PURPOSE: Pregnancy and hCG treatments are considered essential for inhibiting breast cancer. The effect of hCG is accompanied by the synthesis of inhibin, a transforming growth factor involved in cell differentiation and proliferation. Inhibin is considered a tumor suppressor, but its role in the breast is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and tissue distribution of the expressions of inhibin-alpha and beta-hCG in breast cancer, and their prognostic relevance with other biological parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 334 of formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissue blocks were selected, and then immunostained for inhibin-alpha and beta-hCG. The inhibin-alpha expression was compared with those of beta-hCG, ER, PR and HER-2/neu, as well as the tumor characteristics and recurrences. RESULTS: Inhibin-alpha and beta-hCG were expressed in 87 (26.0%) and 44 cases (13.2%), respectively. Inhibin-alpha was found in 25.1% of infiltrating ductal carcinomas (67/267), 26.7% of intraductal carcinomas (8/30), 33.3% of lobular tumors (3/9), 80.0% of apocrine carcinomas (4/5) and 21.7% of the other types (5/23). Inhibin-alpha was correlated with beta-hCG (p<0.0001), PR (p=0.010) and HER-2/ neu (p=0.021). HCG was focally expressed in the cytoplasm of the conventional types, but the apocrine type displayed diffusely intense cytoplasmic staining, which correlated with histological tumor types (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Inhibin was significantly correlated with the expressions of hCG, PR and HER-2/neu. Therefore, it might be a useful marker in the prevention and hormonal treatment of breast cancer, such as hCG and progesterone. HCG was expressed significantly higher in the apocrine type than the conventional types, suggesting it can be a useful adjunct in differentiating other cancer types.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; Cell Differentiation ; Chorion* ; Cytoplasm ; Humans* ; Inhibins* ; Paraffin ; Pregnancy ; Progesterone ; Recurrence ; Tissue Distribution ; Transforming Growth Factors

PURPOSE: The early parity that reduces the risk of developing breast cancer indicates that hormonal conditions might play an important role in its prevention. Both pregnancy and hCG treatment are considered essential for the inhibiting breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to investigate the incidence of beta-hCG expression in breast cancer and to access its relationship with the other biologic parameters. METHODS: Three hundred and thirty-four cases of formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissue blocks were selected, and then immunostained for beta-hCG. HCG expression was compared with ER, PR, HER-2/neu, the tumor characteristics and recurrence. RESULTS: Forty-four cases (13.2%) showed positivity for beta-hCG. HCG positivity was observed in 12.0% of infiltrating ductal carcinomas (32/267), 13.3% of intraductal carcinomas (4/30), 11.1% of infiltrating lobular carcinomas (1/9), 80.0% of apocrine carcinomas (4/5) and 13.0% of the other types of carcinomas (3/23). HCG expression was statistically significant between the histological tumor types (p=0.001), but not with the patient's age (p=0.696), tumor grade (p=0.255), tumor size (p=0.510), lymph node status (p=0.620), ER (p=0.498), PR (p=0.421), HER-2/neu oncogene expression (p=0.483) and tumor recurrence (p=0.181). HCG was focally expressed in the cytoplasm of the conventional types, but the apocrine type displayed diffusely intense cytoplasmic staining. CONCLUSION: Although beta-hCG expression was statistically insignificant between the tumor recurrence (p=0.181) and biological parameters, it may be of interest in the future to correlate the presence of beta-hCG expression with a possible therapeutic response in patients of the breast cancer.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; Carcinoma, Lobular ; Chorion* ; Cytoplasm ; Female ; Humans* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Incidence ; Lymph Nodes ; Oncogenes ; Paraffin ; Parity ; Pregnancy ; Prognosis ; Recurrence

PURPOSE: MUC1 is a large transmembrane glycoprotein, which is overexpressed in the majority of carcinomas. The high expression of MUC1 is associated with aggressive tumors, with the MUC1 antigen used as a marker to monitor disease progression in breast cancer patients. Although the MUC1 tumor marker is both sensitive and specific for predicting a relapse in breast cancer, it is not commonly used during the follow-up of breast cancer patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the differential patterns of MUC1 expression in different histological types of breast carcinoma could be used to distinguish tumors from benign lesions, and determine its prognostic relevance with other biological parameters. METHODS: 22 normal breast, 7 intraductal hyper-plasia (IDH) and 307 malignant lesions were selected and immunostained with MUC1. The patterns of reaction were classified as intraluminal border (ILB), cytoplasmic, intercellular membrane (ICM), intranuclear or mixed staining. RESULTS: All the normal breast samples showed weak cytoplasmic staining in the ducts and lobules. All the IDH samples showed moderate cytoplasmic and ILB staining. Of the 307 malignant lesions, only 2 (0.8%) showed negative staining; MUC1 positivity was observed in 4 (1.3%), with only ILB staining; 8 (2.6%) with weak cytoplasmic staining, 16 (5.2%) with weak cytoplasmic and intranuclear staining, 168 (54.7%) with moderate cytoplasmic and ILB staining, and 109 (35.5%) with strong cytoplasmic and ICM staining. MUC1 positivity with a moderate to strong staining intensity was observed in 90.6% of the infiltrating ductal carcinomas (221/244), 96.5% of the intraductal carcinomas (28/29), 87.5% of the infiltrating lobular carcinomas (7/8), 66.6% of the mucinous and secretory carcinomas (10/15), 100.0% of the apocrine carcinomas (5/5) and 100.0% of the medullary carcinomas (6/6). The expression of MUC1 was statistically significant between the histological tumor types (p = 0.034), tumor size (p = 0.046), and HER-2/neu (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: These data suggest the expression of MUC1 was different in normal breast, IDH and malignant breast tumors, and was significantly correlated with the histological tumor types, tumor size and HER-2/neu oncogene.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; Carcinoma, Lobular ; Carcinoma, Medullary ; Cytoplasm ; Disease Progression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glycoproteins ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Membranes ; Mucins ; Negative Staining ; Oncogenes ; Prognosis ; Recurrence

Determining of HER-2/neu oncogene amplification has become clinically important for managing breast cancer. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) are currently regarded as the standard methods. Chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) was investigated as a new modification with an accurate, sensitive technique. From 1998 to 2002, using CISH and IHC, the amplification and protein expression of the HER-2/neu oncogene were examined using paraffin sections in 130 breast carcinomas and to determine the prognostic role of HER-2/neu for outcome after a follow-up of 24- 64 months. Amplifications by CISH and overexpression by IHC were observed in 28 (22%) and 27 cases (20.8%), respectively. Of the 104 patients, 20 patients (19.2%) with amplification had a shorter disease-free interval (34.9 months vs. 38.0 months in controls) (p=0.372). 15 patients (14.4%) had a disease recurrence, but there is no significant difference between 3 patients amplifying the oncogene and 12 patients without oncogene (20.6 months vs. 19.6 months) (p=0.862). 6 patients (5.8%) of these died. CISH is a useful alternative, particularly for confirming the IHC results. There is no relationship between the early recurrence and the HER-2/neu positive group, but lymph node status was statistically significant.
Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms/*genetics/metabolism/mortality ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genes, erbB-2/*genetics ; Human ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; *Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Prognosis ; Protein Array Analysis ; Receptor, erbB-2/biosynthesis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Treatment Outcome

Minimal deviation adenocarcinoma is an extremely well differentiated variant of cervical adenocarcinoma, and is frequently misdiagnosed due to its benign-looking histopathological features. A 38-year-old woman was diagnosed as having had a minimal deviation adenocarcinoma in the cervix, metastasizing to the uterine body and bilateral adnexae. She had a history of right salpingo-oophorectomy 3 years ago, and was diagnosed as having a mucinous cystadenoma. Histologically, the tumor cells were so well-differentiated that they appeared to be almost the same as those of the non-neoplastic cervical glands. Similar glands were found in both ovaries and in the left fallopian tube. PAS staining showed a negative or apical positive pattern in the endocervical-like glands. Immunohistochemical studies for CEA, ER/PR, cytokeratin 20, and p53 were negative, but positive for cytokeratin 7. The HPV DNA microarray test was negative. Clinically, this proved to be an advanced, biologically aggressive disease.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous* ; Adult ; Cervix Uteri* ; Cystadenoma, Mucinous ; Fallopian Tubes ; Female ; Humans ; Keratin-20 ; Keratin-7 ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Ovary

Patients with neurofibromatosis-1 (NF-1) have increased susceptibility to a variety of malignancies. Here, we document a rare case of two separated ileal adenocarcinomas in NF-1. The adenocarcinomas were surrounded by a diffuse tubular adenomatous lesion of the mucosa, and ganglion cells were scattered in the NF background. We found this case meaningful for several reasons: two separated adenocarcinomas arising in an unusual ileal segment, the association with precancerous tubular adenoma, and the presence of ganglion cells, which suggests ganglioneuromatosis in NF-1.
Adenocarcinoma/complications/*pathology ; Adult ; Humans ; Ileal Neoplasms/complications/*pathology ; Ileum/pathology ; Intestinal Mucosa/pathology ; Male ; Neurofibromatosis 1/complications/*pathology

"Hyalinizing spindle cell tumor with giant rosettes" (HSCTGR) is a recently described tumor, which is regarded as an unusual variant of low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma. Proof of a metastatic potential was lacking. The patient in the report was a 35-yr-old woman who showed multiple bilateral pulmonary nodules with massive pleural effusion in the right side. She had a history of a mass excision in the right thigh 11 yrs ago at another hospital, which was reported as a "leiomyoma". Two years before this presentation, the patient received a routine chest radiograph which demonstrated bilateral multiple pulmonary nodules. A lobectomy of the left upper lung was performed. The histological findings revealed a well-circumscribed nodule that was characterized by a spindle-shaped fibrous to hyalinized stroma with criss-crossing short fascicles and giant collagen rosettes surrounded by a rim of spindle-shaped cells. Electron microscopy confirmed the fibroblastic nature of the tumor. This case, in addition to at least two other cases reported in the literature, demonstrates that the HSCTGR is a malignant neoplasm with the capacity to metastasize after a long hiatus.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Hyalin/metabolism ; Korea ; Lung Neoplasms/diagnosis/*pathology/*secondary/ultrastructure ; *Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pleural Effusion/pathology ; Sarcoma/diagnosis/*pathology/ultrastructure ; Thigh/pathology ; Time Factors

Primary adenocarcinoma of the seminal vesicle is an extremely rare tumor, and its prognosis has been known to be poor. Herein, we report an adenocarcinoma of the seminal vesicle. The patient was a 50-year-old man who complained of a two-month history of terminal hematuria and lower abdominal discomfort. A pelvic magnetic resonance imaging study. Indicated a seminal vesicle cyst with focal intraluminal growth. Right seminal vesiculectomy was performed. Grossly, the seminal vesicle revealed a markedly cystic change with focal, friable, intraluminal papillary growth. The intraluminal mass showed a noninvasive adenocarcinoma with a tubular and tubulopapillary pattern, accompanied by necrosis. Immunohistochemically, the tumor was positive for cytokeratin and carcinoembryonic antigen and negative for prostate specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase.
Acid Phosphatase ; Adenocarcinoma* ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Keratins ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis ; Prognosis ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Seminal Vesicles*

Periductal mastitis and mammary duct ectasia are now considered as separate disease entities in the female breast, and these two diseases affect different age groups and have different etiologies and clinical symptoms. These two entities have very rarely been reported in the male breast and they have long been considered as the same disease as that in the female breast without any differentiation. We report here on the radiologic findings of a rare case of periductal mastitis that developed during the course of chemotherapy for lung cancer in a 50-year-old male. On ultrasonography, there was a partially defined mass with adjacent duct dilatation and intraductal hypoechogenicity, and this correlated with an immature abscess with a pus-filled, dilated duct and periductal inflammation on the pathologic examination.
Abscess ; Breast* ; Dilatation ; Dilatation, Pathologic ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male* ; Mastitis* ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography

Periductal mastitis and mammary duct ectasia are now considered as separate disease entities in the female breast, and these two diseases affect different age groups and have different etiologies and clinical symptoms. These two entities have very rarely been reported in the male breast and they have long been considered as the same disease as that in the female breast without any differentiation. We report here on the radiologic findings of a rare case of periductal mastitis that developed during the course of chemotherapy for lung cancer in a 50-year-old male. On ultrasonography, there was a partially defined mass with adjacent duct dilatation and intraductal hypoechogenicity, and this correlated with an immature abscess with a pus-filled, dilated duct and periductal inflammation on the pathologic examination.
Abscess ; Breast* ; Dilatation ; Dilatation, Pathologic ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male* ; Mastitis* ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography