Epithelioid angiomyolipoma of the liver:Cross-sectional imaging findings of 10 immunohistochemically-verified cases

AIM： To retrospectively evaluate the computed tomography （CT）/magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） imaging features of epithelioid angiomyolipoma of the liver （Epi-HAML）, with pathology as a reference. METHODS： The CT/MRI findings （number, diameter, lobar location, and appearance of lesions） in a series of 10 patients with 12 pathologically proven epithelioid angiomyolipomas of the liver were retrospectively analyzed. The imaging features, including attenuation/ signal intensity characteristics, presence of fat, hypervascular, outer rim, and vessels within lesion, were evaluated and compared with that of non-Epi- HAML in 11 patients （13 lesions）. The Fisher exact test was used to compare difference in probability of imaging features between the two types. RESULTS： For 21 patients, CT images of 15 patients and MR images of six patients were available. No patient underwent two examinations. For the 15 patients with a CT scan, all HAML lesions in the two groups （10 Epi-HAML and seven non-Epi-HAML） manifested as hypoattenuation. For the six patients with MRI, all lesions （two Epi-HAML and six non-Epi- HAML） were hypointense on TlWI （fat suppression） and hyperintense on T2WI. There were 10 non-Epi-HAML, but only two Epi-HAML lesions showed the presence of fat, which significantly different between the two types （P = 0.005）. On the dynamic contrast enhancement （DCE） imaging, eight Epi-HAML, and 13 non-Epi lesions manifested as hypervascular. Punctate or curved vessels were displayed in 10 Epi-HAML as well as in nine non- Epi lesions and outer rim enhancement could be found with eight Epi-HAML as well as six non-Epi lesions. CONCLUSION： Little or no presence of adipose tissue was found to be an imaging feature of Epi- HAML, compared with the non-Epi type. In addition, hypervascularity with opacification of central punctiform or filiform vessels on DCE would be a characteristic enhancement pattern for Epi-HAML.

Does immunohistochemical staining have a clinical impact in early gastric cancer conducted endoscopic submucosal dissection?

AIM: To evaluate clinicopathologic parameters and the clinical significance related lymphovascular invasion (LVI) by immunohistochemical staining (IHCS) in endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). METHODS: Between May 2005 and May 2010, a total of 348 lesions from 321 patients (mean age 63 ± 10 years, men 74.6%) with early gastric cancer (EGC) who met indication criteria after ESD were analyzed retrospectively. The 348 lesions were divided into the absolute (n = 100, differentiated mucosal cancer without ulcer ≤ 20 mm) and expanded (n = 248) indica-tion groups after ESD. The 248 lesions were divided into four subgroups according to the expanded ESD indication. The presence of LVI was determined by factor Ⅷ-related antigen and D2-40 assessment. We compared LVI IHCS-negative group with LVI IHCSpositive in each group. RESULTS: LVI by hematoxylin-eosin staining (HES) and IHCS were all negative in the absolute group, while was observed in only the expanded groups. The positive rate of LVI by IHCS was higher than that of LVI by HES (n = 1, 0.4% vs n = 11, 4.4%, P = 0.044). LVI IHCS-positivity was observed when the cancer invaded to the mucosa 3 (M3) or submucosa 1 (SM1) levels, with a predominance of 63.6% in the subgroup that included only SM1 cancer (P < 0.01). In a univariate analysis, M3 or SM1 invasion by the tumor was significantly associated with a higher rate of LVI by IHCS, but no factor was significant in a multivariate analysis. There were no cases of tumor recurrence or metastasis during the median 26 mo follow-up. CONCLUSION: EGCs of the absolute group are immunohistochemically stable. The presence of LVI may be carefully examined by IHCS in an ESD expanded indication group with an invasion depth of M3 or greater.

Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Study of the Distinction between Oral Lichen Planus and Oral Lichenoid Lesions

Background: Oral potentially malignant disorders, which include oral lichen planus (OLP), are clinical presentations that carry a risk of development to cancer in the oral cavity. Oral lichenoid lesions (OLLs) are also termed interface/lichenoid mucositis. Malignant transformation of them remains controversial, but distinct clinical and histological criteria for how to differentiate OLP from OLLs have not been developed. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to elucidate findings that can allow histopathological differentiation of OLP and OLLs using histomorphological and immunohistochemical analyses. Materials and Methods: Analyses were performed in 10 cases diagnosed with OLP and 9 cases diagnosed with OLLs. Cytokeratin 19 (CK19), Ki-67 and CD3 were used as primary antibodies to detect basal cells, proliferative activity and T-cell distribution, respectively, and Perlecan and COX-2 to evaluate epithelial intracellular arrangements and interstitial distributions of proteoglycans and enzymes. Results: For CK19, positive cells were significantly found in OLLs at both the prominent area and site adjacent to the lesion comparison with those of OLP’s. The number of COX-2 positive cells was significantly higher in spinous and basal layers in OLLs of the prominent area. Additionally, OLLs showed mild to moderate expression for perlecan in the basal to spinous layers and in subepithelial tissue. Conclusion: Almost no basal cells were noted in the prominent area in OLP. COX-2 and perlecan were found in the basal to spinous layers in OLLs. Although there are restrictions, these suggested the possibility of helping to distinguish between OLP and OLLs.

Detecting the apoptosis of dopamine neurons with immunohistochemical staining and double-staining technique

BACKGROUND： It is proved that the onset of Parkinson disease companies with neuronal apoptosis of dopamine in substantia nigra of midbrain. Previous researches on neuronal apoptosis of dopamine were analyzed on their consecutive tissue sections with immunohistochemical single-labeling method, immunofluorescence and electron microscope, and there are significant differences.OBJECTIVE ： To observe the feasibility of neuronal apoptosis of dopamine with in situ end labeling and tyrosine-hydroxylase antibody immunohistochemical double-labeling staining technique.DESIGN ： Controlled study.SETTING： College of Pharmacology of Taishan Medical College; College of Management of Taishan Medical College. MATERIALS ： Wistar rats with 2 weeks old and of clean grade were provided by the Animal Center of Taishan Medical College. In situ end labeling kit （terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase, mixed reactive solution of nucleotide, transfusion-POD）, monoclonal antibody of rat antibody against tyrosine hydroxylase （Boehriuser）. METHODS： The experiment was completed at the Pharmacological Laboratory of Taishan Medical College from February to December 2005. Tissue from midbrain of rats was taken out to make paraffin sections to observe the neuronal apoptosis of dopamine under microscope with in situ end labeling and tyrosine-hydroxylase antibody immunohistochemical double-labeling staining technique.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES ： Neuronal apoptosis of dopamine with in situ end labeling and tyrosine-hydroxylase antibody immunohistochemical double-labeling staining technique. RESULTS： ① After double-labeling staining, two kinks of positive products were observed in neurons of dopamine which were suffered from apoptosis. One stained with tyrosine hydroxylase was hyacinthine, and the other stained with in situ end labeling was buffy. Cells of positive products stained with in situ end labeling shaped as strap and bend and was distributed in clustering. Cytoplasm was hyacinthine, staining was symmetrical, and cellular ecphyma was observed. Nucleus was stained vacantly which was coincidence with form of neurons of dopamine. ②Apoptosis showed strictly in cytoplasm and nucleus at the aspect of morphology. Cytoplasm stained with in situ end labeling was hardly to recognize because of the usage of double-labeling staining technique, but nucleus was still characterized by apoptosis. The behavior of positive products stained with in situ end labeling was described as following： nucleus was buffy; karyopycnosis was round and irregular; caryotin was integrated into clump which was distributed at the border of nucleus and shaped as demilune and anular; positive signals were limited in nucleus and coincidence with morphological changes of apoptosis. However, blue and positive products were observed in cytoplasm of neurons of dopamine which did not occur apoptosis, and the nucleus was not labeled. Therefore, processing apoptosis of neurons of dopamine could be recognized. CONCULSION： Double-labeling staining technique can be used to correctly reveal histological and morphological changes of neuronal apoptosis of dopamine during its onset and development.

Pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma:A comprehensive review

Acinar cell carcinoma(ACC)is a rare pancreatic malignancy with distinctive clinical,molecular,and morphological features.The long-term survival of ACC patients is substantially superior to that of pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients.As there are no significant patient series about ACCs,our understanding of this illness is mainly based on case reports and limited patient series.Surgical resection is the treatment of choice for patients with the disease restricted to one organ;however,with recent breakthroughs in precision medicine,medicines targeting the one-of-a-kind molecular profile of ACC are on the horizon.There are no standard treatment protocols available for people in which a total surgical resection to cure the condition is not possible.As a result of shared genetic alterations,ACCs are chemosensitive to agents with activity against pancreatic adenocarcinomas and colorectal carcinomas.The role of neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemoradiotherapy has not been established.This article aims to do a comprehensive literature study and present the most recent information on acinar cell cancer.

Differential gene expression profiling of gastric intraepithelial neoplasia and early-stage adenocarcinoma

AIM: To investigate the differentiated whole genome expression profiling of gastric high- and low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and early-stage adenocarcinoma.

Expression and hypermethylation of p27^(kip1) in hepatocarcinogenesis

AIM： To study the expressions of p27^kip1 protein and p27mRNA, the hypermethylation of p27^kip1 and the relation between them in various stages of hepatocarcinogenesis. METHODS： p27 protein and p27mRNA were detected by immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization respectively in 68 cases of normal liver, liver cirrhosis, pericancerous cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. The hypermethylation of p27^kip1 was detected by methylation-specific PCR （MSP） in 44 cases of normal liver, liver cirrhosis, and HCC. RESULTS： The positive rate of p27 protein was 66.7% （4/6） in normal liver, 60.0% （6/10） in liver cirrhosis, 50.0% （12/24） in pericancerous cirrhosis and 21.4% （6/28） in HCC. There were no statistical differences in normal liver, liver cirrhosis and pericancerous cirrhosis, but the positive rate of p27 protein significantly decreased in HCC compared to that in the other groups （P = 0.006, %2 = 7.664）. The positive rate of p27^kip1 mRNA was 83.3% （5/6） in normal liver, 70.0% （7/10） in liver cirrhosis, 75.0% （18/24） in pericancerous cirrhosis and 25.0% （7/28） in HCC. There were no statistical differences in normal liver, liver cirrhosis and pericancerous cirrhosis, but the positive rate of p27^kip1 mRNA also significantly decreased in HCC compared to that in the other groups （P = 0.000, %2 = 16.600）. In addition, there was a significant correlation between the expression of p27 protein and p27mRNA in the integrated group of normal liver and liver cirrhosis. However, no significant correlation was found between pericancerous cirrhosis and HCC. Using MSP, we found that 1 HCC in 44 cases （including 6 cases of normal liver, 10 cases of liver cirrhosis and 28 cases of HCC） was methylated, whose p27 protein and p27mRNA were negative. CONCLUSION： The reduction or loss of p27 protein and p27mRNA are potentially involved in hepatocarcinogenesis. The hypermethylation of p27 might lead to the loss of p27mRNA transcription.

High-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma in the liver: A case report

Only two cases of myofibroblastic sarcoma in the liver have been reported in the literature. Here, we report the case of a male patient with high-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma mimicking echinococcosis in the liver. The 25-year-old male patient complained of right upper quadrant swelling pain for one week and was initially diagnosed with echinococcosis. He was then scheduled for an exploratory laparotomy. During the operation, a huge mass exceeding 16 cm in diameter was found to occupy nearly the entire right trisegment of the liver, with a clear boundary and a round shape, and the mass was resected by right hepatic trisegmentectomy. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the tumor tissue was positive for desmin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, CD56, and vimentin and negative for ALK-1, myogenin, calponin, beta-catenin, S100, and glypican-3, with a Ki-67 (MIB-1) index of approximately 20%. Based on the histological manifestations and immunohistochemical staining, a diagnosis of myofibroblastic sarcoma was established. The postoperative recovery was uneventful. There was no evidence of recurrence or metastasis through the last follow-up, 6 mo after surgery, despite a lack of postoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy. To the best of our knowledge, the present case is the first reported case of high-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma in the liver, and it is also the first reported case in a male patient.

Is the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha mRNA expression activated by ethanol-induced injury, the mechanism underlying alcoholic liver disease?

BACKGROUND: Excessive alcohol consumption can result in multiple organ injury, of which alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is the most common. With economic development and improvement of living standards, the incidence of diseases caused by alcohol abuse has been increasing in China, although its pathogenesis remains obscure. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of hypoxia in chronic ALD. METHODS: Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into a control group (n=12) with a normal history and an experimental group (n=16) fed with 10 ml/ kg of 56% (vol/vol) ethanol once per day by gastric lavage for 24 weeks. At 24 weeks, blood samples were collected and then the rats were killed. Liver samples were frozen at -80 ℃ and used for RT-PCR; other liver samples were obtained for immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: When the period of alcohol consumption increased, the positive rate of expression of hypoxia- inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) mRNA was more significantly elevated in the liver of the alcohol group than in the control group (P≤0.05). The HIF-1α protein located in the cytoplasm was seldom expressed in the control group, but significantly in the alcohol group (P≤0.01). CONCLUSION: HIF-1α mRNA expression was activated by ethanol-induced injury in this study, suggesting that hypoxia is involved in the underlying mechanism of ALD.

Expression and clinical significance of HIF-1α,VEGF and Survivin in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Objective： To evaluate the expression and correlation of hypoxia inducible factor la （HIF-la） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） and Survivin proteins in biopsy specimens of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma （ESCC）, and then determine whether the levels of expression of these proteins could predict the clinical effectiveness of radiotherapy in individual cancers. Methods： The expressions of HIF-IQ, VEGF and Survivin were shown by S-P immunohistochemical staining method in biopsy specimens of ESCC, which were obtained endoscopically from 50 patients before radiotherapy, and 10 cases of normal esophageal tissue. Results： The positive expression rates of H IF-IQ, VEGF and Survivin were 68%, 74% and 72% in ESCC respectively. However, the three tumor markers had negative expressions in normal esophageal tissue. The positive rate of HIF-IQ was positively correlated with VEGF and Survivin proteins. The positive rates of HIF-IQ and Survivin were closely related to the clinical stage, radiotherapy effectiveness and survival, otherwise, the expression of HIF-IQ was closely related to distant metastasis; both of them were no correlation with the differentiation degree of tumor. The effective rates of radiotherapy and mean survival periods of those cases with positive and negative expressions of HIF-IQ were 8.8%, 10 months and 81.25%, 25 months, respectively. The one, two, and three years survival rates of patients with positive and negative expressions of HIF-IQ were 38.2%, 5.9%, 2.9%, and 81.3%, 54.2%, 15.8%, respectively （P = 0.001）. Patients with HIF-IQ positive expression obviously survived less than those with negative expression and the difference was significant. The expression of VEGF was only related to the distant metastasis. Conclusion： Over expressions of HIF-IQ, VEGF and Survivin were found in ESCC. The positive rate of HIF-IQ was positively correlated with VEGF and Survivin proteins. The expression of HIF-IQ may serve as an important parameter in evaluating response for radiotherapy and prognosis of ESCC. It may play an important role by up-regulating the transcription of VEGF and Survivin genes.

The ratio of MMP-2 to TIMP-2 in hilar cholangiocarcinoma:a semi-quantitative study

BACKGROUND: Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is associated with low resectability and poor survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of matrix metalloproteinases- 2 (MMP-2 ) and its tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) in tumor invasion or as a prognostic factor in patients with human hilar cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: The expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were investigated in patients. Paraffinized tissue sections ob- tained from 50 patients with human hilar cholangiocarcino- ma were analysed. The expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were examined immunohistochemically. Image analysis with image-pro plus analysis software was used to semi- quantitatively determine the ratio of MMP-2 to TIMP-2. RESULTS: The expression levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were strongly associated with tumor hepatic invasion in pa- tients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Significant diffe- rences in the ratio of MMP-2 to TIMP-2 between some pathologic factors were observed in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: MMP-2 plays an essential role in tumor invasion and metastasis,while TIMP-2 is shown to strongly inhibit cancer invasion and metastasis. The ratio of MMP-2 to TIMP-2 may be a prognostic indicator for patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Breast cancer metastasizing to the stomach mimicking primary gastric cancer: A case report

Breast cancer with stomach metastasis rare with an incidence of 1% or less among metastatic breast cancer patients. We experienced a case of breast cancer metastasizing to the stomach in 65-year-old female patient. She experienced dyspepsia and poor oral intake before visiting the clinic. Diffuse infiltration with nodular mucosal thickening of the stomach wall was observed, suggesting advanced gastric cancer based on gross endoscopic finding. Spread of poorly cohesive tumor cells in the gastric mucosa observed upon hematoxylin and eosin stain resembled signet ring cell carcinoma, but diffuse positive staining for GATA3 in immunohistochemical stain allowed for a conclusive diagnosis of breast cancer metastasizing to the stomach. Based on the final diagnosis, systemic chemotherapy was administered instead of primary surgical resection. After 2 cycles of docetaxel administration, she showed a partial response based on abdominal computed tomography scan. This case is an unusual presentation of breast cancer metastasizing to the gastrointestinal tract.

Intussusception due to inflammatory fibroid polyp:A case report and comprehensive literature review

AIM:To give an overview of the literature on intussusception due to inflammatory fibroid polyp(IFP).METHODS:We present a new case of ileal intussusception due to IFP and a literature review of studies published in English language on intussusception due to IFP,accessed via PubMed and Google Scholar databases.For the search,the keywords used were:intussusception,IFP,intussusception and IFP,intussusception due to IFP,and IFP presenting as intussusception.The search covered all articles from 1976 to November 2011.RESULTS:We present a 38-year-old woman who was admitted 10 d after experiencing abdominal pain,vomiting,and nausea.Ultrasonography demonstrated small bowel intussusception.An ileal intussusception due to a mass lesion 50 cm proximal to the ileocecal junction was found during laparotomy.Partial ileal resection and anastomosis were performed.A diagnosis of ileal IFP was made based on the immunohistochemical findings.In addition,a total of 56 reports concerning 85 cases of intussusception due to IFP meeting the aforementioned criteria was included in the literature review.The patients were aged 4 to 81 years(mean,49 ± 16.2 years);44 were women(mean,51.8 ± 14.3 years) and 41 were men(mean,46 ± 17.5 years).According to the location of the IFP,ileal intussusception was found in 63 patients,while 17 had jejunal,three had colonic,and two had ileojejunal intussusception.CONCLUSION:Although IFPs are rare and benign,surgery is the only solution in case of intestinal obstruction.Differential diagnosis should be made via immunohistochemical examination.

Early therapeutic effect of platelet-rich fibrin combined with allogeneic bone marrow-derived stem cells on rats’ critical-sized mandibular defects

BACKGROUND Critically sized bone defects represent a significant challenge to orthopaedic surgeons worldwide.These defects generally result from severe trauma or resection of a whole large tumour.Autologous bone grafts are the current gold standard for the reconstruction of such defects.However,due to increased patient morbidity and the need for a second operative site,other lines of treatment should be introduced.To find alternative unconventional therapies to manage such defects,bone tissue engineering using a combination of suitable bioactive factors,cells,and biocompatible scaffolds offers a promising new approach for bone regeneration.AIM To evaluate the healing capacity of platelet-rich fibrin(PRF)membranes seeded with allogeneic mesenchymal bone marrow-derived stem cells(BMSCs)on critically sized mandibular defects in a rat model.METHODS Sixty-three Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to bilateral bone defects of critical size in the mandibles created by a 5-mm diameter trephine bur.Rats were allocated to three equal groups of 21 rats each.Group I bone defects were irrigated with normal saline and designed as negative controls.Defects of group II were grafted with PRF membranes and served as positive controls,while defects of group III were grafted with PRF membranes seeded with allogeneic BMSCs.Seven rats from each group were killed at 1,2 and 4 wk.The mandibles were dissected and prepared for routine haematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining,Masson's trichrome staining and CD68 immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS Four weeks postoperatively,the percentage area of newly formed bone was significantly higher in group III(0.88±0.02)than in groups I(0.02±0.00)and II(0.60±0.02).The amount of granulation tissue formation was lower in group III(0.12±0.02)than in groups I(0.20±0.02)and II(0.40±0.02).The number of inflammatory cells was lower in group III(0.29±0.03)than in groups I(4.82±0.08)and II(3.09±0.07).CONCLUSION Bone regenerative quality of critically sized mandibular bone defects in rats was better promoted by PRF membranes seeded with BMSCs than with PRF membranes alone.

Detection of Ⅴ,Ⅲ and Ⅰ Type Collagens of Dermal Tissues in Skin Lesions of Patients with Systemic Sclerosis and Its Implication

This study investigated the contents and distribution of collagen Ⅴ （Col Ⅴ） in skin lesions of the patients with systemic sclerosis （SSc） and its roles in the pathogenesis. The contents and distribution for α1 chain of collagen type Ⅰ, Ⅲ and V [α1 （Ⅰ）, α1 （Ⅲ） and α1 （Ⅴ）] in skin lesions of 36 patients with SSc （9 cases of mild fibrosis, 14 moderate, and 13 severe） were detected by using im- munohistochemical SP method. Six cases of normal skin tissues served as controls. The results showed that there was diffuse distribution for three kinds of collagens in dermis. The deep staining α1 （Ⅰ） and α1 （Ⅲ） masses or bands were seen in reticular layer, while α1 （Ⅴ） was distributed more ho- mogeneously. From control to weak, moderate and severe fibrosis stages, α1 （Ⅰ）, α1 （Ⅲ） and α1 （V） showed a gradually increased trend in skin lesions （P〈0.05）. α1 （Ⅴ） was obviously elevated in skin lesions at early stage and persisted in whole fibrotic process and risen in greater contents, while α1 （Ⅰ） and α1 （Ⅲ） were to go higher late and were apparently elevated at moderate and late stages. Com- pared with α1 （Ⅰ）, α1 （Ⅴ） took leading increase at early stage in skin lesions （P〈0.01）, and had more elevated contents than α1 （Ⅲ） at moderate and late stages. The fibrotic changes in dermal reticular layer occurred earlier than those in papillary layer, and the abnormalities of α1 （Ⅴ）/α1 （I） ratio ap- peared before α1 （Ⅲ）/α1 （Ⅰ） ratio. It was concluded that a lot of α1 （Ⅴ） began to deposit in greater contents prior to α1 （Ⅰ） and α1 （Ⅲ） at early stage in SSc and persisted in whole fibrotic process. The changes of α1 （Ⅴ） contents in reticular layer occurred earlier than those in papillary layer, and it sug- gested that the fibrosis in reticular layer appeared earlier.

The Significance of CXCR4 Expression for the Prediction of Lymph Node Metastasis in Breast Cancer Patients

OBJECTIVE The chemokine receptor(CXCR4)CXC chemokine receptor 4)plays an important role in cancer metastasis.We therefore studied differential expression of the CXCR4,as well as that of the biomarker HER2,so as to evaluate whether these biomarkers can be used to predict axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients. METHODS Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the CXCR4 and HER2 expressions and to examine the paraffin sections of the breast cancers at various stages.Positive lymph node expression was found in 80 of the cases,and in 7 there was negative expression. RESULTS Compared to the cases with negative lymph nodes, there was a high expression of CXCR4(26.3% vs.14.3%,P=0.013), and an over-expression of HER2(28.8% vs.14.3%,P=0.011). Moreover,there was a direct correlation between the CXCR4 and HER2 expressions and the tumor staging(P=0.000)and lymph node metastasis(P=0.032).When the two biomarkers,i.e.CXCR4 and HER2,were concurrently labeled,a high expression of one of the biomarkers could be seen in the cases with positive lymph nodes(51.3% vs.28.6%,P<0.003). CONCLUSION The chemokine receptor,CXCR4,is a new-type biomarker in predicting axillary lymph-node metastasis in breast cancers.Compared with the other markers,such as HER2 etc., assessment of CXCR4 can improve the prediction of the presence and extent of lymph node involvement.

Combined laparoscopic-endoscopic approach for gastric glomus tumor:A case report

BACKGROUND Gastric glomus tumor(GGT)is rare submucosal mesenchymal tumor that lacks specific clinical manifestations and is usually treated mainly by traditional surgical resection.This paper presents a case of a GGT,exhibited both intraluminally and extraluminally growth that was removed by laparoscopy-gastroscopy cooperative surgery.CASE SUMMARY A 52-year-old male presented with epigastric discomfort accompanied by a sense of fullness for 3 mo.Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy identified a submucosal lump located in the gastric antrum.Endoscopic ultrasonography identified a 2.4 cm×1.8 cm lump located in the gastric antrum.It originated from the muscularis propria and exhibited both intraluminally and extraluminally growth,with hypoechoicity on the periphery,hyperechoicity in the middle,and unclear boundaries.Computed tomography showed nodular thickening of 3.0 cm×2.2 cm in the gastric wall of the gastric antrum,and after enhancement,the lesion exhibited obvious enhancement We suspected that it was a gastrointestinal stromal tumor(glomus tumor and schwannoma were not excluded)and planned to perform laparoscopy-gastroscopy cooperative surgery.Immunohistochemical staining after the operation revealed that spinal muscular atrophy(+),hcaldesmon(+),cluster of differentiation 34(CD34)(+),2%Ki-67-positive rate,CD56,melanoma antigen,CD117,discovered on GIST-1,leukocyte common antigen,caudal type homeobox 2,cytokeratin,and S-100 were all negative.The tumor was finally diagnosed as a GGT.CONCLUSION GGTs are rare submucosal tumors of the stomach and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of gastric submucosal tumors.Laparoscopy-gastroscopy cooperative surgery is less invasive and more precise and could be an effective method for the treatment of GGTs.

Primary intramedullary melanoma of lumbar spinal cord: A case report

BACKGROUND Primary intramedullary melanoma is a very rare tumor,most frequently occurring in the cervical and thoracic spinal cord.CASE SUMMARY We present a rare case in which the primary intramedullary melanoma was located in the lumbar spine.A 56-year-old man complained of progressive intermittent pain in the lumbar area.Thoracic magnetic resonance imaging showed a spinal intramedullary tumor between the L3 and S1 levels.The tumor was resected entirely,and the diagnosis of malignant melanoma was confirmed by histopathology.CONCLUSION Primary melanoma of the spinal cord,particularly intramedullary localization,has rarely been reported in the previous literature.We describe a primary malignant melanoma of the lumbar spinal cord and discuss the challenges associated with the diagnosis.

High expression of squamous cell carcinoma antigen in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the stomach: A case report

BACKGROUND Squamous cell carcinoma antigen(SCCA)is regarded as a specific indicator of epithelial malignancies and is widely used in the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma(SCC).However,the expression of SCCA in gastric adenocarcinoma has not been studied in detail.CASE SUMMARY A 52-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for a 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm ulcer at the antrum-body junction with dull pain and fullness in the upper abdomen for 2 mo.His pre-surgery serological testing results showed 0.51 ng/mL SCCA(reference interval,<1.5 ng/mL)and 9.9 ng/mL carcinoembryonic antigen(reference range,<4.7 ng/mL).He underwent radical distal gastrectomy and Roux-en Y anastomosis and was diagnosed with poorly differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma(Lauren classification:Diffuse)by pathological examination of the resected lesion.Immunohistochemistry showed that SCCA was highly expressed in the cytoplasm of cancer cells.After surgery,the patient received an S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy regimen for six cycles containing tegafur,gimeracil,and oteracil potassium.He showed no sign of recurrence or metastasis within 24-mo follow-up.CONCLUSION This is a frontal report of SCCA overexpression in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the stomach.

Preoperative Diagnosis of Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Kidney with Percutaneous Fine Needle Biopsy and Management with Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy: One Case Report and Literatures Review

Introduction Solitary fibrous tumor （SFT） of the kidney is a rare spindle cell neoplasm and all reported SFTs of the kidney were diagnosed through pathological examination and immunohistochemical study after open nephrectomy or open radical nephrectomy. We present a case of SFT of the kidney diagnosed through fine needle core biopsy preoperatively in a 50-year-old female and managed with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Due to the difficulty in discriminating between malignant and benign growth pattern of this tumor entity, a regular follow-up after conservative treatment is mandatory.