Objective To test the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX 2) gene in colorectal adenomas, cancers in contrast to that of normal mucosa.[WT5”HZ] Methods [WT5”BZ] With reference to the expression of ? actin gene, the expression of COX 2 mRNA was examined in colorectal adenomas from 10 patients, cancerous tissues and adjacent noncancerous mucosa from 30 patients by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR). Quantitation of relative band densities was performed using densitometry scanning techniques.[WT5”HZ] Result [WT5”BZ] Strong expression of COX 2 mRNA was detected in ninety percent of cancers with range of 0 02～0 85 (median 0 5). The difference of expression of COX 2 mRNA between cancers and normal mucosa or adenomas was significant (rank sum test, P

Objective To study the diagnosis and surgical treatment of thyroid microcarcinoma. Methods The authors reviewed 53 cases of thyroid cancer, which were diagnosed during and after surgery from December 1993 to January 2002,including 42 cases of thyroid microcarcinoma. Results Out of the 53 cases,35 cases were diagnosed during surgery by frozen section method while the other 18 cases were postoperatively diagnosed by pathological examinations;complicated carcinomatous conversion in contralateral lobe was found in 2 cases and neck lymphatic metastasis in 3 cases; lobectomy plus excision of isthmus was performed in 35 cases, 7 of which simultaneously underwent neck lymph node clearance,and unilateral lobectomy or unilateral or bilateral subtotal lobectomy was adopted in the remaining cases. Recurrence in 2 cases was found during a follow-up period for 2 months～96 months (mean,46 months) in 35 cases, and no fatal cases occurred. Conclusions A high rate of missed diagnosis of thyroid microcarcinoma is present. Thyroid microcarcinoma should be surgically removed.

Objective To investigate the correlation between VEGF-C and COX-2 expression in human rectal cancers and its significance in cancer metastasis. Methods VEGF-C expression was detected with Western blot in LOVO cells treated with NS-398 or PGE2. VEGF-C and COX-2 expression in 45 rectal adenocarcinomas was tested with immunohistochemistry. Results NS-398 inhibited the VEGF-C expression, and PGE2 up-regulated the expression of VEGF-C in a dosage-dependent way in LOVO cells. VEGF-C expression was significantly higher in adenocarcinomas with lymph node metastasis, and was related with the expression of COX-2 in 45 rectal adenocarcinomas. Conclusion COX-2 up-regulates VEGF-C and VEGF-C plays an important role in lymphatic metastasis of rectal cancers.