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Testicular Cancer: B5, a New Tumour Marker
ONCOLOGY AND CHEMOTHERAPY
Pheochromocytoma, Polycythemia, and Venous Thrombosis B. L. SHULKIN, B. SHAPIRO AND J. C. SISSON, Division of
Nuclear Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan Amer. J. Med., 83: 773-776 (Oct.) 1987 The association of polycythemia and pheochromocytoma is rare. The deleterious effects of pheochromocytoma usually are attributed to excessive secretion of catecholamines. Rarely, these tumors may secrete other hormones, including adrenocorticotropic hormone, growth hormone-releasing hormone, somatostatin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and, possibly, substance P and motilin, which themselves may cause additional syndromes. A patient with a 22-year history of malignant, eventually widespread pheochromocytoma is presented in whom major complications, particularly extensive venous thrombosis, occurred as a result of long-standing polycythemia apparently caused by erythropoietin produced by the tumor. Despite attempts to reduce tumor burden by an operation, chemotherapy and large doses of 131iodine-metaiodobenzylguanidine, polycythemia persisted. The polycythemia of pheochromocytoma may require prophylactic measures to prevent untoward events. M. G. F. 1 figure, 2 tables, 16 references
N-myc Oncogene Amplification and Prognostic Factors of Neuroblastoma in Children A. NAKAGAWARA, K. IKEDA, T. TSUDA AND K. HIGASHI, De-
partment of Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan and Department of Biochemistry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan J. Ped. Surg., 22: 895-898 (Oct.) 1987 The N-myc oncogene from 28 histologically neuroblastic tumors was obtained from 16 untreated and 12 pre-treated Japanese children. The number of N-myc copies in 17 children was less than 11 (1 to 8 copies), while that in the remaining 11 children was more than 10 (14 to 130 copies). All of the former patients are alive with no evidence of disease, while among the latter group 7 died and 2 had a recurrence. The survival of the genomically amplified cases in stages II, III, IV and IVS was decreased significantly compared to that of the nonamplified cases in the same stage group. The N-myc amplification is another reliable prognostic factor, and it correlates closely with stage, age and primary site. This was true even in the case of preoperatively treated tumors. All tumors with N-myc amplification originated from the suprarenal region and the amplification appeared in 55 per cent of those from that region. P. R.R. 1 figure, 4 tables, 17 references Bladder Cancer Flow Cytometry Profiles in Relation to Histological Grade and Stage G. G. HADJISSOTIRIOU, D. K. GREEN, G. SMITH, M. A. MCINTYRE, T. B. HARGREAVE AND G.D. CHISHOLM, Uni-
659
erable detail. Flow cytometry is an expensive procedure that requires special apparatus, and the presence of persons with skill and special knowledge. Flow cytometry may add a new dimension to the diagnostic and treatment aims of bladder tumor management. J. A. A. 10 figures, 1 table, 8 references
Testicular Cancer: B5, a New Tumour Marker
W. G. JONES, Department of Surgery, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge and Regional Radiotherapy Center, Cookridge Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom Urol. Int., 42: 254-259 (July-Aug.) 1987 S. METCALFE AND
The B5 antigen on human erythrocytes occurs naturally, although it is rare in nontumor-bearing individuals (approximately 3 per cent incidence of strong B5 positivity). A marked upward shift in B5 status often is associated with tumor growth and it may precede clinical detection by several months (regardless of the tumor type). A simple hemagglutination test provides a reliable quantitative assessment of the B5 marker status. The authors present a longitudinal study of the B5 tumor marker in 63 patients who presented with testicular cancer. Of the 28 seminoma patients 71 per cent were positive for the B5 antigen at presentation, including 13 of 20 (65 per cent) with stage 1 disease. a-Fetoprotein and f'l-human chorionic gonadotropin levels were normal in all but 2 seminoma patients who also were positive for the B5 antigen. Most patients showed a significant downward shift in B5 status after orchiectomy and treatment. P. R. R. 3 figures, 2 tables, 7 references
Association of Germ Cell Tumours of the Testis and Intrathoracic Sarcoid-Like Lesions S. J. URBANSKI, R. E. ALISON, A. S. JEWETT, M. K. GOSPODAROWICZ AND J. F. G. STURGEON, Department of
Pathology, Foothills Hospital, and Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, and Departments of Medicine and Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Department of Surgery (Urology), Wellesley Hospital and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Canad. Med. Ass. J., 137: 416-417 (Sept. 1) 1987 A total of 14 cases of germ cell testicular tumors found with sarcoid-like mediastinal lesions was evaluated (3 reported by the authors and 11 gleaned from the literature). Previous investigators have suggested that the pulmonary lesions were related to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. That finding is not proved by this study. The presence of sarcoid-like lesions does not appear to be of prognostic value. If the serum a-fetoprotein level is not elevated biopsy of mediastinal masses may not be indicated. J. A. A. 14 references
Tumour Markers in Prostatic Carcinoma. A Comparison of Prostate-Specific Antigen With Acid Phosphatase M. A. FERRO, I. BARNES, J. B. M. ROBERTS AND P. J. B. SMITH, Departments of Urology and Biochemistry, Royal In-
versity Department of Surgery/Urology, MRC Clinical and Population Cytogenetics Unit and Department of Pathology, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom Brit. J. Urol., 60: 239-247 (Sept.) 1987
Brit. J. Urol., 60: 69-73 (July) 1987
The fundamentals of flow cytometry and its application to the study of carcinoma of the bladder are presented in consid-
Prostate specific antigen is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 34,000, which is localized to the endoplasmic reticu-
firmary, Bristol, United Kingdom
Pheochromocytoma, Polycythemia, and Venous Thrombosis B. L. SHULKIN, B. SHAPIRO AND J. C. SISSON, Division of
Nuclear Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan Amer. J. Med., 83: 773-776 (Oct.) 1987 The association of polycythemia and pheochromocytoma is rare. The deleterious effects of pheochromocytoma usually are attributed to excessive secretion of catecholamines. Rarely, these tumors may secrete other hormones, including adrenocorticotropic hormone, growth hormone-releasing hormone, somatostatin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and, possibly, substance P and motilin, which themselves may cause additional syndromes. A patient with a 22-year history of malignant, eventually widespread pheochromocytoma is presented in whom major complications, particularly extensive venous thrombosis, occurred as a result of long-standing polycythemia apparently caused by erythropoietin produced by the tumor. Despite attempts to reduce tumor burden by an operation, chemotherapy and large doses of 131iodine-metaiodobenzylguanidine, polycythemia persisted. The polycythemia of pheochromocytoma may require prophylactic measures to prevent untoward events. M. G. F. 1 figure, 2 tables, 16 references
N-myc Oncogene Amplification and Prognostic Factors of Neuroblastoma in Children A. NAKAGAWARA, K. IKEDA, T. TSUDA AND K. HIGASHI, De-
partment of Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan and Department of Biochemistry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan J. Ped. Surg., 22: 895-898 (Oct.) 1987 The N-myc oncogene from 28 histologically neuroblastic tumors was obtained from 16 untreated and 12 pre-treated Japanese children. The number of N-myc copies in 17 children was less than 11 (1 to 8 copies), while that in the remaining 11 children was more than 10 (14 to 130 copies). All of the former patients are alive with no evidence of disease, while among the latter group 7 died and 2 had a recurrence. The survival of the genomically amplified cases in stages II, III, IV and IVS was decreased significantly compared to that of the nonamplified cases in the same stage group. The N-myc amplification is another reliable prognostic factor, and it correlates closely with stage, age and primary site. This was true even in the case of preoperatively treated tumors. All tumors with N-myc amplification originated from the suprarenal region and the amplification appeared in 55 per cent of those from that region. P. R.R. 1 figure, 4 tables, 17 references Bladder Cancer Flow Cytometry Profiles in Relation to Histological Grade and Stage G. G. HADJISSOTIRIOU, D. K. GREEN, G. SMITH, M. A. MCINTYRE, T. B. HARGREAVE AND G.D. CHISHOLM, Uni-
659
erable detail. Flow cytometry is an expensive procedure that requires special apparatus, and the presence of persons with skill and special knowledge. Flow cytometry may add a new dimension to the diagnostic and treatment aims of bladder tumor management. J. A. A. 10 figures, 1 table, 8 references
Testicular Cancer: B5, a New Tumour Marker
W. G. JONES, Department of Surgery, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge and Regional Radiotherapy Center, Cookridge Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom Urol. Int., 42: 254-259 (July-Aug.) 1987 S. METCALFE AND
The B5 antigen on human erythrocytes occurs naturally, although it is rare in nontumor-bearing individuals (approximately 3 per cent incidence of strong B5 positivity). A marked upward shift in B5 status often is associated with tumor growth and it may precede clinical detection by several months (regardless of the tumor type). A simple hemagglutination test provides a reliable quantitative assessment of the B5 marker status. The authors present a longitudinal study of the B5 tumor marker in 63 patients who presented with testicular cancer. Of the 28 seminoma patients 71 per cent were positive for the B5 antigen at presentation, including 13 of 20 (65 per cent) with stage 1 disease. a-Fetoprotein and f'l-human chorionic gonadotropin levels were normal in all but 2 seminoma patients who also were positive for the B5 antigen. Most patients showed a significant downward shift in B5 status after orchiectomy and treatment. P. R. R. 3 figures, 2 tables, 7 references
Association of Germ Cell Tumours of the Testis and Intrathoracic Sarcoid-Like Lesions S. J. URBANSKI, R. E. ALISON, A. S. JEWETT, M. K. GOSPODAROWICZ AND J. F. G. STURGEON, Department of
Pathology, Foothills Hospital, and Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, and Departments of Medicine and Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Department of Surgery (Urology), Wellesley Hospital and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Canad. Med. Ass. J., 137: 416-417 (Sept. 1) 1987 A total of 14 cases of germ cell testicular tumors found with sarcoid-like mediastinal lesions was evaluated (3 reported by the authors and 11 gleaned from the literature). Previous investigators have suggested that the pulmonary lesions were related to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. That finding is not proved by this study. The presence of sarcoid-like lesions does not appear to be of prognostic value. If the serum a-fetoprotein level is not elevated biopsy of mediastinal masses may not be indicated. J. A. A. 14 references
Tumour Markers in Prostatic Carcinoma. A Comparison of Prostate-Specific Antigen With Acid Phosphatase M. A. FERRO, I. BARNES, J. B. M. ROBERTS AND P. J. B. SMITH, Departments of Urology and Biochemistry, Royal In-
versity Department of Surgery/Urology, MRC Clinical and Population Cytogenetics Unit and Department of Pathology, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom Brit. J. Urol., 60: 239-247 (Sept.) 1987
Brit. J. Urol., 60: 69-73 (July) 1987
The fundamentals of flow cytometry and its application to the study of carcinoma of the bladder are presented in consid-
Prostate specific antigen is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 34,000, which is localized to the endoplasmic reticu-
firmary, Bristol, United Kingdom