Peritumoral stromal remodeling, pattern of invasion and expression of c-met/HGF in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix uteri, FIGO stages III and IV

OBJECTIVE

Different patterns of invasion (PIs) have prognostic impact in several types of cancer and are associated with different grades of peritumoral stromal remodeling, characterized by the desmoplastic stromal response (DSR). One key regulator influencing cellular motility and peritumoral stromal response is c-met/HGF. This study evaluates the association between different PI, peritumoral DSR and its correlation to the expression of c-met/HGF in squamous cell carcinomas of the uterine cervix (CX).

STUDY DESIGN

131 advanced stage CX (FIGO III/IV) were re-evaluated histologically regarding PI, using a two-level scoring system. The tumor grows in solid cords/trabeculae in finger-like PI and in very small groups or single cells in spray-like PI. DSR was categorized as none/weak and moderate/strong. The tumors were stained with antibodies against c-met and HGF. The staining of >30% of tumor cells was defined as overexpression. The PI was correlated to the prognostic outcome, different categories of DSR and expression status of c-met and HGF.

RESULTS

66.4% of the tumors showed a finger-like, and 33.6% a spray-like PI. The spray-like PI showed a reduced two-year overall survival when compared to the finger-like PI (14.0% vs. 29.1%, respectively; p=0.012), and was associated with moderate/strong DSR. The majority of the tumors showed overexpression of c-met (85.4%) and HGF (74.8%). There was no correlation between the expression status of c-met/HGF and the FIGO stage, peritumoral DSR or the prognostic outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Spray-like PI is of prognostic impact in cervical carcinoma FIGO III/IV and is associated with strong peritumoral stromal remodeling. There is no prognostic impact of the immunohistochemical expression of c-met/HGF in advanced stage cervical carcinomas.

Tumor size is of prognostic value in surgically treated FIGO stage II cervical cancer

OBJECTIVES

Tumor size is a well recognized prognostic factor in early stage cervical carcinoma (CX). However, limited knowledge exists about the value of tumor size in surgically treated CX with extrauterine extension.

METHODS

245 cases of local advanced CX (FIGO stage IIA and IIB) who received upfront surgery were evaluated regarding tumor size, regarding the prediction of pelvic lymph node involvement and recurrence free and overall survival during a median follow-up time of 54 months (95% CI 45.4-62.6 months). Tumors larger than 4 cm were defined as bulky stage disease.

RESULTS

Bulky disease was seen in 46.1% (113/245). 60.2% of these patients showed pelvic lymph node involvement, compared to 42.4% (56/132) in non-bulky tumors (p=0.006; odds ratio: 2.2 [95% CI: 1.3-3.6]). Patients with bulky tumors showed an increase of recurrent disease (40.2% vs. 28.0%; p=0.045). The relative risk for recurrent disease was 1.97 (95% CI: 1.3-3.0). The 5-year overall survival rate was significantly lower (67.7% [95% CI: 58.2-74.8] vs. 49.5% [95% CI: 36.8-59.1]; p=0.0015). In multivariate analysis, tumor stage, pelvic lymph node involvement and maximal tumor size were independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that tumor size, defining bulky disease as tumors larger than 4 cm, is of prognostic impact also in FIGO stage II cervical carcinomas. A revised FIGO/TNM classification system similar to the subgrouping of stage IB CX is recommended for stage II using a cut-off value of 4 cm as discriminator: stage IIA1 and stage IIB1 for tumors with </=4 cm and IIA2 and IIB2 for tumors >4 cm (i.e. bulky disease).

Pattern of invasion is of prognostic value in surgically treated cervical cancer patients

OBJECTIVES

Different patterns of invasion (representing different grades of tumor cell dissociation) are associated with prognostic outcome in cancer. We evaluated the prognostic value of different patterns of invasion (PI) in cervical carcinomas (CX).

METHODS

Six hundred eleven surgically treated CX (FIGO IB to IIB) were re-evaluated histologically regarding the PI, using a three-level scoring system. Closed PI was defined as cohesive growth with well-delineated (pushing) borders. In finger-like PI the tumor grows in solid cords/trabecles. Highly dissociative growth in small groups or single cells was defined as spray-like PI. Types of PI were correlated to tumor stage, histo-morphologic factors and prognostic outcome.

RESULTS

Sixty percent of the tumors showed a spray-like PI, 30% a finger-like PI and only 7.4% were of the closed type. Spray-like PI showed a significant correlation with advanced stage disease, lymphovascular space involvement, poorly differentiated tumors and pelvic lymph node metastases. Spray-like PI was accompanied by a reduced 5-year overall survival when compared to the finger-like and closed PI (68.7% vs. 80.9% vs. 88.5%; P=0.0004). The prognostic impact of the PI disappeared in node-positive patients (P=0.06) but persisted in patients without pelvic lymph node disease (P=0.03). In multivariate analysis, using COX regression model, the PI represented as independent prognostic factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Spray-like PI (i.e., highest degree of tumor cell dissociation) is associated with advanced tumor stages, increased rate of recurrency and a reduced overall survival. In separate analysis of patients with and without lymph node metastases, the impact of PI persisted only in node-negative cases as a prognostic factor.

Clinicopathologic characteristics and subsequent pregnancy outcome in 139 complete hydatidiform moles

OBJECTIVE

The most common form of gestational trophoblastic disease is the complete hydatidiform mole (CHM). The study reports our experience of clinicopathologic characteristics and subsequent pregnancy outcome of patients with CHM.

STUDY DESIGN

One hundred fifty-one subsequent cases with initial diagnosis of CHM were re-evaluated histopathologically. Clinical characteristics, the need for chemotherapy and subsequent pregnancy outcome were evaluated.

RESULTS

Twelve out of 151 cases were re-evaluated as hydropic abortion, as partial hydatidiform moles or were insufficient for morphologic examination and therefore excluded from further analysis. The leading clinical symptoms of the remaining 139 cases were irregular vaginal bleeding (67%) and uterine enlargement (41%). Twenty-six patients (19%) required chemotherapy because of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN; low-risk: 23 out of 26). All patients were cured successfully. The subsequent pregnancy rate was 15% (21/139). Five patients suffered from abortions, 12 women delivered a healthy offspring. Four women presented with recurrent CHM with a spontaneous normalization of HCG levels after D&C.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical and morphologic diagnosis of CHM is a challenge, and diagnosis as well as treatment should be multidisciplinary and centralised. One fifth of CHM are at risk of a GTN, but the cure rate is 100% with adequate management. Pregnancy outcome following CHM is complicated by an increased risk of abortion.

Prognostic value of trophoblastic proliferation in complete hydatidiform moles in predicting persistent disease

The clinical outcome of patients with complete hydatidiform moles (CHM) is variable. The correlation between trophoblastic proliferation and development of persistent disease was evaluated. A hundred and fifty-one cases with the initial diagnosis of CHM were re-evaluated histopathologically. The need for chemotherapy and occurrence of metastatic disease was correlated with the histologic grade using a three-level score. Twelve out of 151 cases were re-evaluated as hydropic abortion, partial moles, or were insufficient for morphologic examination, representing a diagnostic agreement of 92%. A total of 63.4% of the CHM presented with low trophoblastic proliferation with focal areas of slight hyperplasia (grade 1), and 23.7% with moderate proliferation with slight anaplasia and medium-sized sheets of free trophoblast in between the villies (grade 2). In all, 12.9% of the cases showed marked hyperplasia with marked anaplasia and involvement of nearly all villies, as well as a large amount of intervillous trophoblastic sheets (grade 3). Twenty-six of the CHM (19%) required chemotherapy. Grade 3, on histology, showed a positive correlation with the necessity of chemotherapy (p=0.04), but not with the occurrence of metastatic disease. Histomorphology might predict the risk of persistent disease, indicating the necessity for closer a follow-up, but further studies are required.

Expression of COX-2 and HER-2/neu and estrogen and progesterone receptor in primary squamous cell carcinomas of the endometrium

PURPOSE

Primary endometrial squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are rare but aggressive malignancies. To evaluate therapeutically relevant molecules, ESCC were investigated immunohistochemically.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Eight ESCC were stained with antibodies against estrogen and progesterone receptors, HER-2/neu, and COX-2 followed by semiquantitative evaluation of the staining results.

RESULTS

Seven out of eight ESCC were negative for estrogen receptor as well as for HER-2/neu. Four tumors showed positivity for progesterone receptor. All ESCC displayed COX-2 overexpression.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary ESCC are probably not under hormonal control of estrogens and lack HER-2/neu expression. Thus, anti-hormonal or antibody therapy with herceptine is not indicated. The use of COX-2 inhibitors might be a therapeutic alternative in ESCC that requires further investigation.

Risk of progression in complex and atypical endometrial hyperplasia: clinicopathologic analysis in cases with and without progestogen treatment

In most cases, the endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium is preceded by hyperplasia with different risk of progression into carcinoma. The original histologic slides from 560 consecutive cases with complex and atypical hyperplasia were re-examined to assess the interobserver-correlation. The hyperplasias were analyzed separately for their likelihood of progression to carcinoma in patients with and without progestogen hormonal therapy. In all cases, a fractional re-curreting was performed to establish the state of the disease. The leading symptom was vaginal bleeding in 65.5% of the cases in the postmenopausal period. Eighty-six percent of the patients presented with obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m(2)), 23% had had an exogeneous use of estrogens. Twenty-two cases were reclassified as simple hyperplasia and excluded from further analysis. The interobserver-correlation was 91% for complex, 92% for atypical hyperplasia, and 89% for endometrioid carcinoma, representing an overall correlation of 90%. Two percent of the cases with complex hyperplasia (8/390) progressed into carcinoma and 10.5% into atypical hyperplasia. Fifty-two percent of the atypical hyperplasias (58/112) progressed into carcinomas. In the case of progestogen treatment (n = 208; P < 0.0001) 61.5% showed remission confirmed by re-curetting, compared with 20.3% of the cases without hormonal treatment (n = 182; P < 0.0001). Endometrial hyperplasia without atypia is likely to respond to hormonal treatment. Especially in postmenopausal situation, atypical hyperplasia should be treated with total hysterectomy.

Risk of progression in complex and atypical endometrial hyperplasia: clinicopathologic analysis in cases with and without progestogen treatment

In most cases, the endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium is preceded by hyperplasia with different risk of progression into carcinoma. The original histologic slides from 560 consecutive cases with complex and atypical hyperplasia were re-examined to assess the interobserver-correlation. The hyperplasias were analyzed separately for their likelihood of progression to carcinoma in patients with and without progestogen hormonal therapy. In all cases, a fractional re-curreting was performed to establish the state of the disease.

The leading symptom was vaginal bleeding in 65.5% of the cases in the postmenopausal period. Eighty-six percent of the patients presented with obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2), 23% had had an exogeneous use of estrogens. Twenty-two cases were reclassified as simple hyperplasia and excluded from further analysis. The interobserver-correlation was 91% for complex, 92% for atypical hyperplasia, and 89% for endometrioid carcinoma, representing an overall correlation of 90%. Two percent of the cases with complex hyperplasia (8/390) progressed into carcinoma and 10.5% into atypical hyperplasia. Fifty-two percent of the atypical hyperplasias (58/112) progressed into carcinomas. In the case of progestogen treatment (n = 208; P < 0.0001) 61.5% showed remission confirmed by re-curetting, compared with 20.3% of the cases without hormonal treatment (n = 182; P < 0.0001).

Endometrial hyperplasia without atypia is likely to respond to hormonal treatment. Especially in postmenopausal situation, atypical hyperplasia should be treated with total hysterectomy.

p53 in surgically treated and pathologically staged cervical cancer: correlation with local tumor progression, but not with lymphatic spread

There is only limited information about the prognostic value of p53 immunostaining in cervical cancer. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical significance of p53 and prognosis in operatively treated cervical carcinoma. A hundred and fourteen primary surgically treated cervical carcinomas (CX) were obtained from the so called Wertheim Archive in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Leipzig. These included 105 squamous cell cancer (SCC) and nine adenocarcinomas (AC). No cases received neoadjuvant therapy. For immunohistochemical analysis, the cases were tested with the monoclonal antibody DO-7 (DAKO Diagnostics, Denmark). Two hundred tumor cell nuclei were counted for positive nuclear immunostaining, regardless of staining intensity. Cases were stated as positive when a minimum of 10% nuclei showed positive staining. Fresh frozen tissue was available from 21 CX for p53-mutation analysis (exons 4-9) using PCR-based amplification and SSCP-analysis. Of the squamous cell cancers (SCC), 63.8% showed positive nuclear p53-immunostaining; adenocarcinomas (AC) were completely negative (P = 0.0000, Chi2-test). Stage-by-stage analysis revealed no differences in p53-expression. However, combining pT1b- and pT2-cases, the difference in positive immunostaining reached statistical significance (44.4% vs. 71.7%; P = 0.007). There were no differences in p53-reactivity regarding the presence of pelvic lymph node metastases, tumor grading, relapse-free survival and tumor recurrence. In addition, only 5% of CX with positive p53-immunostaining showed genomic alterations in mutational analysis. p53-immunoreactivity showed significant correlation with local tumor progression but not with lymphatic spread, lacking any prognostic impact in surgically treated cervical cancer. There is no correlation of p53-immunostaining with the occurrence of p53-gene mutations in cervical cancer.

[Pathologic-anatomic description and basic morphological information for management of dysplasias and carcinomas of the cervix uteri]

Histopathology is the bedrock and cornerstone in the management of malignant tumors. Careful macroscopic description with selection of representative tissue for histologic examination is required for quality assurance and quality improvement and for assessing prognostic factors in cervical cancer specimens. The pathology report in cervical cancer (CX) should include three-dimensional tumor measurement, the exact measurement of depth of infiltration of the cervical wall, tumor grading, the presence of lymphatic space as well as blood vessel involvement. The statement for resection margins should include the vaginal, parametrane, rectal and vesical direction. All resected lymph node should be counted, measured and processed completely in step sections. If lymph node metastases are diagnosed, the report should include the size and count of metastatic nodes in relation to resected nodes. Pelvic and para-aortal nodes should be reported separately. Lymph nodes in the parametrane tissue represent regional nodes; and metastatic involvement should be stated as pN1 and not as pT2b. The tumor typing and staging should be conform with WHO-classification of malignant tumors and the TNM-classification system. The last one should be used in all cases which were surgically treated. Konizations and LOOP-excision specimens should be processed completely in step sections. The pathology report must include the severity of CIN-lesion, changes caused by HPV-infection, according to colposcopic localisation.

[Histopathological prognostic factors in primary surgically treated cervix carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

Standardised morphologic evaluation of radical hysterectomy specimens in primary surgically treated cervical cancer improves the selection of cases for adjuvant therapy and the precision for prognosis and may be helpful in quality control of oncologic surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Following standardised macroscopic evaluation [29] the original histologic slides of all surgically treated patients with cervical cancer were searched for tumor type, histologically proven pelvic lymph node metastases (PLM), lympho-vascular space involvement (LVSI), tumor differentiation (grading), peritumoral inflammatory response, pattern of cervical wall involvement and relative depth of invasion. The results were compared with follow up.

RESULTS

The frequency of patients up to 35th year of age was 28.8% and increased between 1979 and 1993 of about 10% (p > 0.05). Younger women represented more pT1 b1-tumors (55.6% vs. 47%), but without statistic significance. Contrary to advanced tumor stage and the presence of PLM, adenocarcinomatous histology (5.1% of all cases) was not associated with poor prognosis. Patients with pT1b-tumors of more than 4 cm largest extension (pT1 b2) showed a twice-fold frequency of PLM and pelvic recurrences. Five-year survival rate (5-Y-SR) decreased (82.7% vs. 64.9%) and more patients died of cancer (p = 0.005, each). Diffuse infiltration pattern was accompanied with higher rate of tumor recurrency and a shortening of 5-Y-SR compared with pushing borders at the front of infiltration, 38% versus 13.7% and 45.4% versus 75.2%, respectively. Similar was seen in poorly differentiated tumors (G3), compared with well differentiated (G1) carcinomas (recurrency: 15.1% vs. 27.5%, 5-Y-SR 75.7% vs. 59.3%; p < 0.05). Cases with the presence of LVSI, absence of peritumoral inflammatory response and deep cervical infiltration (> 66%) were accompanied with poor prognostic outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with primary surgically treated cervical cancer prognostic risk evaluation can be made by standardised histopathologic handling of hysterectomy specimens. Cases with early cervical cancer and high tumor load (pT1 b2), advanced staged disease (pT2 b), histologically proven PLM, LVSI, poor tumor differentiation (G3), absence of peritumoral inflammatory response and deep cervical wall infiltration are associated with poor prognostic outcome. Patients with these morphologic patterns, which can be established by clinical examination and diagnostic biopsy, represent the clientel for adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy.

[Cancer register for cervix carcinoma--useful and necessary?]

During the last two decades, cancer research has shifted from using cell lines and animal models to using methods and models that use human tissues from defined tumors. DNA and RNA can be analysed from fresh tissue from samples obtained at surgery, biopsy, cytologies or necropsy as well as from paraffin-embedded material. Archival material has several advantages: not only it is from individuals for whom disease process has been documented, but also data may available about the outcome as well as the response to treatment. Material available from well-controlled clinical trails would enable a wide range of hypotheses to be tested. Laser microdissection allows to sample cellular material from histopathologic well documented areas of the tumor, including special differentiated areas. It is necessary to establish tumor registries, especially in gynecologic oncology to get material from well described tumors for molecular profiling, the molecular analysis of clonality in tumors and malignant progression. At the Leipzig University a cervical tumor registry has been established in March 1979. Until the end of December of the year 2000 1,030 cases of surgically treated cervical cancer from stage pT1b1 up to pT2b including paraffin blocks and original histologic slides were collected. First evaluation up to the end of 1996 (n = 919) has shown, that 27.2% of the patients represented with histological proven pelvic lymph node metastases. The majority of cases were staged pT1b1 (52.1%), followed by stage pT2b (23.9%), pT1b2 (9.7%) and pT2a (9.5%). In 44 cases stage was not documented. In about 95.2% datas about the follow up of the patients were available. In conclusion, tumor registries are helpful in establishing and controlling uniform criteria for the accurate determination of prognostic factors and exact histopathologic evaluation can ideally be combined with new tools in molecular pathology, i.e. histopathology meets genomics.

Epidemiologie und formale Pathogenese des Zervixkarzinoms

The majority of the estimated incidence of 471,000 new cases for invasive cervical cancer (CX) and 215,000 cancer deaths occurs in the developing countries. For Germany the CX accounts at 8th position of all cancers in women in 1997 with 5,800 newly diagnosed cases. But, every fourth woman between 25th- and 35th-year of life has been affected by CX. This counts at the upper third of the incidence in the European Union (EU). The estimated loss of live-years for women affected by CX is about nine years. The lethality for all stages of invasive cervical cancer is about 30%. For the last two decades stagnation of the reduction of mortality by CX has been reported for EU and the USA, especially affecting woman up to 35th-year of life. The percentage of this age group of all primary operative treated CX at the Leipzig University Hospital between 1979 and 1999 was 26.2%, with a mean age of 43.4 +/- 11.1 years. Improved screening for CX in the western countries and a change in environmental factors have been caused an increase of cervical precancerous (CIN-) lesions. The frequency of CIN-lesions has been estimated to be 100-times higher than the incidence of invasive cancer (21.1) in Germany. The pathogenesis of CX is multistage and CIN I and II represent highly regressive lesions, whereas CIN III requires therapeutic intervention, caused by high progression rate. The Bethesda-classification of low und high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) cannot be recommended for biopsies or conisation specimens. Dsyplastic lesions of endocervical columnar epithelium should not be graded, the only general accepted lesion represents the adenocarcinoma in situ (ACIS). Both, CIN and ACIS represents proliferative active lesions, caused by infection with HPV. But the detection of morphologic alterations, associated with HPV, like koilocytes, are inverse correlated with the grade of the CIN-lesion.

Prospective evaluation of the argon laser treatment of trachomatous trichiasis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness of argon laser photocoagulation for the treatment of trachomatous trichiasis.

METHODS

This report presents a prospective, non-masked study of 22 patients (36 eyelids) with trachomatous trichiasis treated with the argon laser. Each abnormal lash was treated with a beam of 50- to 200-micron spot size, for 0.2 seconds, and 1 to 1.2 watts power. In 30 lids (83.3%) infiltration anesthesia was used and in 6 lids (16.7%) no anesthesia was used.

RESULTS

Successful treatment with no evidence of recurrence was achieved in 55.5% of lids after one laser session. The remaining 44.5% of the lids required two or three sessions. The final success rate of the method was 88.9%. No complications were observed. The mean follow-up time was 10.6 months.

CONCLUSION

Argon laser photocoagulation is an effective and safe method for the treatment of trachomatous trichiasis.

Postpartal gestational choriocarcinoma fatally misdiagnosed as squamous cell cancer of the uterine cervix

Gestational choriocarcinoma (CCA) is a well-defined tumor, but there may be a surprising variation in its morphologic appearance. A 33-year-old woman with term-pregnancy six months before presented with dysfunctional bleedings that lasted about five weeks. Cervical punch biopsy and currettage revealed a polymorphic tumor which was initially diagnosed as poorly differentiated squamous cell cancer of the cervix. Methotrexat monochemotherapy was performed after histology definitely revealed CCA on the radical abdominal hysterectomy-specimen (Wertheim-Meigs). Immediately after HE, the patient developed diffuse pulmonary metastases and died of respiratory insufficiency after two courses of MTX-therapy. The autopsy confirmed metastatic CCA. The second patient, a 48-year-old women with pregnancy 24 years before, was initially treated with radical HE after misdiagnosis of cervical currettage as squamous cell cancer of the uterine cervix. The patient showed complete remission after two courses of medium risk-protocol and seven courses of high risk-protocol (CHAMOCA). All cervical curettage specimens which did not show typical squamous cell cancer. even in older women, were suspicious of CCA. CCA often shows degenerative changes or predominantly intermediate or cytotrophoblastic cellular elements. To detect the cells of most diagnostic value in CCA, the syncytiotrophoblastic elements, HCG-immunohistochemistry may be helpful.

Clinicopathologic analysis of gestational trophoblastic disease--report of 158 cases

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) forms a heterogeneous pool of clinically and histopathologically defined entities with different malignant potential. The clinicopathologic characteristics of 158 cases, including 110 complete hydatidiform moles (CHM), 13 invasive moles, 32 choriocarcinomas, two placental site nodules and one placental site trophoblastic tumor are reported. Of all cases, 63.9% showed spontaneous regression after D&C. 36.1% resulted in a persistent or metastatic (11.4%) disease, including 12 CHM. Lung is found to be the most common site of metastasis (61%). The median time between antecedent pregnancy and GTD was 4.4 months. 44% had an antecedent CHM, 16% a term pregnancy. The median complete remission rate was 91.2% with 5.3% recurrent disease. Three women died. Eight patients received adjuvant surgical therapy for chemoresistant foci. In general, management of GTD is interdisciplinary with an emphasis placed on individualized treatment. In most cases, exact histopathologic diagnosis of the trophoblastic lesion remains the gold standard for guiding clinical therapy. Currently, there are no reliable genetic or molecular biologic markers predicting an aggressive behavior of CHM. Thus, all lesions should be followed by serial measurements of serum-HCG. All cases of persistent GTD should be treated in specialized centers.

Histologic classification and staging of gestational trophoblastic disease

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) forms a heterogeneous group of interrelated lesions which are characterized by an abnormal proliferation of the different types of trophoblastic epithelium. Complete hydatidiform moles represent a noninvasive placental disease that is characterized by hydropic swelling of the chorionic villi with marked trophoblastic proliferation. The partial mole contains two populations of villi: one of normal size, the other hydropic with less marked trophoblastic hyperplasia. The risk of developing persistent GTD is very low. Choriocarcinomas represent an avillous invasive proliferation of trophoblastic cells surrounded by necroses and hemorrhages displaying a dimorphic pattern with early vascular invasion and hematogeneous metastatic spread. Placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) resembles the rarest form of GTD. In its cellular composition, PSTT preferentially contains intermediate trophoblastic cells with typically positive hPL-immunostaining. Mostly, PSTT's are benign tumors, but malignant cases are well known. Miscelleanous forms of GTD include the exaggerated placental site and the placental site nodule or plaque. Both lesions are proliferations of the intermediate trophoblast. Staging of GTD should only be applied in cases of persistent disease. All different staging systems, including the revised FIGO system, the classification of the National Institute of Health (NIH), the WHO scoring system and the currently adopted TNM-system are able to define high risk patients.

[Endometrial hyperplasias: histology, classification, prognostic significance and therapy]

Carcinomas of the endometrium are the most frequent neoplasias of the female genital tract. Precancerous lesions of the endometrium, including simple hyperplasia with and without atypism, complex hyperplasias as well as atypical complex hyperplasias occur 4.5 times more. The existence of hyperplastic or precancerous lesions of the endometrium is well established, but differences in terminology and difficulties in interpretation have complicated the communication between morphologists and clinicians. The risk of a metachronous endometrial carcinoma increases from about 1% in simple hyperplasia to 29-45% in atypical complex hyperplasia. Therapeutic procedures include the gestagen-therapy, depending from age and reproductive status of the women. Atypical complex hyperplasia requires the hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy to treat a possible simultaneous carcinoma. Transvaginal sonography, hysteroscopy and pulsed Doppler sonography give additional informations and allows to distinguish a pathological from a normal endometrium. These methods may reduce the number of unnecessary diagnostic dilatation and curettage procedures, especially in patients with additionally cardio-vascular and other risk factors. But the histological examination of curettage material is still the "gold standard" for distinguishing between a normal and a pathologic endometrium. The classification and histologic criterias of precancerous lesions of the endometrium is presented and the need for better communication between pathologists and gynecologists is emphasised.

Tumor-associated proteolytic factors uPA and PAI-1 in endometrial carcinoma

The levels of plasminogen activator urokinase (uPA) and of its inhibitor (PAI-1) were measured by use of ELISA in the cytosol of tissue homogenates obtained from endometrial carcinomas and the marginal, tumor-free endometrium of postmenopausal patients (n = 64). Significantly higher median levels of uPA and PAI-1 were found in malignant endometrium (uPA 1.89 ng/mg, PAI-1 3.04 ng/mg) compared to tumor-free endometrium (uPA 0.84 ng/mg, PAI-1 1.01 ng/mg). Concerning uPA, no significant differences were found in dependence on histomorphological prognostic factors (staging, grading), but the median level of PAI-1 was significantly higher in G2/G3 carcinomas compared to G1 tumors (5.08 ng/mg vs 2.19 ng/mg). Because of the good prognosis of operated patients with endometrial carcinomas, the prognostic value of uPA and PAI-1 can only be decided by a larger number of patients and a long observation time.

[Surfactant administration and laterally independent positive pressure ventilation in acute lung failure and atelectasis after septic abortion. Case report]

We report the case of a 35 years old female patient suffering from Staphylococcus aureus induced abortion in the 7th/8th week of gestation. Sepsis with acute respiratory failure (ARDS) developed, which could be treated successfully. Pneumonia, caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, induced a recurrence of ARDS, complicated by a persistent incomplete atelectasis of the left lung. Independent ventilation of both lungs with increased pressure on the left side combined with bronchoscopy guided instillation of 1 g of bovine surfactant (Alveofact), caused improvement of arterial oxygenation and radiological signs, signalling airation of collapsed lung areas.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the cervix uteri. A case report

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) of the female genital tract are rare and more common in the ovary, but uncommon in the cervix uteri. A 26-year-old woman presented with suspect cervical smears. The conization specimen showed a small cell non-keratinised squamous cell carcinoma with involved margins. The patient underwent radical abdominal hysterectomy and pelvic lymphonodectomy. The microscopic examination showed a densely cellular tumor of small neuroendocrine cells with scanty cytoplasm and rosettes. Immunohistochemically, the cells were slightly positive for NSE and negative for S 100, GFAP, neurofilaments, squamous cell cytokeratin 1, vimentin, desmin and leukocyte common antigen. The diagnosis of PNET, stage pT1b1,N0, M0 was made. The patient underwent adjuvant pelvic radiation. Three years later, pulmonary metastases occured. Radiation therapy of the thorax and six courses of combination chemotherapy (5-FU and cis-platinium) could not prevent tumor progression. The patient died 4.2 years after diagnosis. The autopsy showed widespread lymphatic metastases and hepatic, pulmonal and skeletal metastases and a peritoneal carcinosis. The tumors are resistent to radio- and chemotherapy, and the prognosis is generally poor. Up to 15% foci of squamous or glandular differentiation occur in or adjacent to these tumors. So the authors favor the histogenesis from a pluripotent endocervical stem cell. The neuroendocrine component of mixed tumors improve the prognosis. Therefore, it is necessary to recognize this component.

[Primary dedifferentiated leiomyosarcoma of the fallopian tube]

Between 1960 and 1995 the University of Leipzig Women's Hospital encountered 44 cases of primary malignant tumors of the Fallopian tube, including four malignant Müller mixed tumors and one sarcoma. The sarcoma, a dedifferentiated leiomyosarcoma, was found incidentally in a 57-year-old woman. Treatment encompassed total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with omentectomy and pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection, followed by telecobalt irradiation of the pelvis (Hd 52 Gy). One year after treatment, no evidence of disease recurrence, is found. Literature documents only 34 cases of a primary uterine tube sarcoma. Even with RO-resection, the early, high rate of local recurrence (most often within the first two years after treatment) and hematogenous metastasis to the lungs, liver and bones compose this tumor's clinical course. The prognosis is poor despite the use of radiotherapy and/or combination chemotherapy.

Relations between various DNA-parameters and degree of malignancy in endometrial carcinoma

120 imprint-cytology specimens obtained from standardized areas of 20 endometrial carcinomas were investigated by use of a computed-controlled image analysis system to determine special quantitative DNA-parameters. The stem line ploidy, the 2c deviation index (2cDI), the DNA-associated graduation of malignancy (DNA-MG) as well as the 5c exceeding rate (5cER) were calculated for each preparation. 85% of the imprint-cytology preparations had diploid stem lines, and aneuploidy was found in 15%. There were statistically significant correlations between the DNA-MG, the 5cER and the stem line ploidy as well as between the DNA-MG and the 5cER. The sensitivity of the 5cER was 76.6% in our study and so we cannot regard this parameter as prouding accurate information about tumor malignancy in endometrial carcinoma. Special DNA-parameters defined mathematically should be utilized for objective grading of tumor malignancy.

Atypical (carcinoma-like) and simple glandular inclusions in retroperitoneal lymph nodes

Glandular inclusions in pelvine and retroperitoneal lymph nodes are rare. Most of them are of endosalpingiotic origin. We studied 34 cases of glandular inclusions, which we found among 1.039 patients with cervical cancer. All tumors were squamous cell cancer with or without keratinization on histology. The cases were screened for the occurrence of signs of cellular and architectural atypia. Additionally, antibodies for immunohistochemistry were used (HEA 125, Ber EP-4, vimentin and CEA). Eleven out of 34 cases showed cellular or architectural atypias. In one fifth of all specimens, we found atypical and simple glands in the same node. There was no correlation to the extent, distribution, and immunohistochemical staining pattern and the kind of glandular inclusion. The mean follow up was 7.3 years (1.2 to 18 years), and none of the women showed any signs of adenocarcinoma elsewhere. In most case, the distinction between glandular inclusions and metastatic adenocarcinoma is not difficult using conventional light microscopic criteria. Signs of atypia are increased high of the cells, enlarged nuclei, occurrence of nucleoli, epithelial infoldings, papillary pattern, cribriform or back-to-back formation of the glands, and multilayered cells.

Diagnosis and clinical management in malignant Müllerian tumors of the fallopian tube. A report of four cases and review of recent literature

Four out of 42 cases of primary tubal malignancy diagnosed in our histopathological laboratory were malignant mixed Müllerian tumors (MMMT). All four patients were postmenopausal with a mean age of 66.5 years at diagnosis. A correct preoperative diagnosis was made only in one case. Tumor staging (FIGO) revealed stage IIa, IIIc and IV. One patient died of postoperative pulmonary embolism, a second patient of an unknown cause five month after surgery and a third patient died of disease after 11 months with secondary deposits in pelvic peritoneum, omentum and paraaortic lymph nodes. The fourth patient is still alive. One patient received chemotherapy alone, one by radiation and chemotherapy and two patients by radiation alone. Tumor spread at the time of diagnosis and the residual tumor volume were the most important prognostic factors. All tumors were histologically the homologous type of MMMT (carcinosarcomas). No heterologous elements were found. Metastatic tumors showed only sarcomatous elements.

[Neuroendocrine differentiated carcinoma of the uterine cervix]

Cervical neuroendocrine carcinomas (CNC) are rare tumors. The term includes the cervical carcinoid, the small cell (oat-cell) carcinoma and the primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). Between 1979 and 1993 eight CNC out of 788 cervical carcinomas were identified by conventional light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Three tumors were small cell carcinomas with positive staining for NSE (6/8 tumors) and chromogranin A (2/8). In one case a PNET was diagnosed by identifying rosette like structures and negative immunohistochemistry for neuroendocrine markers. Two patients (including PNET) died of disease 3.1 (1.3 to 4.8) years after diagnosis. The others showed no evidence of disease after a mean follow up to 4.4 years. Three of them got pelvic radiation postoperatively. Four tumors showed foci of squamous cell carcinoma [3] and adenocarcinoma [2]. There is no evidence, that these foci influence the prognosis on CNC. Therefore, it is important to recognize the neuroendocrine component, as this type of carcinoma requires special therapeutic considerations. The authors favour the metaplastic origin of CNC from a multipotent (endocervical) stem cell.

[The early placental trophoblast. II. Tumorous disorders of trophoblast development]

Many factors can alterate the correct implantation of the blastocyste, e.g. alterations of the tubal micro-environment or inflammatory processes. For correct implantation a mature endometrium is necessary. Other alterations, which can cause an abortion are immunological mechanisms. Gestational trophoblastic disease includes the partial and complete hydatidiform mole, as well as the chorioncarcinoma. Proliferations of the intermediate trophoblast are the placental site nodule or plaque, the exaggerated placental site and the placental site trophoblastic tumor. The distinction of the different causes of malimplantation and abortion are necessary to prevent a further disruption of a following pregnancy.

Frequency and histogenesis of pelvic retroperitoneal lymph node inclusions of the female genital tract. An immunohistochemical study of 34 cases

Heterotopic tissue in lymph nodes is rare. Benign glandular lymph node inclusions (BGI) occur in 11.4% on average. Their histogenesis is still obscure. We studied 34 out of 1,039 cases of retroperitoneal lymph nodes with BGI (3.35%) of women who were treated by radical hysterectomy by Wertheim-Meigs of a cervical carcinoma. The nodes were reexamined by light microscopy and in 19 cases the antibodies MAK 6 (cytokeratine cocktail), HEA 125, Ber EP-4 (for differentiation between mesothelium and glandular differentiation), vimentin and CEA were additionally used. All BGI showed a strong expression of MAK 6 and in 57.9% and 73.7% to HEA 125 and Ber EP-4, respectively. Positive reaction against vimentin occured in 47.3%, but often only single cells were positive. None but one metastasis of an endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the cervix uteri of BGI expressed CEA. The BGI showed a capsular, trabecular or interfollicular location in more than 80% and in 44.1% an admixture of several cells at the lining epithelium was noted. No features usually associated with endometriosis, such as periglandular stroma or evidence of recent or old hemorrhage were seen. The results suggest that the BGI represent an endosalpingiosis and is therefore of secondary Müllerian origin. Some light microscopic features favoring the benign origin (location in the nodes, lining cells of multiple types, lack of mitoses and cellular atypism, no desmoplastic stroma reaction, presence of periglandular basement membrane) may be helpful in distinguishing metastasis of serous ovarian borderline tumors. Negative reaction against CEA and the cellular morphology can preclude metastases of an endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the cervix uteri as well as of a mucinous ovarian borderline tumor.

CD 44 exon v6 as a predictor of lymphatic metastases in cervical carcinoma--an immunocytochemical study of 94 cases

The relation between expression of several splicing variants of the CD 44 glycoprotein by tumor cells and the increased risk of metastases was discussed recently. By means of an immunocytochemical study (imprint cytology specimens from 94 invasive cervical carcinomas) we have shown a significant correlation between expression of CD 44 v6 and invasion of lymphatic vessels, lymphangiosis carcinomatosa in the primary tumor and the total number of positive pelvic lymph nodes. Expression of CD 44 v6 was not correlated with staging, grading and histological type. CD 44 v6 could therefore be considered as a predictor of lymphatic metastases in cervical carcinoma.

[Histopathologic correlates of false-positive cytologic findings in the uterine cervix]

Between 1984 and 1992, we reinvestigated 170 cases of cervical smears obtained in conization or hysterectomy which had produced false positive cytologic findings. We looked for morphological changes that could explain the cytologic findings. Such changes were found in half of the cases. These cases included 54 (63.6%) specimens with marked cellular polymorphism as a result of inflammation, tissue regeneration, or atrophy. In 51.9% of the cases showed histologic signs of possible HPV infection. The initial findings required reclassification in 12.9% of the cases, and in fifteen cases (17.6%) the biopsy matched the cytologic findings, without being validated by the final findings. We observed histologic phenomena corresponding to the cytologic findings in 30.8% of the cases in group IIID (n = 26) using Papanicolaou's classification system. In groups IV a (n = 72), IV b (n = 44), and V (n = 28), we found a histologic explanation in 54.2%, 47.7%, and 60.7% of the cases, respectively. In most cases we observed polymorphic cellular changes primarily associated with HPV.

False positive cervical smears: a cytometric and histological study

The evidence of exfoliative cytology of the cervix uteri depends on various factors. The rate of false positive cervical smears is on average 8.8%. We have reviewed 170 false positive routinely Papanicolaou-stained cervical smears and the corresponding histological specimens. The aim was to look for non-neoplasic changes explaining the cytological over-interpretation. In addition, nuclear Feulgen-DNA measurements of the smears were made to look for changes in DNA pattern. In 50% of all cases, a cause was found for the false positive cytological diagnosis by means of histological reexamination: non-neoplastic nuclear and cellular polymorphia, severe purulent-erosive inflammation, a higher reclassification or a positive presurgical biopsy. In 51.9% of these cases, there were signs of an infection with human papilloma virus (HPV). In cases without histological explanation of the cytological findings, DNA measurements were made on the suspicious cells. By means of single cell algorithm (5c/9c exceeding events), a general rate of 62.7% of aneuploid specimens was detected. The number of aneuploid single cells ranged between 5 and 63 per slide. Of these cases, 23.1% showed signs of HPV infection. As a result of the study, the number of real 'false positive' cytological diagnoses decreased from 170 to 97 as a result of histological reexamination and DNA measurement. In doubtful cases, DNA measurement of suspicious smears should be made.

[Examination by image analysis for determining quantitative DNA parameters of serous papillary adenocarcinoma of the endometrium--a single case analysis]

Serous-papillary adenocarcinoma of the endometrium are rare tumors. We describe DNA-parameters of such a tumor. Imprint-cytologies were taken from 6 different tumor sites (myometrial invasion and 5 additional tumor localizations) and subjected to image-cytophotometry in order to determine their DNA-parameters. All histograms showed an aneuploid DNA-pattern. The DNA-malignancy grade (DNA-MG) was 2.21 +/- 0.11 on median and the 5c exceeding rate (5c ER) was 15.37 +/- 4.17 on median. These results and the slight variability of DNA-pattern at the reported serous-papillary adenocarcinoma support the hypothesis of an own entity of this tumor. Additionally, the high values of DNA-MG and 5c ER confirm the well known aggressive behavior of this tumor entity.

[Pregnancy-induced trophoblast diseases--results from the years 1976-1992]

INTRODUCTION

Gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD) represent a spectrum of different disorders, derived from the human placental trophoblast. GTDs are potentially fatal disorders and are of great importance for gynaecologists and pathologists.

STUDY DESIGN

In recent years 148 GTDs were treated at department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Leipzig University. We reexamined these cases with respect to diagnostic findings, diagnostic mistakes, the necessity of consecutive chemotherapy and outcome.

RESULTS

The 148 relevant cases included 103 complete hydatidiform moles, 13 invasive moles and 32 choriocarcinomas. 61.5% showed a spontaneous regression of HCG after molar evacuation. 57 cases developed persistent trophoblastic disease with consecutive mono-combined or polychemotherapy. An overall remission rate of 91.2% was achieved. The two patients, who died, showed a late stage of disease. 5.3% of the cases had a recurrence of disease. The most frequent side effect of chemotherapy was a moderate bone marrow depression in 58% of cases. 88.5% were diagnosed by suction curettage alone. Twelve patients had an operative intervention before chemotherapy, often due to diagnostic misinterpretation of the symptoms. Eight cases needed a secondary operation to attain complete remission.

CONCLUSIONS

Initiating chemotherapy is very important for therapy success. In cases of complete hydatidiform mole, it is difficult to make a prognostic statement with reference to biological behaviour of the disease by morphological methods alone. The difficulties are discussed. These cases emphasise the need for appropriate clinical monitoring and close cooperation between the gynaecologist, the pathologist and the clinician.

[Hydatidiform mole of the placenta and coexisting, living premature infant]

A pregnancy with a partial or complete hydatidiform mole and a coexistent living fetus is a rare condition. Most cases are consistent with a twin pregnancy, with distinct borders between placenta and mole on sonography. We report a case with a single placenta with cystic structures resembling histologically a complete hydatidiform mole. The pregnancy resulted in a diploid female fetus in the 34th week of gestation with marked hypotrophy. The non-molar part of the placenta showed a complex alteration of villous maturity resulting in intrauterine growth retardation but a living fetus. No malignancy occurred post partum. The clinical and pathogenetic aspects of this rare entity are discussed.

[Choriocarcinoma in extrauterine tubal pregnancy]

Hydatidiform moles and chorionic carcinomas associated with ectopic pregnancy are extremely rare. We report on three cases of non-metastatic GTD after tubar pregnancy of low and medium risk in the WHO prognostic score and FIGO-stage II in each case. Two of them required several courses of (poly-) chemotherapy to reach complete remission (CR). The follow-up was on average 36.6 months, without any metastases and recurrences. One woman was delivered of a healthy infant. All cases were surgically treated with extirpation of the affected adnexa. Additionally, in one case hysterectomy was necessary to reach CR. As reported in the literature, chorionic carcinomas associated with ectopic pregnancy are often very aggressive and show a metastasis rate of 75% at time of diagnosis. For this reason it is essential, to examine tubar pregnancy by histopathology carefully to define small and in situ changes. The cases presented stress the need for appropriate HCG and clinical monitoring.