significantly higher in patients with ECE than in those without ECE [30 (73.2%) vs. 25 (47.2%) respectively, p: 0.010]. On the other hand, other variables did not differ between the groups (p>0.05). When the cut-off value was ≥0.23, the sensitivity and specificity of the rate of metastasis to examined lymph nodes were 80.49% and 55.56%, respectively. The area under the curve was 0.697 (95% confidence interval: 0.594-0.787, p: 0.004). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that rate of metastasis among examined lymph nodes is a predictor of ECE in patients with axillary node-positive breast cancer.

Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: A rare carcinoma with chondroid metaplasia.

Metaplastic breast carcinoma accounts for less than 1% of breast malignancies. Huvos et al. first introduced the term metaplastic carcinoma in 1974. It is usually seen together with poorly differentiated ductal carcinoma of the breast. Within its mesenchymal components, undifferentiated connective tissue cells, fibroblasts, osteoblasts and chondroblasts can be found. Metaplastic breast carcinoma is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis. In this report, a case of a 45-year-old female patient who underwent segmental mastectomy with a diagnosis of metaplastic carcinoma of the breast is presented.

Ratio of metastatic to examined lymph nodes is a predictor of mortality in locally advanced gastric cancer treated chemo-radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate whether the ratio between the number of metastatic lymph nodes and the number of total removed lymph nodes (MLR) is related survival in patients with locally advanced (stage 3) gastric cancer treated chemo-radiotherapy. METHODOLOGY: We included 179 patients with locally advanced lymph node-positive gastric cancer treated chemo-radiotherapy within this study. The cut-off values, area under curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity were calculated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve technique for MLR. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of MLR for mortality were 71.54% and 51.79%, respectively, when the cutoff level was accepted as the ratio ≥ 0.3. The AUC for the predictive value of MLR with regard to mortality was 0.609 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.533-0.681, p: 0.0135). Overall survival rates were significantly lower in patients with high MLR than in those with low MLR (15 months vs. 35 months, p: 0.002, respectively). In multivariate analysis, overall survival rates were significantly associated with MLR status (low or high). CONCLUSION: The simple and easily obtainable MLR is an independent predictor for mortality in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer even if chemo-radiotherapy, which is known to increase local control, was given.

Are neutrophil/lymphocyte and platelet/lymphocyte rates in patients with non-small cell lung cancer associated with treatment response and prognosis?

BACKGROUND: Inflammation is a critical component of tumor progression. Many cancers arise from sites of infection, chronic irritation, and inflammation. It is now becoming clear that the tumour microenvironment, which is largely orchestrated by inflammatory cells, is an essential participant in the neoplastic process, promoting proliferation, survival and migration. Platelets can release some growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor, platelet factor 4, and thrombospondin. Such factors have been shown to promote hematogenous tumour spread, tumor cell adhesion and invasion, and angiogenesis and to play an important role in tumor progression. In this study, we aimed to investigate effects of the pretreatment neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) on survival and response to chemoradiotherapy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-four patients with non-metastatic NSCLC were included and separated into two groups according to median value of NLR and PLR (low: <3.44 or high: ≥ 3.44 and low: <194 or high ≥ 194, respectively). RESULTS: Pretreatment high NLR and PLR were associated with significantly shorter disease-free and overall survival rates. Multivariate analysis revealed that the overall survival rates were significantly linked with PLR (OR: 1.87, CI: 1.20-2.91, p: 0.006) and response to chemoradiotherapy (OR: 1.80, CI: 1.14-2.81, p: 0.012) and the disease-free survival rates were significantly associated with NLR (OR: 1.81, CI: 1.16-2.82, p: 0.009) and response to chemoradiotherapy (OR: 2.30, CI: 1.45-3.66, p: 0.001). There was no significant difference between patients with high and low NLR in terms of response to chemoradiotherapy. Similarly, there was no significant influence of the PLR. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment NLR and PLR measurements can provide important prognostic results in patients with NSCLC and assessment of the two parameters together appears to better predict the prognosis in patients with NSCLC. The effect of inflammation, indicators of NLR and PLR, on survival seems independent of the response to chemoradiotherapy.

Is human kallikrein-11 in gastric cancer treated with surgery and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy associated with survival?

Human kallikreins (hKs) have been reported to be involved in human cancers, and several hKs are promising biomarkers of various cancers, such as prostate, ovarian, breast, and testicular cancer. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of immunohistochemical expression of hK11 in patients with gastric cancer. The study included 55 (36 men and 19 women; 58 ± 10 years of mean age) patients with gastric cancer treated with surgery and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Tissue sections were evaluated immunohistochemically with a monoclonal anti-hK11 antibody. Of the 55 patients, 35 (63.6%) were hK11-positive and 20 (36.4%) were hK11-negative. Disease-free and overall survival rates were significantly higher in patients with hK11 positive than in those with hK-11 negative expression (24 months vs. 11 months, p: 0.043; 29 months vs. 13 months, p: 0.038, respectively). In conclusion, hK11 expression in gastric cancer appears to be associated with a better prognosis. hK11 may be a prognostic biomarker of gastric cancer. On the other hand, it is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the regulation of hK11 expression in gastric cancer.

ABO blood groups are not associated with treatment response and prognosis in patients with local advanced non- small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, late diagnosis being the main obstacle to improving the outcomes with stage at diagnosis as an important prognostic factor. Relationships between ABO blood groups and risk of benign or malignant diseases have been observed and in this study, we aimed to investigate whether they might affect prognosis and response to chemoradiotherapy in patients with local advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-one patients with non-metastatic local advanced NSCLC were included in the study. ABO blood groups were A in 45 (55.6%), B in 7 (8.6%), AB in 8 (9.9%), and O in 21 (25.9%) patients. The patients were also divided two groups according to blood group A (45 patients) and non-A (B, AB and O; 36 patients). Response to chemoradiotherapy was complete remission in 10 (12.3%), disease regression in 42 (51.9%), stable disease in 12 (14.8%), and disease progression in 17 (21.0%) patients. RESULTS: There was no significant difference among ABO blood group categories or between patients with A blood group and those with non-A blood group in terms of responses to chemoradiotherapy (p>0.05). There were also no significant differences regarding overall and disease-free survival rates. CONCLUSION: The ABO blood group system has no significant effect on prognosis and response to chemoradiotherapy in patients with non-metastatic NSCLC.

Relationship between colonic polyp type and the neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio as a biomarker.

AIM: We designed this study to investigate the neutrophil lymphocyte ratio as a biomarker in distinguishing colonic polyps which are neoplastic or non-neoplastic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-five patients with colonic polyps were enrolled into the study. The following data were obtained from a computerized patient registry database: mean platelet volume (MPV), uric acid (UA), platelet count (PC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR). Exclusion criteria were active infectious disease, hematological disorders, and malignancies. Colonic polyps divided into two groups as neoplastic polyps (tubular adenoma, villous adenoma, tubulovillous adenoma) and non-neoplastic polyps (hyperplastic polyps, inflammatory pseudopolyps etc). The relationship between colonic polyp type and NLR was evaluated with statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were 67 patients (53.6%) with neoplastic and 58 (46.4%) patients with non-neoplastic polyps. Mean NLRs of neoplastic and non-neoplastic groups were respectively 3.32±2.54 and 2.98±3.16 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Although sensitivity and specificity are not high, NLR may be used as a biomarker of neoplastic condition of colonic polyps.

Lack of any association between blood groups and lung cancer, independent of histology.

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths, is divided into 2 main classes based on its biology, therapy and prognosis: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Many cases are at an advanced stage at diagnosis, which is a major obstacle to improving outcomes. It is important to define the high risk group patients for early diagnosis and chance of cure. Blood group antigens are chemical components on erythrocyte membranes but they are also expressed on a variety of epithelial cells. Links between ABO blood groups with benign or malignant diseases, such as gastric and pancreas cancers, have been observed for a long time. In this study, we aimed to investigate any possible relationship between lung cancer histological subtypes and ABO-Rh blood groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The files of 307 pathologically confirmed lung cancer patients were were reviewed retrospectively. Cases with a serologically determined blood group and Rh factor were included and those with a history of another primary cancer were excluded, leaving a total of 221. The distribution of blood groups of the lung cancer patients were compared with the distribution of blood groups of healthy donors admitted to the Turkish Red Crescent Blood Service in our city in the year 2012. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between patients with lung cancer of either type and the control group in terms of distribution of ABO blood groups and Rh factor (p: 0.073). There was also no relationship with non small cell cancer histological subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found no relationship between the ABO-Rhesus blood groups and NSCLC and SCLC groups. To our knowledge this is the first analysis of ABO blood groups in SCLC patients.

A fibromatosis case mimicking abdominal aorta aneurysm.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis is a rare fibrosing reactive process that may be confused with mesenteric fibromatosis. Abdominal aorta aneurysm is rare too and mostly develops secondary to Behcet's disease, trauma, and infection or connective tissue diseases. Incidence of aneurysms occurring as a result of atherosclerotic changes increases in postmenopausal period. Diagnosis can be established with arteriography, tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging associated with clinical findings. Tumors and cysts should be considered in differential diagnosis. Abdominal ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computerized tomography revealed an infrarenal abdominal aorta aneurysm in a 41-year-old woman, but, on surgery, retroperitoneal fibrosis surrounding the aorta was detected. We present this interesting case because retroperitoneal fibrosis encircling the abdominal aorta can mimic abdominal aorta aneurysm radiologically.

Prognostic value of NF-κB, CD9, and VEGF in gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most frequent mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal system. We aimed to determine whether nuclear transcription factor κB (NF-κB), CD9 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have prognostic value in patients with GIST. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients with GIST, who were diagnosed in the Pathology Department of Erciyes University, were included in the study. Cases were classified based on the 2002 NIH consensus. CD9, VEGF, and NF-κB immunohistochemistry were applied to GIST cases positive for CD117 and CD34, which are used to evaluate GISTs immunohistochemically. RESULTS: Although there are no statistically significant differences between NF-κB (p = 0.329), CD9 (p = 0.269), and VEGF (p = 0.372) and risk groups, 79.22% of cases that stained positive for NF-κB, 81% of cases that stained positive for CD9, and 80% of cases that stained positive of VEGF were in the high risk group. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that NF-κB, CD9, and VEGF, which are important in predicting behaviors of other malign tumors, were expressed at high rates in high risk group GISTs. This can be used to determine prognosis with tumor diameter, mitosis rate under 50 BBS, Ki-67 proliferation index and other parameters.

An unusual mass filling within the middle meatus.

Schwannoma is a benign tumor that originates from sheath of myelinated peripheral nerves, rarely seen at the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Symptoms of this tumor are nonspecific, and diagnosis is often made only after histological examination. Schwannoma is radioresistant, and chemotherapy is not effective, so surgical resection is the only curative treatment for this tumor. Endoscopic sinus surgery was the first choice for this case because of its definite origin and being easy to remove for complete excision. We present a patient with schwannoma who underwent an endonasal endoscopic approach for complete resection.