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This review encompasses the diagnostic features of malignancy, the routinely observable prognostic features and the prognostic and predictive features emerging from research techniques in the principal endocrine neoplasms: pancreatic and extrapancreatic endocrine cell tumours, thyroid and parathyroid neoplasia, adrenal cortical neoplasms and adrenal and extra-adrenal paragangliomas. While each endocrine tissue has its own set of diagnostic features for malignancy, and prognostic features once a diagnosis of malignancy has been established, there are a few common themes. For several endocrine neoplasms, definite recognition of malignancy can be difficult and may depend upon frank invasive or metastatic growth at presentation. Endocrine tissues are dynamic, with hyperplastic and regressive phenomena, some of which may mimic malignancy. Even when unequivocal features of malignancy are available for observation, their distribution in tissue may be very focal, necessitating thorough sampling. The accurate documentation of routinely observable histological features interpreted in the light of current literature has not been superseded by special techniques in the statement of diagnosis or prognosis in the vast majority of endocrine neoplasms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: Barrett's oesophagus is the major risk factor for oesophageal adenocarcinoma. 5-Aminlevulinic acid-induced photodynamic therapy and argon plasma coagulation have been shown to be effective for ablating Barrett's oesophagus, but a comparative trial of these two modalities has not been reported.: To compare photodynamic therapy and argon plasma coagulation for the ablation of Barrett's oesophagus.: A total of 68 patients (54 male, 14 female; median age 61) with Barrett's oesophagus were randomized to photodynamic therapy (n = 34) or argon plasma coagulation (n = 34). Photodynamic therapy was performed using 5-aminlevulinic acid (30 mg/kg) and red light. Argon plasma coagulation was administered at a power setting of 65 W. Multiple treatment sessions were performed, with follow-up to 24 months.: All patients showed a macroscopic reduction in the area of Barrett's oesophagus. This was greatest in the argon plasma coagulation group with 33 of 34 (97%) ablated, compared with 17 of 34 (50%) in the photodynamic therapy group; in the remainder, there was a reduction in the length of Barrett's oesophagus (median 50%, range: 5–90). Buried glands were found in 24% of photodynamic therapy patients, and in 21% of argon plasma coagulation patients. The median follow-up is 12 months (range: 6–24).: Photodynamic therapy and argon plasma coagulation are both effective for ablating Barrett's oesophagus. Argon plasma coagulation appears more effective than photodynamic therapy, but the impact of both on carcinoma development requires larger studies with long-term follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

- Monoclonal antibodies to A, B and H blood group isoantigens (Bgi) have been used in an indirect immunoperoxidase technique to study the expression of BGI in both normal and malignant transitional epithelium in patients of all blood groups. BGI was detectable in all 15 biopsies of normal transitional epithelium and in 28 of 50 (56%) stage pTa and pTI transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder (Tccb). In the tumours failing to express BGI there was a 55% invasive recurrence rate at 5 years compared with 14% in those tumours expressing BGI. The difference was significant at the P < 0. 01 level. The recent availability of a monoclonal antibody to H isoantigen expressed in group O patients, in addition to monoclonal anti A and anti B, has made possible the inclusion of patients of all blood groups into a study using a standard immunoperoxidase technique without the need for specially processed biopsy material. The advantages of this technique compared with the earlier methods are discussed with reference to its possible role in identifying those patients at highest risk of developing invasive recurrence of their tumour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on the oncogenesis and tumor progression of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland in Great Britain. Role of cyclooxygenase-2 (CO-2) in carcinogenesis for its elevated expression in various human tumor; Determination of the correlation between CO-2 and tumor type with consideration to age; Assessment of molecular expression in the malignant tumor's benign counterpart.

Provides information on papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), the most common type of thyroid carcinoma with its variants. Concern over the nature of papillary formations within encapsulated follicular nodules; Markers of PTC; Accurate regard for certain papillary thyroid lesions as benign.

Sir: Oxyphil metaplasia of endocrine tissues is well recognized in both normal and neoplastic states. This phenomenon is characterized by cytoplasmic accumulation of mitochondria. We have recently seen two cases of diffuse adrenal hyperplasia with similar oxyphil metaplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]