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Biomedical subjects

M Kannerstein

Publications and source records attributed to M Kannerstein.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1980

Mesothelioma in man and experimental animals.

Asbestos has been established as the cause of most cases of diffuse malignant mesothelioma occurring in the industrialized world. The morphology of mesothelioma may be complex, and the employment of chemical, histochemical and ultrastructural studies are often helpful in identification. Diagnostic difficulties may to some degree blur the extent of its prevalence and reliance on exposure history may not reveal its association with asbestos. Reference panels can be useful in assessing the former and analysis of lung tissue asbestos content may help to clarify the latter, especially in the low dose range. Electron microscopy may prove to be of assistance in this respect, possibly with particular attention to the peripheral areas of the lung. Animal experimentation has supported epidemiologic conclusions and revealed the phenomenon of fiber carcinogenesis. The morphology of mesothelioma in experimental animals is very similar to that in humans, including ultrastructural and biochemical features.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Recent advances and perspectives relevant to the pathology of asbestos-related diseases in man.

It is apparent that progress is being made in the diagnosis of mesothelioma on the basis of morphological studies. It is also obvious that in almost every area uncertainties and deficiencies still exist. The significance of fibrous substances other than asbestos in the etiology of the various lesions is a field to be explored. The role of pulmonary fibrosis in the pathogenesis of carcinoma of the lung in those exposed to asbestos remains ill-defined. Morphological study of mesothelioma variants and imitators must continue. The accumulation of further ultrastructural data is desirable. Attempts should be made to clarify certain ambiguities in histochemical features. Recently devised staining methods and chemical, immunochemical and immunological diagnostic techniques must be further tried to establish their reliability. The utility of mesothelioma diagnostic panels seems fairly widely accepted, but persistent efforts to reconcile observer variation and to reduce subjectivity are necessary. The pursuit of immunological testing has both theoretical and practical importance. A method for the detection of susceptible persons has long been sought. The value of electron microscopy in the investigation of fibres in relation to carcinogenesis is manifest. Data is accumulating regarding fibre quantity, type and dimensions in relation to the various related lesions. The predominant role of amphiboles in the formation of asbestos bodies appears to be established. Further studies of regional distribution of fibres with their types and sizes in the lung and pleura would seem essential. Whether this will alter the concepts of the significance of exposure as indicated by analysis of the parenchymal component alone is an important question.

Asbestos↗
PubMed1980

A Canadian experience of the pathological diagnosis of diffuse mesothelioma.

A review of 398 pleural and peritoneal tumours suggests that diffuse mesothelioma was probably present in 50-60%. However, objective assessment was frequently impeded by serious deficiencies in data or material, which affect the diagnostic grading of cases seen by panels. Observer variation in diagnosis also remains a significant problem. The value of panels for diagnosis could be greatly increased by the provision of adequate data/material and by meetings.

Canada↗
PubMed1980

Malignant melanoma originating from intradermal nevi. A clinicopathologic entity.

Two cases of malignant melanoma arising in preexisting intradermal nevi without a junctional element are described. These cases and the two known to have been reported previously demonstrate similar clinical and morphologic findings. These include an innocuous gross appearance, a nodular growth pattern, and deep levels of invasion. It appears that the origin of the tumor in the dermis conceals malignant transformation. The consequent time lapse and the dermal position of the lesion favor deep penetration of the tumor prior to removal.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Localized primary tumors of the pleura: an analysis of 40 cases.

A study of 40 localized primary tumors of the pleura in the files of the Canadian Tumour Reference Centre revealed a considerable diversity in their histologic structure. Collagenized, hemangiopericytoma-like and cellular areas were the main forms of growth pattern, with half of the tumors showing a mixture of two or more of these elements. Inclusions of non-neoplastic bronchioloalveolar epithelium were frequently seen in areas of tumor adjacent to lung substance but in only one tumor was there a neoplastic component of epithelial form. Eight tumors (20%) showed evidence of malignant behavior. All of these were large and cellular at the time of initial surgery and four had mitotic counts of 10 or more/10 H.P.F. in areas. The evidence suggests that the great majority of localized pleural tumors arise from submesothelial mesenchymal elements and it is believed that the term mesothelioma should not be used in reference to these growths.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Papillary tumors of the peritoneum in women: mesothelioma or papillary carcinoma.

It has been urged recently that the surface tumors of the ovary be classified as mesotheliomas because both of these neoplasms have a common ancestry. It was suggested also that the rare extragonadal peritoneal tumor of a microscopic morphology similar to that of the ovarian tumor be considered as a mesothelioma. In the present report, objections to this classification are offered. Fifteen cases of diffuse and/or localized peritoneal tumors interpreted as papillary carcinoma arising from extraovarian tissue of Müllerian potentiality are described, and distinctions from mesothelioma are pointed out. Reasons for opposing the grouping of ovarian carcinoma or extragonadal papillary carcinoma of the peritoneum with mesothelioma include the need for categorizing the latter separately in order to monitor its association with asbestos exposure and the possibility that biological differences between these tumors may lead to the development of different modes of therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Peritoneal mesothelioma.

The cytohistology in 82 cases diagnosed as malignant peritoneal mesothelioma was correlated with available clinical and gross pathologic information. The cases were then evaluated as to ceratainty of diagnosis. The material had come from a large number of sources, most of it having been traced by a history of occupational exposure to asbestos. A relatively short interval of significant symptoms, with already existent diffuse peritoneal involvement and ascites, and an average survival time of less than a year characterized the group. The microscopic morphology formed a spectrum from highly characteristic, pure epithelial and mixed epithelial and sarcomatoid types, through nonspecific although relatively differentiated appearances, to pleomorphic analplatic proliferations. Local invasion and metastasis were common but much more limited than with tumors of other histogenesis showing comparable serous membrane involvement. Autopsy was of considerable exclusionary value although not in itself always determinative, and mucopolysaccharide histochemistry was occasionally decisive in diagnosis. Because of the microscopic versatlity of mesothelioma and the clinical and gross morphologic overlap with other neoplasms, all available data must be taken into consideration in arriving at a diagnosis. We believe that the dgree of certainty of diagnosis should be indicated by a succinct but reasonably explicit terminology.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Pathogenic effects of asbestos.

The enormous increase in the use of asbestos during this century has necessitated the intensive study of its pathogenic effects. The occurrence of pulmonary parenchymal and pleural fibrosis and an increased prevalence of pulmonary and gastrointestinal carcinoma and of pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma have been established. A relationship, also, to laryngeal carcinoma is probable. Mesothelioma has been associated with indirect occupational, domestic, and neighborhood exposure, and the possibility of a similar correlation of pulmonary carcinoma with low exposure has been suggested. Pulmonary fibrosis and pleural plaques have been demonstrated under these circumstances. The physical characteristics of the asbestos fiber appear to be the principal factors in its carcinogenic action. The ability of fine, short fibers, especially fragmented chrysotile, to reach the pleura would appear to account for many of the pathogenetic and anatomical features of asbestos-related disease.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1976

Ultrastructure of human malignant diffuse mesothelioma.

Eleven cases of malignant diffuse mesotheliomas, histologically classified into two groups, epithelial (5 pleural and 3 peritoneal) and biphasic or mixed (2 pleural and 1 peritoneal) forms, were stuied by electron microscopy to elucidate their ultrastructural characteristics. The neoplastic cells of the epithelial forms were varied in ultrastructure, from well differentiated (marked by polarity, micovilli, glycogen granules, junctional structures, tonofilaments, intracellular vacuoles, and a basement membrane) to poorly differentiated (which lacked some of these epithelial characteristics). In four of eight instances in epithelial type tumors, nonepithelial or mesenchymal neoplastic cells were recognized. The biphasic or mixed cases included three major cell types: epithelial, atypical epithelial, and mesenchymal. It appeared that there were transitional forms among the three cell types. The observations support the concept that the neoplastic cell of malignant mesothelioma can differentiate into a number of cell lines.

Aged↗