The histologic differentiation of endometrial and endocervical adenocarcinomas is a common diagnostic problum of clinical importance, because the staging, treatment and prognosis of these lesions are quite different. First, we examined the distribution of acid mucin in endometrial and endocervical adenocarcinoma (23 cases and 25 cases repectively), but distinguishing differences between endometrial and endocervical adenocarcinoma, especially of endometrioid type, were not observed. Secondly, the distribution of low-molecular weight cytokeratin, vimentin and carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) by immunohistochemistry were examined in formalin-fixed tissues. CEA was present in 88% of endocervical adenocarcinomas and 34.8% of endometrial adenocarcinoma. vimentin was found in 91.3% of endometrial adenocarcinomas, in contrast with only in 16% of endocervical adenocarcinomas. This study showed that the presence of vimentin in neoplastic glands, in which CEA is negative, may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of endometrial from endocervical adenocarcinomas.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Adenocarcinoma

The histologic differentiation of endometrial and endocervical adenocarcinomas is a common diagnostic problum of clinical importance, because the staging, treatment and prognosis of these lesions are quite different. First, we examined the distribution of acid mucin in endometrial and endocervical adenocarcinoma (23 cases and 25 cases repectively), but distinguishing differences between endometrial and endocervical adenocarcinoma, especially of endometrioid type, were not observed. Secondly, the distribution of low-molecular weight cytokeratin, vimentin and carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) by immunohistochemistry were examined in formalin-fixed tissues. CEA was present in 88% of endocervical adenocarcinomas and 34.8% of endometrial adenocarcinoma. vimentin was found in 91.3% of endometrial adenocarcinomas, in contrast with only in 16% of endocervical adenocarcinomas. This study showed that the presence of vimentin in neoplastic glands, in which CEA is negative, may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of endometrial from endocervical adenocarcinomas.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Peak expiratory flow (PEF) provides a simple, quantitative, and reproducible measure of the existence and severity of airflow obstructions. Peak flow meters are designed to monitor the condition asthma patients. There are many reports showing the normal predicted value of PEF in other countries. studies on healthy Korean adults have been performed in a relatively small sample number and a lower limit for the normal value was not reported. therefore, an attempt to provide normal predictive PEF value with a lower limit was made. METHOD: The PEF(Mini-Wright peak Flow Meter) measurements and spirometry were done in 233 men and 631 woman without history of respiratory disease. all subjects were non-smokers with no respiratory symptoms. the normal predictive value and its lower limit were developed by multiple regression analysis. The result was compared with regression equations in other reports. RESULTS: The regression equation for the normal PEF predictive value(L/min) is 25.117+4.587×Age(year)-0.064×Age2+2.931×Height(cm) in men in men(R2=0.25), and 146.942-0.011×Age2+1.795×Height(cm)+0.836×Weight (kg) in women(R2=0.21). The regression equation for the lower limit of this value (L/min) is 25.117+4.587×Age(year)-0.064×Age2+1.936×Height (cm) in men, and 146.942-0.011×Age2+1.232× Height (cm)+0.481×Weight (kg) in women. The residuals were normally distributed. The PEF in Korean males was similar to those reported in British and Japanese subjects. The PEF in Korean females was similar to that in British subjects, But higher than the PEF in Japanese subjects. The lower limit of normal value was 71% of normal predictive PEF value in men and 76% in women. CONCLUSION: The normal predictive PEF value and its lower limit was measured from 233 male and 631 female asymptomatic, lifelong non-smoking participants. The normal predictive value was different from those of other studies on Korean subjects. Therefore, further studies are required.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Asthma ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Reference Values ; Spirometry

No abstract available.
Hamartoma*

The germ cells first appear from the primitive streak, the splanchnopleure and the allantoic membrane of the embry and they migrate toward the gonadal ridge. It can happen, however, that some of these germ cells may not migrate to the gonadal ridge and may remain at ectopic sites such as the mediastium, the central nervous system, the sacrococcygeal region and the retroperitoneum. Therefore, germ cell tumors can arise from these ectopic sites and according to their totipotentiality of differentiating into embryonic and extraembryonic tissues, such as chorionic tissues and yolk sac, they can develop into various tumors. Generally, the sites in which these tumors are frequently found are the gonads, the sacrococcygeal region, the mediastinum, the retroperitoneum and the intracranial region. The aim of this study was to organize and report the data found on these tumors in the records of 412 patients whose tumor specimens were examined in the Department of Pathology of the Yonsei University, college of Medicine within the 10 year period, 1976~1985. The findings are as follows: 1) In total 412 cases, the ratio of benign to malignant tumors was 5.8:1. 2) Germ cell tumors occur commonly in the ovary (326 cases: 78.6%). It's incidence was followed by the descending order, in the mediastinum (26 cases: 6.3%), testis (23 cases: 5.6%), central nervous system (15 cases: 3.6%), sacrococcygeal region (11 cases: 2.7%) and retroperitoneal space (7 cases: 1.7%). Also, 2 were found in the intraorbital region and 1 each in the pericardium and the kidney. 3) In extragonadal sites, female were much more common and the sex ratio (M:F) showed 1:10 in sacrococcygeal region. 1:2.5 in retroperitoneum and 1:2.3 in mediastinum. 4) Mature teratoma was found most commonly (85.4%). It's incidence was followed by in descending order, seminoma (including dysgerminoma and germinoma) (6.8%), embryonal carcinoma (2.9%), endodermal sinus tumor (2.0%), immature teratoma (1.7%) and mixed forms (1.2%). 5) Benign teratoma takes up mostly at ovary, retroperitoneal space, sacrococcygeal region and mediastinum by 93.3%, 100.0%, 81.8%, 80.9%, respectively. But in testis and intracranial region, malignancy were more common. 6) Embryonal carcinoma and endodermal sinus tumor occured at similar aged group and each was distributed 41.7% and 62.5% respectively at first decade. 87.5% of dysgerminoma occured at 11~30 aged group, 91.7% of germinoma at 11~20 aged group, 67% mature teratoma at 20~40 aged group, 75% of seminoma at 31~50 aged group, so age distribution showed embryonal carcinoma, endodermal sinus tumor, dysgerminoma/germinoma, mature teratoma and seminoma, in increasing order. 7) In 352 cases of mature teratoma, 347 cases (98.6%) were cystic type and 5 cases (1.4%) were solid type. In 7 cases of immature teratoma, 5 cases (71.4%) were solid and 2 cases (28.6%) were cystic. 8) The incidence of bilaterality were 10.2% in mature teratoma, 12.5% in dysgerminoma and 16.7% in seminoma. 9) When the corredation of the tumor markers, alphafetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin, with malignancy was checked in 12 out of 28 cases of tumor of the testis. Either alpha fetoprotein of human chorionic gonadotropin was found to be elevated in 3 cases (75%) in which metastasis was already present at the time of diagnosis, where in 8 cases in which neither marker was elevated, metastasis was found to be present in only 1 (12.8%).
Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Tumor Markers, Biological

BACKGROUND: Sun exposure and therapeutic irradiation have been shown to induce alterations in extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, including elastin, glycosaminoglycan and collagens. The integrity of the connective tissue mainly depends on balanced rates of matrix synthesis and degradation of the extracellular matrix. Therefore, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may be involved in ultraviolet irradiation (UVR)-induced alterations in ECM proteins. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of UVA as well as UVB irradiations on ST-1 gene expression in cultured human skin fibroblasts. METHODS: After exposure of different doses of UVA and UVB on cultured human skin fibroblasts, we examined the expression of ST-1 gene by Northern blot analysis, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assay with CAT construct containing AP-1 binding site. Additionally, we carried out the gel mobility shift assay to investigate the effects of UVR on the DNA-binding activity of AP-1. RESULTS: After UVR on fibroblasts, the steady-state levels of ST-1 mRNA were in-creased in response to UVA and UVB by 2.5-fold and 4.2-fold, respectively, as compared with controls. Similar results were obtained by CAT assay showing that CAT activity increased as the UVA and UVB doses increased. Furthermore, gel mobility shift assay demonstrated that both UVA and UVB increased AP-1 DNA binding complexes. CONCLUSION: UVB as well as UVA up-regulated ST-1 gene expression at transcriptional levels in vitro. We speculate that modulation of MMPs, including ST-1, gene expression by UVR may contribute to the connective tissue damage related to photoaging and other photocutaneous disorders.
Animals ; Binding Sites ; Blotting, Northern ; Cats ; Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase ; Collagen ; Connective Tissue ; DNA ; Elastin ; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblasts* ; Gene Expression ; Humans* ; In Vitro Techniques ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; RNA, Messenger ; Skin ; Solar System ; Transcription Factor AP-1

Mediastinum is bounded by sternum, vertebra, 1st rib, and diaphragm externally, and by pleural cavity internally and includes important structures such as great vessels, nerves, thymus and many lymph nodes. Primary and metastatic cancers, cysts and inflammatory lesions can develop in this region, and the tumor developing in the mediastinum has a tendency to developed in a specific area of mediastinum depending on the histologic type. Therefore the developing site of tumor and the clinical findings are very important in diagnosing the tumor of the mediastinum. We studied not only the characteristics of mediastinal tumor and tumorlike conditions but the histologic classification and frequency of mass to a specific area and then observed if there is any information that could help in diagnosis of the lesion of the mediastinum. Results obtained were as follows: 1) Of the 95 cases of mediastinal lesion which excludes inflammatory process, there were 70 cases (73.5%) of primary tumors, 13 cases (13.1%) of metastatic tumors and 12 cases (12.6%) of tumor-like conditions. 2) Of the 70 cases of primary tumor, 54 cases (76.8%) were benign, 13 cases (20%) were malignant and 3 cases were unclassified or unidentified tumor with the overall 3.8:1 prevalence rate of benign tumor compared to malignancy. 3) Histologic classification of the 70 cases of primary tumor showed 27 cases (28.4%) of germ cell tumor, 22 cases (23.2%) of neurogenic tumor, 7 cases (7.4%) of thymoma, 6 cases (6.3%) of lymphoma and 5 cases (5.3%) of soft tissue tumors with the highest frequency of germ cell tumor. Germ cell tumor and neurogenic tumor exceeded to 50% of total primary mediastinal tumor. 4) Male to female prevalence rate showed that benigh tumor had a high frequency in female with the the ratio of 1:1.4. But malignant tumor showed much higher frequency in male with the ratio of 4.2:1. 5) Anterior mediastinum had germ cell tumor, thymoma and lymphoma in order of frequency. Metastatic tumor was the most common in superior mediastinum. Superior mediastinum had germ cell tumor and neurogenic tumor with about the equal number, and soft tissue tumor was also developed. Middle mediastinal tumor was less common in number compared to other portions of mediastinum but the majority of tumors developed was developmental cysts and metastatic tumors. And the majority of neurogenic tumors occured at the posterior mediastinum. 6) Mass sized 5-10 cm in diameter were about 55.7% of all tumor, 2.5-5 cm and 10-15 cm were 20% respectively. But the mass sized smaller than 2.5 cm and larger than 15 cm were about 5% respectively. And the malignant tumors have more larger size than benign tumors. 7) Patient with benigh tumor had no symptoms at all or some complaints of chest tightness, dyspnea, chest pain, shoulder pain and dysphagia. In addition to above symptoms, patient with malignant tumor complained of systemic symptoms such as weight loss and fever.
Female ; Male ; Humans ; Cysts ; Neoplasm Metastasis

We present a case of lymphangioma circumscriptum in a 17 year-old girl according to tihe clinical and histopathological findings. This case is unusual in that lesions developed on the vulva and thigh without preceding lymphedema. Our patient had a plaque of grouped vesicle-like papules resembling frog's apawn on The both labia majora of vulva and several scattered, skin tag like soft papules on the right upper thigh of theree years duration. Histopathologic findings showed variable sized, dilatated lymphatic channels lined by single layer of normal endothelial cells confined to the only upper dermis.
Adolescent ; Dermis ; Endothelial Cells ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphangioma* ; Lymphedema ; Skin ; Thigh ; Vulva*

Clear cell sarcoma of tendons and aponeuroses is the term coined by Enzinger in 1965 to describe a rare but unique type of soft tisse neoplasm whose cells characteristically have the capacity to produce melanin. The authors experienced a case of 64-year old female who presented with a 6x5x4 cm sized mass deeply seated in the left popliteal fossa. The mass was firm and multinodular, and on cut section revealed patches of brown black pigmentation. Histologically the tumor was composed of round to fusiform cells with clear or pale eosinophilic cytoplasm that contained small amounts of glycogen, separated into compact nests or short fascicles by delicate septa of fibrous tissue. The brown black pigment seen in tumor cells and stroma was proven to be melanin by special stain, and ultrastructural examination showed melanosomes in varying stages of development dispersed freely in the cytoplasm or in the lysosomes. These findings strongly support the view that clear cell sarcoma is a tumor of neural crest origin rather than of tenosynovial mesenchyme origin, and is a soft tissue variant of malignant melanoma.
Female ; Humans

Modified Mohs surgery is a procedure which eliminated chemical fixation step from Mohs chemosurgery. This technique is faster, less painful and more tissue conserving, allows for immediste repairs, yields higher quality histologic preparations and facilitates an interdisciplinary apporoach; it is the treatment of choice for recurrent or difficult skin cancers. A 58-year-old femele patient presented with a 2x 3cm sized dark brownish, ulcerated nodule on the left upper eyelid. Histopathologic findings revealed several small solid nest composed of basalioma cells in the dermis. We treated with modified Mohs surgery and obtained good result.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Dermis ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mohs Surgery* ; Skin Neoplasms ; Ulcer