Objective To study the clinical, histological and immunohistochemical features of breast hamartomas. Methods The specimens were fixed in 10% formalin and embedded in paraffin. The sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological diagnosis. SP technique was used in the immunohistochemical study.Results We have 8 cases of breast hamartomas with well defined borders microscopically, histologically composed of ducts, lobules, fibrous stroma, adipose tissue. None of the epithelial elements showed any evidence of atypia. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that there was a variable number of epithelial cells showing a nuclear staining for estrogen receptor(ER) in all cases.Conclution Mammary hamartomas are benign tumor like lesions, histologically dissimillar from other breast tumors. It is affected by hormonal factors. The diagnosis is achieved by combining clinical, radiological and pathologic results.

OBJECTIVETo study the morphological characteristics and immunophenotype of highly cellular leiomyoma (HCL) of uterus, compared with that of uterine endometrial stromal tumors (EST).

METHODSHE and immuno-stained sections EnVision method from 20 cases of HCL, 21 cases of EST and 1 case of stromomyoma were reviewed. Monoclonal antibodies against h-caldesmon, calponin, CD10, desmin and smooth muscle actin (SMA) were used for immunohistochemistry studies.

RESULTSOn microscopic examination, HCL were densely cellular and composed of cells that ranged from spindle-shaped to round with scanty cytoplasm. A focal fascicular pattern was present in all cases. Blood vessels with large, thick muscular walls were a conspicuous feature of the majority of tumors. Cleft-like spaces were present in 9 tumors and 15 cases exhibited irregular focal extensions into the adjacent myometrium. ESTs were composed of cells that resembled endometrial stromal cells of proliferative endometrium. These cases included a significant component of delicate blood vessels similar to spiral arterioles. All 20 low grade endometrial stromal sarcoma cases had infiltrative growth to adjacent myometrium. Immunoreactivities of HCL for h-caldesmon, calponin, CD10, Desmin and SMA were 80.0% (16/20), 100% (20/20), 0 (0/20), 95.0% (19/20) and 100% (20/20), respectively, whereas the positive rates of EST were 4.7% (1/21), 23.8% (5/21), 66.7% (14/21), 23.8% (5/21) and 19.0% (4/21), respectively (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSHighly cellular leiomyomas have distinct morphologic features. H-caldesmon, calponin, CD10, desmin and SMA are helpful in the differential diagnosis of HCL and EST.

Adult ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; analysis ; Calmodulin-Binding Proteins ; analysis ; Desmin ; analysis ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Endometrial Stromal Tumors ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leiomyoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Microfilament Proteins ; Middle Aged ; Neprilysin ; analysis ; Uterine Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

BACKGROUNDGensing Rg3 is an active component from ginseng. The aim of this study is to observe the clinical anticancer effect of Rg3 in combination with chemotherapy regimen NP (vinorelbine+cisplatin) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSStage III-IV NSCLC patients confirmed by pathology or cytology all received vinorelbine plus cisplatin for at least two cycles, and were randomized into two groups: patients in arm A also received placebo twice a day, while patients in arm B received two tablets of Rg3 twice a day for at least two months. The endpoints of the study were the efficacy, survival and tolerance of patients.

RESULTSFrom July 2000 to May 2002, 115 patients were enrolled into the trial. The patients' characteristics were well balanced in the two groups. Sex of patients: male, 79; female 36. Types of pathology: adenocarcinoma, 71; squamous cell carcinoma, 29; adenosquamous carcinoma, 8; others, 7. TNM stage: stage III, 45; stage IV, 70. Prior chemotherapy: with, 17; without, 98. Prior radiotherapy: with, 15; without, 100. Prior surgical treatment: with, 23; without, 92. Nine patients discontinued from the trial due to severe adverse effects (5) and other reasons (4), so there were 106 patients evaluable for clinical efficacy. The response rate was 14.5% (8/55) in arm A, and 33.3% (17/51) in arm B (P=0.011). The survival time in arm A was 9.7 months (mean) and 8.0 months (median), and 15.3 months (mean) and 10.0 months (median) in arm B (P=0.0088).

CONCLUSIONSPreliminary results show improvements in response rate and survival time (median and mean) in Rg3 arm compared with placebo arm. It is worthy to confirm the results in further clinical trials.