Areas Of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Research Articles

Spatial analysis of photoplethysmography in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

The primary treatment of the common malignancy squamous cell carcinoma is surgical removal. In this process, sufficient tissue removal is balanced against unnecessary mutilation. We recently presented a remote photoplethysmography algorithm, which revealed significant differences between processed video recordings of cancer biopsy areas and surrounding tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate whether spatial analyses of photoplethysmography data correlate with post-excision pathological analyses and thus have potential to assist in tumour delineation. Based on high speed video recordings of 11 patients with squamous cell carcinoma, we examined different parameters derived from temporal remote photoplethysmography variations. Signal characteristics values in sites matching histological sections were compared with pathological measures. Values were ranked and statistically tested with a Kendall correlation analysis. A moderate, negative correlation was found between signal oscillations and the width and transversal area of squamous cell carcinoma in the frequencies below 1 Hz and specifically from 0.02 to 0.15 Hz. We have presented a correlation between frequency content and prevalence of cancer based on regular video recordings of squamous cell carcinoma. We believe this is supported by published findings on malignant melanoma. Our findings indicate that photoplethysmography can be used to distinguish SCC from healthy skin.

Clinical associations of mucin 1 in human lung cancer and precancerous lesions.

Mucin 1 (MUC1) is a cell membrane glycoprotein overexpressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and has been implicated in carcinogenesis of premalignant lung lesions. Thus, MUC1 has been a target of interest for vaccine strategies for lung cancer treatment and prevention. Here, we assessed MUC1 expression by immunohistochemistry using tumor samples from patients with biopsy-proven NSCLC. Levels of expression in areas of dysplasia, metaplasia, adenocarcinoma in situ, and carcinoma within the same tissue sample were characterized independently on a scale of 0–3 for paired comparison. We also assessed clinical data for correlations with MUC1 expression. Our analysis included 16 samples from patients with squamous lesions and 19 from patients with adenocarcinoma lesions. Among squamous lesions, MUC1 expression score was significantly increased in dysplastic compared with metaplastic areas (mean difference = 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21-infinity; P = 0.021). MUC1 expression was also increased among areas of squamous cell carcinoma versus dysplastic areas (mean difference = 0.44, 95% CI, −0.006-infinity; P = 0.052). In the adenocarcinoma lesions, MUC1 expression was increased in adenocarcinoma versus adenocarcinoma in situ, although not significantly (mean difference = 0.20, 95% CI, −0.055-infinity; P = 0.094). The increase in MUC1 expression with the progression of premalignant lung lesions to invasive carcinoma in patients with NSCLC supports MUC1 as a possible therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of lung cancer.

The role of immunosuppression in squamous cell carcinomas arising in seborrheic keratosis

Seborrheic keratoses (SK) are common skin neoplasms considered to be benign. Reports of associated squamous cell carcinoma arising within seborrheic keratosis (SCC-SK) have been described. To describe the histopathologic characteristics of SCC-SK and identify predisposing factors in formation of these rare lesions. There were 162 cases of SCC-SK in a span of a decade (2003-2014). All of the histopathologic specimens and medical records were reviewed. Data from these patients were compared to a control group with seborrheic keratosis who were matched by age, sex, and location of lesion from the same time period (n=162). SCC-SK has the classic histopathologic features of SK, such as hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, papillomatosis, and pseudohorn cysts. The areas of squamous cell carcinoma were characterized by areas of squamous dysplasia (100%), hypogranulosis (79.6%), squamous eddies (79.6%), solar elastosis (80.9%), and brown pigmentation (59.9%). Patients with a history of immunosuppression had an increased risk for developing SCC-SK (19% vs 3%; P<.01), particularly when inhibition was transplant-associated (10% vs 0%; P<.01). This was a single center, retrospective study. SCC-SK occurs more often in elderly men with a history of immunosuppression associated with organ transplants.

Downregulation of EGFR in hypoxic, diffusion-limited areas of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.

Background:The receptor for the epidermal growth factor (EGFR) is widely considered to be one of the central drivers of oncogenesis in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region (HNSCC). Inhibition of EGFR using monoclonal antibodies is established both in the curative and the palliative setting in this disease. HNSCCs are known to contain abundant hypoxic tissue areas and hypoxia has been shown to be involved in the (down)regulation of EGFR membrane expression.Methods:A novel method for multiplex immunofluorescence and single-cell segmentation (via DAPI-stained nuclei) was established, to study the expression of EGFR, the endogenous hypoxia marker CA IX, and intratumoural diffusion distances from microvessels (using CD34 staining) in 58 human HNSCCs and 9 normal/cancer adjacent tissues.Results:EGFR was found to be significantly downregulated with increasing distance from tumour microvessels, whereas the opposite was true for CA IX. Larger diffusion-limited areas were correlated with higher expression of CA IX.Conclusions:The hypoxic tumour microenvironment may have a major role in mediating resistance against anti-EGFR strategies by downregulating EGFR molecules on tumour cells.

Evaluation of Various Nuclear Cytological Changes in Normal Buccal Mucosa and Peritumoural Area in Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Receiving Concomitant Chemoradiotherapy.

Objectives. To evaluate the role of serial cytological assay in calculating the nuclear response of contralateral normal buccal mucosa and peritumoural area of squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity in patients receiving fractionated radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy. Materials and Methods. This prospective, nonrandomized study was comprised of 76 histologically confirmed cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma on cyclical chemoradiation treatment. Chemoradiosensitivity was evaluated using serial scrape smears taken before and after immediate exposure to CCRT, at 17th day of CCRT (mid of treatment), and at the end of treatment. The nuclear changes, such as multinucleation, micronucleation, karyorrhexis, karyolysis, nuclear budding, prominent nucleoli, and binucleation occurring in both irradiated cancer cells and contralateral normal buccal mucosa, had a statistically significant dose related increase with concomitant chemoradiotherapy (p < 0.05). Conclusion. We recommend regular use of serial cytological assay during CCRT as it may prove to be a valuable tool for assessment of chemoradiosensitivity and persistence of tumour/dysplastic cells after radiotherapy.

Conservative treatment of coexisting microinvasive squamous and adenocarcinoma of the cervix: report of two cases and literature review.

Coexistence of microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma (MISCC) and microinvasive adenocarcinoma (MIAC) of the cervix is a rare phenomenon with very few clinically significant cases described in the literature. While a conservative approach has been studied, and may be effective in MISCC, a lower number of studies that recommend conservative treatment are available for MIAC. We report two cases of synchronous cervix lesions in two separate foci, MISCC and MIAC, who underwent fertility-sparing treatment with long-term follow-up. We describe clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical features of the two cases. The first case is a 41-year-old female with a diagnosis of MIAC of endocervical type, grade 1 differentiation, with a stromal invasion, associated with a separate area of squamous cell carcinoma (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics/TNM stage: pT1a1G1). The second case is a 45-year-old female with a diagnosis of plurifocal MISCC, associated with an MIAC of endocervical type with a stromal invasion (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics/TNM stage: pT1a1G1). After multidisciplinary counseling, both patients accepted conization as definitive treatment. Eleven years after the conization, all tests (Papanicolaou smear, colposcopy, cervical curettage, and hybrid capture 2-human papillomavirus test) planned quarterly in the first year and every 6 months in the subsequent years were negative in both patients. In women affected by stage IA1 squamous cervical cancer coexisting with stage IA1 adenocarcinoma endocervical type, with clear margins, and without lymphovascular space invasion, cervical conization may be considered a fertility-preserving, safe, and definitive therapeutic option.

Spindle Cell Carcinoma in a Young Man: A Case Report of a Rare Entity

Spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC), also known as sarcomatoid carcinoma, is a rare biphasic malignant neoplasm that occurs mainly in the upper aerodigestive tract. An aggressive variant of squamous cell carcinoma, SpCC has spindled or pleomorphic tumor cells, which simulate a sarcoma but are of epithelial origin. It often recurs and metastasizes, underscoring the importance of diagnosing it correctly. A 21-year-old male presented with an irregular painless mass in the anterior mandible. Panoramic radiography and computed tomography showed destructive osteolytic lesion of the mandibular bone. Histopathological analysis revealed pleomorphic spindle cells, with atypical mitoses, arranged in an irregular fascicular pattern, together with small areas of squamous cell carcinoma. The immunohistochemical analysis showed positivity for 34βE12, AE1/AE3, vimentin, and Ki-67. The patient underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which, however, were ineffective. The lesion was deemed inoperable. Currently, the patient has been followed-up via palliative treatment.

Clinicopathologic observation of adenoid cystic carcinoma of esophagus

To study the clinicopathologic features and differential diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma in the esophagus. Ten cases of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the esophagus were retrieved from the archival file. The clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features were studied. The differential diagnosis was analyzed. The male-to-female ratio was 9: 1. The age of patients ranged from 59 to 76 years. There were 4 cases with tumor located in mid esophagus, 4 cases with tumor located in mid to lower esophagus and the remaining 2 cases in lower esophagus. Low-power histologic examination showed mainly expansive growth pattern, with cribriform, solid and focal tubular architectures identified. The tumor cells showed nuclear hyperchromasia. Both ductal and myoepithelial differentiation was demonstrated. The stroma showed myxoid degeneration in areas. Comedo-type necrosis was observed in 8 cases and moderate to severe squamous dysplasia was present in one case. Three cases showed focal areas of squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical study showed that the tumor cells were positive for p63 (10/10), CD117 (10/10) and S-100 protein (9/10). There was focal staining for calponin (2/10) and smooth muscle actin (2/10). The ductal structures expressed CK7 (10/10). Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the esophagus demonstrates unique morphologic features with expression of S-100 protein and consistent expression of CD117. The above characteristics help to distinguish this entity from basaloid squamous cell carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma and small cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

Proliferation and maturation of intratumoral blood vessels in non–small cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung carcinoma is one of the most common leading causes of cancer mortality, and studying the features of intratumoral vessels, especially their generation and maturation, has become more important because of the recent application of antiangiogenic therapy. Vasohibin-1 has been recently considered one of the immunohistochemical markers for identifying neovascularization in archival materials. In addition, the functional maturation of blood vessels is considered to be related to pericyte formation around endothelial cells. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the status of angiogenesis and maturation of intratumoral blood vessels in 93 patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma (50 with adenocarcinoma and 43 with squamous cell carcinoma) using immunohistochemistry of vasohibin-1, endoglin, CD31, and nestin. The vasohibin-1/CD31-positive ratio was significantly (P = .03) correlated with the Ki-67/CD31 ratio, confirming that the vasohibin-1/CD31-positive ratio represented the status of neovascularization in lung cancer. There were no statistically significant differences in vasohibin-1/CD31 ratios between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in both inner (P = .39) and outer areas (P = .36) of the tumor. The vasohibin-1/nestin-positive ratio, which represents the degrees of vascular maturation in proliferative vessels, was significantly lower in inner areas of adenocarcinoma (0.4 ± 0.1) than those in squamous cell carcinoma (0.8 ± 0.1) (P = .02). These results demonstrated that the degrees of maturation in newly formed blood vessels were less developed in inner areas of squamous cell carcinoma than adenocarcinoma, which may account partly for the complications of antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy more frequently detected in patients with squamous cell carcinoma.

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma of the gallbladder with squamous cell carcinomatous and osteosarcomatous differentiation: Report of a case

An extremely rare case of mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) of the gallbladder is reported, in which the tumor showed diverse differentiation toward neuroendocrine tumor (grade 2), tubular adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and, in addition, osteosarcoma. The patient was an 80-year-old man, who underwent cholecystectomy because of a large polypoid tumor filling the gallbladder lumen. The tumor consisted of an intimate admixture of neuroendocrine tumor (grade 2) and tubular adenocarcinoma, and, in many areas, cell nests of neuroendocrine tumor appeared to bud off from tubular structures of the adenocarcinoma, in a manner resembling the 'ductulo-insular complex' seen in nesidioblastosis of the pancreas. Small areas of squamous cell carcinoma were also found. The stroma consisted of a dense proliferation of atypical spindle cells showing focal osteosarcomatous differentiation, and an apparent transition from an epithelial tissue component to atypical spindle cells was observed. Immunohistochemically, neuroendocrine cells were positive for synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and serotonin, and the sarcomatoid stroma was partly immunoreactive for cytokeratin. The present case is the first example of MANEC of the gallbladder with simultaneous squamous cell carcinomatous and osteosarcomatous differentiation. 'Neometaplasia' of carcinoma cells in diverse directions was considered the most plausible explanation for the formation of this multifaceted neoplasm.

Comparison of growth hormone receptor, igf-1r and igfbp-3 between tumoral and non-tumoral areas in non-melanoma skin cancers

A relationship between the pathogenesis of some cancers and growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factors binding protein-3 has been shown. Our aim was to evaluate the expression of growth hormone receptor, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor and insulin-like growth factors binding protein-3 in actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and to compare the expression patterns of tumoral areas with normal epidermis and skin appendages. The formalin-fixed, paraff in-embedded tissues of 40 patients which were diagnosed as 15 actinic keratosis, 15 basal cell carcinoma and 15 squamous cell carcinoma were analyzed for growth hormone receptor, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor and insulin-like growth factors binding protein-3 with the immunohistochemical method using the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase technique. There was no difference between tumoral areas of actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in expression of growth hormone receptor and insulin-like growth factors binding protein-3 (P > 0.05). However, a significantly higher expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor was observed in tumoral areas of squamous cell carcinoma (P < 0.01). In basal cell carcinoma, a significantly lower intensity of immunostaining with growth hormone receptor, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor and insulin-like growth factors binding protein-3 in tumoral areas than skin appendages was seen (P < 0.01). In squamous cell carcinoma, higher expressions of growth hormone receptor, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor and insulin-like growth factors binding protein-3 in tumoral areas than peritumoral epidermis was found (P =0.06, P < 0.01 and P =0.02, respectively). Our study points out that, growth hormone receptor, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor and insulin-like growth factors binding protein-3 have a role in the pathogenesis of non-melanoma skin cancers, especially squamous cell carcinoma.

A case study of radiotherapy planning for Intensity Modulation Radiation Therapy for the whole scalp with matching electron treatment

The purpose of this report is to communicate a technique to match an electron field to the dose distribution of an Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) plan. A patient with multiple areas of squamous cell carcinoma over the scalp was treated using 60Gy in 2.0-Gy fractions to the entire scalp and first echelon nodes with multiple 6-MV photon fields. To deliver an adequate dose to the scalp, a custom 1.0-cm bolus helmet was fashioned using a solid piece of aquaplast. Along with the IMRT scalp treatment, a left zygoma area was treated with electrons matching the anterior border of the IMRT dose distribution. The border was matched by creating a left lateral field with the multileaf collimator shaped to the IMRT dose distribution. The result indicated an adequate dose to the skin match between the IMRT plan and the electron field. Results were confirmed using optically stimulated luminescence placed at the skin match area, so that the dose matched the prescription within 10%.

Discrimination of squamous cell carcinoma in situ from seborrheic keratosis by color analysis techniques requires information from scale, scale-crust and surrounding areas in dermoscopy images

Scale-crust, also termed “keratin crust”, appears as yellowish-to-tan scale on the skin's surface. It is caused by hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis in inflamed areas of squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCIS, Bowen's disease) and is a critical dermoscopy feature for detecting this skin cancer. In contrast, scale appears as a white-to-ivory detaching layer of the skin, without crust, and is most commonly seen in benign lesions such as seborrheic keratoses (SK). Distinguishing scale-crust from ordinary scale in digital dermoscopy images holds promise for early SCCIS detection and differentiation from SK. Reported here are image analysis techniques that best characterize scale-crust in SCCIS and scale in SK, thereby allowing accurate separation of these two dermoscopic features. Classification using a logistic regression operating on color features extracted from these digital dermoscopy structures can reliably separate SCCIS from SK.

The Value of Laminin-322 Staining in Distinguishing Between Keratoacanthoma, Keratoacanthoma With Areas of Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Crateriform Squamous Cell Carcinoma

IntroductionKeratoacanthoma is a fast-growing crateriform skin tumor. Approximately 25% of such tumors undergo malignant transformation and develop areas of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The presence of laminin-322 has been associated with progression to invasive forms of SCC. The aim of this study was to determine whether or not immunohistochemical staining for laminin-322 would be of value in distinguishing between keratoacanthomas, keratoacanthomas with areas of squamous cell carcinoma, and SCCs. Material and methodsSeventy-four lesions were selected from the pathology archives of our hospital and divided into 4 groups: 20 keratoacanthomas without SCC, 20 keratoacanthomas with areas of squamous cell carcinoma, 20 invasive SCCs (8 with crateriform morphology) unrelated to keratoacanthoma, and 14 problem lesions (keratoacanthomas with areas suggestive of SCC). All 74 lesions were stained for laminin-322. ResultsLaminin-322 staining was strongly positive both in areas of SCC in keratoacanthomas with malignant transformation and in invasive SCCs (mostly at the invasive front of the SCC). However, in benign keratoacanthomas, it was only weakly positive and furthermore it was confined to isolated cells or small groups of cells. The 14 problem lesions were reexamined after laminin-322 staining and 8 were diagnosed as keratoacanthomas with incipient SCC and 6 as keratoacanthomas without SCC. ConclusionsLaminin-322 staining is different in keratoacanthomas and SCCs and would thus be a useful test for differentiating keratoacanthomas from both invasive SCCs and keratoacanthomas with areas of squamous cell carcinoma. It would also be of value in diagnosing keratoacanthomas with areas suggestive of SCC or with incipient SCC.

Utilidad de la tinción con laminina-332 para diferenciar queratoacantoma, queratoacantoma con áreas de carcinoma epidermoide y carcinoma epidermoide crateriforme

IntroductionKeratoacanthoma is a fast-growing crateriform skin tumor. Approximately 25% of such tumors undergo malignant transformation and develop areas of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The presence of laminin-322 has been associated with progression to invasive forms of SCC. The aim of this study was to determine whether or not immunohistochemical staining for laminin-322 would be of value in distinguishing between keratoacanthomas, keratoacanthomas with areas of squamous cell carcinoma, and SCCs. Material and methodsSeventy-four lesions were selected from the pathology archives of our hospital and divided into 4 groups: 20 keratoacanthomas without SCC, 20 keratoacanthomas with areas of squamous cell carcinoma, 20 invasive SCCs (8 with crateriform morphology) unrelated to keratoacanthoma, and 14 problem lesions (keratoacanthomas with areas suggestive of SCC). All 74 lesions were stained for laminin-322. ResultsLaminin-322 staining was strongly positive both in areas of SCC in keratoacanthomas with malignant transformation and in invasive SCCs (mostly at the invasive front of the SCC). However, in benign keratoacanthomas, it was only weakly positive and furthermore it was confined to isolated cells or small groups of cells. The 14 problem lesions were reexamined after laminin-322 staining and 8 were diagnosed as keratoacanthomas with incipient SCC and 6 as keratoacanthomas without SCC. ConclusionsLaminin-322 staining is different in keratoacanthomas and SCCs and would thus be a useful test for differentiating keratoacanthomas from both invasive SCCs and keratoacanthomas with areas of squamous cell carcinoma. It would also be of value in diagnosing keratoacanthomas with areas suggestive of SCC or with incipient SCC.

New vessel formation in peritumoral area of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

This study was conducted to investigate the dynamic process of new vessel formation, fundamental for tumor growth and metastasis, in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We used immunohistochemistry, confocal laser-scanning microscopy, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to study endothelial cell and concomitant pericyte development with markers CD133, CD34, VEGFR-2, CD31, vWF, and STRO-1 in tumor and peritumoral tissues of 18 patients with HNSCC. Highly compressed and structurally abnormal vessels with barely any activity of new vessel formation were found in tumor tissue, whereas the adjacent peritumoral tissue vessels showed a normal architecture with tight endothelial cell-pericyte interaction and a high activity of angiogenesis. Endothelial precursor cells expressing CD133/VEGFR-2 could be incorporated into these newly formed vessels, forming cell clusters from which a thin endothelial lining could emanate. These data show a high activity of new vessel formation in the peritumoral stroma of HNSCC, with endothelial precursor cells being incorporated into these structures.

Human Calmodulin‐Like Protein (CLP) Expression in Oral Squamous Mucosa and in Malignant Transformation

The purpose of this study was to test whether calmodulin-like protein (CLP) is expressed in normal human oral mucosal cells and if downregulation of CLP occurs in malignant transformation. Oral mucosal tissue was taken from three individuals in a double-blind manner. The samples were cut, measured, and homogenized. Total RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed. Each cDNA sample was subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR fragments were purified, cloned, and sequenced to verify the presence of CLP. Three oral mucosal tissue samples with biopsy-confirmed squamous cell carcinoma were obtained. These samples demonstrated regions of normal epithelial cells as well as invasive squamous cell carcinoma. One normal breast epithelial sample was also obtained for positive control. Sections were stained with an affinity-purified CLP antibody and counterstained with a diluted hematoxylin. Two observers evaluated the specimens for expression of CLP. Staining patterns and intensity were noted in normal oral mucosa, comparing them to the normal breast epithelium sample. Staining patterns and intensity were then observed in squamous tumor cells, comparing them to the patterns of benign squamous mucosa. CLP coding sequences were positively identified from the normal oral mucosal tissue samples by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with 100% identity to the published CLP sequence (accession #M58026). In the three oral mucosa tissue samples with known squamous cell carcinoma, expression of CLP was readily detected in areas of normal oral mucosa, while a notable downregulation of CLP expression occurred in areas of malignant transformation. The staining intensity was equivalent to the staining seen in the benign breast epithelium used as a control. In the areas of squamous cell carcinoma, a decrease in CLP immunoreactivity occurred. There was a sharp contrast in staining quality and clarity between benign and malignant tissue. In the majority of the carcinoma regions, a complete lack of immunoreactivity was noted. The RNA for human CLP is found in normal oral mucosa. CLP expression is seen in normal oral mucosa with a downregulation of CLP expression in malignant transformation.

Merkel cell carcinoma in situ

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a dermal small blue-cell tumor that occurs in the elderly on the sun damaged head and neck. Epidermal involvement is unusual and MCC limited to the epidermis is very rare. A slightly tender pink hyperkeratotic papule was noted on the dorsal right hand of a 76-year-old man with a history of multiple skin cancers. An intraepidermal proliferation of small blue cells distributed in nests and single units at all levels of the epidermis was found within a solar keratosis and adjacent to an area of squamous cell carcinoma in situ. Cytokeratin 20 and neuron specific enolase highlighted these cells and failed to reveal dermal involvement. There was no residue on re-excision. We report the third case of MCC in situ. These lesions have only been reported in association with squamous neoplasms on the extremities.

Lack of correlation between expression of HIF-1alpha protein and oxygenation status in identical tissue areas of squamous cell carcinomas of the uterine cervix.

Hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) has been proposed as a candidate endogenous marker of tumor hypoxia and as a molecular mediator of hypoxia-driven malignant progression and acquired treatment resistance. In this study, HIF-1alpha expression in 68 biopsies of oxygenation measurement tracks from squamous cell carcinomas of the uterine cervix of 38 patients was assessed. Expression of HIF-1alpha was commonly found to increase as a function of distance from microvessels, at the center of tumor cell aggregations, and in the vicinity of necrotic areas. However, there was no correlation of HIF-1alpha expression with median oxygen tension (oxygen partial pressure; pO2) and hypoxic fractions (hypoxic fraction < 2.5 mm Hg, hypoxic fraction < 5 mm Hg). The results indicate that HIF-1alpha should not be used as an endogenous marker of tumor hypoxia in locally advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the uterine cervix. Additionally, no significant prognostic impact of HIF-1alpha expression was found in this group of patients.

Estimation of relative blood volume in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

MR based first-pass method can be utilized to obtain hemodynamic information in the head and neck region. The purpose of this study was to estimate the regional relative blood volume (rBV) in head and neck tumors, which is useful for tumor staging and tumor biopsy. Eighteen patients with head and neck tumors (17 squamous cell carcinomas, 1 hemangiopericytoma) were studied on a 1.5-T system. Conventional T1-weighted MR images and T2-weighted images and sequential T2*-weighted images were obtained. During repetitive image sequence acquisition, a bolus (0.2 mmol/kg) of gadopentetate dimeglumine was mechanically injected. Image processing of the dynamic raw data was performed on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Regional relative blood volume maps of the head and neck were successfully reconstructed in all (18/18) patients. The regional relative blood volume values within the tumor area of squamous cell carcinoma were 7.0 +/- 2.8, normalized on muscle, whereas the rBV of a single hemangiopericytoma was 11.6. The difference of rBV values of tumor and muscle was highly significant at statistical evaluation (p < 0.001). Relative blood volume imaging of head and neck tumors is valid using MR-based first-pass method. This method provides hemodynamic information which is not available from conventional MR imaging and is promising for further characterization of head and neck tumors