OBJECTIVE: To compare sonography and mammography in terms of their diagnostic value in breast cancer cases which initially presented as an axillary mass without a palpable mass or other clinical symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients with enlarged axillary lymph nodes who first presented with no evidence of palpable breast lesions and who underwent both mammography and sonography were enrolled in this study. In six of the seven, the presence of metastatic adenocarcinoma was confirmed preoperatively by axillary needle aspiration biopsy; in four, subsequent sonographicallyguided breast core biopsy performed after careful examination of the primary site indicated that primary breast cancer was present. In each case, the radiologic findings were evaluated by both breast sonography and mammography. RESULTS: Breast lesions were detected mammographically in four of seven cases (57%); in three of the four, the lesion presented as a mass, and in one as microcalcification. In three of these four detected cases, fatty or scattered fibroglandular breast parenchyma was present; in one, the parenchyma was dense. In the three cases in which lesions were not detected, mammography revealed the presence of heterogeneously dense parenchyma. Breast sonography showed that lesions were present in six of seven cases (86%); in the remaining patient, malignant microcalcification was detected at mammography. Final pathologic examination indicated that all breast lesions except one, which was a ductal carcinoma in situ, with microinvasion, were infiltrating ductal carcinomas whose size ranged from microscopic to greater than 3 cm. At the time of this study, all seven patients were alive and well, having been disease free for up to 61 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: In women with a palpable axillary mass confirmed as metastatic adenocarcinoma, breast sonography may be a valuable adjunct to mammography.
Adenocarcinoma/radiography/secondary/*ultrasonography ; Adult ; Axilla/*pathology ; Biopsy, Needle ; Breast/*pathology ; Breast Neoplasms/pathology/radiography/*ultrasonography ; Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/pathology/radiography/*ultrasonography ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating/pathology/radiography/*ultrasonography ; Female ; Human ; Lymph Nodes/radiography/*ultrasonography ; Mammography ; Middle Age ; Ultrasonography, Mammary

We report herein a case of hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach with liver metastasis. Gastric carcinoma generally presents as adenocarcinoma and rarely shows a hepatoid pattern, which can produce alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). The stomach is one of the common sites at which hepatoid adenocarcinoma has been detected. A 75-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital with a symptom of epigastric discomfort. Gastrofibroscopy revealed a large tumor occupying the greater curvature of the stomach body. The level of serum AFP was markedly increased. Abdominal computed tomography revealed multiple liver masses. Biopsy samples of the gastric lesion and liver masses finally confirmed her case as hepatoid adenocarcinoma in the stomach with liver metastasis. The AFP-producing gastric carcinoma needs special attention because it often presents with early liver metastasis and has a poor prognosis.
Adenocarcinoma/*diagnosis/pathology/radiography ; Aged ; Female ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/*diagnosis/secondary/ultrasonography ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Stomach Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; alpha-Fetoproteins/metabolism

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report on the long-term results of transabdominal ultrasound guided conformal brachytherapy in patients with cervical cancer with respect to patterns of failures, treatment related toxicities and survival. METHODS: Three hundred and nine patients with cervical cancer who presented to Institute between January 1999 and December 2008 were staged with magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography and treated with external beam radiotherapy and high dose rate conformal image guided brachytherapy with curative intent. Follow-up data relating to sites of failure and toxicity was recorded prospectively. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-two patients were available for analyses. The median (interquantile range) follow-up time was 4.1 years (range, 2.4 to 6.1 years). Five-year failure free survival and overall survival (OS) were 66% and 65%, respectively. Primary, pelvic, para-aortic, and distant failure were observed in 12.5%, 16.4%, 22%, and 23% of patients, respectively. In multivariate analysis, tumor volume and nodal disease related to survival, whereas local disease control and point A dose did not. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound guided conformal brachytherapy of cervix cancer has led to optimal local control and OS. The Melbourne protocol compares favorably to the more technically elaborate and expensive GEC-ESTRO recommendations. The Melbourne protocol's technical simplicity with real-time imaging and treatment planning makes this a method of choice for treating patients with cervical cancer.
Adenocarcinoma/pathology/radiography/secondary/ultrasonography ; Adult ; Aged ; Brachytherapy/adverse effects/*methods ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology/radiography/secondary/ultrasonography ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Radiation Dosage ; Radiotherapy, Conformal/adverse effects/*methods ; Treatment Failure ; Ultrasonography, Interventional/*methods ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology/*radiography/ultrasonography

No abstract available.
Adenocarcinoma/*diagnosis/pathology ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver Neoplasms/*radiography/secondary/ultrasonography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Stomach Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; alpha-Fetoproteins/analysis