Almost all microRNAs exhibit isoforms of variable length and potentially distinct function in thyroid tumorigenesis.

The synchronous occurrence of GISTs and other gastrointestinal malignancies is more common than it has been considered. The development of gastrointestinal stromal tumors and other neoplasms may involve the same carcinogenic agents.

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A soluble complement inhibitor factor H (FH) and its splice variant factor H-like protein (FHL) have been recently discovered to play a major role in malignant cell escape from complement-mediated cytotoxicity in lung-, ovarian-and glia-derived neoplasms. The role of FH in colon cancer has not yet been examined. Here, we studied immunocytochemically FH/FHL expression in tumor samples derived from 40 patients, with both primary colon adenocarcinoma and metastatic foci in the liver. FH/FHL immunoreactivity was present in stroma of both primary and metastatic tumors, in virtually all patients. The cellular immunoreactivity was observed infrequently. Importantly, when analyzed quantitatively, FH/FHL immunoreactivity was significantly increased in liver metastases when compared with the primary sites. In addition, we have analyzed FH and FHL expression in 5 colon cancer cell lines: SW480, SW620, HCT116, HT-29 and Lovo. FH mRNA and FH secretion were observed in SW620 and HT-29 cells, whereas FHL was produced only by HT-29 cell-line. By confocal and electron microscopy, FH immunoreactivity was associated with the plasma membrane and intracellular vesicular structures. Finally, we have analyzed the role of FH in the susceptibility of SW620 colon cancer cells to complement-mediated damage. When FH function was blocked, using specific antibody, the cells became more susceptible to lysis. Taken together, our results suggest an important role of FH/FHL in colon cancer cells defense against complement-mediated cytotoxicity, and in metastatic process. ' 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Key words: factor H; colon cancer; metastasis; immunotherapy; complement Although recent years have brought many advances in clinical oncology, colon cancer is still a serious problem. Surgical resection remains as the most efficient treatment, but its results are often not satisfactory. Sixty percent of patients with colon cancer develop liver metastases, which, for a third of those, is the main and only metastatic site. About 25% of the patients have potentially resectable hepatic metastases, but at least half of them have recurrence after surgery. 1 Unfortunately, for a large group of patients, radical surgery is impossible. For about 60% of such patients, advanced chemo-and radiotherapy allows for a 5-year survival, however a major objection to this kind of treatment is severe side effects. 2 To improve disease-free survival, overall survival and to prevent formation of metastases, new strategies for effective treatment should be considered.

BaCKgRoUND aND aIMS: Lifetime risk of biliary tract cancer (BTC) in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) may exceed 20%, and BTC is currently the leading cause of death in patients with PSC. To open new avenues for management, we aimed to delineate clinically relevant genomic and pathological features of a large panel of PSC-associated BTC (PSC-BTC). appRoaCH aND ReSUltS: We analyzed formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue from 186 patients with PSC-BTC from 11 centers in eight countries with all anatomical locations included. We performed tumor DNA sequencing at 42 clinically relevant genetic loci to detect mutations, translocations, and copy number variations, along with histomorphological and immunohistochemical characterization. Regardless of the anatomical localization, PSC-BTC exhibited a uniform molecular and histological characteristic similar to extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. We detected a high frequency of genomic alterations typical of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, such as TP53 (35.5%), KRAS (28.0%), CDKN2A (14.5%), and

IntroductionMesenteric fibromatosis or intra-abdominal desmoid tumour is a rare proliferative disease affecting the mesentery. It is a locally aggressive tumour that lacks metastatic potential, but the local recurrence is common. Mesenteric fibromatosis with the intestinal involvement can be easily confused with other primary gastrointestinal tumours, especially with that of the mesenchymal origin.Case reportWe report a case of a 44-year-old female who presented with an abdominal mass that radiologically and pathologically mimicked a gastrointestinal stromal tumour.ConclusionsThe diagnosis of mesenteric fibromatosis should always be considered in the case of mesenchymal tumours apparently originating from the bowel wall that diffusely infiltrate the mesentery.

Introduction: A wide use of imaging techniques results in more frequent diagnosis of adrenal incidenataloma. Aim: To analyse the current state of knowledge on adrenal incidentaloma in adults in order to prepare practical management recommendations. Methods: Following a discussion, the Polish Society of Endocrinology expert working group have analysed the available data and summarised the analysis results in the form of recommendations. Imaging and hormonal assessment: Unenhanced adrenal computed tomography (CT) may be recommended as an initial assessment examination helpful in the differentiation between adenomas and "non-adenomatous" lesions. In the case of density > 10 Hounsfield units, CT with contrast medium washout assessment or MRI are recommended. However, in all patients with adrenal incidentaloma, hormonal assessment is recommended in order to exclude pheochromocytoma and hypercortisolism, notwithstanding the clinical picture or concomitant diseases. In addition, examination to exclude primary hyperaldosteronism is suggested in patients with diagnosed hypertension or hypokalaemia. Treatment: Surgical treatment should be recommended in patients with adrenal incidentaloma, where imaging examinations suggest a malignant lesion (oncological indication) or with confirmed hormonal activity (endocrinological indication). The basis of the surgical treatment is laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Patients with suspected pheochromocytoma must be pharmacologically prepared prior to surgery. In patients not qualified for surgery, control examinations (imaging and laboratory tests) should be established individually, taking into consideration such features as the size, image, and growth dynamics of the tumour, clinical symptoms, hormonal tests results, and concomitant diseases. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (2): 234-258)

ObjectivesTo compare the efficacy of two quantitative methods for discrimination between benign and malignant focal liver lesions (FLLs): apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and T2 relaxation times.MethodsSeventy-three patients with 215 confirmed FLLs (115 benign, 100 malignant) underwent 1.5-T MRI with respiratory-triggered single-shot SE DWI (b = 50, 400, 800) and dual-echo T2TSE (TR = 3,000 ms; TE1 = 84 ms; TE2 = 228 ms). ADC values and T2 relaxation times of FLLs were calculated. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of both techniques in diagnosing malignancy were assessed.ResultsThe mean ADC value of malignant tumours (1.07 × 10−3 mm2/s) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that of benign lesions (1.86 × 10−3 mm2/s ); however, with the use of the optimal cut-off value of 1.25 × 10−3 mm2/s, 20 false positive (FP) and 20 false negative (FN) diagnoses of malignancy were noted, generating 79 % sensitivity, 82.6 % specificity and 80.9 % accuracy. The mean T2 relaxation time of malignant tumours (64.4 ms) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that of benign lesions (476.1 ms). At the threshold of 107 ms 22 FP and 1 FN diagnoses were noted; the sensitivity was 99 %, specificity 80.9 % and accuracy 89.3 %.ConclusionsQuantitative analysis of T2 relaxation times yielded significantly higher sensitivity and accuracy in diagnosing malignant liver tumour than ADC values.Key Points• Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is increasingly used for liver lesions.• But ADC values demonstrated only moderate accuracy for differentiation of liver lesions.• T2 relaxation times yielded higher accuracy in diagnosing malignant liver tumours.• Both ADC and T2 values overlapped between focal nodular hyperplasia and malignant lesions.• Nevertheless T2 liver mapping could be valuable for evaluating focal liver lesions.