Tumor Behavior (tumor + behavior)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences


Selected Abstracts


Treatment and survival outcomes based on histologic grading in patients with head and neck mucoepidermoid carcinoma

CANCER, Issue 8 2008
Melonie A. Nance MD
Abstract BACKGROUND. Histopathologic grade of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is an established predictor of prognosis and affects treatment protocol. Tumor behavior is more aggressive in high-grade than in low-grade MEC, leading to a more intensive treatment protocol. Outcomes for patients with intermediate-grade MEC are less clear; therefore, the optimal treatment protocol for this group is not well defined. The treatment protocol and survival outcomes of patients treated for MEC of the head and neck was investigated. METHODS. A retrospective clinical review and prospective review of histopathologic grading were undertaken using the most recently established grading system of 50 patients with MEC of the head and neck from 1983 through 2004. RESULTS. As histologic grade increased from low to intermediate to high, overall survival (P < .0001) and disease-free survival (P < .001) were significantly decreased. Overall and disease-free survival were significantly better for patients with intermediate-grade MEC than those with high-grade disease. Overall and disease-free survival were similar for patients with low-grade and intermediate-grade MEC. There was a low rate of disease recurrence in patients with intermediate-grade MEC, but this did not lead to death from disease. Although no patients with low-grade or intermediate-grade MEC died of disease, 52% of patients with high-grade MEC died of disease. Multivariate analysis revealed that histologic grade, age, and surgical margin status significantly predicted prognosis. CONCLUSIONS. These findings suggest that, under the current histopathologic classification system, the behavior of intermediate-grade MEC is comparable to that of low-grade MEC and different from high-grade MEC, allowing for the establishment of an evidence-based treatment protocol. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society. [source]


Clinical significance of osteopontin expression in T1 and T2 tongue cancers

HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 6 2008
Chih-Yen Chien MD
Abstract Background Osteopontin (OPN) is considered to be a tumor-related protein associated with tumor aggressiveness and metastasis. Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to study the clinical significance of OPN expression in T1 and T2 tongue cancers. Results Positive OPN expression significantly correlated with higher tumor classification (T) (p = .004), positive nodal classification (N) (p < .001), greater tumor thickness (p < .001), and presence of tumor necrosis (p = .016), respectively. The unfavorable cumulative 5-year disease-free survival rate significantly correlated with positive OPN expression (p < .001), T2 (p = .024), positive N (p < .001), greater tumor thickness (p = .023), and positive tumor necrosis (p = .003). However, taking CD105 into consideration, only CD105 expression was the independent prognostic factor for survival by Cox's regression analysis. Conclusion Overexpression of OPN in the tumors implicated a more aggressive tumor behavior and was an important factor for survival. In addition, there might be relationship between OPN and CD105 expressions in angiogenesis. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008 [source]


GRP78 expression correlates with histologic differentiation and favorable prognosis in neuroblastic tumors

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 6 2005
Wen-Ming Hsu
Abstract Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), an endoplasmic reticulum protein, is essential for the differentiation of neuroblastoma cells and is selectively induced when the cells are undergoing apoptosis. These findings suggest that GRP78 may affect the tumor behavior of neuroblastoma. Our study evaluates the association of clinicopathologic factors and patient survival with the expression of GRP78 in patients with neuroblastoma. GRP78 expression in 68 neuroblastic tumors was investigated semiquantitatively by immunohistochemistry. GRP78 mRNA and protein levels in 7 tumor tissues were also quantified by real-time PCR and Western blot respectively and correlated well with the immunohistochemical results. Forty (58.8%) of the 68 neuroblastic tumors showed positive GRP78 expression. The percentage of positive GRP78 immunostaining increased as the tumor histology became differentiated (p = 0.001). Furthermore, positive GRP78 expression strongly correlated with early clinical stages (P = 0.002) but inversely correlated with MYCN amplification (p = 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with positive GRP78 expression did have better survival than those with negative expression (5-year survival rate, 72.9% and 23.4% respectively, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis further showed that GRP78 expression was an independent prognostic factor. Moreover, GRP78 expression predicted better survival in patients with either undifferentiated or differentiated histologies. GRP78 expression still had significant prognostic value when the analysis was restricted to tumors of advanced stages or without MYCN amplification. Thus, GRP78 can serve as a novel independent favorable prognostic factor for patients with neuroblastoma. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Merkel cell carcinoma: a clinicopathologic study with prognostic implications

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2004
Ryan T. Mott
Background:, Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a frequently aggressive neuroendocrine malignancy of the skin that presents in sun-exposed areas on elderly patients. Although originally described over 30 years ago, many aspects of MCC remain to be defined. Of particular importance is the need to identify prognostic factors capable of predicting the biological behavior of these tumors. Knowledge of these factors may help in determining which patients require more aggressive treatment regimens. In this study, we examined 25 cases of MCC with an attempt to identify clinical, histopathological, or immunohistochemical features capable of predicting disease outcome. Methods:, Features that we evaluated in each case included age, gender, race, tumor location, tumor size, depth of invasion, growth pattern, lymphocytic infiltration, mitotic activity, ulceration, necrosis, vascular invasion, and perineural invasion. In addition, we examined neural cell adhesion molecule and cytokeratin-20 expression using immunohistochemical methods. Results:, We found that most patients were males (84%) with an average age of 74 years. The tumors were located on the head and neck (68%) and upper extremities (32%). Overall, 64% of the patients developed metastatic disease to regional lymph nodes or distant sites (average follow-up time of 21 months). Local recurrence was also common, occurring in 29% of the patients. The overall 1- and 2-year survival rates were 80 and 53%, respectively. Histopathological examination revealed tumors with an average size of 7.2 mm. Common features included invasion into the subcutaneous adipose tissue, solid growth pattern, tumor necrosis, and vascular and perineural invasion. Findings that had a statistically significant correlation with poor outcome included tumor size ,5 mm (p = 0.047), invasion into the subcutaneous adipose tissue (p = 0.005), diffuse growth pattern (p = 0.040), and heavy lymphocytic infiltration (p = 0.017). The remaining findings, including the immunohistochemical results, did not correlate with disease outcome. Using logistic regression models, we show that depth of invasion and degree of lymphocytic infiltration are strong predictors of disease outcome. Conclusions:, The current controversies regarding the treatment of early-stage MCC (i.e., localized disease) underscore the importance of identifying clinicopathological features capable of predicting tumor behavior. In this study, we have identified several prognostic features in MCC. Perhaps, these features may prove useful in identifying patients who require more aggressive treatment regimens. [source]


Surgical stress and tumor behavior: Impact of ischemia-reperfusion and hepatic resection on tumor progression,

LIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 12 2007
Michitaka Ozaki
[source]


The Diagnosis and Treatment of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ of the Breast

THE BREAST JOURNAL, Issue 2 2000
Eleanor E. R. Harris MD
Abstract: Ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast is the most favorable presentation of breast cancer; therefore appropriate local treatment is imperative. Intraductal carcinoma is being diagnosed more frequently with the increasing use of screening mammography. A number of pathologic features have been identified which are useful for classification and for prognostic information. In addition, the molecular pathology and its relationship to tumor behavior and prognosis is becoming more well understood. The role of axillary dissection has been examined in a number of series and is generally agreed to be unnecessary for this presentation of breast cancer, allowing many women to avoid the sequela of axillary surgery. This review discusses the use of breast conservation treatment and the evolving indications for excision alone in the treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ. The outcomes for breast conservation therapy from both randomized trials and institutional series have confirmed excellent survival rates. Salvage therapy for local recurrence is frequently successful, resulting in nearly equivalent survivals in women undergoing breast conservation therapy compared to mastectomy. In addition, intriguing but preliminary results from both breast cancer prevention studies and trials looking at the use of tamoxifen for intraductal cancer suggest a local control benefit in women using the drug. [source]


Expression of BAG-1 protein correlates with aggressive behavior of prostate cancers,,

THE PROSTATE, Issue 8 2006
Maryla Krajewska
Abstract Background Differences in tumor behavior, ranging from indolent to aggressive, create a need for novel prognostic biomarkers. BAG-1 is a co-chaperone that regulates the activity of Hsp70, Bcl-2, Raf-1, growth factor, and steroid receptors (e.g., the Androgen Receptor). Methods Using immunohistochemical method, we explored BAG-1 expression in prostate cancers and its association with clinicopathological parameters. Results BAG-1 immunostaining was elevated in prostate cancer compared to normal prostatic epithelium. Higher nuclear BAG-1 in hormone-refractory (n,=,34) compared to localized untreated tumors (n,=,58) (P,<,0.0001) suggested that upregulation of the nuclear isoform may contribute to disease progression. In 64 early-stage patients (T2N0M0) treated with external-beam irradiation, cytosolic BAG-1 correlated with higher pretreatment levels of serum Prostate specific antigen (P,=,0.04) and shorter time to disease progression (P,=,0.00004). Conclusions Increased cytosolic and nuclear BAG-1 expression may denote more aggressive variants of prostate cancer. Prostate © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Recurrence-Free Long-Term Survival After Liver Transplantation in Patients with 18F-FDG Non-Avid Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma on PET

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 11 2009
A. Kornberg
The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET) for predicting biological tumor behavior and outcome after liver transplantation (LT) in patients with otherwise unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC). Preoperative 18F-FDG-PET scanning was performed in 13 patients with type IV Klatskin tumor before LT. PET+ status indicated patients with an increased pretransplant 18F-FDG uptake, whereas PET, recipients had no increased preoperative 18F-FDG uptake on PET. Pretransplant PET findings were correlated with histopathological tumor characteristics and patient outcome after LT. Eight patients demonstrated positive preoperative PET findings (61.5%), whereas five patients had no increased preoperative 18F-FDG tumor uptake (38.5%) on PET. One PET+ patient died after 1 month due to liver allograft dysfunction. Seven PET+ liver recipients developed tumor recurrence, whereas five PET, patients were tumor-free alive after a median of 76 months post-LT (p = 0.001). The 2-year recurrence-free survival rate after LT was 100% in PET, patients and 28.6% in the PET+ population (log-rank = 0.008). Our results suggest that patients with 18F-FDG non-avid HC on PET may achieve recurrence-free long-term survival after LT. [source]


Expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase and cyclin-D1 in olfactory neuroblastoma,

APMIS, Issue 1 2007
SHENG-LAN WANG
Olfactory neuroblastoma is an uncommon neoplasm. Typically, these tumors are indolent with long-standing symptomatology, but the fact that the lesions are indeed malignant has been proven by the repeated demonstration that they can metastasize to distant organs. Suitable prognostic factors are lacking and therapeutic strategy still remains controversial. Expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is associated with most human malignancies and high levels have been correlated with poor prognosis in many cancers. In comparison, overexpression of cyclin-D1 occurs in several malignancies and has been associated with aggressive tumor behavior and poorer prognosis. In this study, we collected 16 olfactory neuroblastomas from the Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital. The aim was to investigate the value of immunoexpression of hTERT and cyclin-D1 in correlation with clinicopathologic features of olfactory neuroblastoma. Low and high cyclin-D1 expression was found in 6 and 10 cases, respectively. For hTERT, low and high protein expression was detected in 5 and 11 tumors, respectively. Cyclin-D1 expression was not correlated with selected parameters. However, high hTERT expression was significantly correlated with high Kadish stage. In conclusion, high hTERT expression can be considered a potential indicator of aggressive olfactory neuroblastoma. [source]


Histologic grade, stage, and survival in breast carcinoma,,

CANCER, Issue 5 2003
Caucasian women, Comparison of African American
Abstract BACKGROUND African American women have lower breast carcinoma survival rates than do Caucasian women. African American women often present with advanced-stage disease and more aggressive tumors as shown by histologic and laboratory-based prognostic factors. Aggressive tumor behavior may be responsible, at least in part, for the advanced stage and reduced survival rates. METHODS The authors investigated the correlation between survival and histologic grade, stage of disease, and tumor size for both African American and Caucasian women who were younger than age 50 years and age 50 years and older. The authors also investigated the distribution of grade within each stage group and the distribution of grade by tumor size. African American and Caucasian women were matched by stage, tumor size, and histologic grade. Survival was represented by 6-year breast carcinoma,specific survival rates. RESULTS Compared with Caucasian women, African American women, regardless of age, had proportionally more Grade III tumors and fewer Grade I and II tumors for all stages combined and for each individual stage group. Similarly, matched for tumor size, African American women had more Grade III tumors and fewer Grade I and II tumors compared with Caucasian women, except for tumors smaller than 1.0 cm. For nearly all combinations of stage and grade regardless of age, the 6-year breast carcinoma,specific survival rate was lower for African American women than for Caucasian women, although it did not always reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS Compared with Caucasian women, African American women, regardless of age, presented with proportionally more aggressive tumors for each stage of disease and for each tumor size above 1.0 cm as revealed by the histologic grade. Higher histologic grade may be a significant contributing factor to survival disadvantage for African American women. Cancer 2003;98:908,17. Published 2003 by the American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11558 [source]


A2B5 Cells from Human Glioblastoma have Cancer Stem Cell Properties

BRAIN PATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
Aurélie Tchoghandjian
Abstract Glioblastomas, like other cancers, harbor small cell populations with the capability of sustaining tumor formation. These cells are referred to as cancer stem cells. We isolated cells expressing the surface marker A2B5 from three human glioblastomas (GBM) and showed that after grafting into nude mice, they generated dense and highly infiltrative tumors. Then, we extensively studied A2B5+ cells isolated from 11 human GBM. These cells display neurosphere-like, self-renewal, asymmetrical cell division properties and have multipotency capability. Stereotactic xenografts of dissociated A2B5+ -derived secondary spheres revealed that as few as 1000 cells produced a tumor. Moreover, flow cytometry characterization of A2B5+ -derived spheres revealed three distinct populations of cells: A2B5+/CD133+, A2B5+/CD133 - and A2B5 - /CD133 - , with striking proportion differences among GBM. Both A2B5+/CD133+ and A2B5+/CD133 - cell fractions displayed a high proliferative index, the potential to generate spheres and produced tumors in nude mice. Finally, we generated two green fluorescent protein-cell lines that display,after serum induction,distinct proliferative and migratory properties, and differ in their CD133 level of expression. Taken together, our results suggest that transformed A2B5+ cells are crucial for the initiation and maintenance of GBM, although CD133 expression is more involved in determining the tumor's behavior. [source]