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Biomedical subjects

J Scurry

Publications and source records attributed to J Scurry.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Primary malignant mixed Müllerian tumor of the vagina.

A 74-year-old woman presented with postmenopausal bleeding. Examination showed a 5.5-cm ulcerated, partly necrotic vaginal polyp arising anteriorly near the hymenal ring. Histology showed a malignant mixed Müllerian tumor (MMMT) with squamous and glandular epithelial and undifferentiated spindle cell stromal components, cytological atypia, and frequent mitoses. The tumor was closely associated with overlying vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia, grade III, from which it appeared to be arising. The patient was treated by surgical excision, followed by radiotherapy. Six months later, she developed a left supraclavicular lymph node metastasis. MMMT is a rare primary vaginal neoplasm, but, including this case, there have been at least 7 cases reported in the English language literature.

Aged

Ki67 expression in lichen sclerosus of vulva in patients with and without associated squamous cell carcinoma.

AIMS: To investigate the malignant potential of lichen sclerosus, a study using the cell proliferation marker Ki67 comparing lichen sclerosus with and without associated squamous cell carcinoma was performed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded slides of 13 cases of lichen sclerosus with associated carcinoma, and 31 cases without associated carcinoma, including 16 random cases, seven with epidermal thickening and eight with epidermal thinning, were examined by the immunoperoxidase technique for Ki67, a cell proliferation marker. Ki67 reactivity was mostly seen in the basal and parabasal cells in both groups of lichen sclerosus and this pattern was similar to normal skin, squamous cell hyperplasia and analogous to that of one form of squamous cell carcinoma. There was a mean of 50 Ki67 positive cells per 100 basal cells in lichen sclerosus with associated squamous cell carcinoma; however, in squamous cell hyperplasia adjacent to carcinoma this rose to 90 Ki67 positive cells per 100 basal cells. In lichen sclerosus without associated carcinoma, the random cases had a count of 53 per 100 basal cells, those with epidermal thickening 53 and those with thinning 42. Non-genital normal skin had a count of 71 per 100 basal cells. CONCLUSION: The lack of qualitative differences of Ki67 expression in normal skin, in lichen sclerosus with and without carcinoma, in squamous cell hyperplasia and in one form of squamous cell carcinoma indicates that these conditions share a common localized pattern of cell proliferation and does not support or deny the malignant potential of lichen sclerosus. The higher Ki67 count in squamous cell hyperplasia adjacent to carcinoma could indicate premalignancy or a reaction to the carcinoma. In patients without carcinoma, the higher Ki67 count in thickened lichen sclerosus compared to thinned suggests that some or all of the cases of thickened lichen sclerosus were lichen sclerosus with squamous cell hyperplasia or that lichen simplex chronicus superimposed on lichen sclerosus has a higher Ki67 expression or that the distinction between squamous cell hyperplasia and lichen simplex chronicus is only one of terminology.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

The use of large loop excision of the transformation zone in management problems of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

We studied 2 groups of women whose management is controversial: those with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 or 3 on smear, but only CIN grade 1 or no abnormality on target biopsy (Group 1), and those with persistent CIN grade 1 on smear and up to CIN 1 on biopsy (Group 2). We set out to assess whether large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) was an acceptable method of treating these 2 groups of women. A review of 100 consecutive patients was undertaken. There were 71 women in Group 1 and 29 women in Group 2. The LLETZ procedures were performed under local analgesia and no immediate problems were encountered. Delayed haemorrhage requiring vaginal packing and admission to hospital occurred in 1 patient. In Group 1, histopathology of the LLETZ biopsies showed CIN 2 or 3 in 29 (40.8%) of the women, CIN 1 in 24 (33.8%) and no CIN in 18 (25.3%), and in Group 2, CIN 2 or 3 was seen in 5 (17.2%) of the women, CIN 1 in 11 (37.9%) and no CIN in 13 (44.8%). At 12 months completed follow-up, 4 patients in Group 1 had recurrent CIN 1 or equivocal CIN 1 and 1 patient from Group 2 had recurrent CIN 1, giving an overall recurrence rate of 5 of the 94 patients who completed follow-up (5%). We concluded that LLETZ was a useful procedure in both groups. In Group 1 the provision of a histological diagnosis on the LLETZ biopsy was a check on the accuracy of the cervical smear report. In Group 2, LLETZ offered the advantage of rapidly returning the smear to normal in most patients, and the diagnosis and treatment of those women who actually had a high-grade lesion.

Adolescent

Cervical sarcoma botryoides and ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor.

The case of a woman who developed a cervical sarcoma botryoides tumor at age 14 years and a right ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor with alpha-fetoprotein production at 27 years is presented. The sarcoma botryoides was a stage 1b, 4-cm, polypoid ectocervical tumor treated by radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. The Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor was a stage 1a, 145-g mass removed piecemeal by right oophorectomy. Histologically, it was an intermediate Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor with a heterologous element composed of an endometrioid-like yolk sac tumor which was producing alpha-fetoprotein. There was no histological similarity between the two tumors. The patient is alive without evidence of disease, 16 years after diagnosis of her sarcoma botryoides and 3 years after her Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor. This is, to our knowledge, the third known association between these two rare gynecological tumors. The basis of the association remains unknown.

Adolescent

Identification of a cell surface protein with a role in stimulating human keratinocyte proliferation, expressed during development and carcinogenesis.

In an attempt to define cell surface molecules with an important role in the development of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), we generated monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to a human keratinocyte cell line (FEP18-11-T1) capable of giving rise to SCCs in nude mice. MoAb 10G7 was selected for further study because it bound to a cell surface component preferentially expressed by this cell line as compared with normal human foreskin keratinocytes. This MoAb recognizes a cell surface protein (10G7 antigen) that is not detectable on normal keratinocytes in the foreskin in vivo, but whose expression is induced when the keratinocytes are dissociated from this tissue and placed in culture. Interestingly, the 10G7 antigen is downregulated upon keratinocyte differentiation in vitro. Consistent with its expression in hyper-proliferative epithelia in vitro, 10G7 antigen exhibited a classic oncofetal pattern of expression in vivo. Thus, although no reactivity was obtained with MoAb 10G7 in the epithelia of normal foreskin or cervical tissue, strong reactivity was detected in epithelia from genital lesions ranging from benign warts to invasive SCCs. Epidermis from developing fetal tissue also exhibited strong reactivity with MoAb 10G7. We have been able to demonstrate that this MoAb is capable of stimulating FEP18-11-T1 keratinocyte proliferation in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner in the absence of growth factors, suggesting that the 10G7 antigen may play an important role in regulating cellular proliferation during development and in carcinogenesis in epithelial tissues.

Animals

Investigation of 100 consecutive negative cone biopsies.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reasons for cone biopsies reported as not containing intraepithelial or invasive malignancy and thereby find ways to decrease their incidence. DESIGN: One hundred cone biopsies reported as negative were identified out of a total of 436 consecutive cone biopsies. The patients' cytology, colposcopy and histology reports and cytology and histology slides were reviewed. Further opinions in cases of doubt were obtained in cytology and histology. In cone biopsies still considered negative after reviews, deeper levels were cut, exhausting all paraffin blocks. Follow up cytology, colposcopy and histology were reviewed. SETTING: Gynaecological oncology unit in a university teaching hospital. RESULTS: After re-evaluation the final diagnoses of cone biopsies initially reported as negative were positive (n = 21), unsatisfactory (n = 27) and true negative (n = 51), with one case excluded because of insufficient material for review. The positive cases were diagnosed on review (n = 11) or extra levels (n = 10). The unsatisfactory cases were all due to denudation. The 51 true negative cases were divided into those which never had had histologic confirmation by punch biopsy or endocervical curettage (n = 47) and those with a previously confirmed histological abnormality (n = 4). CONCLUSIONS: The number of negative cone biopsies can be reduced by: 1. taking Pap smears after correction of atrophy and inflammation; 2. more scrupulous colposcopy aimed at reducing the number of unsatisfactory colposcopies or misinterpreted colposcopic findings; this through examination should include the vagina and vulva; 3. confirmation of smear and colposcopic findings by biopsy prior to cold-knife conisation and performing a large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) for cases where there is a discrepancy between the smear abnormality and colposcopy/biopsy findings; 4. good quality cone biopsies using a technique that does not handle the mucosa and is performed after the mucosa has had time to regenerate following the colposcopic investigations; and 5. exhausting all blocks with multiple levels before reporting a cone biopsy as negative.

Adult

High-grade endometrial carcinoma in secretory endometrium in young women: a report of five cases.

Five cases of high-grade carcinoma occurring adjacent to secretory endometrium are described. One of the patients had the Lynch II syndrome, the others appeared to be sporadic. None of these cases appeared to be related to hyperestrogen. The presenting symptom in four was abnormal vaginal bleeding, and the other case was found incidentally in the course of investigations for infertility. There were delays in diagnosis due to the patients not seeking medical attention for abnormal bleeding, a reluctance of clinicians to perform dilatation and curettage, and difficulty in pathologic interpretation of the curettings. The interpretive problems related to extremely small volumes of tumor, difficulty in distinguishing carcinoma from menstrual endometrium, and difficulty in determining whether a carcinoma was endometrial rather or endocervical in origin. The tumors were aggressive, manifest by their high grade and stage. The importance of these cases is to impress upon clinicians and pathologists that endometrial carcinoma may occur in young women without any of the usual risk factors.

Adult

Vulvar Merkel cell tumor with glandular and squamous differentiation.

A case of a Merkel cell tumor of the vulva is presented. In addition to the typical microscopic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features of Merkel cell tumor, there were areas of squamous and glandular differentiation. This is the ninth reported case of a vulvar Merkel cell tumor, and the first where squamous and glandular differentiation were seen. The findings support an origin of Merkel cell tumors from pluripotential stem cells.

Adenocarcinoma

Primary and recurrent colorectal cancer masquerading as gynaecological malignancy.

To make clinicians more aware of the phenomenon of primary and recurrent colorectal and anal carcinoma masquerading as primary gynaecological malignancy, we reviewed the records of 8 women referred to our gynaecological oncology unit with primary colorectal cancer (1), recurrent colorectal cancer (6) and primary anal cancer (1). Seven of these patients presented with abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge. All patients had Papanicolaou smears performed; 7 were abnormal and 1 unsuitable for cytological assessment. None of the 6 patients with recurrent carcinoma had been previously treated with more than standard anterior or abdominoperineal resection; no radiotherapy had been given, and only 1 patient had received chemotherapy. These patients were treated in our gynaecological oncology unit for their recurrence by surgery and/or chemotherapy and/or irradiation. All 6 had further recurrences in the pelvis despite this aggressive therapy. Follow-up of colorectal cancer in women should involve gynaecological history, pelvirectal examination and Pap smear at each visit. Correct diagnosis of the colorectal origin of a genital tract tumour is made on careful history, examination and biopsy. An abnormal Pap smear may be the first indication of recurrent colorectal cancer in the cervix and vagina, although most patients ultimately present with abnormal vaginal bleeding. The presence of a tumour invading both cervix and posterior vaginal wall is suggestive of spread from a colorectal tumour compared to the more common lateral spread of a cervical primary.

Adult

Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia of the vulva.

Vulvar angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia is a rare benign itchy vascular lesion that, because of its nonspecific clinical features, requires biopsy for accurate diagnosis. Surgical excision is the preferred method of treatment.

Adult

Ligneous (pseudomembranous) inflammation of the female genital tract. A report of two cases.

Two women, aged 28 and 32, presented with primary infertility and severe dysmenorrhea. The younger woman developed recalcitrant and recurrent firm vaginal, cervical and possibly endometrial lesions over a period of six years; the older patient had similar material in the cervix, endometrium and a fallopian tube. The lesions were composed of amorphous eosinophilic hyaline or necrotic material, shown by histochemical and immunoperoxidase stains to be partly fibrin. Pathologic examination showed that the lesions were similar to those of ligneous (pseudomembranous) conjunctivitis, a rare disease that may occasionally affect the lower female genital tract. However, neither patient had eye disease, and ligneous conjunctivitis has not previously been reported to involve the upper genital tract. Endometrial and tubal involvement could readily explain primary infertility and dysmenorrhea in these patients.

Adult

Vulvitis circumscripta plasmacellularis. A clinicopathologic entity?

Four cases of vulvitis circumscripta plasmacellularis (plasma cell vulvitis) are presented. One case was associated with cutaneous lupus erythematosus and another with a history of desquamative vaginitis. Two patients were postmenopausal, and two were premenopausal. The presenting symptoms were pruritus, tenderness, superficial dyspareunia and vulvar dysuria. The lesions were situated in the introitus in three patients and on the lateral aspect of the labium minus in the fourth and appeared as well-circumscribed, glistening, erythematous patches with a faint orange hue. Histologically, epidermal edema and inflammation, a dense upper dermal band of chronic inflammatory cells, including many plasma cells, dilated capillaries, extravasated red blood cells and hemosiderin deposition, were seen. There was a variable response to local steroid therapy, but one of the postmenopausal patients responded to local estrogen alone. The term vulvitis circumscripta plasmacellularis is useful to describe an idiopathic form of erosive vulvitis with a characteristic clinical and histologic appearance.

Adult

Organ weight/bodyweight ratios: growth rates of fetal organs in the latter half of pregnancy with a simple method for calculating mean organ weights.

Ratios for major organ weights compared with bodyweights of 1023 stillborn and liveborn babies who lived less than 72 h are presented. The ratios were calculated for 2 week increments of gestational age from 20 to 43 weeks and clearly depict the relative growth of fetal organs during the last half of pregnancy. The ratios for heart and for kidneys were virtually constant for the whole period of gestation examined. The ratios for thymus and spleen increased between 20 and 30 weeks gestation and then became constant, although the ratio for the spleen dropped slightly during the last 6 weeks. The ratios for liver, lungs and adrenals decreased between 20 and 30 weeks gestation, and then steadied. The ratio for brain declined very slowly throughout the period examined. An observation of practical importance was that all organ weight/bodyweight ratios were virtually constant after 30 weeks gestation. Approximate mean organ weight/bodyweight ratios between 30 and 43 weeks gestation were: heart 0.007, lungs 0.02, spleen 0.003, liver 0.04, kidneys 0.01, adrenals 0.003, thymus 0.004 and brain 0.13. By multiplying the mean ratio by the total bodyweight, the approximate mean weight for a particular fetal organ can be calculated in situations where charts of normal organ weights are not at hand.

Body Weight

Tachyarrhythmia, cardiac rhabdomyomata and fetal hydrops in a premature infant with tuberous sclerosis.

An hydropic infant was delivered at 32 weeks gestation by emergency Caesarean section for acute polyhydramnios. A diagnosis of cardiac rhabdomyomata was made on echocardiography. The baby survived 10 days, during which time repeated episodes of supraventricular tachycardia occurred. She eventually died of cardiac failure following an episode of septicaemia, convulsions and aspiration pneumonia. Necropsy showed multiple cardiac rhabdomyomata and numerous cerebral germinal layer and periventricular white matter nodules. This case stresses the importance of clinical investigations and perinatal necropsy in non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) in determining the causes of clinical presentation and the underlying pathology.

Female

Survey of congenital tumors in perinatal necropsies.

In an audit of 17,417 necropsies from 1939 to 1989 at the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, 46 congenital tumors comprising 24 teratomas, 8 vascular tumors, 6 neuroblastomas, three rhabdomyomas, two mesoblastic nephromas, one thyroid adenoma, one hepatic adenoma and one cerebellar medulloblastoma were found. The teratomas were generally large tumors and, because of their size and location, incompatible with extrauterine life. Ten teratomas were associated with polyhydramnios, three with obstructed labour, five of the fetuses were hydropic and four had malformations at sites distant to the tumor. Twenty teratomas occurred in stillbirths, half of whom were macerated. The vascular tumors were associated with polyhydramnios in three cases and hydrops fetalis in two. The neuroblastomas were all incidental findings. Four were intra-adrenal, one was an adrenal tumor which had metastasized to the liver and the remaining case was a small paravertebral lesion. Two of the three rhabdomyomas were multiple and one of these occurred in a case of tuberous sclerosis. One of the mesoblastic nephromas occurred in a hydropic fetus who had the Arnold-Chiari malformation. The thyroid and hepatic adenomas were small incidental lesions. The cerebellar medulloblastoma had led to marked hydrocephalus. Congenital tumors have different incidence, presentation and behaviour than those in childhood or adult life. The association of congenital tumors with congenital malformations and hydrops fetalis should always be remembered.

Female

Viruses in anogenital cancer.

The association between sexual activity and cancer, first described in carcinoma of the cervix, has been expanded to include the majority of anogenital squamous epithelial carcinomas. Current evidence suggests that human papillomavirus (HPV) may be of great importance in the development of these tumours, whilst herpes simplex type 2 virus (HSV-2) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may play minor roles. Certain types of HPV DNA, including types 16, 18, 31, 33 and 39 are found in most but not all anogenital cancers and pre-invasive neoplastic conditions. Viral genes E6 and E7 of HPV 16 and 18 are regularly expressed in HPV-positive tumours. In vitro, E6 and E7 genes have transforming properties which correlate with their ability to bind naturally occurring growth regulation proteins p53 and pRB. It has, however, become apparent that HPV alone does not provide the full aetiological explanation of sexually related carcinomas. The finding of latent, non-sexually-acquired HPV in a sizable proportion of the community, including children, has confounded simple theories of HPV transmission and cancer. Furthermore, in vitro experiments suggest that other factors may potentiate the effects of HPV. HSV-2 may possibly function as cofactor as it can synergize with HPV to cause transformation in vitro, and can transactivate HPV gene expression. HIV is associated with an increased rate of anogenital malignancies, particularly of the anus. Tumours in HIV-positive patients appear to have a worse prognosis, even before the onset of AIDS.

Anus Neoplasms