Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth and metastasis, however, the prognostic value of neovascularization is undetermined. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic significance of microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in breast carcinomas. An immunohistochemical stains for CD 31 (DAKO) to estimate MVD and VEGF (Santa Cruz) were done on 40 cases of invasive breast carcinoma. MVD was calculated as an average count of vessels per 200 power field in the most vascularized areas. VEGF expression was interpreted according to staining intensity and number of positive cells. Mean MVD was 35, and MVD was not correlated with lymph node metastasis or histologic grade, but high MVD (mean MVD>35) showed an increasing tendency in cases with larger size, negative ER/PR, and positive cathepsin D. All of the cases showed VEGF expression, but VEGF expression was not correlated with tumor size, histologic grade, lymph node metastasis, ER/PR status, and cathepsin D expression. These results suggest that MVD and VEGF expressions are not reliable prognostic factors.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Cathepsin D ; Coloring Agents ; Lymph Nodes ; Microvessels* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

Chordoid meningioma is a recently established meningeal tumor and is characterized by a chordoma like histologic appearance, peritumoral lymphoplasma cell infiltrates causing systemic manifestations similar to Castleman syndrome and having a good prognosis. We experienced a case of chordoid meningioma in a 25 year-old woman. The patient preoperatively manifested iron-resistant hypochromic microcytic anemia, polyclonal gammopathy with beta-gamma bridging and detected a huge mass in the right temporo-parietal convexity of the brain. Microscopically, the mass was composed of nests and cords of cuboid, partly vacuolated cells in a mucoid matrix, simulating chordoma. The tumor was surrounded by masses of lymphoplasma cells around vessels, many of the plasma cells contained Russell bodies. Ultrastructural findings showed intranuclear cytoplasmic invaginations, microvilli protruding from cytoplasmic surfaces and well formed desmosomes. Some portions of tumor cell surface were covered by stretches of basal lamina.
Female ; Humans ; Meningioma

Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare epithelial-like soft tissue sarcoma. The two main sites of its occurrence are the lower extremities in adults and the head and neck in children. Primary pulmonary involvement of this sarcoma, without evidence of soft tissue tumor elsewhere, is very exceptional. We present a case of primary ASPS of the lung in a 42-yr-old woman. A computed tomographic scan of the thorax demonstrated a well-circumscribed, solid tumor located in the right upper lobe. The mass was resected by right upper lobectomy. After 5 months, three metastatic lesions, involving lumbar vertebrae and occipital scalp, were found. Histologically, the tumor consisted of alveolar nests of large polygonal tumor cells, the cytoplasm of which frequently revealed periodic acid-Schiff-positive, diastase-resistant intracytoplasmic rod-like structures. On immunohistochemical staining, the tumor cells were positive only for vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin. Ultrastuctural study using electron microscopy revealed characteristic electron-dense, rhomboid intracytoplasmic crystals.
Soft Tissue Neoplasms/pathology/radiography ; Sarcoma/*pathology/*radiography ; Rare Diseases/pathology/radiography ; Pulmonary Alveoli/*pathology/*radiography ; Lung Neoplasms/*pathology/*radiography ; Humans ; Female ; Adult

BACKGROUND: Several studies have been conducted on the role of the p63 gene family in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Nevertheless, the role of these genes in the development and progression of NSCLC remains controversial. This study was designed to examine the expression and clinicopathologic significance of the p63 family in NSCLC. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining was performed on 92 cases of NSCLC (47 squamous cell carcinomas [SqCCs] and 45 adenocarcinomas [ACs]) using tissue microarray blocks. The results were analyzed and correlated with clinicopathologic data. RESULTS: The expression of delta Np63 (Delta Np63) was elevated in SqCC (39/47), but not in AC (2/45; p<0.01). Both p63 and Delta Np63 had high expression in 39 SqCCs; p63 and Delta Np63 also had a similar geomorphologic distribution in most positive tumors. The expression of Delta Np63 was correlated with histologic type, gender, pT stage, p53 expression, and p63 expression. pT and pN stages were independent factors in survival (p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The major p63 isoform in NSCLC, Delta Np63, had a strong correlation with p53 and p63, and was exclusively expressed in SqCC. However, our findings suggest that Delta Np63 was not an independent prognostic factor for NSCLC.
Adenocarcinoma ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung