The gastric carcinoma shows various molecular and genetic alterations in its development and progression. There are evidences that the changes of the expression of cell adhesion molecules affect the morphogenesis of the tumor as well as the tumor progression and metastasis. The purpose of this study is the evaluation of the expression pattern of a cell adhesion molecule, E-cadherin, and a tumor suppression gene, p53, by immunohistochemical stain and the relationship of their expressions with clinicopathologic findings in gastric adenocarcinoma tissue. The E-cadherin expression was absent or reduced in 93 cases (73.2%) and p53 was positive in 98 cases (77.2%) of 127 gastric adenocarcinomas. The frequency of reduced E-cadherin expression was significantly higher in poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas (p=0.04) and in diffuse type (p=0.01), but that of p53 positivity was not significantly correlated with tumor differentiation. Both proteins showed no correlation with depth of invasion, lymph node and distant metastasis, and tumor stage. There was no correlation between E-cadherin and p53 expression. This study indicates that the altered expressions of E-cadherin and p53 are associated with the development of intestinal and diffuse types of gastric adenocarcinoma and the differentiation of the gastric adenocarcinoma is affected by cell adhesion mediated by E-cadherin, but the modes of tumor progression and metastasis are not affected by E-cadherin and p53.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Cadherins* ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; Genes, p53 ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; Morphogenesis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Stomach Neoplasms

Elastofibroma is a peculiar tumor-like lesion which manifests as a slowly growing, solid, ill-defined mass of fibroelastic tissue occurring almost exclusively in elderly persons. It has been found in the ,,ubscapular region but rare examples have also been found in other locations. We experienced a case of elastofibromatous lesion of the stomach. The lesion was incidentally found in a 71 -year-old woman during an operation of cholecystectomy due to chronic cholecystitis and choledocholithiasis. The lesion was a relatively well-defined but not encapsulated small nodule, 0.7 cm in diameter, at submucosal layer of gastric pylorus. Histologically the nodular mass consisted of abundant acellular collagen fibers containing numerous elastofibroma fibers.
Female ; Humans

Two cases of vitiligo-type hypomelanosis followed by the local application of Benoquin ointment for the treatment for the treatment of melasma are reported. These two cases of hypomelanosis are unwanted and unintended side effects probably caused by the application of monobenzyl ethers of hydrcquinone (monobenzone). Monobenzone blocks the enzyme tyrosinase and thereby prevents the conversion of tyrosine to dihydroxyphenylanine, a precursor of melanin, and since this does not destroy melanocyte or facilitate the loss of melanin. The skin contact with the material will not occur, repigmentation will slow but eventuaIly complete.
Ether ; Ethers ; Hypopigmentation* ; Melanins ; Melanocytes ; Melanosis ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; Skin ; Tyrosine ; Vitiligo*

Choriocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract is rare. Among them, that of the stomach is the most common. Six cases of choriocarcinoma of the colon were found in the review of the literature. All of these previously reported cases had multiple metastatic foci in the liver, lung, lymph nodes and the prognosis seemed to be very poor. Therefore we think that choriocarcinoma of the colon should be distinguished from conventional adenocarcinoma. A 66-year old female patient, described in this case, was operated on under the impression she was suffering from acute appendicitis. The resected ascending colon revealed extensive hemorrhagic necrosis and perforation with fibrous adhesion in the cecum. On the cut section, the mural tumorous thickening was not definite. Histologically, the tumor showed a focus of typical adenocarcinoma arising from glandular epithelial cells, which were transformed into highly anaplastic tumor cells. There were frequent vascular invasions of tumor cells, similar to syncytiotrophoblasts. In the immunohistochemical stains, both glandular and highly anaplastic tumor cells reacted with cytokeratin. The glandular cells were also reactive for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and anaplastic tumor cells for human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). This is the first report of choriocarcinoma of the colon in Korea. We describe this case with a review of the literature.
Adenocarcinoma ; Aged ; Appendicitis ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Cecum ; Choriocarcinoma* ; Chorion ; Colon* ; Colon, Ascending ; Coloring Agents ; Epithelial Cells ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Keratins ; Korea ; Liver ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Necrosis ; Pregnancy ; Prognosis ; Stomach ; Trophoblasts

Pheochromocytoma is originated from chromaffin cell of sympathetic nervous system and associated with other disease, such as neurofibromatosis, duodenal carcinoid, medullary thyroid cancer and parathyroid adenoma. Especially, pheochromocytoma is developed more than 50% in neurofibromatosis associated with hypertension. In such cases, several clinical features documented as more frequent bilateral phochromocytoma, more associated with other neuroendocrine tumors and thus more poor prognosis. We can observe the sustained hypertension despite of surgical resection of tumors in pheochromocytoma cases. One of the possible reason of post operative sustained hypertension is the pheochromocytoma originated from minor organ of Zukerkandl that was not resected during operation. Untreated or delayed treated cases with pheochromocytoma were often expired by complication of hypertension such as cerebrovascular hemorrhage, myocardial infarction, etc. Thus, in neurofibromatosis with hypertension, screening of pheochromocytorna is very important for the early detection of tumor and more favorable prognosis. Recently, We experienced a case of neurofibromatosis associated with bilateral pheochromocy-toma expired by cerebral hemorrhage during operation, so we report the case with literature review.
Carcinoid Tumor ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Chromaffin Cells ; Hemorrhage ; Hypertension ; Mass Screening ; Myocardial Infarction ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Neurofibromatoses* ; Parathyroid Neoplasms ; Pheochromocytoma* ; Prognosis ; Sympathetic Nervous System ; Thyroid Neoplasms

Small cell osteosarcoma is a rare form of osteosarcoma and the histological differential diagnosis from other small round cell tumors (SRCTs) is difficult. The immunohistochemical stain for MIC2 has been considered an useful diagnostic marker for Ewing's sarcoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumors but recently, other SRCTs such as malignant lymphoma and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma also showed positive reaction. Therefore, the usefulness of MIC2 must still be proven. We experienced a case of small cell osteosarcoma of the mandible in a 25-year-old man. Histologically, the tumor consisted of small round cells that resembled those of Ewing's sarcoma. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells expressed diffuse strong positive reaction for MIC2 gene products. However, the scanty foci of lacy osteoid material between the tumor cells seemed to be diagnostic of osteosarcoma. The histologic and immunohistochemical findings of this case suggest close relationship between small cell osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma.
Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; Mandible ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive ; Osteosarcoma* ; Rhabdomyosarcoma, Embryonal ; Sarcoma, Ewing*

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical features, microbiologic results, and the efficacy of perineal hygienic care of pediatric vulvovaginitis. METHODS: Forty-two unselected premenarcheal patients with symptoms or signs of vulvovaginitis who were attended the outpatient pediatric and adolescent gynecology clinic at Pundang CHA General Hospital from August 1997, to September 1999 were systematically interviewed and examined using a standardized format, studied microbiologically, and followed the efficacy of perineal hygienic measures prospectively. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 4.8 years (range 2.9 years to 10.9 years). Vaginal complaints of 42 patients were discharge(79%), genital pain or irritation(31%), odor(17%), pruritus(14%), and vaginal bleeding(7%). On physical examination, vaginal discharge and vulvar erythema were noted in 17(40%) and 22(52%) patients, respectively. Aerobic bacteria or yeast excluding vaginal normal flora were found in 24 of 42 patients(57%). Convincing evidence of specific pathogens was found in 9 of 42 patients(21%) including one case of pinworm infestation. Isolated pathogens were H. influenza(3), S. pyogenes(2), K. pneumonia(2) and N. gonorrhea(1). No patients were found to have chlamydial infection or trichomoniasis. In 14 patients, risk factors were identified such as swimming(14%), bubble bath(5%), sexual abuse(5%), genital trauma(5%) and foreign body(2%). After two weeks instructions of perineal hygienic care, 26(62%) of 42 patients revealed complete resolution of symptoms and signs of vaginitis without antibiotics. Efficacies of perineal hygienic care were 94%(17/18) in the patients with normal flora alone, 60%(9/15) in the patients with organisms suspected for nonspecific infection and 0%(0/9) in the patients with specific pathogens(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Majority(62%) of the pediatric patients with symptoms or signs of vulvovaginitis were cured with perineal hygienic care alone. And the efficacy of hygienic measure were higher in the patients without specific pathogens(79%, 26/33). Therefore, proper physical examination, microbiologic study and appropriate instructions of perineal hygienic care were more important than empirical antibiotic treatment in initial management of pediatric vulvovaginitis.
Adolescent ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria, Aerobic ; Enterobius ; Erythema ; Gynecology ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Physical Examination ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Vaginal Discharge ; Vaginitis ; Vulvovaginitis* ; Yeasts

BACKGROUND: Many of the major life events that appear to affect biologic system and health occur within the context of the family and can have a profound psychosocial and biologic impact on family memebers. So, the present study attempted to examine the relations of family function with stressful life events, depression, and physical and psychological symptoms reported by patients. METHODS: Design : Cross sectional, observational study. Participants : 41 healthy adult males from a family medicine ambulatory care unit in a tertiary hospital located in Guro completed a series of psychometric instruments that include the Family APGAR(Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolve), FACESIII(Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale), Modified 46-item Stressful Life Events Scale, Lee's 98 items Stressful Life Event Scale, Korean version of BEPSI(Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument) and BDI(Beck's Depression Inventory Scale). RESULTS: Family APGAR was negatively correlated with stress related life events(both in total and negative events, -0.30, -0.37, respectively; p<0.05) and BEPSI(-0.56; p<0.0001). No significant correlation could be found between family function and positive life events. Family APGAR also revealed significant negative correlation with BDI(-0.61; p<0.0001). Among the three family types, severe dysfunctional family demonstrated highest level of stressful life events score, perceived stress, and depression(p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The higher the assessment of the family function(Family APGAR), the lower the level of stressful life events, perceived stress and depression. There, knowledge of the family function, stress, and coping could be useful to family physicians in the whole person approach of their patients.
Adult* ; Ambulatory Care ; Depression* ; Humans ; Male* ; Observational Study ; Physicians, Family ; Psychometrics ; Tertiary Care Centers

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare type of benign histiocytosis characterized histologically by intracellular engulfment of lymphocytes. Extranodal RDD may occur as a part of generalized process involving lymph nodes or may involve extranodal sites independent of the lymph node status. We have experienced a case of extranodal Rosai-Dorfman disease of the nose as an initial lesion prior to nodal involvement. The patient was a 20-year-old woman who complained of nasal obstruction for 4 years, remotely, and left submandibular mass for 3 months, recently. Histologically, the lesion taken from nasal cavity, submandibular gland and left upper jugular lymph node all showed an heavy infiltrate consisted of plasma cells, lymphocytes and sheets of macrophages with abundant pale cytoplasm, which replaced organ architecture. The associated focal fibrosis made it difficult to differentiate from inflammatory pseudotumor. Some macrophages demonstrated phagocytosis of lymphocytes, plasma cells and occasionally neutrophils. The macrophages were strongly positive for S-100 protein.
Cytoplasm ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell ; Histiocytosis ; Histiocytosis, Sinus* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphocytes ; Macrophages ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasal Obstruction ; Neutrophils ; Nose* ; Phagocytosis ; Plasma Cells ; S100 Proteins ; Salivary Glands* ; Submandibular Gland ; Young Adult

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma is the generic group given to a family of tumors composed of neoplastic lymphocytes with phenotypic features of peripheral T-cells. Certain peripheral T-cell lymphomas develop a hemophagocytic syndrome that mimics malignant histiocytosis, both clinically and pathologically. We experienced a case of nasal T-cell lymphoma, histologically mimicking malignant histiocytosis in a 40-year-old male. The chief complaints were nasal obstruction and intermittent mild fever. Mild anemia, elevated SGOT and SGPT, polyclonal gammophthy, and moderate hepatomegaly were present. Two weeks later was present an enlarged cervical lymph node. The biopsied nasal mass showed angiocentric and angiodestructive peripheral T-cell lymphoma withextensive necrosis and marked erythrophagocytosis by non-neoplastic histiocytes. Subsequently, cervical lymph node was biopsied, which showed peripheral T-cell ltmphoma with extensive necrosis and erythrophagocytosis as well. The atypical lymphoid cells revealed pan-T(+), but CD4(-) and CD8(-), whereas the reactive histiocytes showed lysozyme(+), immunohistochemistry.