Colpocytology in children: 3 cases of botryoid sarcoma.

We have examined some aspects of the colpocytological preparations of 3 children affected by leucorrhea accompanied by bleed up, from which was diagnosed botryoid sarcoma. The characteristic element met in the preparations was the altered epithelial maturation in prepuberal children; the presence of groups of intermediate and superficial cells, with nuclei sometimes diskaryotic, of anucleate scales and of discharging phenomena. In one case it was possible to observe even neoplastic and slightly differentiated cells. The Authors underline the usefulness of carrying out a colpocytological examination in the initial diagnostic stage with children affected by leucorrhea, above all if this is accompanied by bleeding.

Malignant trophoblastic neoplasias. Clinical experiences.

The Authors describe a treatment program for malignant trophoblastic disease based on a combination chemotherapy. The results of their clinical experience concerning 41 cases confirms the high cure rate for low risk metastatic disease (100%) with the only failures limited to the high risk patients (64.7% cure rate).

Steroids receptors in physiological and pathological features of the cervix.

The presence of ER and PgR in human cervical tissues was investigated. The material consisted of receptor measurements in tissue sample obtained from normal and abnormal colposcopical pictures (leukoplakia, mosaic, punctation, atypical transformation), in 38 outpatients. The receptor assays were performed by a dextran-coated-charcoal (DCC) technique.

Hormonal receptors in vulvar tissues.

Since 1982 we have been associating the study of hormonal receptors with the histological examination of the vulvar lesions in an attempt to interpret the action mechanism of steroids on the vulva, to find possible correlations between histological pictures and receptorial order and to find a possible predictive "marker" toward therapeutic and prognostic ends. In our Laboratory assays for androgen, estrogen and progesterone receptors were performed with the Dextran-Charcoal technique in 41 patients with vulvar dystrophy; 20 of whom had atrophic dystrophy and 21 with hypertrophic dystrophy. Another 24 patients with vulvar carcinoma were studied; 23 with epidermoid carcinoma of various differentiation grades and only one case of Paget's Disease. None of the three receptors assayed could be considered a predictive or prognostic marker in the approach to neoplastic forms. The levels of the progesterone receptor appears increased in the case of dystrophies. This justifies the hypothesis of a hormonal involvement in the pathogenesis of the lesion, as has already been documented by the beneficial effects of therapy with topical steroids.

Aggressive angiomyxoma of the vulva: expression of estroprogestinic receptors and follow-up.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: To analyze aggressive angiomyxoma hormone-dependency. METHOD: Estroprogestinic receptor expression was studied by immunohistochemistry in 5 patients with aggressive angiomyxoma of the vulva. RESULTS: The immunohistochemical results confirm the positivity of angiomyxoma for estrogen and progesterone receptors. CONCLUSIONS: We hypothesized that the concomitant factor favoring neoplastic growth is a different genetic substrate specific in the female sex. Analysis of the data regarding the distribution of angiomyxomas in different age groups has strengthened this hypothesis suggesting that this tumor is correlated with complete maturity, in all probability hormonal. However it cannot be excluded that the tumor begins to develop at an early age, but since it has a slow growth rate, the phenomenon is delayed and is related to hormonal stimulation.

Diagnostic integrated program in breast pathology: clinical experiences.

1068 patients were examined using a unified diagnostic protocol. 618 patients at high risk were screened out, and underwent further instrumental and surgical investigation. 17 cases of breast cancer were detected, while the remaining patients were addressed to an appropriate, highly reliable and repeatable follow-up for breast care.

Cardiotocographic modifications during continuous epidural anaesthesia in labour.

Cardiotocographic variations certainly attributable to epidural anaesthesia were studied over the period 1972-1980 on 716 patients in labour. Transitory side-effects due to both direct and indirect action of local anaesthetics appeared in 1.4% of the cases, without, however, subsequently creating any particular foeto-newborn problem. On the basis of the experience acquired, it seems justifiable to affirm that the correct use of continuous epidural block, affected by very small doses of bupivacaine (10-20 mg per administration) is almost risk-free. The only inconvenience therefore that may sometimes arise would only be due to the relevation of a concealed cava occlusion when the maintenance of a left lateral position is not observed.