Rearranged HPV 16 molecules in an anal and in a laryngeal carcinoma

By hybridization under stringent conditions, one out of two anal carcinomas and one out of 36 laryngeal carcinomas were shown to harbor HPV 16 DNA in high copy number. Further analysis of both tumor DNAs indicated a rearrangement of the viral DNA in the tumor cells. HPV 16 DNA in the anal carcinoma could chiefly be found episomally in two different forms: a minority as 7.9-kb oligomeric episomes with no apparent modifications; as 10.7-kb rear-ranged oligomeric episomes with a duplication of the part of the viral genome encoding the open reading frames (ORF) E7, E1 and parts of E6 and E2. In the laryngeal carcinoma, integrated and episomal HPV 16 DNA molecules of 7.9 kb were present, together with rearranged molecules of approximately 18 kb with multiple duplications of the ORF E4 and parts of the ORFs E2, E5, L1 and L2. Possible consequences for transcription of the modified viral genomes are discussed.

[Benign tumors of the esophagus and stomach]

From the tumors of the oesophagus studied, 30% were found to be benign. They occurred in a ratio of 2:1 predominantly in men with an average age of 37,1 years compared to 52,5 years in women. The symptoms were unspecific and the prognosis was quo ad sanationem very good. Only in one case did a neurofibroma relapse explosively with in 4 months and was already inoperable at the time, when the new diagnosis was made. The percent of benign stomach tumors amounted to 2,6%. Tumors of the mucous tissue behaved differently than the neurogenic and mesenchymal ones. The former became noticeable mainly due to epigastric complaints, the latter due to haemorrhages. Epithelial tumors occurred, with a ratio of 2:1, more often in women, but without any difference in age. Mesenchymal and neurogenic tumors occurred in almost the same sex ratio, but at an average age, which was 18 years higher in women. Solitary stomach polypi can mostly be removed endoscopically, whilst all other benign oesophagus and stomach tumors must be removed by operation due to the symptoms and the dignity of the tumor, which is seldom clear.

[Pleural mesothelioma. Problems, therapy and results]

Pleural mesothelioma caused by asbestos is listed as an occupational disease in the Federal Republic of Germany since 1977. Cases of diffuse pleural mesothelioma must always be suspected to be caused by asbestos. The examination of dust particles in the lung can give a final answer to the question whether asbestos plays an important role in the etiology of a certain case or not. Clinical findings, therapy, and prognosis of pleural mesothelioma are demonstrated by the review of 17 cases of malignant and 3 cases of benign tumors. One case with extraordinary long survival time (still living after 3 years) after probatory thoracotomy only, shows that prognosis even in diffuse pleural mesothelioma must not necessarily always be that bad as generally considered.

[Primary small-intestinal neoplasms. Discussion of own experiences and of the literature]

There is a relatively long delay in diagnosis of malignant tumors of the small bowel and operation is often carried out too late. These tumors cause symptoms in about 90% of the cases (according to our own experiences in 20 of 21 cases). In the discussion of the symptoms there is a description given that might be a help for "earlier thinking of it". Anamnesis and exploratory laparotomy are of paramount importance for the diagnosis in time. Operation carried out in time leeds to a relatively favourable prognosis. Out of 5 patients who did not have metastases at the time of operation there are 3 alive for longer than 8 years post operationem. From the German literature of the past 10 years (288 cases) the following data were subsumized in a table: radical resection, operation mortality, 5-year-survival, delay of diagnosis, ileus/perforation, diagnosis by barium studies of the small bowel.

[Bronchial cancer: diagnosis, therapy and results]

A review of 603 cases of carcinoma of the bronchi is given. Symptoms, diagnosis and therapy are discussed. The five year survival-rate is 22%. The problem of early diagnosis is pointed out.