57 cases of late sequelae after diagnostic thorotrast exposure (recorded between 1944 and 1982 in Zurich) are presented. The alpha-ray-emitting contrast medium thorotrast is carcinogenic and fibrogenic. Malignant tumors occurred in about half of our cases after a latency period of 14 to 44 years, comprising 8 primary liver carcinomas, 2 carcinomas of the bile ducts, 3 malignant hemangioendotheliomas of the liver, 10 renal pelvic carcinomas and sarcomas, and one acute myelogenous leukemia. Further, cirrhosis and fibrosis of the liver and paravascular "thorotrastoma" were observed. The late effects of thorotrast are a negative example of avoidable radiation injuries to man.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma.

The histological diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma of the pleura, especially the distinction from peripheral adenocarcinoma of the lung, may be difficult. The immunohistochemical reports previously published on this subject show diverging results mainly because a variety of antibodies and staining techniques have been used by the different authors. To obtain comparable and reproducible results standard techniques and commercialized antibodies should be applied in routine pathology. In order to investigate the value of immunohistochemistry for the separation of the two entities formalin fixed and paraffin embedded blocks of 47 mesotheliomas and 22 adenocarcinomas were investigated with the PAP technique and commercially available antibodies to carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), keratin, vimentin, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), pregnancy specific antigen (SP1), S-100 protein and monoclonal antibody lu-5 (mAB lu-5). CEA positivity was found in all 22 adenocarcinomas examined, but only 2/47 (4%) of all mesotheliomas showed a positive result. SP1 was positive in 13/22 (59%) of the adenocarcinomas, whereas only 3/47 (6%) mesotheliomas were positive for this marker. No significant difference in the rate of positive cases in the adenocarcinoma and mesothelioma group could be found with the other above mentioned antigens. The results of our study indicate that especially CEA, but also SP1 are valuable markers in the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1987

Diagnostic and prognostic value of monoclonal antibodies in immunophenotyping of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy/lymphogranulomatosis X.

Immunophenotyping of frozen lymph node sections from seven patients with morphologically defined angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy (AILD) was performed with a panel of 20 monoclonal antibodies (MoAb). MoAb for identification of dendritic reticulum cells showed remnants of follicular structures in all cases. In four cases these 'burnt out' follicular structures were associated with clusters of polyclonal B-cells. Vascular proliferation and small amounts of intercellular collagenous fibrils were reliably revealed by MoAb CIV22 against basement membrane collagen. Cellular infiltrates of T4+ cells prevailed in four cases, of T8+ cells in one case. In one case conventionally identified blasts were of T- and B-cell origin. Expression of cell proliferation associated nuclear antigen identified by MoAb Ki-67 was present in more than 25% of lymph node cells in three patients with fatal outcome, but in less than 10% of cells in two patients with a better clinical course. Therefore MoAb Ki-67 may represent a valuable prognostic marker in AILD.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

Inorganic particulates in pneumoconiotic lungs of hard metal grinders.

Data from the analysis of lung dust in 16 metal grinders who had been exposed to hard metals between five and 44 years is reported. The mean latent time between the first exposure and analysis in biopsy or necropsy specimens was 33.6 years. Mineralogical and elementary analysis by a variety of techniques showed small or trace amounts of hard metal in all lungs. Many specimens, however, did not contain all hard metal components, cobalt, for example, being detected in four cases only. All the lungs contained quartz and silicates and in most of the necropsy cases carborundum and corundum could also be shown. Histologically no specific pattern was found. The appearances included mixed dust nodular pneumoconiosis, diffuse interstitial lung fibrosis, and foreign body and sarcoid like granulomatous changes. In view of the mixed dust exposure of the hard metal grinders and the variable histological appearance we think that the term "mixed dust pneumoconiosis in hard metal grinders" is more appropriate than "hard metal lung" to describe this condition.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Morphological aspects of interactions between asbestos fibers and human mesothelial cell cytoskeleton.

The interaction of chrysotile and amphibole asbestos fibers with the cytoskeleton of cultured human mesothelial cells from nontumoral pleural effusions was studied using scanning electron and immunofluorescence microscopy. Asbestos-exposed mesothelial cells show a massive annular condensation of cytokeratin filaments, forming a concentric ring enveloping the nucleus and the phagocytosed asbestos fibers. By detergent extraction of the cells it could be shown that the asbestos fibers are in close contact with the nuclear membrane and associated with the cytoskeletal framework of the cells. An association of cytokeratin filaments with the asbestos could be observed during phagocytosis of the fibers. The disturbance of the cell cytoskeleton and the close morphologic contact between asbestos fibers and the nuclear membrane may have some relevance in explaining the well-recognized carcinogenic effects of asbestos mineral fibers.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1987

Specificity of pulmonary vascular lesions in primary pulmonary hypertension. A reappraisal.

The type and distribution of pulmonary vascular lesions in 23 cases of primary pulmonary hypertension were reviewed. 15 cases were classified as plexogenic arteriopathy. The remaining cases displayed thromboembolic lesions. All cases showed a predominance of eccentric intimal lesions. In the plexogenic group, mixed concentric and eccentric intimal fibrosis coexisted. Therefore, in the present study, we propose an objective descriptive approach to the diagnosis of hypertensive pulmonary vascular disease, to correlate morphology and function.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Diagnostic and prognostic value of monoclonal antibodies in immunophenotyping of T cell lymphomas.

6 cases of post-thymic T cell lymphoma (PTCL) and 4 cases of T lymphoblastic lymphoma were investigated with a panel of 21 monoclonal antibodies (MoAb). The PTCL group was composed of 2 by 2 cases of lymphoepithelioid cell lymphoma, T zone lymphoma and T immunoblastic lymphoma. In lymphoepithelioid cell lymphoma, the cell proliferating activity was low, and a malignant clone was not identifiable by the methods used. In the cases of T zone lymphoma and T immunoblastic lymphoma, malignant populations were detectable on the grounds of immunologic marker profile combined with cytologic particularities. The 4 cases of T lymphoblastic lymphoma were of a common cortical thymic phenotype (T4+, T8+, T6+) and presented with a mediastinal mass. In 3 of them, cell proliferation marker (Ki-67) was expressed by most tumor cells. Cell proliferating activity, however, did not inversely correlate with survival.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

[Ferruginous bodies in lung dust as indicators of damage caused by asbestosis].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

[Pneumoconiosis caused by "rare earths" (cer-pneumoconiosis)].

Slowly progressive restriction in respiratory function was observed in five reproduction photographers who had been exposed to fumes of carbon arc lamps for more than a decade. In all cases interstitial lung fibrosis had developed and accumulations of fine granular dust particles were found in the tissue. Combined analyses including X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, plasma analysis, X-ray microanalysis and electron diffraction revealed the presence of rare earth minerals (mainly cerium compounds) in all lungs. The rare earth minerals originating from the core of the burned carbon rods used in the arc lamps represent the etiological factors responsible for the development of so-called "cerium pneumoconiosis".

Aged↗

PubMed1986

[Morphologic and immunologic criteria for the diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of low-grade malignancy].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1985

[Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the nose and paranasal sinuses, an occupational disease?].

In Great Britain and other countries there have been reports of an increased frequency of adenocarcinoma of the nose and paranasal sinuses, mimicking histologically mucinous colonic carcinoma, among workers exposed to wood dust and workers in the leather industry. No such cases have been reported so far in Switzerland. 31 patients with this type of adenocarcinoma of the nose and paranasal sinuses observed between 1953 and 1984 have been reviewed. In 13 of these patients there was occupational exposure to wood dust, and 4 were shoemakers. The study suggests an association of this type of nasal carcinoma with occupational exposure to wood dust and leatherwork. The nature of the postulated carcinogen is unknown. The authors propose further investigations to define the magnitude of the cancer risk associated with exposure to wood dust and leather.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

PubMed1985

Establishment and characterization of an Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen-negative hairy cell line.

Continuous cell lines have been established from spleen cells of patients with confirmed hairy cell leukemia (HCL). One cell line, HCL-Z1, lacks Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen (EBNA), grows attached to the substratum and retains typical features of hairy cells as revealed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. HCL-Z1 differs morphologically from the three other EBNA-positive lymphoblastoid cell lines obtained (HCL-Z2, HCL-Z3, HCL-Z4) as well as from normal spleen cells or lymphocytes. The three lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from HCL patients show similar surface features as a line from a myeloma patient. Therefore, not all cell lines derived from HCL patients may be considered as representative of the patients leukemia cells.

Antigens, Viral↗

PubMed1985

Focal lacunar resorption in the articular cartilage of femoral heads.

Human articular cartilage taken from 92 femoral heads at autopsy was examined macroscopically and microscopically. Fifty-two showed no changes except for occasional slight degeneration in the non-pressure areas; these changes were visible only microscopically. In the remaining 40 heads, different degrees of osteoarthrosis were seen; half the heads also showed focal lacunar resorptive lesions in the cartilage. The origin of this focal cartilage resorption is discussed and its possible association with necrosis, pannus formation and enzymatic synovial activities. We conclude that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between focal cartilage resorption and osteoarthrosis.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Primary leiomyosarcoma of extragnathic bones. Case report and review of literature.

In a 60-year-old man, a swelling anteromedially just below the knee led to the discovery of an intraosseous leiomyosarcoma. It is the 13th documented case of primary leiomyosarcoma of bone outside the facial skeleton. Clinical and pathologic findings, modes of treatment and therapeutic results are reviewed, and theories of histogenesis discussed. As to the latter, ultrastructural features in our case support the pleuripotent mesenchymal rather than the vascular smooth muscle origin.

Adolescent↗