Invasive potential of cutaneous malignant melanoma
Introduction
Cutaneous malignant melanoma is the most aggressive skin cancer, with a high mortality rate despite advances in therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between lymphovascular and perineural invasion and key clinicopathological parameters in superficial spreading melanoma, in order to assess their potential prognostic significance.
Materials and methods
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 47 cases of superficial spreading melanoma obtained from the Oncology Institute in Chisinau. All cases were histologically confirmed and reviewed for tumor thickness, Clark level, ulceration, mitotic activity, microsatellitosis, pigmentation, and lymph node involvement. Lymphovascular and perineural invasion were assessed using hematoxylin–eosin staining and, where available, immunohistochemistry. Correlations between invasion patterns and clinicopathologic features were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Results
Lymphovascular invasion was positive and significantly correlated with tumor thickness (r = 0.54, p< 0.001), Clark level (r = 0.46, p < 0.001), microsatellitosis (r = 0.50, p < 0.001), tumor stage (r = 0.33, p = 0.01), and lymph node involvement (r = 0.29, p = 0.02). A negative correlation was observed with pigmentation (r = –0.26, p = 0.04). Perineural invasion was less frequent, but correlated positively with lymphovascular invasion (r = 0.28, p = 0.03) and showed a trend toward association with amelanotic tumors (r = –0.24, p = 0.05). No significant relationships were found with ulceration or mitotic activity.
Conclusions
Lymphovascular invasion represents a significant indicator of aggressive biological behavior in superficial spreading melanoma, closely associated with established prognostic factors. Perineural invasion occurs less frequently, but may further reflect invasive potential, particularly in amelanotic variants. Routine histopathologic assessment of both invasion patterns is recommended to improve prognostic evaluation.
The influence of diabetes mellitus on blood vessels amount in case of breast cancer
Introduction
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in females worldwide. There are evidences that women with diabetes mellitus have a 40% higher risk of mortality. CD34 is a cell surface glycoprotein, which functions as a cell-cell adhesion factor. Although its expression is traditionally related to hematopoietic cells, it is actually found on many other types of cells, endothelial too. Nowadays there are evidences that CD34 is a prognostic indicator by emphasizing its low expression in malignant tumors compared to benign ones. The aim of study was to determine the presence and numerical distribution of CD34+ vessels in the normal mammary gland, as well as in NST breast carcinomas, with and without diabetes mellitus type 2.
Materials and methods
We processed immunohistochemically 58 invasive breast carcinomas of NST type. In 29 of cases, tumors were associated with diabetes.
Results
The present study did not reveal any statistical and morphological differences in CD34 expression between compared groups.
Conclusions
The expression of CD34 in breast cancer stroma is not homogenous, irrespective of association with diabetes mellitus type 2. The question if breast carcinoma and diabetes mellitus are concurrent or associated disorders remains open. Probably, the effect of carcinoma prevails in influencing the structure of the tumor microenvironment. We expect a further confirmation in larger study groups.