Cyclin/cdc complexes are known to function in cell-cycle regulation. Cyclin D1/cdk4 and -6 complexes, which functions as a G1-S checkpoint and cyclin B1/cdc2 complexes, a G2-M checkpoint are essential for DNA synthesis and mitosis, respectively. Thus, dysregulated overexpression of cyclins appears to be involved in uncontrollable cell proliferation and early tumor development. We investigated the expression and proliferative index of cyclin D1 (PIcyclin D1), cyclin B1 (PIcyclin B1) and Ki-67 (PIKi-67) using immunohistochemical staining on 15 cases of ductal hyperplasia (DH), 26 cases of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) and 43 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast in order to evaluate whether these cyclins are associated with abnormal cell proliferation and play a role in tumor development from ADH to carcinoma. Furthermore, we investigated whether the expression and proliferative index of the cyclins and Ki-67 are correlated with the histologic grade according to the Van Nuys classification and with the histologic subtype according to traditional classification. Finally, we estimated the correlation coefficient among PIcyclin D1, PIcyclin B1, PIKi-67 and estrogen receptor in ADH and DCIS. The expression of cyclin D1 was detected in 39.5% of DCIS and 7.7% of ADH cases. In the DH cases, expression of cyclin D1 was not found. Expression of cyclin B1 was also detected in 69.7% of DCIS, 50.0% of ADH and 93.3% of the DH cases. The PIcyclin D1 was significantly different among these three groups. Moreover, the PIcyclin D1 and PIKi-67 were differed significantly between the low grade DCIS and ADH cases. However, PIcyclin B1 only appeared to be significantly different between the total DCIS and ADH. Results of the correlation coefficient among PIcyclin D1, PIcyclin B1 and PIKi-67 were positively correlated with each other. No significant correlation was found between the expression of ER and cyclin D1 in ADH and DCIS. In summary, our results support the hypothesis that a cyclin D1 and cyclin B1 protein aberration, along with Ki-67, may act as a relatively early event in the tumor development from ADH to carcinoma.
Breast/pathology* ; Breast/metabolism* ; Breast Neoplasms/pathology* ; Breast Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/pathology* ; Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/metabolism* ; Cyclins/metabolism* ; Female ; Human ; Hyperplasia ; Ki-67 Antigen/metabolism

Mucocele-like tumor (MLT) of the breast is a rare neoplasm. Although this lesion was considered benign when first described, the concept of a pathologic continuum with mucinous carcinoma was evident in subsequent reports. Only a few cases of MLT have been reported in Korea. We describe a case of MLT associated with ductal carcinoma in situ and mucinous carcinoma in a 34-yr-old female. Histological examination showed multiple mucus-filled cysts of varying size. Extravasated mucin was present in the surrounding stroma. The lining of the cysts in most areas were of flat or cuboidal epithelium and devoid of cellular atypia. The lining epithelium showed proliferative change ranging from atypical ductal hyperplasia to ductal carcinoma in situ, micropapillary type. A microscopic focus of mucinous carcinoma within MLT was also noted. None of the lesions exhibited epithelial reactivity for p53 protein. The patient is alive and well without evidence of disease 54 months after initial treatment. This case supports the concept that MLT encompasses a spectrum of pathologic lesions including benign tumor, atypical ductal hyperplasia, ductal carcinoma in situ, and mucinous carcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous/*pathology ; Adult ; Breast Neoplasms/*pathology ; Carcinoma in Situ/*pathology ; Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/*pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Human ; Mucocele/*pathology

To evaluate the prognostic significance of bcl-2, we investigated the correlation of bcl-2 expression with the established indicators of prognosis and tumor behavior in breast cancer. This study included a patient group of 91 histologically diagnosed female breast carcinomas. To determine the bcl-2 immunoreactivity, we used a monoclonal antibody directed against the bcl-2 protein by immunohistochemistry from paraffin-embedded tissue in a series of 91 women with breast cancer. Interpretable DNA histograms were obtained from 84 patients. The median age at diagnosis was 45.5 years and the median follow-up time was 30.5 months. Forty-eight (52.7%) cancers showed the bcl-2 immunoreactivity in the cytoplasm. The nonneoplastic portion of ductal epithelial cells and normal lymphocytes were usually stained with bcl-2 antibody. Estrogen receptors (ER)(p < 0.001) and progesterone receptors (PR) (p < 0.001) showed strong positive correlation with bcl-2 immunoreactivity. The histologic grade (p < 0.05) and nuclear grade (p < 0.01) also showed positive relationships with bcl-2 positivity but tumor size (p > 0.05) and DNA ploidy (p > 0.05) were not related with it. The bcl-2 positive patients showed longer survival (p < 0.05) compared to bcl-2 negative tumors in univariate analysis (Kaplan-Meier life table analysis). Using multivariate analysis with Cox regression, bcl-2 (p > 0.05), nuclear grade (p > 0.05), ER status (p > 0.1) and PR status(p > 0.1) were not reliable indicators for overall survival except histologic grade (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that bcl-2 expression may be related to hormonal regulation and tumor differentiation in breast carcinoma. Larger patient study groups with a longer follow-up period will be helpful to clarify the prognostic significance of bcl-2.
Breast Neoplasms/pathology* ; Breast Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Carcinoma in Situ/pathology* ; Carcinoma in Situ/metabolism* ; Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/pathology* ; Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/metabolism* ; Female ; Human ; Middle Age ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; Receptors, Estrogen/metabolism ; Receptors, Progesterone/metabolism

Axillary breast is one of the varieties of polymastia which is characterized by the presence of more than 2 breasts. It may cause symptoms during pregnancy, lactation, or in the premenopausal period. Unless there are obvious symptoms of lactation or the assistance of further imaging studies such as mammography and breast ultrasound, the diagnosis is often confused with subcutaneous lipoma. The incidence of axillary breast cancer is low but it should be investigated and treated properly in view of another breast cancer in the embryonic milk-line. In this paper we reviewed 4 cases of axillary breast cancer and documented some articles regarding aberrant breast and carcinoma arising from it. It is suggested that subcutaneous nodules of uncertain origin around the periphery of the breast should be viewed with suspicion and treated properly.
Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous/pathology* ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous/complications ; Adult ; Aged ; Breast/abnormalities* ; Breast Neoplasms/pathology* ; Breast Neoplasms/complications ; Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/pathology* ; Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/complications ; Case Report ; Female ; Human ; Middle Age

Metastatic tumors in the sellar and parasellar regions are uncommon and rarely detected in clinical practice. We present four cases of sellar and parasellar metastatic tumors, which metastasized from distant organ in one case and extended directly from adjacent structures in three. Common presenting symptoms were cranial neuropathies, headache and facial pain. Invasion into the cavernous sinus was noted in all cases. We report rare cases of sellar and parasellar metastases. Also, we should consider the possibility of metastasis in these regions for patients who showed the above clinical presentations in systemic cancer patients. In extensive diseases, transient symptomatic relief could be obtained by direct surgical management, even in restricted degree.
Adenocarcinoma/therapy ; Adenocarcinoma/radiography ; Adenocarcinoma/pathology* ; Adult ; Breast Neoplasms/radiography ; Breast Neoplasms/pathology* ; Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/therapy ; Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/radiography ; Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/pathology* ; Case Report ; Female ; Human ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods ; Male ; Middle Age ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/therapy ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/radiography ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/pathology* ; Palatal Neoplasms/therapy ; Palatal Neoplasms/radiography ; Palatal Neoplasms/pathology* ; Sella Turcica* ; Skull Neoplasms/therapy ; Skull Neoplasms/secondary* ; Skull Neoplasms/physiopathology

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

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is an undifferentiated carcinoma with predominant lymphocytic infiltration, which is associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in variable proportions. We report two cases of carcinoma with predominant lymphoid stroma in hepatobiliary system. The first case was a lymphoepithelioma-like undifferentiated carcinoma with focal differentiation of cholangiocarcinoma (cytokeratin 19+) and hepatocellular carcinoma in light microscopy. The infiltration of CD8+ T lymphocytes was observed in the tumor and the surrounding hepatic parenchyme. In this tumor, EBV was detected and LMP1 was positive immunohistochemically. The second case showed the mixed features of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma with predominant lymphoid stroma. In this case, EBV was detected. LELC of hepatobiliary system is an entity distinguished from conventional carcinoma with lymphoid stroma, and its association with EBV warrants further research.
Bile Duct Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology ; *Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/pathology ; Carcinoma/*diagnosis/pathology ; Cholangiocarcinoma/*diagnosis/pathology ; Herpesvirus 4, Human/isolation & purification ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology ; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/*pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed