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Background. Diagnostic and consistent chromosomal abnormalities have been reported in several soft tissue sarcomas, but few studies have reported the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities in uterine sarcomas. Methods. Cytogenetic studies were performed on specimens of uterine sarcoma from 14 patients. The specimens included five of leiomyosarcoma (LMS), four of endometrial stroma sarcoma (ESS), and five of malignant mixed mesodermal tumor (MMMT). Results. Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 10 of 14 (71%) patients. Chromosome 1 was involved in 7 of 13 (54%) of the patients, chromosome 11 in 6 of 13 (46%), and chromosome 7 in 6 of 13 (46%). A site-specific chromosomal abnormality, del(11)(q22) was found in two patients with LMS and three patients with MMMT, and 7q31 also was involved frequently. Marked genomic instability characterized the MMMT studied. Conclusions. These findings suggest that abnormalities of chromosomes 1,7, and 11, may play a role in tumor initiation or progression in uterine sarcomas. Genomic alterations in the region 11q22 may be specific for malignant smooth muscle tumors of the uterus. Cancer 1993; 71:1283-8.

In patients with prolactin (PRL)-secreting tumors, plasma PRL concentrations after discontinuation of bromocriptine therapy have been used clinically as an index of tumor activity. To investigate the pattern of PRL response under these conditions, seven women on chronic bromocriptine therapy for PRL-producing pituitary tumors were followed with serial PRL determinations for 2 months after bromocriptine withdrawal. In these patients, peak PRL concentrations were achieved 28.1 days (mean; range, 14 to 49 days) after bromocriptine discontinuation. However, PRL concentrations did not usually plateau until at least 40 days after cessation of therapy, and the pattern of PRL response was highly variable.

Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis was performed in 47 patients who were in complete clinical remission from ovarian carcinoma. Results of CT were correlated with surgical-pathologic findings at surgical reexploration. Overall, CT had a sensitivity of 0.32, specificity of 0.77, positive predictive value of 0.79, and negative predictive value of 0.30. Accuracy of CT did not vary by intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal site studied. Computed tomography detected only 7% of tumor nodules 1 cm or less in diameter and only 37% of nodules over 1 cm in diameter. The utility of CT in this clinical setting was limited to approximately 20% of patients with true-positive CT findings who might have been saved surgical reexploration. Due to a high false-negative rate, a normal CT cannot replace a second-look laparotomy for accurate assessment of disease status.(JAMA 1986;255:627-630)