1,720,986 research outputs found

    Non-seminomatous germ cell tumours

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    The group of non-seminomatous germ cell tumors can be morphologically and therapeutically distinguished from the group of seminomas. The group of non-seminomatous germ cell tumors includes embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac tumor, choriocarcinoma and teratoma. All entities can occur rarely in pure form or much more commonly in mixed germ cell tumors consisting of more than one histological type. The non-seminomatous germ cell tumors are also characterized by the appearance of an isochromosome 12p, i(12p) and arise from a common precursor lesion called intratubular germ cell neoplasia of the unclassified type (ITGCNU). Various immunohistochemical markers are used to distinguish the different tumor components in addition to morphological characteristics

    Amyloidosis - a Rare Differential Diagnosis of an Orbital Tumour

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    Background: Amyloidosis is a disorder caused by a misfoulding of proteins. The deposition of these proteins in tissues and organs can affect the normal function of those tissues and organs. Materials and Methods: Two patients are presented and an overview over the so far published cases with a localised orbital amyloidosis is given. Results: The first case is a 50-year-old woman with progressive ptosis since half a year, progressive proptosis since three months and deterioration of motility and deviation of the left globe. The second case is a 68-year-old man with progressive ptosis since four years and with affection of the subtarsal conjunctiva of the right eye. Macroscopically a yellow-brown, gelatinous, easily crumbled material was seen during operation. Conclusion: the histological proof of amyloidosis can be made visually in intense unidirectional polarised light after congo red staining. This should be done in suspected cases every time. The orbita can also be involved in systemic forms of amyloidosis, so a systemic form should be excluded. The localised amyloidosis has no effect on the survival time in contrast to the systemic forms does have an effect. An untreated systemic form may be associuated with a prognosis of only 9 to 13 months

    Pleural malakoplakia caused by Rhodoccocus equi infection in a patient after stem cell transplantation

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    Malakoplakia is a disease especially of the urinary tract with typical plaques most frequently observed in the urinary bladder's mucosa. In the context of immunosuppression malakoplakia can also occur in other organs. Some of these extravesical malakoplakias are associated with an infection by Rhodococcus equi, a rare human pathogen well known from veterinary medicine. Here we present the first case of a pleural malakoplakia without lung involvement caused by a proved Rhodococcus equi infection.Open-Access-Publikationsfonds 201

    Expression and Function of the Vitamin D Receptor in Malignant Germ Cell Tumour of the Testis

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    Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) are the most common malignancy in young men aged 18-35 years. They are clinically and histologically subdivided into seminomas and non-seminomas. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin,25(OH)(2)D(3)) is the active form of vitamin D and exerts its actions via a specific intracellular vitamin D receptor (VDR). Several investigations in the recent years have revealed, in addition to a physiological occurrence of the VDR in various tissues, VDR expression in different human malignancies. Furthermore, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) plays an important role in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. In different normal and malignant cell types, antiproliferative and pro-differentiating effects of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) are described. We investigated whether TGCT express the VDR, wether differences exist between the histological subtypes and if vitamin D has a function on the proliferation of tumour cells. Furthermore, we investigated the potential function of the vitamin D-regulated genes nuclear receptor co-repressor 1 (NCOR1), nuclear receptor co-repressor 2 (NCOR2), thyroid receptor interacting protein 15 (TRIP I 5), Growth Arrest and DNA Damage (GADD45), MAP kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MAPKAPK2), Cytochmme P450, family 24, subfamily A, polypeptide 1 (C.YP24A1) and Cytochrome P450, family 27, subfamily B. polypeptide (CYP27B1) in the pathogenesis of TGCT. We demonstrate, for the first time, that primary TGCT as well as TGCT cell lines, express VDR mRNA and protein. Vitamin D and VDR may play a role in the pathogenesis of TGCTs. Furthermore, vitamin D inhibits proliferation of TGCT cell-lines, potentially via an increase in expression of GADD45. Our data suggest that vitamin D could play a role in antitumour therapy

    Expression and Function of the Vitamin D Receptor in Malignant Germ Cell Tumour of the Testis

    No full text
    Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) are the most common malignancy in young men aged 18-35 years. They are clinically and histologically subdivided into seminomas and non-seminomas. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin,25(OH)(2)D(3)) is the active form of vitamin D and exerts its actions via a specific intracellular vitamin D receptor (VDR). Several investigations in the recent years have revealed, in addition to a physiological occurrence of the VDR in various tissues, VDR expression in different human malignancies. Furthermore, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) plays an important role in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. In different normal and malignant cell types, antiproliferative and pro-differentiating effects of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) are described. We investigated whether TGCT express the VDR, wether differences exist between the histological subtypes and if vitamin D has a function on the proliferation of tumour cells. Furthermore, we investigated the potential function of the vitamin D-regulated genes nuclear receptor co-repressor 1 (NCOR1), nuclear receptor co-repressor 2 (NCOR2), thyroid receptor interacting protein 15 (TRIP I 5), Growth Arrest and DNA Damage (GADD45), MAP kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MAPKAPK2), Cytochmme P450, family 24, subfamily A, polypeptide 1 (C.YP24A1) and Cytochrome P450, family 27, subfamily B. polypeptide (CYP27B1) in the pathogenesis of TGCT. We demonstrate, for the first time, that primary TGCT as well as TGCT cell lines, express VDR mRNA and protein. Vitamin D and VDR may play a role in the pathogenesis of TGCTs. Furthermore, vitamin D inhibits proliferation of TGCT cell-lines, potentially via an increase in expression of GADD45. Our data suggest that vitamin D could play a role in antitumour therapy

    Tumor-associated macrophages are involved in tumor progression in papillary renal cell carcinoma

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    Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a key role in cancer development. Especially, the immunosuppressive M2 phenotype is associated with increased tumor growth, invasiveness and metastasis. The differentiation of macrophages to the alternative phenotype M2 is mediated, inter alia, by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). Papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents a rare tumor type which, based upon histological criteria, can be subdivided into two subtypes (I and II), of which type II is associated with poor prognosis. In both subtypes, typically, a dense infiltrate of macrophages is found. In the present study, the expression of CD68, CD163, M-CSF, Ki-67, and CD31 was examined in 30 type I and 30 type II papillary RCCs (n = 60). Both types of papillary RCCs contained an equally dense infiltrate of CD68-positive macrophages. Nearly all macrophages in papillary RCC type II expressed CD163, a characteristic for M2 macrophages. In type I papillary RCC, less than 30 % of macrophages expressed CD163. Furthermore, tumor cells in type II papillary RCC expressed significantly more M-CSF and showed increased (Ki-67 expression defined) proliferative activity in comparison with type I papillary RCC. In addition, the (CD31 defined) capillary density was higher in type II than in type I papillary RCC. A dense infiltrate of M2 phenotype TAM and high M-CSF expression in tumor cells are key features of type II papillary RCC. These findings might explain why the prognosis of papillary RCC type II is worse than that of type I

    Sex cord gonadal stromal tumors

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    According to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification from 2004, sex cord gonadal stromal tumors are divided into Leydig cell tumors, Sertoli cell tumors, granulosa cell tumors, tumors of the thecoma-fibroma group, incompletely differentiated sex cord gonadal stromal tumors, mixed forms of sex cord gonadal stromal tumors and tumors containing both germ cell and sex cord gonadal stromal elements. These tumors can appear sporadically or in combination with hereditary syndromes. To diagnose these rare tumors the combination of characteristic morphological aspects and various immunohistochemical markers is useful. Latest investigations demonstrate the potential role of mutation analyses in the diagnosis of this heterogeneous group of tumors

    N-cadherin is differentially expressed in histological subtypes of papillary renal cell carcinoma

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    Background: Papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents a rare tumor, which is divided, based on histological criteria, into two subtypes. In contrast to type I papillary RCC type II papillary RCC shows a worse prognosis. So far, reliable immunohistochemical markers for the distinction of these subtypes are not available. Methods: In the present study the expression of N(neural)-, E(epithelial)-, P(placental)-, und KSP(kidney specific)cadherin was examined in 22 papillary RCC of histological type I and 18 papillary RCC of histological type II (n = 40). Results: All papillary RCC type II displayed a membranous expression for N-cadherin, whereas type I did not show any membranous positivity for N-cadherin. E-cadherin exhibited a stronger, but not significant, membranous as well as cytoplasmic expression in type II than in type I papillary RCC. A diagnostic relevant expression of P- and KSP-cadherin could not be demonstrated in both tumor entities. Conclusion: Thus N-cadherin represents the first immunhistochemical marker for a clear cut differentiation between papillary RCC type I and type II and could be a target for therapy and diagnostic in the future.Open-Access-Publikationsfonds 201

    Leiomyoma of the tunica albuginea, a case report of a rare tumour of the testis and review of the literature

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    Abstract Background Leiomyomas are benign tumours that originate from smooth muscles. They are often seen in the uterus, but also in the renal pelvis, bladder, spermatic cord, epididymis, prostate, scrotum or the glans penis. Leiomyomas of the tunica albuginea are extremely rare. Case presentation A 59-year-old white male has noted an asymptomatic tumour on the right side of his scrotal sac for several years. This tumour has increased slowly and caused local scrotal pain. An inguinal incision was performed, in which the hypoplastic testis, the epididymis and the tumour could be easily mobilized. Macroscopically the tumour showed a solid round nonencapsulated whorling cut surface. Histologically the diagnosis of a leiomyoma was made. Conclusion We report here a very interesting and rare case of a leiomyoma of the tunica albuginea. Leiomyomas can be a possible differential diagnosis in this area. Virtual Slides http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/2585095378537599</p
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