Ultrastructure of a mammosomatotrophic and a nonfunctional transplantable pituitary tumor induced in rats by 2,4,6-trimethylaniline.

A pituitary tumor was induced in a female inbred BUF rat on an 18-month diet containing 1.1 mmole 2,4,6-trimethylaniline/kg. In the sixth transfer, this tumor developed into two lines of transplantable tumors with different characteristics. Here these two lines were studied by light and electron microscopy; histologically, both tumors were well-differentiated pituitary carcinomas. In the ultrathin sections, the neoplastic cells were separated by a wide intercellular space and covered by numerous microvilli. In the mammosomatotrophic tumor (7315a) the neoplastic cells contained big, electron-dense, ovoid or globular secretory granules (560-1,700 nm in size) that were similar to the prolactin granules of mammotrophs. However, in these cells were also small, pale, uniform, secretory granules that were along the plasma membrane, measured 160 nm in diameter, and resembled the ACTH-containing granules of corticotrophs. The neoplastic cells in tumor line 7315i possessed secretory granules comparable to the granules of the ACTH-secreting cells. The differentiation of the ergastoplasm was abnormal. The tumor cells contained an endoplasmic reticulum similar to mammotrophs and somatotrophs but dissimilar to ACTH-secreting cells. These investigations suggested that the production of several hormones in transplantable pituitary tumors resulted from the multisecretory differentiation of one neoplastic pituitary cell.

Chromosome banding patterns of two transplantable pituitary tumors induced in rats by 2,4,6-trimethylaniline.

The chromosomal constitution of a mammosomatotrophic and an inactive transplantable pituitary tumor induced in rats by 2,4,6-trimethylaniline was studied by the Giemsa-banding techniques. The inactive tumor line 7315i evolved from the active tumor line 7315a in one of the early transfers. A comparison was also made with chromosomal patterns of a transplantable rat hepatoma (7316A) induced by the same chemical carcinogen. Pituitary tumor line 7315a had a pseudotriploid complement with 63 chromosomes, whereas the inactive line 7315i was hypodiploid, with a dominant stemline of 36 chromosomes. The stemline chromosome number of the hepatoma was in the hypotetraploid region. Giemsa banding revealed that all chromosomes of the normal rat complement were present in both pituitary tumors. Four abnormal chromosomes were detected in the active tumor line and three in the inactive line. Both tumor lines contained a single minute chromosome. One common marker, a deleted chromosome No.1, was found in both pituitary tumors. This common marker chromosome was, however, not present in the hepatoma. The stemline karyotype of the hepatoma contained seven different markers, but none of them was identical to the abnormal chromosomes of the pituitary neoplasms. The findings suggested that the abnormal karyotypes of lines 7315a and 7315i could reflect the multisecretory activities of these neoplastic pituitary cells but that chromosomal localization of the secretory defect awaits exact genetic mapping of the rat chromosomes.

Chromosome banding patterns and breakpoints of three transplantable hepatomas induced in rats by aromatic amines.

The chromosome constitution of transplantable hepatomas H-35tc1, 7316A, and 8994 induced in ACI male, BUF female, and BUF male rats, respectively, by monocyclic or polycyclic aromatic amines was studied by Giemsa banding techniques. Hepatoma H-35tc1 was hyperdiploid, with a dominant stemline of 46 chromosomes. The stemline of the heterogeneous 7316A was in the hypotetraploid region (75-8,). Hepatoma 8994 had a near-triploid complement; most metaphase cells and chromosome numbers from 62 to 68. Thirty marker chromosomes were detected. Nineteen rearanged chromosomes were in hepatoma 8994, whereas only 8-10 markers could be found in the 80 +/- 3 chromosome complement of hepatoma 7316A. Two constant common markers were noted: mar2, a chromosome No. 11 with translocation short arm in H-35tc1 and 8994, and mar10 (mar10a), a chromosome No. 1 with a duplicated segment at breakpoint q54 in hepatomas 7316A and 8994. An analysis of the distribution of 232 breakpoints in the rat karyotype, 26 identified in the hepatomas and 206 collected from the literature, revealed a statistically significant excess of breaks in chromosomes No. 1, 2, 3, and 10 (P less than 0.001). The X- and Y-chromosomes showed a considerably lower number of breaks than anticipated (P less than 0.01). Even after a history of continuous transplantation for 10 years, these 3 hepatomas retained intact sex chromosomes that corresponded to the phenotype of the primary host. Preservation of the sex chromosomes in the hepatomas may be attributed to a lower susceptibility of the sex chromosomes than of the autosomes to breakage.

The ethnic distribution of primary central nervous system tumors: AFIP, 1958 to 1970.

A retrospective ethnic study was made of 16,311 cases of primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors seen at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Washington, D.C., from 1958 to 1970. Results showed a considerably higher Caucasian:Negro (C:N) case ratio (13.7:1) than the C:N population ratio (8.4:1), indicating a higher relative frequency of primary CNS tumors in American Caucasians as compared to American Negroes. The glioma was significantly more frequent in Caucasians than in Negroes (p less than 0.005). In contrast, Negroes had an excess of the pituitary adenoma as compared to Caucasians (P less than 0.01). The proportional frequencies of the meningioma and the nerve sheath tumor were also higher in Negroes than in Caucasians. When this pattern of the tumor distribution of American Negroes was compared to that of African Negroes (a composite African series), the preponderance of the pituitary adenoma and the meningioma and the relative paucity of the glioma in the Negro race as compared to Caucasians were again confirmed. The differences in the relative frequency and the tumor distribution between American Negroes and Caucasians and the considerable similarity of the tumor distribution between American and African Negroes emphasize the importance of genetic factors in the development of at least some primary CNS tumors.

Sclerosing lobular hyperplasia manifesting as a palpable mass of the breast in young black women.

Sclerosing lobular hyperplasia is defined as a lesion of the breast characterized solely by prominent hyperplasia of the lobules and sclerosis of the intralobular stroma. The extra-lobular connective tissue may or may not be fibrosed. To ascertain the frequency of this condition, the histologic sections of all benign breast lesions diagnosed at Howard University Hospital between January 1, 1980, and June 30, 1982, were reviewed. The patient population of the hospital is almost entirely black. Among a total of 590 benign breast lesions, 18 cases of sclerosing lobular hyperplasia were found. The mean age of the patients was 28.3 years. The patients generally complained of a painless or slightly tender lump in the breast, of one or two month's duration. The masses appeared finely nodular and varied in size from 0.8 X 1.2 cm to 3.5 X 5.0 cm. Some microscopic sections from patients with sclerosing lobular hyperplasia revealed incipient (lobule-sized) fibroadenoma. On re-examination of the available sections of 101 fibroadenomas, 47 (46.5 per cent) were found to be surrounded by breast tissue exhibiting focal sclerosing lobular hyperplasia. Apparently, sclerosing lobular hyperplasia is often overgrown by fibroadenoma, and the presenting symptoms are those of the dominant tumor rather than those of the preceding condition.

Ultrastructure of intestinal lymphatics in Crohn's disease.

The fine structure of intestinal lymphatics in four patients with Crohn's disease and in two control subjects is described. Although obstructed lacteals are considered to be of major importance in the pathogenesis of regional enteritis, no detailed electron microscopic studies of lymphatic capillaries in this disease could be found. Even though both open and closed intercellular junctions were observed in the normal intestinal lymphatics, only closed junctions were noted in the mucosal and submucosal lymphatic capillaries in patients with regional enteritis. A heavy accumulation of protein rich lymph at the abluminal surface of lymphatic capillaries was consistently seen. None of the control lymphatics showed a similar alteration. The described fine structural changes indicate a decreased permeability of the lymphatic wall. Reduced lymphatic permeability could be a contributing element in the development of submucosal edema, a major microscopic feature of Crohn's disease.

Blue nevus of the prostate: ultrastructural study.

A case of blue nevus of the prostate in a sixty-five-year-old black patient was studied by light and electron microscopy. In the melanocytes only fully melanized melanosomes were present; melanosomes in early stages of development were entirely absent. It was concluded that the formation of melanosomes within the melanocytes in blue nevus of the prostate is probably under genetic control.

Epidemiologic association between Gonorrhea and prostatic carcinoma.

The curves for death rates from prostatic cancer and gonorrhea incidence rates in Denmark, over a span of thirty years, matched well with a lag period of forty-five years. Moreover, a retrospective study conducted in the United States involving 75 cancer patients and 75 age-matched controls demonstrated a statistically significant association between gonorrheal infection and subsequent development of prostatic carcinoma. Two postulates are presented: the viral-venereal and the chronic infection theories. The recent increase in incidence of prostatic cancer in the United States could be the beginning of an epidemic in which astronomically high rates may be reached.

Mixed mesodermal tumor of urinary bladder: a light and electron microscopic study.

Light and ultrastructural findings in a mixed mesodermal tumor of the urinary bladder are reported. The mesenchymal component of the tumor contained undifferentiated mesenchymal cells and cells with chondroblastic differentiation. The neoplastic chondrocytes displayed an abundance of cytoplasmic microfilaments and had a scalloped cell surface.

Incidence of prostatic calcification in blacks in Washington, D.C., and selected African cities. Correlation of specimen roentgenographs and pathologic findings. Cooperative Prostatic Research Group.

The incidence of calcification in the prostate gland of black men from Washington, D.C., and from Ibadan, Nigeria, and Accra, Ghana, West Africa, was assessed in a total of 874 consecutive, unselected prostate specimens removed at autopsy during a five-year period (1973--1978). In the combined series there was a significant positive association between prostatic calcification and age (p less than 0.001). The frequency of calcification was significantly higher in the Washington, D.C. series than in the West African series at all age levels (p less than 0.001). This difference most likely reflects the different dietary patterns of the two population groups.

High-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the breast.

A case of high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the breast of a 46-year-old woman was studied. Of 19 axillary lymph nodes examined in the surgical specimen, 17 displayed metastatic cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of primary breast cancer histologically comparable with high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma of salivary-gland origin.

Viruses and human cancer.

The etiologic role of viruses in a great variety of animal tumors has been demonstrated beyond doubt. There is, however, no firm evidence that any malignant disease of man is caused by viruses. Data accumulated on the association of viruses with human cancer are reviewed.

Electron microscopic findings in hepatic allograft rejection.

Orthotopic liver transplantation is today an accepted surgical procedure for patients with irreversible, end-stage liver disease. Between 1988 and 1993, seven patients (one patient twice) received liver grafts for end-stage liver disease at Howard University Hospital, Washington, DC. In conjunction with the transplant procedure, a total of 32 liver needle biopsy specimens were submitted to the pathology department. Almost half of all liver graft failures are attributed to acute, or in a lesser degree, to chronic rejection. The purpose of this study was to describe the ultrastructural findings in acute cellular rejection and to correlate the ultrastructure with the histology. The key ultrastructural features of acute cellular rejection were: a mixed cellular inflammatory infiltrate in the portal tract, bile duct damage by immunocytes with reduplication of the epithelial basement membrane, endotheliitis, and intramitochondrial crystalline inclusions. It was concluded that electron microscopic investigation significantly contributes to better understanding the immunopathologic mechanism underlying liver allograft rejection.

Metastatic brain tumors in two predominantly black hospitals: a statistical analysis.

A retrospective statistical analysis was done on metastatic brain tumors collected from two predominantly black hospitals in Washington, DC. A composite African series of metastatic brain tumors was also constructed for comparison. The results indicate that bronchogenic carcinoma is the predominant metastatic brain tumor (45.2 percent) among American blacks in Washington, DC, and chorioepithelioma, the most common (20.0 percent) among African blacks. In comparing these two series, much dissimilarity in the pattern of tumor distribution between these two genetically related ethnic groups suggests an important environmental role in the genesis of metastatic brain tumors.The present study also reveals a relatively high proportional frequency of prostatic carcinoma among metastatic brain tumors in blacks (3.8 percent in Washington, DC, and 2.1 percent in Africa).

Metastases to bones of the hands and feet.

Although metastases to bones from solid tumors are very common, involvement of small bones of the hands and feet is extremely rare. One half of the cases reported in literature resulted from a primary tumor in the lung. Four cases seen over the last four years with metastases to bones of the hand and one case with metastases to foot bones are discussed. None of these patients had a lung primary tumor. Three of the four patients who had metastases to hand bones had the disease on the right side.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of breast with metastasis: a case report and review of the literature.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast is a rare tumor having a favorable prognosis. At this writing, less than 100 cases have been reported. A review of the literature discloses only six well-documented cases with associated distant metastases. The characteristic biological behavior of this tumor appears to be the development of distant metastasis without prior detectable invasion of axillary lymph nodes.

Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides) in blacks.

Between 1954 and 1980, 11 patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides) were diagnosed at the Howard University Hospital. There were five males and six females, all of whom were black. In association with the cutaneous T cell lymphoma, six cases of poikiloderma atrophicans vasculare were demonstrated.

Dissemination of prostatic carcinoma: an autopsy study.

Autopsy protocols at Howard University Hospital (HUH), Washington, DC, for the period of 1930 to 1985 were reviewed. The patient population of the hospital is predominantly black. Necropsy cases with adenocarcinoma of the prostate were tabulated according to the presence or absence of metastasis and the site of the metastatic lesion. A comparison was made with a similar racially unselected (predominantly white) series (Massachusetts General Hospital).The most commonly involved organs by secondary carcinoma of the prostate were, in descending order of frequency, lymph nodes, bones, bladder, lung, liver, and kidneys. In comparison with the MGH unselected series, the distribution of metastatic sites was significantly different (P < .0001). In the HUH series, kidney and adrenal gland metastases were more common than in the control series. The seminal vesicles were more frequently involved in the MGH series. In the HUH series, 76 percent of bone metastases occurred in the vertebrae, while the comparable figure for the MGH series was 40 percent.

Virilizing lipid cell tumor of the ovary: light and electron microscopic studies.

Lipid cell tumor of the ovary is among the rarest tumors belonging to the virilizing group of ovarian neoplasms. A lipid cell tumor of the ovary is described in an 18-year-old woman with secondary amenorrhea, hirsutism, and frank virilization. Current diagnostic features, preoperative and postoperative androgen determinations, and histomorphological and ultrastructural studies are presented. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are emphasized in this potentially malignant and disfiguring androgenic tumor that is readily amenable to surgery.

Review of prostatic surgical procedures at a predominantly black hospital: a 22-year study.

This article reports the results of a pathoepidemiological study of a cohort of black men who had prostatic surgery at Howard University Hospital between 1968 and 1989. The median age of patients at diagnosis of prostate cancer increased by 8 years during the study period, indicating either a delay in seeking medical care or a true delay in onset of the disease. The trends of prevalence of biopsies with cancer in various age groups suggested a sharp rise in the incidence of prostate cancer after the age of 70. The significant increase in popularity of needle biopsy during the period 1982 to 1989 after a 7-year plateau is an indication of increased perceived value of this procedure with experience and technical improvement. The prevalence of biopsies with cancer in all successive time periods of the study showed a bimodal distribution with an early hump in the 50- to 54-year-old age group. This hump is analogous to the break in the rising incidence of breast cancer between the ages of 47 and 52 (Clemmesen hook). This similarity could be explained on the basis of hormonal dependence of the two cancers.