Feminizing interstitial cell tumor of the testis: Personal observations and a review of the literatureGabrilove, J. L.; Nicolis, G. L.; Mitty, H. A.; Sohval, A. R.
doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197504)35:4<1184::AID-CNCR2820350425>3.0.CO;2-Zpmid: 1090360
A 28‐year‐old man with evidence of feminization was demonstrated after 4 years of investigation to have an estrogen‐secreting interstitial cell tumor. Such feminizing neoplasms are uncommon, only 37 having been described. They are usually benign and are characterized by gynecomastia, a testicular mass and, with lesser frequency, by decreased libido and potency and poor semen quality. The urinary excretion and plasma levels of estrogen are increased and, by selective testicular catheterization, the site of increased estrogen production can be localized. Secondary histologic changes occur in the nontumorous portions of the testis as well as in the contralateral testis; they are most marked in the area immediately adjacent to the tumor. Postoperatively, the gynecomastia regresses, the excessive levels of estrogen return to normal, libido improves, and the sperm count increases to normal.
The possible prognostic usefulness of assessing serum proteins and cholesterol in malignancyChao, Fu‐Chuan; Efron, Bradley; Wolf, Paul
doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197504)35:4<1223::AID-CNCR2820350429>3.0.CO;2-Tpmid: 1167805
Serial measurement of serum proteins, albumin, and cholesterol levels was used in an attempt to assess the course and prognosis in cancer patients. This assessment is based on the fact that their declines followed first order kinetics and that these patients usually died when their levels were lower than half the initial levels. Two categories of cancer patients were identified: those in whom the initial measurements of serum albumin or cholesterol, taken soon after diagnosis, were declining (Group I), and those who showed such a decline as they entered an advanced or terminal phase (Group II). Group I included cancer of the stomach, kidney, lung (adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma), oral cavity, large intestine, breast (40%), bladder, ovary (70%), pancreas, and prostate; leukemia (acute myeloid and lymphocytic); and Hodgkin's disease (60%), all of which accounted for approximately 90% of the major causes of cancer deaths. Group II included Hodgkin's disease (40%), and cancer of the ovary (30%) and breast (60%), all of which accounted for 10% of the major causes of cancer deaths.
Peripheral nerve tumors involving paranasal sinuses: A case report and review of the literatureRobitaille, Yvon; Seemayer, Thomas A.; El Deiry, A.
doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197504)35:4<1254::AID-CNCR2820350433>3.0.CO;2-3pmid: 803868
A 45‐year‐old man, afflicted with von Recklinghausen's disease, with symptomatic schwannomas and plexiform neurofibromas involving the right maxillary antrum, a rare site for peripheral nerve tumors, is presented. After a literature review, 15 cases were considered adequate for a clinicopathologic study. Twelve schwannomas, 2 plexiform neurofibromas, 2 neurofibromas, and 1 probable malignant schwannoma were included. Epistaxis was common in tumors of the ethmoid sinus and nasal fossae, while pain was related to lesions of the maxillary sinus. Two benign schwannomas recurred and were cured by surgery alone. The importance of early diagnosis and thorough surgical excisions is emphasized, especially for those tumors associated with von Recklinghausen's disease. The difficulties involved in the diagnosis of primary malignant peripheral nerve tumors are discussed.
Biological markers in breast carcinoma. I. Incidence of abnormalities of CEA, HCG, three polyamines, and three minor nucleosidesTormey, Douglass C.; Waalkes, T. Phillip; Ahmann, David; Gehrke, Charles W.; Zumwatt, Robert W.; Snyder, Jack; Hansen, Hans
doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197504)35:4<1095::AID-CNCR2820350412>3.0.CO;2-7pmid: 1116102
Patients with breast carcinoma were screened for abnormal concentrations of CEA, HCG, putrescine, spermidine, spermine, pseudouridine, N2, N2‐dimethylguanosine, and 1‐methylinosine. Abnormal polyamine levels occurred in less than 15% of the patients. Among the nucleosides, N2, N2‐dimethylguanosine was the most frequently abnormal, occurring in 57% of the patients with metastatic disease. CEA levels were abnormal in 30% of postoperative N+ patients and 74% of patients with metastatic disease, while HCG elevations were found in 45% and 50%, respectively. All the patients with one or more marker abnormalities could be detected by measuring only CEA, N2, N2‐dimethylguanosine, and HCG. Among these three tests, a singular marker abnormality occurred in 35.8% of the patients, and all three tests were abnormal in 21.8% of the patients. The performance of these three tests in each patient revealed one or more abnormalities in 97% of the patients with metastatic disease, and 67% of the postoperative N+ patients.
A multiple chemotherapeutic approach to the management of hepatoblastoma. A preliminary reportHolton, Ciiarlene P.; Burrington, John D.; Hatch, Edwin I.
doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197504)35:4<1083::AID-CNCR2820350410>3.0.CO;2-Kpmid: 163673
In 1970, a staging based on surgical resectability of hepatic tumors was devised. Adjuvant chemotherapy with vincristine, 5‐fluorouracil, and cyclophosphamide has been given to seven recent cases. Objectives of this study were to set up unified clinical staging and followup; to evaluate the effect of combination chemotherapy on survival in advanced disease; and to evaluate early adjunctive combination chemotherapy in surgically resectable lesions to, hopefully, prevent metastasis. Results to date in seven patients are: no change in the poor prognosis of the three female patients presenting with Stage 111‐IV hepatocellular carcinoma; the three males with Stage 1‐11 hepatoblastoma have done well and survive free of disease at 47 months, 44 months, and 28 months; one patient with hepatoblastoma had lung metastasis at diagnosis and died at 7 months with tumor. No toxicity was noted with the use of adjunctive combination chemotherapy following major hepatic resection.
Risk of second tumors in survivors of childhood cancerLi, Frederick P.; Cassady, J. Robert; Jaffe, Norman
doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197504)35:4<1230::AID-CNCR2820350430>3.0.CO;2-Qpmid: 1116109
A new malignancy was diagnosed in 19 of 414 long‐term survivors of cancer in childhood. All but two lesions were attributable to prior radiotherapy; eight were successfully treated. Excluding 4 patients ascertained in connection with the second malignancy, there were 15 in the series who developed a new cancer, in contrast to 0.7 cases expected (p < .001). The 20‐year (5–24 years after initial diagnosis) cumulative probability of a second cancer was 12% (S.E. 4%), and the radiation‐related cancer rate was 1.8 cases in exposed tissues per million person‐years per rad. Host susceptibility may have had an etiologic role, but an oncogenic effect of chemotherapy was not demonstrable. Another 13 study patients developed benign tumors. These findings emphasize the importance of long‐term surveillance of children with cancer.