Ductal carcinoma in situ within a fibroadenoma:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Fibroadenoma(FA)is the most common tumor found in young women,although it can occur in any age group.Ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS)that is confined in a FA is rare;it is most frequently reported as an incidental finding.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of DCIS within a FA in a 46-year-old female without cancerrelated personal and family histories.The patient was diagnosed with a breast conglomerate of nodules and was followed for 1 year.In the current control image study,we found suspicious microcalcification,as a new finding,within one of the nodules.Consequently,a core biopsy of the tumor,which appeared hypoechoic,oval,and circumscribed,was performed.The pathological diagnosis was ductal carcinoma in situ within a fibroepithelial lesion.The patient underwent breastconserving surgery and received radiotherapy as well as endocrine therapy(tamoxifen).CONCLUSION We recommend a multidisciplinary approach for adequate treatment and followup.

High-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia diagnosed based on changes in magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography findings:A case report

BACKGROUND High-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia(PanIN)exhibits no mass and is not detected by any examination modalities.However,it can be diagnosed by pancreatic juice cytology from indirect findings.Most previous cases were diagnosed based on findings of a focal stricture of the main pancreatic duct(MPD)and caudal MPD dilatation and subsequent pancreatic juice cytology using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP).We experienced a case of high-grade PanIN with an unclear MPD over a 20-mm range,but without caudal MPD dilatation on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography(MRCP).CASE SUMMARY A 60-year-old female patient underwent computed tomography for a follow-up of uterine cancer post-excision,which revealed pancreatic cysts.MRCP revealed an unclear MPD of the pancreatic body at a 20-mm length without caudal MPD dilatation.Thus,course observation was performed.After 24 mo,MRCP revealed an increased caudal MPD caliber and a larger pancreatic cyst.We performed ERCP and detected atypical cells suspected of adenocarcinoma by serial pancreatic juice aspiration cytology examination.We performed a distal pancreatectomy and obtained a histopathological diagnosis of high-grade PanIN.Pancreatic parenchyma invasion was not observed,and curative resection was achieved.CONCLUSION High-grade Pan-IN may cause MPD narrowing in a long range without caudal MPD dilatation.

Expression of gap junction genes connexin 32,connexin 43 and their proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma and normal liver tissues

AIM To investigate the significance andmechanism of cx32 mRNA,cx43 mRNA and theirproteins in hepatocarcinogenesis.METHODS Sixty-one cases of HCC and 14cases of normal liver tissues were detected byimmunohistochemical and in situ hybridization(ISH)methods.RESULTS In HCC grades Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and normalliver tissues,the positive rates of Cx32 proteinwere 55.6%,42.1%,18.2% and 92.9%,respectively.The detection rates of Cx43 proteinwere 44.4%,26.3%,12.1% and 78.6%,respectively.There was significant difference inCx32 and Cx43 protein between HCC and normalliver tissues(P【0.01).ISH the positive rates ofcx32 mRNA shown by ISH in HCC grades Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and normal liver tissues were 88.9%,84.2%,87.9% and 92.9%,respectively.Those of cx43mRNA were 77.8%,78.6%,78.8% and 85.7%,respectively.There was no statistical differencein the positive rates of cx32 mRNA and cx43mRNA between HCC and normal liver tissue(P】0.05).CONCLUSION The aberrant location of Cx32and Cx43 proteins could be responsible forprogression of hepatocarcinogenesis,and thedefect of cx genes in post-translationalprocessing might be the possible mechanism.

Detection and Clinical Significance of Peripheral Blood CTC, CA125, CA153, and CEA Levels in Patients with Ductal Carcinoma in situ

Objective:To explore the detection and clinical significance of peripheral blood CTC,CA125,CA153,and CEA levels in patients with DCIS.Methods:210 patients who received surgical treatment for breast cancer in our hospital from January 2019 to December 2022 were selected as the research subjects.According to the postoperative pathology,100 cases were divided into breast cancer and 110 benign breast tumor groups.One hundred ten healthy patients undergoing physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group.CA153,CA125,and CEA levels were observed in the three groups.Results:The levels of CA153,CA125,and CEA in the breast cancer group were significantly higher than those in the benign breast tumor group and the control group(P<0.05);the levels of CA153,CA125,and CEA in the benign breast tumor group were all higher than those in the control group,but the differences were not statistically significant;among the three tumor markers,CA153 has the highest sensitivity at 39.00%,CA125 has the second highest sensitivity at 18.00%,and CEA has the lowest sensitivity at 17.00%;The sensitivity of the two joint tests of CA153+CA125,CA153+CEA,and CA125+CEA for the diagnosis of breast cancer were 50.00%,48.00%,and 26.00%respectively;the sensitivity of the three joint tests is the highest,reaching 53.00%,while the specificity of the joint tests was lower than the individual tests.Conclusion:Detection of peripheral blood CTC,CA125,CA153,and CEA levels has specific reference significance for the treatment and prognosis of DCIS patients.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C and angiogenesis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

AIM： To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-c （VEGF-C） mRNA and microvessel density （MVD） in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma （ESCC） and its relationship with clinical significance. METHODS： Specimens obtained from 43 patients undergoing surgical resection for ESCC were used in this study. The expression of VEGF-C mRNA was examined by in situ hybridization. Tumor MVD was determined immunohistochemically with anti-CD31 antibody and estimated by image analysis. Ten sections of adjacent normal mucosa were also examined. RESULTS： VEGF-C mRNA expression was detected in cytoplasm of carcinoma cells. Of the 43 ESCC patients studied, 18 cases （41.9%） were positive for VEGF-C mRNA. No VEGF-C mRNA expression was observed in normal esophageal mucosa. VEGF-C mRNA expression correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis, TNM stage and depth of invasion （P 〈 0.05）. Furthermore, histological grade （differentiation） tended to correlate with VEGF-C mRNA expression, but was not statistically significant （P 〉 0.05）. In tumor lesions, the MVD was significantly greater than that in normal esophageal mucosa. MVD correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis, TNM stage and depth of invasion （P 〈 0.05）, but not with histological grade （differentiation） （P 〉 0.05）. Lesions with VEGF-C mRNA expression had a significantly higher MVD than that of those without VEGF-C mRNA expression （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： VEGF-C plays a role in lymphatic metastasis via lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis in ESCC. VEGF-C is one of the important predictors of the biological behavior in ESCC.

The Relationship between 67KD Laminin Receptor Expression and Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The 67KD laminin receptor (LN-R ) that binds laminin (LN) is involved in the metastasis cascade. Using immunohistochemical technique, in situ hybridization and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), we studied LN-R protein and RNA levels in 30 cases of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to further understand its role in the metastasis of HCC. In our 14 cases of HCC with metastasis, its positive rates were 71. 4 %, 57. 1%, 85.7% respectively, whereas its positive expression in 16 cases without metastasis were 31.3 %, 18. 8 %, 50. 0 % respectively. The significant difference was found between these two groups. The results suggest that the 67KD LN-R expression plays a very important role in the metastasis of HCC.

Application of fluorescence in situ hybridization in the detection of bladder transitional-cell carcinoma: A multi-center clinical study based on Chinese population

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic value of fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)in bladder cancer.Methods:We enrolled healthy volunteers and patients who were clinically suspected to have bladder cancer and conducted FISH tests and cytology examinations from August 2007 to December 2008.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was performed and the area under curve(AUC)values were calculated for both the FISH and urine cytology tests.Results:A cohort of 988 healthy volunteers was enrolled to establish a reference range for the normal population.A total of 4807 patients with hematuria were prospectively,randomly enrolled for the simultaneous analysis of urine cytology,FISH testing,and a final diagnosis as determined by the pathologic findings of a biopsy or a surgically-excised specimen.Overall,the sensitivity of FISH in detecting transitional-cell carcinoma was 82.7%,while that of cytology was 33.4%(p<0.001).The sensitivity values of FISH for non-muscle invasive and muscle invasive bladder transitional-cell carcinoma were 81.7%and 89.6%,respectively(p=0.004).The sensitivity values of FISH for low and high grade bladder cancer were 82.6%and 90.1%,respectively(p=0.002).Conclusion:FISH is significantly more sensitive than voided urine cytology for detecting bladder cancer in patients evaluated for gross hematuria at all cancer grades and stages.Higher sensitivity using FISH was obtained in high grade and muscle invasive tumors.

DUCTAL CARCINOMA IN SITU OF THE BREAST

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of ductal carcinomain situ (DCIS) of the breast. Methods: Clinicopathological and follow-up data were collected in 52 patients with DCIS. Results: The clinic data showed that 50 patients had signs of breast lumps or/and nipple discharges, 2 patients presented abnormal mammography; 2 patients had lymph node involved; and 14 patients were accompanied with intraductal papillomatosis. All patients were received surgical therapy. The follow-up data showed 1 patient locally recurred after lumpectomy, and was underwent mastectomy again, then cured. There were no patients died of DCIS. Conclusion: Mastectomy should be a standard surgical mode, and the prognosis of DCIS was favorable, but mammography for screening of asymptomatic women should be strengthened to find DCIS.

Low-Grade and High-Grade Invasive Ductal Carcinomas of the Breast Follow Divergent routes of Progression

Low-grade invasive ductal carcinoma is almost diploid, and has frequent losses of chromosome 16q, which is shared by other precancerous lesions of the mammary gland such as flat epithelial atypia （FEA）, atypical ductal hyperplasia （ADH）, and lownuclear grade ductal carcinoma in situ （DCIS）. The genetic alterations accumulate in a stepwise fashion as the precancerous lesions progress to invasve ductal carcinoma. This supports the linear progression model of breast cancer from FEA, through ADH, to low- nuclear grade DCIS as non-obligate early events in low-grade IDC evolution. In contrast, high-grade carcinoma tends to aneuploidy with complex genetic alterations--most importantly, frequent gains at chromosome 16q. Frequent losses at chromosome 16q in low-grade IDC and gains in the same arm of the same chromosome in high-grade IDC imply that these lesions are two end outcomes of different disease processes and that they do not lie in the same continuum of a process. Therefore, low-grade and high-grade IDC are two distinct diseases with a divergent route of progression.

Coexistence of situs inversus totalis and hepatocellular carcinoma:A series of nine cases and a literature review

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the most commonly diagnosed carcinoma and one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide.Situs inversus totalis(SIT)is a congenital condition where in the internal organs of the abdomen and thorax lie in mirror images of their normal position.Thus far,there are very few reports on cases of SIT coexisting with HCC.Our case series is probably the largest series in world literature.The cohort of this retrospective study included a total of nine patients diagnosed with SIT-HCC and treated in our hospital between January 2013 and May 2018.Clinical characteristics,prognostic factors,and outcomes were summarized.Treatment strategies included surgery,transarterial chemoembolization,and microwave ablation.The diagnosis and treatment of patients with SIT are challenging because of organ reversion.The current treatment strategies for different stages of liver cancer are safe and feasible for patients with SIT-HCC.

Pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ of the breast: Can the evidence guide practice?

The clinical significance of pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ(PLCIS) is a subject of controversy. As a consequence, there is a risk of providing inconsistent management to patients presenting with PLCIS. This review aims to establish whether the current guidelines for the management of PLCIS are consistent with current evidence. A systematic electronic search was performed to identify all English language articles regarding PLCIS management. The data was analysed, specifically looking at: incidence of concurrent disease, recurrence rates, long-term prognosis and PLCIS management. A search was also performed for PLCIS management guidelines for the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, Germany and pan-European. The results of the evidence analyses were compared to the guidelines in order to establish whether the recommended management is consistent with the published evidence. Nine studies(level 3-4 evidence), involving a total of 176 patients and five management guidelines(from United Kingdom, United States, Australia and pan-European) were included in the review. From the evidence, 46 of 93(49%) patients were found to have PLCIS with concurrent invasive disease on excision specimen analysis. Regarding recurrence rates, 11 of 117(9.4%) patients developed a recurrence of PLCIS. There were no instances of invasive disease or ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS) on recurrence histology. There were no studies assessing long-term outcomes in PLCIS cases. With regards to the management guidelines, the Association of Breast Surgery(United Kingdom) and the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Care(Australia) do not mention PLCIS. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network(United States) suggest considering excision of PLCIS with negative margins. The NHS Breast Screening Programme(United Kingdom) and the European Society of Medical Oncology(pan-European) recommend PLCIS should be treated as with DCIS. We conclude that high quality evidence to inform guidance is lacking, thus recommendations are relatively vague. However, based on the available evidence, it would seem prudent to treat PLCIS in a similar manner to DCIS.

THE EXPRESSION OF C-MYC AND N-RAS ONCOGENES IN HUMAN HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA-AN IN SITU HYBRIDIZATION STUDY ON PARAFFIN EMBEDDED TISSUE SECTIONS

In this research, we investigated the expression of C myc and N-ras mRNAs on 21 cases paraffin- embedded tissue sections of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) using insitu hybridization technique with biotinylated labelled cDNA probes. Of 21 cases of hepatoma , C-myc mRNA was positive-expressed in 9 cases(42. 9 % ) and N-ras positive in 4 cases ( 19% ) in hepatoma cells, and C-myc and N-ras positive in 4 and 1 cases respectively in peritumor hepatocytes. C- myc mRNAs were localized within cytoplasms of both hepatoma cells and peritumor hepatocytes. However , the positive intensities of C-myc and N-ros mRNAs in hepatoma cells were much greater than those in peritumor hepatocytes. The results indicated that Cmyc and N-ras oncogenes were overexpressed in HCC, and may play an important role in coordinatively maintaince of the malignant phenotypes in HCC.

Histological Grading in Ductal Carcinoma in Situ of the Breast

Objective: To study the significance of histological grading as a prognostic factor in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast. Methods: According to the Van Nuy’s classification, 32 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast were divided into three groups. Results: Low grade (well differentiated, low grade DCIS) 12 patients (37.5%); Intermediate grade, 9 patients (28.1%); High grade (poorly differentiated DCIS) 11 patients (34.4%). Among the high grade DCIS, the histologic subtypes were comedo (9 patients), micropapillary (1 patient) and solid (1 patient). The positive expression of c-erbB-2, p53 and MIB-1 in high grade DCIS was higher than that in intermediate and low grade DCIS. The difference between high grade and low grade DCIS was significant (p<0.05). The expression of ER in high grade DCIS was lower than that in intermediate and low grade DCIS. Conclusions: Histological grading of breast ductal carcinoma in situ may be a good prognostic factor.

Investigation on Hepatitis C and B Virus Infection in Carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile duct in CHINA

Objective: The incidence of carcinoma of extrahepatic bile duct tends to increase during recent decade in China, but its cause is unclear. This study is to investigate the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the tissues of carcinoma of extrahepatic bile duct and study their correlation. Methods: HCV RNA and HBV DNA was detected by in situ polymerase chain reaction (IS-PCR) in sections of 51 cases of carcinoma of extrahepatic bile duct and 34 cases of control group. Results: Of 51 carcinoma of extrahepatic bile duct, HCV RNA was detected in 18 (35.4%), HBV DNA in 8 (15.9%). In 34 cases of control group, HCV RNA was detected in 2 (5.9%), and HBV DNA in 3 (8.8%). Conclusion:The prevalence of hepatitis C and B viralinfection in the tissues of carcinoma of extrahepatic bile duct was significantly higher than in control group. The findings suggest a correlation between HCV, HBV infection and carcinoma of extrahepatic bile duct, inferring HCV and HBV might be involved in the development of carcinoma of extrahepatic bile duct.

Liver metastasis as the initial clinical manifestation of sublingual gland adenoid cystic carcinoma: A case report

BACKGROUND Adenoid cystic carcinoma(ACC)is a common malignant tumor of salivary gland.The lung and liver are frequent sites of distant metastasis.Liver metastasis as the initial clinical manifestation of sublingual gland ACC is very rare.CASE SUMMARY A 51-year-old Chinese woman presented with a painless mass in the right lobe of liver.The tumor was composed of ductal cells and myoepithelial cells with a morphology including tubiform and cribriform structures.Immunostaining results showed ductal cells positive for CK7,CK14,CK19,CD117,and 34βE12,and negative for MYB,vimentin,ER,PR,and CEA.The myoepithelial cells were positive for p63,calponin and CK5/6.Metastatic salivary ACC was considered,and a sublingual gland mass was revealed by computed tomography.Histological evaluation confirmed primary sublingual gland ACC.Fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)did not find an MYB-NFIB fusion gene in specimens from either the primary or metastatic ACC tumors.The sublingual gland ACC relapsed in 20 mo.The recurrent lesion disappeared following local radiation therapy and computed tomography-guided radioactive seed implantation.The patient remains in good condition until now.CONCLUSION Metastatic sublingual gland ACC with initial clinical manifestation as a liver mass is very rare,and was pathologically confirmed in this patient by its histological appearance.Primary hepatic tumors and metastatic carcinomas should be included in the differential diagnosis.Immunohistochemical detection of MYB protein and MYB-NFIB fusion gene detection by FISH can be helpful,but occasional negative results confuse the diagnosis.

The Impact of Ethnicity on the Incidence, Tumor Characteristics and Treatment of Ductal Carcinoma in Situ—An 11-Year Clinical Experience at a High Volume Teaching Hospital

Introduction: Screening mammography has led to a marked increase in detection of in situ breast tumors in the United States. The University of Southern California/Van Nuys Prognostic Index (USC/VNPI) predicts the recurrence rates of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS);however variations in tumor characteristics, USC/VNPI scores, receptor and human epithelial growth factor receptor (HER)-2/neu status across different ethnicities/races have not been well studied. This study aimed to evaluate the racial trends in incidence, patient demographics, tumor characteristics and treatment variations for patients with DCIS at a high volume teaching hospital. Methods: 395 women underwent surgical intervention for DCIS between 2000 and 2011. Their race/ethnicity was divided into five mutually exclusive categories and demographic and clinicopathological data was collected. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate variations in patient and tumor factors with respect to age, size and surgical management among different ethnicities and races. Results: 82.1% of Caucasian women underwent simple mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) while lumpectomy with SLNB was highest in Hispanics (40%, p = 0.005). Overall, there was no significant difference in the incidence of receptor or HER-2/neu positivity, multicentricity, necrosis or grade of DCIS in the various racial groups, but there was a significant racial difference in the USC/VNPI scores (p < 0.001). Conclusion: On a community level, screening detected DCIS accounted for the vast majority of DCIS diagnosed, which reflected national trends. Although no racial variation in DCIS with respect to patient or tumor characteristics was observed, a racial difference in USC/VNPI score was identified among the Hispanic population. Additional studies are required to validate the significance of these findings.

Expression of E2F-1, Rb and ER in Peripheral Papil-loma and Ductal Carcinoma in Situ of the Breast and its Significance

OBJECTIVE To investigate the correlation of E2F-1, Rb and ER expression with peripheral papilloma （Peri-PM） and ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast （DCIS）, and further explore some molecular mechanisms of the canceratin of Peri-PM.METHODS Imunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of E2F-1, Rb and ER in 60 Peri-PM, 60 Peri-PM with atypical ductal hyperplasia （Peri-PM with ADH） and 60 DCIS. Normal breast tissues were selected as a control group.RESULTS Based on immunohistochemical staining, the positive rate of E2F-1 expression in Peri-PM, Peri-PM with ADH and DCIS was 21.7%, 46.7% and 78.3% respectively. The positive rate of Rb expression was 83.3 %, 53.9% and 21.7% and the ER expression was 86.7%,61.7% and 55.0%. Significant differences were found among the 3 groups （Peri-PM, Peri-PM with ADH and DCIS） （P〈0.05）. Significant differences existed between any 2 groups （P〈0.05） except for the rate of ER positive expression comparing Peri-PM with ADH verus DCIS （P〉0.05）. The expression of E2F-1 was nega- tively correlated with ER and Rb, and at the same time the expression of ER was positively correlated with Rb. Following the degree of breast epithelial hyperplasia involved and its development into carcinoma, the positive rate of E2F-1 expression displayed an elevating tendency, but that of Rb and ER expression showed a tendency to decline.CONCLUSION The interaction of the 3 indexes studied may play an important role in the conversion of precancerous lesions to early in situ breast carcinoma, and the evaluation of these indexes might provide a valuable basis for screening high-risk cases of Peri-PM.

Comparison of the underestimation rate in cases with ductal carcinoma in situ at ultrasound-guided core biopsy: 14-gauge automated core-needle biopsy vs 11-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy

Objective： The objective of this study was to compare the underestimation rate of invasive carcinoma cases with ductal carcinoma in situ （DCIS） at percutaneous ultrasound-guided core biopsies of breast lesions between 14-gauge automated core needle biopsy （ACNB） and 11-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy （VAB）, and analyze the diagnostic advantages and insufficiencies in DCIS between this two methods, and to determine the relationship between the lesion type （masses or microcalcifications on radiological findings ） and DCIS underestimation rate. Methods： We collected 152 breast lesions which were diagnosed as DCIS by retrospectively reviewing data about ultrasound-guided biopsies of breast lesions （from February 2003 to July 2010）. There were 98 lesions in 95 patients by 14-gauge ACNB, and 54 lesions in 52 patients by 11-gauge VAB （The system used in this study called Mammatome, MMT）. The clinical and radiological findings were reviewed; meanwhile all the selected patients had histological results of the biopsies and follow-up surgeries which also achieved the reliable pathological results to compare with the biopsy results. The differences between two correlated histological results defined as underestimation, and the histological DCIS underestimation rates were compared between the two groups. According to the radiological characteristics, each group was classified into two subgroups （masses or micrecalcifications group）, and the differences between subgroups were also analyzed. Results： The DCIS underestimation rate was 45.9% （45/98） for 14-gauge ACNB and 16.6% （9/54） for MMT. According to the lesion type on ultrasonography, DCIS underestimation was 31.0% （26/84） in masses （43.1% using ACNB and 12.1% using MMT; P = 0.003） and 42.6% （29/68） in microcalcifications （48.9% using ACNB and 23,8% using MMT; P = 0,036）, Conclusion： The underestimation rate of invasive carcinoma in cases with DCIS at ultrasound-guided core biopsies is significantly higher for ACNB than for MMT. Furthermore, this difference does not alter among the two lesion types presented on ultrasonography. So ultrasound-guided VAB （MMT system） could be an effective and useful method for the diagnosis of DCIS lesions no matter what the lesion type is.

Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C and Its Clinical Significance in Human Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE To examine the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C （VEGF-C） in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma （ESCC）, and to clarify its role in lymphatic metastasis in ESCC patients.METHODS Esophageal carcinoma EC9706 cells and samples from 49 patients with primary ESCC were investigated by using S-P immunohistochemistry （IHC）, the semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and in situ hybridization （ISH） methods for VEGF-C expression. RESULTS VEGF-C positive expression was found in EC9706 cells through IHC, ISH and RT-PCR. Positive IHC for VEGF-C was observed in 36 of 49 cases of ESCC. There was a significant difference between the expression of VEGF-C in a lymph-node-positive group compared to a node-negative group （χ^2=4.7, P〈0.05）. Positive ISH for VEGF-C mRNA was observed in 23 of 49 cases of ESCC. There was a significant difference between the expression of VEGF-C in the lymph-node-positive group and node-negative group （χ^2=31.3, P〈0.01）. The expression of VEGF-C was significantly higher in the lymph-node-positive group compared to the node-negative group. Of 49 ESCC tissues, RT-PCR for VEGF-C mRNA was observed positively in 29 cases. There was a significant difference between the expression of VEGF-C in the lymph-node-positive group and node-negative group （χ^2=23.3, P〈0.01）. The expression of VEGF-C was significantly higher in the lymphnode-positive group compared to the node-negative group. Expressions of VEGF-C were not significantly associated with age, gender, and pathological grade. There was a relationship between VEGF-C mRNA expressions by RT-PCR and ISH （χ^2=18.5, P〈0.01） in ESCC cases, but with no significant difference between the two methods. CONCLUSION VEGF-C expression may induce lymphangiogenesis in human ESCC. There was a close correlation between VEGF-C expression and lymph node metastasis. VEGF-C can serve as a useful prognostic factor for ESCC patients.

LASER SCANNING CYTOMETRIC DNA ANALYSES AND EXPRE- SSION OF P53 PROTEIN,KI67 AND BCL-X IN EARLY AND ADVANCED CARCINOMAS OF THE VOCAL CORD

Objective To study DNA ploidy and genetic changes in the different stages of neoplastic growth in the vocal cord, as well as their biological behavior, for further recognition of the lesions of carcinoma in situ and early carcinoma. Methods 18 tumor lesions of the vocal cord were DNA analyzed by laser scanning cytometry and followed up, and 62 lesions were immunohistochemically investigated for p53, Ki67 and Bcl-X, and with main observation on carcinomas in situ (CISs) and early microinvasive carcinomas (EMICs) which were compared with invasive carcinomas and polyps. Results DNA analysis showed that almost all the CISs and EMICs were diploidy, while 90% invasive carcinomas were aneuploidy. Follow-up data displayed that no one died of the tumor in CIS and EMIC, as well as in the patients with diploidy tumor, and all the patients died of the tumors were with anueploidy tumor. Immunohistochemically, 86% of CIS and EMIC and 91% of invasive carcinoma expressed p53 protein, and the positivities for Ki67 in them were respectively 29% and 27%, which were very significantly different from those of polyps of the vocal cord(P<0.001). In contrast, expression of Bcl-X were decreasing from benign to malignant lesions, and it was lowest in the invasive carcinomas, significantly different from that of polyp(P=0.002). Conclusion The present study showed that there were differences of DNA ploidy and genetic expressions among benign lesions, CISs and EMICs, and invasive carcinomas of the vocal cord, indicating that they might be different in biological entities. CIS of the vocal cord could be considered as a borderline lesion, and is better to receive conservative treatment. Moreover, p53 protein determination combined with Ki67 would be helpful in diagnosis of the carcinomas of the vocal cord.