bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcome Analysis of Patients with Early Infiltrating Breast Carcinoma Treated by Surgery with Intraoperative Evaluation of Surgical Margins
Authors: Barros Alfredo CSD , Pinotti Mariane , Teixeira Luis Carlos , Ricci Marcos Desidério , Pinotti José Aristodemo
Published: April 2018

Aim

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of intraoperative evaluation of surgical margins (IESM) on the local recurrence rate, the occurrence of distant metastases and survival in invasive breast carcinoma (T1-2).

Methods

Two groups of patients were compared: a control group of 149 patients treated by classical quadrantectomy without IESM, and an IESM study group of 102 patients submitted to surgical treatment guided by this procedure. In the IESM group 64 quandrantectomies, 33 enlarged quadrantectomies and five mastectomies were performed.

Results

In the control group 17 local recurrences (11.4%), 49 distant metastases (39.2%) and 43 deaths (31.5%) occurred; in the IESM group there were no local recurrences, nine distant metastases occurred (8.8%) and three patients died (2%). Adjuvant treatment was the same in both groups. The survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. The curves were censored at 99 months of follow-up for adequate comparison because the follow-up period was different in the two groups. Significant differences in local recurrence-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival curves (P = 0.001) in favor of the study group were observed. The overall survival curve of the IESM group was also superior, but statistical analysis revealed only a strong tendency without significance (P = 0.06).

Conclusion

Treatment of early infiltrating breast carcinoma guided by IESM results in a better prognosis.
The Predictive Value of Clinical Evaluation of Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation Therapy for Rectal Cancer
Authors: Benzoni Enrico , Cerato Franz , Cojutti Alessandro , Milan Elisa , Pontello Daniele , Chiaulon Germana , Sacco Cosimo , Bresadola Vittorio , Terrosu Giovanni
Published: April 2018

Introduction

Multimodality therapy has become the standard treatment for patients with locally advanced (T3 and T4) rectal carcinoma. Accurate preoperative staging of the patients with rectal cancer has increased in importance because the selection of patients with transmural rectal cancer (T3 or T4) or node-positive disease leads to a previous nonsurgical neoadjuvant treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of the clinical response to neoadjuvant therapy on the basis of pathological results obtained on rectal cancer patients treated by chemoradiotherapy and surgery.

Methods

From 1994 to 2003, 58 patients with a primary diagnosis of rectal cancer were studied at our department and enrolled in a neoadjuvant protocol of chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery. All patients were treated by 30 days of chemoradiotherapy. At the end of the chemoradiotherapy, each patient underwent clinical examination, including digital rectal examination, proctoscopy and abdominal-pelvic computerized tomography to define the clinical response to the chemoradiotherapy. Surgical resection was performed in all patients three weeks after the end of chemoradiotherapy, and histological analysis was performed on all resected specimens.

Results

The clinical complete response rate corresponded to the pathological complete response rate, whereas the clinical evaluation overestimated partial response and stable disease. The pathologic examination revealed that 3.5% of clinical partial responses and 3.4% of clinical stable disease were really pathological progressive disease. Clinical partial response and clinical stable disease positive predictive values were 92.8% and 90.9%, respectively, whereas the clinical progressive disease negative predictive value was 20%. Then, 6.9% of patients believed to have responded to the therapy, or not to have responded or worsened, actually had worsened by the end of the chemoradiotherapy.

Conclusions

Positive and negative predictive values, in particular for partial response and stable disease, of clinical evaluation of the response to chemoradiotherapy were not high enough to consider clinical evaluation accurate enough to make treatment decisions.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Breast Diagnosis by Vacuum-assisted Core Biopsy
Authors: Guerriero Gabriella , Zagami Maria Giovanna , Montesano Marilena , Primavera Angelo , Carino Rita , Battista Cleonice , Rabitti Carla , Altomare Vittorio
Published: April 2018

Squamous cell breast carcinoma is a rare occurrence. Often the tumor is metastatic from an extramammary primary tumor. In order to determine the nature of the lesion, extensive sampling is necessary. We report a case of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast diagnosed by vacuum-assisted core biopsy.
Retrobulbar Metastasis from Gallbladder Carcinoma after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. A Case Report
Authors: Puglisi Francesco , Capuano Palma , Gentile Antonia , Lobascio Pierluigi , Russo Silvana , Martines Gennaro , Lograno Giuseppe , Memeo Vincenzo
Published: April 2018

Extra-abdominal metastases from gallbladder cancer are very rare; the sites outside the abdomen most frequently affected are the skin, bone and central nervous system. In the literature, only one case of orbital metastasis from gallbladder cancer has been reported, in a patient previously treated by open cholecystectomy. We report the case of a 53-year-old woman who underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallbladder stones. Postoperative histological examination revealed an unsuspected gallbladder adenocarcinoma. One month later she came to our observation after having developed diplopia and ophthalmic pain due to an orbital metastasis. We decided not to perform a surgical second look because of the already rapid dissemination of the malignant tumor.

The few cases of uncommon gallbladder cancer metastases after laparoscopic cholecystectomy described in the literature are discussed, as well as the possible role of laparoscopy in the dissemination and localized seeding of malignant cells.
Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Stomach a Case Report
Authors: Yildirim Yesim , Akcali Zafer , Bilezikci Banu , Ozyilkan Ozgur
Published: April 2018

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) originating from the stomach is a relatively rare entity. There are theories regarding the development of this rare tumor, but its exact pathogenesis remains obscure. Fewer than 100 cases of primary SCC of the stomach have been presented in the literature. Due to the advanced stage at the time of diagnosis in most of these cases, the prognosis is generally poor. In the case presented here, dissemination of the tumor to the transverse colon, gallbladder and omentum was present at diagnosis. Despite the tumor's advanced stage, complete remission was achieved after six courses of adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-flourouracil and cisplatin. No recurrence has been detected during follow-up. The patient has been healthy with no sign of the disease for three years.
Lung Cancer Mortality Patterns in Women Resident in Different Urbanization Areas in Central Italy from 1987–2002
Authors: Chellini Elisabetta , Gorini Giuseppe , Martini Andrea , Giovannetti Lucia , Costantini Adele Seniori
Published: April 2018

Aims and background

The aim of the study was to evaluate mortality lung cancer trends, as an indicator of female smoking trends, in women resident in different urbanization areas.

Methods and study design

Data on the 5,782 female lung cancer deaths that occurred in Tuscany, Italy, during the period 1987–2002 were analyzed, using age-period-cohort models by areas at different urbanization levels. Trends were examined with a log-linear regression model, calculating the yearly estimated percent change. Empirical bayesian estimators of the ratios between observed and expected deaths by municipality were calculated for the most recent period and mapped.

Results

The age-adjusted lung cancer mortality rates increased from 1987 to 2002: estimated percentage change values were equal to 24.5% in the urban areas (P <0.001) and 17.2% in the rural areas (P = 0.023). The age-period-cohort model analyses showed a statistically significant drift and non-linear cohort effects. The higher risk was observed for the birth cohort of women born around 1955 (RR, 5.25; 95% CI, 2.83–9.72). In the rural areas, no significant effects were observed, and the age model showed the best fit. In recent years, the risk appeared concentrated in 9 Tuscan municipalities, accounting more than 35% of the female urban population.

Conclusions

The observed significant cohort effect in the age-period-cohort analyses for the urban areas reflects the social impact of living in these areas to induce smoking-related disease like lung cancer in women. The risk appeared particularly relevant in more recent and urbanized generations (women born around 1955), thereby suggesting urgent effective campaigns against smoking, gender dedicated, especially in urban areas.
Quality Control of the Autopap Screening System Employed as a Primary Screening Device: Rapid Review of Smears Coded as no Further Review
Authors: Bulgaresi Paolo , Cariaggi Maria Paola , Troni Grazia Maria , Ciatto Stefano
Published: April 2018

Aims and background

Automated reading of smears is increasingly used in cervical screening, and quality control procedures to check its performance are required. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of rapid review of all smears coded as “no further review'’ (NFR) by the AutoPap system as a quality control procedure.

Methods

From 2002–2005, 153, 269 smears were processed by AutoPap at the Centro per lo Studio e la Prevenzione Oncologica of Florence, Italy, and 24,503 (15.9%) were coded as NFR. All NFR smears underwent immediate rapid review by expert readers.

Results

Sixty-five of 118 NFR cases reviewed as ASCUS-R complied to recommended 6 months cytology, and 25 of 30 NFR cases reviewed as ASCUS-SIL or more severe accepted immediate colposcopy. As a result of such assessment, one single case of microinvasive carcinoma was detected in a woman aged 34 years: NFR smear had been reviewed as AGCUS, was followed by repeat AGCUS cytology and repeat negative colposcopy, and finally underwent conization.

Conclusions

NFR report at AutoPap was associated with an extremely high negative predictive value, which might suggest using AutoPap as a primary screening tool, with NFR report prompting a “return to screening'’ recommendation. Rapid review of NFR smears is not recommended as a quality control measure for the negligible yield of highgrade lesions detected.
Is Radiation a Risk Factor for Atherosclerosis? An Echo-Color Doppler Study on Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Patients
Authors: Bilora Franca , Pietrogrande Francesco , Petrobelli Francesco , Potato Giuliana , Pomerri Fabio , Muzzio Pier Carlo
Published: April 2018

Aims and background

The aim of the present paper was to study the role of irradiation in the atherosclerotic process in patients affected by Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Methods

We studied 84 subjects, 42 with Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin disease and 42 controls. All 42 cases had been irradiated and were comparable in terms of risk factors for atherosclerosis. All 84 subjects underwent echo-color Doppler of the arterial axis (carotids, abdominal aorta, and femoral arteries), and the intima-media thickness was measured.

Results

The irradiated cases had a greater intima-media thickness in the carotid district, even after dividing them according to age and sex; males were affected more than females. The irradiated patients were at greater risk of developing cardiovascular events than the controls.

Conclusions

An echo-color Doppler of the carotid district is advisable in all patients who have been submitted to radiotherapy, and the patients with a significantly greater than normal intima-media thickness need a strict follow-up, and antioxidant or antiaggregant therapy should be considered.
C-Erbb-2 Protein Level in Tissue and Sera of Breast Cancer Patients: A Possibly Useful Clinical Correlation
Authors: Quaranta Michele , Daniele Antonella , Coviello Maria , Savonarola Annalisa , Abbate Ines , Venneri Maria Teresa , Paradiso Angelo , Stea Baldassarre , Zito Alfredo , Labriola Angela , Schittulli Francesco
Published: April 2018

Aims and background

The aims of this study were to assess the clinical utility of circulating preoperative HER-2 extracellular domain p105 detected by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA), to compare the tissue expression of HER-2/neu determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC), to correlate prognostic factors including tumor size, nodal involvement, and hormone receptor status, and to analyze the prognostic significance of the marker in relation to clinical outcome as measured by disease-free and overall survival.

Methods

In this study, we enrolled 108 consecutive patients with breast carcinoma, and obtained serum samples and frozen tumor tissues. We compared them with 57 women with fibroadenoma and 63 healthy women as controls.

Results

Univariate ANOVA analysis showed no relationship between HER-2/neu in tissue and serum. Preoperative serum levels of p105 were significantly higher in breast cancer patients than in women with benign disease or healthy women. Concerning the correlation between p105, HER-2/neu tissue expression, and the other prognostic factors, a statistically significant correlation between high serum p105 levels and ER-negative status in breast cancer patients was found. Kaplan-Meier analysis confirmed that patients with positive HER-2/neu tissue expression had a significantly shorter survival than those with negative expression. Analysis with the Cox model demonstrated that tumor size was the only significant independent prognostic factor.

Conclusions

This research failed to demonstrate a relationship between preoperative tissue overexpression and circulating HER-2/neu, suggesting that p105 does not represent a valid alternative to predict a worsened prognosis in breast cancer, but it could be a diagnostic marker to discriminate healthy subjects from breast cancer patients.
Phyllodes Tumor with Osteosarcomatous Differentiation: A Comparative Immunohistochemical Study between Epithelial and Mesenchymal Cells
Authors: Ribeiro-Silva Alfredo , Ramalho Leandra Náira Zambelli , Zucoloto Sérgio
Published: April 2018

Aims and background

Phyllodes tumor of the breast with osteosarcomatous differentiation is rare and very little is known about its molecular profile.

Methods and study design

An immunohistochemical panel with 37 primary antibodies including cytokeratins, mesenchymal markers, key regulators of the cell cycle, oncogenes, apoptosis-related proteins, metalloproteinases and their inhibitors was performed on a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sample of phyllodes tumor with osteosarcomatous differentiation in a 49-year-old woman.

Results

Antiapoptotic stimuli (survivin) predominated in sarcomatous cells. Antiproteolytic stimuli (TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and PAI) were preponderant in all cells, a surprising fact in view of the aggressiveness of the neoplasm. The immunoprofile of the osteoblastic and stromal cells was quite similar, except for c-erbB-3, c-myc, cyclin D1 and p21. Both exhibited positive cells for actin, MyoD1 and GFAP.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that this osteosarcoma may have originated from metaplasia of stromal cells that underwent a malignant change.
CONTRIBUTO ALLA CONOSCENZA DELLA CITOLOGIA DELL'APPARATO URO-GENITALE
Authors: Pizzetti F. , Chierego F. , Fabris P.
Published: April 2018

The most suitable tecniques of removal and staining for the cytological examination of the bladder are described.

The pathognomonic cytological findings for acute and chronic cystitis, benign tumours (papillomas) and malignant tumours or the urinary bladder are exposed.
NEOPLASIA PAPILLOMATOSA DELLA TIROIDE A MANIFESTAZIONE INIZIALE EXTRATIROIDEA
Authors: Rossi G. , Genesi M.
Published: April 2018

A malignant tumour of the thyroid gland is reported. The possibility of a simultaneous cancerization of thyroid gland and aberrant thyroids is considered.
AZIONE DEL PROGESTERONE SUL METABOLISMO DI SEZIONI SOPRAVVIVENTI DI ALCUNI TUMORI SPERIMENTALI
Authors: Albano A.
Published: April 2018

Researches have been carried out (with Warburg apparatus) on the action of progesteron on respiration aerobic and anaerobic glycolysis of Ehrlich adenocarcinoma and benzopyrene sarcoma.

Progesteron has a depressing action on respiration and anaerobic glycolysis and an increasing action on aerobic glycolysis of both tumours.
AZIONE PROTETTIVA DEL TIMONUCLEATO SULLA FLOCCULABILITA’ AL CALORE DI ESTRATTI DA FEGATI NORMALI E PRETUMORALI
Authors: Bernelli-Zazzera Aldo
Published: April 2018

1) Deoxyribonucleate from calf tymus inhibits the flocculation of NaCL (10%) extracts from normal rat livers, when heated at 50 °C. 2) It inhibits at the same extent the flocculation of liver extracts from rats fed p-dimethyl-aminoazobenzene. 3) The inhibition of the heat-flocculation with different doses of deoxyribonucleate in standard quantities of liver extracts is identical in normal and treated animals.
CONTRIBUTO ALLO STUDIO RADIOLOGICO DEI TUMORI DELL'IPOFARINGE
Authors: Maffi A.
Published: April 2018

The radiological examination of the hypopharynx shows remarkable difficulties. They can be avoided by a hyperpressor maneuver according to Jönsson, which consists in a forced respiration with close mouth and nose. Such maneuver is also suitable during stratigraphy and examinations with opaque contrast media.
CONTRIBUTO ALLA GONOSCENZA BELLA CITOLOGIA DELL'APPARATO URO-GENITALE
Authors: Chierego F. , Fabris P. , Pizzetti F.
Published: April 2018

The cytological aspects of prostatic, urethral and seminal vesicles mucous membranes in normal and pathological, inflammatory and neoplastic, conditions are referred.
Sulle Neoformazioni Cistopapillifere Della Tiroide
Authors: Malandra B. , Dova E.
Published: April 2018

Five cases of papillary tumors in the thyroid gland and in the lateral portion of the neck are described. The tumors were present in both females and males aged 7–54 years. The evidence tends to confirm the suggestion that, in contrast to microscopical benign features, these tumors are biologically malignant. They tend to invade the lymphatic vessels and to give metastases in cervical lymph nodes. The term lateral aberrant thyroid tumor should be used with caution: these tumors, until individually proved otherwise, should be regarded as metastases of tumor from the thyroid gland to lymph nodes in the lateral portion of the neck.
STUDIO ISTOLOGICO SULLA SARCOGENESI SPERIMENTALE DA 20-METILCOLANTRENE IN RATTO ()
Authors: Maltoni C. , Prodi G.
Published: April 2018

The evolution of tissue reaction around the subcutaneous injection of 20-methylcholanthrene diluted in trioctanin has been studied in the rat from the stage immediately following inoculation to the onset of sarcoma. Such reaction has been compared with the reaction observed around the inoculation of pure solvent.

The tissue reaction around the oncogenic substance consists of:

An early appearance of cellular foci at a certain distance from the oncogenic solution; these are made of various elements, among which a gradually increasing number of cells of the immature fibroblast type;

The formation, around both the oncogenic solution and cellular foci, of a connective tissue with scanty cells which is characterized by an amorphous extracellular component or is irregularly organized in fibres with morphological and histochemical properties far different from those observed in the reaction of tissue around pure solvent.

A relationship has been established between this newly - formed connective tissue and the dermal alterations observed by the same authors in the course of epithelial skin cancerogenesis.
L'IMPIEGO DELLA « DIFFUSION CLOUD CHAMBER » QUALE NUOVO METODO PER LA DETERMINAZIONE DELLA RADIOATTIVITA’ NEL CAMPO BIOLOGICO ED ABIOLOGICO
Authors: Pasinetti Antonio , Giori Camillo
Published: April 2018

A new method for the observation of radioctive biological and abiological substrates by using a diffusion cloud chamber is described.

This device has some advantages compared to those employed so far in radiobiology. It permits the naked-eye observation, the photography and the identification of the characteristic of any kind of ionizing particles, regardless of their energies.

This diffusion cloud chamber is particularly usefull to study ionizing radiations of low energy.

Experiments on vegetal and animal organs, on minerals and fluids have proved to be very satisfactory.

Particularly, the presence of the Thorium in the inner organs of a man who died owing to a hepatic sarcoma, after twenty years since he was intravenously inoculated with Thorotrast and the absorption of Uranium salts by « Cicer arietinum » and « Faseolus vulgaris » young small plants, are studied in this work.
OSSERVAZIONI RADIOLOGICHE SUL COMPORTAMENTO DELLE METASTASI PLEURO-POLMONARI E SCHELETRICHE DA CANCRO DELLA MAMMELLA IN SEGUITO AD INTERVENTO CHIRURGICO DI OVARO-SURRENECTOMIA
Authors: Bullo E. , Catania V. C.
Published: April 2018

Roentgenographical examinations carried out on patients affected with skeletal and pleuro-pulmonary metastases from breast cancer following adreno-oophorectomy are reported. The nature and extent of the roentgenographic changes and the time interval between the operation and their appearance are particularly considered. Such changes consist in: 1) constant and often durable regression of pleural effusion; 2) persistence, generally, of parenchymal nodular manifestations and aggravation of hilar lympangitic processes.

In skeletal metastases the changes show a gradual and slow occurrence, consisting at first in slight calcification spots followed by gradual reduction of the osteolytic area from the peripheral to the central zone. A reestablishment of the normal bone structure with osteosclerosis is occasionally observed in some foci, whereas others do not show any changes.

The assumption is derived, especially from case of long-term observation, that the reestablishment of bone lesions is followed by a renewal of osteolysis.

The examination of the treated cases does not show a correlation between observed changes, patients age and histological type of the primary mammary tumour.
FREQUENZA DEI NUCLEOLI E VARIAZIONI DELLA CROMATINA NELL'EPITELIO GHIANDOLARE MAMMARIO IN CONDIZIONI NORMALI E PATOLOGICHE
Authors: Feletig P.
Published: April 2018

After a brief description of normal breast nuclei, the nuclear changes observed in benign and malignant neoplastic diseases are reported. No significant alterations have been demonstrated in fibroadenomas, whereas an increase in number and size of nucleoli was seen in those forms histologically classified as adenofibrosis.

In these cases, a statistical work carried out on data from nucleoli count suggests that such changes do not have a casual occurrence.

In malignant mammary tumours, on the contrary, a caryologic study gave evidence of well manifest and recognizable nuclear alterations both in resting nuclei and mitotic forms.

It is concluded for a diagnostical value of the caryologic method in malignant mammary tumours. It is also remarked that nuclear changes similar to those observed in mammary adenofibrosis had already been described in forms clinically considered as precancerous lesions of the blander, skin, portio and ovary.
DIAGNOSI DIFFERENZIALE TRA CA. IN SITU E ALTERAZIONI ETEROPLASTICHE DEL COLLO UTERINO
Authors: Grattarola R. , Sirtori C.
Published: April 2018

1) The in situ carcinoma is suggested to be a malignant lesion that may be histologically differentiated from carcinomimetic and heteroplastic lesions (epidermizations and hyperplasia of the basal layers, trichomonas lesions).

2) Out of 1500 cases of invasive portio carcinoma, 10 in situ carcinoma have been observed, 4 of which were detected by re-examination of the bioptic material.

3) In these 4 untreated cases an invasive carcinoma developed in a period ranging from 1 year (2 cases) to 3 and 5 years.

4) In the remaining 6 cases, a simple total hysterectomy was performed in 5 patients and radiumtherapy in 1 case in which the carcinoma occurred on the cervical stump.

5) 18 cases of cervical lesions from trichomonas and 3 cases of gravidic changes of the portio are discussed.

6) According to the Authors, the in situ carcinoma requires a radical treatment (conservative total hysterectomy).

7) In cases of marked basal hyperplasia and carcinomimetic forms unresponsive to medical treatment, the cervical conization is suggested both for diagnostic and prophylactic scope.
Ricerca Sperimentale Nel Ratto Sopra L'attivita’ Antiestrogena Della Tiroxina (Valutata in Base a Indagine Colpocitologica)
Authors: di Re F.
Published: April 2018

Relations between thyroxin and oestrogens are bibliographically reviewed and experimentally studied on rats (14 puberal, 14 impuberal and 13 castrated females were treated for 20 days with oestradiol benzoate, alone or associated with thyroxin, in daily doses varying from 50 to 200 gamma).

Differences between animals treated with oestrogen alone and with oestrogen + thyroxin were studied on vaginal smear: acidophilic index, kariopicnotic index and cellular morphology show a clear inhibiting action of thyroxin on oestrogen. Mechanisms of this action are discussed and the conclusion is drawn that thyroxin inhibits directly the oestrogen at the level of the genital tract.
Contributo Allo Studio Della Discrasia Proteica in Portatori di Neoplasie Maligne
Authors: Buttò M. , Dal Fabbro G.
Published: April 2018

The behaviour of the blood proteins has been studied in some neoplastic processes (40 cases). The conclusion is drawn that tumours do not induce particular seroprotein pictures which might roentgentherapy carried out in some of the 40 patients, the dysprotidemia was found to be enhanced though still maintaining the character of the neoplastic dysprotidemia, i.e. albumin reduction and globulins increase (due almost completely to the increase of alpha and gamma fractions). The tumour dysprotidemia is ascribable to several causes, like histological type, locations and extension of the tumour.
Azione Citostatica Della Bis-(β-cloroetil) P-aminofenilalanina in Ratt i Portatori Del Mieloma di Oberling
Authors: Violante A. , Lorenzutti G. , Ragni A.
Published: April 2018

Sarcochlorine action has been tested in 38 rats, 24 of which had been previously inoculated with Oberling chloroleukemia (myeloma). Counts of red and white blood cells, measurement of the tumour size and organs examination in succumbed animals proved sarcochlorine to induce: a) a marked leukopenia mainly at the level of lymphoid cells; b) a fairly good function of hemopoietic marrow; c) the disappearance of the neoplastic mass; d) a complete regression of leukemic infiltrates in liver and spleen; e) a block of thyroid function.
Comportamento dei Sulfidrili del Siero Nelle Neoplasie Maligne
Authors: Paolino W. , Resegotti L. , Sartoris S.
Published: April 2018

Basing on the significance of sulfhydryl groups in cell metabolism, the behaviour of serum sulfhydryls was studied in various physiological and pathological conditions. The limiting values of the normal ranges were assessed.

Pregnancy, fever, anemia, decay of general conditions were not found to cause an abnormal shift in sulfhydryl values. On the other hand, in cancer patients sulfhydryls are often under the normal, although a 26 per cent of normal values may be observed in the presence of clinically demonstrated cancers: hence, the determination of serum sulfhydryls is not of diagnostical value.

This different behaviour, likely dependent on the varying rate of sulfhydryls linked to globulins, was not found to be consistent either with the site and extent of the tumour, or with the presence of metastases, or with the duration of the disease.
Il Plasmocitoma: Aspetti Clinico - Radiologici
Authors: Moretti E.
Published: April 2018

The examination of 18 subjects affected with plasmocytoma showed that the radiological appearance of a punched out osteolytic lacuna is not seen in more than the 20 per cent of the cases. Other radiological pictures (diffuse osteoporosis, cystic and polycystic aspect, perifocal bone thickening) are frequentily observed and, occasionally, the X-ray examination is negative. Fractures have been observed in the 30 per cent of the cases. The differential diagnosis has to be done with: osteoporosis, bony pseudo-lacunae, Brodie's abscess, Ewing tumour, solitary cyst, eosinophilic granuloma, giant cell tumour, bony metastases and fibrous dysplasiae.

Stress is laid on the diagnostical value of the marrow biopsy, the seroprotein electrophoretical study, the search of Bence Jones bodies in the urine and the test for P32 urinary output, which was carried out on 5 patients and gave results not always uniform.

From the therapeutical viewpoint, scarce results have been obtained with cortisone and X rays, whereas a nitrogen mustard derivative (endoxan) proved to be quite ineffective. 8 cases were treated with P32: in 3 of them the painful symptomatology disappeared for a period ranging from 2 months to 1 year, whereas the bone lesions remained unmodified. On the other hand, a reduction of bone lesions with a slow re-calcification was obtained in one case treated with telecobaltotherapy.
La Localizzazione Vertebrale Del Granuloma Maligno E La Sua Diagnosi Differenziale
Authors: Timossi G. , Verga L.
Published: April 2018

Basing on 4 personal cases, the radiological pictures of the vertebral localizations of malignant granuloma are illustrated in comparison with other more common vertebral diseases. The following roentgenographical characteristics have been observed: polymorphism, consequent to the frequent concomitance of sclerotic lesions; monostotic nature, expecially at the level of the vertebral body; prevalence of marginal erosive alterations on periostal ones; frequent involvement of the disk which is never completely destroyed; rare neoformations of thin osteophitic bridges.

However, being the early diagnosis histologically difficult in case of primary vertebral localization and occasionally hard to obtain even with X-rays investigation, the ascertainment has to be based on a clinical criterion.

Data of particular value are: 1) the presence of a painful neurological symptomatology of neuralgic-neuritic type only responsive to X-rays therapy, with trophic and motorial lesions and with impairment of the reflected and sphinteric activity; 2) very high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, marked eosinophilia and tuberculin anergy.

The occurrence (although unfrequent) of a primary and temporarily unique vertebral localization justifies the roentgentherapy with ex juvantibus diagnostical criterion.
Attività Adenosintrifosfatasica Mitocondriale Del Sarcoma Galliera E Dei Tessuti Epatico, Muscolare E Renale Di Ratti Portatori
Authors: Nante L.
Published: April 2018

The adenosinetriphosphatase activity of mitochondria from Galliera sarcomas inoculated into rats has been studied in isotonic medium and without activators. A similar research was carried out in mitochondria from liver, kidney and muscle of tumour-bearing rats.

The average enzyme activity of tumour mitochondria was found to be 100,66 mg of inorganic P released in 15' and for mg of N. The activity was statistically diminished in the liver, in relation to a decreased enzyme synthesis (mean values: 155 mg P against 230 mg in the controls), whereas in the kidney and muscle no significant diminution was observed.
Sulle Associazioni Fenotipiche Dei Gruppi Sanguigni ABO Con Il Cancro Gastrico E L'Ulcera Gastrica E Duodenale
Authors: Visconti A. , Tolio A. , Perotti V.
Published: April 2018

The association of groups ABO with gastric cancer (1333 cases), gastric ulcer (343 cases) and duodenal ulcer (740 cases) has been studied.

No correlation has been observed between gastric cancer and blood groups, whereas an heterogenic distribution of blood groups in relation to tumor site could be noted: e. g., group A was found to be associated to antral cancer, and group O to the cancer of the body and of the fundus.

A highly significant heterogeneity of distribution of the groups ABO in the different ages was observed in patients bearing gastric ulcer.

The correlation between duodenal ulcer and group O has been confirmed. The relative disease incidence for the subjects belonging to this group was demonstrated to be 55 per cent higher than that of group A subjects.

No sex influence on groups ABO distribution was observed in the three studied conditions.
A Clinical and Morphological Study of 256 cases of Tumors of the Peripheral Nervous System
Authors: Bono Aldo Vittorio , Meriggi Angelo
Published: April 2018

Two hundred and fifty three tumors of the peripheral nervous system (112 in males and 141 in females) were studied both from clinical and histological point of view; in addition, there were 3 patients with typical v. Recklinghausen disease, in which no histological examination was performed. The study included 217 benign tumors (208 spinal and 9 sympathetic), and 36 malignant tumors (29 malignant neurilemmomas and 7 sympathoblastomas). There were 179 superficial tumors (164 benign and 15 malignant), and 74 deeply localized tumors (53 benign and 21 malignant). The unifocal tumors were 238 (206 benign and 102 malignant), while multiple tumors were present in 15 cases. At the first hospitalization, the average age was 41.0 years for the spinal tumors and 25.3 years for the sympathetic tumors. Generally, patients affected with benign spinal tumors were slightly younger than those with malignant neurilemmomas. On the contrary, the average age of patients with benign sympathetic tumors was much higher than that of patients with sympathoblastomas. The time elapsed from the beginning of the symptoms at the first hospitalization was studied in 170 cases: in 93 cases it was of 1–2 years, in 77 ranged from 3 to over 5 years, while in 12 cases symptoms were already present at birth. Among the neurilemmomas, there was one undoubted case of malignant transformation from a preexisting benign tumor, while in 4 other cases this transformation was probable. Pain was observed in 47 cases, 34 of benign tumors and 13 of malignant tumors. In the benign tumors, the therapy consisted of surgery alone, while in the malignant tumors association of surgery with radiotherapy and chemotherapy was often used. There were 7 recurrences, i.e. 2 neurilemmomas and 5 neurofibromas, among 155 cases of benign tumors in which the follow-up was satisfactory. Six of these cases were reoperated without further recurrence.
Clinico-statistical Considerations on Thyroid Cancer in the Youth
Authors: Ballarati Umberto , Marinoni Ugo , Puricelli Gianpeglio , Spreafico Gianluigi
Published: April 2018

On a series of 220 patients with carcinoma of the thyroid, 17 (10 females and 7 males) were under the 24th year of age. In four cases the tumor was diagnosed between the 5th and the 14th year of age and in 13 cases between the 15th and the 24th year; there were 13 cases of papillary adenocarcinoma, 2 cases of follicular adenocarcinoma, and 2 cases of solid carcinoma. In 7 cases the tumor was preceded by the appearance of goiter; only one patient had been previously irradiated. The first clinical sign of disease was a thyroid nodule in 10 cases, metastases to cervical lymph nodes in 7 cases; in 3 of these last cases primary neoplasia of the thyroid remained clinically occult. Scanning with I181 was used in 13 cases for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Surgical and radiological therapies were associated in all cases; the enucleation of the tumor was performed in one case, emithyroidectomy in 7 cases, total thyroidectomy in 6 cases. Surgery was limited to dissection of the neck in 3 cases. In addition, thyroidectomy was associated to radical neck dissection in 9 cases with metastases. In all cases I181 was administered; in 7 cases it was associated to X-therapy and in 8 cases to telecobaltotherapy. One patient is alive 3 months after the beginning of the treatment, 6 patients from 1 to 3 years, 3 patients from 5 to 6 years, 2 patients after 8 years and 5 patients from 10 to 15 years.
Cancer Chemotherapy by Means of Continuous Intravenous Infusion of Cytotoxic Agents
Authors: Nervi Carlo
Published: April 2018

Sixty patients with advanced incurable cancer have been treated with continuous intravenous infusion with different anticancer drugs. The aim of the experiment was to reach prolonged high blood level of cytotoxic agents, to inhibit the growth of the whole cell population during the different stages of cell division. The study has confirmed that prolonged infusion of anticancer drugs affects both toxicity and therapeutic response. This suggests the use of the technique of prolonged intravenous infusion as the first «step» treatment in cancer chemotherapy.
Radioactivity in the Lungs after Intralymphatic Radiotherapy with Lipiodol F 131I
Authors: Bagliani Giuseppe , Buraggi Gian Luigi , De Vecchi Alberto , Fava Giannino
Published: April 2018

A follow-up to earlier studies on the biological behavior of Lipiodol F 131I injected into lymph vessels of the foot for intralymphatic radiotherapy. A series of investigations on the trend of the activity in the lungs was conducted using various external measurements. It was found that the radioiodide accumulation was considerable and that it was eliminated more rapidly than from the lymph nodes. An explanation of the build-up of radioactivity in the lungs is suggested.
The Role of Epidemiological Investigation in the Detection of Environmental Carcinogenic Risks
Authors: Saracci Rodolfo , Veronesi Umberto
Published: April 2018

An introductory review is presented of the uses and limitations of epidemiological methods for investigating cancer etiology. Uses of epidemiological methods can be grouped under three main headings: search af etiological indications, test of etiological hypotheses, and assessment of the effect of large scale prophylactic or therapeutic treatments. The search of etiological indications is chiefly performed through an analysis of mortality and/or morbidity data: time and space distribution of cancers are usually studied and sometimes an investigation on time-space association is added. On this basis etiological hypotheses are formulated and tested using retrospective studies and/or prospective studies: typical examples of these are found in oncological literature. Assessment of the effect of large scale prophylactic or therapeutic treatments, where feasible, is a further check on the soundness of an etiological hypothesis. Limitations intrinsic to the epidemiological approach (as to any merely observational approach) can be partly overcome through close linkage between epidemiologic and experimental oncology; use of mathematical models to interpret on a common basis data from epidemiological and laboratory studies can make easier this task.
Primary Immune Response in Swiss Mice Injected at Birth with a Single Dose of 7,12-Dymethylbenz [α] anthracene
Authors: Baroni Carlo , Bertoli Giovanni , Fabris Nicola
Published: April 2018

The primary immune response of 7,12-dimethylbenz[α] anthracene (DMBA) newborn treated outbred Swiss mice and untreated control animals of the same strain was determined at 10, 20, 30, 50, 75, 100, 150 and 200 days of age, according to the agar plaque technique of Jerne et al. The number of spleen antibody plaque forming cells (APFC) as well as the number of nucleated spleen cells was measured at time of sacrifice. The tumors observed in the treated groups were subcutaneous sarcomas and fibrosarcomas at the site of injection, and malignant lymphomas usually of the poor differentiated-cell type, either limited to the thymus or with extrathymic diffusion; in some instances animals with both subcutaneous tumors and malignant lymphomas were found. The number of APFC per spleen was constantly and markedly lower in the DMBA treated animals than in the control animals. Among the tumor bearing animals minimum numbers of APFC were recorded for the malignant lymphomas. According to the data of the present study and of previously reported observations, the possible relationship between immunodepression after DMBA treatment at birth and tumor development following the carcinogen injection is discussed.
Long-term Results of Chemotherapy in 106 Cases of Lymphosarcoma and Reticulum Cell Sarcoma
Authors: Di Pietro Sergio
Published: April 2018

The survival rate of 106 cases of advanced lymphosarcoma and reticulum cell sarcoma that had received chemotherapy, with or without radiotherapy, between 1951 and 1962 is reported. The course of both diseases was initially highly malignant, with a median survival of 20 months for lymphosarcoma and 6 months for reticulum cell sarcoma. Cases surviving for over 3 years, however, have a good chance of long survival. Male sex and an age of under 40 (there were no cases of under 13 in our series) seem to be favorable prognostic factors. A long pre-treatment interval is favorable for lymphosarcoma and adverse for reticulum cell sarcoma. The clinical stage (3 or 4 according to the classification of Banfi et al.) does not significantly affect the prognosis of lymphosarcoma whereas in reticulum cell sarcoma survival is strongly correlated with clinical stage. Chemotherapy (with alkylating agents) yielded a 5-year survival rate of 20.8% in lymphosarcoma; with radiotherapy the rate rose to 32.3%. In reticulum cell sarcoma the 5-year survival rate was 20% for chemotherapy alone and 14.2% for chemotherapy in association with radiotherapy. Our data seem to confirm the usefulness of chemotherapy, with or without radiotherapy, in diffuse forms of lymphosarcoma and reticulum cell sarcoma, especially with regard to long-term survival.
Characteristics of Cell Proliferation in Children's Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Pileri Alessandro , Tarocco Renzo Pietro , Gavosto Felice , Ponzone Alberto , Nicola Paolo
Published: April 2018

The proliferative activity of the bone marrow and peripheral cells of acute infant lymphoblastic leukemia was evaluated by « in vitro » incorporation of thymidine-H3. The proliferative activity of leukemic lymphoblasts proved roughly similar to that already observed in hemocito-myeloblastic acute leukemias of adults. Within the lymphoblastic population, incorporation of tritiated thymidine was distributed very heterogeneously and there was no labelling of the smaller blasts. In the larger blasts, the labelling index increased progressively with the increase in cell diameter. The acute leukemia population can thus be divided into two classes: proliferating and non-proliferating. A study of the proliferative activity of lymphoblasts, contemporaneously in bone marrow and peripheral cells, suggested a division of cases into two groups. In one proliferative activity in the marrow was greater than in the peripheral blood; in the other it was equal to or less than in the peripheral blood. The second group was made up of cases whose clinical features presented a much more marked hepato-splenomegaly and high peripheral leucocytosis. A more detailed study of proliferative activity considering various classes of blasts within the same population showed that, in the first group of patients, the highest percentage of large blast cells is found at bone marrow level, while in the second the percentage of large blasts in the marrow is equal to or less than that observed in the peripheral blood. It was also shown that total proliferative activity is correlated to the percentage of large blasts. On the basis of these findings, one may admit that in first group forms the leukemia cells are generated prevalently in the bone marrow, while in second group forms most leukemic cells are formed elsewhere.
Detection and Location of Bone Metastases with Sr85
Authors: Sanguineti Michele
Published: April 2018

The detection and location of bone metastases constitute the elective indication of bone scanning with Sr85. This series of 58 patients gives rise to an evaluation of this diagnostic method compared with radiologic methods. In accord with other workers, it is concluded that scanning, especially if preceded by profile counting, is superior to Xray techniques because: 1) it ensures early diagnosis; 2) it reveals whether metastatization is uni-, pauci- or multi-focal, and 3) it accurately defines the size of the field to be irradiated. Bone scanning with Sr85 is thus an exceedingly valuable tool in planning the treatment of cancer patients.
Protracted Intra Arterial Chemotherapy with Sequential Courses of Antimitotics and Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Extended Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Nervi Carlo , Perrino Annibale , Valente Vincenzo , Cortese Massimo
Published: April 2018

51 patients with extensive inoperable head and neck cancer were treated with sequential continuous arterial infusion of anticancer agents. Mtx, 5 FUDR and Mitomycin C were administered in that order. At the end of the chemotherapy the patients were subjected to a full dose of external radiotherapy with the aim of destroying the residual cancer cells. Objective tumor regression was achieved in 27 patients lasting twice as long as in the same number of patients treated with external radiotherapy only. The study suggests that the idea of treating an extensive cancer with different drugs and therapeutic methods used sequentially with the aim of destroying the greatest number of cancer cells, is valid.
A Case of Leiomyosarcoma of the Stomach
Authors: Gennari Leandro , Pizzocaro Giorgio
Published: April 2018

The pathological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of the leiomyosarcoma of the stomach are discussed.
Increased Oncogenic Effect of a Low Dose of Methylcholanthrene in Immunodepressed Mice
Authors: Carbone Giusi , Parmiani Giorgio
Published: April 2018

Two different doses of MCA were used to elicit subcutaneous sarcomas in intact vs. immunodepressed adult (C57BL/6xBALB/c)F1 female mice. Immunodepression was achieved by adult thymectomy followed by a short treatment with antilymphocyte serum (4 i.p. injections of 0.25 ml at days −1, +1, +3, +5). The lower dose of MCA (30 μg) gave rise to sarcomas in 11 of 18 intact mice, and in 17 out of 17 immunodepressed animals. No such difference was found with 150 μg of the carcinogen which induced tumors in 16 of 17 immunodepressed mice and in 17 of 17 intact counterparts. These results clearly show the importance of the dosage of MCA in visualizing the funcion of immunologic surveillance in this system of chemical carcinogenesis.
Ultrastructural Alterations of Hepatic Cell Nucleoli Induced by Adriamycin
Authors: Deliliers Giorgio Lambertenghi , Ranzi Tullio , Jean Gaspare , Bertazzoli Cesare , Praga Claudio
Published: April 2018

The inoculation of adriamycin to CRF mice induced a sequence of ultrastructural alterations in hepatic cell nucleoli. The earliest change was the fragmentation of the nucleolonema followed by the segregation of fibrillar, granular and amorphous components. These lesions were dose-dependent and were like those induced by other antibiotics with antitumoral activity. Nevertheless adriamycin action was much more rapid. In relation to what is already well-known on the functional significance of the nucleolus components and on the nucleolar fragmentation and segregation process, it is probable that the lesions induced by adriamycin are the morphologic counterpart of a nucleic acid synthesis inhibition. This conclusion is supported by the previously reported biochemical and pharmacological data.