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Biomedical subjects

G Balsara

Publications and source records attributed to G Balsara.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma: impact of histology on dominant CT pattern.

The authors set out to determine how histologic variability in bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma impacts dominant radiographic patterns shown by computed tomography (CT). Thoracic CT's of all patients with pathologically confirmed bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma diagnosed over a 36-month period were reviewed without knowledge of underlying histologic type. The dominant CT pattern was recorded as 1) air space consolidation; 2) focal nodule or mass; and 3) multicentric nodules or masses. Nodules and masses were further characterized according to borders, distribution, and associated findings, including spiculations and air bronchograms. Histology was independently reviewed. Twenty-seven patients, 16 women and 11 men, mean age 60 years, were diagnosed with bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma. In 6 (22%) of the 27 cases, the histology was mucinous, with malignant goblet cells identified. Five (83%) of the six mucinous neoplasms manifested as air space consolidation and three (50%) of the six presented with multiple nodules, in which two had coexisting air space consolidation. Of the remaining 21 cases (78%) with nonmucinous histology, the primary malignant cells of origin included Clara cells (n = 8), tall columnar epithelial cells (n = 7) and alveolar type II pneumocytes (n = 6). Sclerosis was a dominant histologic feature in 14 (67%) of the 21 cases. Seventeen (81%) of the nonmucinous neoplasms presented as isolated nodules or masses and four (19%) presented as multiple nodules or masses. Of these four patients with multifocal disease and nonmucinous histology, multiple bronchioloalveolar adenomas accounted for multicentricity in two of the patients. Significant correlations included air space consolidation with mucinous histology (p = 0.001) and focal nodule or mass with nonmucinous histology (p = 0.001). At CT of bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma, the patterns of air-space consolidation correlate with mucinous histology and isolated nodules or masses with nonmucinous histology. The pattern of multiple nodules or masses, however, did not correlate with histology. Coexisting bronchioloalveolar adenomas can contribute to apparent multicentric disease in patients with nonmucinous histology.

Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar↗

Granular cell tumor of the larynx in a six-year-old child: case report and review of the literature.

Granular cell tumors (granular cell myoblastomas) are uncommon neoplasms in the adult population, occurring predominantly in the head and neck and most frequently in the tongue. Laryngeal presentations are unusual, and granular cell tumors of the larynx in children are extremely rare, with a total of 19 cases reported in the literature in children under the age of 17 years. We report an additional case of a laryngeal granular cell tumor, in a six-year-old boy, and discuss the clinical, histologic, ultrastructural and therapeutic aspects of these neoplasms.

Child↗

Hemoptysis as the presenting symptom in bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia.

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is an uncommon but increasingly recognized pulmonary entity that usually presents with symptoms of dyspnea, cough, and fever. The medical literature describes rare cases of hemoptysis in BOOP, with very small quantities of blood expectorated. We describe two cases of BOOP, one idiopathic and one in association with rheumatoid arthritis, in which large-quantity hemoptysis was the primary presenting symptom.

Aged↗

Poorer prognosis in older patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma.

It has been suggested that there are two types of endometrial carcinoma: the first arises in younger women who have hyperestrogenism and has a favorable prognosis and the second occurs in older women, is not associated to estrogen stimulation, and has a poorer prognosis. This study examined the hypothesis that more aggressive carcinomas are found in older patients with no evidence of estrogen stimulation. A retrospective review of all patients (N = 82) with endometrial carcinoma diagnosed and treated at our institution between 1978 and 1990 was undertaken. The following data were analyzed: age at diagnosis, stage, race, histologic type, grade, depth of myometrial invasion, absence or presence of associated hyperplasia, and survival. The mean age of the patients was 64.8 years. Sixty (73%) of the 82 patients were considered estrogen-positive either because of obesity (body mass index > or = 27.3) or the use of unopposed exogenous estrogen. There were no statistically significant differences between estrogen-positive and estrogen-negative patients. Patients > or = 65 years had a 5-year survival of 60% compared with 74% for younger patients. There was a trend toward higher histologic grade among the older patients. Otherwise no statistically significant differences were found between these two groups. Estrogen-negative women > or = 65 years had the worst prognosis with a 5-year survival of 29%. As identified by other investigators, age at diagnosis is a significant indicator of prognosis in patients with endometrial carcinoma. In this series, thin, older (> or = 65 years) women who developed endometrial carcinoma had the worst prognosis.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The effectiveness of the Masterson curette in sampling the endometrial cavity.

The Masterson curette was used to sample the endometrial cavity of 25 women prior to scheduled hysterectomy for benign or malignant pathology. Adequate amount of tissue was obtained in 20 (87%) of 23 patients who did not have endometrial atrophy. The Masterson curettage detected all seven cases of endometrial hyperplasia or adenocarcinoma for a sensitivity of 100%. However, the Masterson curette does not sample the entire endometrial cavity. If abnormal uterine bleeding persists despite normal histology on curettings obtained with the Masterson or other endometrial sampling device, hysteroscopy is recommended.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Ovarian carcinoma heterogeneity as demonstrated by DNA ploidy.

BACKGROUND: In ovarian carcinoma, DNA ploidy measured by flow cytometric (FCM) analysis is an independent prognostic factor. However, limited sampling may underestimate the extent of ploidy variation (i.e., heterogeneity). Uncovering these hidden populations may explain poor outcomes in patients with ostensibly favorable ploidy patterns. The authors examined ploidy in a mean of 6.4 tumor samples per patient to better assess the occurrence of heterogeneity. METHODS: FCM analysis was performed on multiple samples from 19 cases of advanced, serous ovarian carcinoma. Tumors were considered as heterogeneous by two definitions: (1) the presence of more than one ploidy pattern (e.g., diploidy and tetraploidy); and (2) the existence of DNA indices of sufficient variation so as to characterize two distinct populations of neoplastic cells. RESULTS: With the first definition, 47% (9 of 19) of the tumors were heterogeneous, 37% (7 of 19) homogeneous-aneuploid, and 16% (3 of 19) homogeneous-diploid. These three groups showed no significant differences in histologic type, grade, patient age, stage, or survival. With the second definition, 27% (4 of 15) of the non-diploid cases were heterogeneous and 73% (11 of 15) were homogeneous. When these two groups were compared as to type, grade, patient age, and stage, no significant differences were demonstrated. However, the median survival of the patients with heterogeneous tumors was significantly longer (P < 0.05) than the survival of patients with homogeneous tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Ovarian carcinoma heterogeneity is high when multiple sites are assayed. This suggests conservative interpretation of ploidy when only a single sample is analyzed and examination of multiple samples when practicable.

Aneuploidy↗

Uterine papillary serous carcinoma: a review.

Uterine papillary serous carcinoma, a histologic subtype of endometrial cancer, is characterized by a propensity for deep myometrial invasion, upper abdominal spread, and poor prognosis. We reviewed its histologic and clinical characteristics and compared them to those of endometrial adenocarcinoma with papillary features.

Carcinoma, Papillary↗

Laryngeal manifestations of gout.

Gout is a disorder of purine metabolism characterized by hyperuricemia with rare involvement of the head and neck. We present a 72-year-old woman with a known history of gout who presented with hoarseness and a lesion suspicious for carcinoma of the larynx. Endoscopic biopsy revealed a tophus of the true vocal cord with characteristic birefringent crystalline deposits and giant cell granuloma. There have been limited reports of gouty involvement of the larynx, more commonly involving cricoarytenoid arthritis. Tophi of the laryngeal soft tissues are exceedingly rare. In this paper we will discuss the pathophysiology and management of this interesting clinical entity.

Aged↗

Cutaneous involvement by an ovarian serous tumor of low malignant potential.

The case presented is of a 67-year-old woman with multifocal ovarian serous tumor of low malignant potential with skin involvement. To our knowledge this is the first such case not preceded by abdominal surgery. The pathogenesis of her cutaneous lesions is discussed. We propose neoplastic transformation of cutaneous endosalpingosis as a possible explanation.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Extrauterine mixed mesodermal tumors. An immunohistochemical study.

Mixed mesodermal tumors are uncommon outside the uterus. Nine extrauterine mixed mesodermal tumors (eight ovarian and one extragenital) were selected for histochemical and immunoperoxidase study. In eight cases, both epithelial and mesenchymal elements were malignant (chondroid in six, rhabdomyoid in four, and osteoid in two). One ovarian tumor was an adenosarcoma. All cases were stained with periodic acid-Schiff with and without diastase and for alpha 1-antitrypsin, myoglobin, keratin, vimentin, muscle-specific actin, and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, by using the avidin-biotin-immunoperoxidase method. The periodic acid-Schiff-positive, diastase-resistant droplets in several of the tumors showed peripheral alpha 1-antitrypsin positivity. Keratin delineated epithelial areas well in seven cases, and rhabdomyoid differentiation was confirmed with myoglobin in four cases. However, squamous elements in one tumor were falsely positive for myoglobin. We concluded that despite occasional cross-reactivity, carefully interpreted immunoperoxidase stains can be useful in distinguishing epithelial and mesenchymal elements in these tumors.

Female↗

Extrauterine malignancies. Role of Pap smears in diagnosis and management.

OBJECTIVE: To further elucidate the cytologic manifestations of extrauterine malignancies, to evaluate their possible distinction from primary cervical malignancies and to analyze their clinical significance and role in staging. STUDY DESIGN: Papanicolaou (Pap) smears in 33 cases with abnormal cells originating in histologically proven extrauterine carcinomas were evaluated. These cases came from the files of the Medical College of Pennsylvania and Lankenau Hospitals. RESULTS: Ovary, gastrointestinal tract and breast were the three most frequent primary sites, accounting for 28 of the 33 cases (85%). The histologic types encountered were adenocarcinoma, 29 cases (88%); mucoepidermoid carcinoma, 1 (3%); small cell carcinoma, 1 (3%); cloacogenic carcinoma and large cell lymphoma, 1 (3%). The following diagnoses were rendered at the time of initial evaluation: adenocarcinoma consistent with metastasis, 21 cases; carcinoma, primary versus metastatic, 2; adenocarcinoma, suspicious for endometrial primary, 2; suspicious for carcinoma, 1; and atypical glandular cells, 7. CONCLUSION: The yield for positive Pap smear diagnoses in extrauterine malignancies is best in patients with an established diagnosis of a primary neoplasm. The degree of tumor differentiation and extent of tumor involvement did not appear to correlate with diagnostic yield. There appeared to be no statistically significant association of tumor diathesis with primary versus metastatic carcinoma and presence or absence of documented local involvement of the endometrium, cervix or vagina. Therefore, while Pap smears can serve as a diagnostic tool in the evaluation of extrauterine malignancies, they are best utilized as an adjunct to tumor staging and patient management.

Adenocarcinoma↗