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PURPOSE: We aimed to assess the clinical and predictive role of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) as the primary method for imaging evaluation of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Thirty-one patients with symptomatic BPH, treated with PAE from October 2016 until February 2018, were enrolled in this prospective, single-center study. Microspheres (100–700 μm) were utilized for PAE. International prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), maximum urinary flow (Qmax), prostatic volume (PV) and post void residual volume (PVR) were measured at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months post PAE. Unenhanced transabdominal US was utilized for PV and PVR measurements; prostatic enhancement was studied with transabdominal CEUS at baseline, during the procedure, 1 day and 1, 3, and 6 months post PAE. Technical success was defined as embolization of the PA of at least one pelvic side. Clinical success was based on the improvement of IPSS and QoL, with no need for any additional treatment. Follow-up time ranged from 6 to 18 months (mean, 9.7±4.3 months). Clinical success rates were calculated and changes in prostatic enhancement were correlated with the outcome parameters. RESULTS: Technical success rate was 90.3%. Clinical success rates at 3, 6, and 12 months post PAE were 85.7%, 85.7%, and 79.1% respectively. Improvement of outcome parameters (baseline vs. 6-month values) was statistically significant, with 12.4 points mean reduction of IPSS (50.4%, P = 0.003), 2.0 points mean reduction of QoL (45.4%, P < 0.001), 30.3 mL mean reduction of PV (30.2%, P < 0.001), 72.6 mL mean reduction of PVR (51.8%, P = 0.005) and 8.6 mL/s mean increase in Qmax (103%, P = 0.002). The most significant complications were bladder ischemia (n=1), and ischemic rectal ulcer (n=1), both attributable to nontarget embolization, with complete recovery. CEUS 1 day post PAE demonstrated prostatic infarcts in 26/28 (92.8%) patients. The percentage of prostatic infarction (pPI, defined as prostatic infarcted volume 1 day post PAE divided by baseline PV) was 1%–71%. There was a very strong positive correlation between pPI and prostate shrinkage (r=0.81, P < 0.001), but a weak correlation between pPI and the improvement of the other outcome parameters (r= 0.01–0.36; P = 0.093–0.965). However, in the subgroup of patients with indwelling bladder catheter (9/28 patients), successful removal of the catheter was achieved only in patients with pPI>10%. CONCLUSION: CEUS appears to be a practical method for the study of the local ischemic effect of PAE, with potential predictive value.

Endometrial carcinoma is one of the most common types of gynecological cancer. A total of 99 cases of primary endometrial carcinoma were investigated for survivin expression by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the association between concomitant survivin, PTEN and p53 expression, and clinicopathological parameters was examined. Immunopositivity for survivin was identified in 88% of cases. Concomitant survivin, PTEN and p53 expression (staining scores and intensity) was observed in 60% of endometrial adenocarcinomas. A significant association was identified between the sum of staining intensity and scores of survivin immunopositive cells, and patient age (P=0.028), histological grade (P

Background: Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is involved in the initial steps of colorectal cancer (CRC) formation, playing a key role in the catalysis of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). The human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT or TERT) also plays an important role in colorectal cancer growth, conferring sustained cell proliferation and survival. Although hTERT induces COX-2 expression in gastric and cervical cancer, their interaction has not been investigated in the context of CRC. Methods: COX-2, PGE2 levels, and telomerase activity were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and TRAP assay in 49 colorectal cancer samples. PTGS1, PTGS2, PTGES3, TERT mRNA, and protein levels were investigated using RNA-seq and antibody-based protein profiling data from the TCGA and HPA projects. A multi-omics comparison was performed between PTGS2 and TERT, using RNAseq, DNA methylation, copy number variations (CNVs), single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and insertions/deletions (Indels) data. Results: COX-2 expression was positive in 40/49 CRCs, bearing cytoplasmic and heterogeneous staining, from moderate to high intensity. COX-2 staining was mainly detected in the stroma of the tumor cells and the adjacent normal tissues. PGE2 expression was lower in CRC compared to the adjacent normal tissue, and inversely correlated to telomerase activity in right colon cancers. COX-1 and COX-2 were anticorrelated with TERT. Isoform structural analysis revealed the most prevalent transcripts driving the differential expression of PTGS1, PTGS2, PTGES3, and TERT in CRC. COX-2 expression was significantly higher among B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase, mutant (BRAFmut) tumors. Kirsten ras oncogene (KRAS) mutations did not affect COX-2 or TERT expression. The promoter regions of COX-2 and TERT were reversely methylated. Conclusions: Our data support that COX-2 is involved in the early stages of colorectal cancer development, initially affecting the tumor&rsquo, s stromal microenvironment, and, subsequently, the epithelial cells. They also highlight an inverse correlation between COX-2 expression and telomerase activity in CRC, as well as differentially methylated patterns within the promoter regions of COX-2 and TERT.

Endometrial carcinoma is a common malignancy of the female genital tract. Alterations in the expression levels of various oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes serve important roles in the carcinogenesis and biological behavior of endometrial carcinoma. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the combination and individual expression of p53 and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) protein in human endometrial carcinoma. In addition, the correlation of these proteins with clinicopathological parameters was also assessed. Retrospective immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of p53 and PTEN tumor suppressor proteins was conducted in 99 women with endometrial carcinoma. The overall rate of p53 and PTEN positivity was 89 and 77%, respectively, according to the sum of stain intensity and scores of immunopositive cells. The sum of p53 positivity correlated strongly with PTEN expression (ρ=0.256; P=0.044). The concomitant sum of p53 and PTEN expression was identified in 45% of patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma. Notably, the sum of the immunohistochemical expression of p53 was significantly correlated with patient age (P=0.037), histologic type (P=0.008), histologic grade (P=0.002) and fallopian and/or ovarian invasion (P=0.014). Furthermore, PTEN expression was associated with myometrial invasion (ρ=-0.377; P=0.002) and clinical stage (P=0.019). In addition, concomitant p53 and PTEN expression was correlated with patient age (P=0.008) and histologic differentiation (P=0.028). The findings indicated a correlation between the expression of p53 and PTEN in endometrial adenocarcinoma, which suggested an intrinsic association between expression levels of these tumor suppressor genes. The study also suggested that concomitant p53 and PTEN expression contributed in characterizing the tumor behavior of endometrial carcinoma. Taken together, the present study suggested the combined expression of p53 and PTEN in the development of high-grade endometrial carcinoma in older patients. In addition, the findings indicated activation of different molecular pathways in the tumor progression between low-grade and high-grade endometrial carcinomas.

Chronic hyperinsulinemia due to insulin resistance and elevated levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and IGF-2 are suggestive of a significantly higher risk of endometrial carcinoma. There is a wealth of evidence showing differential expression of IGF-1 isoforms in various types of cancer. In the present study, 99 archived endometrial carcinoma tissue sections were retrospectively assessed by immunohistochemistry for IGF-1Ec isoform expression. Expression of IGF-1Ec was also assessed in nine cases of non-neoplastic endometrial tissue adjacent to the tumor, in 30 cases with normal endometrium and in 30 cases with endometrial hyperplasia. Furthermore, the association between IGF-1Ec and the concurrent expression of phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), p53 or survivin was assessed, as well as their combined expression in association with clinicopathological variables. In endometrial carcinoma, IGF-1Ec expression was high in non-endometrioid carcinoma (serous papillary or clear cell carcinoma) compared with that in endometrioid adenocarcinoma. IGF-1Ec expression was also high in the presence of tumoral necrosis. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between the histological differentiation and the sum of staining intensity and the number of IGF-1Ec immunopositive cells in endometrial carcinoma. There was a moderate negative correlation between co-expression of IGF-1Ec and PTEN, for both the number of immunopositive cells (P=0.006, ρ=-0.343) and the sum of staining (scores and intensity; P=0.006, ρ=-0.343). Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between the sum of staining (scores and intensity) and co-expression of IGF-1Ec and survivin (P=0.043, ρ=0.225). However, there was no association between concomitant expression of IGF-1Ec and p53. These results emphasized the importance of IGF-1Ec expression during development of non-estrogen dependent endometrial adenocarcinoma. IGF-1Ec and PTEN may function opposingly during endometrial carcinogenesis. By contrast, IGF-1Ec and survivin may share common molecular pathways and may promote, in parallel, tumoral development.

type of low differentiated carcinoma of the nasopharyngeal region characterized by marked infiltration of lymphocytes in the area involved by tumor. However, carcinomas with this peculiar morphologic feature have been also described in various anatomic locations and they are generally designated «lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas». Those of the urinary bladder are uncommon as they account of 0.4%-1.3% of all bladder carcinomas. They may coexist with the conventional urothelial carcinoma. Given their rarity, there is poor information regarding their behaviour. Here we present a new case of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma in the bladder and we discuss its characteristics and prognosis.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the Waldeyer’s ring is a relatively rare entity and the palatine tonsil is the most frequently involved site. Although the exact aetiology remains unclear, a number of predisposing factors have been identified including human immunodeficiency virus and Epstein-Barr infection. An 82-year-old male patient presented with a sensation of fullness of the throat. Physical examination revealed a smooth non-tender mass in the right palatine tonsil measuring approximately 3.5 x 3cm. Serology was negative for human immunodeficiency virus and Epstein- Barr virus. Computer tomography revealed a non-enhancing right tonsillar mass but without any signs of neck lymphadenopathy. The patient underwent bilateral tonsillectomy. Histological examination confirmed a diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma of B phenotype. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells were positive for CD19, CD20, CD79a, CD22, Bcl 2, CD5, Cyclin D1 and negative for CD10, CD57, EBV, CD3, CKAE1, CKAE3. Bone marrow biopsy did not reveal lymphomatous involvement. The patient received chemotherapy based on CHOP protocol combined with Rituximab. At 18-month follow-up after diagnosis, he remains disease-free. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas rarely involve the tonsils and the vast majority of them are of B-cell origin. A combined treatment consisting of chemotherapy and radiotherapy leads to a satisfactory outcome in patients with this uncommon neoplasm. The current results supported its good prognosis at early stage.

Gastric Hepatoid AdenoCarcinoma (GHAC) is a special type of gastric cancer characterized by morphological features similar to hepatocellular carcinoma (HAC). GHAC has been found in different organs such as the stomach, lung, pancreas, oesophagus, papilla of Vater, colon, kidney, uterus and peritoneum. The diagnosis of GHAC is not dependent on production of AFP, but mainly based on recognition of characteristic histologic features. We report the case of a 72-year-old male patient who underwent a total gastrectomy for a large poorly differentiated gastric tumour. The microscopic examination of the tumour showed an adenocarcinoma with two distinct patterns: that of an adenocarcinoma with glandular differentiation and another with a morphological pattern consisting of polygonal neoplastic cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, prominent nuclei and high mitotic activity. Immunohistochemical staining revealed positive Hep Par1 and AFP, while CK7 and CK20 were negative, the percentage of hepatoid differentiation being about 60%. On the basis of histological and immunohistochemical findings, the diagnosis of hepatoid gastric adenocarcinoma was established. In general, GHACs have an unfavourable prognosis. The majority have already metastasized by the time of diagnosis, usually to the liver and lymph nodes.

Introduction: Cartilaginous tumors involving the small bones of the hands and feet are usually benign such as enchondroma, chondromyxoid fibroma and chondroblastoma. The small bones of the hands and feet are rarely involved by primary chondrosarcoma. Proximal phalanges are the most common sites in the hands, but the fourth digit is the least common site. Case Presentation: We report a case of a 76-year-old Greek female who presented to our hospital with a painful swollen mass measuring 4.5 × 2.6 cm on the fourth digit of the left hand. The radiograph showed a destructive, permeative lytic tumor of the proximal phalanx with extension into soft tissue. The patient underwent curettage, and the microscopic examination of the specimen revealed grade 2 chondrosarcoma. Conclusion: Cartilaginous tumors involving the small bones of the hands and feet are usually benign such as enchondroma, chondromyxoid fibroma and chondroblastoma. Primary chondrosarcoma is the third most common malignancy of bone after myeloma and osteosarcoma, but the small bones of the hands and feet are very rarely involved by chondrosarcoma (1% of all chondrosarcoma). However, in these cases differentiation between a benign lesion and chondrosarcoma may be difficult. Occasionally chondrosarcoma of the hands and feet is associated with multiple recurrences or distal metastasis.

Calcifying fibrous tumor is a very rare benign mesenchymal tumor which shows a predilection for soft tissue, mesentery and peritoneum. Up to date only 7 cases have been reported in the literature confined to the gastric wall. We report a rare case of a calcifying fibrous tumor of the stomach in a 60-year-old man who presented with dyspepsia, flatulence and feeling weight. A clinical and laboratory investigation was performed with normal results. Gastroscopy revealed a bulge in the gastric body measuring 1 cm with normal overlying mucosa, and mucosal biopsies showed chronic gastritis. Endoscopic ultrasound of the gastric bulge showed a 1 × 0.8 cm hypoechoic lesion involving the gastric wall. After the above finding a wedge resection of the stomach was performed. Microscopically the lesion consisted of well-circumscribed hypocellular hyalinized fibrosclerotic tissue with lympoplasmatic infiltrates, lymphoid aggregates and psammomatous calcifications. Lesional cells were positive for vimentin and factor XIII and negative for actin, desmin, S100p, CD117, CD34, CD31 and ALK-1. The lesion involved the muscularis propria with variable submucosal extension. Calcifying fibrous tumor has shown an excellent prognosis with recurrences being rare and showing the same morphology as the primary lesion.

Cutaneous apocrine gland carcinoma, a subtype of sweat gland carcinoma, is a very rare malignancy, and only few cases have been reported in the literature. Many of these carcinomas are indolent and slowly developing, but some are rapidly progressive. The treatment of choice is wide local excision with clear margins, with or without lymph node dissection. We report a case of a 67-year-old man who came to our hospital with an ulcerated nodule in the right axilla measuring 1 × 0.8 cm. Histological evaluation showed features of an apocrine gland carcinoma arising in an area of high apocrine gland density.

Pseudosarcomatous myofibroblastic proliferations are very unusual entities of unknown etiology. Despite its benign nature, this entity can easily be misdiagnosed (both clinically and histologically) as a malignant neoplasm. Hereby, we report a case of a 15-year-old woman who presented to our hospital with a broad-based polypoid mass located in the left posterior wall of the urinary bladder. The patient underwent a transurethral resection of the lesion. Morphologic and immunohistochemical findings suggested the diagnosis of pseudosarcomatous myofibroblastic proliferation. The patient is free of recurrence 5 years after surgery.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) represent the majority of primary mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. They are generally considered to be solitary tumors and therefore the synchronous occurrence with other primary malignancies of gastrointestinal track is considered a rare event. Here we present the case of a 75-year-old man admitted to our hospital with a 10-day history of gastrointestinal bleeding. Colonoscopy revealed an ulcerative mass of 4 cm in diameter in the ascending colon. Gastroscopy revealed a bulge in the gastric body measuring 1 cm in diameter with normal overlying mucosa. Surgical intervention was suggested and ileohemicolectomy with regional lymph node resection along with gastric wedge resection was performed. Pathologic examination of the ascending colon mass showed an invasive moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma stage III B (T3N1M0). Grossly resected wedge of stomach showed a well circumscribed intramural tumor which microscopically was consistent with essentially benign gastrointestinal stromal tumor (according to Miettinen criteria). The patient did not receive additional treatment. Two years later the patient showed no evidence of recurrence or metastasis.

Μalakoplakia is a rare inflammatory condition of the urogenital tract. The most frequently affected organ is urinary bladder. This condition has features of a granulomatous inflammation, the pathogenesis of which is not well understood. In this study, we presented a case of urinary bladder malakoplakia associated with advanced obstructive uropathy and renal failure.

Introduction Primary extranodal lymphomas of the liver are notably rare. A proportion of cases are associated with infection with hepatitis C or B, HIV, EBV or primary biliary cirrhosis. We report the case of a 45-year-old man who presented with abdominal pain and weight loss. Case report Physical examination revealed an enlarged liver, but ascites, jaundice, splenomegaly and peripheral lymphadenopathy were absent. Laboratory studies showed elevated hepatic enzymes. Tumour markers CEA and AFP were normal. Abdominal computed tomography revealed multiple hypodense lesions in both lobes of the liver. Liver biopsy examination confirmed a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s anaplastic large-cell lymphoma of T phenotype. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells were positive for CD43, CD4, CD2, CD3, CD30, CD5 and granzyme B and negative for CD20, CD79a, CD10, EBV, CD15, CEA, EMA, CD56, CD57 and ALK1. Bone marrow biopsy did not reveal lymphomatous involvement. The patient received combination chemotherapy, and he was alive 2 years after diagnosis. Conclusion Although primary lymphoma of liver is rare compared with secondary hepatic involvement by lymphoma, primary epithelial neoplasms and metastatic carcinoma, the diagnosis should be considered in certain clinical circumstances. The prognosis relates to the specific disease entity.